Chapter 237
“However, Xinyue is already pregnant, so she won’t be able to keep this job for long,” Aunt Guo expressed her concern.
Su Xiaoxiao immediately smiled and replied, “We’ve already planned it out. After we return from Shanghai, Auntie, you can say that Xinyue is too far along in her pregnancy to work and ask to take her place for a year or so. That way, you’ll have a legitimate reason to stay in the city and help Xinyue. It’s her first pregnancy, and having her own mother around during the months before and after delivery would be reassuring.”
Besides, it was the beginning of spring plowing, and the soil was already frozen hard. Even turning the soil with oxen and manual labor would be exhausting. Helping out in the city job and taking care of Xinyue would be a legitimate excuse to avoid the hard labor.
“That makes sense. Xinyue’s mother-in-law is still at home taking care of her grandchildren, so she really can’t spare time to look after her,” Aunt Guo sighed again when she mentioned this.
Every family had their own difficulties, but fortunately, Xiaoxiao had found her a good reason to go and take care of Xinyue. Otherwise, spending every day in the production team would indeed be a torment for her.
“Mom, Xiaoxiao and I have something to do. We’ll go make a phone call at the supply and marketing cooperative,” Jiang Yexun glanced at the time and said.
Aunt Guo’s relaxed expression tightened once more. “It’s already dark, why are you still going out?”
“We have an appointment, we’ll make the call tonight. I’m taking a machete with me, so everything will be fine,” Jiang Yexun explained as he turned and walked out.
Watching his departing figure, Aunt Guo sighed deeply, “This child is as stubborn as a mule, he does what he says.”
“Auntie, don’t worry too much. Brother Yexun knows what he’s doing, he wouldn’t take any risks,” Su Xiaoxiao reassured her. After all these years by Jiang Yexun’s side, she had never seen him act recklessly.
“Alright, then hurry back after you’re done,” Aunt Guo said, relieved by Xiaoxiao’s words.
Once out of the room, Jiang Yexun was already waiting in the courtyard with a machete and flashlight.
“Let’s go,” he extended his hand to Su Xiaoxiao.
But he was wearing gloves, which eased Su Xiaoxiao’s mind a little through the thick layer.
As soon as she placed her small hand gently into his big palm, Su Xiaoxiao immediately felt a long-lost tingling sensation spreading from her feet, making her legs go weak, and she had to lean half of her body on Jiang Yexun’s arm.
Feeling the weight of the girl in his arms, Jiang Yexun’s eyes lifted with a hint of a smile filled with meaning.
“Shouldn’t we ride bicycles?” Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head back, her big round eyes full of puzzlement.
Jiang Yexun’s voice instantly softened, “Last time you said you weren’t comfortable riding bicycles. It’s fine now, there’s no one on the road, we can take a leisurely walk.”
“Okay,” Su Xiaoxiao sweetly agreed.
Since Jiang Quansheng’s incident, she felt like she hadn’t been close to Jiang Yexun for a long, long time. The drunken episode from last night didn’t count; she hadn’t felt anything then.
Seeing the girl blinking her eyes at him, looking straight at him, Jiang Yexun’s breathing became heavier for a moment.
However, they hadn’t left the production team yet, and he was afraid someone would come out for a stroll in the late evening, so he forcefully suppressed the palpitations in his heart.
But as soon as the two of them left the production team, Jiang Yexun immediately turned around, circled Su Xiaoxiao’s waist, and lifted her under a few large trees by the roadside.
After turning off the flashlight, only the soft moonlight shone down between them, creating a haze around them.
Jiang Yexun gently pinched the girl’s chin and lifted her head slightly.
In those deep, shiny eyes of hers, full of sweet anticipation and pure innocence, Jiang Yexun’s heart was completely stirred.
“Missed me?” Jiang Yexun lightly teased with a playful and ambiguous gesture, gently caressing with his thumb.
But Su Xiaoxiao felt he was being too teasing. Without hesitation, she tiptoed and kissed him directly. Her lips were soft, though the kiss seemed a bit perfunctory. Just as her lips touched his for barely two seconds, she wanted to pull back.
Before she could retreat, Jiang Yexun grabbed her waist firmly. “You’re giving up already?” Jiang Yexun chuckled lightly, teasing the girl in his arms.
Su Xiaoxiao immediately became anxious. “Who’s giving up? I just didn’t stand in the right position earlier, I want to find a better angle.”
After several days without a kiss, she was determined to make Jiang Yexun dizzy with this one. How dare he challenge her!
“Alright, find a better spot and try again. I’ll wait for you.” Jiang Yexun slightly loosened his embrace, giving Su Xiaoxiao a bit of room to adjust her position but not letting her out of his arms.
Su Xiaoxiao shifted a bit until she found a comfortable position. Then, she tiptoed again.
This time, Jiang Yexun cooperated perfectly, lowering his head to meet her crimson lips eagerly. The soft, cool touch of their lips gently met.
Su Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around Jiang Yexun’s neck, although the feeling through their thick winter clothes wasn’t as intimate as in summer or fall. Yet, the shiver that ran through her body quickly made her forget this slight discomfort.
She kissed him like a playful kitten, savoring Jiang Yexun’s taste bit by bit. This teasing manner tickled Jiang Yexun’s heart irresistibly. Eventually, he decided to take the lead.
He captured her soft lips with his own, embarking on a passionate conquest.
“I thought you said you wanted me to take the lead!” Su Xiaoxiao’s hand lightly rested on Jiang Yexun’s shoulder, her voice slightly muffled with complaint.
But instead of easing off, Jiang Yexun intensified his plundering.
It wasn’t until their breaths began to thin, and Su Xiaoxiao felt like she was about to faint, that Jiang Yexun finally pulled back slightly.
“Now that’s a kiss. You were so slow; were you trying to make me do something scandalous out here in the wilderness?” His voice was husky with playful mockery.
Instantly, Su Xiaoxiao’s fair face turned beet red with embarrassment. Her lips, still glistening with a hint of moisture, added to her allure, making her irresistibly beautiful with a blend of coquetry and pure innocence that captivated Jiang Yexun’s heart.
“Don’t jump to conclusions! I-I wasn’t…” Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly protested, flustered.
But Jiang Yexun continued to gaze at her with lowered eyes and a half-smile, as if he knew something.
Blushing and vexed, Su Xiaoxiao lifted her foot and stomped down hard on Jiang Yexun’s foot.