Translated by Serena Love

Proofread by Soupysuspicions

Edited by Ladyhotcomb

Chapter 20

The woman’s lips, tender and soft, brushed the corner of his mouth before moving down to kiss his throat. Her eyes, smiling and filled with affection, showed an expression He Songbai had never seen before.

Her hair slipped down her shoulders, and those silky, sultry strands tickled his skin.

He Songbai groaned, a mix of impatience and pain. Suddenly, he seemed to regain his senses. His mind resisted, but his heavy breathing was uncontrollable.

His voice, hoarse and rough as if scraped by sandpaper, murmured in a low tone, “Let me go.”

The woman released him, sitting up straight, and asked in a clear, captivating voice, “Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

He Songbai, shocked, looked at her with disbelief in his dark, deep eyes. His adam’s apple bobbed as he tried to distance himself, his pale lips parting and closing without words. The lingering sensation of her lips, leaving behind a faint fruity scent, her scent, was undeniable.

He struggled to maintain a cold, indifferent facade, but his ears, burning red, betrayed his feigned calm.

Zhao Lanxiang, noticing his reaction, asked again, “No? Then I will kiss you until you agree.”

As she spoke, she leaned in again, pressing against him and gently sucking his lips.

He Songbai’s resistance crumbled, and he panted wearily. It was as if an electric current surged from his lips through his body. He gasped heavily, like a patient gasping for air, in a state of careless desperation.

Zhao Lanxiang suddenly felt that she was cruel. If he were healthy and uninjured, vigorous like a dragon or a tiger, she might have persisted. But teasing an injured person didn’t sit right with her.

She stopped and released him, feeling a mix of embarrassment and sadness. Trying to appear indifferent, she said, “Forget it, since you didn’t agree, let’s pretend this never happened...”

Before she could finish, she was suddenly pulled into the bed. Her words were silenced by the man’s inexperienced yet eager kiss. Zhao Lanxiang’s heart almost leaped out of her chest, her heartbeat thundering at a frenetic pace of 170 times per minute. The kiss, passionate and intense, overwhelmed her, causing her palms to sweat.

...

He was truly... so cool.

Zhao Lanxiang, who was pressed down by He Songbai in the heat of the moment, could barely sort out all of her feelings, as she was tossed about, her hair and clothes became increasingly disheveled in the chaos.

It was a really violent and inexperienced kiss, like a calf bumping all over the place in the process of learning how to walk, careful, though full of enthusiasm.

After the kiss, Zhao Lanxiang closed her eyes contentedly, tracing the lingering sensation of his lips on hers with her thumb. She asked, somewhat suspiciously, “Since when did you start liking me?”

But the man had already retreated, lying indifferently on the bed with his head buried under the quilt, feigning sleep.

Zhao Lanxiang wasn’t in a rush. She tidied up the disordered room with a smile, carefully collecting the shattered glass. This was her second time picking up glass, but her mindset was entirely different. Last time, her heart was in icy turmoil, but now, it felt as if it was enveloped in honey, sweet and warm.

Che...... This dull man. He always acted so overtly, yet left no clues behind. Even if Zhao Lanxiang had eyes as sharp and discerning as golden flames, she couldn’t penetrate the depths of his heart.

Her lips still tingled with the sweetness of his kiss, a cherished, tender gesture from a younger, more vigorous version of her old man. She couldn’t get enough of the aftertaste.

She pushed him away and stood up. Unlike other shy girls, she boldly removed the man’s makeshift blanket “shell” and meticulously examined his wounds again.

Her brow furrowed with concern, “Put on some clothes. I’ll take you to the clinic to have a doctor look at these. Your injuries are quite serious.”

He Songbai, his long eyelashes lowered, responded quietly, “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

His fist clenched tightly beneath the quilt.

Zhao Lanxiang insisted, “Let’s have it checked. It will give me peace of mind. I’ll ask the branch secretary to write a referral letter.”

He Sanya had come rushing to her, crying and nearly collapsing, which sent Zhao Lanxiang into a panic. She quickly returned to the He family’s home to check on He Songbai. To her relief, he was relatively calm upon her arrival, able to speak and move, though his body bore many wounds. There were no signs of internal injuries, but the bloodied scab on his head looked alarming. Zhao Lanxiang couldn’t find peace until they visited a hospital for a professional assessment.

The blood pooled on the ground likely belonged to someone else. If He Songbai had lost that much blood, how could he still have the strength to toss her around and kiss her?

Zhao Lanxiang found the situation both infuriating and somewhat amusing. He Songbai had evidently given that group a good thrashing.

From what she gathered, Wang Xizi had spewed some vile comments about her relationship with He Songbai. In a fit of rage, He Songbai had lashed out at Wang Xizi without a word to teach him a lesson. The onlookers, rather than intervening, joined in to assist Wang Xizi with their shovels and hoes, seeing He Songbai as an eyesore.

He Songbai had fought fiercely to defend himself, and only after blood was shed did the group relent. They forced Wang Xizi to apologize to He Songbai, who stiffly acknowledged the apology with two brisk bows, lips drawn tight. He Songbai then returned home in this bloodied state.

Zhao Lanxiang promptly sought out Branch Secretary Li, armed with pen and paper. The village was predominantly inhabited by two major families, the Li’s and the He’s. Many of the He family shared ancestry with He Songbai, while others, once servants in the He household, had adopted the He surname, maintaining a distant relation.

Zhao Lanxiang banged on Branch Secretary Li’s door, her tone urgent, “A group of people attacked the second brother of the He family, and he’s bleeding from the head. I fear he might be seriously injured, so I’m taking him to the town hospital for a check-up.”

Branch Secretary Li had just sent away a group of people who came to cry and complain, and now Zhao Lanxiang came.

A headache began to form, and his expression soured, “I haven’t even asked him to come settle the matter, and yet you’ve come knocking on my door.”

Zhao Lanxiang’s gentle smile vanished as she realized someone had just been in the office, likely to hold He Songbai responsible for the fight.

“What account? My reputation was unjustly slandered. Shouldn’t I be the one to settle that account first?” she retorted. “Moreover, initially, only Wang Xizi had a conflict with He Songbai. The others who joined in were farmers who attacked him without reason, even using handheld weapons.”

“If we seriously look at this, He Songbai’s actions could be seen as self-defense. Legally, I have grounds to press charges for slander. What’s the crime called again?… Oh yes, suspected of causing trouble, or perhaps intentional injury?”

Branch Secretary Li’s headache intensified listening to the female educated youth.

Educated city folk like her were a different breed compared to the village farmers. She was right, countering each point methodically, unlike the village women who just cried and complained about He Songbai’s actions, saying, “Oh what a miserable thing it is that their family was beaten by He’s family’s second child.”

Branch Secretary Li didn’t dare provoke Zhao Lanxiang, nor Jiang Li. Both women were formidable, and he still had the letter from the city leaders on his desk.

He slapped the table and said angrily, “What you said makes sense, but you can’t be seen associating closely with He Songbai. Your party organization and recommendation materials are linked to your behavior. A progressive, educated young woman seen with a bad guy like him – what will people think? How will this affect your future?”

Zhao Lanxiang remained calm. “That’s a separate issue. Right now, it’s an emergency, and we need to save someone. Uncle Secretary, please, I need an introduction letter to take him to the doctor immediately.”

She took out the paper and pen and handed it with both hands to Branch Secretary Li.

Taking the fountain pen from her, Branch Secretary Li noticed the tiny brand engraved on its delicate body, causing his eyes to flicker. He subconsciously rubbed the engraving again. Though he’d heard of these Parker fountain pens, this would be the first time he’d ever actually used one.

With a sense of awe, he unscrewed the pen lid and wrote the introduction letter fluently.

Zhao Lanxiang noticed Branch Secretary Li had finished writing the introduction letter and his fascination with the pen. She leaned forward, offering, “Uncle Li, you seem to like the pen. I’ll lend it to you for a few days. I won’t be needing it much in the countryside. It’s better if you use it for writing introduction letters.”

She added thoughtfully, “Please be a bit more understanding towards He Songbai. He’s not a bad person, just a bit quick-tempered.”

Her offer to ‘lend’ the pen was a subtle gesture of actually giving it to him.

This pen was Zhao Lanxiang’s most valuable possession, quite expensive and would fetch a good price even second-hand. In the future, this brand would remain prestigious as a world-class brand. But she was used to such luxury, having an extensive collection of antique fountain pens at home, courtesy of her old man to sign and copy her recipes.

Branch Secretary Li grasped the unspoken gesture. He was initially inclined to refuse, but the pen felt so right in his hand, he just couldn’t put it down. This girl was really a ghost. “I appreciate your advice. I’ll borrow it for a few days then, and find a way to repay you.”

Zhao Lanxiang folded the introduction letter and bid Secretary Li farewell.

She borrowed Tang Qing’s bicycle and returned to the He family’s house. He Sanya ran out to greet her. Zhao Lanxiang gently pinched her cheek, “I’m taking your elder brother to the town doctor. Let your elder sister and grandma know, so they don’t worry.”

He Sanya nodded in understanding.

He Songbai remained motionless in bed, continuing to lie in the same position. A profoundly quiet and somber atmosphere had fallen over the room as he slept. His tall, thin frame was covered in terrible scars and injuries. His forehead was wrapped in white bandages. The wound at the corner of his eye had reopened, cracking apart to expose the raw flesh beneath. The spot where alcohol had been used to clean the injury was now clotted again with dark scabs of dried blood. Zhao Lanxiang gazed sadly at his battered form, wondering if these wounds would leave permanent scars behind.

His ability to sleep so soundly, seemingly indifferent to his injuries, made her frown.

His indifferent and numb demeanor toward his own injuries made Zhao Lanxiang wonder if he had been hurt many times before, growing accustomed to the pain. It seemed as though he believed he would survive and the headache would fade after some rest. Her heart ached with pity seeing him this way. She couldn’t help feeling distressed like this.

She felt responsible for his injuries. His eyes, usually sharp and deep, softened the harshness of his handsome face. How scary would it be if the additional scars made him look even more ferocious?

Zhao Lanxiang called out to He Songbai, waving the introduction letter, “Let’s go.”

He Songbai didn’t want to go to see a doctor. The injury was not serious, but this woman was simply overreacting, treating him as if he were at death’s door.

He grumbled as he rolled over, “You don’t need to fuss over me. A few cuts and bruises are nothing for a man.”

Yet, Zhao Lanxiang managed to coax him onto the back seat of the bicycle, despite his protests. He muttered, half in resignation, “Don’t think just because you kissed me, you can just take care of me.”

He saw Zhao Lanxiang all smiles, and she easily twisted him into honestly giving up.

“Enough talk, or do you want more kisses?” she teased.

He Songbai promptly closed his mouth and said nothing else.

Zhao Lanxiang pedaled the bicycle with effort. Although the man was thin, he was tall and all muscle. Carrying such a big man was not an easy task.

He Songbai sat in the rear bicycle seat, watching the woman pedaling ahead of him. She wore a light blue floral shirt, with two long black braids hanging down her delicate white neck. Her thin hair fluttered in the breeze. The sun cast soft rays across her slender silhouette. Her waist was so small that he thought he could almost encircle it with one hand. Yet she steadily guided the bike all the way into town while carrying his weight as well. From there, they were able to find a car to continue their journey together into the city.

Since they had made it into town, Zhao Lanxiang thought it best to get He Songbai properly examined. She suggested taking him to the large city hospital for an X-ray. By the time they made their way there, night had fallen.

In the ward, He Songbai underwent the doctor’s examination. The cold stethoscope against his bare chest and the X-ray machine capturing images of his injuries were new experiences for him. The doctor mentioned that the X-ray machine was a prized possession of the hospital, rarely used since it was purchased, making He Songbai one of its first patients.

After the examination, the doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and requested casts for his hands and leg, along with an IV to a nurse. He Songbai, however, refused adamantly, concerned about his ability to work. “I still have to work. How long would it take until I get these off?” he asked, his tone fierce with frustration.

At that time, Zhao Lanxiang was taking a close look at his medical file, and was shocked after seeing it.

This man had really not cherished himself. If she did not insist on sending him to the hospital, he probably never would have known that he was so seriously injured!

Since he had slept so soundly in the afternoon, Zhao Lanxiang didn’t expect any change in He Songbai’s routine the next day. However, the medical record painted a different picture, revealing multiple fractures in his hands and legs, along with a slight concussion.

Zhao Lanxiang, looking into He Songbai’s weary eyes, touched his cheek gently and said, “You need to take care of yourself. With broken bones, you need to let it heal properly. Don’t you still need your hands?”

He Songbai’s expression darkened. ‘Does this woman really have to be this intimate?’

First, she had coaxed him into coming to the hospital, and now she was urging him to stay in bed like a lame man. He remained silent, a flicker of regret crossing his bruised eyes.

“Please, just rest for now,” Zhao Lanxiang said.

That evening, as He Songbai lay with an IV drip, Zhao Lanxiang went to settle the medical bill. The cost, including the X-ray, consumed all the money she had saved.

Zhao Lanxiang wasn’t distressed about the cost of He Songbai’s medical treatment. She knew she would need to work hard later to earn more money. With his habit of not touching savings, she feared they may find themselves in a dire situation someday if an emergency arose and they lacked funds.

...

For dinner, Zhao Lanxiang bought two bowls of wontons, one for each of them.

“These are from the state-owned restaurant. Thanks to what happened today, I’m trying them for the first time,” she remarked.

After a long silence, He Songbai asked, “How much were the medical expenses?”

His mind was still in turmoil. A single fight had turned his life upside down, unexpectedly giving him a girlfriend – the beautiful, educated Zhao Lanxiang, admired by many. Any other man would have been overjoyed, proud to show her off to the entire village! But…for him, the reality was different. The disparity between their worlds was too vast, and he knew that being together would bring them both pain.

He Songbai knew very well how much the two of them would suffer if Zhao Lanxiang became his girlfriend.

He ate his wontons quietly, sucking the wonton’s thin skin, and chewing the fine meat filling inside.

The wontons were delicious! A luxury he had never imagined enjoying. He, a simple poor boy, had once dreamed of just a plain white bun. But for Zhao Lanxiang, who had grown up snacking on these fine grains, such delicacies were commonplace. What she received without a thought were dreams for someone like him, who had known only hardship. She came from a privileged family and her parents held stable jobs in the city.

As for him...he was just a descendant of a landlord and had been tormented his whole life.

Zhao Lanxiang swallowed a wonton, smiled, and asked, “Are you thinking about settling the bill with me?”

“The medical expenses weren’t cheap, but if you’re willing to repay the debt, I might consider it.”

Noticing his eyes slightly deflate, she gently brushed the hair from his forehead with her thumb and said softly, “Today, you can promise to be my boyfriend, and if you agree, you won’t regret it.”

He Songbai continued eating his wontons, his voice hoarse as he said, “Before you came, I had never even tasted white noodles.”

Zhao Lanxiang prompted, “And?”

“I don’t have any decent clothes.”

Zhao Lanxiang’s chopsticks paused momentarily. She idly stirred her bowl, listening intently.

“If it were someone like me walking down the street, I doubt you’d even spare me a glance.”

Zhao Lanxiang almost choked on her wonton at his words, coughing violently.

Why did that sound so familiar? Wasn’t this what her old man had said when he was sleeping beside her?

He Songbai, whether young or old, always had a deep sense of self-awareness.

Zhao Lanxiang quickly took a sip of soup to interrupt him.

“Let’s not talk about that. The truth is, I’ve given you countless glances.”

He Songbai suddenly fell silent.

Zhao Lanxiang looked at him intently.

The man’s eyes shone with such depths that Zhao Lanxiang felt she could fall into their depths like water. When he gazed upon her, there was an ineffable tenderness that took her breath away. As she gazed at him, she saw a hint of the warm, elegant man he would become in the future. She should congratulate his family on how good he looks. Just this glimpse of his features was enough to captivate her completely.

She couldn’t help but keep looking at him.

Yet, Zhao Lanxiang also liked the way he initially ignored her, then kissed her passionately, like a thief in the night – wild and unapologetic. When he woke, he hid under the covers like a turtle in its shell, immovable no matter how hard she tried.

Noticing the IV bag was nearly empty, Zhao Lanxiang called the nurse to replace it with a new one.

He Songbai was too incompetent to communicate with this woman. A sharp pain throbbed in his head as he gruffly said, “Sleep.”

...

The next morning, Zhao Lanxiang escorted He Songbai back to the village. Along the way, she stopped to request leave from Li Dali.

Li Dali, however, responded with a helpless expression, “Today is the weekend.”

Zhao Lanxiang shook her head, realizing she had lost track of the days amidst the chaos.

Upon their return to the He family home, Jiang Li was already waiting at the door, impatiently holding two large leg bones. Seeing Zhao Lanxiang, she immediately stomped her feet and exclaimed, “I’ve been waiting for ages! Where have you been?”

She flicked her nose then eagerly asked, “These are the bones you wanted, right? Can you make the noodles now?”

Zhao Lanxiang examined the two large bones in Jiang Li’s hands. Indeed, she wasn’t being shortchanged. Jiang Li had managed to bring back two large bones with plenty of meat on them.

Zhao Lanxiang reminded herself to avoid incuring debt.

The leg bones, with their attached meat, undoubtedly required a meat coupon. Typically, such cuts had more bone than meat, with just a few pieces of meat clinging to the bones. How could ordinary people be willing to give up a meat ticket for such a bad cut? It was clearly a loss for Jiang Li, but she had willingly made this sacrifice.

Zhao Lanxiang was initially indifferent towards Jiang Li, but when she saw their plump meaty size, her eyes lit up with longing.

The meat would surely be tender and juicy, with a lovely fatty mouthfeel. And those thick bones—she imagined squeezing them to release the nutrient-dense marrow within. It would be so delicious. Such a broth, rich in minerals like calcium, would be perfectly healing for He Songbai as his injuries mended. Its nourishing properties could aid bone recovery and replenish what was lost.

She was planning to go to town to buy a leg bone anyway, but she didn’t expect someone to bring a pillow just after she dozes.

“I was just thinking of making bone broth noodles,” she said. “I’ll buy these from you.”

Zhao Lanxiang wanted to use it to make He Songbai a little stew and soup. As she said that, she pulled out a meat coupon worth a pound.

Jiang Li, beaming with pride, declared, “You have a good eye. These bones are top quality. I used several pounds worth of meat coupons to get them. I want to enjoy them today.”

These past few days of work were undoubtedly hell-like torment for Jiang Li. She had never suffered so much. To reward her own perseverance these past few days, she gritted her teeth and used her saved meat coupons to purchase the meaty leg bones.

In reality, her reasoning was straightforward and crude: if boneless broth could make such delicious noodle soup, what would be the result with meaty bones?

Undoubtedly, meaty bones would be better than dry bones.

Zhao Lanxiang, smiling, took the two hefty bones. “Go ahead, you can come back around lunchtime,” she told Jiang Li.

Jiang Li hummed in response as she walked away.

Treating the bones with the care of a precious cargo, Zhao Lanxiang carried them to the well for a thorough wash. Jiang Li’s bones were of excellent quality – large at the ends and smaller in the middle, indicating a generous amount of bone marrow, which would make the soup exceptionally nutritious.

After cleaning the bones, Zhao Lanxiang called Sister He over to help.

Sister He was accustomed to foraging in the mountains and was exceptionally strong. She skillfully held the knife and chopped the bones apart. Zhao Lanxiang then blanched the bones in boiling water, carefully sorting them into two piles. The bones without any remaining meat would form the soup base. Meanwhile, the bones still containing scraps of flesh would be enjoyed alongside the noodles later.

She prepared a pot, filled it with water, and added sliced ginger and garlic to eliminate any gaminess smell. A few drops of rice wine, a sprinkle of her secret spice blend, and then slowly simmered it all together.

The fire gently licked the pot’s base, coaxing the marrow’s essence to infuse the broth. The once-clear liquid gradually turned opaque, enriched by the marrow’s warmth...

As the broth bubbled and simmered, its rich aroma filled the kitchen, reaching its peak when half the liquid had evaporated, signifying the perfect blend of nutrition and flavor.

Zhao Lanxiang then tackled the dough, kneading it with ease until it was soft and pliable.

The key ingredients were dried mushrooms and the succulent meaty bones. By the time Zhao Lanxiang finished preparing a pot of meaty bone noodles, the house was enveloped in the soup’s heady scent. Eager to serve He Songbai first, she prepared a bowl for his room.

Jiang Li arrived just before noon, instantly greeted by the tantalizing aroma. The rich scent heightened her anticipation, making her mouth water.

“Come and eat,” Zhao Lanxiang invited.

It was then that Zhao Lanxiang noticed Tang Qing accompanying Jiang Li. Pushing up his glasses, Tang Qing said sheepishly, “I heard there was something delicious here, so I couldn’t resist coming over.”

Zhao Lanxiang warmly welcomed them, inviting both to join her for a hearty meal of noodles.

Jiang Li and Tang Qing didn’t need anyone to entertain them, as they each grabbed a bowl and served themselves the noodles. This time, Zhao Lanxiang had prepared a generous amount of soup and kneaded a lot of noodles.

With her own bowl in hand, Zhao Lanxiang made her way to He Songbai’s room.

...

In the kitchen, Jiang Li slurped her noodles with great satisfaction, appreciating Zhao Lanxiang’s “thoughtfulness.”

Her aim was to spend time with Tang Qing. And having learned from her previous experience, she had eaten a bit beforehand to avoid appearing ravenous and eating like a pig because of hunger.

However... she soon realized her concerns were unnecessary.

From the moment Jiang Li lifted her first bite with her chopsticks, Tang Qing vanished from her thoughts.

Delicious!

Really tasty!

The bowl of noodles captivated her, distinctly different from the last batch. The flavor was mild and smoother. The mushrooms, having absorbed the fat from the bones, infused the broth with their intense flavor. The surprise burst of juice from the mushroom caps when bitten was delightful. These weren’t the small, flower-like mushrooms found in markets, but large, meaty ones.

The fungus in the soup added a crisp, smooth texture, its crunchiness rivaling the gluten of the noodles. Each bite was so crisp that an audible crunch could be heard.

As Tang Qing slurped down the warming noodles, he also became completely immersed in enjoying the meal.

Zhao Lanxiang, he thought, was truly a wonderful person.

Every dish Zhao Lanxiang prepared seemed to delight and surprise him. He eagerly anticipated tasting these leg bone noodles. As he slowly savored each flavorful bite, taking time to fully enjoy the rich and mellow broth, Tang Qing committed every detail to memory, knowing it would help his battered stomach endure the longing later.

Jiang Li, after finishing her first bowl, went back for seconds. This time, there were no restrictions on how much she could eat. She relished the meat and slurped the endless noodles.

As she pressed her lips against the hollow of the leg bone and made an effort to extract the rich and succulent bone marrow, the sheer delight gleaming in her eyes was nearly impossible to hide.

After two servings and setting down her porcelain bowl, Jiang Li felt a mix of contentment and discomfort from her full stomach, finding it hard to even stand up.

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