Yue Chunhan’s chest was broad and solid. Su Zhi was lifted into his arms by the waist, her face filled with panic before she even had time to react. He carried her back without hesitation.
Beyond the courtyard wall, in the cornfield, the skinny man groaned in pain, clutching his injuries. Meanwhile, Su Zhi, who had just been pushed down and had twisted her ankle, was now held in Yue Chunhan’s arms, her injured foot completely off the ground.
Su Zhi was stunned, unable to process what was happening.
Shouldn’t Yue Chunhan be beating her up too, or lecturing her severely? Or blaming her for attracting unwanted attention?
Didn’t he previously think she had too many scandals, not believing she was innocent with others, and even drew a clear line with her, saying they should stay out of each other’s way…?
Why was he now not taking any drastic actions against her? Instead, because of her injured foot, he was carrying her in his arms… Was this still Yue Chunhan? Was this really the violent, ruthless male lead from the original story?
Was it because she hadn’t finished reading the story, or some other reason…? Why did he seem not as terrifying as described in the original work?
Thinking about how she had even taken a step back in fear earlier, Su Zhi felt she had overreacted. It was just an instinctive move, but Yue Chunhan must have felt uncomfortable at the time. He had come to help her, yet she had treated him like a ferocious beast.
At this thought, Su Zhi bit her lip and looked up at Yue Chunhan. “I’m sorry… I misunderstood you earlier. Thank you for helping me, Yue Chunhan.”
Tilting her head back, she could only see Yue Chunhan’s chin and prominent Adam’s apple.
Yue Chunhan walked quickly, carrying her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing. His chest rose and fell slightly with his movements, and Su Zhi could hear his steady breathing.
Yue Chunhan’s voice was as indifferent as ever. “I just happened to be passing by.”
Passing by? Was Yue Chunhan on his way hunting and just happened to pass by that cornfield?
Su Zhi didn’t know whether it was true or not but didn’t dare to question him. She remained silent, leaning against his chest.
Since it was a princess carry, Yue Chunhan’s left hand rested on Su Zhi’s waist. Through her thin clothing, she could vaguely feel the warmth of Yue Chunhan’s palm. As he walked, his hand rubbed against the fabric. The not-too-long red polka-dot top shifted upward with the movement, gradually exposing a bit of her waist.
As Yue Chunhan walked, his fingers brushed against smooth, pale skin.
The sensation of his cool, slightly calloused fingers touching the most sensitive part of her waist made Su Zhi stiffen completely. Her upper body leaned rigidly against Yue Chunhan’s chest, her face flushed deeply, even her pupils trembling. A misty haze filled her eyes.
Su Zhi’s full, rosy lips parted slightly, unsure how to break the awkward silence. Her face was bright red, her ears and neck flushed as well.
Yue Chunhan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, his expression as calm as ever, though his footsteps instinctively slowed.
He paused, moving his left hand upward until it rested on the fabric of her clothing, trying to keep it steady. On the surface, his expression remained unchanged, but Su Zhi could feel Yue Chunhan’s hand on her waist gripping her tighter.
The short distance felt incredibly long to Su Zhi. When she finally saw the familiar house, she breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of nostalgia even for this dimly lit dwelling.
Yue Tiantian had woken up and, not finding Su Zhi at home, stood anxiously by the door, looking around. Though young, she knew she shouldn’t leave without telling anyone, so despite her worry, she stayed by the door.
Seeing Yue Chunhan carrying Su Zhi back, Yue Tiantian was first taken aback, but then she noticed the blood on Su Zhi’s body.
Yue Tiantian didn’t realize the blood belonged to someone else. Terrified, tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed over, sobbing as she clung to Su Zhi’s leg, thinking Su Zhi was seriously injured.
Embarrassed, Su Zhi pushed against Yue Chunhan, trying to get him to let her down, but not only did she fail to move him, her hand ended up touching his firm chest muscles instead.
Su Zhi: “…”
Yue Chunhan, holding Su Zhi, stepped around Yue Tiantian, showing clear disdain for her tear-streaked, snot-bubbled state. “Your auntie is fine. If you keep crying like that, you’ll make her sick even if she isn’t.”
Su Zhi quickly reassured Yue Tiantian, struggling to sit up slightly while still in Yue Chunhan’s arms to pat Yue Tiantian’s head. “Auntie is fine, Tiantian. Be good, let’s go inside.”
Yue Tiantian repeatedly checked that Su Zhi really had no wounds before finally sniffling, wiping her tears, and following Yue Chunhan into the yard, looking pitifully aggrieved.
At noon, most people were drowsy, but the widow Liu next door was still awake. Hearing the commotion outside, she quickly rushed out, leaned over the wall, and stood on tiptoe to peer into Yue Chunhan’s yard.
What she saw shocked her.
Yue Chunhan, who always had a cold expression toward her and remained unmoved no matter how she tried to flirt or please him—despite his muscular, tall physique, he never seemed interested in women—was now carrying Su Zhi, his newly-wedded wife, striding briskly toward the house.
Yue Chunhan showed none of the guardedness he usually had around her. One large hand rested on Su Zhi’s slender, soft waist, the other supporting the bend of her legs. Their intimate posture made them look like a perfect pair.
Widow Liu was bewildered, her face filled with disbelief.
What was going on? The aunties at the village entrance said the two had argued just a few days ago. They described it so vividly, claiming Yue Chunhan didn’t like Su Zhi, treated her coldly, and even said they were about to get divorced.
…This kind of attitude? This is what they call “not liking” each other? This is “about to get divorced”?
Widow Liu was furious. She turned and stomped back into her house, convinced the villagers had deliberately given her false information.
From the looks of it, her plan to replace Su Zhi and become Yue Chunhan’s wife was becoming increasingly difficult.
◎
Yue Chunhan carried Su Zhi briskly into the house and placed her on the kang bed, with Yue Tiantian following closely behind.
“Daddy, daddy, what’s wrong with Auntie? Why did you carry her back?”
“Daddy, daddy, is Auntie hurt? Didn’t she have no wounds or blood earlier?”
“…”
Yue Tiantian was talking too much. Yue Chunhan turned and covered her mouth, looking down at her disdainfully. “Stop making noise. Adults’ matters are not for children to worry about.”
Yue Tiantian hated hearing that. She huffed discontentedly, feeling Yue Chunhan was underestimating her.
Daddy thought she didn’t understand anything, but she understood everything! When the older sister from the front street got married, the groom carried her into the house just like this. Daddy and Auntie were making up for the missed moments of their wedding day, reliving it!
And they said Daddy didn’t like Auntie… but clearly, he did! Daddy was just being stubborn, hmph!