Cheng Zi had been sitting on the sofa in a daze for quite a while.
Until Xie Ci came out of the bathroom, they met each other’s eyes, neither of them speaking.
Xie Ci’s hair was still damp, his body carrying the scent of water.
That face was still incredibly handsome.
“Why aren’t you going to sleep yet?”
Cheng Zi didn’t want to admit it, but seeing his face made her not want to argue anymore.
“Hubby~” She crooked her finger.
Xie Ci paused while wiping his hair. “Mm?”
“Come here.”
Xie Ci felt his heartbeat quicken. Against his better judgment, he still walked toward her.
Cheng Zi patted the sofa beside her. “Sit here.”
The moment he sat down, a soft, fragrant body leaned against him.
“Hubby, I was scared to death.”
Cheng Zi was leaning on his arm. In her mind, their relationship was already more than boyfriend and girlfriend—something like a marriage that turned into love afterward.
He already belonged within her boundaries. Leaning on his arm and acting spoiled didn’t feel like anything serious.
But for Xie Ci, it was different…
He sat very straight, not daring to move. He tried to distract himself, but all his attention was still fixed on the soft sensation on his arm.
Her unique sweet scent kept drifting straight into his nose.
He couldn’t say anything, only softly responded, “Mm.”
“I’ll tell you something—I once had a dream. In that dream, you died young, and I was so pitiful…”
Cheng Zi was making up a random story, trying to subtly influence him.
“Mm.”
Xie Ci wasn’t listening at all, just responding instinctively.
Seeing that he was obedient, Cheng Zi leaned in even closer. “Then promise me, don’t take unnecessary risks in the future. Think more about me. I’ll be relying on you from now on.”
Her voice was soft and gentle, full of concern and dependence.
Her expression was delicate and bright, those peach-blossom eyes shimmering with light.
“It’s late. You should go rest early,” Xie Ci said, his heartbeat nearly jumping out of his throat as he tried to send her away.
Cheng Zi felt he had understood her meaning and became sleepy herself. She stretched out a hand. “Hug.”
Xie Ci: ??
Seeing his “pure confusion,” Cheng Zi suddenly laughed. “Carry me to bed. I’m too tired to walk.”
“Mm.”
It wasn’t the first time he had carried her, but this time felt different. He held her in a princess carry, yet kept his arms slightly away so she wouldn’t touch him.
Cheng Zi: “……”
Avoiding the plague?
She tried to wrap her arms around his neck but couldn’t reach.
“Xie Ci, you—”
Before she could finish, she was already placed on the bed.
He moved quickly, pulled the thin blanket over her, turned on the fan, and fled the room almost as if escaping.
*Bang.*
Door closed.
Cheng Zi finally relaxed and fell asleep instantly as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was too late—she was exhausted, and her body clock had to adapt to the times.
Xie Ci took another cold shower and then ate up all the leftovers on the table.
The next day.
Cheng Zi woke up late—8 a.m.
Xie Ci didn’t wake her. He left breakfast for her and went out.
Cheng Zi wasn’t in a hurry at all. She already knew she wouldn’t stay long at this job, and she had laid the groundwork yesterday. So she slowly washed up and carefully dressed herself.
Today she chose an olive-green blouse and a black fitted long skirt. She tucked the blouse into the skirt, outlining a curvy silhouette.
She also used a silk scarf as a headband. Her long black hair fell straight and smooth down her back.
She intended to appear in the most fashionable way possible, so that the factory director would recognize her style and allow her to be late without issue.
“Xie Ci.”
On the table were bread and goat milk, kept warm in hot water so it didn’t smell gamey.
Xie Ci had just returned, parking his newly bought bicycle at the gate.
Seeing sweat on his forehead, Cheng Zi went inside to grab a handkerchief and casually wiped it for him. “Hubby, are you very hot?”
He had originally wanted to tell her about the bicycle, but with her suddenly so close, he forgot what he was going to say.
The scented handkerchief brushed across his face.
“Do you want to send me to work today?”
She didn’t really need him to—she just didn’t want him running off and getting into danger again.
“Mm. I’ll send you.”
“When I get off work, you must come pick me up.”
“Okay.”
Cheng Zi put on small heels, turning her ankle slightly as she looked at them. Round-toe black leather shoes—something was missing.
“Round-toe shoes lack femininity. I need to buy a couple of new pairs.”
She spoke softly, but Xie Ci heard it clearly.
Femininity?
He looked her over carefully and subconsciously sniffed.
She smelled very good.
And she looked very good too…
Only when she sat on the bicycle did Cheng Zi realize it was their newly bought one. She didn’t ask, and Xie Ci didn’t mention it.
“Hubby, did you see the fabrics I picked out at home? I chose them for you. I’ll make clothes for you when I have time.”
Xie Ci’s eyes softened slightly. “Thank you.”
Cheng Zi pinched his waist, but there wasn’t much flesh. “So distant. So polite.”
The smile on his lips deepened a little.
Then Li Leilei appeared in a car ahead, watching them pass by with her hands tightly gripping the steering wheel. In the end, she couldn’t hold back and followed them, stepping on the gas.
“Ci, come back to the unit with me right now. Xiao Xiangyuan is in trouble.”
Xie Ci stopped the bicycle, the smile on his face disappearing instantly.
Cheng Zi jolted slightly and instinctively hugged him.
Li Leilei took a deep breath, forced herself to stay calm, and got out of the car. “Ci, come with me.”
“What happened to Xiao Xiangyuan?”
Li Leilei glanced at Cheng Zi, looking like she couldn’t say it in front of her.
Xie Ci turned his gaze toward Cheng Zi…
Cheng Zi opened her mouth, suddenly feeling uneasy.
Could it be someone who went on his mission instead of him?
Then…
“It’s fine, I’ll go to the factory myself. Your business is more important.”
She jumped off the bicycle.
Xie Ci grabbed her wrist. “Hold the bike. I’ll talk and come back.”
“But your comrade—”
“I’ll handle it.”
Seeing that even now Xie Ci was still concerned about Cheng Zi, Li Leilei felt a surge of bitterness.
“Say it in the car.”
Cheng Zi pushed the bicycle into the shade, her palms unknowingly sweating.
“Xie Ci, you already said yesterday you couldn’t leave. You didn’t listen to me—you caused Xiao Xiangyuan to get hurt!” Li Leilei suddenly exploded with anger.
But Xie Ci remained cold. “How is Xiangyuan?”
“He was shot several times.”
“How is he now?”
“In emergency treatment at the Third Military Hospital.”
“I understand. I’ll go later.”
Li Leilei looked at him in disbelief. “At a time like this, you’re still going to care about that woman? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
Xie Ci didn’t bother replying anymore and got off the car directly.
“Xie Ci!”
…