The supply and marketing cooperative was quiet. Several young salesclerks blushed, hiding to one side and whispering among themselves.
“Oh my, he’s so handsome, his skin is so fair, and his voice sounds so pleasant.”
“I just wonder if he’s already taken.”
“Don’t even think about it. Didn’t you see he’s buying a watch for that female comrade? He might be buying a betrothal gift.”
In these times, watches weren’t something every family could afford.
Usually, they were only bought for weddings.
The group glanced at Su Nuannuan, their lips curling with jealousy. “Such a fine male comrade, but who would’ve thought his taste would be so poor? How could he pick someone like her? She’s not even as good-looking as me.”
“Her looks are average, but her figure is really something. Look at that waist—it’s not even as wide as his palm.”
“Men all like slender waists; they’re more comfortable to use, hehe…”
Su Nuannuan lowered her eyes, her lips twitching. Girls, you’re driving way too fast.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Lu Mingyuan’s reddened earlobes, and a flicker of amusement crossed her eyes.
“Comrade Lu, do you know what it means when a man gives a woman a watch?”
The blush on Lu Mingyuan’s earlobes spread, but his expression remained calm and unruffled, his smile polite yet insincere. “Oh? What does it mean? You’re A’xiao’s sister. Giving you a meeting gift—what’s wrong with that?”
The salesclerk looked at his handsome, smiling face and felt her heart flutter. Carefully holding out the watch, she asked with a perfect smile, “Would you like it wrapped?”
“No need.”
Lu Mingyuan raised his slender hand, picked up the watch, turned around, and grabbed Su Nuannuan’s wrist.
A scorching heat transmitted through her skin, making Su Nuannuan’s mouth go dry.
Damn this 20x sensitivity—she couldn’t even handle the slightest touch of male charm.
She twisted her wrist, trying to pull it away from his grasp, but he held on tightly.
“Don’t move, it’ll be done in a moment.” Lu Mingyuan lowered his hand, carefully fastening the watch strap for her. “You’re A’xiao’s sister, so from now on, you’re my sister too. What else would you like?”
The male lead was offering himself up as her brother. Su Nuannuan inwardly sneered. If she didn’t have an exceptional memory, he probably wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
Curiosity was the beginning of a man’s downfall.
He would step by step walk into the trap she had set for him while trying to figure her out.
She lowered her gaze to look at the watch on her wrist. The strap was silver, making her skin appear even fairer.
The dial was exquisite, equipped with a 19-jewel movement. It was a Shanghai brand 7120, likely worth between 100 and 200 yuan.
To give such an expensive gift right off the bat—truly worthy of the young master from the Beijing compound.
“This is too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
Su Nuannuan raised her hand to take it off.
Lu Mingyuan pressed down on her wrist, the smile in his peach-blossom eyes growing a bit more genuine. “You’re worth it.”
Without waiting for her to refuse, he took out a stack of money and a ticket and handed them to the salesclerk. “Check out.”
The salesclerk’s cheeks flushed red as she looked enviously at Su Nuannuan. “Your brother is so good to you. That’s 120 yuan and one watch ticket. Watch tickets aren’t easy to come by. You’re really lucky, comrade.”
After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Su Nuannuan rubbed the watch strap, then took out twelve ten-yuan bills from her pocket and handed them over. “Here’s the money back. I’ll find a watch ticket as soon as possible. Consider it a loan.”
Without waiting for his response, she stuffed the money into his arms, turned around, and walked away without even glancing at him.
The System asked curiously: 【Host, that’s 120 yuan—equivalent to four months’ salary for others. Why didn’t you take it?】
“Only when a man and a woman stand on equal footing can a man develop genuine feelings. Right now, he only pities me. If I accept this, I will forever remain in a position of weakness before him.”
Once again rejected, Lu Mingyuan’s eyes darkened. He tightened his grip on the money in his hand and murmured to himself, “Su Nuannuan, do you like Ji Xiao so much that you won’t even accept a gift from me?”
“Choo… clackety-clack… woo…”
The sound of the train whistle grew closer.
On the crowded platform, Su Nuannuan stood before Lu Mingyuan as people surged around them like a tide.
Panic, palpitations, and dizziness washed over Su Nuannuan.
Her illness had flared up.
Fortunately, she had taken fast-acting heart pills in advance, preventing her racing heart from causing her to faint on the spot.
Lu Mingyuan spread his arms, firmly shielding her from the surrounding crowd.
After much difficulty, they boarded the train. Su Nuannuan was led to a hard sleeper compartment. Seeing her pale face, Lu Mingyuan frowned, set down their luggage, and took out a water cup.
“Nuannuan, rest for a while. I’ll go fetch some hot water.”
“Mm.” Su Nuannuan nodded weakly, found her bunk with her ticket, took off her shoes, and lay down.
Her bunk was the lower berth, while Lu Mingyuan’s was above hers.
Across from them sat a young man. Since she had boarded, he had glanced at her three times. Only after confirming she posed no threat did he withdraw his gaze, close his eyes, and resume sleeping.
On the middle berth diagonally opposite was an elderly man.
He wore a Zhongshan suit, was slender in build, and carried an elegant, scholarly air. With glasses on, he lay half-reclined, reading a book.
She detected the scent unique to scientific researchers. Confirmed—the person they were escorting was the old man diagonally across from them.
To maintain their cover, she and Lu Mingyuan were posing as a young couple traveling to the capital for medical treatment.
The compartment wasn’t crowded; with six bunks in total, only the four of them occupied it.
In the few minutes Lu Mingyuan was away fetching hot water, train police passed by twice, and a man reading a newspaper in the corridor seat glanced in their direction four times.
Su Nuannuan sighed softly. With this level of security, not even a fly could get through.
“Darling, drink some hot water quickly and take your medicine.” Lu Mingyuan hurried in, holding a cup of water.
His fair, handsome face was covered in sweat.
Su Nuannuan rested for a moment, then sat up, took the cup, and murmured a quiet “thank you.”
Lu Mingyuan carefully took out medicine tablets made from hawthorn balls from his pocket and smiled warmly. “You’re my wife. I’m happy to take care of you. No need to thank me.”
Su Nuannuan raised an eyebrow. Was he getting too into the role?
She lowered her head, brought her mouth close to his palm, extended her tongue, curled it around the tablet, leaving behind a trace of warmth and moisture.
“It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for my poor health, you wouldn’t have to suffer with me. If this treatment doesn’t work, let’s get a divorce. I don’t want to burden you anymore.”
As she spoke, she lowered her head, her eyes reddening, her voice choked with sobs, radiating helpless sorrow.
Lu Mingyuan flexed his fingers, suppressing the lingering tingling sensation. He leaned down, brushed aside the stray hairs at her temple, and tucked them behind her ear. His eyes were filled with tenderness and concern.
“Don’t say that. Since you married me, I’m responsible for you for life. You’ll get better. Don’t be afraid.”
Su Nuannuan’s heart skipped a beat.
With the male lead’s devilishly handsome face and those tender, affectionate words, it was simply unfair.
She really wanted to… pounce on him…
Lowering her gaze to suppress the dark desire rising in her eyes, she choked back a sob. “Why are you so foolish? Although this illness won’t kill me, it’s a bottomless pit that can never be filled. You’re so good—you shouldn’t be ruined because of me.”
“Nuannuan, don’t cry. I did this willingly.” A flicker of amusement passed through Lu Mingyuan’s eyes as he raised his hand to wipe her tears, taking the opportunity to pinch the soft flesh on her cheek.
Just as he imagined—tender and soft like tofu.
Su Nuannuan winced in pain, gritting her teeth secretly.
She suddenly threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Her fingers slipped under his clothes, exploring his firm, muscular abdomen.
Come on, let’s hurt each other!
Feeling the man’s body tense up abruptly, Su Nuannuan chuckled inwardly and whispered in his ear, “Comrade Lu, you’ve been working out your waist quite well.”