novellhall Chapter 182 Startled at First Sight
Chapter 182 Startled at First Sight
"Lu Congyue, I'm almost done with this job. I want to rush it out and finish it quickly so your factory can deliver on its promises sooner, and avoid keeping people waiting."
Zhuang Qingxiang spoke softly, hoping that Lu Congyue would let her go tonight.
Lu Congyue's response was to put her belongings on the table, then pick her up and stride towards his small bed.
With the lights off and the curtains drawn, two people huddled together in the darkness on the small single bed, their breaths mingling.
Zhuang Qingxiang wanted to make one last effort, but just as she opened her mouth to persuade him, her mouth was covered.
After a long while, Lu Congyue's hoarse voice finally rang out in the darkness: "We've already waited, a few more days won't make a difference, don't push yourself too hard."
Zhuang Qingxiang's body had long since gone limp, her head was spinning, but she was thinking that she only had a few more days left.
But it's alright, it'll only be two days. No matter how much the two of them argue, it'll only last for two days.
Once the matter is settled, she can move to the county town and leave him without worry.
If things don't work out, even if the man doesn't die, she won't survive either, and she'll leave him.
Or perhaps, she and her child were sent to remote and harsh labor camps for reform through labor...
Zhuang Qingxiang smiled bitterly to herself, then reached out and hugged the man's neck, returning the kiss.
Lu Congyue was so happy that he wanted to stuff the woman into his own flesh and blood; he knew she wanted it too.
Afraid of waking the neighbor's child, Zhuang Qingxiang bit her lip and covered her mouth, wishing she could cover her face with the blanket. Her soft voice was suppressed and lingered, but Lu Congyue was shameless and kept whispering nonsense in her ear.
She kept asking if this was good or not, or if that was comfortable or not. She even pulled a strange bag out from under the mattress, saying she got it from Doctor Shi to prevent her from getting pregnant...
Zhuang Qingxiang blushed crimson with disbelief, tears welling in her eyes: "How could you tell such a thing to outsiders..."
She was too ashamed to face anyone; she wanted to die.
"He's a doctor, how would he know about this stuff if I didn't ask him?" Lu Congyue said frankly. "Besides, it doesn't matter if he knows, he won't tell anyone else."
Zhuang Qingxiang was so angry that she wanted to push him away and leave, but Lu Congyue grabbed her back, apologizing and begging for forgiveness until she softened. Then he tried to coax her into letting him hold her hand...
Having been idle for too long, Lu Congyue became restless and unstoppable, acting as if he wanted to devour someone whole, until Zhuang Qingxiang couldn't take it anymore and told him to get lost, at which point he finally calmed down.
The small bed couldn't fit two people, so Lu Congyue simply picked her up and flipped her over, letting her lie on top of him.
Zhuang Qingxiang pushed him away in disgust. She was sweating profusely. Who wanted to stick to him like that?
"I want to go back to sleep."
"Wait..." Lu Congyue stroked her back, satisfied. "Hold me a little longer..."
The ripe peaches were sweet and juicy, and he wanted to keep eating them; he couldn't bear to let them go.
Zhuang Qingxiang was annoyed and weak. She lay in his arms listening to his heartbeat, and soon her eyes seemed to be glued shut, and she became drowsy.
"Qingxiang, stay home and don't go out for a while," Lu Congyue suddenly said.
"Hmm..." Zhuang Qingxiang groggily asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Congyue: "Something happened in the county, and we are investigating."
Zhuang Qingxiang's drowsy mind seemed to be struck by lightning, and she abruptly woke up, looking up to ask, "Investigate what?"
Lu Congyue patted the back of her head, leaned over and kissed her forehead: "Don't ask so many questions. I can't say the specifics, but just be careful lately. Just stay at home."
Zhuang Qingxiang couldn't sleep. Her whole body felt like it was covered in cold sweat, and she was shivering from the cold.
"Are you cold?" Lu Congyue reached out and touched the blanket that had fallen to the ground at some point, then pulled it up and covered her with it.
Zhuang Qingxiang struggled to get up; she needed to go back inside and lie down. She wanted to be alone and think things through.
Lu Congyue couldn't hold her, so he had to let her go, but he still coaxed her to wait. He went to pour some warm water to wash her body, but as he was washing her, he almost accidentally went too far, but Zhuang Qingxiang frowned and pushed him away.
"I'm tired," she said, looking sullen.
Lu Congyue was good at reading people's expressions and knew that she was really annoyed, so he couldn't help but reflect on what he had done wrong that night.
She clearly liked it too, so why did she suddenly get annoyed?
Not daring to upset her any further, Lu Congyue quickly dressed her and then carried her onto the kang (heated brick bed).
He had originally planned to climb onto the kang (heated brick bed) and cuddle with his wife for a while, but Zhuang Qingxiang kicked him off, so he had no choice but to resign himself to returning to his own territory.
Sigh, the bed is too small. I think a bigger bed would make it more spacious.
Inside the room, Zhuang Qingxiang was exhausted, so exhausted that she couldn't even lift her fingers. She had almost fallen asleep just now, but now she was extremely nervous and couldn't sleep.
In the past, she wouldn't have thought much about words like "investigation".
But things are different now, and she immediately thought of "Uncle Zhang".
Li Shengnan and her accomplices had just been arrested when the county began its investigation, which was obviously to find any who had slipped through the net, possibly including "Uncle Zhang".
No, it must be him!
Only after Li Shengnan and his other subordinates were gone did he set his sights on her.
Zhuang Qingxiang's breathing became rapid. She sat up abruptly, then lay back down, tossing and turning in bed.
If the county really starts a large-scale investigation, then her time will be even more pressing.
If "Uncle Zhang" is arrested, he will definitely implicate her, and she will be in a situation where she can't clear her name no matter what.
No, I need to sleep and rest. I must finish the work and hand it in tomorrow.
Zhuang Qingxiang kept trying to convince herself to rest, but she still stayed awake until dawn.
If I can't sleep, I might as well get up.
When I got up, I felt weak in my hands and feet, and my head was dizzy and throbbing.
She sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) for a while to calm herself down before quietly going out.
The moment she made a sound, Lu Congyue woke up with a start, sat up abruptly, and when he saw it was her, asked in a muffled voice, "Why are you up so early?"
"Hmm." Zhuang Qingxiang didn't explain, and just went about her own business.
After washing up, I made breakfast for the adults and children. I drank a bowl of porridge while it was still hot, and just as I was feeling a little better, I heard the children moving around. They were all awake.
She quickly went to take care of the child and asked Lu Congyue to bring in the rice porridge and steamed egg custard that the child wanted to drink.
After a busy day, the family of five had all eaten their fill, and Lu Congyue was ready to go to work. Of course, it was also time for little Qianyue to go to kindergarten.
"You don't look well." Lu Congyue's attention had been on Zhuang Qingxiang. Noticing that something was wrong, he said worriedly, "I'll be back after I drop Yueyue off. Go to the infirmary and see Doctor Shi."
"No need," Zhuang Qingxiang refused. "I'm fine."
"Go see a doctor, make sure you don't get sick," Lu Congyue said, worried.
Zhuang Qingxiang was preoccupied with her own thoughts, so she gave him a reproachful look and said, "I'll sleep a little longer after you leave."
Lu Congyue knew he had been through a lot last night, so he touched his nose and coughed lightly, saying, "That's fine then. I'll bring lunch back from the cafeteria at noon, so you... should get some rest."