Chapter 11

Lu Jingzhe’s sudden compromise surprised Xia Qingning. Had her tears worked? Apparently, in front of a good man, tears were a woman’s powerful weapon.

Actually, from his perspective, she could understand his behavior. After all, being tricked, bearing the stigma, and having to marry someone he disliked out of responsibility, anyone would have some resistance.

Seeing that he was willing to stay, Xia Qingning didn’t act coy. She quickly wiped away her tears, looked at him sincerely, and said:

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you.”

After saying that, she realized she had just uttered a famous line from a scumbag.

Seeing her seriously assuring him, Lu Jingzhe was a little annoyed. It made him feel like a virgin.

Actually, the reason he didn’t want to sleep here was simply that he wasn’t used to sleeping with a woman. It wasn’t that he was afraid of what she might do to him. Even if she did something to him, he was a guy who was almost six feet tall. Could he not subdue her with her thin arms and legs?

After they agreed, they each washed up and returned to the room, closing the door.

He Shanshan, who had been watching them the whole time, couldn’t sit still when she saw them go back to the room together and close the door. She tiptoed to the door of their room, her ear pressed against the door, listening carefully.

Wang Mingfang, who had come out to use the toilet, saw He Shanshan eavesdropping. She grabbed her and pulled her back to the room, asking in a low voice:

“What are you doing eavesdropping at the door?”

“They’re sleeping in the same room?” He Shanshan looked shocked.

“They got their marriage certificate. They’re not going to sleep in two different rooms, are they?” Wang Mingfang replied.

“Didn’t Lu Jingzhe dislike her? Why is he sleeping with her now that he’s back?” He Shanshan pouted, looking unhappy.

“He disliked her four years ago, but now she looks like this. How many men wouldn’t like her?” Wang Mingfang saw it clearly.

“What does she look like? She’s just whiter than me.” He Shanshan said sourly, then sneered, “She’s so skinny, she can’t even give birth to a son.”

“Okay, okay, okay. You’re beautiful, you’re the most beautiful.” Wang Mingfang knew her daughter’s temper and flattered her. Then she seriously instructed her, “Don’t set your sights on Lu Jingzhe. Your Uncle and I will eventually remarry. You’ll be siblings then.”

“I know.” He Shanshan looked unwilling, “It’s such a shame for Xia Qingning. As soon as Lu Jingzhe came back, look at her, so capable. If I had known, I should have thrown her into the bed of a cripple, a lazy bum, or a pockmarked guy.”

“Shut up!” Wang Mingfang immediately interrupted her, scolding her in a low voice, “I’ve told you how many times. Don’t mention this again. If Lu Jingzhe finds out, will our family have a good life?”

Seeing her mother, who always doted on her, get angry, He Shanshan immediately shut her mouth. She had been so angry with Xia Qingning that she had lost her composure.

Fearing that she wouldn’t understand the seriousness of the situation, Wang Mingfang reminded her again:

“Lu Jingzhe’s uncles are all high-ranking officials in the army. He himself has a high position. Although your sister-in-law has only given birth to a daughter now, she will definitely have a son in the future. Your nephew will inevitably rely on him. Do you think that’s why I’m so polite to him and so good to that stinky girl, Lu Xiaoxue?”

“Mm, I understand. I won’t say anything anymore.” He Shanshan nodded.

Seeing her daughter admit her mistake, Wang Mingfang’s expression softened. She comforted her:

“Don’t be sad. The matchmaker introduced you to this man this time, and his conditions aren’t bad either. He’s an only child, his family is very rich, he works at a state-owned factory, and he’s good-looking.”

He Shanshan’s eyes lit up. She asked, “Really? When is he coming?”

“Look at you, so impatient. It’s in the next few days.” Wang Mingfang tapped her daughter’s head.

“Then buy me a new dress. I saw a skirt at the department store yesterday. It’s Dacron, and it’s so beautiful.” He Shanshan held Wang Mingfang’s arm and acted cute.

“Didn’t you just buy one last month? Look at how many clothes you have in your closet.” Wang Mingfang said.

“Oh, but it’s for a blind date. That one is really beautiful. It’s bright red. It’s so festive to wear for a blind date.” He Shanshan shook Wang Mingfang’s arm and begged.

“Okay, okay. I’ll buy it for you.” Wang Mingfang said with a smile, “Just in time, Xia Qingning will be getting her salary soon. I’ll buy it for you then.”

Xia Qingning, who didn’t know that her salary for this month had already been pre-empted by the mother and daughter next door, was lying in bed with Lu Jingzhe, each with their own blanket.

Two people sleeping on one bed, plus two blankets, made it less spacious. She tried to stay close to the edge of the bed, avoiding contact with the person on the bed.

Perhaps she had never slept in the same bed with a man before, Xia Qingning was somewhat unaccustomed. Although Lu Jingzhe next to her hadn’t moved, she knew he wasn’t asleep.

Although they had gotten their marriage certificate, they weren’t familiar with each other, so they both tacitly refrained from speaking.

Just as Xia Qingning was moving further away, a magnetic, deep voice suddenly came from beside her pillow:

“You don’t have to sleep so far away.”

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay.” Xia Qingning explained, “It’s better to be further away. I’m afraid I’ll squeeze you if I turn over in my sleep.”

“Didn’t you say you’re very well-behaved when you sleep?” Lu Jingzhe asked.

She was well-behaved when she slept, but this body wasn’t hers. She didn’t know if “she” was really well-behaved. What if she turned over in her sleep and put her leg on Lu Jingzhe? Then he would misunderstand again and kick her out, which would be too embarrassing.

“It should… be well-behaved, right?” Xia Qingning said, clearly lacking confidence. Afraid that he would think she was lying to him, she quickly emphasized, “But don’t worry, I absolutely don’t have those kinds of thoughts towards you. I absolutely won’t do anything to you.”

After saying this, Xia Qingning realized that these words sounded like a foolish attempt to deny something obvious.

No one had said she had those kinds of thoughts or was going to do anything to him. To ease the tension, Xia Qingning changed the subject, asking:

“How long is your leave this time?”

“A month.” Lu Jingzhe’s voice came from the darkness, magnetic and pleasant.

“Oh.” Xia Qingning responded.

A month was neither too long nor too short. It was just enough for her to take care of everything here.

Then, if nothing unexpected happened, she could go to the military base with Lu Jingzhe. Once she got to the army, she could work in the art department, the propaganda department, or even become a teacher.

When the college entrance exam came next year, she would take it. Even if she couldn’t change the plot of the book, and Mo Xiaoxiao and Lu Jingzhe ended up together, she would have the confidence to no longer rely on others and live a good life.

Perhaps because so much had happened that day, and she was tired, they both fell asleep soon after lying down.

In the middle of the night, Lu Jingzhe felt someone snuggling into his arms, humming and muttering in their sleep. He woke up and found that there was an extra person in his bed. She was very close, her lips almost touching his skin. The hot breath of her breath lingered on his neck.

The body pressed against him, the hot skin touching, the low, muffled breaths… A blush quickly spread across Lu Jingzhe’s face. He was both angry and annoyed, and he growled in a cold voice:

“What are you doing?”