Chapter 34.2

After buying their things, the group of high school girls happily walked back. Wen Xiaoyu walked a few steps with them before stopping and saying, “You all go ahead. I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Alright, but hurry, class is starting soon.”

Wen Xiaoyu nodded and turned back to South Street.

Zhou Yao was packing up his stall.

Wen Xiaoyu quickly walked over and stood in front of Zhou Yao, calling out in a crisp voice, “Zhou Yao! When did you go to Shencheng? What’s it like? Tell me about it.”

Zhou Yao didn’t even spare her a glance as he silently packed his things into a nearby basket, then picked it up and started to leave.

“Zhou Yao! We’ve known each other for so many years, right? Do you really need to treat me like this? It’s not like I didn’t want to fulfill the engagement. It’s my mom who didn’t like you. Why are you taking it out on me…” Wen Xiaoyu couldn’t hold back her frustration when Zhou Yao ignored her.

Zhou Yao paused in his steps, turned his head, and gave Wen Xiaoyu a meaningful smile. “Indeed, I should thank your mom for letting me marry Wen Yue. Glad I didn’t marry you.”

Wen Xiaoyu: “……?”

Wen Xiaoyu was stunned. “What do you mean??”

“The literal meaning. Can’t a high school student understand words?” Zhou Yao sneered and continued walking. He needed to go home for lunch and had no time to waste on unimportant people.

Wen Xiaoyu stood there, gritting her teeth, her resentment towards Wen Yue growing stronger.

…

Today was Friday. School ended early on Fridays to allow boarding students to return home, so there was no evening study session. Wen Yue said to Li Nianqiu, who was packing her books, “Nianqiu, why don’t you bring Xiangdong to the courtyard tomorrow? We’re having a hotpot in the evening. You should join us.”

“You can stay over at our place after dinner. Zhou Yao can squeeze in with Old Fang, and you, Xiangdong, and I can share a bed. It’s big enough for the three of us.”

Faced with Wen Yue’s bright, round eyes, Li Nianqiu couldn’t refuse and nodded, “Okay, I’ll bring Xiangdong over tomorrow.”

Wen Yue’s eyes curved into a smile. “Then I’ll wait for you~”

She walked out of the school with Li Nianqiu, carrying her backpack.

Zhou Yao knew they finished school early today and was waiting at the school gate. When Wen Yue saw him, she waved goodbye to Li Nianqiu, reminding her to come early tomorrow and to bring Grandma Fang and Lulu. Li Nianqiu agreed.

“How was business today?”

Zhou Yao took Wen Yue’s backpack from her, slinging it over his shoulder. “Not bad, but definitely not as good as in the city.”

Wen Yue knew this well.

They chatted casually as they walked back to the small courtyard. Approaching the courtyard, Wen Yue immediately noticed the coal stove next to the earthen stove and the pile of briquettes in the firewood area.

“Did you buy the coal stove?” she exclaimed.

Zhou Yao nodded. “Yeah, they sell them in the county.”

Wen Yue gave Zhou Yao a thumbs up for his efficiency. “So fast! I told Nianqiu that she and Xiangdong should come over tomorrow and stay with us overnight. Can you squeeze in with Old Fang tomorrow night?”

Wen Yue blinked her clear eyes, unintentionally acting a bit coy.

Zhou Yao couldn’t resist and, after a moment of silence, nodded.

Wen Yue beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. “I knew you were the best. I’ll go do my homework now.” Finishing her homework early would give her two full days to enjoy the weekend.

“I’ll go buy groceries. What do you want for dinner?” Zhou Yao asked.

“Anything is fine. Buy whatever you want,” Wen Yue replied as she walked into the house.

Inside, there was a table under the window with good lighting. Wen Yue sat down to do her homework. After a while, Zhou Yao returned from buying groceries and busied himself in the courtyard. Occasionally, she heard faint rustling sounds.

After an unknown amount of time, Ren Yeliang’s voice came from outside the courtyard. “Brother! Brother Yao! Come help us out!”

Soon, several unfamiliar voices joined in.

Wen Yue was about to get up to check when she saw a few people carrying a light green single-door refrigerator into the house. Zhou Yao was directing them, placing the brand-new light green refrigerator in an empty spot in the room.

After plugging it in and checking it, the workers said a few words to Zhou Yao before wiping their sweat and leaving. The room was left with just Zhou Yao, Ren Yeliang, Fang Shitao, and Wen Yue.

“… A refrigerator?” Wen Yue widened her eyes in surprise, looking at Zhou Yao in confusion.

“Yes! A refrigerator!” Ren Yeliang looked at it in admiration. “Brother Yao said you wanted one, so we brought it back.” He couldn’t help but open the door, feeling the cool air hit his face.

“So cool! No wonder it costs 1,500 yuan,” Ren Yeliang said, feeling a pinch at the price.

Wen Yue looked at Zhou Yao. Hadn’t he given her all his money before? Where did he get the money to buy a refrigerator for 1,500 yuan?

Since Ren Yeliang and Fang Shitao were present, Wen Yue didn’t ask. She looked at the refrigerator, which seemed very old-fashioned to her, and said, “Later, I’ll make some buns and dumplings to store in the refrigerator. You can cook them for breakfast.”

Ren Yeliang grinned, “Thank you, sister-in-law! By the way, here’s the money we made today.” He handed Wen Yue a plastic bag full of money.

Wen Yue accepted it and thanked him as well.

“Have you finished your homework?” Zhou Yao asked.

Wen Yue glanced at the exercises on her desk. “Still a bit to go.”

Zhou Yao said, “Then you continue.”

He patted Ren Yeliang and Fang Shitao, signaling them to leave the room and not disturb Wen Yue from doing her homework.

Ren Yeliang and Fang Shitao, who had never been to school, looked at the textbooks and exercises on the table with a sense of awe and respect. They quickly and quietly left the room, not making a sound for fear of interrupting Wen Yue’s thoughts.

After finishing her homework, Wen Yue left the room to find that the three of them had already washed and prepared the ingredients, just waiting for her to cook.

With three helpers, cooking became surprisingly stress-relieving. Someone washed the vegetables while another washed the dishes.

After dinner, they fetched water for bathing. With no need to wake up early for morning classes the next day, Wen Yue didn’t go to bed as early. She sat cross-legged on the bed, reading a book she had borrowed from the bookstore with Li Nianqiu.

Having almost mastered the curriculum for their senior year, Wen Yue and Li Nianqiu mainly needed to review during class time. They could use other times to read extracurricular books and supplement their knowledge.

After reading for a while, Zhou Yao returned to the room, bringing a sense of freshness with him.

Zhou Yao was wearing a white tank top, his hair still wet, with water droplets trickling down his solid arms. His black eyes glanced at the book in Wen Yue’s hands several times, as he casually brushed his damp bangs back, revealing sharp, dark eyebrows and deep, narrow eyes.

Seeing Zhou Yao staring at her book, Wen Yue smiled warmly and asked, “Do you want to read together?”

Zhou Yao averted his gaze, his voice muffled. “I only graduated from elementary school. How could I understand these things?”

“So what if you graduated from elementary school? You’re so smart. ^You’ll definitely understand. If there are words you don’t know, I can teach you,” Wen Yue said, waving him over. “Come on.”

Zhou Yao pressed his thin lips together and then climbed onto the bed, sitting next to Wen Yue. His tall figure instantly enveloped her.

Their arms touched—one strong and firm, the other soft and delicate. The warmth from Zhou Yao made Wen Yue feel momentarily uncomfortable, but she quickly adjusted and took on the role of a teacher, turning the book back to the first page.

The girl’s soft voice surrounded Zhou Yao’s ears, and at first, he couldn’t focus on the book at all.

Some words he recognized, some he didn’t, but at that moment, they all looked unfamiliar, turning into ants that crawled into his ears and made his heart feel ticklish.

“Zhou Yao? Pay attention!” Wen Yue’s soft voice held a hint of anger, and her usually clear eyes were even brighter when she was upset.

Zhou Yao coughed guiltily. “I am paying attention.”

“Then repeat what I just said.”

Zhou Yao fell silent. “…”

Wen Yue gritted her teeth. “Your expression tells me you weren’t listening. Trying to fool me won’t work!” It was like students who thought the teacher didn’t notice them slacking off in class, not realizing the teacher could see everything from the podium.

Zhou Yao touched his nose, apologizing softly. “Sorry. I’ll listen carefully now.”

“You better.” Wen Yue huffed.

Zhou Yao gathered his focus, trying to follow Wen Yue’s words. Gradually, he began to understand a bit. He thought that if he had had a teacher like his wife back then, maybe he wouldn’t have found school so dull.

The night deepened.

Wen Yue yawned, her eyes tearing up from sleepiness. “Let’s continue tomorrow. I’m tired.”

“Okay, sleep.” Zhou Yao smiled, getting up to turn off the light.

Wen Yue fell asleep quickly, her breathing evening out within minutes, her face serene. When her limbs moved over to Zhou Yao’s side, he skillfully and gently maneuvered them, brushing his long fingers through her hair before falling asleep himself.

The next morning, Wen Yue woke up to see Zhou Yao close by. She blinked in confusion for a couple of seconds before regaining her composure. Seeing the clock on the wall and remembering there was no school today, she closed her eyes and slept a bit longer.

When she woke up again, Zhou Yao was gone, and the courtyard was quiet. He had probably gone to the market with Ren Yeliang and the others.

Wen Yue got up, washed, and cooked some dumplings for breakfast. Then she did the laundry and cleaned the house before reading a book.

Since they wouldn’t be back for lunch, Wen Yue made some simple noodles. In the afternoon, she sat at her sewing machine. Around three o’clock, she went out to buy groceries.

She bought chicken, beef, pork, potatoes, cabbage, straw mushrooms, and some vermicelli.

The most important things for a hotpot are the condiments and the base. Noticing the kitchen was lacking some seasonings, Wen Yue went to the supply and marketing cooperative, where she bought a lot of condiments that the house didn’t have. By the time she returned home, the groceries had left several red marks on her white fingers.

It hurt a bit. Wen Yue blew on her fingers, then started washing the vegetables in a big iron basin.