Chapter 40.2

Grandma Fang came out upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Zhou Yao and the others, she was so happy her eyes turned red, repeatedly saying how they had gained weight as she held Fang Shitao’s arm.

Wen Yue had only prepared breakfast for herself, Grandma Fang, and Lulu. With Zhou Yao and the others back and the Li sisters there, the porridge wouldn’t be enough. Fortunately, Wen Yue had prepared plenty of dumplings and wontons and stored them in the freezer for convenience, which could now be cooked.

“…Things at home have been tense lately, so I brought Xiangdong over to get some fresh air. I ran into Zhou Yao and the others at the alley entrance,” Li Nianqiu explained while helping Wen Yue with the fire.

Wen Yue blinked, “Is that old lady causing trouble again?”

Li Nianqiu replied calmly, “Not exactly. My second aunt wants to split the family, but my grandmother disagrees, so they are arguing.” Given her grandmother’s domineering nature, she would never agree to a split unless she passed away.

“Your second aunt must have a lot of nerve to suggest that,” Wen Yue was surprised.

Li Nianqiu said, “It was definitely my second uncle’s idea. My aunt wouldn’t dare suggest it otherwise. But let them argue, it has nothing to do with me.”

“True,” Wen Yue nodded. “Only six more months until we can leave here.”

Li Nianqiu smiled.

“I’ll handle this. Your man just came back, go talk to him.” Li Nianqiu took the spatula from Wen Yue’s hand, emphasizing “your man” with each repetition, making Wen Yue a little embarrassed.

But after hearing it a few times, she got used to it.

Wen Yue only blushed for a moment before recovering, smiling, “Thank you.”

Li Nianqiu waved her off, “Go on, go on.”

Wen Yue considered, then fetched a basin of hot water and a clean new towel. She pushed open the door to the room and saw Zhou Yao just taking off his outer clothes, revealing a lean and muscular inverted triangle torso.

Wen Yue hesitated for a moment, feeling the cold wind blow in through the crack, then quickly stepped inside and gently kicked the door closed. “Do you want to wash your face?”

“Yes,” Zhou Yao replied, not in a hurry to dress. He walked up to Wen Yue, took the towel from her hand, dipped it in the hot water, and wrung it out.

Steam rose from the water basin.

Zhou Yao wiped his face haphazardly, rewet the towel, and wrung it out to wipe his chest. When he reached his back, he paused and looked at Wen Yue, raising an eyebrow. “I can’t reach my back. Can you help?”

“…Turn around.”

Wen Yue took the towel, dipped it in the water again, and wrung it out, motioning for Zhou Yao to turn around.

Zhou Yao obediently turned.

His muscles were well-defined, not overly exaggerated like some bodybuilders, but just right—appealing to most girls. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his waistline disappearing into his waistband.

Wen Yue pursed her lips and used the towel to gently but firmly wipe his back. “Okay, put on your clothes now. Don’t catch a cold.”

She picked up the water basin to empty it, but Zhou Yao lightly grasped her wrist, his voice low. “Stay with me for a while?”

His palm was warm.

Wen Yue’s eyelashes fluttered. “Put on your clothes first.”

“I’m not cold.”

Wen Yue said nothing, just looked at him.

Zhou Yao conceded with a sigh, picked up his clothes, and put them on, including the black turtleneck sweater Wen Yue had knitted for him. “All dressed. Can you stay with me now?”

The turtleneck covered his jawline, his eyes soft and tender, with a slight smile.

Seeing Zhou Yao’s gaunt cheeks, Wen Yue’s heart softened, and her voice became gentle, “We’ll talk after breakfast. We have time, be good.”

With Wen Yue’s soft and gentle tone, Zhou Yao couldn’t resist and immediately surrendered, “Alright, let’s have breakfast first.”

“Put on your coat before you go out,” Wen Yue smiled, her eyes curved into crescents.

Zhou Yao obediently put on his coat and followed Wen Yue out of the room, carrying the water basin in his hands.

“Perfect timing, breakfast is ready,” Li Nianqiu said with a slight, knowing smile as she saw the couple coming out one after the other.

Ren Yeliang and Fang Shitao also emerged, having changed into fresh clothes.

After days on the train without changing clothes, despite the cold, the mix of odors on the train had made their clothes quite unpleasant.

Fang Lulu was visibly delighted, clinging tightly to Fang Shitao, refusing to let go. Her eyes were red, showing she had cried, fearing her brother would disappear if she let go.

Breakfast was eaten indoors, with everyone crowded around the table. Ren Yeliang’s loud voice filled the room, making it lively.

Li Nianqiu was very interested in everything about Shencheng, asking questions while eating. Ren Yeliang, being a talkative person, answered all her questions enthusiastically.

“From what I hear, Shencheng’s future development is likely to be among the best in the country,” Li Nianqiu mused, thinking that changing her application to Shencheng might be a good idea, given its potential for growth.

Ren Yeliang slurped his hot soup and mumbled, “Of course, Shencheng has enormous potential. People there earn at least three to four hundred yuan a month! Look at us here, only earning a few dozen a month. It’s incomparable.”

Wen Yue listened as well, but Ren Yeliang didn’t disclose much about what they were doing in Shencheng. He only mentioned its rapid development without details of their work there.

After breakfast, Xiangdong volunteered to wash the dishes.

Li Nianqiu, Ren Yeliang, and a few others stayed in Grandma Fang’s room by the fire, continuing their questions about Shencheng.

Meanwhile, Wen Yue and Zhou Yao returned to their room.

“I’m a little sleepy. Can you sleep with me for a while?” Zhou Yao asked softly.

Although she wasn’t tired, Wen Yue agreed, taking off her coat and slipping into the bed, leaving space for Zhou Yao.

Zhou Yao also took off his coat and lay down, his long arm pulling Wen Yue into his embrace.

Her face pressed against Zhou Yao’s chest, she listened to his slow, steady heartbeat and quietly asked, “What have you been doing in Shencheng these past few months? You must be exhausted. You really have lost a lot of weight.”

“It’s not too bad. It’s just been busy, not really tiring,” Zhou Yao replied. “It’s normal to feel a little tired at the beginning.”

Wen Yue pressed further, “What exactly have you been busy with?”

Zhou Yao replied, “What else would we be busy with? Trying to find ways to make money…” His voice grew softer and slower until it faded away completely.

Wen Yue looked up and saw that Zhou Yao had already fallen asleep, his breathing steady and even, dark circles evident under his eyes.

He must be utterly exhausted to fall asleep while talking.

Her eyes filled with tenderness. Wen Yue reached up to smooth Zhou Yao’s furrowed brow. She intended to get up, but Zhou Yao’s arm held her tightly, not letting go. To avoid waking him, Wen Yue stayed put, lying beside him.

As she lay there, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, and she too drifted off to sleep.