Feng Man had some opinions about Comrade Cheng Lang treating her as quitting-smoking candy.
The man’s warm lips pressed up, charging straight in aggressively, carrying a surging momentum and desire that nearly swallowed her whole.
Compared to their first time “eating candy,” which had been awkward and tentative, Cheng Lang was now much more skilled. Her lips and tongue seemed even more familiar to him, and the tingling itch from their wet entanglement all came from him.
In a daze, she lay back on the bed. Beneath her was an ordinary light-colored bedsheet and bedding printed with beautiful peony flowers, far less vibrantly red than the wedding quilt at home in Ink River. But the desire in the man’s eyes was profound, stronger than ever.
Cheng Lang, now proficient with practice, pecked at the corner of Feng Man’s lips, then slowly sucked on her red lips, dominantly invading and entwining with her soft fragrant tongue, greedily insatiable.
Feng Man was kissed dizzy, moaning comfortably. One hand clutched the man’s white shirt, the other climbed his muscular, sinewy arm. Veins bulged with his tense body, hard and seemingly boiling with hot blood.
When Cheng Lang’s kisses trailed downward, lightly licking her neck, Feng Man trembled and shrank back, only to meet even more lingering light kisses and pecks…
The man was sometimes gentle, sometimes forceful. Feng Man’s thin skin quivered along with it, the numbness stimulating straight to her heart. In an instant, it felt like he controlled her very breath.
Glancing down with lowered eyes at the bulge under her red-and-white checkered skirt, Feng Man snapped awake. A hoarse voice sounded with some embarrassment: “That, that thing’s not here!”
Eight packets of family planning supplies were back in Ink River—she hadn’t brought them!
The man with dazed eyes seemed to react after a second. He exchanged a glance with the woman beneath him before being ruthlessly pushed away by Feng Man’s palm.
Cheng Lang, who always traveled light: “…”
No experience. A miscalculation.
The next morning, with dawn light faint and warm sunlight spilling down, the Cheng family courtyard was quiet.
Feng Baozhu came early to find her big sister, feeling extremely reluctant since she was leaving that day.
Breakfast was glutinous rice dumplings, prepared by Feng Jianshe. He was now well-behaved, not daring to act up at all.
Feng Man hadn’t slept well all night, all because the man beside her exuded a dangerous aura. She had quietly rolled to the edge of the bed, but when she woke, she was stuck to him, clearly feeling certain changes in his body. She hurriedly got up in fright.
The soft glutinous skin of the dumplings burst with sweet sesame filling, filling the mouth with fragrance. As Feng Baozhu ate, she whispered to Feng Man: “Sis, why does Brother-in-Law’s face look so dark?”
Feng Man: “…”
A man unsatisfied with his desires was like that.
One lifetime’s reputation ruined on family planning supplies—who could he blame?
Feng Man glanced at the man who had just finished a bowl of dumplings and casually said: “He, he’s not full. Ignore him.”
“Oh.” Feng Baozhu pondered—Brother-in-Law really had a big appetite; one bowl was like two or three of theirs.
They packed their luggage early in the morning and prepared to leave. Before going, Feng Man instructed Baozhu a few things, mainly worrying that Feng Jianshe and his wife might have ideas about her. Fortunately, the kids were still young; studying was the most important thing.
As Baozhu reluctantly parted with her big sister, Feng Jianshe was being interrogated by a single glance from his son-in-law, standing extremely straight.
“Auntie, Uncle, go safely. Everything’s fine at home. N-no need to worry.” Feng Jianshe might be tough, but he feared death. He also feared his young son Tianbao being targeted. After all, Cheng Lang had been ruthless since childhood, and he’d witnessed his threats just days ago. Now he could only behave, not daring to have crooked thoughts.
Especially since this guy was pretending with his suit and white shirt, but inside he was fierce and ruthless. Feng Jianshe dared to be angry but not speak.
Even after groveling like this, Cheng Lang’s expression wasn’t great, looking as gloomy as if water could drip from it.
Feng Jianshe inwardly grumbled. He’d treated him well these past days—what had he done to offend him? Why was his face so dark!
His heart pounded in fear. Reflecting and worrying, Feng Jianshe feared Cheng Lang might double back after leaving and deal with him or Tianbao…
Hiss—the more he thought, the scarier it got. Remembering Zhao Gang’s fate, a chill ran down his back. He just hoped to send off this King of Hell, this living father, quickly!
Village Chief Wang Chonggui heard that Cheng Yulan and the other two were leaving and came specially to see them off: “Yulan, come back to visit when you have time.”
They were about the same age and had grown up together, sharing some revolutionary camaraderie. Cheng Yulan nodded: “Sure, take care of your health. Don’t die before me.”
Village Chief: “…”
She still spoke so bluntly.
Turning, Wang Chonggui looked at the oddly tense in-laws from the two families and beamed: “Feng Jianshe, now you can relax. Your daughter’s married well.”
“Yes, yes.” Feng Jianshe was inwardly scheming and reflecting, blurting out along with the village chief’s words: “I get along well with my dad.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Jianshe froze—why had he said his inner thoughts out loud!
His rough old face reddened. He hurriedly corrected: “No, I mean he’s my dad—wait, no, this is my son-in-law. I’m his dad! Father-in-law!”
Everyone in the courtyard: “…?”
Feng Man nearly burst out laughing. Had Feng Jianshe gone mad? Was this still the swaggering, ferocious scumbag dad from the Feng family?!
Only Cheng Lang remained cold as ever. Looking at Feng Jianshe, he said in a voice only they could hear: “Remember what I said. Behave.”
Feng Jianshe didn’t dare make a sound, just nodded vigorously.
Village Chief Wang Chonggui cheerfully watched the Cheng aunt-and-nephew and Feng family’s eldest daughter leave, sighing inwardly. Who would’ve thought Feng Jianshe, that rogue rascal, got along so well with his son-in-law.
Even after the people were almost out of sight, Feng Jianshe still followed eagerly to check, reluctant to see them go.
So reluctant!
……
The green train rumbled along. Feng Man, who had smoothly changed her name, sat by the window admiring her brand-new ID card. The obnoxious three characters had finally become two.
The proof for changing her household registration was also done. She just needed to take the certificate from Chongling Town Police Station in Funan City to the Ink River City Police Station to submit the documents, and her household registration would be transferred smoothly.
The trip had gone exceptionally well, and Feng Man was in a good mood. She shared the pastries bought before boarding with her little aunt and was about to hand one to Cheng Lang when she heard passengers behind excitedly gossiping.
Listening carefully, it seemed two fugitives from a carjacker gang busted months ago had been caught days earlier. The more she heard about one man’s features, the more off it felt.
Feng Man increasingly felt it was familiar, like she’d seen him before.
Mole under his left eye, drove a military green Liberation truck, stalked, stolen from, even robbed plenty of passing vehicles—always with the gang.
“That’s the one we ran into last time!” Feng Man suddenly remembered. Four months ago, on the way south with Cheng Lang, they’d been tailed by a military green Liberation truck.
Cheng Lang had spotted them then, but because he was too soft-hearted, he’d let them go. Feng Man had felt it wasn’t right at the time, but since they weren’t close yet, she hadn’t said much.
See? She was right—that guy wasn’t just a petty thief!
Cheng Lang nodded faintly: “Sounds like him.”
“It really was a gang operation. From what those people behind say, the gang robbed a lot of vehicles in that area—outrageous! You were too…” Feng Man grew more agitated, nearly blurting out her true thoughts. Realizing it, she braked and stopped.
Cheng Lang was soft-hearted; she couldn’t blame him too much. Compared to him, she was a bit ruthless.
Whatever, as a couple, they complemented each other well enough.
Cheng Lang had no interest in the passengers’ heated gossip. After all, months ago, he’d arranged for that gang to be taken down. Now the escaped fish were netted—something he’d handled the day he first arrived in Chongling Town to get his ID card.
Anyone daring to target him couldn’t be let go.
The woman beside him smiled brightly, clearly happy about justice being served. Cheng Lang’s thin lips curved slightly; he was in a good mood. As for the story behind the justice—how the gang was busted—she didn’t need to know.
The train whistled melodiously as it arrived in Ink River City. In the flat houses near the Mine District, chimney smoke rose lazily. Dong Xiaojuan knew the family was returning today and had prepared a feast early.
That evening, sounds came from the front gate. Fan You Shan was first to the door: “Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, you’re finally back! Come in, I’m starving.”
A table of good dishes scented the hall. Fan You Shan had snacked in the afternoon but was still drooling.
Cheng Lang ruffled his nephew’s head: “No sneaking snacks this afternoon?”
“No.” Fan You Shan lied with wide eyes.
Everyone knew Xiaoshan’s personality; even Cheng Yulan laughed at her grandson.
After nearly half a month apart, Dong Xiaojuan curiously asked about Feng Man’s travels. Hearing she’d successfully changed her name and moved her household registration, she was thrilled.
“That’s great! No more worrying about that.”
Fan Zhenghua had heard Feng Man’s birth dad and stepmom were no good, so he wondered: “It went pretty smoothly? They didn’t make trouble?”
Feng Man glanced at Cheng Lang: “Comrade Cheng Lang is great at reasoning.”
Fan Zhenghua: “…”
Huh? Was that his cousin?
Fan You Shan chomped on braised pork, then raised his hand at the adults’ words: “Mom, such great news for Aunt—we gotta toast to celebrate.”
He’d eaten too much candy, soda, and cola lately, grown a cavity, and been strictly forbidden sweets and sodas by his mom. Now he found an excuse, tilting his head: “Just one sip.”
Feng Man laughed at the kid’s simple persistence and pleaded: “Sister-in-Law, just one sip. Let’s celebrate a little.”
Dong Xiaojuan couldn’t resist her son, and one sip of soda wasn’t a big deal. She let him fetch a bottle of orange soda from the next room.
The sweet fizzy soda went down, making even his burps sweet.
After dinner, Cheng Lang chatted with Fan Zhenghua about Mine District matters. Everything was normal; You Jianyuan’s minor moves had been blocked by Elder Huang holding the fort.
“Elder Huang’s really useful.” Cheng Lang was satisfied.
Meanwhile, Feng Man looked over the ledger from her sister-in-law. Dong Xiaojuan, not highly educated, had Xiaoshan help record accounts lately. Mother and son worked diligently like they were prepping for college entrance exams.
“Sister-in-Law, the accounts are well-kept—clear at a glance.” With one less person at the stall, output had decreased accordingly, but daily revenue over two hundred remained stable and impressive.
“No issues with Sister Qiumei?” Feng Man closed the ledger.
Dong Xiaojuan shook her head: “No problems. Qiumei works hard. As for Zhou Yuejin, too lazy to bother with him.”
Having a reliable helper was good. If possible, Feng Man hoped Sister Qiumei would keep working.
She settled accounts with her sister-in-law, then stretched lazily. Exhaustion from the long journey hit instantly.
Three days and two nights on the train were tiring; her waist and back ached. Even her straightforward little aunt didn’t insist on leaving that night and stayed over.
Feng Man just wanted a good sleep. As dusk fell, she returned to her room.
But just entering the bedroom, she saw Cheng Lang rummaging in the flat cabinet.
“What are you looking for?” After the long train ride, this workaholic wouldn’t head to the Mine District to work overtime, would he? It was dark!
But seeing what the man pulled out, Feng Man’s face stiffened.
The bag of family planning supplies enthusiastically given by the Family Planning Office on their wedding day lay quietly in his large palm.
Feng Man: “What are you doing?”
Cheng Lang calmly: “They’ve been stored a few months. Time to dust them off.”
Feng Man: ⊙▽⊙