Chapter 44: Understanding

Luo Jiaojiao listened to Leng Mohan’s words, her eyes brimming with tears. She felt his warmth and firmness, and the unease in her heart slowly dissipated. She knew she had found someone she could rely on, someone willing to wait for her and understand her.

At that moment, their hearts were tightly connected, as if the whole world had stood still. Their eyes met, filled with anticipation and confidence for the future. At that moment, they knew their feelings would become even stronger and deeper.

Luo Jiaojiao hugged Leng Mohan tightly, her tears falling like broken pearls, wetting his shirt.

She choked out, “Thank you for being so tolerant of me. I know I can’t do anything, I can’t even do housework. You married me only because you saved me, and because of my looks. As long as you don’t dislike me, I will try my best to be good to you. Please don’t, don’t leave me.”

Hearing her cry, Leng Mohan felt a pang of pain in his heart. He realized his test might have been excessive. She was a timid girl, and he had only wanted to test her feelings for him, pretending to leave the room to see if she would try to stop him.

Unexpectedly, her reaction was so intense, which made him feel deeply guilty.

He gently stroked her hair and said softly, “Jiaojiao, don’t cry. I didn’t dislike you, and I won’t leave you. I know you’re trying hard, and you’re changing for me. I also like you very much, not just because of your looks, but because of your kindness and innocence. Let’s work hard together, okay?”

Luo Jiaojiao listened to his words and gradually stopped crying. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with determination. She nodded and softly said, “Okay, let’s work hard together.”

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with stars. In the quiet night, a figure stood silently by the window, the moonlight reflecting her glistening tears. Luo Jiaojiao’s eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness, like a wounded bird, huddled alone in a corner.

Leng Mohan saw Luo Jiaojiao’s tears, and a strange pain surged in his heart. He walked to her side, gently raised his hand, and wiped away the tears on her face with his fingertips. His movements were gentle and meticulous, as if afraid of hurting her.

“Military marriages can’t be dissolved, and I won’t agree to a divorce,” Leng Mohan’s voice was low and firm, his eyes filled with determination.

He held Luo Jiaojiao’s hand tightly, as if wanting to transmit his strength to her, “I will protect you with my life. Where can you find a husband who loves you this much?”

Luo Jiaojiao looked up at Leng Mohan’s deep eyes, and the confusion in her heart gradually dissipated. She felt his firmness and persistence, as if she saw hope for the future.

Leng Mohan smiled slightly and gently kissed Luo Jiaojiao’s forehead. He carefully observed her reaction, and when he saw that she didn’t reject him, he breathed a sigh of relief. He knew she was slowly accepting him, accepting their marriage.

“You should be more confident about your appearance,” Leng Mohan said softly. His words were like a warm current, warming Luo Jiaojiao’s heart. She looked up, meeting Leng Mohan’s affectionate gaze, and a surge of courage welled up in her heart.

Leng Mohan lowered his head and noticed Luo Jiaojiao’s small, white feet, exposed to the cold air, without any covering, directly on the cold gray cement floor, looking particularly striking. A complex emotion surged in his heart, a mixture of heartache and reproach.

He quickly scooped Luo Jiaojiao up, as if holding a precious piece of porcelain, afraid of accidentally hurting her. He gently placed her on the bed, his movements gentle and careful. He quickly stuffed the new bedding back into the closet; his gaze never left Luo Jiaojiao’s face.

Luo Jiaojiao was startled by his actions, her heart pounding, her small hands clutching the sheets, as if this was the only way she could find a sense of security. She looked up at Leng Mohan, her voice trembling slightly, “You said before, I have to agree before we consummate our marriage.”

Leng Mohan looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He understood her worries and anxieties, and he understood her persistence. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and firm, “Jiaojiao, I will respect your wishes. As long as you agree, I will wait until you’re ready.”

Hearing his words, Luo Jiaojiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She closed her eyes, not daring to look at Leng Mohan; she knew her face must be as red as a ripe apple. She clutched the sheets tightly, as if this was the only way to suppress her excitement and anticipation.

Leng Mohan looked at her closed eyes and slightly trembling eyelashes, and a strong desire to protect her surged in his heart. He gently held her hand and said softly, “Jiaojiao, I will wait for you. Until the day you’re willing. But there’s a deadline, three days later, by then we can move to the cleaned-up house, okay?”

Luo Jiaojiao and Leng Mohan cuddled together. His head rested gently on her neck, like a gentle beast, whispering in her ear.

His warm breath brushed against her skin, stirring the deep emotions in her heart. That low, magnetic voice was like an irresistible magic, causing her thoughts to drift.

Luo Jiaojiao tried to respond to his words, a mischievous smile on her lips. She softly mumbled, “Then how did you manage before? Liar.” Her voice was soft, but filled with questioning and curiosity.

She wanted to know how he had spent those long and lonely days without her.

Leng Mohan naturally heard her mumbling. He turned his head slightly, his mouth twitching as if he was trying to suppress a smile. He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, with a hint of helplessness and self-mockery. He softly said, “How else? Cold showers.”

This sentence stunned Luo Jiaojiao. She couldn’t imagine how he had endured the loneliness and solitude without her, using cold showers to dispel the inner heat and longing. A strange emotion surged in her heart—as long as he didn’t find someone else.

“From now on, I will never let you take cold showers again,” Luo Jiaojiao said softly, her lips slightly pursed, her eyes filled with determination and tenderness. She looked at him, her eyes full of care and love.

Leng Mohan chuckled softly. He reached out and gently held Luo Jiaojiao’s hand, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He softly said, “My little ancestor, are you feeling sorry for me? I actually want to try that cold shower again now.”

Hearing his words, Luo Jiaojiao’s cheeks flushed slightly. She gently pushed him, scolding, “Don’t talk now.”