Chapter 27

Wei Yanzhen carried Deng Zhilan into the house and said, “Mom said, after three months, we just need to be careful.”

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice husky as it spread into her ear, laced with hot breath—irresistibly seductive.

“By the way, sweetheart, don’t go to the educated youth settlement again.”

Deng Zhilan’s breathing grew heavier, but her mind instantly cleared—“Why?”

In the original book, the educated youth settlement was the place where Wei Yanzhen and Zhu Qinghan confirmed their feelings for each other!

“That place feels strange.”

“My mind gets pulled there… it makes me really uncomfortable. You’re carrying a child now. It’s better to stay away—don’t go running off there again.”

Deng Zhilan thought to herself: once again, the halo of the male and female leads is at work. No wonder—this world is inside a novel.

Some invisible force was guiding them.

Wei Yanzhen was sensitive enough to sense it, but he’d misunderstood.

It wasn’t that the place was strange—it was the gravitational pull between him and Zhu Qinghan as the “fated” couple of the story.

“Mm, I won’t go to the settlement anymore—but you’re not allowed to go either.”

She shrunk her neck as she spoke, but the man followed her closely, directly pressing his lips to hers.

His calm and cool scent enveloped Deng Zhilan completely.

She couldn’t hold back anymore. Wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, she responded to his kiss.

To hell with the story and its “official couple”—Wei Yanzhen was her husband now. No one could take him away!

“Alright,” he replied casually, holding the back of her head and kissing her even deeper.

What started as a gentle kiss quickly grew intense. Deng Zhilan immediately realized—he had been holding back for far too long.

The light at the bedside cast a warm yellow glow across the two of them, creating an incredibly intimate atmosphere.

Deng Zhilan’s gaze was already unfocused, clutching at the man’s collar as her legs turned to jelly under his kisses.

Just as things were heating up, a knock on the bedroom door shattered the mood, making Deng Zhilan’s heart race in panic.

Wei Yanzhen lifted his head and looked at her.

“Don’t be afraid—it’s probably Mom.”

He kissed her trembling eyelashes, soothing her nerves.

After straightening up, he regained his usual calm, showing no signs of what had just occurred.

He got out of bed and opened the door.

As expected—it was Mrs. Qin Ping.

Qin Ping immediately pushed past Wei Yanzhen, peeking into the room. Her daughter-in-law was asleep, and everything seemed in order. Only then did she let out a breath and turn to her son.

She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the bedroom.

“Three months later is fine, sure—but you’re huge, I’m scared something might happen.”

“Don’t touch Lanlan—give it a little more time!”

After leaving behind this stern warning, Qin Ping strolled back to bed with Wei Xiaotian.

Wei Yanzhen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He honestly felt a bit pitiful.

Compared to his dad, he wasn’t eating nearly as well!

When he returned to the bedroom, Deng Zhilan had already fallen asleep. Wei Yanzhen rubbed her little head gently.

How could his wife be so beautiful?

…

The next morning, Luo Yisen and Feng Zhijun brought large quantities of fish and sacks of grain and piled them up outside the Luo family home.

“Captain Feng, were there really that many people who helped repair the dam? So much food to give away!”

Each person who helped received a sack of grain and three fish.

Outside the Luo house, dozens of sacks were already stacked up.

Three giant water vats were filled with fish. Just a while ago, Deng Zhilan had been falsely accused of stealing collective property—those very fish from Reed Lake.

Each fish used to be strictly counted.

Back then, if villagers wanted to eat fish, they had to buy it—and it wasn’t cheap.

But now, anyone who helped repair the dam got three fish for free.

Many villagers looked on with envy, some even regretting not sending anyone from their own families to help with the dam work.

After delivering the spy Luo Laogen to the city’s public security bureau, Feng Zhijun received commendation from his superiors. Back in the village, he was in high spirits.

At the moment, he was more than happy to answer questions, his tone cheerful:

“That’s right. Next time there’s any collective activity, I hope everyone joins in actively!”

“Next!”

“From the educated youth settlement: Comrade Li Zhenzhen, one sack of grain, three fish.”

Li Zhenzhen stepped forward excitedly to receive her share, with Sun Fangfang beside her helping to carry the grain.

Their bond had already surpassed the so-called “revolutionary friendship” either of them had once had with Zhu Qinghan.

“Zhenzhen, let’s have fish soup tonight.”

“I’ll buy some tofu later, and toss in a few potatoes and radishes.”

“Mmm, just thinking about it makes me drool.”

Sun Fangfang was absolutely craving it. She could barely remember the taste of meat. Even if it was just fish—it was enough to satisfy her cravings.

“Then it’s settled,” said Li Zhenzhen. “One fish for soup, one for grilling, and the last one—we’ll cure it and make preserved fish.”

With their plan set, the two returned to their tent carrying the food and fish.

Inside, Zhu Qinghan was still asleep. Li Zhenzhen walked up and ripped off her blanket.

“You’re really something, huh? Still sleeping when the sun’s already high in the sky.”

Zhu Qinghan ignored them, but the two actually started a fire inside the tent. The smoke and sparks flew everywhere, all toward Zhu Qinghan.

There was no way she could sleep anymore—she kept coughing from the smoke.

“You shouldn’t be cooking inside the tent! What if it catches fire?!”

Sun Fangfang and Li Zhenzhen treated her words like air. They just fanned the fire harder, smoke swirling even more.

Just as Zhu Qinghan was about to leave, she stood up—and saw a pot on the fire, fish bubbling inside.

It really was fish!

She hadn’t had meat in so long. The thought of it made her mouth water.

A wise person knows when to yield. If she wanted to eat, she’d have to humble herself. Zhu Qinghan quickly figured that out.

So, she walked up to Li Zhenzhen and meekly said:

“Zhenzhen, I’d really like some fish too.”

Li Zhenzhen glared at her but didn’t speak. Instead, Sun Fangfang chimed in:

“This fish and grain came from Zhenzhen risking her life at the dam—you think you deserve any?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I only stopped her from going to protect her!”

Zhu Qinghan pulled over a small stool, sat beside them, and even took out her own bowl. With the fish and soup right in front of her, how could she not eat?

Li Zhenzhen and Sun Fangfang were helpless.

They could only let her be.

…

In the entire Dongfeng Brigade, the one who received the most food and fish was Wei Yanzhen.

Previously, his family had been accused of stealing collective property. Now, the Wei family could finally enjoy their fish openly and proudly.

Wei Yanzhen made braised fish before, Deng Zhilan once made sweet and sour glazed fish—and now, it was Father and Mother Wei’s turn to cook.

They decided on steamed fish this time.

Wei Xiaotian crouched in the corner peeling garlic and washing vegetables, while Qin Ping focused on mixing the sauce.

An hour later, a beautifully steamed fish was served.

Just then, a loud commotion came from the neighboring Luo household—