Huo Zheng sat at the edge of the bed, frowning as he looked at her thin back, unable to guess what she was trying to do this time.
Su Qian’an felt a gaze on her back, but thinking of Huo Zheng’s attitude earlier, she pouted and closed her eyes.
For some reason, when she heard him say he wouldn’t touch her just now, she actually felt relieved. It wasn’t that she was unwilling—now that they were married, it was normal for a husband and wife to do such things. It was just that deep down, there was always a feeling she couldn’t quite explain.
Drowsiness gradually overtook her, and she slowly fell asleep. Huo Zheng remained completely still in his earlier position. Only when he heard her steady breathing did he move slightly.
Confirming she was asleep, he took a thin blanket and covered her with it, then lay down on his side. Under the moonlight, he quietly studied her profile, his usually sharp brows softening without him noticing.
A peaceful night passed.
……
“Cock-a-doodle-doo…”
At dawn, the village roosters began crowing, and smoke rose from every household.
Huo Zheng had already woken at the first crow. Seeing the two beside him still asleep, he quickly got up, dressed, washed up briefly, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
When little Huo Jibei woke up and cried out twice, Huo Zheng immediately came out from the kitchen and picked him up, covering his mouth with his hand.
“Shut up. Don’t wake your mother!”
Little Huo Jibei was forced to stay quiet, glaring at him with protesting little eyes and struggling slightly.
Huo Zheng released his mouth, checked his diaper, found it wet, and quickly changed it with practiced ease.
Once his mouth was free again, the child resumed babbling loudly. Only after Huo Zheng shoved a milk bottle into his mouth did he finally quiet down.
When Su Qian’an woke up, the sky was already bright. The gong signaling work had rung outside. She quickly got up and went out, only to see Huo Zheng playing with little Huo Jibei in the main room.
She asked nervously, “Huo Zheng, why didn’t you wake me?”
It was the busiest time of the farming season. No matter what happened, everyone had to prioritize harvesting. Being late for work meant losing work points.
Huo Zheng asked back, “Wake you for what?”
“To go to work!”
He had spent all their savings treating her illness. If they didn’t go earn work points now, they wouldn’t get grain at the end of the year.
Yet he was still so carefree.
Huo Zheng replied, “Our family doesn’t lack that little bit.”
He was exaggerating again.
“I do!”
Seeing her reaction, he said, “Fine.”
Thinking of her injured forehead, she agreed to stay home.
Before leaving, Su Qian’an placed a straw hat on his head. Huo Zheng frowned and took it off.
“No need. Too much trouble.”
“You need it at noon when the sun is strong,” she insisted, putting it back on him firmly. Seeing her concern, he let her be.
Then the entire Hongxing Production Brigade exploded in shock.
The tyrant who hadn’t shown up for work in years had actually come to work.
People looked at Huo Zheng like he was some rare animal. His gaze swept coldly over them, and everyone quickly lowered their heads.
Zhao Yingjun, hearing the news, came over out of curiosity.
“Brother Zheng, did you really get a marriage certificate with Su Qian’an?”
Yesterday he had seen them together but didn’t think much of it. Last night, however, rumors spread that they had actually registered their marriage—shocking everyone.
After all, ever since that incident, Su Qian’an had hated Huo Zheng. Everyone knew it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even have a child without ever getting married.
Huo Zheng glanced at him. “Would it be fake?”
Zhao Yingjun exaggeratedly gasped and quickly changed his tone.
“Damn, impressive, Brother Zheng! How did sister-in-law agree? Tell me!”
Huo Zheng felt oddly pleased at the word “sister-in-law,” but Zhao Yingjun’s gossiping annoyed him. He kicked him lightly.
“Shut up. Work.”
Disappointed, Zhao Yingjun went back to slacking off with his hoe.
After Huo Zheng left, Su Qian’an finished washing up and ate breakfast. It was simple pork congee, soft and delicious.
After eating, she carried little Huo Jibei and went to the river to wash clothes.
At the small river where villagers usually did laundry, several young women were already there. When they saw her, their voices lowered and they kept glancing at her.
Ignoring them, she squatted down and began washing a full bucket of clothes—mostly diapers.
Nearby, the women whispered.
“Wasn’t she the one who refused to marry Huo Zheng? Why did she suddenly get a marriage certificate with him?”
“I heard she was going back to the city with Educated Youth Meng. But today he left alone. Maybe he changed his mind, so she married Huo Zheng out of anger?”
“But didn’t they say Su Jiaojiao was the one engaged to Meng?”
They all shook their heads, confused.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them.
“Are you talking about me?”
Startled, they turned around awkwardly.
“Hehe… we were just chatting casually. Don’t take it seriously.”
They quickly agreed, afraid she would escalate the matter.
Understanding, Su Qian’an drawled, “Oh~ just chatting casually?”
“If you like chatting so much, I’ll give you something to talk about.”
“What is it?”
“Help me clear up my relationship with Meng Juncheng in the village.”
The women froze.
“You don’t want to? Then I’ll report you to the police for defaming my reputation.”
Hearing “police,” they quickly agreed.
Satisfied, she smiled sweetly. “Thank you then.”
After finishing laundry and hanging it to dry, it wasn’t too late yet. Thinking that Huo Zheng hadn’t brought lunch to work, she planned to cook and send it to him—but there was nothing at home except rice.
The vegetable plots by the house were overgrown with weeds, clearly abandoned for a long time.
She thought she would have to clear them and plant vegetables later.
“What are you thinking about?”
Huo Zheng’s voice suddenly came from behind.
She turned around and saw him wearing a straw hat, completely soaked, holding a fish tied with a grass rope in one hand. The fish was still thrashing vigorously, its tail kept swishing back and forth…