Chapter 80: Blow on the Wife and It Doesn’t Hurt Anymore

Having gotten a closer look, someone immediately recognized her.

Pointing high, he said: “Isn’t that the Zhao family’s big girl?”

“That big girl from the Zhao family, her name is Zhao Ling, right? Wow, that red dress of hers is stunning…”

“It’s Zhao Xueling. She lives in the house ahead of us. Among the three sisters in her family, she’s the best looking!”

“Oh my! I can hardly recognize the big girl from the Zhao family in that outfit! How come she looks exactly like the person in the movie? Unbelievable, unbelievable…”

Zhao Xueling held her head high, wearing a bright red dress, with small silver strappy high heels on her feet and her long hair styled in soft curls cascading over her shoulders, blowing gently in the wind as she gracefully walked past the crowd.

She could feel all eyes gathering on her, some filled with wonder and envy, others appraising and astonished, or secretly jealous.

Zhao Xueling walked steadily, facing the gaze of the crowd. On the surface, she smiled demurely, but inside she was bursting with excitement.

This moment was indeed what she had longed for!

Since her rebirth, she had been thinking about how to connect herself with Zhou Zhengbin in the best way.

After much thought, she remembered this autumn harvest celebration assembly.

What others didn’t know, she was clear about; the village would be inviting someone to screen the movie “The Red Skirt in the Streets.”

This movie was a sensation, instantly popularizing the red skirt trend, leading to nearly every girl in the village owning a fashionable red dress afterward.

But who would be the first person to wear a red dress in the village?

Zhou Zhengbin would definitely come to watch the movie tonight.

Previously, Xia Li’s aunt secretly arranged for them to meet tonight.

Tonight, she would wear a beautiful eye-catching red dress like in the movie and style her hair like a female lead, casually appearing in front of him.

Not only would Zhou Zhengbin be attracted to her, but the attention of the whole village would also be on her.

Thus, Zhao Xueling bit the bullet and asked her mom for the last bit of money they had at home, then ran to the city to find a way to acquire this outfit.

Now it was already late autumn, and she couldn’t wear the sleeveless dress from the movie; instead, she bought a long-sleeved red dress, which looked just as perfect on her.

The hem of the skirt swayed slightly in the wind, paired with a trendy pair of delicate strappy high heels, her steps were graceful and captivating, simply mesmerizing.

Zhao Xueling was very confident.

Hearing the whispers of admiration around her only boosted her confidence further.

As she walked past the audience below the stage, she couldn’t help but check the crowd for Xia Li.

Xia Li must have come to watch the movie as well.

Seeing herself in this outfit, Xia Li would surely be envious!

However, Zhao Xueling merely pretended to be passing by, stopped briefly when recognized by her friends, and left without finding where Xia Li was sitting, missing the expression on her face.

Her appearance caused quite a stir among everyone.

Most were envious and amazed, but some were critical.

They thought this girl had to make a scene, circling around the screen, completely blocking others from watching the movie!

In the pitch-dark night, why was she trying to show off here?

From afar, Xia Li watched Zhao Xueling’s graceful and charming smile as she stepped away from the glow of the film, looking like she had walked by accidentally but also as if she deliberately took that route.

She heard two girls’ voices behind her.

“Ugh, she just loves to show off!”

“Hey, didn’t the big sister fight with mom about money the other day? I was still wondering what happened… Could it be just to buy this dress?”

The response was coldly sarcastic:

“Ha, does she really think she’s some kind of young lady? Mom is truly enabling her, letting her use the money saved for the family to dress up and flirt with men. Let her be; I want to see how long she can keep it up!”

A soft, hesitant voice said, “That red dress is beautiful, almost like Tao Xing’er from the movie. But it must be really cold; I saw the big sister’s legs were shaking.”

“Serves her right, she won’t freeze to death!”

Xia Li perked up her ears, realizing that these two girls were Zhao Xueling’s younger sisters.

Actually, without listening to their complaints, Xia Li also found it strange.

Why did Zhao Xueling dress up like a movie star for this special occasion and walk past everyone?

Was it just to show off?

Also, did she know in advance that the village would be screening this movie today, which is why she prepared the same red dress ahead of time?

Xia Li pondered.

As she thought about it, she looked down and noticed that her hand was still tightly held in someone else’s grip.

It was too hot; her palm was sweating from being squeezed.

The man beside her acted as if nothing was happening, his large hand firmly holding hers while he quietly watched the movie, his expression serious and stern, as if he were watching a war film rather than a light-hearted fashion drama.

She shook her hand, only to have him squeeze it lightly in return.

In a deep voice, he said, “Stop messing around; we’re watching a movie.”

Xia Li: ???

She took a deep breath and threatened, “Are you going to let go or not?”

The man tightened his face.

He didn’t speak.

Pretending he didn’t hear.

“You’re squeezing my hand too hard.” She frowned.

Jiang Cheng’s brow twitched, and he cautiously relaxed his grip a bit, glancing at her.

Under the gaze of her watery eyes, he really couldn’t handle it.

Suddenly, he leaned down, opened his hand, and blew on it, his deep gaze shining with a clear light: “Blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore.”

After blowing, he reluctantly returned her hand.

Xia Li’s palm felt hot and sweaty.

She disdainfully wiped it on his clothes.

Then she recalled the last time he had secretly leaned in to steal a kiss on her cheek.

He was getting worse and worse.

Pouting her red lips, she coldly huffed, “Pervert.”

Jiang Cheng’s ears turned warm, and he blinked rapidly, for the first time finding the word “pervert” quite charming.

He wanted to say something, but the girl turned her head, tightly gripping her own hand, refusing to listen.

In the strange atmosphere that they both understood without saying, the movie finally ended.

People grabbed their chairs and benches and rushed out.

Amid the bustling crowd discussing the plot, of course, there was also Zhao Xueling in her red dress, as if she had walked out of the movie.

Xia Li stood up and had just managed to walk a few steps when it suddenly felt like a family’s child had been pushed away.

A woman was loudly searching for her child, pushing through the crowd. Xia Li was suddenly jostled and stumbled, bumping right into someone’s chest.

“Be careful.”

A low voice came from above.

Jiang Cheng held a long bench in one hand while securely supporting her waist with the other.

Xia Li looked up, meeting his deep, dark eyes that resembled the sea.

Behind them, someone blocked the way and grumbled, “What are you crowding for? Hurry up, I can’t hold my bladder…”

She withdrew her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttering, her profile revealing a beautiful curve.

The two were squeezed together, with Jiang Cheng standing protectively behind her as they slowly moved with the crowd.

In the darkness that no one noticed, Xia Li’s hand was once again firmly held.

After a while, the man’s deep voice sounded in her ear:

“Be careful, my wife; he’s a pervert.”

.

At that moment, in the dim light by the small thicket.

Three or four bicycles were blocking the path of the girl in the red dress.

Zhao Xueling stood there, looking a bit flustered, her face showing a hint of embarrassment.

She tried to move left, but the little thugs blocked her; when she attempted to go right, someone else leaned in, their gaze shamelessly sizing her up.

Zhao Xueling’s voice trembled slightly, her hand nervously gripping the ends of her hair: “You… you guys, please move aside.”

One of the thugs smirked, “Why don’t you call us ‘big brothers’? The more you shout, the more we’ll move aside.”

Zhao Xueling lowered her head, her eyes flickering with fear, but she glanced at the nearby bicycle.

Zhou Zhengbin was staring in her direction, smoking over there.

Did he see her, which is why he sent his underlings to block her?

Zhao Xueling felt a secret thrill inside.

Yet her head drooped even lower.

She sniffed, as if about to cry, standing in her red dress, looking flustered and pitiful.

The sparks over there flickered, and Zhou Zhengbin extinguished his cigarette, striding over.

Zhao Xueling took two steps back in fear.

Then she lifted her head, widening her eyes, which she believed were glistening, to look at him.

Zhou Zhengbin scanned her with his eyes, his gaze unabashedly landing on her prominent features.

“What do you want…” she said, her face showing a mix of anger and embarrassment, just about to speak.

The other side smiled with a wicked expression and said, “Do you know someone named Xia Li?”

“Bring her to me, or I’ll make you regret it.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xueling’s entire body trembled.

In the dim light, Zhou Zhengbin’s youthful face was clearly smiling, but his tone was dark and chilling.

Wearing a thin dress, her legs, which were already trembling from the cold, shrank even more.

She never expected to hear Xia Li’s name from Zhou Zhengbin tonight.

The anticipation and shyness she felt earlier vanished completely, and Zhao Xueling couldn’t help but tighten her face and ask, “You know Xia Li? What do you want with her?”

Zhou Zhengbin coldly examined the girl in the red dress, also puzzled.

Everyone knew the reputation of their group throughout the villages; anyone would avoid them when they crossed paths, especially a young, innocent girl.

Yet here she was, facing them. Although she pretended to be afraid, her eyes sparkled with curiosity, showing no fear, and even a hint of inquiry.

Zhou Zhengbin coldly lifted his lip: “It seems you know her? Are you curious?”

Zhao Xueling met their gaze and couldn’t help but take a step back.

Her mind raced, and she instinctively put on a defensive and surprised expression, summoning her courage to say:

“Xia Li is my good sister; what do you want with her? Did she get into some trouble? You, you all better not do anything reckless!”

Zhou Zhengbin’s playful gaze fell on her face.

One of the thugs beside him sneered, “That girl got on Brother Bin’s nephew’s bad side. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll come over and apologize to Brother Bin!”

Seeing Zhou Zhengbin’s cold and impatient expression, Zhao Xueling gradually relaxed, feeling a flicker of joy inside.

So that’s what this was about; it was that foolish Xia Li who caused the trouble.

She boldly looked at Zhou Zhengbin, suddenly showing a very stubborn expression, lifting her chin and letting her beautiful permed hair flutter in the wind.

In a gentle yet firm voice, she said, “I will never let anyone bully Xia Li… There must be some misunderstanding; you can’t do this!”

.

Not long after the autumn harvest, the weather quickly turned cold.

It seemed that overnight, all the leaves on the branches had fallen, leaving only the bare, dry twigs exposed.

The warmth of the sun also became as light as cicada wings, with mist gradually rising until it completely dispersed.

The little kids by the roadside licking their fingers had already been wrapped up in cotton clothes, giggling as they let two streams of silver snot run down their noses.

With the sudden drop in temperature, the business at the nearby stir-fry stall was getting busier.

In such cold weather, who wouldn’t be happy to have a bowl of warm soup after finishing work, paired with a few sips of liquor?

Wei Xiaojuan was almost able to make soup by herself now, and she didn’t need Xia Li to help with the seasoning anymore.

Her cooking skills still had a gap compared to Xia Li’s, but after gaining some experience, she could grasp about seventy to eighty percent of the essence. The flavors were not as exquisite, but definitely not bad, and that was enough.

Since she had come to terms with things, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to the business, feeling much lighter mentally. Her spirits were lifted, and she worked energetically, looking forward to the moment every day when she could close up shop and go home to balance the accounts.

Xia Li wore a fitted cream-colored cotton sweater, with a round collar faintly adorned with a few floral patterns, paired with straight-legged corduroy pants that accentuated her long, slender legs.

Her long hair was loosely braided into two twists, and during her free time, she sat by the stall flipping through a book.

The pages reflected the flawless face of the girl like frost and snow, her slightly reddened fingers holding a pen, occasionally bowing her head to write carefully.

After a busy while, Wei Xiaojuan hurried to the restroom and returned, carefully washing her hands.

She looked at Xia Li and said, “Li, if you want to study, you can go back first. I’m not busy, so it’s fine for me to watch the stall.”

As she spoke, she glanced enviously at Xia Li’s book and said, “How do you write so beautifully? Let Sui’er practice calligraphy with you later. You bought her a pack of White Rabbit candies last time, encouraging her to behave and learn to read at home. That little glutton has completely been won over; she now loves to listen to you.”

Xia Li raised her head, a gentle smile on her lips: “Sui’er is very good and smart. At such a young age, she’s willing to focus on her studies. Who knows, she might get into the best university in the future.”

Wei Xiaojuan patted her thigh: “Oh, then I need to burn some paper at her dad’s grave and send a message, asking him to bless his daughter well!”

Talking about her deceased husband, Wei Xiaojuan no longer felt the same silent sadness as before.

A faint look of nostalgia appeared in her slightly wrinkled eyes, but more than that, there was a yearning and hope for life ahead.

Did she forget him? Certainly not.

But she faced it bravely and dared to explain clearly to her still young daughter that her father had accidentally passed away while trying to save someone.

This was the unfairness of fate, but it was also her father’s choice; no one needed to feel guilty about it.

Her father would become a little star in the sky, twinkling every night, silently yet gently casting a beam of unobtrusive light to protect Sui’er as she grew up healthy.

Now that the stir-fry stall business was thriving, it was enough for Xia Li.