Chapter 49: “You’re Bullying Me~”

In this day and age, even city folks can’t bear to waste any food. They even pick up a grain of rice that falls from the table and eat it.

After eating, they put their dishes in the kitchen and left. After all, Xu Jiaojiao could never be the one to wash the dishes—it was greasy and bad for the skin, and besides, there was no reason to wash them at home.

Since Xie Zhi wanted to date her, he had to accept this logic.

Ming Zhen watched her son clean up the kitchen while Xu Jiaojiao lazily sat on the sofa and rolled her eyes.

Unable to hold back, she finally said, “Xiao Zhi, why not ask Jiaojiao to wash the dishes? Xiao Jing is much more delicate than Jiaojiao, yet she washes dishes.”

Xie Zhi glanced at his mother coldly. Despite the stifling heat in the kitchen, Ming Zhen felt a chill on her back and awkwardly didn’t dare to speak again.

Xie Zhi quickly finished cleaning up, then went to the bathroom, carefully washing his hands with soap twice. He sniffed his fingers to make sure there was no trace of oil before going to find Jiaojiao.

With his hands cleaned, he took Jiaojiao’s hand, and the two of them walked up the stairs side by side, their figures perfectly in sync.

Xie Zhi had already hung up his clothes, took out the pajamas he had prepared earlier, and also got a nightgown for Jiaojiao. He affectionately sat her down on the sofa, then nuzzled his head into her waist.

“Jiaojiao, I want to take a bath with you,” he said with a pitiful tone, as if he had suffered some great injustice.

Xu Jiaojiao wrapped her arms around him from behind, soothing him as she thought about how much he had endured. Her tone was both sweet and tender, “Okay.”

Xie Zhi’s eyes immediately lit up. From the previous gentle puppy-like demeanor, he quickly transformed into a playful wolfdog, holding onto her and tugging at her nightgown as they hurried to the bathroom. He set her on the washstand and quickly filled the bathtub with water.

The steam filled the room, making it feel intimate and heated, while soft sounds of water and kisses filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both embarrassing and arousing.

Downstairs, Ming Zhen was squeezing her handkerchief, glaring up at the stairs. She complained to her husband, who was reading a book nearby, “Look at the mess you’ve caused. I told you not to go, but you didn’t listen.”

“Look at her. She doesn’t even respect me.”

Xie Zhi’s father glanced at Ming Zhen and leisurely took a sip of tea before setting the cup down. “Why bother? You were in the wrong from the start. Besides, you were the one who wanted Xiao Zhi to marry Jiaojiao, and now we’re able to resolve everything so quickly. They’ve helped us a lot.”

“Now, you’re tearing down the bridge after crossing the river.”

Ming Zhen refused to back down, arguing, “Yes, they helped us, but look at how Xu Jiaojiao orders Xie Zhi around! I think he’d even go as far as to do her laundry!”

“As long as he’s willing, let him. I can see that he enjoys it.”

“Why should I spend my whole life in the kitchen while Xu Jiaojiao doesn’t have to? Why can she eat such expensive mangoes so easily when I can’t even touch them? Why does she live so effortlessly?”

“Why didn’t you help me when I was being tormented by your mother, but now you want me to be docile? Why is that?”

Ming Zhen finally couldn’t swallow the words anymore. She poured out everything she had been holding in, her eyes reddened, tears brimming at the corners.

Xie Zhi’s father was stunned into silence, not knowing what to say. No wonder she wasn’t feeling well, no wonder she still didn’t feel comfortable despite everything he’d said. Deep down, though, he felt that he had done nothing wrong.

His dark eyes stared at Ming Zhen, “Times have changed. People are valuable now. Do you think you know what Jiaojiao’s life is like at home? If we don’t treat her well, why should she marry into our family? This isn’t the old-fashioned arranged marriage.”

His words were a sharp blow to Ming Zhen’s heart. After speaking, Xie Zhi’s father didn’t wait for her response. He hurriedly left the house, leaving the woman on the sofa, almost crying herself unconscious.

Ming Zhen, crying, was still a sight to behold—pitiful and attractive. But after staring at such a beautiful face for long enough, it lost its charm.

Xie Zhi leaned back in the bathtub, and Jiaojiao sat on his lap, their bodies close together. The bathtub even had a little rubber duck for the bath. Jiaojiao’s hair was wet and stuck to her back and face, looking just like an enchanting fairy. The girl in his arms was, without a doubt, a captivating creature.

Xie Zhi felt Jiaojiao trembling against him, her body pressed tightly to his. He knew all her fears, all her anxieties.

He forcefully turned her around, and they were face-to-face, but Jiaojiao refused to look at him. Xie Zhi lifted her chin, his eyes full of unspeakable emotions.

Jiaojiao’s eyes were misty with tears, her lashes trembling. She looked so heart-wrenching and beautiful at the same time.

Xie Zhi’s eyes locked on her, taking a deep breath, his fingers gently tracing her flushed cheek. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “Why are you crying?”

Jiaojiao’s voice was soft, and she felt a little pain from his actions. “You’re bullying me.”

Once she said it, she couldn’t stop herself from crying silently.

Xie Zhi’s brows furrowed deeply. He pulled her into his arms and gently apologized, “I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll be gentler. Jiaojiao, forgive me, okay?”

Jiaojiao looked at him through her tears. “You didn’t lie to me?”

“When have I ever lied to you?” Xie Zhi smiled softly.

She thought carefully, and it seemed like he had never lied to her. She sniffled, her tears gradually stopping, feeling a warm kiss on her cheek.

Xie Zhi grabbed a large towel and carefully dried Jiaojiao, then, avoiding looking at her glaringly fair skin, he slipped the nightgown over her body.

He took a blow dryer from the cabinet, and the gentle, warm air dried her hair slowly.

The room was filled with the scent of her hair, and all that could be heard was their heavy breathing. Once her hair was dry, Jiaojiao tried to stand up on her own, but as soon as she did, her legs gave way. Luckily, Xie Zhi caught her in his arms.

However, the sudden movement caused a sharp pain in her lower back, and more tears spilled from her eyes. Xie Zhi, deeply moved by desire, held her tightly, unable to control himself.

The blanket was tossed aside, and Jiaojiao was gently laid on the bed. Before her vision blurred, a sweet candy was placed in her mouth.

Xie Zhi pulled her into his arms and whispered softly, “Baby, don’t cry. Be careful, your eyes will get ruined from crying.”