Being scared wasn’t exactly the case, but she did feel a bit uneasy.
Cheng Fangqiu calmed her emotions and asked, “When is it?”
“Scheduled for 8 PM. There’s a phone room in the residential building, at Unit 1, Room 115. We’ll head over once you’ve rested.” Zhou Yinghuai, seeing that she had settled down, scooped another bite of food and brought it to her lips.
Since this was inevitable sooner or later, it was just a matter of timing. Cheng Fangqiu nodded in agreement and even pestered Zhou Yinghuai with questions about his parents’ preferences.
For example, what kind of daughter-in-law they liked…
Zhou Yinghuai thought seriously for a moment before replying, “I think they’ll really like someone like you.”
His answer was as good as saying nothing at all. Cheng Fangqiu secretly rolled her eyes, feeling that there was no point wasting time on Zhou Yinghuai. In his eyes, she was a universally adored treasure, beloved by all.
For her first interaction with his parents, she just needed to act gracefully and appropriately. Elders usually liked someone well-educated, sensible, and filial. She would try to lean in that direction and then adapt to the situation. She couldn’t go wrong.
Besides, it was just a phone call. It wasn’t like she could offend anyone.
Moreover, she and Zhou Yinghuai were already legally married. Whether they liked her or not, everything was already settled. It couldn’t be changed. It would be great if they liked her, but if they didn’t, it didn’t matter. After all, it was her and Zhou Yinghuai who would be living together in the future.
Once she figured this out, Cheng Fangqiu completely relaxed and enjoyed Zhou Yinghuai’s attentive feeding. She was full in no time. He waited for her to finish eating before starting his own meal and then cleaned up the dishes.
Cheng Fangqiu lay on the pillow, watching him tirelessly run back and forth. A sweet feeling welled up in her heart, and she couldn’t help but say, “Brother Huai, you’re so good to me.”
Hearing her words, Zhou Yinghuai paused, a few chuckles escaping his chest, his eyebrows lifting slightly. “First time realizing that?”
His words were a bit smug, but his tone was filled with warmth and amusement.
Cheng Fangqiu giggled and quickly followed up with flattery: “Oh, I’ve known it for a long time. I really hit the jackpot. I’ve never seen any husband who dotes on his wife as much as you do. You’re great in the living room and the kitchen—truly an all-around good man.”
She deliberately softened her voice, her sweet tone dripping like honey, making Zhou Yinghuai’s heart melt. The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
Seeing that her praise had put him in a good mood, Cheng Fangqiu seized the opportunity to reach out and grab the hem of his clothes, pulling him closer. Zhou Yinghuai bent down, placing his hands on the bed, and the distance between them suddenly narrowed.
Facing the soft, fragrant warmth so close to him, Zhou Yinghuai’s gaze darkened, his heartbeat quickening. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared expectantly at her lips. But the next second, her words made him frown slightly.
“But can you stop being so jealous all the time?”
“Huh?” A hint of grievance instantly appeared on Zhou Yinghuai’s face. His deep, narrow eyes stared straight at her, as if asking where this was coming from.
Meeting Zhou Yinghuai’s pitiful gaze, Cheng Fangqiu quickly looped her arms around his neck. The blanket in her arms slid down as she raised her hands, revealing half of her shoulder and the curve of her chest.
Her fair skin was covered with bite marks and hickeys, looking both shocking and intensely intimate.
Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes burned, but remembering that he had just applied medicine to her, he reached out and pulled the blanket up to cover her.
Cheng Fangqiu naturally noticed his action, her ears turning red. But at the moment, she wasn’t concerned about being exposed. Her mind was focused on discussing the big issue of “jealousy” with Zhou Yinghuai.
She had originally planned to bring it up as soon as they returned last night, but who knew there would be a hiccup…
Thinking of this, her ears turned even redder.
“Yesterday at Qiqi’s place, were you jealous of Qiqi?” Cheng Fangqiu pinched Zhou Yinghuai’s ear and raised her voice to press him.
Zhou Yinghuai instinctively wanted to deny it, but he felt it wasn’t good to lie to her, so he remained silent. Instead, he looked at her with pitiful eyes, his thin lips slightly pursed, resembling a wounded little animal.
He had a handsome face, and with just a little show of vulnerability, he could easily make others soften and agree to all his requests. Cheng Fangqiu almost fell for it, but fortunately, she had mentally prepared herself. Otherwise, she would have been led by the nose by him.
The issue of jealousy could be big or small. If not handled properly, it could be like a ticking time bomb, potentially blowing their happy life to pieces someday. She needed to uproot it as soon as possible.
Cheng Fangqiu made her decision and, looking into his eyes, spoke earnestly: “Zhou Yinghuai, I don’t like excessive possessiveness. It’s true that I am your wife, but before that, I am Cheng Fangqiu, and I have the right to freely make friends.”
Hearing this, Zhou Yinghuai was momentarily stunned, then explained: “I’m not interfering with your friendships, I just…”
At this point, his eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if he were somewhat embarrassed, but he continued to voice his thoughts, “I just want to capture more of your attention. I don’t want your eyes to be on someone else when I’m around.”
Whether it’s a man or a woman, it’s unacceptable.
He knew his thoughts were somewhat extreme and selfish, and that Qiuqiu wouldn’t like them, but in such situations, he couldn’t help but act accordingly.
Qiuqiu must dislike him now, that’s why she…
Zhou Yinghuai lowered his gaze, many words came to his lips, but none seemed right. He suppressed the bitterness in his heart and whispered hoarsely, “Qiuqiu, I’m sorry.”
But the expected scene did not occur. Instead of getting angry, Qiuqiu cupped his face and kissed him passionately, her soft body pressing against his, her tongue tracing his lips before entwining fervently with his.
His pupils contracted sharply as he wrapped his arms around her waist, taking control, biting her lips, holding her tightly in his embrace, greedily inhaling her scent.
Only when she gasped for breath and pushed him slightly did he reluctantly end the passionate kiss she had initiated.
Cheng Fangqiu’s fingertips brushed over his sharply defined cheeks, her red lips as enticing as blooming roses in a greenhouse, tempting one to lean in and pluck them.
“Silly, you are the most special to me, no one else will ever surpass your place in my heart.”
“Do you understand what I mean?”
Her voice was as gentle as water, slightly hoarse from the recent intimacy, yet it had a magical quality that effortlessly dispelled his unease and fear. Zhou Yinghuai felt his throat dry, and he nodded dumbly.
“Good that you understand. I want to sleep a bit more, will you join me?”
“I’ll go wash the dishes first, then come back to sleep with you.”
If the dishes weren’t washed promptly in this weather, they would likely sour and stink by the afternoon, attracting a swarm of bugs. So, despite wanting to sleep with her now, Zhou Yinghuai gritted his teeth and declined.
Moreover, his mind was filled with what she had just said, and he felt as if he had been injected with a stimulant, completely devoid of sleepiness. He needed some time alone to calm down.
“Alright then.” Cheng Fangqiu released him and lay back under the covers, yawning and slowly closing her eyes. Soon, the slight sound of Zhou Yinghuai carefully closing the door came from the doorway.
She curled her lips into a triumphant smile.
Men, sometimes good communication isn’t enough; pairing it with a beauty’s strategy is the ultimate move.
Although she wasn’t sure if Zhou Yinghuai had truly listened or would change, one thing was certain: he would no longer act “childishly” out of jealousy in public.
Having not rested well last night and being drunk, Cheng Fangqiu slept particularly deeply this afternoon. She didn’t even notice when Zhou Yinghuai came to lie down beside her. In her drowsiness, she only felt a cool breeze as if someone was fanning her, dispelling the summer heat.
When she woke up, the sun was setting outside. Feeling greatly refreshed, Cheng Fangqiu unusually lingered in bed, kissing Zhou Yinghuai for a long time before getting up to change clothes. The first thing she did after leaving the bedroom was to check on the flowers she kept on the balcony.
“When Chang Yan’an came this morning, I asked him. He said it’s normal for newly planted flowers to look like this and advised us not to water them too much,” Zhou Yinghuai followed her like a shadow, wherever she went.
Cheng Fangqiu nodded, then with a look of suspicion, said, “His own roses at home are in such a state, can we really trust his advice?”
She hadn’t forgotten the sight of the “wilting” roses in the Chang family’s yard yesterday.
“He should be trustworthy.” When Chang Yan’an spoke about gardening tips, he seemed knowledgeable and sincere, not like he was lying.
As for those roses he had replanted at home…
A shadow flickered in Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes; that couple was quite interesting. One had been so reluctant before but now didn’t care at all, while the other had specifically gone back only to let them wither away.
Quite a tacit understanding.
“Alright then.” Cheng Fangqiu pouted. Unable to find anyone who knew more about planting flowers, she reluctantly decided to trust Chang Yan’an for now.
The two made a simple noodle meal at home, and after eating went directly to the telephone room.
The machinery factory, to facilitate employees’ work and life, had specifically set up a telephone room in the family housing area. Making calls was cheaper than at the post office, so many factory workers chose to make calls here, but this also meant queuing every time.
Fortunately at this hour, the telephone room wasn’t crowded, so they should be able to get their turn by eight o’clock.
“Sit for a while.” Zhou Yinghuai pulled Cheng Fangqiu to sit on the chair. She had grabbed a handful of candies into her pocket when leaving home, which came in handy now. “Try these, we haven’t decided which ones to use as wedding candies yet.”
Zhou Yinghuai didn’t particularly like sweet things; he casually picked a yellow-wrapped candy from her palm.
“How is it?”
“Corn flavored, it’s okay.”
Cheng Fangqiu knew she couldn’t count on him, so she stuffed all the candies back into her pocket. This movement accidentally bumped the arm of the person next to her, and she quickly apologized: “Sorry about that.”
Sitting next to Cheng Fangqiu was a thin, small girl who looked only in her teens, but wore the factory’s uniform. Her hair was somewhat yellowed and dry, braided into two plaits hanging over her chest.
She had been hanging her head, lost in thought, when Cheng Fangqiu’s bump startled her to look up, revealing a small face no bigger than a palm. Her features were delicate, qualifying as a traditional beauty, but due to her thin face, her round large eyes appeared especially big, almost unnaturally so.
“I’m sorry.”
Wang Yueyi apologized instinctively, then after realizing, mumbled: “It’s nothing.”
After speaking, she lowered her head again, her chin almost tucking into her collar.
Cheng Fangqiu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but remembering they were strangers, stopped herself. She turned to exchange a confused glance with Zhou Yinghuai.
Was this young girl even of legal age? And why did she seem so timid, nothing like the confident, energetic workers of today? After all, nowadays if a family had even one factory worker, the whole family could walk with their heads held high.
But she…
Of course, it could just be her personality.
Cheng Fangqiu put aside these thoughts and quietly discussed wedding details with Zhou Yinghuai. They had already decided to hold the wedding banquet at the state-run restaurant, now they just needed to invite the guests – the restaurant would handle everything else.
They hadn’t chatted long when it was the turn of the person in front of them to make a call – the small, thin girl.
They had no intention of eavesdropping, but the telephone room was so small that broken fragments of conversation still reached their ears.
Meanwhile, two people queuing behind them started talking quietly, apparently knowing this young girl.
“Is Little Wang’s mother asking for money again?”
“Indeed, like clockwork every month. If she doesn’t get money, she comes here to make trouble. What kind of situation is this?”
“That black-hearted woman deserves no good end. As soon as her husband died, she took all the family’s belongings and remarried, not even wanting her own daughter. Then she had a sickly son, and only remembered she had a daughter when she needed money for medicine.”
“Little Wang’s father was such a good person. What a pity. If he hadn’t died from sudden illness, how could Little Wang end up in such a situation?”
The more Cheng Fangqiu listened, the deeper her brows furrowed. She clutched the candy wrapper, taking several deep breaths to barely contain the fury about to erupt from her heart.
There are truly too many people in this world unfit to be parents, doing things worse than beasts.
“Didn’t I just give you twenty-five this month? I only kept enough for food.”
The girl’s trembling voice came from over there. Unknown what the other party said, she began sobbing quietly, her tone filled with infinite despair and pain, “Mom, when you call, have you ever asked about anything besides money? I have no relatives here anymore, please…”
Before the voice had completely fallen, the phone was hung up from the other side. Wang Yueyi blankly held the receiver, taking a long moment before putting it down. She wiped her tears, asked the administrator behind the counter how much it cost, hurriedly paid, then covered her face and ran out.
“Such tragedy. Being fatherless at such a young age is pitiful enough, yet she’s burdened with such a mother.”
“Look how thin she is – probably doesn’t even get enough to eat. Her mother’s truly heartless. I’d say Little Wang is too soft-hearted. If she were tougher…”
“Easier said than done. She’s the only one left in their family. Without relying on that younger brother her mother later bore, how will she marry later? Wouldn’t her in-laws torment her to death? Endure it, things will improve after marriage.”
Cheng Fangqiu burned with anger. Since when did marriage require relying on some so-called brother? Complete nonsense!
She abruptly stood up, addressing Zhou Yinghuai: “You go make the call first. I need some air, I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.” Zhou Yinghuai didn’t ask further, just glanced at the door before walking to the calling counter.
Cheng Fangqiu chased in the direction the girl had left. The sky had dimmed but remained navigable. After jogging a distance without seeing anyone, she bit her lower lip preparing to return when intermittent sobs emerged from a corner.
Following the sounds, she found a hidden space between a building wall and large tree where a crouching figure – the same girl – was hiding.
“Don’t cry.”
Wang Yueyi looked up from her knees in shock, disbelievingly staring at the handkerchief offered before her.
A faint fragrance permeated the cramped space, inexplicably staunching her relentless tears.
“Not worth crying over such people.” Maintaining a bent posture tired Cheng Fangqiu, so she copied the girl’s squatting position. After a thoughtful pause, she added: “Consider me meddling. I just couldn’t stand by.”
“I don’t know your family details, but I know loving others requires loving yourself first.”
Without waiting for reaction, Cheng Fangqiu pulled all candies from her pocket, wrapped them in the handkerchief, and shoved the bundle into the girl’s hands.
Only then did Wang Yueyi regain awareness, pushing the items back. “I… can’t accept. These are too valuable.”
“Consider it wedding candies from my marriage. Keep them.” Cheng Fangqiu refused the return, standing to leave.
Outside, she turned back: “Don’t feed mosquitoes here all night. Go home after crying your fill.”
Wang Yueyi sat in darkness, staring dazedly at the woman bathed in light – gentle and serene.
“Thank you.”
The gratitude finally escaped, but the space stood empty.
Wang Yueyi looked down at the colorful candies. Cool wrappers felt scalding on her fingertips. Slowly unwrapping one, she placed it in her mouth. A faint sweetness spread across her tongue.
She suddenly remembered the sister’s words: Loving others requires loving yourself first.
—
When Cheng Fangqiu returned, those behind them in line had left. Only Zhou Yinghuai remained inside, standing at the counter conversing with someone. Seeing her return, he smiled and beckoned.
“She’s back. You talk.”
Cheng Fangqiu cleared her throat, taking the receiver from Zhou Yinghuai. “Hello Dad, Mom.”
Her voice sounded sweet, natural, with a hint of shyness.
This form of address was decided through discussion with Zhou Yinghuai. Though they hadn’t met, being married made “Uncle/Aunt” too distant. “Mom/Dad” felt closer despite slight awkwardness.
Fortunately, the person on the other end seemed delighted. First came a string of laughter before responding: “Hello, hello.”
Cheng Fangqiu involuntarily exhaled in relief. Recognizing a woman’s voice – gentle yet dignified – likely Zhou Yinghuai’s mother, she nervously tightened her grip on the receiver and instinctively glanced at Zhou Yinghuai. He leaned casually against the counter, smiling as he watched her.
Though she’d prepared conversation topics beforehand, her tongue failed her at this crucial moment. Just as anxiety set in, the other party spoke first.
“Yinghuai calls you Qiuqiu. May we address you similarly?”
“Of course.” His mother proved more amiable and courteous than expected, making Cheng Fangqiu unconsciously relax her tense posture.
“Qiuqiu, we’ve wronged you.” Liu Suhe sighed. “If not for unavoidable commitments in Capital City, Lao Zhou [old Zhou] and I would have personally come.”
“No wrongs done. Yinghuai explained your work’s special nature with limited leave. I understand completely. Moreover, Yinghuai treats me exceptionally well. I’m content.” As she spoke, Cheng Fangqiu lifted her eyes to Zhou Yinghuai.
Those beautiful peach-blossom eyes seemed to hook his heart effortlessly.
Liu Suhe, seeing Cheng Fangqiu’s thoughtful composure and flawless speech, felt deeper remorse. Exchanging glances with Zhou Zhihong beside her, she softened her tone: “When you both return to Capital City at year’s end, we’ll properly compensate you.”
Without allowing refusal, she continued: “Yinghuai’s younger brother already boarded the train to your area. He’ll arrive in three days to assist. Don’t stand on ceremony – order him as needed.”
So soon? Cheng Fangqiu froze, then mentally chuckled bitterly. Order? Who dares command this novel’s male protagonist? More likely enshrine him like an ancestor.
“We’ll meet him at the station then.”
Liu Suhe affirmed, sharing train details before adding: “He’s bringing gifts – some for you newlyweds, others for your parents. Qiuqiu, please convey our apologies for inadequate etiquette. We’re truly ashamed.”
Lifelong respectable people, Liu Suhe and Zhou Zhihong felt profound guilt. What kind of wedding has only one representative from the groom’s side? Yet reality left no choice.
Compensation must come materially.
They’d show proper sincerity when the couple visited Capital City.
Growing increasingly self-reproachful, Liu Suhe hastily concluded this topic with Cheng Fangqiu’s cooperation before inquiring about banquet arrangements. Reassured by their preparations, she relaxed.
“Speak with your father now.”
Soon a male voice replaced hers: “Qiuqiu, hello.”
The authoritative tone sounded awkwardly strained from forced gentleness.
“Dad, hello.” Merely imagining the caller’s status made Cheng Fangqiu’s heart race uncontrollably. Her recently relaxed body tensed anew, spine straightening rigidly.
Their conversation proceeded formulaically, like a superior lecturing subordinates. Soon Liu Suhe interrupted, nudging Zhou Zhihong aside to reclaim the call.
“Your father’s character – cold face, warm heart. He actually likes you very much.” Fearing misunderstanding, Liu Suhe explained Zhou Zhihong’s nature.
Cheng Fangqiu smiled, indicating comprehension.
“Yinghuai learned cooking from his father – excellent skills. Our family doesn’t enforce women’s kitchen duty. Sample Yinghuai’s dishes more often. Don’t spoil him.”
Though confident in her parenting, Liu Suhe worried Zhou Yinghuai might act domineering abroad. Thus she hinted Cheng Fangqiu could assign him housework.
Cheng Fangqiu chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Shouldn’t this be about him not spoiling her?
These past days, Zhou Yinghuai handled all chores – laundry, cooking, cleaning, even bathing her and serving bedside tooth-brushing…
Recalling this, Cheng Fangqiu glanced sideways at Zhou Yinghuai. He rested his chin on a hand, those long, deep-set eyes still fixed intently on her, lips curved in an amused half-smile as if curious about her reply.
“Good, I’ll try tomorrow.”
As the words fell, she saw Zhou Yinghuai raise one eyebrow, his eyes curving with faint mockery.
Having spoken these words against her conscience, Cheng Fangqiu – already guilt-ridden – now flushed with embarrassed anger. A blush crept across her cheeks. Not daring to meet his gaze, she simply reached out to cover his eyes.