Chapter 22

The beehive might’ve been a bust, but the contents of that bag turned out to be incredibly valuable—enough to ensure she’d never have to worry about food or clothing again!

Grinning from ear to ear, Zhu Qinghan took the bag and happily returned to the educated youth’s quarters…

The next morning, just as Luo Yisen was getting ready to head out, his younger sister Luo Sang-sang rushed up to tell him:
“Song Yitao’s face is swollen like a pig’s head!”

As the head of the production brigade, Luo Yisen treated everyone fairly and looked after the people under his charge.

He walked over to Song Yitao’s door and gave it a knock.
“Comrade Song, are you inside?”

Inside, Song Yitao was holding a small mirror, glaring at her reflection. Her face was covered in painful welts from the wasp stings. Fury bubbled up inside her.

She replied sharply,
“Come in.”

Luo Yisen opened the door and entered. Seeing the state of her face, his brows furrowed—did she get in a fight with a beehive?

He took out some iodine and a cotton swab.
“Comrade Song, let me help you treat the wounds.”

Song Yitao turned her head away with a cold snort.
“Spare me your fake concern.”

But Luo Yisen didn’t take offense. Patiently, he said,
“If the wounds aren’t treated properly, they might get infected. You wouldn’t want your face scarred, would you?”

Still annoyed, Song Yitao remained uncooperative, her gaze full of irritation.

Luo Yisen sighed.
“No matter how this happened, a woman should still take care of her face.”

Reluctantly, Song Yitao took the cotton swab and began treating her wounds.

But with Luo Yisen standing nearby, her thoughts began to drift.

This brigade leader—he was a widower with only a young son at home. Yet here he was, responsible and considerate.

If she could get involved with Luo Yisen, life in this brigade would be much easier…

And if she ever returned to the city, she could just dump him then.

Her mind buzzing with calculations, Song Yitao’s scowl faded, and she put on a gentler face.

She cleared her throat, and in a deliberately soft voice said,
“Brigade Leader, I had a bad temper just now. Thank you for caring.”

Luo Yisen smiled slightly.
“No problem. We’re all part of the same brigade—we should look out for each other.”

Song Yitao added,
“I don’t have any family here. If I ever need help… can I count on you?”

Luo Yisen responded casually,
“Of course. If there’s anything you need, just speak up.”

Truthfully, he already felt bad for letting a woman live in that broken-down woodshed.

Now Song Yitao’s thoughts moved even faster…

“Brigade Leader, could you boil me some hot water? And maybe get me a wooden tub? I’d like to bathe at home from now on—the river doesn’t feel safe.”

Luo Yisen almost regretted what he just said—he had never seen someone so quick to take advantage.

Still, he replied,
“Alright, I’ll take care of it.”

Near noon, Deng Zhilian returned home from the warehouse.

She went into the kitchen. There was still half a fish left from before, and she thought of the honey in her space. Perfect for making honey-glazed sweet and sour fish.

She expertly prepared the fish and mixed up a sauce using honey, sugar, and vinegar.

After pan-frying the fish to a golden crisp on both sides, she poured in the sauce and simmered it with a bit of spiritual spring water. Before long, the sweet fragrance filled the entire kitchen.

In the cabinet was an aluminum lunchbox.

Usually, when Wei Yanzhen delivered food, he used this lunchbox. Deng Zhilian cleaned it thoroughly and filled it with the honey-glazed sweet and sour fish.

Today would be her first time going to the fields to visit him.

The man was out there turning the soil and pulling weeds. The heat was oppressive, and he wore only a white undershirt.

His back was taut, shoulder blades shifting as he worked. The line of his waist was narrow and strong, his sun-kissed skin rippling with every flex of his muscles—full of latent power.

Deng Zhilian couldn’t help but stare, until Wei Yanzhen straightened up and spotted her.

His face lit up in delight, and he strode over quickly.
“What are you doing here?”

His voice was hoarse from the sun but incredibly pleasant.

Deng Zhilian lifted the lunchbox.
“Bringing you food! I made sweet and sour fish with honey.”

Wei Yanzhen broke into a wide smile.
“You’re the best.”

He took the lunchbox and opened it.

The delicious aroma immediately hit him. He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, and his eyes lit up.

“Wife, this is amazing.”

Watching him eat with such satisfaction filled Deng Zhilian’s heart with warmth.

Nearby villagers noticed and started teasing.

“Hey, Xiao Wei, that your wife? Treats you real good!”
“Yeah, that fish smells divine!”

But Wei Yanzhen didn’t get flustered. He grinned and replied,
“Of course. No one treats me better than my wife.”

Deng Zhilian blushed deeply and shot him a playful glare, but inside, her heart was sweet as honey.

After watching him finish eating, Deng Zhilian picked up the lunchbox and prepared to head home.

Suddenly, the sky darkened. Thunder cracked, followed by heavy wind and pouring rain.

Everyone scattered to find shelter. Wei Yanzhen grabbed his jacket and held it over Deng Zhilian’s head.
“The rain’s too heavy—let’s hurry home!”

The road back was already soaked and muddy. The two of them waded through the muck together.

When they finally got home, Wei’s parents were already there.

Qin Ping had boiled some hot water in the kitchen.

Wei Yanzhen brought a foot basin into the bedroom, filled it with water, and knelt down to take off Deng Zhilian’s shoes, soaking her feet in the warm water.

Deng Zhilian was startled and shy. Her cheeks flushed pink as she lowered her head.

Gently rubbing her feet, Wei Yanzhen said,
“This weather changed so fast. You went to all this trouble to bring me food and got caught in the storm.”

Deng Zhilian replied softly,
“It’s okay. I’m pregnant, not paralyzed. I can’t just lie around all day—I should move around more.”

At that moment, Qin Ping entered with a towel, smiling:
“Lanlan’s right. Once your belly gets bigger, you won’t be able to lie down all day either. Pregnant women should stay active—it’ll help with delivery.”

Seeing the growing affection between the young couple, Qin Ping felt deeply satisfied. She set down the towel and left.

After washing Deng Zhilian’s feet, Wei Yanzhen dried them carefully and helped her put on clean socks.

“When the baby’s bigger… wife, can I…?”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Deng Zhilian blinked.
“Can you what?”

In response, Wei Yanzhen suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, gently stroking her back. Hidden from her view, his eyes darkened with barely restrained desire.

“Can I… stop holding back?”

Sharing a bed for so long, Deng Zhilian naturally understood his body’s reactions. She let out a helpless laugh.

So that’s what he meant!

“Then you’ll have to ask Mom. If she says yes, then it’s okay.”

Wei Yanzhen’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Wife, does that mean you’re saying yes?”

Deng Zhilian nodded.

He immediately grabbed the foot basin and rushed out of the bedroom. After washing up himself, he was just about to go ask his mother for permission—

When suddenly, there was a loud, urgent knock at the door.