Chapter 19: Going to Work

◎Bring Your Wife Over◎

There was a big bathhouse in the factory area. During peak hours, naked bodies poured in one after another like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

The steam rising above the bathhouse was just like the vapor released when boiling dumplings, and even the mixed, pungent smells emitted by the crowded people inside bore a strange resemblance to the scent of freshly cooked dumplings.

Compared to the noisy bustle of the big bathhouse, the small one next to the boiler room was much quieter.

The man who heated water at the boiler room, Master Xu, was the father of Xu Geng, the head chef at the factory canteen. Master Xu had also been a long-time worker at the factory. After retiring, he took on the task of heating water in the boiler room to keep himself busy.

Whenever Gui Xiwen came to bathe, he always greeted Master Xu and asked him to run the water.

Master Xu had a deep impression of Gui Xiwen—not because his father was the deputy factory director, but because he was different from others.

Most people liked noise and crowds, even when bathing. Everyone flocked to the big bathhouse, gathering in groups of three or five to scrub each other’s backs and chat—a moment of pure relaxation after a hard day’s work.

But Gui Xiwen always came to the small bathhouse, and never used the communal soaking pool. He only used the single showerhead.

At first, Master Xu thought he was too picky, and maybe just acting spoiled as the son of a factory official. But after getting to know him better, those negative thoughts disappeared.

When Gui Xiwen came to greet him, Master Xu skillfully started the water and smiled while eyeing his sweat-soaked clothes. “Just finished playing ball? You’re drenched.”

“Yeah,” Gui Xiwen replied, stepping into the bathhouse and pulling his shirt over his head in one swift motion, revealing his well-toned arms.

While Gui Xiwen was enjoying a vigorous shower, Gu Ying was pacing hesitantly at the doorway of their home. She was still thinking about what Zhang Tao had just asked her to do.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Ying turned back inside.

In the living room, Zhang Dongling was bent over with her head stuck inside a cabinet, rummaging around frantically. She was short-tempered, and not being able to find what she needed was clearly frustrating her—she was already cursing under her breath.

When she saw Gu Ying enter, Zhang Dongling immediately called out, “Oh right, Xiao Ying! Where did Gui Xiwen put the herbal medicine I asked you to organize earlier? I can’t find it anywhere!”

Gu Ying pointed to a cabinet on the left. “All the way in the back.”

Following her instruction, Zhang Dongling dug through the pile and finally found the herbal medicine she had painstakingly purchased.

She let out a breath of relief and smacked the bundle lightly. “Hmph, that brat! Must’ve hidden it on purpose. I did it for his own good, but he doesn’t appreciate it at all.”

Zhang Dongling carefully wrapped the herbs and put them away with great care.

Watching her movements, Gu Ying cleared her throat and said, “Mom, Xiwen is showering in the small bathhouse next to the boiler room. Zhang Tao just stopped by and asked you to help send him a change of clothes.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “you” very lightly.

Fortunately, Zhang Dongling caught it.

She frowned. “Where’s Zhang Tao? Why didn’t he take the clothes himself?”

She had known that Gui Xiwen usually asked Zhang Tao to fetch his clothes after playing ball. Zhang Tao had always just come in and grabbed them himself. Why not this time?

Gu Ying explained, “He said he had to get back to work—didn’t have time.”

“Oh, fine, I’ll take them,” Zhang Dongling said, pulling out a set of Gui Xiwen’s clothes.

Gu Ying stood to the side and watched as Zhang Dongling nearly stepped out the door. She lowered her gaze, quietly letting out a breath of relief.

But just as Zhang Dongling reached the door, she suddenly paused, turned back, and shoved the clothes into Gu Ying’s arms. “Xiao Ying, why don’t you go instead? I just remembered something important I need to do. Could you run this errand?”

Gu Ying was stunned, and though she felt like refusing, the words never made it past her lips.

She held the clothes and smiled, “Okay.”

Then she trudged heavily out the door.

Watching her disappear down the path, Zhang Dongling leaned against the doorframe with a smug expression, feeling rather proud of herself. She thought she had just been brilliantly clever—sending clothes to a man in the bathhouse? Obviously, that job should go to his wife.

Zhang Dongling turned around smugly, mentally giving herself a big thumbs-up.

Gu Ying, on the other hand, walked with a face full of dread, as if she were delivering ammunition to the front lines rather than clothes to the bathhouse.

She walked slowly, every step filled with reluctance, her whole body resisting the idea of going to the small bathhouse.

Along the way, she ran into someone unexpected.

Gui Xiwu was squatting in a patch of weeds, playing a makeshift Douluo (soul fighter) game with two other chubby boys his age. The sparse grass didn’t do much to hide his round little body—Gu Ying recognized him at once.

“Hey, Xiwu! Come here a second,” Gu Ying called out with a warm, sweet smile, one that could melt anyone’s heart.

But Gui Xiwu looked at her like he’d seen a ghost and turned to flee.

Gu Ying blocked his path and casually put an arm around his shoulder. In a friendly tone, she said, “Xiwu, your big brother is showering in the small bathhouse by the boiler room. Could you take these clothes to him for me, please?”

Gui Xiwu looked at her suspiciously. “You called me just for that?”

Gu Ying squinted at him. “What else would it be?”

Gui Xiwu, being a child, couldn’t hide his emotions like an adult. The relieved expression on his face gave him away completely.

Gu Ying stared at him, starting to wonder—had this kid caused some kind of trouble again?

Before she could think further, Gui Xiwu pushed the clothes back at her and declared, “I’m not going. I hate you. I’m not doing anything for you.”

Gu Ying frowned. “You’re not helping me. You’re helping your brother. You’d seriously leave him with nothing to wear?”

Gui Xiwu snorted. “If anyone’s going, it should be you!”

As he spoke, he waved his big hand, and the other two children, under his command, protected him as they ran off.

Gu Ying: “……”

Alright then, it’s just delivering some clothes—not a big deal.

Gu Ying mentally prepared herself and quickened her pace toward the bathhouse, with the air of someone bravely marching onto the battlefield.

Master Xu from the boiler room was about to add more coal when Gu Ying passed by him and politely greeted him, “Master Xu, working hard, huh?”

Master Xu looked at the girl in front of him, who was holding a pile of clothes, and felt a bit puzzled. He couldn’t recall which family this child was from—he had no impression of her at all.

That shouldn’t be right. Could it be that he’s getting old and his memory’s failing?

He looked Gu Ying up and down, trying to determine her parents based on her appearance. But he really couldn’t match her face to anyone familiar.

Could she be an outsider who sneaked in to take advantage of the factory bathhouse?

Suddenly, Master Xu’s gaze sharpened. He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and took on a stern posture as he walked toward Gu Ying, preparing to interrogate her.

Sensing the shift in his expression, Gu Ying quickly realized the situation. She raised the men’s clothing in her hand and smiled before he could speak, “Master Xu, I’m here to deliver clothes. Xiwen should be inside bathing, right?”

Master Xu was taken aback, then immediately understood. “Oh! So you’re Xiwen’s wife. He’s at the shower area—go right in.”

“Alright, thank you, Master Xu.” Gu Ying lowered her head and walked off quickly.

Master Xu stared at her retreating back for a long time, stunned.

So this girl really is Gui Xiwen’s wife? Looks like what people said was true—he did marry someone who’s not very pretty.

But at least she’s polite.

Master Xu smiled and turned back to tend the fire.

As Gu Ying approached the bathhouse, she heard the sound of rushing water. She stopped outside a short wall, reached over, and handed the clothes inside.

Gui Xiwen was expecting Zhang Tao to deliver his clothes any moment. When he turned around and saw a pile of clothes suddenly appear, with a hand barely visible under them, he was speechless.

“Just bring them in!”

They were all men—what’s there to be shy about?

Gu Ying’s hand trembled slightly, and she pressed her lips together. “You really want me to bring them in?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, and with the sound of water rushing around, Gui Xiwen didn’t hear her at all. He just urged again, “Hurry up, stop dawdling!”

Gu Ying steeled herself, lowered her head, and walked in.

Gui Xiwen turned around—only to be greeted by Gu Ying face to face. He was so shocked that his eyes went wide. With a shudder, he quickly grabbed his dirty clothes and used them to cover his most essential parts.

After the frantic scrambling, he realized Gu Ying had kept her head down the entire time—not once looking up.

Gui Xiwen felt a little awkward.

He’d been all flustered, while Gu Ying had stayed calm and composed. The contrast made him feel oddly uncomfortable.

He narrowed his eyes. “Why is it you?”

“Zhang Tao had to go to work. He didn’t have time, so he asked me to bring them,” Gu Ying replied, still keeping her head down.

Inwardly, Gui Xiwen cursed Zhang Tao up and down. He looked again at Gu Ying—she still hadn’t lifted her head—and felt even more annoyed.

He didn’t rush to get dressed. Instead, he slowly walked toward her.

Gu Ying noticed he was approaching and could already see his bare feet through the edge of her vision.

She instinctively hunched her back a little more.

“Are you bowing to me?” came his cold voice from above.

Gu Ying shook her head and kindly reminded him, “You should put your clothes on, or you’ll catch a cold.”

Gui Xiwen: “……”

It’s blazing hot—going shirtless is totally fine. Who the hell would catch a cold in this weather?

Looking at the small figure bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle in front of him, Gui Xiwen burned with an inexplicable anger. He snatched the clothes from her hand, only to see her instantly relax, then dart off happily without so much as a backward glance.

In the middle of summer, Gui Xiwen suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

He looked down at his well-toned abs, put on his clothes with a blank expression, and scoffed to himself—

Hmph. No taste.

When Gu Ying left the bathhouse and passed by the boiler room, Master Xu greeted her again, “Done delivering the clothes? Hey, why’s your face so red?”

Gu Ying wiped her cheeks and answered without a change in expression, “The bathhouse is hot—it steamed me.”

After delivering the clothes, on her way home, Gu Ying made a point to check the grass by the path again, but didn’t see Gui Xiwu this time.

She recalled the expression on his face earlier and suspected the little brat might’ve caused some trouble. She had intended to ask about it, but since he wasn’t around, she gave up.

That evening at dinner, the whole family sat down together. For some reason, Gui Xiwen, who usually sat next to Gu Ying, suddenly moved to Gui Xiwu’s usual spot without saying a word.

There were five people in the household, and they always sat in fixed positions. With his seat taken, Gui Xiwu immediately protested.

Seeing his older brother’s expression grow darker, Gui Xiwu reluctantly compromised and grudgingly sat next to Gu Ying.

Zhang Dongling observed the whole thing and, ever perceptive, softly asked, “What’s wrong? Did you two have a fight?”

“No,” Gui Xiwen denied it flatly.

Then added, “I just wanted Xiwu to bond more with his sister-in-law.”

Gui Xiwu: “……”

Big bro, could you be any more shameless?

Who the hell would believe that?

But Zhang Dongling did. Not only did she believe it—she was deeply moved.

Ever since Gu Ying married into the family, the only person who didn’t really like her was Gui Xiwu. Zhang Dongling never quite understood why the boy was so hostile toward Gu Ying.

She had tried many times to talk sense into Gui Xiwu and wanted to have a proper conversation with him. But each time, Gui Xiwu would avoid the topic or brush it off with jokes, refusing to admit that he didn’t like Gu Ying.

But children’s behavior is the most straightforward, and Zhang Dongling was very aware of her youngest son’s attitude. She thought, maybe Gui Xiwu was still too young and could only judge people by their appearance. After spending more time with Gu Ying, he would probably change his opinion.

Zhang Dongling always thought she was the only one worrying about this matter, but it turned out Gui Xiwen also cared about it! As expected, Gui Xiwen was quite concerned about Gu Ying.

Tears welled up in Zhang Dongling’s eyes. She picked up a dish and served Gui Xiwu a bite, gently reminding him, “Did you hear that? Don’t let your big brother’s good intentions go to waste.”

Gui Xiwu sulkily ate in silence.

Zhang Dongling added, “To help you get closer, from now on your sister-in-law will check your homework. Have you finished it for today? Show it to her later.”

Gu Ying’s hand paused while holding her chopsticks, and her expression darkened.

Right. She had almost forgotten — Gui Xiwu was still a student. So why was he playing in the bushes at the compound during school hours?

Gu Ying slowly turned her head and met Gui Xiwu’s gaze.

In that fleeting moment, their eyes met, and everything was said without a word.

Gui Xiwu’s heart turned cold.

It’s over. Gu Ying was definitely going to expose him for skipping school right there at the dinner table.

He really should have been more careful. If he hadn’t gone to the bushes, he wouldn’t have been caught. Now it was too late for regrets.

If his parents found out, they’d definitely scold him relentlessly, probably lecture him for three days and nights without sleep. And if his big brother found out… he’d surely beat him up.

It’s over. It’s over. Today was judgment day.

Gui Xiwu lost his appetite completely. Everything tasted like wax in his mouth. He just stared blankly while holding his chopsticks.

He even closed his eyes, bracing himself for the storm.

But after a while, the storm didn’t come. Instead, he heard his sister-in-law’s gentle voice: “Xiwu, eat your food.”

Gui Xiwu was stunned. He stared at Gu Ying blankly, unable to react for a moment.

Across from him, Zhang Dongling saw his expression and burst out laughing. “What’s wrong with you, child? Did you not finish your homework? No need to be so scared. Your sister-in-law is just checking your homework, isn’t she gentler than your big brother?”

Gui Xiwu said nothing.

After his anxious heart finally settled, he began shoveling food into his mouth like crazy, trying to make up for lost time.

That night, Gu Ying went to Gui Xiwu’s room to check his homework.

Gui Xiwu was sitting on the bed, legs crossed, as if meditating. Even when the door opened and then closed, he didn’t open his tightly shut eyes. It seemed he had been expecting her.

Gu Ying stared at his strange sitting posture and paused before walking over quietly to sit in front of him. “Where’s your homework? Let me see.”

Gui Xiwu didn’t move. He slowly opened his eyes and coldly said, “I won’t be grateful.”

Gu Ying chuckled. “You didn’t think I was helping you back there, did you?”

Gui Xiwu froze. “What do you mean?”

Gu Ying glanced at him. “Sit properly and I’ll tell you.”

Gui Xiwu immediately jumped down from the bed and sat primly in the chair. “Now you can talk. What did you mean earlier?”

Gu Ying spread her hands. “I wasn’t helping you earlier — it was a trade. I didn’t tell everyone at the table that you skipped class, so now you owe me a favor. Next time I need help, you have to help me.”

“You’re blackmailing me?!” Gui Xiwu practically exploded.

Gu Ying patted his shoulder to calm him. “Of course not, this isn’t blackmail. It’s a deal. See? You have options. You can choose to owe me a favor and help me later, or you can choose to face your family and deal with the consequences of them finding out the truth.”

Gui Xiwu: “…”

It felt terrible to have someone hold something over your head!

He clenched his little fists in frustration. “Fine, I accept. Now leave!”

Hmph! Everyone says his sister-in-law is gentle, but this is her real face!

In Gui Xiwu’s heart, he had a ranking list of people he disliked. Gu Ying had now successfully made it onto the list — straight to number one, and she would likely stay there for a long time!

Gu Ying, having been kicked out, left tactfully. But before going, she reminded him, “Oh right, I’d advise you not to skip class for now. If your mom or your big brother catches you, you’ll be in serious trouble.”

Gui Xiwu scoffed inwardly. He finally felt like he had caught a flaw in her words. He raised his chin confidently. “So all this nonsense was just to stop me from skipping school, right? Well, I’m not listening. I will skip!”

Gu Ying touched her nose, trying not to laugh. “Sorry, but you’re overthinking it. I’m only worried you’ll get caught, and then that favor you owe me will be wasted.”

“Of course, if you still want to skip class, go ahead. But if you avoid getting caught by your mom or brother, make sure you don’t get caught by me either. Because if I catch you again, you’ll owe me another favor. Hmm, sounds like a good deal for me. Maybe you should skip class more often.”

“Aaaargh! You’re so annoying!”

Gui Xiwu couldn’t take it anymore and grabbed the pillow beside him to throw it. It missed and landed on the floor.

Gu Ying pointed at the fallen pillow. “By the way, just a reminder — your mom just washed that pillowcase. If she finds out you dirtied it already, she’ll scold you again.”

“Aaaargh! Get out! Get out!” Gui Xiwu was on the verge of tears from frustration.

Gu Ying covered her mouth and laughed, then happily left the room.

Outside, Zhang Dongling saw the cheerful expression on Gu Ying’s face and assumed the two had bonded well through the homework session, which made her feel very pleased.

Late at night, everyone had gone to sleep. The whole house was silent.