【13】She had always thought the Adam’s apple was the sexiest part of a man
Inside the bamboo house, Uncle Kan Yong watched the two figures from afar—a truly pleasing sight. A gratified smile spread across his face as he gently set down the hammer he had just picked up. This was not the time for the sound of forging.
It might startle them.
At Sister Yi Ying’s small restaurant, Liang Youyun chose a quiet booth by the window to sit down.
This was her favorite spot. Whenever it was available, she would choose to sit here because from the window, she could see the shimmering silver glow of the Nanla River.
After ordering a few local specialties, Youyun asked Jiang Muhe if he wanted to add anything and recommended the sour soup rice noodles to him. He agreed, so they ordered a portion.
The server took away the menu.
Sister Yi Ying, standing at the counter, spotted Liang Youyun but didn’t recognize the man across from her. There was no man this handsome in Manle Village.
She pulled a pitcher of chilled mint lemonade from the refrigerator and brought it over.
“Secretary Liang!” Sister Yi Ying smiled warmly. In her late thirties and still single, she had a slender figure and looked especially beautiful in a tube skirt—a perfect S-curve. “Bringing a friend for a meal?” Her eyes shifted to the handsome man. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“Ah, no, no!”
Youyun quickly denied it, knowing Sister Yi Ying enjoyed teasing her. She hurriedly explained, “He’s just a friend, from the neighboring village.”
Then, turning to Jiang Muhe, she said, “This is Sister Yi Ying, the owner of the restaurant. She and I are close friends. Um… her food is really amazing. You’ll have to try it later.”
“Hello,” Jiang Muhe nodded politely in greeting.
“Hello, you’re so handsome. It’s the first time my restaurant has had such a good-looking guest,” Yi Ying couldn’t tear her eyes away. “Oh, I mean, the kind of handsome that’s very masculine.”
Muhe was slightly taken aback, unprepared for her candid praise. “Thank you, ma’am. You’re also very beautiful.”
“Really? Then tell me, what’s beautiful about me?” Yi Ying struck a pose, hands on her hips.
“Alright, sis, you’re going to scare him off,” Youyun whispered, clasping her hands together with a pleading expression.
Yi Ying covered her mouth and laughed. “I think it’s you who’s scared! Your face is all red!”
Youyun fell for the trick and instinctively reached up to touch her cheek. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Jiang Muhe smiling faintly.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you,” Yi Ying said, pouring the mint lemonade into their glasses. “This is on the house. Enjoy your meal!”
“Thank you, sis!”
After Sister Yi Ying left, the food hadn’t arrived yet, and for a moment, the two of them sat in silence.
Liang Youyun clasped her hands together, unsure of what to say or what topic to bring up first. She looked up and saw Jiang Muhe turn his face toward the window, gazing at the distant Nanla River.
His face was taut and lean, with a clean jawline and a neck of just the right length. In profile, his nose stood out prominently—not the kind that was sharply upturned, but one with a perfect curve between the bridge and the tip, with tightened nostrils that made it appear even more three-dimensional.
Liang Youyun couldn’t help but observe him. The first time they met, his face had been covered in dirt, so she hadn’t gotten a clear look. The second time was at night, with only limited light inside the car, so she had only seen the general outline of his features.
She had only heard from others that Jiang Muhe was handsome. Yu Xiang said he was handsome, and Sister Yi Ying said he was handsome.
Now, it seemed everyone was right. He truly had striking looks.
The slanting sunlight streamed in, falling on his side of the table. His skin wasn’t particularly fair, but it looked healthy, tinged with a faint pink under the daylight.
He relaxed into a casual embrace, propping up his right arm, his thumb and index finger unconsciously reaching to stroke his Adam’s apple.
Perhaps because it itched, the skin there showed faint red marks from scratching, or perhaps he was simply toying with it, as his fingers would follow the movement of the Adam’s apple, catching it and then releasing it, only to catch it again.
Youyun watched, entranced.
She had always felt that the Adam’s apple was the most sensual part of a man—fragile and sensitive, concealing unspoken thoughts in its subtle movements.
Jiang Muhe withdrew his gaze from outside the window and looked at her.
His eyes were exceptionally clear and bright. With age, his double eyelids had slightly folded and receded, leaving only a lingering trace at the outer corners. He had beautiful under-eye pouches, which softened the sharpness of his nose, cheeks, and brow bones, lending a hint of kindness to his expression.
As if stung, Youyun hastily turned her face away, avoiding his gaze.
Her mouth felt dry, so she picked up her glass and took a sip of mint lemon water.
Slightly unnerved by his gaze, she hurriedly explained, “It’s my fault. I’ve been too busy these past few days and didn’t reach out to you in time, but I’ve kept it in mind. I definitely won’t forget this time.”
Jiang Muhe lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. “Let’s not use ‘you’ so formally. It makes me feel old.”
Youyun felt awkward. “Oh, not old at all. You’re very young, at least in appearance.”
Though she didn’t know his exact age, her words felt like an overcompensation. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and chuckled. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony with you from now on.”
Jiang Muhe relaxed his arm, clasped his hands together, and said to her, “The scenery here is truly beautiful. Come to think of it, this is my first time visiting Manle Village.”
Youyun smiled teasingly. “Maybe it’s just not on your usual route!”
Her knack for learning and applying things on the spot was truly unmatched. She saw Jiang Muhe nod and smile, acknowledging her response.
“Am I disturbing you? Do you have any other plans for the weekend?” he asked.
“Not at all,” Youyun replied. “I’m just resting at home these two days, not going anywhere. The past two weeks were exhausting, so I’m taking a break.”
Instead of asking further, Jiang Muhe looked out the window at the Nanla River and said, “I heard there’s an RV resort over there, as well as the Wangtianshu Scenic Area. Have you been to either?”
Youyun nodded. “Yes, mostly for work—flood prevention during the rainy season, equipment inspections, things like that.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “Both places are quite fun. The resort sometimes hosts small concerts, and the Wangtianshu Scenic Area is huge, with a suspension bridge 36 meters above the ground. It’s also a popular spot for photos.”
Jiang Muhe asked, “Did you walk across that bridge?”
“No, I’m afraid of heights. But I’d like to try it someday. Maybe because I’ll be leaving here soon, it feels like a shame not to see it.”
Mentioning her departure seemed to unsettle Jiang Muhe slightly. After a pause, he asked, “Is there any chance your company has projects in Xishuangbanna? The kind that would allow you to stay here long-term.”
Youyun had indeed considered this. “There might be in the future. After all, Zhang He has been waiting here for years. He doesn’t want to return to Beijing—he plans to settle his parents in Yunnan for their retirement, so he’s been hoping the company would let him oversee projects in the Yunnan region. But for now, it seems unlikely. We can only say the future holds promise.”
Muhe nodded, picked up his glass, and took a sip of mint lemon water. The ice in the drink moistened his lips, making them appear full and red. As they parted slightly, his white teeth were faintly visible.
“So, even if there’s a project, Director Zhang would be the one to handle it?” he asked again.
Youyun wasn’t sure and didn’t know why he was so fixated on this question. She could only hesitate and say, “Most likely.”
Remembering that Zhang He had asked him for a favor, she seized the opportunity to add, “Actually, Zhang He is a pretty good person. He’s not the type to play tricks.”
Jiang Muhe raised an eyebrow. “Have you known each other for a long time?”
“Yeah, over ten years.”
“…That long.” He lowered his head, spinning his cup with his fingers.
“We graduated from the same school and later worked at the same unit. I joined two years earlier than him and am older too.”
“He looks older than you.”
Youyun chuckled. “Thank you!” She explained, “Maybe it’s because I’ve gained weight here. When you gain weight, your face doesn’t have wrinkles, so you look younger!”
“Gained weight?” He leaned back slightly, furrowing his brow as if scrutinizing her carefully. “I think it’s just right.”
It was at this moment that Liang Youyun noticed his expression—the crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes, the forehead lines, and the perpetually tense corners of his mouth and cheeks. She vaguely understood what Sister Yi Ying had meant by “manly charm.” She also felt a bit ashamed of her own insensitivity toward the opposite sex, having wasted her time with previous boyfriends.
“When I was in Beijing, I weighed less than 100 pounds. You can imagine what my face would look like if it were two sizes thinner,” she explained. “And when you carried me on your back that day, didn’t you think I was heavy?”
The question caught Jiang Muhe off guard. He had never considered such a thing. She was lighter than the weights he trained with—how could she possibly be heavy? Besides, he was used to it. Before retiring, his single-soldier load could sometimes reach a hundred pounds. During combat, with body armor, weapons, ammunition, and survival gear, the load was even heavier.
He shook his head. “No.”
He hadn’t felt her weight, only the heat. The dry heat, the damp heat. Her body temperature, her tears.
The dishes were served one after another. Liang Youyun clinked glasses with him and said, “Thank you again!”
Jiang Muhe accepted graciously and replied, “You’re welcome.”
Sister Yi Ying’s food was indeed delicious. Even Jiang Muhe, who ran a restaurant and often cooked himself, said it was hard to replicate such a refreshing “nam mi.”
“Nam mi” refers to dipping sauce, a must-have condiment for Dai people when eating. There are many types of nam mi—tomato sauce, sesame sauce, sour bamboo shoot sauce—all of which can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time and have unique health and medicinal benefits.
The two chatted as they ate. During their conversation, Youyun learned that Jiang Muhe’s father had served in the local military early on. After being promoted, the whole family moved to a military compound in Beijing. Later, his father retired and started a business.
“They were very busy, too busy to care for me. It’s still the same now. After I enlisted at 19, I rarely went home.”
He stopped there and didn’t say more. He didn’t mention his fallen comrade either.
Youyun knew better than to reopen old wounds.
Moreover, Jiang Muhe didn’t ask her about personal matters like her family background, romantic history, or hobbies. Instead, they talked about their experiences and interesting stories in Xishuangbanna.
This made Youyun feel relaxed and comfortable, as if they were just friends chatting casually. She liked topics without ulterior motives and preferred this kind of slow, steady way of socializing.
When it was time to pay the bill, Sister Yi Ying pulled Youyun aside at the counter, leaned in close, and whispered, “Are you sure he’s not your boyfriend? Or someone you’re dating?”
“No, he’s not,” Youyun replied with a bitter smile, absolutely certain.
Yi Ying let out a long sigh, her gaze drifting directly to Jiang Muhe, who was still enjoying the view from the private booth. Stroking her chin thoughtfully, she said, “Then I’ll go ask for his WeChat?”
“…Whatever.” Youyun shrugged, not shying away. “Or I can help you ask.”
Sister Yi Ying curved her lips into a smile, bright as a crescent moon, and winked at her. “Cai~” (Okay.)
When Liang Youyun and Jiang Muhe reached the restaurant entrance, Sister Yi Ying indeed followed. Knowing what she intended, Youyun instinctively took a step back, clearing the space.
To create an opportunity for the two.
Jiang Muhe keenly caught this subtle movement. His gaze swept over Youyun’s face, and without a sound, he retreated half a step.
Yi Ying, observant and clear-headed as a bystander, couldn’t hold back a giggle at the sight.
Instead, she simply wrapped an arm around Youyun’s shoulder and said to Jiang Muhe, “Oh my, handsome, sticking so close! I won’t eat her, you know!”
“Huh?” Youyun didn’t understand what she meant, but seeing Jiang Muhe lower his head with an embarrassed smile, she quickly explained, “Sister Yi Ying, we really are just ordinary friends.” Then, puzzled, she asked, “Weren’t you going to ask for his WeChat…”
“Alright, my dear sister! Go on your date now!” Yi Ying interrupted, patting Youyun’s shoulder, then turned to Jiang Muhe. “So, handsome, did you enjoy the meal?”
Muhe: “It was excellent.”
Yi Ying beamed like a flower. “Good food, good scenery, and even better company. Remember to come often!”
“Definitely.” Jiang Muhe smiled at her, a hint of unease at being seen through, then looked at Youyun. “Thank you for treating me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Shall we go for a walk?” he suggested.
“Sure.”
Yi Ying waved goodbye to the two. From the window, she watched the handsome man strolling leisurely and thought of that half-step he had taken earlier. She chuckled to herself—this man was quite meticulous. A full step back would have been rude, but half a step was just right, giving her face while making his stance clear. Calculated, yet possessive. Straightforward little Secretary Liang was probably in for a tough time.