After Dong Xiaojuan’s family of three moved in, the Feng family home gained quite a bit more liveliness. They often took turns cooking and sharing meals with their cousin’s wife.
That evening, Cheng Yulan came over. The two women bustled in the kitchen while Xiaoshan, who had just returned from school, helped out. The three of them prepared a table full of good dishes.
The braised pork belly was stewed until soft and tender, perfect for Cheng Yulan’s teeth. They also steamed ribs coated in rice flour along with sweet potatoes until everything was soft and flavorful. They bought a carp to braise, its meat fresh and tender. Finally, they stir-fried two vegetable dishes—fern tips and lotus root—and simmered cabbage and tofu soup, bringing it all to the table just as Fan Zhenghua and Cheng Lang arrived home one after the other.
The square table was piled high. Xiaoshan asked Dong Xiaojuan for change to buy a drink. It was just a child’s nature—he loved sweet sodas the most.
They usually kept him in check at home, worried that too much would be bad for him, but now he had a perfect excuse.
“Mom, Grandma’s here today. We’re having a big family reunion dinner—we gotta celebrate! We need to toast!”
Feng Man listened to Xiaoshan’s rehearsed speech and couldn’t help laughing. “You sure have a lot of reasons, Xiaoshan. Does toasting have to mean soda?”
“Right! Cousin Aunt, you get it!” Xiaoshan’s eyes lit up as he reached out for a high-five with his cousin aunt.
Cheng Lang watched the exchange between the adult and the child, the corners of his thin lips curving slightly. “Come get the money. You talk a good game. It’s fine to have some today.”
Xiaoshan bounced over to his cousin uncle to grab the money. His cheer hadn’t even escaped his mouth when he heard his own mother speak up.
“We’ve still got some unsold orange soda in the house. Grab it yourself.” Dong Xiaojuan’s old business had been casual—she sold during food service hours without manning the stall full-time. Once the food sold out, she packed up. It was easy and sold well.
“Got it!” After checking which ones were good, Xiaoshan dashed cleverly to the living room cabinet, rummaged for the stock, and returned to the table cradling three bottles of orange soda. He placed one in front of himself, his mother, and his cousin aunt.
Cheng Yulan had come today to check on the younger generation, especially her nephew, who had been married for three months now. Things were different after starting a family and career. Over the course of one meal, she could already spot a new energy in Cheng Lang compared to before he had a wife.
He seemed like someone who knew how to take care of people now.
As dinner wrapped up, Cheng Yulan sighed. “Your dad and mom only did one smart thing: they arranged that baby betrothal for you.”
Cheng Lang pursed his lips, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed.”
After dinner, the adults reminded Xiaoshan to accompany his grandma on a walk. Fan Zhenghua and Dong Xiaojuan tidied up a room for the old lady to stay in that night, then followed along. Suddenly, the main room was left with just Feng Man and Cheng Lang.
She finished the last bit of the novel she hadn’t completed the night before. Feng Man hesitated about whether to head out for a stroll too, but then she saw Cheng Lang toss another mint candy into his mouth.
The man had been off cigarettes for a while now, and the results were obvious. Feng Man watched with a touch of craving—the mint candies at home had all gone to him, and she hadn’t had any lately.
She turned to rummage through the flat cabinet in the inner room for mint candy when footsteps sounded behind her.
“Looking for something?” The man drew gradually closer, his low voice rumbling right in her ear.
“Mint candy.” Feng Man found an empty bag in the cabinet and felt a pang of disappointment.
“I just ate the last one.” Cheng Lang’s voice grew even nearer, right by her ear, carrying a tingling itchiness that made Feng Man shift a step without thinking.
“Oh, then never mind. I’ll buy some tomorrow.” A gentle breeze rustled outside the window, lightly tapping the panes. Feng Man turned and startled to realize Cheng Lang was extremely close—so close she could smell the faint cool mint scent on him.
The man leaned down slightly, propping his long, sturdy left arm on the flat cabinet while his right hand hung at his side. His broad shoulders and arms formed an almost embracing posture as their gazes met. “No need to buy any. Three months off smoking—not a single one.”
“Already three months?” Feng Man had been busy earning money lately and hadn’t tracked the time closely. Doing the math now, it really had been three months.
Like praising an elementary school student, Feng Man said earnestly, “Comrade Cheng Lang, good job. Keep it up.”
“Mm.” The man leaned in closer, propping his right arm on the cabinet too, his voice husky. “So, where’s my reward?”
“Huh?” Feng Man jerked her gaze up to meet his, memories flashing back—Cheng Lang had indeed mentioned a reward for quitting smoking.
Their eyes locked. Feng Man sensed a scorching gaze trailing inch by inch from her eyes downward, finally settling on her lips.
Burned by his stare, Feng Man unconsciously licked her lips, her heartbeat quickening along with the wind outside.
She wasn’t one to break her word. She bit her lip lightly, tiptoed up, and pressed a quick peck to his face.
The warm touch brushed past, soft and gentle. Cheng Lang’s hand tightened on the cabinet. He suddenly pulled it away to grip her waist, tilting his head to capture that fleeting red lip.
Feng Man was pressed hard against the cabinet edge—solid wood behind her, the man’s firm chest in front.
His broad hand clamped tightly around her waist, tightening with the movements of their lips and tongues.
The familiar cool, faint mint scent washed over her—the flavor Feng Man loved. The man’s cool lips pressed against hers for a moment, the intimate contact gradually warming. Then he gently pried her lips apart, probing boldly and recklessly.
They drew closer and closer, breaths tangling tightly. Feng Man’s right hand clutched the cabinet seam behind her, her left climbing his sturdy arm as she was forced to tilt her head back.
The honest man had lips and tongue that were anything but—nimble and forceful, sending shivers everywhere they went…
Feng Man’s every breath was filled with the pleasant mint flavor she loved, cool with a sensual sting that left her dazed and responding unconsciously, like sucking on a mint candy.
The man’s hand gripped harder, a difficult low groan escaping his throat—as if enchanted by her actions—he lowered his head even closer, almost…
“Cousin Aunt, Cousin Aunt! The TV show’s starting!” A crisp child’s voice rang out from outside, shattering the intimate atmosphere inside.
Xiaoshan had been halfway through his walk with Grandma when he remembered the drama he and his cousin aunt loved. He hurried back.
He dashed into his cousin aunt and uncle’s living room, flipped on the TV with practiced ease, tuned to the channel, and turned to see the half-closed door still unmoving.
He poked his head in and called again. “Cousin Aunt, Cousin Uncle?”
A moment later, the wooden door creaked open. Xiaoshan saw his cousin uncle stride out, with his cousin aunt behind him, fixing her hair.
Cousin Uncle and Cousin Aunt didn’t glance at each other. Cousin Uncle looked serious, but Cousin Aunt’s face was flushed red—even her mouth looked red.
“Cousin Aunt, what were you and Cousin Uncle doing in there?” Xiaoshan’s suspicious gaze flickered as his little mind raced.
“N-Nothing.” Feng Man stuttered a bit, smoothing her slightly disheveled hair.
“Were you hiding from me…” Xiaoshan’s eyes lit up as it suddenly clicked.
The words made Feng Man’s heart clench. She shot Cheng Lang a glare. If a kid really caught on, she’d want to crawl into a hole.
“You were eating treats behind my back! Look, your mouths are all spicy red!” Xiaoshan huffed indignantly. How could they eat without him?
Feng Man was speechless.
Cheng Lang’s lips curved as he ruthlessly shut down his nephew’s wild imagination. “Did you do your homework? All you do is watch TV.”
Alarm bells rang in Xiaoshan’s head—his cousin uncle was starting to nag like his parents! He immediately played deaf. “TV time! Cousin Aunt, hurry!”
Feng Man was hooked on a melodramatic TV drama lately, and Xiaoshan—this little rascal—found everything fun as long as it wasn’t homework. He loved TV too.
The two had become drama-watching buddies, two episodes every night, and Xiaoshan watched with relish.
But tonight, for some reason, Cousin Uncle was interested too, sitting nearby to watch. Xiaoshan suspected he’d been swapped out. Then, the TV suddenly showed the leads kissing.
As emotions peaked, the man and woman drew closer… their lips met…
Xiaoshan was about to stare wide-eyed when two hands—one from each side—clamped over his eyes, plunging him into darkness.
Cheng Lang and Feng Man spoke in unison. “Kids can’t watch this.”
Xiaoshan, peeking through finger gaps, protested wordlessly. “Aw, what’s wrong with watching a kiss?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the kissing scene ended, and light returned.
Cheng Lang lectured righteously. “Kids shouldn’t watch. It’s not healthy.”
The ever-curious elementary schooler Xiaoshan asked sincerely, “Cousin Uncle, is kissing really unhealthy?”
Cheng Lang. “…”
Feng Man stifled a laugh beside him. It was the first time she’d seen Cheng Lang stumped by a kid.
That night, Feng Man didn’t sleep soundly. Dreams seemed laced with cool mint scent swirling around her. The heavy breathing from Cheng Lang at the cabinet that evening chased into her dreams, stirring her restlessness.
She woke in the morning light to find herself pressed against a hard chest, her feet tangled with something. Looking closely, her sleeping position was shocking.
Feng Man, who usually kept to her own side without encroaching on Cheng Lang’s, realized she was now leaning against the man’s chest, one leg draped over his thigh, her right hand splayed across his firm waist and abdomen…
This, this, this…
Deep in reflection, Feng Man bit her lip. Had one kiss awakened her spring feelings?
No, no, no. She must have been half-asleep and mistaken him for the big bear plush from her childhood home!
She used to love hugging that plush to sleep!
The man beside her stirred, as if waking. Feng Man quickly shut her eyes, her lashes fluttering lightly as she pretended to still be asleep. Moments passed in silence. Just as she was about to crack, she felt his rough fingertip brush her lashes twice. Feng Man clamped her lips tight and held her breath…
Fortunately, Cheng Lang made no further move. He gently shifted her hand and foot aside, got out of bed, and left.
Feng Man lay there and finally exhaled.
……
They said beauty leads men astray.
The ancients weren’t wrong.
That morning, while preparing food, Feng Man was a bit distracted.
Cheng Lang had quit smoking obediently and claimed his reward. A man who ate mint candies constantly carried a fresh scent, and kissing him wasn’t bad at all. Feng Man shook her head to clear the image of Cheng Lang and focused on work.
Yuan Qiumei worked as usual, even more at ease now. She was kneading dough while Dong Xiaojuan, oblivious to Feng Man’s distraction, gossiped curiously. “Qiumei, how are things with you and Old Zhou? Zhou Yuejin seems like a good guy usually—why won’t he listen on this matter?”
“He treats me well in every other way. He just doesn’t want me working outside.” Yuan Qiumei understood his thinking, but this time she was dead set.
Dong Xiaojuan didn’t want to badmouth a marriage, so she rephrased. “Well, he’s doting on you. Better than those useless guys who just throw tantrums. At least your Old Zhou earns money for the family.”
“Yeah, I used to think that too.” Yuan Qiumei kneaded harder. “But now I feel like earning my own money is even better.”
That noon, the three brought over prepared foods to set up the stall and sell. This time, Yuan Qiumei didn’t tie a scarf—she worked openly.
Return customers dominated, but there were plenty of new ones too. Everyone who tried the sesame flatbread, braised pork, or stir-fried noodles praised the taste.
A little boy who bought two sesame flatbreads chomped away, mouth oily. “Auntie, your flatbreads are so good! This crust is fragrant.”
Yuan Qiumei had been handling the dough lately, so Feng Man pointed to the woman nearby. “That auntie kneads and bakes them—that’s why they’re fragrant.”
“Wow, Auntie, your dough smells so good.”
Yuan Qiumei paused in packing the flatbreads, smiled at the words, and watched the boy dash off, vanishing in a puff.
Business bustled outside the Mine District right at mealtime. Plenty of miners gathered in twos and threes for lunch—some heading to the cafeteria as usual, others out for a treat.
Zhou Yuejin had been in a foul mood these days and usually ate at the cafeteria. But this time, hearing nearby coworkers plan to splurge on a good meal, he spoke up. “I’ll go too.”
The thrifty Zhou Yuejin going out for a treat shocked his coworkers. Fan Zhenghua clapped him on the shoulder. “Brother Zhou, you came around?”
The others missed the subtext, and Song Guodong chimed in. “Yeah, gotta treat yourself once in a while.”
The group of miners in dark blue work uniforms headed out and soon spotted the booming Feng’s stall from afar.
Everyone in the Red Star Mine District were acquaintances, especially since the boss in front of them was Cheng Lang and Fan Zhenghua’s wife. The crowd greeted them familiarly: “Boss Feng, Boss Dong, seven sesame flatbreads, four portions of braised pork and two of stir-fried noodles, and seven bowls of peanut porridge.”
He Chunsheng was quick-witted and invoked Fan Zhenghua as backing: “Sister Xiaojuan, with Brother Hua here, you gotta give us extra food.”
Dong Xiaojuan couldn’t hide the smile at the corner of her mouth and playfully scolded the group: “We operate with integrity; it doesn’t matter who comes.”
Though she said that, her hands moved a bit heavier, adding extra braised pork and stir-fried noodles.
Yuan Qiumei ladled porridge nearby, drawing the crowd’s attention as well. The workers hadn’t known Zhou Yuejin’s wife was helping too, so they followed suit and asked her to add extra porridge for Zhou Yuejin’s sake.
“Alright, eat up.” Yuan Qiumei glanced at her husband’s swarthy face and smiled back at her husband’s coworkers.
Zhou Yuejin stood there with a dark face by himself. After he bought the porridge with his coworkers and left, he shot his wife a deep look on the way out, but she was busy packing food and didn’t spare him a glance at all. His face grew even darker.
While slurping noodles, the other coworkers couldn’t help envying him: “Brother Zhou, your wife is capable. Feng’s business is booming; Sister Qiumei helping out there must earn good money.”
“You two earning together really puts us to shame.”
Zhou Yuejin brushed them off with a couple words, but he wasn’t willing to nag in front of outsiders. Some things could only be said at home.
The group of workers wolfed down their lunch and soon polished off the food bought from Feng’s.
Cheng Lang had just come out after inspecting the coal processing equipment. Song Guodong wiped his oily mouth and asked with concern: “Brother Lang, just coming out now? We bought sesame flatbreads and stir-fried noodles today; we just finished.”
“Mm.” Cheng Lang spotted the leftover Feng’s oil paper bags on the table. His gaze deepened, and his thoughts instantly flashed back to yesterday evening. “I’ll go buy some food outside.”
When Cheng Lang emerged, Feng’s prepared foods were almost sold out. Dong Xiaojuan spotted her cousin-in-law from afar and quickly set aside a portion for him, while reminding Feng Man: “A-Lang’s here.”
Feng Man looked up and met the man’s profound eyes. As their gazes locked, both seemed to read something in each other’s eyes before calmly looking away.
“Cousin-in-law, anything left to eat? I’ll take whatever.” Cheng Lang’s calm gaze swept over the three at the stall, lingering just a moment on Feng Man.
She packed two sesame flatbreads and a portion of braised pork. While Dong Xiaojuan handed it to Cheng Lang, she didn’t notice that her cousin-in-law and his wife hadn’t exchanged a single word.
She suddenly remembered something and said casually: “Right, what did you two sneak eat last night? Xiaoshan came back from watching TV and was yelling about it, saying Uncle and Aunt sneaked food and ate it alone—his mouth was all spicy red.”
Cheng Lang: “…”
Feng Man: “…”