CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: I WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU!

Ye Manman has never been good at consoling others, and there wasn’t really anyone worth her efforts before. The fact that she can console He Chen for a few minutes shows she really cares about his feelings.

He Chen understands he shouldn’t be too possessive, so he suppresses his jealousy and accompanies her shopping.

As they shop, He Chen’s sour mood suddenly lifts.

This time, while accompanying Ye Manman in the clothing stores, several store managers commented that they looked particularly well-matched together—talented man and beautiful woman—and Ye Manman even personally picked out two sets of autumn outfits for him.

One set is a recently released suit, a type of clothing he’s never seen nor had available to purchase before, not even knowing how to tie a tie.

Ye Manman personally tied the tie for him.

Watching her so close, earnestly tying his tie and adjusting his collar, in that moment, He Chen felt no jealousy whatsoever, instead feeling filled with a sweet pride.

Look, Ye Manman is his wife.

His alone.

To anyone watching, she is He Chen’s spouse; she would only treat him so well, so intimately.

After finishing their shopping and retrieving their photos, Ye Manman keenly noticed a change in He Chen’s mood, his face finally free from its grimace as if someone owed him money.

"What’s up, looking so smug."

With a laugh, she nudged him, but her push was too light, and He Chen didn’t budge an inch.

He Chen turned his head, gazed at her face, and thought of the wedding photo tucked inside his chest, unconsciously grinning foolishly.

"Nothing, just happy. Life is good with you."

Ye Manman shook her head.

It’s over; this person is beyond help, gone silly.

Yet she also couldn’t help but be infected by the happy mood, eventually bursting into a smile as they walked on.

Ultimately, they laughed like two large fools while pushing their bicycle down the road.

Xie Fengmian never expected to encounter Ye Manman in town.

And such a radiant, captivating Ye Manman at that.

She wore a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a pink scarf tied at the collar, the shirt tucked into a long skirt in the same color scheme as the scarf, with white socks and a pair of black leather shoes, looking stunningly beautiful.

At first glance, Xie Fengmian thought he was seeing things.

He rubbed his eyes and, after noticing the person walking alongside her was He Chen, Xie Fengmian’s face darkened.

He hadn’t anticipated that He Chen could change so much, wearing stylish new clothes that appeared to be a recent release, with very fine material.

He really didn’t want to admit that He Chen now appeared fittingly matched with Ye Manman.

Ha, just a country bumpkin; dressing nicely, so what?

This is fate!

Seeing them chatting and readying to pedal off, Xie Fengmian stepped forward quickly to intercept them.

"What a coincidence, didn’t think I’d run into you both in town. Manman, how have you been recently?"

On his face was what he believed to be a suave, confident smile, and his tone was similarly full of self-assurance, yet He Chen only felt it was punch-worthy.

Ye Manman had just clambered onto the back seat, placing her small crossbody bag on her lap before turning her head towards Xie Fengmian.

For some reason, he seemed even greasier than before.

And what business did he have asking her how she had been, as if they had been close in the past?

He Chen wasn’t happy at all.

Ye Manman pouted, her tone not friendly at all.

"We’re not close, are we? Brother-in-law, if you’ve got no business here, maybe mind how my sister’s doing instead; we’re heading home."

Meaning, Xie Fengmian should step aside and not block the bicycle.

Putting on such greasy poses, does he think his legs are long?

One foot on the ground, the bike tilting to one side, while He Chen’s single foot on the ground keeps the bike upright, mind you!

Ye Manman internally ridiculed.

Yet in Xie Fengmian’s ears, her words meant something entirely different. He assumed Ye Manman was jealous, deliberately mentioning Ye Xiaotong in front of him.

Thus, rather than stepping aside, he laughed with what he believed was a bright, hearty manner.

"Your sister is certainly well, no need for concern from me. I just thought, seeing you’ve married not too favorably, your sister often frets over your well-being, and I’d help by asking."

Is this guy sick or something?

Which eye of his sees she is not doing well?

Is he blind?

She and He Chen had just splurged on several sets of new clothes; He Chen’s current outfit was far pricier than Xie Fengmian’s outdated coat.

He Chen was unwilling to waste time with him, instructed Ye Manman to hold onto his waist, then with his long legs, he made a powerful push on the pedals, steering the bike swiftly away from in front of Xie Fengmian.

Chasing after them, that didn’t suit Xie Fengmian.

That wouldn’t be dignified.

Not his style.

He narrowed his eyes, watching the pink-clad girl fade into the distance, savoring the lingering feminine fragrance Ye Manman left as she passed by, feeling as though his soul had been ensnared.

Xie Fengmian himself was surprised to find he could, with just one look, be captivated to this extent by a woman.

Moreover, why had Ye Manman changed so much?

Previously, she was timid, blushing just to speak a word to him and not daring to meet his gaze, yet now she had become this confident, daring to meet his eyes directly and even intentionally speaking provocative words to tease him.

Such transformation was excellent; he favored this kind of confident, charismatic woman.

Furthermore, how could they be unfamiliar?

They were evidently quite familiar.

She liked him.

Thinking of this, Xie Fengmian felt wonderfully pleased.

Surely, because he married Ye Xiaotong, she’s had this personality shift; how could she sincerely marry someone like He Chen who earns his living farming? Surely, just now, she was hinting for him to look after her more in the future.

Perhaps she’s still waiting for him to divorce Ye Xiaotong and marry her, who knows?

Before heading home, all Xie Fengmian could do was mull over this possibility.

However, upon entering the house, Ye Xiaotong rushed over in delight to say.

"Fengmian, I’m pregnant!"

"What?!"

...

As for Xie Fengmian, neither He Chen nor Ye Manman wanted to dwell on it—one thinking him oily and foolish, the other feeling he was asking to be hit.

The two remained silently in sync for several minutes without speaking.

Then simultaneously said.

Ye Manman: "Oh, I just want to laugh; does Xie Fengmian have a screw loose or something?"

He Chen: "Best to steer clear of people like that in the future."

Speaking together, falling silent together, they then burst into laughter together.

Ye Manman snuggled against He Chen’s strong waist, nearly laughing herself to tears.

"Haha, we really are in sync, aren’t we? You also think that guy is missing some marbles, right?"

"I just don’t get how his eyes work, and he actually wanted to show off his physique—watching him, I almost lost it laughing; barely managed to hold it in. His legs are so much shorter compared to yours; what’s he thinking, showing off his legs beside you?"

The more she thought about Xie Fengmian placing one foot on the ground and the entire bike tilting thirty degrees sideways in his misguided attempt at appearing suave, the more hysterical she felt.

He Chen, hearing her speak like this, unconsciously straightened his posture.

He subtly glanced down at his own legs, feeling suddenly grateful for his long legs.

Furthermore, she’d actually paid attention to his physique...

Looks like he’ll need to maintain his figure and avoid gaining weight.

He Chen made a mental note, his mood lifted further by Ye Manman giggling behind him, smiling lightly as well.

Together, they returned loaded with their purchases, once again stirring up the village’s gossip circles; although this time Ye Manman couldn’t be bothered to listen.

Because all they say is the same routine.

That night after He Chen prepared and heated water for Ye Manman’s bath as usual, even after she tidied and slipped into sleep, it was with joyous anticipation he returned to his room and closed the door carefully.

Gingerly, he laid out the four photos they retrieved today on the table, perusing them while smiling to himself. Before heading to bed, he even placed one of Ye Manman’s solo photos atop the nightstand.

Yet before he fell asleep, the sky abruptly roared with expectant thunderclaps signaling an oncoming storm.

Worried Ye Manman might be frightened by the thunder alone in her room, his door suddenly swung open.

"He Chen, there’s thunder; I’m scared..."

"I want to sleep with you!"