Chapter 23: Why Do I Feel Like They’re Not Pure?

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the three people present changed instantly. Only Guan Zhiman maintained his leisurely smile, as if completely unaware of what he had just said.

Xu Jiaojiao quickly handed back the box of milk candies in her hand. “Lawyer Guan, this is for you. My husband has already bought me plenty.” She deliberately emphasized the last part.

Her gaze darted around nervously. What was happening? Why was she always encountering bizarre situations? Sure, Lawyer Guan was undeniably handsome, but this was the 1970s! Having too many relationships could get her convicted for hooliganism—and she definitely didn’t want to face the firing squad.

“Jiaojiao is married?”

“Almost. The wedding dress has already been ordered, and the family is currently picking a date,” Xu Yan replied.

Guan Zhiman let out an understanding “oh” and cast a faint smile at Jiaojiao. “Nothing is certain yet. Without a marriage certificate, it doesn’t count.”

His gaze landed on her slender, snowy-white neck, which looked so delicate that it seemed he could break it with a light touch. He raised his hand slightly, as if measuring it in the air, realizing it would fit perfectly in his grasp.

After completing this subtle motion, he deliberately glanced at Xu Bai, his expression unreadable, his dark eyes holding inexplicable emotions.

Xu Jiaojiao shivered under Guan Zhiman’s scrutinizing gaze, but fortunately, Xu Bai quickly led him outside, allowing her to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She tugged on her brother’s sleeve. “Brother, can we see Hongyan today?”

“Probably not today. But we should go meet Hongyan’s parents first. She gave me the address, and it’s best to pay them a visit,” Xu Yan gently coaxed her.

Meanwhile, Guan Zhiman replayed Jiaojiao’s image in his mind. He turned his head back to glance at her and noticed her flushed cheeks. She was truly stunning, like someone sculpted directly from his ideals.

“Xu Bai, why didn’t you bring your sister out earlier? She’s so beautiful.”

Xu Bai stuffed the box of milk candies into his arms and adjusted Guan Zhiman’s collar with a cold, clear gaze. “Is this amusing to you?”

The two stood in a corner of the wall outside, hidden by a large tree. If one didn’t look closely, they wouldn’t see them.

Guan Zhiman’s smile turned frosty as he patted Xu Bai’s cheek with his long fingers, an almost teasing gesture. “Are you mad? Wasn’t it you who asked me to meet more women?”

“That’s my sister. Watch yourself.”

Xu Bai tried to take a step back to create distance, but Guan Zhiman grabbed him by the waist, spun him around, and pinned him against the wall. Guan Zhiman’s feminine name and delicate looks were misleading; his tall stature exuded an oppressive presence.

He leaned closer, his voice low and husky. “I won’t bother that little girl, but you’ll have to move back to the dorms.”

Xu Bai struggled fiercely, but Guan Zhiman’s physical strength, honed from high school basketball and military training at home, made resistance futile. After a while, Xu Bai’s exertion only brought a faint flush to his face, making him look like an actor stripped of stage makeup—breathtakingly alluring.

Gritting his teeth, Xu Bai snapped, “Let go! If you keep messing around, I’ll stop speaking to you in the future.”

Guan Zhiman saw he was truly upset and finally relented, lifting his hands in mock surrender with a lighthearted smile. “Xu Bai, don’t be mad. You’re the one who hangs out with Chen Er all the time.”

“Third Brother, what are you two doing?”

Xu Jiaojiao’s surprised voice broke in.

She caught sight of Guan Zhiman’s large hand gripping her brother’s waist and frowned. Coming from the modern era, her thoughts couldn’t help but wander in a less-than-innocent direction. But for now, she could only feign ignorance.

Her leather shoes clicked loudly on the stone pavement as she inserted herself between them, her tone sharp. “Lawyer Guan, let go of my brother.”

---

On the way back, it was already late. Xu Yan and Xu Jiaojiao decided to visit Hongyan’s parents the next day. Watching his overly quiet older brother, Xu Yan took the opportunity to probe.

“Brother, what’s going on between Third Brother and Lawyer Guan?”

“Oh, those two? They were rivals in high school. Guan Zhiman always had a problem with Third Brother and constantly gave him trouble. Over time, they just grew closer.”

“Why do I feel like Lawyer Guan really likes Third Brother?” Xu Jiaojiao muttered. Her mind was filled with the memory of Guan Zhiman’s final gaze—possessive and determined, far too bizarre.

“Look, Ah Zhi is here to pick you up,” Xu Yan said, successfully diverting her attention.

Xu Jiaojiao spotted Xie Zhi standing by the bulletin board. He was wearing a rare blue uniform today, issued to the teachers in the village. The simple design reminded her of modern work uniforms for civil engineers.

But on Xie Zhi, the outfit looked surprisingly attractive. Jiaojiao waved enthusiastically, immediately noticing the smile on his face.

The moment the car stopped, she rushed out and threw herself into his arms, her pale face tilted up, tears brimming in her eyes. “Husband, I missed you so much.”

“You have no idea how hard it was not seeing you for a whole day. I couldn’t even eat lunch.”

Looking at her aggrieved expression, Xie Zhi felt his heart melt like honey. He buried his nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. “Jiaojiao, I missed you too.”

“Ahem.” Xu Yan deliberately cleared his throat before walking away without turning back, carrying his belongings home. Shaking his head, he muttered, “This little sister has completely forgotten her brother now that she has a husband. Truly heartbreaking.”

The two held hands as they walked home under the faint starlight. Dinner had already been eaten. Jiaojiao shook her wrist, showing off her bracelet. “Pretty, isn’t it? Third Brother bought it for me.”

“It’s beautiful,” Xie Zhi replied. The silver bracelet accentuated her delicate wrist, making it seem even more fragile. His gaze darkened with possessiveness, and he couldn’t help but place a soft kiss on her wrist.

“Jiaojiao, I want you.”

Jiaojiao wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his sharp jaw. “So handsome. Husband, me too.”

At that moment, they were like the simplest matchsticks, igniting a spark as soon as they touched. Between them, the fire began to burn, and Xie Zhi saw the most beautiful flower of his life bloom.

---

The alarm clock buzzed beside the bed, and a flushed hand reached out to silence it.

Xu Jiaojiao hugged the blanket, her sleepy eyes glancing at the time—it was six o’clock. “Husband, aren’t you going to school?”

Xie Zhi was usually up and gone by now. In the village, children rose early for school so they could return home to help with farmwork during harvest season.

Gently yet firmly, Xie Zhi pulled her out of the blanket. “The fields are busy with the harvest, so school’s on break for now. Today, we’ll head to the county together.”

“Alright.”

“Jiaojiao, do you want to go to college?” Xie Zhi asked suddenly.

Her eyes lit up instantly. The college entrance exam was being reinstated! “Husband, you have to study hard and become the first university student in our family.”

“Do you want to go? Father mentioned in his letter that the exams would be back soon. Let’s take the test together and study at the same university, okay?”

“Of course! But you have to teach me.”

While Jiaojiao wasn’t great with life skills or work, she was excellent at academics. Back in the modern era, she had been admitted to a double-first-class university in a competitive province.

Besides, as a transmigrator, she fully understood how valuable being a college student in this era was. Attending college was undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity.

Hearing her agree, Xie Zhi finally relaxed. He had been worried for days. Even though they were about to get married, he was still uneasy.

He was afraid that if he went to college, Jiaojiao might leave him for someone else. She was so beautiful and lovable that there were undoubtedly countless admirers watching her in secret.

Thinking it over, Xie Zhi decided that keeping her close was the best solution. Ideally, he’d put a sign on her that read, Xie Zhi’s Wife, for everyone to see.