His Adam’s apple bobbed violently, his voice so hoarse it was barely recognizable.
Ning Xi loved seeing him like this restrained and struggling. She blinked mischievously and deliberately asked, “What? Did I bite you too hard?”
“No.”
Jiang Chengbei’s voice was taut.
He subtly hunched his body, trying to hide his physical reaction. At the same time, a trace of frustration rose in his heart. He had always thought of himself as someone with few desires who would’ve known that after touching Ning Xi, he would become like this…
Ning Xi also sensed the tension in the man before her and, without thinking, glanced downward.
That undeniable bulge beneath his clothes made her cheeks burn instantly.
“Y-you… how can you be like this…”
Jiang Chengbei was so embarrassed his ears turned hot. He spoke hoarsely, “It’s not that I want to… I can’t control it…”
His incoherent explanation earned him a reproachful snort with a lifted tone.
“Pervert!”
County town.
With swollen, reddened eyes, Jiang Yanyan arrived at the machinery factory.
After running out of the house, she had gone straight into the city. Her chest was full of grievance with nowhere to vent she only wanted to see Qiao An as soon as possible and throw herself into his arms for a good cry.
She couldn’t stay in that home any longer.
She had to get married quickly. Once she married Qiao An and had him backing her, she’d see who would dare bully her again.
Thinking of Qiao An’s refined, handsome face, Jiang Yanyan pulled herself together and walked to the guard booth.
“Hello, I’m looking for Qiao An.”
“Qiao An?”
The gatekeeper, an old man in his fifties, frowned.
“There’s no one by that name in our factory, young lady. You’ve got the wrong place.”
He’d been a guard here for over twenty years he knew everyone in the factory inside out. Seeing Jiang Yanyan’s red, swollen eyes, clearly from crying, he couldn’t help shaking his head.
Lately, all kinds of shady people had been impersonating machinery factory workers, playing with women’s feelings.
“These days there are a lot of bad people around. Be careful not to get scammed.”
Jiang Yanyan didn’t hear a single word of his warning.
She stared at him in shock, as if struck by lightning.
Qiao An wasn’t at the machinery factory?
Unwilling to give up, she forced back tears and asked again, “Sir, please think carefully.”
The guard shook his head another foolish girl who had been deceived but refused to face reality.
After leaving the factory, Jiang Yanyan ran frantically to the old place where she and Qiao An used to meet the county central park. She practically turned the place upside down, yet still couldn’t find him. Panic finally set in.
Her face turned frighteningly pale.
Only then did she realize something terrifying: after three months together, she knew nothing about Qiao An except that he claimed to be a factory worker. His home address, family members, relatives, friends, usual hangouts.
She knew nothing at all.
Before today, she had thought she knew him well.
Now, she wasn’t so sure.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Today was the day Ning Xi and Jiang Chengbei registered their marriage.
They got up early, washed up, and rode their bicycles straight to the county town.
Since it was a day worth celebrating, Ning Xi deliberately put on light makeup and lipstick. The pale pink shade made her complexion look especially radiant. Nourished by the spirit spring water, her skin was practically glowing.
Her jet-black hair was braided into two fluffy plaits, the ends tied with red ribbons.
She looked sweet and charming.
As Jiang Chengbei pedaled, he couldn’t help glancing back.
Afraid he’d crash from not watching the road, Ning Xi reached out and mischievously pinched his waist hard.
“Why aren’t you watching the road? Why do you keep looking at me? If you make me fall, I’ll make you pay!”
That pinch made the muscles in Jiang Chengbei’s waist and abdomen tense instantly. He let out a muffled grunt before speaking.
“All the money’s with you I don’t have any to pay you with, so I can only”
He chuckled softly.
“Only give myself to you. Want that?”
His voice was low and hoarse, coaxing yet slightly unrestrained.
Ning Xi’s heart skipped a beat.
Maybe because they were about to register their marriage and their relationship was about to become official, Jiang Chengbei no longer held back. His gaze burned hot and intense.
“Yes. Of course I want that.”
“Mhm. I only want you too.”
Ning Xi: Way too smooth.
Had this rough guy suddenly unlocked some hidden skill tree? How could he flirt so well?!
When they arrived in the county town, it was only eight o’clock. Passing by the supply cooperative, Jiang Chengbei went in and bought a bag of peanut candies.
Ning Xi asked curiously, “Why buy those?”
“After we get the certificate, we’ll hand out celebratory candies to the civil affairs staff.”
As he spoke, Jiang Chengbei unwrapped one and brought it to Ning Xi’s lips.
“Open up.”
Ning Xi had no choice but to accept the feeding. Her cheeks puffed as she chewed, savoring the rich peanut flavor, her smiling eyes curving as she looked at him.
“Brother Chengbei, you’re so thoughtful.”
That single word brother made the smile on Jiang Chengbei’s face impossible to suppress.
All the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau, he radiated joy.
Even the staff there were infected by the mood. When they learned that the groom was a battalion commander in the army, their attitude turned especially respectful, and the stamp on the certificate was stamped extra boldly red.
“Comrades, we wish you a long and happy marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Jiang Chengbei distributed the candies, then carefully cradled the marriage certificates in his hands.
Ning Xi leaned over, gazing at the two bright red certificates that looked like awards. A strange emotion welled up in her chest.
So… they were married.
She and Jiang Chengbei were now legally husband and wife.
Seeing her silent for a long time, Jiang Chengbei turned to her with a teasing smile.
“What having second thoughts? Too late.”
Ning Xi didn’t regret it at all.
On the other side, Jiang Yanyan regretted it so much her guts felt green.
After failing to find Qiao An at the factory, she spent two restless days unable to eat or sleep, losing a noticeable amount of weight. Her already dull complexion turned even more sallow.
Finally, the day arrived when she was supposed to meet Qiao An’s parents. She waited early in the morning at the park entrance.
Fortunately, Qiao An soon appeared.
He was still as handsome as ever, gazing at her with those affectionate peach-blossom eyes that could look lovingly even at a dog.
“Did you wait long?”
Looking at him, Jiang Yanyan almost burst into tears.
Thank goodness thank goodness she’d overthought it.
Qiao An wasn’t a scammer. Wasn’t he right here, on time?!
She excitedly grabbed his hand and said in a deliberately sweet voice, “No, I just got here too. Qiao An, I’m sorry I was in such a rush that I forgot the gifts I prepared for your parents. You won’t blame me, will you?”
In truth, there were no gifts at all.
Anything presentable would’ve cost at least ten or twenty yuan where was she supposed to get that kind of money?
Fortunately, Qiao An didn’t mind.
He affectionately pinched the soft flesh of her cheek, light glinting behind his glasses.
“I dote on you too much to blame you. My parents are easygoing people. What they care about is you. You should know you’re worth more than any gift.”
Those words made Jiang Yanyan’s heart pound wildly.
“That’s wonderful, Qiao An. You’re really such a good person. Meeting you is my good fortune.”
Fortune?
Qiao An curled his lips into a smile filled with deeper meaning.
“You are very fortunate. And you’ll be even more fortunate in the future.”