Chapter 85
Suo Xiaoxiao hadn’t slept enough last night, and now she was nestled in the comforting embrace of her lover. Inhaling his alluring scent, she dozed off deeply in less than ten minutes.
The golden sunlight filtered through the cracks between the trees and leaves in the forest, gently showering Suo Xiaoxiao’s pure yet charming face. Her long and thick eyelashes, like tiny brushes, were softly closed.
Jiang Yexun gazed at the girl in his arms with tender and affectionate eyes, continually recalling the lively sparkle in her eyes when she looked at him. He really liked this little educated youth, wanted to hold her like this for a lifetime.
No! He had to work hard to earn more money. His little educated youth had been pampered and raised by her family. He needed to ensure that her life with him was even better than with her parents and brother. That way, no one could deceive her away from him.
Suo Xiaoxiao slept for more than three hours. When she woke up, she found that the ox cart had long stopped. However, it hadn’t entered the city; instead, it was parked in a secluded corner outside the city.
Uncle Wang wasn’t on the cart, and only she was lying on Jiang Yexun’s lap.
Suo Xiaoxiao stretched lazily, turned around, and nuzzled against Jiang Yexun’s abdominal muscles.
Jiang Yexun, who had barely calmed down, was about to greet her but couldn’t resist the temptation.
He kissed on her lips before gently pushing aside the messy strands of hair on her cheek.
“Didn’t we agree that you’d wake me up when it’s time?” Suo Xiaoxiao turned and buried her face in his palm, asking with a sulking tone.
Although there wasn’t much to do in the production team today, being too affectionate with each other in front of Uncle Wang wasn’t a good idea.
“Don’t worry, it’s still early. We don’t need to work today, so nothing is being delayed,” Jiang Yexun said with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with deep affection.
Suo Xiaoxiao checked the time and realized that she had only slept for three hours. It was not yet 10:30, but if she slept longer, she would miss lunch.
She climbed to sit, propped herself up with Jiang Yexun’s arm, and prepared to get up.
Jiang Yexun supported her back and helped her save some energy.
“Where’s Uncle Wang?” Suo Xiaoxiao looked around but didn’t see him.
“He’s nearby; I’ll call him over in a moment,” Jiang Yexun said.
Jiang Yexun helped her straighten her clothes, smoothing out every wrinkle, and finally curved his fingers to his mouth, whistling melodiously.
After a long minute, Uncle Wang emerged from the woods, shaking tobacco leaves and looking content.
“Didn’t Uncle Wang find us troublesome?” Suo Xiaoxiao asked with curiosity. “Why is he so cheerful?”
“He likes tobacco, and I got him a bag,” Jiang Yexun explained.
Suo Xiaoxiao immediately understood that this was definitely a high-quality tobacco.
Though Jiang Yexun appeared to be difficult to get along with, but in reality, he had never failed making someone happy if he wanted.
The only thing Jiang Yexun had never achieved in his previous life was something he had been yearning for. No one could control other people’s hearts, and he had only this one now.
“We’re leaving. With this pace, we’ll reach your sister’s house in time for lunch.”
Uncle Wang waved his whip, not needing to strike the oxen. Upon hearing his command, the oxen moved leisurely.
Jiang Xinyue’s house was allocated to her man through his workplace. Nowadays, they were all in high-rise buildings, but since they didn’t have children, living in a two-bedroom apartment was still quite spacious.
The building had three floors, and Jiang Yexun quickly climbed up the stairs with the luggage.
Aunt Guo had been waiting for a while. When seeing her own son, her smile faded a bit. She moved aside to make space and pointed to one of the rooms, saying, “I stay in that room. Just put Xiaoxiao’s luggage in there.”
Then, without paying much attention to Jiang Yexun, she went out to welcome her future daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, you’ve finally arrived! You must have had a difficult journey. Riding in an ox cart is far less comfortable than a bicycle,” Aunt Guo said as she held Suo Xiaoxiao’s hand, leading her inside.
When she heard the noise, Jiang Xinyue also came down from the bed and cheerfully greeted Suo Xiaoxiao.
They had a full table of dishes for lunch, including braised pork, braised spareribs with green beans, as well as the wild hare and duck Jiang Yexun had brought two days ago.
Aunt Guo also specifically made ginseng chicken soup for Suo Xiaoxiao.
Suo Xiaoxiao was stunned when she saw it.
“Tiewa’s grandma is unwell and coincidentally needs ginseng. She didn’t need that much, so I bought some to help everyone’s health,” Jiang Yexun explained quietly while sitting next to the table.
Seeing him like this, Jiang Xinyue playfully nudged her mom with her elbow and smiled. Aunt Guo also chuckled, teasing, “You, this naughty boy. When we asked you, you just said you happened to buy it. You’re explaining it so clearly to Xiaoxiao.”
Jiang Yexun blushed instantly, avoiding looking at Su Xiaoxiao. Instead, he continued to eat his meal heartily.
Su Xiaoxiao turned her head to look at him, her smile radiant and dazzling. “Eat more,” Jiang Yexun said as he placed a piece of chicken into her bowl.
Just as they were about to start eating, the door lock suddenly made a sound, and everyone turned to look. A well-mannered man with glasses walked in.
Jiang Xinyue immediately stood up with a smile and went to greet him. “Why are you back? Didn’t you say that you needed to work overtime in the factory these days for bookkeeping?”
“It’s fine. My master’s son is working in the accounting office now. Let him do the initial calculations, and I’ll just double-check afterward. Besides, this is the first time Yexun has gone on a long trip. As his brother-in-law, I should send him off,” Hua Shoucheng said while discreetly squeezing Jiang Xinyue’s hand.
“Brother-in-law, you’ve already bought us sleeper tickets, which is more than enough,” Jiang Yexun stood up and said gratefully.
Suo Xiaoxiao also quickly stood up.
Hua Shoucheng felt somewhat awkward and said, “Why are you all standing up? Please sit down. Let’s eat, let’s eat. I’ll just wash my hands.”
Only then did Jiang Yexun hold Suo Xiaoxiao’s hand and sit back in their chairs. Although her body felt a little weak and she couldn’t help leaning against Jiang Yexun’s arm, Suo Xiaoxiao kept replaying the image of Hua Shoucheng’s gentlemanly appearance and his affectionate look when he glanced at Sister Xinyue.
Soon, Hua Shoucheng returned after washing his hands, and Jiang Xinyue had already set up his meal. Seeing the bowl placed in his seat, he felt a pang of guilt. “Didn’t I say that you don’t have to do all these things? You’re pregnant now, and you don’t need to work so hard.”
“It’s just setting up the table. It’s not that hard. Don’t mention it anymore, everyone is watching,” Jiang Xinyue blushed and playfully patted Hua Shoucheng.
Hua Shoucheng laughed heartily and then turned to Suo Xiaoxiao with warmth and intimacy. “Comrade Suo Xiaoxiao, hello. We are family from now on. If your parents have any requests, we’ll try our best to fulfill them, as long as you and Yexun are happy. He’s getting older, and if he doesn’t get married soon, my wife will lose sleep.”
“I will live happily with Yexun,” Suo Xiaoxiao nodded obediently, then asked curiously, “Brother-in-law, are you working as an accountant in the factory? Are you always busy?”
Suo Xiaoxiao calling him “brother-in-law” startled everyone, but since Hua Shoucheng hadn’t introduced his name, calling him brother-in-law was the most appropriate.
“I’m busy for two or three days every month, just reconciling accounts with the factory director and the secretary,” Hua Shoucheng smiled.
“Do accountants have good relationships with the leaders of the factory’s various departments? Is there any conflict over financial matters?” Suo Xiaoxiao continued to inquire.
“No, our factory’s accounts have been fine for over a decade. Everyone is doing a great job, and my work is quite easy,” Hua Shoucheng patiently replied.
Seeing his mature and responsible demeanor, Suo Xiaoxiao couldn’t imagine what could make him quit his job at the factory without a word half a year later. At that time, Sister Xinyue was already eight months pregnant.
“So, brother-in-law, do you really like your current job? Have you ever thought about changing to a different one?” Su Xiaoxiao asked casually.
Without waiting for Huo Shoucheng’s response, she picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of meat into Jiang Yexun’s bowl.
The man, who had been somewhat tense, suddenly relaxed like a lion whose fur had been stroked in the right direction. His sharpness softened, and he returned to his lazy demeanor.
No one found Su Xiaoxiao’s questions inappropriate. In fact, they thought she might be considering a career in accounting as well.
Huo Shoucheng shook his head and said, “I won’t change my job. I’ve always enjoyed working with math, and with Xinyue about to have a daughter, I need a stable job to ensure a better future for them.”
It’s not a daughter, it’s a son.
Su Xiaoxiao thought this privately, but her curiosity deepened.
Seeing Huo Shoucheng’s attitude, it seemed he had no intention of changing jobs, and he was well aware of the need for a stable environment with the impending arrival of the child. What had happened in that short six months?
In her previous life, he had resigned and seemed to be drinking heavily every day, which had contributed to Xinyue’s difficult childbirth. It was only when she and her son came back from the brink of death that he pulled himself together.
However, Xinyue’s injuries from the difficult childbirth had left her unable to bear more children. But it was still six months away; she could wait to rescue her eldest brother before addressing the potential troubles her future brother-in-law might face.
Su Xiaoxiao decided to stop dwelling on this issue.
After they finished the meal, they rested for a while. Hua Shoucheng also went with them to the train station.
Aunt Guo particularly emphasized the need to keep their money close at hand.
“This money must be kept on your person. No matter where you go, you must stick with Xiaoxiao. There will definitely be pickpockets on the train, and with her good looks, those people will be tempted. Don’t think that you can fight them off, they have powerful sedatives, and a light touch from them will render you unconscious.”
Jiang Yexun was on high alert, and if he wasn’t determined to visit his future brother-in-law, he might have turned back to the production team with little educated youth.
Seeing everyone looking so nervous, Suo Xiaoxiao assured them, “Aunt, don’t worry. Once we’re on the train, I will definitely stay close to Yexun, and I won’t wander around.”
She was also quite scared of the pickpockets with their sedatives. These people were extremely hard to guard against.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you,” Jiang Yexun assured her in a low voice.
After the necessary cautions, they finally boarded the train. Sleeper cars were not very popular these days, so Jiang Yexun specially chose two facing lower bunks. This way, they could sit together and chat, and when they lay down, they could see each other under the table.
Seeing that there were no other passengers in their compartment for now, Suo Xiaoxiao immediately leaned softly against Jiang Yexun after he sat down beside her.
However, noticing the slight heaviness on his face, she curiously poked his chest. “Brother Yexun, what are you thinking? Are you worried about Aunt and Sister Xinyue?”
“They have my brother-in-law with them; they’ll be fine. I’m just worried about future brother-in-law’s side of things,” Jiang Yexun sighed. Then he held the soft, delicate hand that had been itching his heart, squeezing it gently. His scorching palm lightly stroked the girl’s silky and tender fingers.