Volume One, Chapter Seven: She Was Like Someone Deaf
Page 1/3
Fu Heng was momentarily stunned. Although he didn’t understand why a tree could be so important that she would go water it just before bedtime, he decided to let his doubts go upon realizing she was in a bad mood, her temperament altered by one blow after another. So he simply stood at the doorway, watching from a distance.
Bai Xuansuan carried a water scoop and slowly walked to the courtyard gate, immediately spotting a familiar figure. She tiptoed over quietly.
Shen Wen was bent over, digging a hole beneath the tree. When she suddenly saw Bai Xuansuan’s head pop up behind her, she screamed in fright.
Fu Heng almost ran over. Bai Xuansuan dropped the water scoop, spilling water all over herself.
She trembled, tears welling in her eyes, her voice barely above a sob: “You—you scared me to death.”
She had originally reached out to hug the man, but then thought better of it and quickly withdrew her hand.
Fu Heng especially disliked her touching him in public.
Once, forgetting this, she grabbed his hand, only to have it forcefully shaken off.
The man sternly warned that public displays could cause trouble, even leading to charges of indecency.
Fu Heng took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pulling her behind him.
His voice was calm and even, but his eyes shone with a sharp glint: “Why did you scare Xuansuan?”
Shen Wen couldn’t help but laugh in anger. Was this man blind? Who scared whom; couldn’t he see?
“I scared her? She was the one who suddenly jumped out and scared me, okay?”
Bai Xuansuan glanced at the hole by the tree and went straight to the point: “Why are you squatting here digging a hole in the middle of the night?”
“An upright person has nothing to fear from shadows. You must be burying something you don’t want anyone to see, that’s why you scream when you see someone.”
Shen Wen’s heart tightened as she pointed at Bai Xuansuan’s nose and snapped, “I just wanted to hide some money, alright?”
“Who acts as crazy as you, coming out at night to water trees!”
Bai Xuansuan’s eyes welled up with tears, but her gaze locked firmly on Shen Wen’s pocket.
Shen Wen quickly stood up and, before Bai Xuansuan could speak, clutched her pocket and ran off.
Fu Heng reached out to take her hand and noticed her fingers were ice cold.
The winter night wind was especially fierce, and if her soaked clothes weren’t changed promptly, she could catch a cold.
The man wrapped her tightly in his coat and carried her inside despite her protests.
After changing clothes, Bai Xuansuan puffed out her cheeks and complained, “You said public displays weren’t good. Don’t do that again—I’m afraid I’ll get taken away.”
She was the kind of person who held grudges and was petty.
Never missing a chance to poke at his weak spots.
Fu Heng silently warmed her hands and tucked her cold feet between his legs.
Bai Xuansuan wasn’t used to such affectionate gestures and turned away with a pout.
She feared she would grow fond, become dependent.
Page 2/3
Dependence would soften her, eventually becoming a blade that would wound her.
The man’s body was like a blazing furnace, irresistibly drawing her to curl up in that small island of warmth.
The next day, she bought a hot water bottle and carried it with her at noon, wrapped in a scarf.
That scarf was the birthday gift she had knitted for the man last year.
It was made from yarn bought at the department store, imported from Guangdong.
But the man had shoved it into a corner of his closet, never once wearing it.
About a month ago, he had begun tidying the cluttered wardrobe.
He neatly sorted frequently worn and seldom worn clothes into separate stacks.
Her scarf was stashed among the seldom worn clothes.
Since he didn’t want it, she took it out to use openly.
When Fu Heng came back, he immediately noticed the hot water bottle in her arms and the scarf she had never worn.
A sudden flame ignited in his heart.
He wanted to question her but the words caught in his throat, stuck somewhere between.
He truly hadn’t meant to take the scarf along, not wanting to be reminded of it and feel uncomfortable.
But at that moment, he felt a genuine sting of pain, a fiery tumult swirling in his chest.
The woman smiled brightly. Her eyes were sharp; she saw his emotions clearly.
“I wanted something to wrap it in but couldn’t find anything suitable. You don’t wear this anyway, so I’m using it for now.”
After saying this, she thought she must be the most patient person in the world.
Anyway, they didn’t have many days left living together. She didn’t want to spend them in conflicts.
Better to end things happily and start anew with flair.
Even if they parted, they could remain friends.
When she opened her shop, he could still come support her—more friends, more options. No need to burn bridges so completely.
Fu Heng’s gaze remained cold as he stared at her, dropping the lunchbox on the table before retreating to his room.
He knew he shouldn’t be angry, didn’t deserve to be angry; such inexplicable anger was childish.
Yet, he felt furiously upset.
Bai Xuansuan opened the lunchbox, filled with her favorite meat dishes, and ate until her belly was full.
Afterward, she entered the room politely and said, “Husband, thank you.”
“In the evening, I want to eat that braised pork again. Can you help me buy it?”
The man responded with a hum, back turned to her.
On the surface, all was calm and peaceful, but at night he was like a famished wolf, devouring her relentlessly.
His muscles were solid, his strength astonishing, as if tireless.
Page 3/3
When she woke in the morning, her legs still trembled slightly.
Train tickets were hard to come by in this era, but Fu Heng used connections to secure another ticket.
Only a week remained before returning to the capital. He subtly reminded Bai Xuansuan to pack her things.
But she acted as if deaf.
Her expression was foolishly simple.
“The capital is even colder by several degrees. Bring more clothes and dress warmly.”
Bai Xuansuan nodded: “Mm, I’m not going, so why bother packing?”
“The capital’s department stores have everything. I’ll take you shopping then.”
She tilted her head: “Are there many?”
The man, exasperated, finally laid it out: “In a week, you’re coming back to the capital with me.”
“Mom, Dad, and Big Brother haven’t met you yet. They’ll be very happy to see you.”
Bai Xuansuan paused mid-application of snow cream.
What was going on?
They had agreed to part ways happily. How had it turned into a husband and wife following each other, leaving their hometown?
She slowly raised her eyes, looking at him in disbelief.
After a long moment, she reluctantly spoke: “I can’t go.”
Fu Heng thought he’d misheard.
Previously, she had always looked forward eagerly to going to the capital.
Now, she refused?
His voice turned cold: “Why not?”
Bai Xuansuan pointed toward the courtyard gate, expression helpless: “Because I have to water that tree. If I don’t, it’ll wither.”
Fu Heng: “Why do you care about that tree?”
She answered frankly: “That’s your dearest comrade-in-arms Zhang Jianping’s tree.”
Fu Heng turned away, his voice icy but harboring a tremendous fury: “Why does his tree concern you?”
Bai Xuansuan shrugged: “Zhang Jianping asked you to take care of his wife. Didn’t he also ask you to care for his tree?”
“You took his wife away and left his tree here. Wouldn’t his spirit be unhappy?”
The man was speechless.