Chapter 33 – I Belong to You

As they neared the factory gates, Luo Yaqing jumped off the back seat of the bicycle.

Carrying her bag, she ran into the factory without looking back.

Ge Chaopeng parked the bicycle by the wall and lit a cigarette.
He squatted by the wall, puffing away, not in a hurry to go inside.

After finishing one cigarette, he lit another, as if that was the only way to shake off his troubles.

Old Zhao, the gatekeeper, came out of the guardroom with a broom to sweep fallen leaves at the gate.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone squatting by the wall and was momentarily stunned. He walked over:
“Hey you, slacking off during work hours?”

Ge Chaopeng, cigarette dangling from his lips, pulled another from the pack and handed it to Old Zhao.

Old Zhao tucked the cigarette behind his ear:
“Something bothering you?”

Ge Chaopeng shook his head. “No.”

Old Zhao squatted down beside him. “You need someone to keep you in check. When are you getting married?”

“Married to who?” Ge Chaopeng exhaled smoke as he replied.

He didn’t even have a girlfriend — marry a ghost?

Old Zhao said, “Your master’s daughter, Eryan. I was chatting with Master Song recently, and he said they plan to betroth her to you. The engagement’s set for the end of the year.”

Ge Chaopeng choked on his cigarette smoke: “Cough, cough—”

Old Zhao quickly patted him on the back: “Look how happy you are.”

Ge Chaopeng calmed himself and took a deep drag to steady his nerves. “I only see Eryan as a younger sister.”

Old Zhao was startled. “What, you don’t like Eryan?”

Ge Chaopeng nodded.

Old Zhao looked disappointed. “Your master treats you better than his own son.”

That, Ge Chaopeng could admit.

He had lost his father at a young age, and by high school, his mother had passed too.
By chance, he entered the soap factory and learned the trade from his master.

His master not only taught him skills but looked after him in everyday life, often inviting him home for meals.

And Ge Chaopeng enjoyed the warm family atmosphere. Every time he got paid, he would bring gifts to them.

Old Zhao sighed. “Your master and Eryan will be heartbroken.”

Ge Chaopeng exhaled again: “That can’t be helped.”

Old Zhao couldn’t help but curse: “You little brat, heartless!”

After a pause, he added, “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for one of the girls at the factory?”

“No,” Ge Chaopeng stubbed out his cigarette.

Then he pulled his bicycle and strode into the factory.

Old Zhao called out behind him, “If you haven’t, then just be with Eryan.”

Ge Chaopeng didn’t respond.

Old Zhao was close to the master, so naturally he was trying to help his friend.

But Ge Chaopeng believed that favors could be repaid in many ways — just not with his life.

No matter how kind his master was, he wouldn’t sacrifice his future for Eryan.

…

Luo Yaqing was half an hour late.

Foreman Shen didn’t record her name in the little notebook and just said, “Don’t let it happen again.”

Luo Yaqing nodded repeatedly in promise.

As soon as she returned to her workstation, Zhang Guiqin chased her down, asking why she was late.

While working, Luo Yaqing brushed it off with a few excuses.

That evening when she got home, a steaming hot dinner was already laid out on the small table.

Apparently, Han Zhixu had come home early today.

Luo Yaqing first went into the inner room with her cloth bag, then washed up for dinner.

After a few bites of rice, she looked at the man across from her, who was focused on eating.

She reached out with her chopsticks and offered him a bite: “Han Zhixu.”

Han Zhixu looked up, surprised to see a piece of food right in front of him. He picked up his bowl. “Thanks.”

But Luo Yaqing didn’t put it in his bowl. She brought it directly to his mouth.

Han Zhixu looked a little uncomfortable.

Luo Yaqing pouted, “What, you find me gross?”

Han Zhixu quickly ate the food off the chopsticks.

Luo Yaqing smiled brightly. “See? I told you — what kind of man dislikes his own wife?”

She picked up another bite. “Here, open up.”

Han Zhixu could only accept it.

Bite after bite, until his mouth was overwhelmed with saltiness, he finally said, “Let me have some rice too.”

Too many vegetables — it was getting too salty.

Luo Yaqing put down her chopsticks, smiling contentedly as she looked at him.

Han Zhixu couldn’t take the look in her eyes. He pulled out a letter. “From your aunt.”

Luo Yaqing’s attention shifted to the envelope. She asked in surprise, “What did she say?”

Qiu Shimin had been back in Beijing for a while, and Luo Yaqing missed her.

Han Zhixu placed the letter on the table. “I didn’t read it.”

Luo Yaqing smiled. “Why not?”

“It’s your letter,” Han Zhixu replied plainly.

Luo Yaqing didn’t mind: “You’re being too formal. We’re husband and wife. I belong to you — let alone a letter.”

She liked how he respected boundaries. It made being with him feel light and pressure-free.

Han Zhixu glanced at her serious little face and went back to eating.

Luo Yaqing chuckled to herself.

After dinner, Luo Yaqing cleaned up the dishes, then took the letter into the inner room and eagerly opened it.

She was curious what Qiu Shimin had written.

Qiu Shimin’s handwriting was elegant, and both pages were densely filled.

The letter was filled with everyday matters.

She said the weather in Beijing was sunny and that she had tidied up the house, waiting for the couple to come back for the New Year.

She repeatedly urged Luo Yaqing to be considerate of Han Zhixu, to live a good life together, and to try hard to have a baby soon.

Preferably before the New Year, so the child would be born next autumn — the weather would be pleasant and just right for postpartum recovery.

After reading the letter, Luo Yaqing was a bit moved. That was very thoughtful.

She pulled out paper and pen and began writing a reply.

She mentioned her new job at the soap factory.

As for having a baby — she didn’t mention it at all.

She didn’t dare say too much.

Otherwise, if Qiu Shimin rushed back because of it, she’d be overwhelmed.

After finishing the letter, Luo Yaqing picked up her yarn and knitting needles, sat under the blanket, and continued knitting a scarf.

She had limited free time during the day, so she had to stay up a bit at night to knit.

The knitting needles moved rhythmically, but her mind was far from calm.

She kept thinking about the day’s events.

Especially Qin Shuzhen — that rascal made her anxious and annoyed.

She could ignore her, but she worried that Qin Shuzhen might go looking for Han Zhixu.

That could affect his job.

Just thinking about Qin Shuzhen’s antics made her uneasy. So, Luo Yaqing decided to warn Han Zhixu in advance.

Han Zhixu had just lain down when the inner door opened. Luo Yaqing, her long hair loose, walked over with a serious face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Han Zhixu, I have something to tell you.”

He nodded. “Go ahead.”

Luo Yaqing sighed and told him everything that had happened during the day.

After hearing it all, Han Zhixu said calmly, “You just focus on your work. I’ll handle it.”

Luo Yaqing nodded.

Noticing he was only wearing a thin undershirt, she said gently, “Lie down quickly. Don’t catch a cold.”

As soon as he lay down, Luo Yaqing tucked the blanket around him.

When she tucked the corner near his shoulder, a strand of her long hair brushed against his face, tickling.

They were so close. The light scent from her hair filled his senses, stirring his heart.

Han Zhixu didn’t dare move, eyes shut. The words she had said earlier echoed in his mind:
“We’re husband and wife. I belong to you.”

“No kicking the blanket off at night,”

Luo Yaqing whispered softly, her sweet breath brushing his face.

His mind snapped back to clarity. Still with eyes closed, he replied, “Sleep early.”

Luo Yaqing caught sight of his reddened ears and stifled a giggle as she returned to the inner room.

She climbed into bed and picked up the knitting needles again, determined to knit a bit more before sleeping.