Chapter 33: It’s Me, Wife

The young girl’s lips parted slightly, her watery eyes widening in surprise, her delicate eyebrows raised. A drop of sweat rolled down her brow, adding a touch of brilliance, making her even more radiant.

She looked the same yet different from his memory. The same face, but the timidity was gone, replaced by boldness and confidence. She seemed completely transformed.

This Jiang Yiyi instantly captured his heart.

Gu Yunze’s lips curled into a smile. “It’s me, wife.”

He had gotten off the train and taken a bus home. He saw someone who looked like her and thought he was mistaken. He quickened his pace to confirm, and just happened to see two people stealing her money. Before he could intervene, Jiang Yiyi had swiftly thrown her clothes at one of them.

“You… weren’t you supposed to be unable to come home for a while?”

How long had it been? How could she be back already?

“It’s been a while, wife. It’s been almost a month since your last call.”

Jiang Yiyi had been so busy making money that she hadn’t noticed how quickly time had passed. It had been that long since her last call.

She gave an awkward smile.

Gu Yunze had said on the phone that he wouldn’t be able to come home for a while, and there was indeed an element of deception. He had a feeling that Jiang Yiyi was hiding something from him and wanted to surprise her. But before he could take leave, he got a mission. He only came back after completing it.

To avoid embarrassment, Jiang Yiyi picked up her clothes, grabbed her army green backpack, and went with Gu Yunze to the police station.

…

Half an hour later, the two emerged from the police station and went to the waiting hall. Jiang Yiyi waited on a bench while Gu Yunze went to buy tickets. When he returned, he had a bottle of soda in his hand, the cap already opened.

After several hours of shopping at the department store and walking, Jiang Yiyi was indeed thirsty. She took the soda and drank half the bottle in one go, feeling the heat subside.

She looked at Gu Yunze, wanting to ask how long he would be staying. If it was only a couple of days, she could manage to cover things up. After all, she wasn’t ready to be a wife to Gu Yunze yet. But if he stayed longer, it would be harder to hide the truth.

She didn’t want to divorce Gu Yunze yet. The status of a military wife was still very useful in this era, and divorce would also affect her expansion into the city market.

But she saw that his forehead was covered in sweat and his short sleeves were wet. Without thinking, she handed him the soda. “Have some.”

It was a completely subconscious action. The soda was ice-cold, and it felt refreshing, but Gu Yunze was taken aback.

Jiang Yiyi belatedly realized what she had done and tried to take back the soda, but Gu Yunze had already taken it and finished the rest in one gulp.

Jiang Yiyi’s face felt hot. She quickly turned her head away and patted her cheeks. She was completely out of her mind. Why did she do such a foolish thing? Although she and Gu Yunze were married, they barely knew each other. Why did she let him drink from the same bottle?

She only reached his shoulder, and Gu Yunze could see her movements when he lowered his head. Seeing her ears turn red, he smiled.

Because of this unexpected incident, Jiang Yiyi couldn’t bring herself to ask her question. Fortunately, it was only a few minutes before boarding time. The two boarded the bus with the crowd. Gu Yunze was a soldier and couldn’t push forward like others. Jiang Yiyi followed him, and they were almost the last to board. The bus was crowded, and most people were standing. They stood by the door. People got on and off from time to time. Gu Yunze carried his bag in one hand and put his other arm around Jiang Yiyi, protecting her.

The bus swayed, and Jiang Yiyi kept bumping into him, but Gu Yunze remained motionless, maintaining the same posture.

When they got off the bus, it was already dark. As they walked out of the station, they heard someone call, “Little Sister.”

It was Jiang Jinfeng. He was pushing a bicycle and hurried over, without even looking at the person beside Jiang Yiyi. “You’re finally back. Everyone at home was worried sick.”

“Big Brother.”

Gu Yunze called out.

Jiang Jinfeng heard it but didn’t think it was for him. His attention was entirely on Jiang Yiyi. She had promised to return that day but stayed for three days. If she hadn’t come back today, he would have gone to the city to find her tomorrow.

Gu Yunze called again, “Big Brother.”

Jiang Jinfeng glanced at him and then looked back, realizing it was Gu Yunze. He was excited. “Brother-in-law, when did you get back?”

“Today. I ran into Yiyi at the station.”

“Good, good. You must be tired. Let’s go, let’s go back to the workshop.”

Then, fearing Gu Yunze might misunderstand, he quickly added, “Yiyi went to discuss a partnership. She said she’d be back that day, but she stayed for three days, so I was worried.”

A partnership?

Gu Yunze looked at Jiang Yiyi. Jiang Yiyi didn’t avoid his gaze, her chin slightly raised. She hadn’t done anything wrong, so she wasn’t afraid of Gu Yunze. If he dared to say anything, she would retort. They could just part ways.

Her appearance seemed somehow cute. Gu Yunze couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Yiyi is very capable.”

“That’s right. Brother-in-law, I’m not exaggerating. You won’t find anyone as capable as my sister in these ten miles.”

Jiang Jinfeng spoke proudly.

“Big Brother is right.”

Gu Yunze agreed.

Jiang Jinfeng was overjoyed and was about to say something else when Jiang Yiyi interrupted him.

“Big Brother, go back and tell them. He and I will walk back.”

Jiang Jinfeng was an experienced person and knew they had a lot to talk about. He didn’t want to be a third wheel, so he told Gu Yunze to put his clothes and backpack on the back rack and rode his bicycle away.

Jiang Yiyi and Gu Yunze walked home side by side. It was completely dark, and the moonlight stretched their shadows.

“Gu Yunze.”

Jiang Yiyi spoke.

Gu Yunze looked at her. In the moonlight, her watery eyes were hazy, making her even more alluring.

Gu Yunze felt a fire rising within him, slowly consuming his rationality. “I’m here, wife.”

Jiang Yiyi was captivated by his gentle voice. For a moment, she forgot what she was going to say, but only for a moment. She quickly pulled herself back from being captivated by his charm, distanced herself from Gu Yunze, and spoke seriously. “I have something to tell you.”

Gu Yunze subtly moved closer to her. “Wife, tell me.”

Jiang Yiyi’s ears felt hot from him calling her “wife.” She moved further away from Gu Yunze. “The cold noodles are selling very well. I want to expand to the city, and maybe even the province.”

“Good.”

Jiang Yiyi’s following words were drowned out by his voice. She asked in surprise,

“You don’t object?”

“Why would I object?”

Jiang Yiyi’s lips parted. She thought Gu Yunze, like many men, was a chauvinist and wouldn’t allow her to go so far.

“Wife…”

Gu Yunze naturally took her hand. In the moonlight, his stern face was replaced by gentleness, and his usually hidden handsomeness was revealed. “Do whatever you want. I will always unconditionally support you.”

Jiang Yiyi couldn’t resist this temptation. Her face flushed.

“Who… who is your wife?”

“You, Jiang Yiyi, are the only wife I will ever have.”

This straightforward confession was the first time Jiang Yiyi had experienced it in this life, and her heart beat uncontrollably.

Especially since Gu Yunze was exactly her type. When stern, his face was resolute, a true tough guy. When gentle, he was incredibly handsome, especially when he smiled, he was incredibly charming.

She pretended to shake off Gu Yunze’s hand and walked quickly ahead.

Gu Yunze quickly followed.