◎ His gaze gleamed like a wolf preparing for a hunt. ◎

Her voice was so soft that for a moment, Chen Fang thought he had misheard. It was only when he saw her quickly scurrying away that he realized her words had indeed come from her mouth.

Tao Xiaoxi walked quite a distance ahead before turning back. Her face was flushed, and she couldn’t hide her smile. She waved at him. “Come on, Brother, why aren’t you walking?”

Tao Xiaoxi’s softness was the type where if you pushed her just a little, she would bend a little, push her five steps, and she would follow. But if you pushed her seven steps, she couldn’t bend anymore. She would immediately resist, not knowing whether she would succeed, but at least she would resist first.

It seemed that this time, she succeeded. However, the price for this success would be steep. A man couldn’t tolerate being questioned like that. Chen Fang would definitely make up for it later. He would deal with it later. After all, in front of so many people, he couldn’t do anything to her. It was his fault for always teasing her. She had to make him eat a little bit of humble pie.

Chen Fang looked at her radiant, smiling eyes. He took a deep breath to calm himself. It was fine. He would let her be happy for now. Her aunt would eventually leave, and when that happened, he would set aside a whole day just for her. They would talk slowly, from evening till morning, and then from morning till evening again. He would make her take back every word she had said. As for that painting, every line she had drawn, he would make her verify each one personally and carefully.

A gentleman takes his time with revenge.

Chen Fang walked over, placed his hand on her waist, and gradually tightened his grip. He smiled, his teeth clenched. “Tao Xiaoxi, you’d better remember what you said. Don’t regret it later.”

Tao Xiaoxi quickly admitted defeat. “I regret it. I’ve already forgotten what I said.”

Chen Fang: “…Too late!”

Well, since it was already too late, there was no point in worrying. She could just buy her things peacefully.

She was in charge of placing the items in the cart while Chen Fang pushed it. Whenever they came across something they weren’t sure whether they had at home, she would ask him, and he would give an answer. It was their first time shopping together, and Tao Xiaoxi felt like an old married couple. She wasn’t very good at picking out spare ribs, so she took over the cart from him and asked him to choose instead.

Huang Zhenzhu spotted Chen Fang from a distance. She let go of Liu Meifen’s hand and quickly ran up to him, calling out, “Brother Ah Fang!”

Tao Xiaoxi got goosebumps. “Ah Fang,” and “Brother,” those terms were so familiar and intimate. She had thought she was the only one calling him that. She glanced at the tall girl, who was probably around 1.7 meters tall. She wore high heels and had a wine-red bob that matched her wine-red coat. Her makeup was finely applied, with every detail well defined.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, Tao Xiaoxi couldn’t help but compare. Just in terms of height, she was directly outclassed.

Chen Fang took two steps back, distancing himself. He nodded to Huang Zhenzhu as a greeting, then greeted Liu Meifen who had walked over, “Aunt.”

“Ah, so it’s you, Ah Fang. If it weren’t for Zhenzhu calling you, I wouldn’t have noticed you. Are you here to shop?” Liu Meifen’s voice was sharp, much like her face. It had a slight ear-piercing tone, and her smile was cold and insincere.

Chen Fang’s face remained friendly, but his eyes showed a trace of detachment. “Yes, I’m here to buy some things with my wife.” He placed his hand on Tao Xiaoxi’s shoulder. “Xiaoxi, say hello. This is Aunt Liu.”

Tao Xiaoxi quickly sensed the awkward atmosphere and flashed a polite yet sweet smile. “Hello, Aunt.”

Liu Meifen’s voice grew even sharper. “Ah, so this is your new wife. I heard she’s quite a scholar. How wonderful, she’s not only smart, but also looks good. Though…” She gave Tao Xiaoxi a once-over, “She’s a bit short, huh?”

Tao Xiaoxi blinked. She had always thought of herself as short, but she was 1.63 meters tall without shoes. Where was she short? And why did this comment feel like a personal attack?

Chen Fang chuckled lightly. “She’s not short. I like her just the way she is. It’s perfect for me. Our old lady said our heights are the best match. Any taller, and it wouldn’t work.”

Tao Xiaoxi gave a helpless, innocent look, fully playing the role of his “tool” for dealing with rude comments.

Liu Meifen forced a smile. “Well, the old lady has excellent taste, of course.”

Huang Zhenzhu’s face fell, her lips pouting slightly. She stared at Chen Fang, looking like she might cry at any moment.

Chen Fang didn’t even glance at her, keeping his attention on Liu Meifen. “Aunt, you go ahead and shop. We still need to get a few things.”

“Alright, alright. We’ll get together sometime soon. Your uncle’s been asking about you.” Liu Meifen’s smile became even more forced. Huang Zhenzhu stood frozen, and Liu Meifen yanked her away roughly. After a few steps, she started scolding. “You’re such a good-for-nothing. Can’t you see they’re married? You’re just a rebellious, ungrateful wolf. You think you’ll have a good life marrying into his family? Whoever enters his door will suffer. Today, they’re nice to you, but they’ll toss you aside the next second.”

Her voice was sharp to begin with, and it grew louder as she berated. People on the street turned to look, but she only stopped once she was far enough. She hurried away with Huang Zhenzhu.

Chen Fang’s face hardened completely. Tao Xiaoxi wondered if the woman’s anger was because he had rejected her daughter.

She didn’t want to ask, so she thought to herself, let’s just buy some pork ribs. A good hot pot with pork ribs would make everything better.

The car ride home was silent. Not even background music played. Tao Xiaoxi was focused on her phone, brainstorming ideas for the design of her shop. Once the contract was signed, the renovation would be next on the agenda.

The red light turned on, and the car slowly stopped.

Chen Fang stared at the red light for a moment before speaking. “I’ll never let you suffer.”

Tao Xiaoxi looked away from her phone and met his gaze, speaking in a natural tone, “I believe you. Otherwise, why would I have married you?”

She leaned a little closer, half-joking and half-serious, “Do you think I’m someone who would overthink things just because I overheard a few random words?”

Chen Fang looked into her eyes, the clear light in them softening his tense jaw. The warmth slowly returned to his gaze.

“I got into this industry because Huang Baodeng mentored me. I followed him for a year before I branched out on my own.”

Tao Xiaoxi knew of Huang Baodeng. He was quite famous in their county, having started as a construction contractor before expanding his business into a large empire. She often saw signs for Baodeng Auto Trade, Baodeng Renovation, and Baodeng Furniture Market.

So, that was Huang Baodeng’s wife and daughter? He only had one daughter, right?

Now Tao Xiaoxi was genuinely curious. “So, did you offend them when you left, or did they want you to become their son-in-law and you rejected them? I could tell their daughter seemed to like you.”

She tilted her small face upward, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Chen Fang indulged her curiosity, “If I went solo, it would’ve been like betraying my master in ancient times. They called me an ungrateful wolf, and honestly, that’s not far from the truth.”

Tao Xiaoxi disagreed. “No, that’s not right. He took you in, and you’re grateful for that, but there’s no reason you should be tied to him forever. You didn’t sign a lifetime contract. Even in ancient times, a person could buy back their contract. There must be a reason you decided to go solo, and if things weren’t working out, it was best to leave early.”

Chen Fang was moved by her words. He reached over and gently held her hand resting on her knee, giving it a soft squeeze.

Tao Xiaoxi glanced at his side profile and nudged his arm playfully. “Hey, Chen Fang, are you playing tricks on me? You still haven’t answered my question—did they want you to become their son-in-law?”

Chen Fang smiled widely. “Oh, there were many who wanted me to be their son-in-law. Before I met you, I was quite the catch in several counties.”

…

Several counties? Why not several cities, Tao Xiaoxi thought, scoffing. “Then it’s a pity you married into the Tao family. You should’ve been more careful in choosing.”

“It’s not a pity. When I first saw you—”

His words stopped there, and Tao Xiaoxi knew he was teasing her, but her heart skipped a beat, nonetheless.

Chen Fang paused for a few seconds before continuing, “To be able to choose my father-in-law, he’s definitely the best of the best. For him to be my father-in-law, I have no regrets at all.”

Tao Xiaoxi scoffed, “Flatterer.”

Chen Fang retorted, “Who’s the flatterer? Are you calling our dad a horse? Or are you the horse?”

Tao Xiaoxi shot back, “If I’m the horse, you’re the mule.”

The playful banter continued between them, even at the dinner table. Their eyes met more often, and there was a subtle connection that neither of them realized.

The old lady chuckled while eating.

Chen Fang asked, “How much did you win at mahjong today to make you so happy?”

The old lady glared at him, “Is winning at mahjong the only thing that makes me happy? Hurry up and eat. Once you’re done, go upstairs quickly.” After realizing how obvious she was, she added, “Don’t delay me from going to play mahjong.”

Chen Fang smiled at her failed attempt to cover up her intentions.

The old lady shot him a glance, then put a bite of food in his bowl. “Eat more, or you’ll be hungry later.”

Tao Xiaoxi quietly picked at her food, ignoring the playful exchange between the older and younger generation. She didn’t really understand what the old lady was talking about.

After dinner, they each went upstairs and went about their own things. Tao Xiaoxi was used to working for a couple of hours at night, as she felt most inspired during these hours. Chen Fang seemed to be working too. She liked curling up on the sofa, and he started out in the small room but eventually joined her. They occupied opposite ends of the sofa, silently coexisting.

Tonight, Tao Xiaoxi seemed distracted. Her fingers toyed with the buttons of her pajamas, and her gaze blankly fixed on a spot on the wall.

“Check your WeChat,” Chen Fang spoke up.

Tao Xiaoxi snapped out of it. “Hmm? What?”

“Once you finalize the storefront, you’ll be busy with renovations, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I sent you a contact on WeChat. His name is A Jian. He’s reliable, so you can reach out to him.”

Tao Xiaoxi sat up straight. “Great, I know nothing about renovations. It’s perfect if he’s a friend.”

As she adjusted herself, her pajama buttons loosened, the fabric parting slightly to reveal a hint of skin and a small mole on her chest. Tao Xiaoxi didn’t notice the change, and as she reached for the phone on the coffee table, her movements made her top shift further, exposing more of her skin.

Chen Fang quickly pushed aside what he was holding and stood up abruptly.

Tao Xiaoxi looked at him, confused.

He walked over to her, scooped her up, and held her tightly.

She hadn’t understood what was happening. They had been talking about renovations, and now suddenly, he was acting on instinct.

She grabbed his collar, then let go, uncertain whether she should stop or let him continue. But before she could decide, he kissed her, and the warmth and moisture shot straight to her heart. Her fingertips trembled, and her head buried deeper into his chest.

Before they even reached the bedroom, her top had already fallen to the floor.

The room was warm, but without clothes, the direct contact of skin with air made her shiver. She couldn’t stop herself from letting out a soft moan. Her hand, clenched into a fist, slowly relaxed as sweat covered her palm, sticking to the heat of his neck. The air was thick with warmth, filling the room.

Everything seemed to be getting hotter — skin, air, breaths, heartbeat, and the scent of sweat.

Tao Xiaoxi felt like she might drown in the scorching heat.

Suddenly, everything stopped.

Her breath was still heavy, her heart still pounding, but the heat of their bodies was gone. She found herself wrapped tightly in the blanket, her whole body cocooned, leaving only her head free to move.

She looked up at him, and despite feeling on the verge of burning up, she was wrapped tightly like a cocoon. What kind of situation was this?

Chen Fang looked at her moist eyes, his breathing heavier. He reached out to cover her eyes with his hand, leaning in to whisper in her ear, his voice husky, “You’re not ready now, but when you are, I’ll give you everything, don’t worry.”

Tao Xiaoxi remained silent.

She had forgotten that she had lied to him earlier, saying her period wasn’t over.

The problem was, did she seem urgent? She didn’t think so.

Although she wasn’t really urgent, a fire had been ignited in her, and it was burning quite fast.

Could she backtrack now? If she did, wouldn’t it just show how urgent she was?

Chen Fang turned off the lights, holding her in his arms like a child, gently patting her rhythmically. “Sleep.”

Sleep? How could she possibly sleep like this?

In the darkness, Chen Fang’s lips curled up slightly. His gaze gleamed like a wolf preparing for a hunt.