◎ She wanted to knock this damn rogue out of the way ◎

Tao Xiaoxi had the technician install two cameras in front of the shop—one visible, one hidden. It was always better to guard against the bad guys.

After confirming the cameras were set up, she drove to the health bureau. Her business license was ready, but the nail salon also needed a sanitation permit. She didn’t realize how complicated it was to get everything done, but now that the renovation was almost finished, she could take care of all the paperwork before the New Year. Then, once spring arrived, she could pick a date for the grand opening.

Tao Xiaoxi was planning to go home after she left the health bureau but passed by the street where her shop was located. She decided to go in and grab a couple of coats, which were durable and stain-resistant. Every time she worked at the shop, she would wear them. She’d been meaning to throw them in the washing machine for a while but had forgotten to take them home the last time.

A Jian and the others left early today because it was A Jian’s birthday, and they were going to celebrate. Tao Xiaoxi wanted to show her gratitude because A Jian had been helping her a lot with the shop recently. She wasn’t sure what to get him, so she ordered a cake for him and, on a whim, took a bottle of wine from Chen Fang’s collection. She hadn’t exactly stolen it—she’d sent him a picture so he would know which bottle was missing. Chen Fang had a lot of alcohol at home, but he rarely drank. Most of it was probably for gifting. Tao Xiaoxi didn’t know much about wine, so she picked the bottle that looked the nicest.

Chen Fang didn’t react to the drawing she made earlier, probably because he didn’t want to comment on his pink future. However, he quickly responded to the photo of the wine, saying that A Jian would definitely smile and thank her for picking such a good bottle.

When A Jian received the wine, his face did indeed light up with a big smile. He kept thanking his sister-in-law. Watching A Jian’s joyful face, Tao Xiaoxi’s remaining irritation with Chen Fang seemed to dissipate a little.

It wasn’t too dark yet, so Tao Xiaoxi went to the back room to grab the two coats. She didn’t turn on the light. When she came out, she saw a man with bright green hair standing at the door, smoking. It was the first time she had ever seen a grown man with his hair dyed pure green. She recognized his face, so it wasn’t just her being overly suspicious. This person was definitely up to something. At first, it could have been a coincidence, but after a few times, it was likely intentional. Looking back, she realized that every time he appeared, it was when she was alone in the shop.

It wasn’t too late yet, and there were still people coming and going on the street. What made Tao Xiaoxi regret was that she hadn’t turned on the lights. The green-haired man stood at the door, and if he really wanted to do something, he could just close the door behind him. The room would become pitch-black, and no one outside would know what was happening inside.

The more Tao Xiaoxi thought about it, the more she made herself stay calm. The shop was under renovation, and she could easily grab something nearby to defend herself. She didn’t know where A Jian and the others were eating, and Chen Fang’s company wasn’t close. By the time he got here, everything would be too late. The police station was on the next street, so Tao Xiaoxi decided to call the police. Even if they couldn’t arrive immediately, at least it would have a deterrent effect.

When the green-haired man saw her come out, he grinned, and even in the dim light, Tao Xiaoxi could clearly see his yellow teeth, making her scalp tingle.

“Who are you? What are you doing standing here?!” she shouted.

Just as she was about to dial 110, a familiar voice came from outside. It was A Jian. A Jian was also about 1.8 meters tall and much sturdier. If Chen Fang was a leader of wolves, then A Jian was the bear. Even if a few green-haired men came, they would be no match for him.

Tao Xiaoxi’s shaky legs regained some strength, and the stick she was holding fell to the ground with a dull sound.

Hearing the noise from inside and seeing the half-open door, A Jian assumed it was his accomplices inside stealing something, with the green-haired man standing guard outside.

“You guys are really bold. It’s not even dark yet, and you’re already out here stealing. Do you even know whose shop this is? You dare to steal? Damn it.”

Although A Jian stuttered when talking to girls, especially in front of Tao Xiaoxi, where he seemed like a shy, awkward young man, he turned into a tough guy when facing men like this.

The green-haired man’s frame was so weak that it would fall with a gust of wind. He ran fast, though, like the wind. A Jian managed to tear a few strands of green hair from him, but the man slipped through his grasp, wriggling like an eel, and ran off. A Jian was about to chase after him.

Tao Xiaoxi, unable to move quickly, shouted, “A Jian, don’t chase him!”

She didn’t want anything else to happen if he chased him.

A Jian froze when he heard it was his sister-in-law inside. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The room was dark, and he couldn’t shake the fear that something had happened.

He hurried inside. “Sister-in-law, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Turn on the lights,” Tao Xiaoxi said, leaning against the wall for support. “Why are you back?”

A Jian switched on the light. Seeing that other than her pale face, Tao Xiaoxi was fine, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I forgot my house key. I ran back to get it while they were serving the food. It’s a good thing I came back.” He handed her a disposable cup of hot water.

“Thank you.” The warmth from the paper cup seeping into her skin helped Tao Xiaoxi feel a bit better. “I really have to thank your family’s spare key. It was my carelessness—I just thought I’d grab some clothes and leave, so I didn’t turn on the lights.”

“Did that guy come in?” A Jian asked.

“No, I’ve seen him twice before, but I didn’t pay much attention. Now I think he might have come earlier to scout the place. But there’s nothing valuable here, just some home appliances. Even if he stole them, it wouldn’t be worth much. It’s not like it would take much effort either. I’m not sure how he picked my shop though. Wait, I need to check the security footage.” Tao Xiaoxi grabbed her phone. She was relieved she had installed the cameras in time. The footage showed the green-haired man standing at the door a few seconds after she entered, and he kept hovering around outside without coming inside the shop. Such footage wouldn’t be very useful even if she reported it to the police.

A Jian scratched his head. “Sister-in-law, we need to let Brother Fang know about this.”

At first, A Jian thought it was just a case of theft, but a thief so bold as to steal in broad daylight, with people still on the street, didn’t seem like an ordinary thief. A Jian feared that the green-haired man wasn’t after the goods but after the people.

To A Jian, Brother Fang was someone who could solve any problem, whether the threat was to people or things. Once Brother Fang knew, he’d have a way to handle it.

“Yeah,” Tao Xiaoxi nodded. She definitely needed to tell him. She also regretted not mentioning her concerns earlier. At least they could have prepared for it.

Tao Xiaoxi found his number and was about to dial, but then paused. She wanted him to know, but should she… do it in a different way.

…

Chen Fang arrived quickly, and Tao Xiaoxi even wondered if he had flown here. Of course, he couldn’t fly; his car was still in the 4S shop, and it was the taxi driver who came quickly.

A Jian felt he had completed his task. Brother Fang handed him two cigarettes—good ones—and sent him off to his own birthday party.

A Jian had just called Brother Fang as his sister-in-law instructed. Although he didn’t know why Tao Xiaoxi wanted to do it this way, he followed her orders without question. After all, Brother Fang had told him to listen to his sister-in-law in everything.

The moment Tao Xiaoxi saw Chen Fang enter, her heart, which had been bouncing around, strangely calmed down. She wasn’t scared with A Jian by her side, but her limbs were still weak, and her heart raced, making her feel unsettled.

Was this the feeling of having a reliable backing?

Tao Xiaoxi froze for a moment. Had she subconsciously started to see him as her protector?

Chen Fang saw her sitting safely in the chair, and the dark look on his face cleared up a bit. A Jian had kept telling him that his sister-in-law was fine, but he could only relax once he saw her with his own eyes.

Tao Xiaoxi looked up at him. “Why are you here?”

When Chen Fang thought about how she had tried to hide something so big from him, the brief moment of calm on his face turned dark again. He took her hand, which felt cold to the touch, and pulled her other hand over as well. His large hands enveloped her cold, small ones, warming her.

“A Jian told me everything. Tao Xiaoxi, even if nothing happened, you shouldn’t hide this from me.” His voice was serious.

“Oh,” Tao Xiaoxi avoided his gaze, speaking softly. “I just thought you’ve had so much going on lately, and since nothing major happened, I didn’t want you to worry.”

Chen Fang was about to give her a serious lecture. No matter whether it was a big or small matter, whether something had happened or not, as long as it concerned her, she should tell him immediately. After all, he was her husband, not just some random person she met on the street.

But the words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them down. Before saying this to her, he had to reflect on himself. Hadn’t he also kept something from her a few days ago?

He half-squatted down to her level and said, “In the future, no matter what happens, you can’t hide anything from me. No matter how busy I am, your matters are more important.” He paused for a moment, then added, “I won’t do such foolish things again. I won’t keep anything from you. Tao Xiaoxi, we’re married. No matter what happens, we face it together.”

“Okay,” Tao Xiaoxi replied, this time meeting his gaze with clear eyes, responding obediently, “I understand.”

Chen Fang reached out and pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back. “Were you scared?”

“Well… not really. A Jian came in time,” Tao Xiaoxi wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. “I’ve seen that person twice before and felt something was off, but I didn’t think too much about it. I should’ve trusted my instincts. He even smiled at me just now, it was really disgusting.”

Chen Fang’s expression grew darker. “A Jian said there’s surveillance footage?”

“Yes.”

“Send it to me. For now, don’t stay at the shop by yourself. When you go out or anywhere, take A Jian with you.”

“Okay.” Tao Xiaoxi nodded. She listened to whatever he said, not being stubborn in such matters. “Don’t tell Grandma about today.”

“Mm.” Chen Fang gently patted her head.

The two of them had a tacit understanding when it came to keeping things from the old lady, including the car accident from a few days ago.

When they got home, Yan Qiufang was happy to see them. “Why are you home so early today?”

Chen Fang, as usual, joked with the old lady. “I smelled your cooking and couldn’t stay away. Oh, are you making dumplings today?”

“Yes, you’re just in time. Help me roll the dough, and we’ll be able to start wrapping them soon.” Yan Qiufang urged him to wash his hands.

“I can’t help with that, I have to go out for a bit. Let Xiaoxi help you. She can roll the dough too.”

Yan Qiufang thought he had a social engagement. “Going out at this time? Are you eating here?”

“Of course. Once you’re done making the dumplings, I’ll be back. You need to make extra, the pork and green bean dumplings, I’ll have three bowls.”

Yan Qiufang laughed. “Don’t talk about three bowls, I’ll make five for you.”

Chen Fang looked over at Tao Xiaoxi, who was washing her hands in the bathroom.

“I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

“Where are you going?” Tao Xiaoxi followed him.

Chen Fang gently pushed her back to the bathroom and half-closed the door. “I’m going to the company. There are some things I still need to finish.”

“Are you really going to the company?” Tao Xiaoxi felt a bit worried. After seeing the footage earlier, she noticed the stormy look in his eyes. It made her think that things might not be as simple as they seemed.

No matter how simple or complicated the situation was, she was fine, and that was all that mattered. She didn’t want him to pursue it any further.

Chen Fang pinched her nose, teasing her, “If I’m not going to the office, where else would I go? I wouldn’t just leave halfway through. There are people waiting for me to go back and continue.”

His tone was light, and he didn’t sound like he was lying.

“Okay.” Tao Xiaoxi scrunched her nose. His grip was too strong, making her nose feel sore. “Come back soon.”

“I will. I have to return to cook the dumplings. Grandma says my dumplings are ugly, but my boiling skills are top-notch. Wait for me to cook them. Didn’t you eat the ones I made last time? Were they good?”

Tao Xiaoxi laughed at him. “Boiling dumplings doesn’t take skill. A ten-year-old can do it. The dumplings taste good because Grandma makes the filling well.”

Chen Fang flicked her smooth forehead with his finger. “I can’t hear a single word of praise from you.”

Tao Xiaoxi covered her forehead, still feeling the soreness from his strong flick. She said, irritated, “Your hand is too strong. Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Chen Fang leaned down, whispering in her ear, “A hard finger isn’t a compliment. It’s only a compliment when other parts are hard.”

As a married woman, Tao Xiaoxi wasn’t afraid of his playful teasing.

She poked his firm abdomen with her water-dampened finger. “How would I know what kind of hardness counts as enough?There is no one else to compare with.”

Chen Fang: …

Why did that sentence make him feel a bit happy, but also not?

Who else was she planning to compare with?

He took her finger and placed it in his mouth, licking off the water.

“It’s a simple standard. Want me to teach you?”

A tingling sensation spread through her body as his warm tongue wrapped around her fingertip. Tao Xiaoxi’s toes curled inside her soft slippers, her eyelashes trembling rapidly.

What could he teach her? Tao Xiaoxi hadn’t said anything yet, but he had already spoken.

“The hardness of a stone depends on whether the water in the creek is enough—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Tao Xiaoxi suddenly jumped and slammed her head into his.

She wanted to knock this damn rogue out of the way.

How dare he say such dirty things.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Hey guys, do check out Ayalee’s new translation work (❀‿‿❀)

I’m Not Going to Be This Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Anymore