The bag contained everyday necessities she would need, along with several sets of new clothes, undergarments, and two jars of snow cream.
Looking at the undergarments, Su Qi’an’s face flushed slightly. Why would this man go and buy her these things? Wasn’t he afraid of being laughed at?
And where did he even get the money for all of this?
Su Qi’an felt puzzled, but she still carefully folded the clothes and placed them neatly into the wardrobe in the room.
The wardrobe was very old-fashioned. Inside were only a few of Huo Zheng’s clothes, washed until they were faded and torn, leaving a large empty space.
The child’s clothes were also piled messily on a chair. Su Qi’an tidied them up and put them away as well.
Looking at the once-empty wardrobe now filled with clothes belonging to their little family of three, she felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
The little one had already woken up, happily kicking his tiny legs and babbling to himself.
Su Qi’an’s expression softened. She walked over and picked him up, speaking to him gently, “Baby’s awake? Are you hungry? Mommy will feed you.”
As she spoke, she skillfully lifted her clothes.
Huo Zheng had finished cooking and was about to call Su Qi’an out for dinner. The moment he entered, his eyes landed on her soft, full chest, and his gaze instantly turned hot, his ears burning.
He was a healthy, vigorous man, and he had only been intimate with Su Qi’an once. How could he withstand such a visual impact?
But he only glanced once before quickly looking away, clearing his throat, his voice low and hoarse. “Dinner’s ready.”
After speaking, afraid she might notice his unusual reaction, he turned and left.
Hearing the man’s voice, Su Qi’an’s back stiffened and her ears turned hot. “Mm,” she responded softly.
After feeding the child, she went out.
She thought Huo Zheng had already started eating, but he was actually waiting for her. Only after she sat down did he pick up his bowl and chopsticks and start eating quickly.
Tonight’s meal was very rich—a large pot of chicken soup, a bowl of steamed eggs, and a plate of boiled cabbage. Chicken soup and eggs were rare delicacies in those times; many families might only eat them once or twice a year, yet she had eaten them twice in just one day.
It seemed Huo Zheng had spent all the family’s money on her.
But that wouldn’t do. If they ran out of money, how would they live? They also had a child to raise—there were so many places they needed money.
Su Qi’an swallowed her food, raised her bright eyes, and looked at the man across from her. “Huo Zheng, how much money do we still have at home?”
Her voice was soft and sweet, making Huo Zheng feel at ease. He paused and replied, “Don’t worry about money. There’s enough.”
He had earned quite a bit over the past two years, though he had never carefully counted his savings. Still, it would be more than enough to support her and their child.
Seeing that he clearly didn’t want to discuss it further, Su Qi’an understood and quietly sighed, not asking anymore.
Money was hard to earn these days. For people like them, without background or education, living in the countryside, they could only rely on farming and work points to survive.
Huo Zheng didn’t hear her response and looked up, frowning slightly. “Does the food not suit your taste?”
He wasn’t good at cooking. When he used to live alone, he would just cook whatever and eat it, never caring about taste.
Su Qi’an snapped back to attention. “Ah? No.”
She had just been thinking about something and got lost in thought.
Then, remembering the new clothes, she casually asked, “Huo Zheng, why did you suddenly buy me so many clothes? What happened to my old ones?”
Huo Zheng glanced at her, already understanding what she wanted to ask, and said flatly, “They were worn out. I replaced them.”
Su Qi’an felt that explanation was strange, but seeing his expression, he didn’t seem to be lying, so she softly responded, “Oh.”
They continued eating in silence. After the meal, Su Qi’an wanted to wash the dishes, but Huo Zheng refused.
With nothing else to do, she went to bathe first. When she came out, Huo Zheng had already finished washing up and was sitting on the bed shirtless, his broad, strong chest exposed, with a small bundle lying on him, babbling.
Huo Zheng lowered his gaze. Seeing the child’s mouth drooling everywhere, he wiped it with a cloth and said with mild disgust, “Huo Jibei, close your mouth properly. Stop drooling.”
So the child’s name was Huo Jibei.
Su Qi’an silently repeated it twice in her mind.
Five-month-old Huo Jibei didn’t understand anything. He looked at him with wide, innocent black eyes and let out a soft “ah.”
Huo Zheng clicked his tongue and used his hand to gently close the baby’s mouth.
Huo Jibei shook his little head and protested with soft, babyish cries.
Watching the father and son play, Su Qi’an couldn’t help but smile. She applied the medicine Huo Zheng had brought back earlier to her wound carefully; it felt cool and soothing.
Thinking that she would be sharing a bed with a man she wasn’t even familiar with tonight, her movements slowed.
Huo Zheng had already put the child to sleep. Seeing that she still wasn’t coming over, his lips pressed into a straight line.
“Aren’t you coming to bed yet!”
His low, cold voice rang out. Su Qi’an stiffened and softly replied, “Mm.”
She got up slowly, wearing the lake-blue nightdress Huo Zheng had bought. The style was simple, but it looked unexpectedly beautiful on her.
She blew out the candle, and the room was instantly dark, with only faint moonlight spilling through the window. She carefully climbed onto the bed in the dark, stepping over Huo Zheng. In the darkness, her hand accidentally pressed onto something warm and hard.
Realizing what she had touched, she quickly pulled her hand back, her face burning hot.
The moment she leaned in, Huo Zheng’s breathing became heavy. Especially with that hand resting on his lower abdomen, desire surged instantly.
In the darkness, sensations were magnified endlessly, and his heavy breathing became especially clear.
“I… I didn’t mean it…” Su Qi’an stammered, her face burning all the way to her ears, flustered and unsure what to do.
Huo Zheng’s throat rolled. He blinked, suppressing his agitation, and said in a hoarse voice, “Su Qi’an, behave. The doctor said you need rest right now.”
She had hit her head badly. No matter how much he wanted her, he had to hold back.
“If you want it… once you’re better, we can do it then.”
Hearing this, it sounded as if she were the one impatient.
Su Qi’an’s embarrassment faded into annoyance. She glared at him. “Who said I wanted that? Shameless.”
Huo Zheng’s expression darkened immediately. “If not me, then who? Don’t forget—we already got the marriage certificate today.”
They were not only already married, but also had a child. If she wanted to refuse him now, it was too late.
Su Qi’an frowned, puffing her cheeks. “Huo Zheng, why are you so fierce?”
Why was he reacting so strongly? She never said she didn’t want to.
Huo Zheng realized he had overreacted and forced himself to calm down. “I wasn’t.”
He really wasn’t scolding her—it was just that sometimes when he spoke too quickly, it came out sounding harsh.
Su Qi’an huffed and turned away, no longer wanting to talk to him, lying down with her back to him.