Chapter 35: Can I… Hug You?

Qin Xiaoyun stared fixedly at the little girl in front of him.

The “rabbit” in his chest was about to crash to death.

He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“I… can I hug you?”

His voice, tinged with restraint despite the excitement, trembled slightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down for a moment, and with a red face, he finally asked the question.

Su Nianzhi had never been in a relationship before, but looking at the tall, sturdy man in front of her—over 1.8 meters tall, with a slightly tanned face that now held a faint blush—her heart couldn’t help but flutter.

Innocent men were the most lethal.

Her naturally sweet voice, soft and gentle, brushed against Qin Xiaoyun’s ears like a feather.

“Okay.”

Qin Xiaoyun’s eyes lit up as if they could glow. After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he pulled her into his arms.

“Zhizhi, I’ll definitely treat you well.”

His feelings were simple but sincere—and she felt it clearly.

Behind the door of the Su family home, Su Maomao happened to peek out and saw Qin Xiaoyun hugging his little aunt.

“Grandma, Grandma! Something’s wrong! Uncle Xiaoyun is hugging Auntie!”

Wang Guifang’s old face turned red as she rushed over.

“I told you to tend the fire! What are you peeking at? Is this something a child should be watching? Shoo, go, go!”

She scolded, but then sneaked a peek through the door herself.

Her heart felt sour—really sour.

But she was right. Zhizhi couldn’t stay unmarried forever.

And Qin Xiaoyun? She’d watched that kid grow up. He was reliable.

“Grandma, you’re peeking too,” Maomao mumbled.

Wang Guifang glared at him. “Little brat.”

Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoyun, still holding back his excitement, let go of Su Nianzhi, reminding himself:

They weren’t engaged yet. He couldn’t tarnish her reputation.

With a gentle touch, he brushed the loose strands of hair at her forehead.

Su Nianzhi looked up and met his deep, affectionate gaze, the kind that threatened to swallow her whole.

She had to admit—being good-looking really was an advantage.

Before, she only thought Qin Xiaoyun looked decent. But now that she looked carefully, he was masculine and handsome, with sharp brows and starry eyes—there was an edge to his looks.

Tall and strong, he radiated testosterone.

Even at 1.7 meters tall, she still felt small beside him.

In short—he was very manly.

And that alone made her heart beat faster.

Following her instincts, she tiptoed.

And quickly kissed the corner of his lips.

Then she was instantly startled by her own boldness.

Even with her thick skin, Su Nianzhi blushed a little.

And turned around—running away.

Qin Xiaoyun was frozen.

This…

He clutched his chest with his right hand.

Nope. The rabbit in his chest had just crashed for real.

He felt like he’d lost the ability to speak.

That soft touch still lingered on the corner of his mouth.

Unconsciously, his right hand brushed his lips.

“Hehehehe—”

His little girl had completely won his heart.

Covering his mouth, he grinned like an idiot all the way home.

Some folks returning from the fields were startled when they saw him.

“What happened to that Qin kid? Did he get hit in the head or something?”

“He’s grinning like the village fool. Gave me a fright!”

Qin Xiaoyun remained in this dazed state until he got home.

“You’re back? You disappeared the moment you got home. Come on, let’s head to the fields. The Su boys have been helping out with our land lately.”

“Xiaoyun?”

Qin’s mother noticed her son was oddly quiet and put down her sickle.

She turned—and jumped.

“My god!”

“Son, do you have a fever?”

She reached out to touch Qin Xiaoyun’s face, which still wore a silly grin.

“No fever?”

Qin Xiaoyun looked at her with sparkling eyes.

“Mom, I have a girlfriend now.”

…What?

Qin’s mother was stunned.

“A girlfriend? You actually forced that poor girl?!”

She flailed her arms helplessly.

With her son like this, how could she not suspect the worst?

She felt a mix of joy and helplessness for the Su family girl.

“You forced her, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you—not just because you saved their third son doesn’t mean you get to demand a reward! This isn’t the old days, where a life-saving favor means marrying your savior! And even if it were, it should be the Su boys repaying you, not the little girl! She’s almost ten years younger than you. Back in the day, that’d make you old enough to be her father!”

Qin Xiaoyun’s face turned green.

“Mom, what are you talking about? Zhizhi agreed on her own. I didn’t even mention saving her third brother!”

His mother looked at him doubtfully, then nodded slightly. After all, she knew her own son. While a bit rough around the edges, he wasn’t that kind of beast.

Still, she gave him another suspicious glance.

“Really?”

Qin Xiaoyun’s heart ached. “Mom, really. Zhizhi said yes herself. She…”

His mother clicked her tongue at his solemn expression.

A beautiful flower stuck in a pile of cow dung.

This boy was just like his father—quiet on the outside, repressed on the inside.

She looked him dead in the eyes.

“You better treat that girl right. Her health’s not the best. You’ll have to be patient with her.”

“Of course. She’s my wife.”

Qin’s mother: Did you not hear me telling you to go to the fields?

——

Meanwhile, Su Nianzhi returned home, patting her wildly beating heart.

Ah, love—it’s a double-edged sword.

But the ancients were right—food and sex are basic human desires. Her reaction was totally normal, right?

She could kill zombies with one hand, but falling in love? That was new territory.

Her heart tingled and buzzed with unfamiliar feelings.

“Auntie, are you getting married?”

Su Nianzhi turned to see Maomao pop out from the side, looking at her with big, mournful eyes.

“Ah? No, of course not.”

“But you hugged Uncle Xiaoyun. Does that mean I should start calling him Uncle-in-law?”

Su Nianzhi’s mouth twitched.

“You little brat, didn’t Grandma say not to talk nonsense?”

Maomao pouted. “But Grandma, Auntie’s going to get tricked away by Uncle Xiaoyun!”

Su Nianzhi burst out laughing.

She reached out and held his little hand. “Who told you he tricked me? Maybe I’m the one tricking him.”

From the side, Wang Guifang: Makes sense.

“But Second Uncle and Jiaxi Uncle said Uncle Xiaoyun’s a wolf cub—a bad guy!”

“Alright, enough, you silly child. Always listening to your Second Uncle’s nonsense. Go call your dad, Grandpa, and Second Uncle back for dinner.”

Su Maomao was sent out.

Wang Guifang still looked a little worried. “Nian, are you sure it’s him?”

Su Nianzhi could feel her care and concern and gently held her hand.

“Mom, I just want to follow my heart—just once.”

Wang Guifang’s eyes were a little red. Her hands were thin and wrinkled, and seeing them made Su Nianzhi’s heart ache.

Even though they had food now, the signs of years of hard labor would never fade.

She had to earn more money.

To pamper her mom’s hands back to softness.

Hearing movement outside, Wang Guifang quickly wiped her eyes and patted Su Nianzhi’s hand.

“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. I think the boy’s pretty good, too. Your grandma liked him—she’d be happy if she knew.”

As they were speaking, Old Su burst in with a hoe slung over his shoulder.

“Guifang! Come quick! We’ve got to go to Guo Family Village—Xiuer’s suffering at her husband’s place. Hurry!”

“What?! Xiuer got beaten?” Wang Guifang’s face instantly darkened.

“Nian, you stay home. Your dad, me, and your brothers will go.”

Su Nianzhi watched as the family rushed out in a panic.

Wang Xiuer? Her eldest cousin from her mother’s side.

She’d married into Guo Family Village, which was next to Wangzhuang Village.

No way—she had to go check it out too.