Xiao Changhe wrapped his right arm around Jiang Fuseng’s waist and, with a gentle lift, cradled his little wife in his arms.
“What’s going on… are you going to fall again?”
His voice rang out from above her head.
Jiang Fusheng hadn’t yet recovered from being held by Xiao’s mother when she found herself in Xiao Changhe’s arms once more.
In that moment, she felt as though she were a little pet, being passed from one member of the Xiao family to another.
This time, she didn’t try to insist on getting down; instead, she nestled into his embrace and said in a soft, delicate voice, “I’ve twisted my ankle.”
Xiao Changhe frowned and tightened his grip. “To get injured so easily…”
“I was being very careful!” Jiang Fuseng jerked her head up, only to meet his deep, piercing gaze. Startled, she looked down again, puffing out her cheeks. “I don’t know how I twisted it.”
Seeing that Xiao Changhe was about to speak again, Xiao’s mother slapped his arm with a sharp crack. “Stop asking so many questions, you young fool. Hurry up and carry her back to rub some medicinal wine on it—don’t let it swell up!”
“Right.” Xiao Changhe nodded.
“You two go back first; I’ll go and check on the fields.”
Xiao Changhe nodded silently and carried Jiang Fuseng away.
“Oh dear!” Xiao’s mother sighed deeply. “He really is a blockhead—he doesn’t know how to look after his wife!”
……
The Xiao family courtyard.
Xiao Changhe sat Jiang Fusheng on a high stool in the courtyard, left her with a simple ‘Wait for me’, then turned and went into the living room.
Before long, he emerged carrying a brown bottle and a low stool, sitting down in front of her. ‘Which foot?’
Jiang Fuseng pointed with her finger and smiled, pursing her lips. “This one.”
“Right.”
She watched as he carefully removed her cloth shoes, then lifted her leg and placed it on his thigh.
Once he’d done that, he leaned in closer to her. “If you can’t… hold it, you can bite.”
Oh my! Was he actually underestimating her?
Jiang Fuseng: “I can hold it in!”
Xiao Changhe said nothing more, merely pouring the medicinal wine into his palm. He then grasped her ankle, applied the wine to it, and rubbed it vigorously.
“Ouch!” Jiang Fuseng couldn’t help but grab hold of his shoulder, drawing a sharp intake of breath.
It really hurt!
As he applied more pressure, the grip of her hands on his shoulders tightened.
But to him, her feeble strength felt as light as a wadding of cotton hitting his body.
The friction from the medicinal wine generated heat, which seemed to ease the pain slightly.
“Bear with it,” Xiao Changhe suddenly instructed her.
“What?” Jiang Fuseng was taken aback.
He didn’t answer her, but instead applied all his strength with both hands.
“Ah!”
Her cry of pain drowned out the sound of her ankle joint being squeezed.
This time, she really couldn’t hold back!
Jiang Fuseng’s eyes welled up with tears; she lifted her head and bit down hard on his shoulder.
It hurts like hell!
You bastard!
Can’t you be a bit gentler!
Bite you, bite you!
“There.” Xiao Changhe set her foot down without batting an eyelid. “Move it.”
Jiang Fuseng released her grip, turned to look at her foot, and tentatively moved it.
Compared to the moment before, when the slightest touch of the ground had sent cold sweat pouring down her face, now there was nothing but a slight stinging sensation—no other discomfort.
“It’s all better!” Jiang Fuseng looked delighted. “Brother Changhe, I never expected you could treat sprains and bruises! You’re amazing! Thank you!”
Just moments ago, when she’d bitten his shoulder hard, he hadn’t shown the slightest reaction, but now that she’d praised him, he felt as though his face were on fire, and his heart was racing.
“You’re welcome.”
Jiang Fuseng’s eyes crinkled with a smile, her pretty face beaming, but when she caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of her eye, she realised she’d actually bitten his shoulder until it bled.
Feeling guilty, she reached out, wanting to touch it but not daring to. “I’m sorry, I’ve drawn blood.”
“It’s fine.” ” Xiao Changhe shook his head, stood up, and took the medicinal wine into the house.
Inside, he pulled open his collar, glanced at his shoulder, and gently touched the stinging wound. A hint of a helpless smile appeared on his impassive face.
That girl really went all out!
Not only did she bite through his clothes, but she also left such a distinct toothmark.
In the end, he merely wiped away the dried bloodstains with a cloth.
The bite mark looked rather nice on his shoulder; he had no intention of applying medicine to make it heal.
“Brother Changhe.”
Jiang Fusheng called out to him, leaning against the doorframe.
“What is it?” Xiao Changhe snapped back to attention.
“Where’s the porridge I left on the table? ” Jiang Fusheng pointed at the table.
“Over here.” Xiao Changhe turned and walked towards the dining table, lifting the plastic food cover off it. “Do you want me to heat it up for you?”
“No, no.” Jiang Fusheng shook her head hastily, limping towards the table. “It’s hot outside now; it won’t upset my stomach, so don’t worry.”
Xiao Changhe realised that it was just the two of them at home, so he pulled out a chair, sat down beside her, and simply stared at her.
At first, she paid him no mind, merely returning a smile now and then before continuing to eat her porridge.
But seeing that he showed no sign of looking away, she could no longer bear the creeping unease of being stared at so intently. She put down her spoon and turned to face him directly.
“Comrade Xiao Changhe, may I ask why you’ve been staring at me the whole time?”
“I…” Xiao Changhe faltered, unable to find the words.
“Could it be that you’ve been captivated by my beauty? That you simply can’t look away?” Jiang Fusheng smiled faintly, like a delicate blossom blooming on her face.
Xiao Changhe froze, his pupils contracting slightly. He decided to follow his heart and nodded. “Yes.”
It was the truth.
She was indeed beautiful—pale-skinned, delicate and charming, both innocent and alluring in a natural way. He had only spent a single day with her, yet he was already so captivated he could barely stand.
It was the first time Jiang Fuseng had ever seen such a dumbfounded tough guy. After a moment of surprise, she reached out to cup his face and said in a soft, sweet voice, “Actually, I really wasn’t lying today. You really are handsome!”
Complimented once more, Xiao Changhe’s ears flushed crimson.
With her small hand resting against his cheek, he felt as though his heart might burst from his chest; a tingling sensation spread through his whole body. “Do you really… really like… me?”
“Of course I do!” Jiang Fuseng nodded again, her smile as radiant as a flower.
He was such a remarkable man, and not bad-looking either—why wouldn’t she like him?
Xiao Changhe stuttered anyway, and when he got nervous, his stutter became even worse. “So… so you… marrying me… is it… is it genuine?”
Jiang Fusheng tilted her head, listening intently as he spoke, word by word. She pouted her lips and said, looking all aggrieved, “Of course it’s genuine! Brother Changhe, I’ve given you my entire dowry—how can you still doubt my sincerity?”
“I’m sorry,” Xiao Changhe quickly bowed his head in apology. “I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
Just as she was about to say it was all right, the system’s voice rang out:
[Ding-ding-ding! I’m back!]
“What’s it for?”
[Given that you completed your last two tasks so well, I can now give you a limited-time task. Fancy it?]
“Is this what you meant by ‘dropping interesting limited-time tasks every now and then’? I suspect you’re pulling my leg.”
【Not at all! How could 007 ever dare to deceive the Master!】
“Tell me, what’s the task?”
【Within 3 minutes, get someone to kiss you. 1314 points.】
“007, I can’t help but feel there’s something odd about these point values. It’s either 99, 999, or 1314…”
【You’re overthinking it, Master! So, will you accept it or not?】
“I’ll accept it!”
After all, there’s no harm in trying, even if I can’t complete the mission.
Jiang Fusheng snapped back to her senses and leaned her face close to Xiao Changhe’s, causing him to jerk his head back in surprise.
“Brother Changhe, if you give me a kiss, I’ll accept your apology. How about it?”