Chapter 19 – Want to Check?

“Good, as long as you’re not sick!” Yi An’an quickly withdrew her hand, and the smile on her face disappeared just as fast. She handed the book from her shoulder bag to Zhan Nanhui. “Sorry for interrupting your review. I won’t use it anymore.”

Zhan Nanhui looked at the disappearing smile on her face and was about to say something when Yi An’an couldn’t help but yawn.

She had been staying at the printing factory the past two nights, watching over everything. With such tight deadlines, she was terrified something might go wrong. She was exhausted now and just wanted to sleep.

Yi An’an went into the room and lay down on the wooden bed. Just as she was about to drift off, her eyes suddenly flew open and she sat up.

Damn it. How could she forget something so important?

Yi An’an quickly threw on a coat and rushed outside.

Zhan Nanhui came out of the kitchen, about to say something, but only caught a glimpse of her back.

He frowned. Why is this woman so hot and cold with him?

Yi An’an hurried to the village chief’s house.

To be honest, she didn’t want to step foot into that house again. Too many bad memories.

But to find the educated youth who had pulled her daughter out of the water in her previous life, she had to make this trip.

As she approached the Yan family’s house, she saw two figures struggling at the corner not far away.

Yi An’an hesitated, then quietly approached.

“Yan Dabao, I need to review for my exams right now. Stop pestering me!” A woman’s voice, soft and helpless.

Yi An’an raised her brows slightly. That voice—she knew it well. In her previous life, it was this very voice that got her daughter killed!

“Chen Sisi, that’s not the attitude you had when you begged me to sign you up before!” It was Yan Dabao. He grabbed onto Chen Sisi, and her helpless voice followed.

“Dabao, be good. Just wait a few days. Once my exams are over, I’ll take good care of you, okay?” Chen Sisi spoke while panting, pushing Yan Dabao away. “I really don’t have time right now!”

Yan Dabao was clearly annoyed. “It’s just ten minutes! You don’t even have ten minutes for me?”

Yi An’an covered her mouth, barely suppressing a laugh.

“Who’s there?” Chen Sisi heard something and quickly looked up, eyes full of panic.

No one could know about her and Yan Dabao. She needed to get into university and leave this mountain village as soon as possible.

Yan Dabao stuck his head out to look. “Who else could it be? This is my front door. You think just anyone dares come here? Stop making excuses and let me enjoy myself!”

Chen Sisi kept pushing him away.

Yi An’an had come to see the village chief for something, but now she was in no hurry. She headed to the pigsty—Zhan Nanhui should be feeding the pigs around this time.

The man had just poured the slop into the trough and was standing up straight. He looked strong and well-built.

Yi An’an walked over and took the slop bucket from his hands, saying calmly, “Do me a favor. Go to Village Chief Yan’s house and ask if there’s any news about Tang A’ren. Just ask that one question.”

Zhan Nanhui glanced at her. “Why don’t you go?”

“I almost became the Yan family’s daughter-in-law. It’s inappropriate for me to go.” Yi An’an dumped the remaining slop into the trough. “Don’t worry, I arranged this with Secretary Lü’s wife. Chief Yan won’t dare slack off.”

“And who’s Tang A’ren?” Zhan Nanhui asked.

Yi An’an was getting anxious. Yan Dabao only had ten minutes of stamina. If this man kept asking questions, everything would be over!

She glared at him and shoved him out the door. “Ask first, and I’ll explain later!”

Zhan Nanhui nodded.

After dumping the last of the slop, Yi An’an found a clean spot to sit and waited to enjoy the show.

At the Yan family’s house, just as Zhan Nanhui raised his hand to knock, he heard some sounds coming from the alley.

Although Zhan Nanhui was still a virgin, he knew exactly what those sounds meant.

He frowned, not wanting to get involved. Just as he turned to leave, Chen Sisi came out from the back alley, face flushed, adjusting her clothes.

Zhan Nanhui looked at her with a face full of disdain and turned to leave.

Chen Sisi, feeling utterly humiliated, looked up just in time to see Zhan Nanhui. Panic hit her hard. Seeing Yan Dabao still fixing his clothes and not following, she bit her lip and quickly ran up to tug at Zhan Nanhui’s sleeve. Her face turned red as she whispered, “Did you just… hear something?”

Zhan Nanhui frowned. “I just got here. I didn’t hear anything.”

“Well, when nature calls, there’s nothing you can do. The village outhouse is far, so I just…” Chen Sisi whispered. “I know you probably think I’m crude, but after so many years in the countryside, I really do want to live with some dignity, but I…”

Zhan Nanhui cut her off. “Whatever you did, you don’t need to explain it to me.”

“Nan Hui, why don’t you ever believe me?” Chen Sisi’s voice was low and seductive. “Even though I was with that art troupe leader for a year, he never touched me. He couldn’t. If you don’t believe me…”

She leaned in close, eyes sparkling. “You can check. You’ve been married. You’d know whether I’m still a virgin.”

Zhan Nanhui scowled and pushed her hand away. “Don’t say things like that. What you do has nothing to do with me.”

Chen Sisi bit her lip. Why was this man so utterly unmoved?

She stepped forward again, pressing her chest against his arm. His arm was muscular and veined—so powerful-looking…

“Nan Hui, what would it take for you to believe me? I know you only married that country woman for the household registration so you could take the college entrance exam. I believe we’ll both pass. I don’t mind you being with her. Don’t mind me either. Let’s start over after we get into university, okay?” Chen Sisi moved closer, cheeks flushed from earlier activity, lips pouting slightly, eyes dewy as she gazed at him.

Zhan Nanhui didn’t even spare her a glance and walked off.

Chen Sisi reached to stop him again, but saw Yan Dabao coming out with his pants half-up, about to call out to her. She quickly rushed over, clamped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him back into the alley.

No matter what, Zhan Nanhui could never find out about her and Yan Dabao.

Back at home, Yi An’an swung her legs as she waited for Zhan Nanhui to return.

When he did, he looked furious. He grabbed a bundle of pig grass and angrily tossed it into the trough.

Yi An’an smirked and walked over, pretending to ask, “Did you find out anything about Tang A’ren?”

Zhan Nanhui didn’t even look up. “No.”

“Why didn’t you ask?” Yi An’an said, then tripped by accident and fell right into his arms.

Zhan Nanhui instinctively reached out and caught her, his arms wrapping snugly around her waist.

The softness against his chest made his face flush red.

Strange… why does touching Yi An’an feel so different from touching Chen Sisi?