Han Dongchen was very frugal, more than half of his monthly allowances were mailed home. He only kept a small amount for himself, hoping that it would improve the living conditions at home a bit, but this time, his mother has also put in a lot of effort for him.
He just promised Su Xiaowan that he, like all men, would protect her. A promise is a promise. He should take her with him next time he comes back. There should still be a few days of holidays before the end of the year.
Once the decision was made, he leaned in a bit closer to her, and whispered, "Xiao Wan, I need to arrange in advance if you are to come with me, and I also need to apply for it. Once everything is arranged, there will be holidays at the end of the year, I will come back and get you then."
Su Xiaowan rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking: That's more than half a year from now. By the time you come back, everything would have cooled down, and I would have been torn apart by your formidable mother. So, I can't give up.
As soon as Han Dongchen finished speaking, Su Xiaowan took a big step forward in panic, suddenly stretched out her hands to grab Han Dongchen's arm, regardless of his surprised look, she cried out, "Don't leave me, I want to go with you, I'm scared here, your mother, she hit me, there's no one to save me, if you don't take me with you, I will get beaten to death. You said you would protect me, how can you protect me if you're not by my side? I can only feel safe when I'm with you. Don't abandon me!" She cried like her heart would break. Her desperation was like clutching onto a lifesaving straw, and it was unbearable to watch.
Han Dongchen frowned and looked serious, his face full of throbbing headache as he looked at the girl who was desperately grabbing his arm. His body radiated waves of chill, even a grown man facing his fierce energy would retreat a few steps.
However, the girl in front of him was still holding onto his arm and crying, not intending to let go at all. Her attitude seemed to say that she wouldn't let go unless he agreed.
After thinking about what she said, he indeed couldn't guarantee whether his mother would hit her after he left. Looking at her petite body without an ounce of flesh, he really couldn't find the heart to refuse.
He was a soldier, and the army had trained him for many years. Being upright, brave, and responsible were the most basic qualities. It's not so much that he couldn't bear to refuse Su Xiaowan, but rather, he couldn't abandon his belief. He was responsible for Su Xiaowan since she was his wife. Knowing what kind of hardship she would face, but unwilling to take her with him because of the potential trouble (his mother), would mean shirking his responsibilities and indirectly admitting that he was not upright and cowardly. He would never do such a thing that could destroy his human values.
Having figured that out, he couldn't help but raise his left hand and patted Su Xiaowan's shoulder. He had never tried to console a girl. (Our usually calm and composed Deputy Camp Commander Han also had times when he was at a loss. If his soldiers were here, they would definitely laugh at him)
After an unconscious cough, he said softly (not daring to speak loudly, fearing to scare her, but his soft sound still sounded a bit deafening to Xiao Wan), "Xiao Wan, don't cry anymore, I'll go back to the army the day after tomorrow and take you with me."
Su Xiaowan was still lost in the touch of his hand, staring at Han Dongchen's arm. This skin color, this elasticity, this muscle... her mouth was watering. Let alone, the chill he just exuded, she didn't feel the slightest bit of it. Her eyes secretly drifted towards his abdomen, fantasizing how many abdominal muscles he had.
All of a sudden, she heard that he would take her to the army, her heart bloomed with joy. She's achieved her goal and eaten her tofu. Quickly raising her head, a big smile on her face, she pulled his arm and said while shaking, "Really? Really? That's great, Big brother Han, you're so kind."
Inwardly, she was saying, this is the ultimate cuteness charm attack from me! Definitely not a second time, a 28 year-old, serious and decisive foreign enterprise executive like me, reaching such a low point, selling my charms for survival, it's unbearable!
Seeing Su Xiaowan so happy, continuously shaking his arm, Han Dongchen felt as if his heart was melting. Why does this feel more like raising a daughter, rather than marrying a wife?
But he still spoke with a stern face, "Yeah, it's true. We leave the day after tomorrow. You should get some sleep early."
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaowan broke into a satisfied smile, the atmosphere between them still harmonious despite Han Dongchen's persistently stern look.
However, a peculiar noise ruined the tranquil atmosphere. A "gurgle-gurgle" sound echoed in the room. Su Xiaowan felt so embarrassed she wished she could just smash her head against a block of tofu and die of shame.
Han Dongchen heard the noise and looked at his blushing wife, who quickly lowered her head. Her ears were flushed red and he couldn't help but find it amusing. That girl really had her moments.
Keeping a straight face, he coughed twice into his clenched right fist and cleared his throat, "Are you hungry? I'll go to the kitchen to find something for you to eat."
At this point, Su Xiaowan felt so embarrassed, she didn't dare raise her head and mumbled, "Hmm, thank you."
As soon as he left, Su Xiaowan pounded the bed with her fists, head thrown back, exasperated. Then she lowered her head and shook it vigorously. She was completely frazzled.
At that moment, she heard a noise at the door. Raising her head, she saw a surprised face, eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter and the corners of the mouth slightly upturned, trying hard not to laugh out loud. "I just came back to ask if you wanted some water," and then swiftly went out again, leaving behind a stunned Su Xiaowan, utterly flabbergasted.
When she woke up the next day, she was alone. She wasn't sure what the time was. Outside, the cries of children, mixed with the roar of animals, filled the air. Su Xiaowan sat up from the kang bed, feeling bewildered as she listened to the sounds around her, confirming yet again that she had ended up in the technologically backward 1980s.
My box-spring mattress, my silk quilt, my floor-to-ceiling windows, and my laptop were all gone. It was truly a return to the pre-liberation era, with not even a pouch to my name.
Looking down at the discolored red clothes she was wearing, the sleeves were too short. Is this supposed to be three-quarter length sleeves? The garment was a bit baggy, and the pants were a little short; these clothes clearly didn't belong to the original owner.
She rummaged through her bundle and found nothing but a few patched long clothes. There was no dowry at all. This was not a wedding; she had been sold with nothing but a bundle.
Changing clothes seemed unlikely. Although they were faded, at least they didn't have patches. Swiftly folding the quilt, she was grateful to have a basin and some water in the next room.
She hadn't taken a look at herself since waking up. Supposedly, as the village beauty, she was quite attractive. Su Xiaowan looked at her reflection in the water. She had slightly dark skin, an egg-shaped face, delicate eyebrows, a pair of large sparkling eyes, and long lashes. Her nose was perfect, and her lips were a little pale, probably due to malnutrition.
Although she wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, she had a gentle and charming elegance about her, especially her eyes, which stood out the most. She had always loved long lashes, so that was a major plus. She was also pretty in her past life. Given the right makeup, she could easily pass off as a beauty. However, Yuan Kai despised her for not wearing makeup and wearing glasses, making her look like a studious nerd.
Humph! Living a second life, she silently vowed to herself that she would live a glamorous one. Her tan was purely sun-induced. Her body was still fair, so her complexion would definitely improve once she took care of it. Once she did, she would be a natural beauty, no makeup required. She burst into bubbles of joy at the thought, and without realizing it, she broke into a laugh.