Cheng Yuan turned his head and saw Pan Cuilian rushing over hurriedly, embracing Wang Shun and tenderly wiping the blood off his face, her face filled with heartache.
Wang Shun forced a bright smile.
"Mom, I'm fine, you don't need to worry."
Amid her heartache, Pan Cuilian scolded, "Shun, haven't I told you? Don't just go out at night. What if you run into those troublemakers again and get beaten up!"
"Mom, you weren't coming home late, and I was worried those thugs might harass you. I am a man, I can protect you."
"Silly child...sob sob..."
Pan Cuilian hugged Wang Shun tightly, and the mother and son cried together.
Cheng Yuan was also somewhat moved. What a sensible child!
"Sister Pan, is this your son?"
It was only then that Pan Cuilian noticed Cheng Yuan standing nearby.
At this moment, Pan Cuilian had none of the fiery charm she had at the Lingfeng Grand Hotel. She was utterly dignified—an epitome of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
She appeared even more attractive in this state.
Cheng Yuan felt a warmth in his heart, subtly developing feelings.
"Mayor Cheng, what are you doing here?"
Wang Shun helped to explain, "Mom, this uncle saved me just now, otherwise, I don't know what would have happened to me..."
Pan Cuilian bowed deeply to Cheng Yuan, extremely grateful.
"Mayor Cheng, thank you!"
"No need for thanks just yet, let's get the boy to the clinic first!"
Cheng Yuan picked up Wang Shun and hurried towards the clinic.
Pan Cuilian opened her mouth to object, but she didn't voice her refusal.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the clinic.
After a quick examination, the village doctor, Jiang Zhengxue, bandaged Wang Shun's wounds simply.
"Cuilian, you're an old acquaintance, fifty bucks only."
Pan Cuilian's face color changed slightly.
"Dr. Jiang..."
Cheng Yuan saw Pan Cuilian's embarrassment and pulled out fifty bucks from his pocket, cutting her off.
"Dr. Jiang, here's the money."
Pan Cuilian instinctively wanted to refuse, but Cheng Yuan shook his head gently, signaling that they would talk outside.
After stepping out of the clinic, Pan Cuilian looked at Cheng Yuan seriously.
"Mayor Cheng, I will bring you the money early tomorrow."
"It's just fifty bucks, no need to return it. Don't worry about it, Sister Pan."
In fact, Cheng Yuan didn't say this—just for the few services from Sister Pan, it was worth the fifty bucks.
Cheng Yuan waved his hand and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Wang Shun stopped Cheng Yuan, looking at him expectantly.
"Uncle, I know you are a good person, could you please take us home?"
Cheng Yuan, reluctant to visit a widow's house at night, asked with difficulty, "Why?"
"I'm worried about encountering those thugs. I'm hurt and can't protect my mother."
Faced with such honest words, Cheng Yuan was touched.
"Alright, I'll take you home."
Cheng Yuan and Pan Cuilan walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Whenever their eyes met, they quickly looked away.
Only Wang Shun was happy, chattering all the way like a joyful little bird.
They soon reached Pan Cuilian's home.
Cheng Yuan offered to leave, "Sister Pan, you have arrived home, I should go now!"
A hint of disappointment flashed in Wang Shun's eyes. At that moment, he didn't realize that a seed was planted in his tender heart.
How wonderful it would be if this uncle were his father, then no one would ever dare to bully them again.
Suddenly, Pan Cuilian grabbed Cheng Yuan.
"Mayor Cheng, your clothes have gotten quite bloody. You're a man with no one to wash your clothes. Take them off and let me wash them for you!"
"I'm only wearing this one piece, it's not very convenient. I'd better go home and wash it myself."
"Blood stains are tough to clean, and you men probably can't get them out properly. You and my husband are about the same size, if you don't mind, you could wear his clothes for now."
Wang Shun grasped Cheng Yuan's hand tightly, gently shaking it, and looked at him full of hope.
"Uncle, please let my mom wash your clothes. Otherwise, we both will feel guilty."
Cheng Yuan couldn't refuse such a sincere child and could only smile wryly and nod.
"Alright, I agree."
With a squeak, Pan Cuilian opened the gate.
Cheng Yuan followed Pan Cuilian into the small courtyard.
The courtyard was very tidy, with several vegetable plots carved out in the corner, growing easy-to-plant vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans.
Cheng Yuan followed the mother and son into the main house, and a faint smell of urine wafted from the east wing room.
Cheng Yuan couldn't help but frown.
Pan Cuilian, who usually kept things clean, had this kind of smell in her house?
Pan Cuilian explained in a low voice, "My husband and mother-in-law died in a car accident, and my father-in-law became a vegetable and has been bedridden for eight years. I take my father-in-law to physical therapy every month, but it hasn't shown much improvement. Please don't mind, Mayor Cheng."
Cheng Yuan was moved!
How many daughters-in-law would take care of a vegetative father-in-law for eight years?
How many daughters-in-law would insist on taking their father-in-law to physical therapy every month?
No wonder Pan Cuilian was so strapped for money.
"Sister Pan, you really have it tough."
Pan Cuilian shook her head slightly.
"Mayor Cheng, it's not tough for me."
After a pause, Pan Cuilian ordered, "Shun, go wipe down grandpa. I'll wash the clothes for your uncle."
"Okay, mom."
Shun darted into the east wing room.
Pan Cuilian then led Cheng Yuan into the west wing room.
Pan Cuilian fetched a shirt from the closet and held it up against Cheng Yuan to measure.
"Mayor Cheng, this shirt was newly bought by my husband and he never wore it. Put it on."
Cheng Yuan nodded and turned away from Pan Cuilian, taking off his top.
Suddenly, a gust of fragrance enveloped him, and a hot body pressed tightly against his from behind!
A dexterous hand swiftly moved downward, accurately grasping a handle!