CITM - 30

Bai Wenfu had originally planned to stay home for just one night before heading to Zhejiang to meet his companions. However, circumstances changed, and he decided to extend his stay by two more days.

During these two days, Ye Yun remained in Bai Wenfu’s room, and Bai Wenfu stayed by her side, venturing nowhere else. What had once been merely a place to rest now transformed into a haven of intimacy, thanks to Ye Yun’s soft, delicate presence nestled close to him.

Before this, Bai Wenfu had never imagined himself growing so close to any woman. Despite frequently encountering women who showed interest in him during his travels, he always kept them at arm’s length.

Respectable young women would inevitably shy away upon learning about his tumultuous past, potentially leading to awkward or unpleasant situations. He avoided such complications entirely, refusing to burden himself with unnecessary trouble.

His body bore scars that could easily terrify anyone unfamiliar with his history. If a woman were frightened by his appearance, turning an intimate moment into something horrifying, how could he bear it? Even when women aware of his past approached him, he maintained distance, choosing not to reveal his true self to outsiders.

The first time he saw Ye Yun—a petite face framed by clear brows and bright eyes, exuding an unblemished innocence—he immediately recognized her purity. She was far too pristine for someone like him to taint.

Though Bai Wenfu had paid the dowry and arranged the betrothal gifts for Ye Yun on behalf of his family, even setting aside personal reservations for the sake of familial duty, he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her beauty and grace. Yet, knowing his own complicated and turbulent life, he believed only his younger brother Wen Bin deserved her untainted virtue.

Living under the same roof, their paths inevitably crossed often despite attempts to avoid each other. Her every smile, her graceful figure constantly moving in and out of his sight—she prepared meals for him after late nights, neatly folded his clothes, and occasionally called him softly, “Big Brother.”

As a man of flesh and blood—not detached from worldly desires—it was impossible for him to remain unaffected.

She was pure as untouched paper, timid and fragile. Many times, when he pretended to casually glance at her, her flawless, pale complexion gave him the illusion that she might shatter if touched.

At that time, Bai Wenfu never thought he could ever claim such delicate perfection. But once he tasted the intoxicating sweetness of possessing her, desire ignited within him like wildfire, consuming all restraint.

However, mindful of letting her rest for two full days, he refrained from indulging further, fearing harm to her already weakened body. Whenever desire flared uncontrollably, Bai Wenfu would step outside for a cigarette, seeking solitude to calm himself.

For those two days, Tong Mingfang didn’t see Ye Yun leave Bai Wenfu’s room, leaving her to wonder whether her son had truly exhausted the girl. Each time she knocked on the door, Bai Wenfu partially opened it, ensuring his mother couldn’t catch a glimpse inside.

Tong Mingfang, having been through similar experiences herself, recalled how she resumed chores the day after consummating her marriage. Such fragility seemed excessive to her.

When she encountered Bai Wenfu, she nagged him. “Let her get up and move around. I’m telling you, there’s nothing wrong with a little activity.”

Bai Wenfu responded indifferently. “Do you want grandchildren or not?”

Tong Mingfang’s spirits lifted instantly. “Of course I do! That goes without saying.”

“Then let her rest properly.”

Hearing this, Tong Mingfang beamed and hurried off to buy groceries. That evening, she prepared a nourishing soup for Ye Yun and even bought her a pair of peony-patterned pillowcases.

Ye Yun felt genuinely surprised by this sudden warmth from Tong Mingfang, who had rarely shown her such kindness since Wen Bin’s departure. Quietly, she asked Bai Wenfu, “Why is Mom suddenly treating me so well?”

Bai Wenfu gently reassured her. “I was rough with you, and she feels sorry for you.”

What Bai Wenfu didn’t mention was that he had no intention of letting Ye Yun conceive so soon. After their initial encounter, where he lost control, he deliberately avoided intimacy afterward. Her body was still adjusting, and she was too frail; he couldn’t bring himself to subject her to pregnancy just yet. They needed more time together. His words to Tong Mingfang were merely a way to silence her inquiries.

Meanwhile, Bai Wenfu’s traveling companions waited in vain for him in Zhejiang. Prolonging his absence any further wouldn’t reflect well. On the third morning, as Ye Yun woke up, Bai Wenfu was already dressed and ready, his bag placed by the door.

Knowing he was about to leave, Ye Yun felt an inexplicable ache swell in her chest. In the past, he often left home for ten days or half a month at a time, and she had never felt this way before. Now, however, her energy drained instantly, her lashes drooped, and her lips tightened into a silent pout.

A faint smile played at the corners of Bai Wenfu’s lips as he strode over and lifted her from the bed. “Take a look.”

Ye Yun lowered her gaze to find a stylish pair of double-buckle leather shoes resting beside the bed. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were from the coveted Huapai brand. She had previously seen a customer purchase a similar pair for her daughter at great effort, running to the department store specifically for them—an absolute luxury.

Her tense expression melted away instantly. Bai Wenfu asked, “Do you like them?”

Her joy was evident. “When did you buy these? You’ve been home the whole time!”

“I spotted them during my trip and thought you’d like them. Since you haven’t been walking much these past few days, I figured there was no rush to give them to you.”

Cradling the shoes, Ye Yun smiled radiantly at him, her youthful charm tinged with newfound allure. The sight stirred something deep within him.

Bai Wenfu sat her down on the edge of the bed and knelt to slip the shoes onto her feet. Her feet were small and perfectly white, almost playful in appearance. Before putting on the shoes, he raised one foot to his lips and kissed it gently. Ye Yun blushed, averting her gaze.

Once she stood up, wearing the new shoes, her earlier shyness vanished completely. She glowed with renewed vitality.

Ye Yun returned to her room to tidy up, changing into an outfit to match her new shoes. Then, she sat by the window, picking up a comb.

Bai Wenfu entered quietly, stepping behind her. Taking the comb from her hands, his fingers wove through her silky hair, gathering it behind her back and brushing it tenderly.

Ye Yun rested her hands in her lap, watching him through the round mirror hanging by the window. Every movement of his was infused with gentle care—a level of affection she had never experienced before.

Softly, she asked, “Did you give me this comb on my birthday?”

“Who else do you think gave it to you?” Bai Wenfu replied.

“I thought it was Mom. I even asked her the next day. You weren’t home that night, were you?”

Bai Wenfu smoothed the ends of her hair. “I came back briefly.”

“How… how did you remember my birthday?”

Bai Wenfu raised his gaze, meeting her clear, limpid eyes reflected in the mirror. Their gazes intertwined, and suddenly, Ye Yun remembered.

The only time her birthday had ever been mentioned was when she first arrived at the Bai household. They had planned for her to register her marriage with Wen Bin, but because her birthday hadn’t yet arrived, the ceremony had to be postponed. That day, the three of them sat at the table discussing dates while Bai Wenfu lingered near the doorway, seemingly disinterested and detached. Yet, unbeknownst to her, he had quietly memorized her birthday then.

When their eyes met, a long-buried surge stirred in his gaze. In an instant, Ye Yun understood his silence. She hastily lowered her eyes, her heart hit by wave after wave of searing emotion, unable to calm for a long time.

His arm circled around her from behind, turning her around and gripping the inside of her thigh. Same position, same scene—but in daylight, she could clearly see the sharp contours of his face as he leaned over her, entangling her in his siege. Ye Yun trembled beneath his kiss.

Night peeled away, replaced by the pearlescent glow of day. The buttoned-up blouse slipped off her shoulders again, revealing skin once marked red but now pale, the faint flush provoking the man’s violent side. Once again, they became the kite and the one who held the string—he tugged, held her suspended, then suddenly pulled tight. She was trapped in the mist, thrown off balance, endlessly falling and losing control. She plunged into the sea, tossed and submerged by the tide.

He lowered his head, kissing her neck. In the heat of passion, he bit the delicate vein there, his hand moving forward, pinching and pressing.

Pain and pleasure struck simultaneously. Her heart flipped, her soul seeming to leave her body. Just as she felt she was suffocating, he pulled her from the depths of the ocean and thrust her into a sea of clouds, in a way she had never known before.

Ye Yun clutched tightly at his shirt, melting into Bai Wenfu’s embrace, a strange sense of belonging blooming within her.

Bai Wenfu lowered his gaze to look at her. Her eyes were already rippling like spring water.

Even when he wasn’t by her side, he always had a way of making her miss him.

...

In the morning, Ye Yun left home with Bai Wenfu. She didn’t avoid walking beside him to keep up appearances. As he turned to lock the door, she quietly waited at his side, her eyes tinged with color, soft like cotton.

They walked down the hallway together, just as Fang Lizhen and a daughter-in-law from the Wang family were coming down the stairs. Ye Yun averted her gaze, not wanting to be seen and give others reason to gossip. But Fang Lizhen stared straight at her and gave a smile.

Ye Yun had no choice but to meet her gaze and greeted, “Good morning, Auntie Fang.”

Fang Lizhen’s eyes swept over her and Bai Wenfu, then said, “I stopped by the tailor shop yesterday but didn’t see you. Were you home all day?”

Ye Yun glanced at Bai Wenfu, then bashfully replied, “Mm.”

Bai Wenfu remained calm, nodded politely at the two women, and turned to lead Ye Yun away.

The Wang family’s daughter-in-law looked shocked. “Well, this is a rare sight. Bai Wenfu actually greeted us. He’s lived here for years and never even looked our way.”

Fang Lizhen’s eyes twinkled with a deeper, knowing smile. “He wasn’t greeting us. He was considering the person next to him.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, next time if the tailor girl’s not around and you bump into him alone, see if he’ll even acknowledge you.”

...

Ye Yun hadn’t been to the shop for two days. She said it was because she wasn’t feeling well, but in truth, she felt too guilty to face Tailor Zhang. Before reaching the tailor shop, she said to Bai Wenfu, “You can stop here. When will you be back?”

“At the earliest, a month. I’ve got quite a few places to go this time.”

There was a subtle glow in Bai Wenfu’s eyes as he looked at Ye Yun, and that alone made her feel a strange flutter in her chest. The memory of that morning still lingered, too embarrassing to face him properly. She quickly said, “Then take care on the road.”

After saying that, Ye Yun walked toward the shop. With each step, her new shoes made a pleasant, crisp sound against the ground.

Just two or three steps from the shop door, she suddenly stopped and turned around. She thought Bai Wenfu had already left—but to her surprise, he was still standing there, unmoving. When she turned back, he smiled at her, a bold, irresistible grin.

Ye Yun’s heart raced like a wild deer. She looked at him from afar, already flustered and dazed.

Bai Wenfu dropped the bag in his hand to the ground and held out his arms to her. Overwhelmed by emotion, Ye Yun couldn’t resist—she ran to him.

The soft tapping of her shoes quickened, and she threw herself into his arms. Bai Wenfu wrapped her tightly, lifting her off the ground, holding her close like he wanted to mold her into his body.

“Forget the tailor shop. I’ll take you with me.”

His tempting voice fell into her heart, and for a moment, Ye Yun was nearly swayed.

He set her down, cupped her face seriously, and asked, “Alright?”

In hindsight, asking that was reckless. Men like him, traveling and roughing it, often skipped sleep just to save on train fare and lodging. If he really took delicate Ye Yun along, she’d suffer terribly within days. But still, he was impulsive, already imagining how to bring her with him.

Ye Yun shook her head with a smile, burying her face in his chest, surrounded by the steady beat of his heart—so secure, so warm.

Bai Wenfu cleared his throat and leaned down to tell her, “Tailor Zhang is watching.”

Ye Yun instantly pulled away, retreating several steps in a panic, and looked back. Tailor Zhang had somehow appeared on the chair at the shop’s entrance, sipping tea and watching them.

Ye Yun’s face flushed red. Without even saying goodbye to Bai Wenfu, she fled into the shop.

She thought Tailor Zhang would question her, leaving her uneasy the entire day. She had even prepared what she would say in confession. But Tailor Zhang acted as if she’d seen nothing at all and didn’t mention a word. Instead, she brought up something else.

Tailor Zhang’s daughter had visited two days ago and wanted to bring her mother back next year to live with her. The tailor shop would likely close by the end of the year. She asked Ye Yun what her plans were afterward.

This news came as a shock to Ye Yun—she’d never thought about the future. Tailor Zhang said she would teach her everything she could in the coming months. If Ye Yun wanted to strike out on her own, the loyal customers could sustain her.

But Ye Yun had only been in the city for a little over a year. Opening her own shop felt like a huge step she didn’t dare to take. Just the thought of managing everything alone without Tailor Zhang made her head spin.

Still, it wasn’t urgent. She had time to figure things out.

Tong Mingfang had been treating her better lately. Actually, since the Spring Festival six months ago, Tong Mingfang had been fairly kind to her. Though a bit naggy at times—typical of the elderly—she often helped out when Ye Yun felt unwell during her period, fetching hot water and making soup. A few times, when Ye Yun worked late, she even helped wash her clothes.

Ye Yun took all of it to heart. She wasn’t good with words, but over time, she began to bring Tong Mingfang little gifts when out shopping—snacks or daily necessities. Kindness begets kindness, and slowly, Tong Mingfang warmed to her.

It was early autumn, with weather fluctuating between hot and cold. Ye Yun’s days returned to routine: working at the tailor shop by day, sewing a little at night. Occasionally, in quiet moments, shy memories would surface—along with longing for Bai Wenfu.

She saved up some fabric coupons and went to the supply cooperative to buy some nice cloth. She wanted to make Bai Wenfu a proper shirt. When she arrived, Ma Jianliang wasn’t there. She asked casually and was told he no longer worked there.

After buying the fabric and preparing to leave, one of Ma Jianliang’s coworkers called out to her and handed her a letter. The coworker also passed along a message Ma Jianliang had left before departing.

If Ye Yun came looking for him, they were to give her the letter. If she never asked, they were to assume she never received it and tear it up.

Ma Jianliang could’ve easily come to the tailor shop to tell her in person, or sent word through someone. But in the end, he chose to say goodbye this way—probably not wanting to disturb her life.

Perhaps fearing the letter might be seen and cause trouble for Ye Yun, he didn’t write much. He simply told her he’d gone to live with his cousin and left an address. If she ever ran into trouble, she could go there to find him. Other than that, there was nothing more.

Ye Yun folded the letter and placed it into the cloth pouch she’d brought from her hometown, never looking at it again.