Confessing his feelings to his sister-in-law, Zhang Xiaoshan felt imnse psychological pressure. His face turned red with strain, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He kept his head down, not daring to look directly at Yu Xiuxiu.
Even though Yu Xiuxiu and his elder brother, Zhang Dashan, didn’t share the bond of a married couple, they were engaged. If it weren’t for the accident that befell his brother, might they have had children by now?
Having lost their parents early, it could be said that Zhang Xiaoshan was raised by his brother, Zhang Dashan, from diapers to adulthood. If he truly confessed his feelings to Yu Xiuxiu, how could he ever face his brother?
However, feelings, once they arise, are hard to control.
In fact, over the years of their daily interactions, Zhang Xiaoshan had developed romantic feelings for the graceful and virtuous Yu Xiuxiu. But because of his brother, Zhang Dashan, he never expressed those feelings, and Yu Xiuxiu had also developed inappropriate thoughts about Zhang Xiaoshan. Especially after Zhang Xiaoshan cured her eyesight, she began to see him as a man.
In the past, they could pretend as if nothing had happened between them, treating each other with mutual respect. However, this ti sothing inappropriate had happened between them in the mountains, and Zhang Xiaoshan could no longer feign ignorance—it was hugely irresponsible towards Yu Xiuxiu.
But, such words were really difficult to say.
With another woman, Zhang Xiaoshan could boldly speak his mind, but the woman before him was his elder brother’s wife.
Seeing Zhang Xiaoshan stamring, Yu Xiuxiu sighed.
She was older than Zhang Xiaoshan and more experienced with a mature mindset. She preempted him, saying,
"Little Shan, don’t be troubled. I know what you want to say, but it’s impossible between us."
"Your brother raised you and saved my life. We both owe him. What happened between us is already a betrayal to your brother. Even if we manage to face the village gossip together, your deceased brother would be ridiculed by the villagers."
"Moreover, you’re still young. I believe you’ll et a better woman and have a better life. Let’s consider what happened in the mountains as an accident. This morning, I’ve made up my mind—it was our last ti."
"Once we leave the mountain, let’s forget all the ridiculous things that happened. From now on, we’ll still be aunt and nephew, living as we did before."
"Sister-in-law, I..."
Zhang Xiaoshan desperately wanted to argue, longing to express his heartfelt feelings to Yu Xiuxiu, wishing to sleep with Yu Xiuxiu every night.
However, Yu Xiuxiu’s words were sensible, and Zhang Xiaoshan found himself unable to refute any of them. Every word felt like a knife, cruelly stabbing deep into Zhang Xiaoshan’s soul.
"I’ll take Little Hu ho first. You co back later."
With that, Yu Xiuxiu stepped out of the mountain first.
Zhang Xiaoshan watched her departing figure and heaved a long sigh.
Perhaps now they both needed so ti to cool down, to let things settle before revisiting them.
...
An hour later, Zhang Xiaoshan entered his ho.
By then, Yu Xiuxiu had already changed into clean clothes and was cooking in the kitchen. Little White Tiger was hopping around in the yard, occasionally confronting the old hen. Clearly, it was comfortably adapting to life here.
"You’re back. Go wash up and change, dinner’s ready."
Yu Xiuxiu, who was cooking, ca out of the kitchen and called to Zhang Xiaoshan.
Having broken through her protective barrier, she had fully beco a real woman, emitting an aura of mature femininity, appearing even more enticing—like a ripe peach.
However, her gaze towards Zhang Xiaoshan was calm, truly as before, as if nothing had happened between them in the mountains, as if their night together was rely a dream.
The swift change in her attitude made Zhang Xiaoshan feel a bit lost.
It seed he still hadn’t truly conquered Yu Xiuxiu’s heart. Considering his deceased brother, Zhang Dashan, Zhang Xiaoshan said nothing more. After showering, he changed into clean shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, ca out to the yard where dinner was ready, and started eating.
"Zhang Xiaoshan, Zhang Xiaoshan, listen to the radio and co over to my house."
"Zhang Xiaoshan, co to my house."
At that mont, the village broadcast suddenly blared, the village chief Wu Daming’s clamorous voice through the gaphone.
"What could Wu Daming want from you? It’s not because of the ti you stood up for Luo ili, is it?"
Yu Xiuxiu looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with concern.
Last ti, Wu Xiaoru’s mother, Zhang Yulian, openly said that after consulting with the village chief Wu Daming, they tead up with the village bully Wei Bao to squeeze Luo ili’s purchasing station. By helping Luo ili, Zhang Xiaoshan was essentially slapping Wu Daming’s face.
Wu Daming was famously petty, so it made sense for him to hassle Zhang Xiaoshan now.
But Zhang Xiaoshan was calm.
While pondering, he finished his al.
"It shouldn’t be for personal vengeance. He wouldn’t use the loudspeaker for that, and if he wanted to trouble , he wouldn’t have waited till today. Maybe it’s sothing else."
"Maybe my exam results are out, and they want to offer a permanent position."
"Really?"
Yu Xiuxiu’s face also brightened with surprise.
Zhang Xiaoshan wiped his mouth.
"Master always said, ’Trouble that’s ant to happen can’t be avoided.’ Let’s go see, and you wait for my good news, sister-in-law."
After bidding Yu Xiuxiu farewell, Zhang Xiaoshan quickly made his way to the house of village chief Wu Daming.
At this mont at Wu Daming’s house, the village chief’s wife Jia Lanhua, who usually slept late, had unusually gotten up early and started applying makeup.
"Hehe, today I don’t believe you can escape from the palm of my hand."
The corners of Jia Lanhua’s mouth curled up in an anticipatory smile.
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