Chapter 85: Is It Just My Pleasure Alone?

Although Xie Zhi didn’t know how Jiaojiao had learned it, given the girl’s intelligence, it wasn’t a big deal.

Xu Jiaojiao finished writing the last character, lifted her chin slightly, and handed her test paper to him with a touch of pride. In a respectful tone, she said, “Please, teacher, have a look.”

Xie Zhi cleared his throat, his eyes roaming over the girl, sensing a subtle pleasure from this roleplay scenario.

“Teacher should take a good look at Xu Jiaojiao’s paper. If it’s not done well, you know the consequence—palm smacks.”

“It’s perfect. Teacher wants to reward Student Jiaojiao.”

Before he could finish speaking, the girl was swept up into his arms. He nuzzled against her affectionately. Feeling the man’s burning skin, Xu Jiaojiao’s cheeks turned red. She poked his firm abs with her finger.

“All you ever think about is this.”

“Baby, you’re blaming me unjustly. It’s your fault for being too irresistible. Just looking at you makes me lose control.”

No one dislikes compliments, and she was no exception. Her arms naturally wrapped around him, collapsing weakly in his embrace. As he kissed the back of her neck, she kept leaning back until her body sank fully onto the bed. Her eyes glistened with moisture, cheeks blotched with blush and tear streaks, making her look especially pitiful.

Xie Zhi’s gaze met her slightly trembling eyelashes—so long and curled that every flutter seemed to touch his heart. His Adam’s apple bobbed with restraint as he gently kissed her eyelids.

“Jiaojiao, you’re so beautiful.”

The two kissed deeply and passionately. It’s true what they say—once warm and full, desire follows. In an instant, her skirt was torn open, revealing creamy white skin that dazzled the eyes.

Xie Zhi’s lips and tongue traveled every inch of her skin—filling the room with sensual light.

…

Linlin studied at home in the morning and only ventured out in the afternoon when the rain lightened. It was cold outside, and rain splattered her legs from the umbrella, though she wore two layers on her upper body.

It took her over ten minutes to reach the shop. Although she had expected it, seeing the closed store still left her disheartened. She fiddled with the lock and peered closer but saw nothing.

She had no choice but to walk away in the rain, unsure when it would stop. If it rained tomorrow, she wouldn’t be able to return. She didn’t even know that person’s name.

On the way home, Linlin kept kicking pebbles, regretting not buying the clothes yesterday. Even if it cost her half a month’s wages, it wasn’t that expensive.

The rain grew heavier, pouring like a waterfall. The city streets turned into torrents. People and buses splashed up sheets of water.

Trees bent under the wind, testifying to the storm’s fury. Though repair workers had come, most people stayed indoors to avoid falling branches.

“Linlin, what were you doing in this heavy rain?”

The girl vaguely heard the voice and raised her umbrella to see her mother across the way.

“Mom, what’s wrong? Didn’t you go to work today?”

“It’s the weekend, silly girl.”

“Your legs are soaked. You went to that shop, didn’t you? Was it open?”

“No.”

Her mother walked up, urging her to hurry home. “If it’s closed, then come back quickly. Looks like it won’t open for a few days.”

Xu Yan, tasked with calling his sister and brother-in-law for dinner, ran over in the rain. The door was shut tight, which struck him as odd in such windy weather.

He knocked hard: “Jiaojiao, Xie Zhi, dinner time!”

“Coming.”

Xie Zhi gently woke the girl. Jiaojiao, half-asleep, looked adorably confused. He pinched her soft nose. “Are you a little lazy bug? You sleep too well.”

“Beauty needs lots of sleep to keep her skin nice,” she retorted, unwilling to be labeled lazy.

As she got up, her lower back twinged with pain, bringing tears to her eyes. She glared at the man. “This is your fault—thinking only of your own pleasure, not caring about me at all.”

Xie Zhi soothingly rubbed her waist, his head nuzzling into her neck. His voice was teasing and intimate: “Jiaojiao, was it really only my pleasure?”

Xu Jiaojiao blushed fiercely, gently pushing him away. Red marks still bloomed on her shoulder like plum blossoms on snow, stirring sympathy and desire alike.

“Oh, stop it. Let’s go eat already.”

She quickly got dressed. Just as they stepped out, she was about to rush ahead but was stopped by Xie Zhi. He slowly opened an umbrella. “Don’t catch a cold in the rain.”

The girl mumbled inwardly, you and your fussing…

Still, it was quite cold outside. Thankfully, the village still had power. Snuggled into the warmth of his arms, she gazed at the misty mountains, now hidden in clouds.

The dishes were set on the table. Everyone sat and waited.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

“Mom, next time you don’t have to wait for us.”

“It’s no trouble.”

The table had her favorite braised meat, stir-fried greens, leftover buns from breakfast, and a plate of shredded potatoes. Three dishes for five people—quite decent, especially with meat.

“Jiaojiao, eat more. If you like it, I’ll make it again tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

After the meal, Xu’s father fetched the canned goods from the well, including chilled fruits. Yan Fenglian sliced a watermelon and brought out some jujubes. The sweetness in the air, the distant misty mountains—everything felt peaceful and timeless.

“Jiaojiao, how’s the shop coming along?” her father asked.

“Almost done. I’m making a few more clothes. Once I buy the necessary items, I’ll be ready to open.”

“Mom, you haven’t seen the clothes Jiaojiao made—so beautiful! And when we have time, we should all go to the city and see her shop. It’s decorated so nicely,” Xu Yan added excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

Everyone listened with fascination as Jiaojiao and Xie Zhi explained what they’d bought and how much it cost.

“I don’t think this rain will stop tomorrow either.”

“More rain is good. The fields were drying out.”

“Thankfully, the rice is already harvested and stored in the granary.”

As the family chatted, night fell. The sky turned pitch black, and the howling wind drove the rain harder—like a foreboding of something grim.

Xie Zhi lit a bundle of mugwort. It not only repelled mosquitoes but also kept insects away—a necessity in the mountain area with its centipedes and water moths.

The scent of the mugwort filled the room. Xu Jiaojiao inhaled deeply. It smelled wonderful. Xie Zhi brought over freshly boiled water, mixed it to the right temperature, and poured it into a basin.

He removed her socks, revealing feet as fair as white jade. Each toe was round and delicate, like little pearls—utterly lovable.

Xie Zhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed again. Crouching down, he gently placed her feet in the basin, resisting the urge to bite them.

Unaware of the man’s thoughts, Xu Jiaojiao rambled on about her ambitions. “I want to open a store in the provincial capital. After we get into university, I’ll open one near campus too.”

“Hmm, and I won’t stop doing translation work either. That pays fast.”

She talked so much her mouth turned dry, but the man beneath her had no response. Irritated, she tried to pull her foot back, only for him to press it down again.

Pouting, she asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Xie Zhi raised his gaze, eyes burning with desire, but his face remained calm and composed—completely taking on the air of a rightful husband. He wiped her white feet dry on his clothes, then, right in front of her, bit her big toe and ankle.

His voice low and husky with a chilling allure:
“I am listening.”