Chapter 37

Kong Xiyan woke at the crack of dawn the next morning. Seeing Chi Wanzhao still fast asleep, she slipped quietly out of bed. When she opened the door, Wang Haining was there, brushing her teeth.

Kong Xiyan walked over and stood behind her, rubbing her eyes wearily. She nudged Wang Haining's back with her head from time to time.

Wang Haining mumbled around her toothbrush, "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan sighed. "Nothing."

She just hadn't slept well.

At that thought, she leaned close to the mirror and checked—sure enough, faint dark circles shadowed her eyes.

That damn Chi Wanzhao. After rattling off a whole list of her flaws last night, Kong Xiyan had ended up tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Meanwhile, the woman sleeping beside her had been perfectly relaxed and peaceful. Kong Xiyan's eyes, hidden in the dark, had shot any number of cold daggers at Chi Wanzhao's exquisite face.

Wang Haining caught her tone and pondered for a moment, then looked away and said, elder-like, "You run wild all day with the kids and don't rest properly at night—of course you're tired."

Kong Xiyan retorted, unwilling to take the blame. "It wasn't my fault. It's Chi Wanzhao who..."

"Forget it. Never mind."

Wang Haining opened her mouth as if to say more but in the end simply added, "Don't push yourself just because you're young. You two should... restrain yourselves."

...

With that, Wang Haining left, leaving Kong Xiyan feeling a little bewildered.

A little later, Kong Xiyan came out of the bathroom and saw Wang Haining heading off with a book tucked under her arm. She frowned. "There's no one home at noon. We're probably going to Shan-ge's place for a meal."

Wang Haining hummed. "I know."

Kong Xiyan nodded and watched her leave.

Figuring the Chen family would be busy today, she decided to head over early and lend a hand.

After breakfast, she glanced toward the bedroom door, hearing the sound of conversations drifting from inside, and went on her way.

When Kong Xiyan first arrived in Changning Village, the Chen family home hadn't been like this.

Back then, both of Chen Junshan's parents had been alive—two kind, honest people who smiled at everyone they met. Especially Uncle Chen; whenever anyone in the village hit hard times, he never hesitated to lend a hand.

But the good die young, while the wicked live on.

Within a year, Chen's parents went into town to buy supplies and were both killed in a car accident. The driver who hit them was a child under eighteen, driving a three-wheeled motorcycle. The family was desperately poor.

In the end, they'd scraped together only a token compensation.

Chen Junshan had come back from the city to take care of his younger sister.

At the time, the villagers had urged him to take Chen Yuan and leave—there were few young people left in the village. Staying meant no future for him: he'd never find a wife and little Yuanyuan's schooling would suffer.

But Chen Junshan refused to go.

He said his father had always told him that the village was left with only the elderly and children, so if he could help, he should help. Life, after all, was about people helping each other—maybe in the next life they'd even be fated to be village mates again.

Chen Junshan was a stubborn man. Once he'd made up his mind, he stayed, no matter who tried to talk him into leaving.

Later, when Kong Xiyan came, he told her, "Teacher Kong, if I left, what would happen to the villagers? I'm not a great man and I don't aim to be one. But when I look at them and think of my dad... I can't leave."

Kong Xiyan never tried to persuade him again.

She knew it would be useless anyway.

Chen Junshan wasn't afraid of hard work. During the busy farming season, he went from house to house helping out—tilling, weeding, dealing with pests, harvesting. He did it all.

Over time, the village came to treat him like family.

Especially the old folks, alone in their houses; they'd clasp his hand and say, "This one here, he's a son to me!"

Before the New Year, people had worried whether he'd ever find a wife, thinking of pairing him up with a girl from the next village. Then he confessed that he already had a girlfriend of several years, and they were at the point of discussing marriage.

The girl was from town; they'd met while he was working there.

Her parents had initially opposed the match, but the girl waged a campaign of cold, silent resistance against her family until they finally gave in. Later, seeing how hardworking and dependable Chen Junshan truly was, they let things be.

The villagers understood the girl's parents. Marrying into such an out-of-the-way place meant hardship—and if she was ever wronged, who would she even complain to?

So they treasured the girl all the more. Every time she visited, they loaded her down with chickens, ducks, fish, and baskets of eggs to take home. After a few rounds, her parents softened considerably.

And that was how the betrothal feast came about.

When Kong Xiyan arrived at the Chen home, she joined the other villagers, washing vegetables. They said Shan's wife-to-be was beautiful, kind-hearted, and a perfect match for him—"the man a talent, the woman a beauty."

She found herself smiling gently.

Auntie Er, the neighbor next to the Chens, nudged Kong Xiyan with her elbow. "Teacher Kong, is your wife coming today?"

Wife...

Kong Xiyan's gaze drifted toward her own home. When she'd left, Chi Wanzhao was on a phone call. With a faint smile, she said, "Maybe."

"Ah, even if she doesn't come, no harm done."

"Your wife doesn't seem like someone who talks much. She might not enjoy crowds."

Kong Xiyan bent over the basin, washing vegetables, and smiled softly to herself.

Chi Wanzhao was still handling work in the bedroom. She'd brought a tablet, but the signal in the village was abysmal—barely connected. After a few attempts, she gave up.

Assistant Zhou was still briefing her over the phone. She pinched the bridge of her nose and said, "Alright. I'll be back in a couple of days. Keep an eye on things at the company for now."

Assistant Zhou: "Understood."

Just before hanging up, Chi Wanzhao asked, "Has Tong Yue started?"

Assistant Zhou tapped at his screen. "We've just leaked the news. There should be movement in the next day or two."

Chi Wanzhao: "Good. I don't want to see Guo Yixi anywhere in this industry when I get back."

Assistant Zhou hummed. "Don't worry, President Chi. The He family is also preparing to make a move."

Chi Wanzhao ended the call calmly.

She set down her tablet and noticed Yanyan lying by the bedside, listless, tail flicking. She scooped up the cat and pressed her nose to its pink one. "Want to go out?"

Yanyan: "Meow!"

A soft laugh rippled in Chi Wanzhao's bright eyes. "Alright, I'll take you for a stroll."

Yanyan meowed excitedly, and Chi Wanzhao cradled her and headed out. On the way, she ran into Yuanyuan, who was on her way to school. She called out, "Yuanyuan."

Yuanyuan turned, her face lighting up when she saw her. "Wanzhao-jiejie!"

"Is this your cat, Wanzhao-jiejie? She's so pretty!" She gasped and reached out to pet Yanyan. Chi Wanzhao gently guided the cat's head forward. "Go on, pet her."

Yuanyuan carefully stroked the soft fur, then broke into a delighted grin.

Seeing her so happy, Chi Wanzhao asked, "Yuanyuan, have you seen Teacher Kong this morning?"

Yuanyuan pointed toward her own house. "Yes! Teacher Kong is at my house."

Chi Wanzhao remembered what Kong Xiyan had said the night before—today was the betrothal feast at the Chen home. She nodded. "Thank you, Yuanyuan."

Yuanyuan's cheeks flushed pink. "You're welcome, Wanzhao-jiejie."

Two children ran up behind her, shouting, "Yuanyuan! Hurry up, we're gonna be late!"

Yuanyuan waved goodbye to Chi Wanzhao and scampered off.

Yanyan lay heavy on Chi Wanzhao's wrist as she continued toward the Chen house. A few villagers she passed greeted her with smiles. "That's Teacher Kong's wife."

"She's so lovely."

"Right? Perfect match for Teacher Kong."

Chi Wanzhao acknowledged them with a faint smile and walked on, straight to the Chens'.

The Chen home's front yard had no enclosing wall—just a large patch of open concrete. Today it was crowded with people: some were slaughtering chickens and ducks, others rinsing vegetables under the tap. Chi Wanzhao's gaze swept the crowd, and in an instant she spotted Kong Xiyan's slender back.

She leaned close and whispered to Yanyan, "Go on."

The cat leaped from her arms and bounded straight up to Kong Xiyan. Instead of meowing as usual, Yanyan fixed her stare on Auntie Er's hand, which was scraping scales off a fish. Her blue eyes narrowed. She was about to pounce when Kong Xiyan caught her.

"How did you get here?" Kong Xiyan murmured to the cat, then glanced behind her.

Chi Wanzhao stood under the bright sun, her body swayed slightly by the wind. Red lips, fair face, bright eyes, and gleaming teeth. A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, and her cool, composed features suddenly seemed so vivid that Kong Xiyan felt her heart skip a beat.

"Teacher Kong, your wife is waiting for you. Hurry along!" Auntie Er nudged her and laughed with the others nearby. "Look at her—the moment she sees her wife, she can't move an inch."

Those around her giggled. "That's right. And not just Teacher Kong—even Shan can't move when he sees his girl."

Laughter rippled around her, and a flush crept onto Kong Xiyan's cheeks.

Chi Wanzhao beckoned. "Come."

Kong Xiyan smiled and jogged over. Chi Wanzhao took Yanyan from her arms and, bending down, asked the cat, "Are you cold, Yanyan?"

Kong Xiyan: ...

A real cat fanatic, that one!

Since lunch was still some way off and the Chens had things under control, Kong Xiyan took Chi Wanzhao for a walk along the village's edge. Most households were locked up tight—everyone was busy helping at the Chens'.

Chi Wanzhao followed behind Kong Xiyan, listening as she pointed out which dog stood half as tall as a person and was vicious, baring its teeth at strangers; which kid was the mischief maker, heard getting spanked every night somewhere by the village gate.

She told a little anecdote about every house they passed.

Chi Wanzhao didn't mind the chatter. Her face remained serene, her eyes glinting with amusement, and every so often she turned to watch Kong Xiyan's profile and the thin lips that never seemed to stop moving.

They walked from the west end of the village to the east. Some villagers they met pointed at them and remarked, "The two of them get along so well."

"Yeah, and they make a handsome pair."

"I was going to introduce Teacher Kong to my nephew before."

"Don't say that—if her wife hears, it'll be awkward."

"Right, right."

Even their attempts at whispering carried—accustomed to loud voices, the words drifted clearly to the passing pair.

Chi Wanzhao's lips curled. "Quite popular, aren't you, Miss Kong?"

Kong Xiyan gave an embarrassed smile and said nothing.

They wandered until noon. Near the school, children were just pouring out of the gates. Yuanyuan ran the fastest, a noisy gaggle trailing behind her.

Before she could react, Kong Xiyan found her legs wrapped in a small embrace, and Yuanyuan looking up with a sweet, honeyed "Teacher Kong!"

Kong Xiyan smiled and lifted the girl into her arms.

Wang Haining was following in the mass of children, speaking with the school principal. Occasionally her gaze flickered over, then quickly away.

Chi Wanzhao was still holding Yanyan. Since everyone would be at the Chens' for lunch, the cat couldn't come along. Kong Xiyan planned to take her home first, feed her, and then head over.

Chi Wanzhao had no objections.

Yuanyuan's eyes crinkled with mirth. "Teacher Kong, can I come too? I want to play with the kitty."

Kong Xiyan glanced at Chi Wanzhao, then nodded. "Alright."

Yuanyuan said an exaggerated goodbye to Xiaopang and the others. "I'm going to play with Teacher Kong, you guys go ahead!"

So young and yet already so full of pretend sophistication.

Kong Xiyan couldn't help but smile and carried Yuanyuan back home.

Wang Haining, after saying farewell to the principal, also headed back.

Back at the house, Yuanyuan sat on a stool while Yanyan curled up between Chi Wanzhao's legs. Yuanyuan's chubby hand stroked the cat's head, her little face all smiles.

Chi Wanzhao bent down and asked, "Yuanyuan, do you really like Yanyan?"

Yuanyuan nodded, her childish voice bright. "Yes!"

"How about this—I'll let you hold Yanyan for a bit, if you tell Wanzhao-jiejie some stories about Teacher Kong?"

"Huh?" Yuanyuan looked puzzled toward the kitchen. "Stories about Teacher Kong?"

Chi Wanzhao nodded with a faint smile, and the girl's high voice chimed, "Okay!"

She scooped Yanyan out from between Chi Wanzhao's knees, chattering away about various little things concerning Kong Xiyan. But she was still very young, remembering only a few incidents, and she'd run out of stories before Wang Haining came back.

Wang Haining pushed open the door and saw Chi Wanzhao's slender back. She pressed her lips together before lowering her gaze.

Yuanyuan called out happily, "Teacher Wang!"

"Mm." Wang Haining smiled and crouched down next to her. Yuanyuan grabbed her hand and guided it to Yanyan's head. "Teacher Wang, feel the kitty—she's so soft and cute."

The white fur was plush and warm.

Wang Haining stiffened for a moment, then tried to smile and stroked Yanyan's head.

Chi Wanzhao rose, looked away, and left the room.

When Kong Xiyan finished cooking, she came out to see Wang Haining and Yuanyuan playing with the cat. Confused, she asked, "Where's President Chi?"

Wang Haining stood up and nodded toward the bedroom.

Kong Xiyan nodded. She set a bowl on the floor. Yanyan hadn't been eating much since coming to the countryside—maybe the change in environment had affected her—so Kong Xiyan had only made a small portion.

Yuanyuan peered curiously at the bowl. "Teacher Kong, is this for the kitty?"

"Mm." Kong Xiyan bent to pat her head.

Yuanyuan reached out as if she wanted to scoop up a bit, but Kong Xiyan tapped her hand lightly. "Don't eat that."

"Oh." Yuanyuan withdrew her hand with a sulky pout, watching Yanyan lower her head and eat.

In the bedroom, Chi Wanzhao stood at the window. Because of Chen Junshan's betrothal, fireworks and firecrackers had been going off all day, making her temples throb. When Kong Xiyan came in, she found her frowning at the Chen house.

"What's wrong?" she asked, walking over to Chi Wanzhao.

Chi Wanzhao turned her head. "Nothing."

Kong Xiyan looked away. "Come on, let's go eat."

Chi Wanzhao followed her out the door.

The cat had finished her meal and was now lounging on the square table, tail drooping as she flicked it lazily. Yuanyuan watched with wide, curious eyes, occasionally reaching out to touch her.

There were cats and dogs in the village, of course, but none with such a pure, pristine coat. Yuanyuan's fascination was understandable.

Kong Xiyan bent down to lift Yuanyuan, but Chi Wanzhao beat her to it, hoisting the girl into her arms with ease. "Lock the door, would you?" she said to Kong Xiyan.

"Oh, yes." Kong Xiyan blinked, and by the time she'd recovered, Chi Wanzhao was already at the door, Yuanyuan in her arms, waiting.

Yuanyuan pressed her nose close to Chi Wanzhao and sniffed. "Wanzhao-jiejie, you smell so nice."

Chi Wanzhao gave a soft laugh and tweaked her nose. "Really? Then let me smell—does Yuanyuan smell nice too?"

Children can never handle being teased. At her mock move, Yuanyuan burst into giggles, wrapping her arms around Chi Wanzhao's neck. The woman's neatly pinned hair fell a little loose, a few strands draping over her chest.

Kong Xiyan couldn't tear her eyes away. A single thought circled in her mind:

If they had a child of their own, Chi Wanzhao would spoil them beyond measure.

Then she was startled by the thought and shook her head firmly. She exhaled, locked the door, and called over to the two still playing, "Let's go."

Worried that Chi Wanzhao wasn't used to carrying a child—and that Yuanyuan was a good size—she moved to take the girl.

Yuanyuan huffed, "No! I want Wanzhao-jiejie to carry me."

"And tonight I wanna sleep with Wanzhao-jiejie!"

Kong Xiyan: ...

Chi Wanzhao shifted the child to one arm and shook her head. "Oh, no—I have to sleep with Teacher Kong at night."

Yuanyuan's eyes went round. She had completely forgotten what Xiaoling had told her about married people sharing a bed. She mumbled, "So... does Teacher Kong think you smell nice too, so she wants to sleep with you?"

Chi Wanzhao chuckled. "I suppose."

Yuanyuan looked at Kong Xiyan. "Then does Teacher Kong kiss you at night? Like this." She planted a wet, smacking kiss right on Chi Wanzhao's cheek, then beamed up at her.

"No," Chi Wanzhao said, shaking her head. "But your Teacher Kong—"

Kong Xiyan shot Chi Wanzhao a look, lifted Yuanyuan out of her arms, and gritted her teeth. "Let's get moving!"

...

At the Chens', they took their seats at the feast just as the bride's family, about ten relatives in total, filled one table.

At the head sat a man and a woman—the girl's parents.

Chen Junshan wore an ill-fitting suit with a tie, his dark face wreathed in a constant, honest smile. The young woman beside him was dressed in a red qipao, light makeup, her long dark hair pinned up. She looked at ease, natural—the kind of girl that made you feel comfortable at a glance.

Auntie Er pulled Kong Xiyan toward a table and made her sit down. Two seats were empty beside her.

Chi Wanzhao sat down, unmoved as ever.

Yuanyuan, instead of joining the other children, tugged on Chi Wanzhao's hand and nestled close.

Auntie Er leaned in and whispered to Kong Xiyan, "Teacher Kong, that's Shan's girl. Pretty, isn't she?"

Kong Xiyan had already taken a quick look—the girl had a classic oval face, slender willow-leaf brows, big eyes, and a warm smile. She nodded. "Very pretty."

Auntie Er let out a pleased 'hei'. "Shan's a lucky man, eh?"

Kong Xiyan agreed.

Lunch had few ceremonies—when everyone was seated, they began to eat. Chi Wanzhao stared at her bowl, unmoving, until Kong Xiyan nudged her. "Eat up."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at her, then picked up her chopsticks and took a few bites.

Several at the table were meeting Chi Wanzhao for the first time. Whispers came from all around. "Is that Teacher Kong's wife?"

"Yes, yes—my kid told me yesterday. Gorgeous."

"She really is."

"So this is why Teacher Kong went home—to get married."

The murmurs drifted over to Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao. They both remained silent, neither responding.

A little later, Shan and his bride made the rounds at each table to toast. Chen Junshan's already dark face had grown a shade redder, and the girl's pale cheeks flamed as she held her wine glass with a smile.

Before long, they reached the table where Kong Xiyan and Chi Wanzhao sat. Yuanyuan was too short, so she climbed onto a stool, and when her eldest brother came over to toast, she called out joyfully, "Big brother!"

Chen Junshan caught her by the waist to keep her steady as everyone at the table rose. Chi Wanzhao also stood with her glass. Yuanyuan looked at the girl, her cheeks flushed, and after a long moment bit out, "Big... big sister-in-law."

Instantly, laughter rang out across the whole courtyard.

Chen Junshan and his bride turned even redder. Chi Wanzhao caught Yuanyuan's little waist and held her steady until the couple had finished their toast, then lowered her safely back into her seat.

The laughter swept through the open yard like ripples, following the pair wherever they went, every table warming into uproarious joy.

Kong Xiyan kept watching the happy couple, a soft smile on her face.

Chi Wanzhao suddenly said, "You seem happy, Miss Kong."

Kong Xiyan nodded. "I am."

Chi Wanzhao: "Envious?"

Kong Xiyan: "Envious."

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together, then said lightly, "When we get back, we can hold our own feast."

Kong Xiyan: ...