Xiao Lingzhou gathered her hand and pressed it to his face, his gaze soft and lingering. “You belong to me, no one can take you away.”
Jiang Yu glanced around, feeling embarrassed, and withdrew her hand. Pretending to be annoyed, she brushed it off. “The sun’s so hot, and you’re standing here. Eat your lunch quickly—I’m waiting to go back.”
He was used to her act of feigned annoyance masking real concern.
Xiao Lingzhou smiled faintly, the corners of his lips forming a gentle curve. “Alright.”
The village head came with the new chair. Seeing Jiang Yu, he greeted warmly: “Jiang Yu, you’re here to bring lunch for Master Xiao?”
“Yes, Village Head. Have you eaten? Sit down and join us if you like,” Jiang Yu replied politely, offering him a meal.
The village head waved his hand. “No need, my wife’s just about to bring food. Work is urgent; I won’t keep you or Master Xiao. You two do as you wish.”
Jiang Yu nodded and watched as he carried Xiao Lingzhou’s chair away.
A warm breeze rustled her hair, lifting strands playfully around her face. She adjusted a lock near her lips and asked curiously, “Is your chair broken?”
Xiao Lingzhou tested the new chair and then pressed her shoulder to sit down. “No, it’s just… not clean.”
“Not clean? I don’t see any dirt,” Jiang Yu said, puzzled.
Xiao Lingzhou, unsure if she was naive or simply oblivious, explained bluntly: “I don’t like others touching my things. Since Cui Ling touched this chair, I don’t want it.”
Jiang Yu understood immediately.
Xiao Lingzhou was either obsessive about cleanliness or hated others touching his possessions—a trait she had known since she first met him.
She remembered grabbing the corner of his sleeve once; he tore it off.
She teased him again, grabbed his arm, and he restrained her, threatening to dislocate it if she didn’t behave.
At the time, she had never met such a cold and distant man. The more resistant he was, the stronger her desire to win him grew.
Seeing her reaction calm and unfazed, he frowned. “A Yu, you’re not angry?”
Previously, she would have asserted her claim, but now her mind was full of schemes to earn money; she had no thought for jealousy or rivalry.
Noticing Cui Ling approaching, a sly glint passed through her eyes.
“Who said I’m not angry?”
She suddenly pulled him onto the chair, then straddled his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“You tell me… do you only love me?” Her gaze burned, sharp and intense.
“Only you,” Xiao Lingzhou replied, his voice low and rolling, his arms tightening around her waist.
“Then I can rest easy.”
A smile spread across her face as she cupped his cheeks and kissed him deeply.
Heat spread across his face instantly.
After the kiss, he leaned back slightly, catching his breath. “A Yu… we’re in public…”
He didn’t mind their intimacy in private, but here, with villagers working nearby—mostly men—he didn’t want them to see.
“Afraid of what? No one’s watching us.” Jiang Yu’s eyes flicked to the corner of Cui Ling’s pink dress, a teasing smile on her lips.
Pressing her hands against his shoulders, she said sweetly, “If you love me, you won’t refuse me, right?”
Since marrying, she rarely acted so boldly or spoke in such a coy, feminine tone.
Xiao Lingzhou’s heart melted. How could he resist? He said nothing, tacitly approving her actions.
Looking at the shy, handsome man in front of her, she found him utterly captivating.
Her fingers traced his elegant brow, and her gaze lingered on his soft, perfect lips. Leaning forward, she kissed him again, nibbling and exploring.
He had thought she would stop soon, but she seemed addicted, kissing him without pause.
Suddenly, he noticed a strange gaze.
He pulled her into his arms and lifted his eyelids, eyes sharp and cold, scanning the intruder.
A few meters away, Cui Ling saw the two embracing and kissing. Her face turned crimson.
Meeting Xiao Lingzhou’s dangerous, warning stare, she froze, clutching her skirt and fled in panic.
She had returned intending to provoke Jiang Yu, not to witness this scene.
Angry and embarrassed, she couldn’t comprehend why Jiang Yu had such luck—why Xiao Lingzhou adored and protected her so.
If only she were the one in his arms…
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu lifted her head from Xiao Lingzhou’s embrace, feigning annoyance: “Xiao Lingzhou, what are you doing? Trying to suffocate me?”
Her anger seemed genuine. Xiao Lingzhou’s face flushed with guilt as he explained: “It’s my fault. There was something obstructing me just now; I lost control. Don’t be angry, A Yu.”
“Obstructing you?” she scanned the area, locking eyes with him. “Nothing’s there. I think you just wanted to smother me on purpose!”
Standing from his lap, she pouted and wiped her mouth. “Tonight, you’re not allowed to touch me.”
Xiao Lingzhou: “….”
“Take the food box yourself. I’m leaving!” With that, she strode off without looking back.
Watching her go, Xiao Lingzhou’s eyes softened with gentle amusement.
He loved her feisty, lively ways—it made his otherwise dull life more interesting.
Once her figure disappeared, he resumed his usual cold demeanor, as if the tenderness he had shown moments ago never existed.
Out of Xiao Lingzhou’s sight, Jiang Yu patted her chest, silently giving herself credit for her acting.
Feeling the coins in her pouch, she smiled. “Now, time to find Cui Ling.”
…
On the field path,
Cui Ling gripped a grass stalk, kicking pebbles in frustration. A female voice called behind her: “Wait, wait!”
She turned and saw Jiang Yu, shoulders slumped.
Jiang Yu leaned forward, hands on her knees, panting. “Hold on a second.”
Cui Ling glared. “What do you want?”
She didn’t want to hear Jiang Yu brag about how close she was with Xiao Lingzhou.
Jiang Yu’s eyes twinkled as she held Cui Ling’s arm warmly. “We’re from the same village; we know each other. No need to be distant.”
Cui Ling didn’t understand Jiang Yu’s intentions, coldly pulling her arm away. “Speak plainly. What are you going on about?”
“I just like talking to clever and beautiful girls like you, Miss Cui,” Jiang Yu rubbed her hands nervously, hesitant. “Actually… I did come to you for a reason…”
She started with a compliment, making it hard for Cui Ling to keep a stern face. Raising her chin proudly, Cui Ling asked, “What reason?”
“You like Xiao Lingzhou, right?” Jiang Yu watched her, and before she could respond, Jiang Yu continued: “I can give him to you.”