Years ago, when Yang Ming’s wife gave birth, the child didn’t survive, and she suffered massive bleeding. Though she was nominally a junior warrior, her health was worse than that of an ordinary person. Even nutrient supplements couldn’t help her.
She could only lie in bed every day.
When she heard Shen Guoguo say that pig liver was good for the body, she didn’t say a word—just hurried home, clutching the still-warm dish.
Meanwhile, Shen Guoguo carefully held the mulberry leaf containing the silkworm egg and observed it, while Huo Tao glanced at the time.
“Guoguo, are you going to take a bath tonight?”
“Mm-hmm, of course. After spending so long at the slaughterhouse, I smell awful.”
Worried that the temperature would drop at night, Shen Guoguo gently placed the mulberry leaf into a basin and set it atop the cabinet.
After she finished tidying up the remaining leaves on the floor, Huo Tao had already prepared her bathwater with practiced ease.
Ah… so thoughtful it could make someone cry. Honestly, who could resist such a handsome, gentle man?
Well—Shen Guoguo could!
Once Huo Tao stepped outside, Shen Guoguo pinched her thigh hard, warning herself to stay clear-headed.
At first, she’d planned to play the part of a widow. Later, she decided she could at least try to heal Huo Tao’s legs.
Otherwise, having such a good-looking, considerate man around and not “using” him would be a waste.
Yes—that was her justification. She was just preventing waste.
Lost in her own ridiculous thoughts, she quickly finished bathing. This time, she had proper sleepwear, so she didn’t have to feel as embarrassed as last night.
“Huo Tao,” Shen Guoguo called from behind the door.
But the way her voice carried into Huo Tao’s ears—it seemed to loop and twist ninety-nine times before reaching his heart, scratching it like a mischievous cat’s paw.
He couldn’t help wheeling closer to the door.
“You can come in to bathe now.”
Before Shen Guoguo could climb into bed, Huo Tao pushed the door open and entered.
And there she was—two long, pale legs, short shorts, and a short-sleeved pajama top, one leg raised as she was climbing onto the bed.
Shen Guoguo instinctively turned her face to the wall.
In a few swift motions, Huo Tao undressed and turned his body to slide into the wooden tub.
“Oh, um…” Shen Guoguo suddenly sat up—she’d forgotten to prepare a separate basin of water for him to wash his face.
She turned—and froze.
Before her was a broad, muscled back, the contours of strength defined beneath the skin, his arms taut, and from the side, she caught a glimpse of his sharp jawline.
“What’s wrong?”
Huo Tao turned his head slightly, his wet hair dripping, water beads sliding down his cheeks, his deep eyes shimmering with steam.
By the time she managed to find her voice, it was too late.
“It’s nothing… Just remember to use your own towel for your face.”
“Mm.”
Shen Guoguo lay down again, sneaking a few glances at his back before quietly pulling the blanket over her head.
Men… men…
She’d once joked with her girlfriends about what kind of man she’d want someday. When she’d said “a ruggedly handsome type,” her friends had laughed at her.
Too bad they weren’t here now—otherwise, she’d grab their heads and make them see for themselves how irresistible rugged handsomeness could be.
Click.
The lights went out.
A wave of warmth brushed against her side as Huo Tao settled steadily into bed.
After such a long and eventful day, and with all their gains, Shen Guoguo found herself lying awake for once, thinking about tomorrow’s plans.
They’d need a place to raise the silkworms. Earlier, when she’d asked for mulberry leaves at the starch shop, she’d said it was for dyeing fabric. To make the cover story believable, she’d really need a spot to “dye fabric.” If the Ma family started making trouble, she’d have to be ready.
And there was still the steel pipe rack she’d promised Li An—she hadn’t made that yet either.
“Huo Tao, once we save up enough money, let’s move to a new place.”
“Alright,” he replied without hesitation.
“Eh? You’re not even going to ask me why?” Shen Guoguo sat up and looked at him, her bright eyes sparkling, lips curved in a teasing smile.
“Then why?”
Lying on her stomach, chin resting on the pillow, she said dreamily, “We’ll need more space. I want a two-story house.”
She’d already set her sights on those little two-story buildings near the inner city.
“And then?” Huo Tao prompted gently.
He wanted to hear her plans for the future—and whether that future included him.
“And then?” Shen Guoguo tilted her head back, hugging the pillow, her voice filled with excitement. “The second floor will have our bedroom, a walk-in closet, a study, and a bathroom.”
The moment she said “our bedroom,” Huo Tao responded without thinking, “Okay.”
Then he couldn’t help grinning.
Realizing his smile was too obvious, he quickly reined it in.
When he glanced down, Shen Guoguo’s eyes had already drifted past his chest, gazing out the window.
“A study? You like reading?” he asked.
“Sort of. I just want a place to write or draw.”
Then she remembered—books were precious in this post-apocalyptic world. Maybe the study could just be her workspace.
Huo Tao, however, was thinking the opposite: if his wife liked books, then someday he’d find her as many as he could.
“What about the first floor?” he asked.
“The first floor, ah, I’ve already planned that out,” Shen Guoguo said with a bright grin. “You see, there’s barely any good food in Windsoil City. There aren’t many chefs, and most of them only work for the big families. So, we’ll open a food shop.”
“Food shop?” Huo Tao repeated softly.
“Yep. We’ll make all sorts of delicious things for everyone, to earn… star coins.”
“You really like cooking, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s one of my hobbies.” Shen Guoguo stretched, then rolled onto her back.
“What else do you like?” Huo Tao asked quietly. He wanted to know more about her—about all the little things that made her smile.
“I like farming… making money… and… handsome guys…”
“And what?” Her voice had grown so soft by the end that he couldn’t catch it.
When he turned his head, he saw her small face pressed against his arm—already fast asleep.
Huo Tao smiled faintly, slowly shifting his arm so she could rest more comfortably.
The next morning, when Shen Guoguo opened her eyes, she felt warmth on her cheek.
Blinking, she realized it was Huo Tao’s arm.
Ah! She silently scolded herself for three seconds.
She couldn’t believe she’d ended up taking advantage of him in her sleep.
Peeking upward, she saw he was still asleep.
She had to admit — his chiseled profile, strong brow, and sharp nose looked even better in the morning light.
No wonder novels always described handsome men as having faces “carved by ancient Greek masters.”
The ancients hadn’t lied.
But Huo Tao couldn’t take it anymore. As a former high-level warrior, his senses were still sharp — the instant she opened her eyes, he was already awake, though he didn’t move.
Her gaze was so intense it felt like it might burn a hole in his face. If he didn’t “wake up” soon, he’d start to smoke!
So he shifted slightly, pretending to stir.
“Cough… morning!” Shen Guoguo said quickly.
“Morning.”
Her ears instantly turned red. Ugh, that voice… it’s too much first thing in the morning!
Flustered, she climbed out of bed, brushing past him, and went straight to check on her silkworm baby.
On the green mulberry leaf was a tiny, fingertip-sized hole.
The black egg had hatched into an ant-sized grayish larva — it would slowly turn white as it grew.
“It worked!” she exclaimed joyfully.