CITM - 31

The National Games had begun, a day of national celebration. Fang Lizhen moved the black-and-white TV from her home to the entrance. Every evening after dinner, people from the building would rush upstairs early to secure a good spot, gathering around the corridor in front of her door to watch the games.

Ye Yun also went upstairs with her neighbor Chundi to join the excitement. The grand and majestic opening ceremony gave Ye Yun a glimpse of Hudu’s hosting capabilities, and the various exciting events truly broadened her horizons.

During those days, she rarely put down her work and joined everyone to watch the women’s volleyball final. Previously, Ye Yun knew nothing about sports events, but after watching for two days, she understood some rules. With the lively atmosphere, she was also captivated by the charm of competitive sports and watched attentively.

These National Games were competitions among different provinces, but whenever their provincial team won, cheers erupted throughout the entire residential building. Everyone brought sunflower seeds, and some even drank soda. Laughter and discussions never ceased, and Ye Yun, squeezed in the middle, joined in the laughter and clapping.

What was originally a lively atmosphere gradually turned strangely quiet. When Ye Yun noticed something was amiss and looked towards Chundi, Chundi nudged her with an elbow, prompting her to look behind.

Ye Yun turned around to see Bai Wenfu standing on the periphery of the crowd, wearing a stiff khaki jacket and loose cargo pants, his hands in his pockets, gazing at her. His figure fell into the shadows, clashing with the jubilant atmosphere here.

It hadn’t been a month yet, and Ye Yun didn’t expect him to return so soon. At the sight of him, her eyes lit up with a smile as she asked, “Why are you back?”

Her smiling face was enchanting and quite beautiful, drawing the attention of those around her. Although Ye Yun had lived in the residential building for so long, she was usually calm and reserved, speaking politely and gently with others. Few had seen her smile like this at someone; even the most oblivious could sense the unusual atmosphere now. However, since the person was Bai Wenfu, everyone feigned ignorance and refrained from asking questions.

When Ye Yun asked him why he came back, he couldn’t possibly tell her, in front of so many people, that it was because he missed her. He didn’t mind saying it, but feared that if he did, she might want to hide somewhere. So, he simply looked at her, his eyes hiding a faint hint of a smile, not too obvious, but making him appear less fierce than usual.

Standing there with his long legs and broad shoulders, his pure masculine charm needed no embellishment. Ye Yun felt warm inside, yet she was reluctant to miss the game results, so she told him, “Just a little while more, I’ll go back after finishing.”

“Not in a hurry,” he replied.

Bai Wenfu was always known for his decisive and tough demeanor. Coming all the way here showed his urgency, yet he gave Ye Yun plenty of patience. Though others found it surprising, they could only silently marvel.

Everyone thought that after Ye Yun said that, Bai Wenfu would leave first, but instead, he stood aside and waited. The lighter clicked softly, igniting a flame, and he lowered his head to light a cigarette. Turning back, he leaned against the corridor, his gaze fixed on Ye Yun while others stared at the TV. His intense and straightforward stare made him stand out even more; his straight-cut clothes highlighted his ruggedness and strong presence. Even though Ye Yun sat with her back to him, she still felt his gaze and gradually became distracted.

However, Bai Wenfu’s arrival made others uneasy. Originally laughing and talking freely, now there was a man with a terrifying aura standing behind them. The bloody scene of him beating Fengbiao like a grandson was still fresh in their minds, coupled with his notorious past and naturally chilling presence, which made others unable to crack jokes and behave obediently.

After a while, Fang Lizhen smiled and said to Ye Yun, “Little Ye, don’t keep him waiting. If we wait any longer, our sports program will turn into the news broadcast.”

Ye Yun’s ears reddened slightly as she got up and said to Chundi, “I’ll go back first.”

“Go ahead,” Chundi said with a knowing smile.

A few people made way, and as Ye Yun walked towards Bai Wenfu, he extinguished his cigarette. After turning the corner, he took her hand and held it in his palm. His hands were wide, always carrying a warmth that touched the heart deeply, making one feel restless.

After going downstairs and passing through the long corridor, there were occasional figures moving in front of each household. Ye Yun glanced downstairs to see Lü Ping leaning on the corridor, chin slightly raised, staring straight at them.

“What are you looking at?” Bai Wenfu asked her.

Ye Yun withdrew her gaze and pulled her hand out of his palm, “Looking at your former betrothed.”

Bai Wenfu’s gaze swept over her face as he opened the door.

As soon as Ye Yun entered the house, her body suddenly lifted off the ground. Realizing what was happening, she found herself already carried back to the room by Bai Wenfu with one hand. Her heart raced, and she tightly gripped his shoulder, whispering, “Put me down.”

Bai Wenfu closed the door and pressed her against it, a smile playing on his lips, “Jealous?”

Ye Yun turned her head away, her voice soft with a hint of jealousy, “You didn’t tell me.”

He removed the small hand pressing against him and pinned her against the door, leaning closer, his voice mesmerizing, “What’s there to say? I haven’t even touched her hand. It doesn’t matter anyway. If I went around talking about it, wouldn’t that tarnish her reputation? And if, in the end, I’m forced to take responsibility, I wouldn’t do it.”

Ye Yun’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, “But I feel like she seems to care about you.”

A trace of sarcasm crossed Bai Wenfu’s lips, “What do you think it means to care for someone?”

Ye Yun tilted her neck, unsure how to answer this question.

He grasped her thigh bone and lifted her, “If it were me, even if the other person were reduced to just a single bone, I wouldn’t let go.”

Perhaps it was because he had just taken a bath; his body carried a clean, refreshing scent, mingled with a faint trace of tobacco. Combined, these scents exuded a strong masculine allure that made one dizzy. When they weren’t together, she only missed him, but the moment they reunited and she fell into his grasp, her resistance crumbled piece by piece. Before long, Ye Yun found herself gasping softly under his touch.

He lifted her onto the bed. Earlier, there had been some lingering emotions, but not long after, Ye Yun forgot everything entirely.

Bai Wenfu had his own principles when it came to doing things, but when it came to the woman he loved, he admitted that he wasn’t exactly a gentleman. All sorts of improper thoughts ran through his mind, but he worried that her delicate body couldn’t handle the full force of his passion.

His physique was overwhelming for Ye Yun to endure. After barely more than half a month, she felt like an unopened bud again. This time, however, he didn’t act recklessly. He paid attention to her feelings, and in accommodating her, he ended up so tense that his veins were on the verge of bursting.

He had been running around for so long, navigating treacherous situations, caught in the eye of the storm. Every day was filled with either dust flying or clashing weapons, never allowing him a moment of rest.

But when he returned home, softness and warmth greeted him. Shedding his serious mask, the wild and flirtatious side hidden deep within him emerged, making him lose himself completely.

Aside from that day in Ye Yun’s room, knowing she was timid, he had deliberately shown her his true self, which frightened her into submission. Afterwards, Bai Wenfu always wore a vest, covering the terrifying scars. No matter how turbulent things became, he never intended to scare her again.

The night hadn’t yet deepened, but the room was already sweltering with heat. In the height of passion, Bai Wenfu whispered her name, “Xiao Yun,” close to her ear.

At the entrance of her home, people either called her “Tailor Ye” or “Little Ye.”

Later, nestled in his arms, Ye Yun asked him, “Why do you call me Xiao Yun?”

His reply was simple: “So whenever I call you, you’ll know it’s me.”

As she listened, Ye Yun extended her hand, thumb and middle finger spread apart, inch by inch tracing from Bai Wenfu’s left shoulder to his right. His shoulders were broader than those of ordinary men, which was why he always managed to fill out his clothes, exuding a manly stature and firmness.

Bai Wenfu caught her delicate hand and teased, “What are you doing? Haven’t had enough yet?”

Ye Yun pulled her hand back, preparing to slip out of his embrace, but he held her firmly, not letting her escape.

As the night deepened, Ye Yun’s insides felt as if they had shifted entirely. When she could no longer bear it, her small hands would reach for him, pleading softly, “Wenfu, go slower.”

Her breath trembled, her movements intoxicating to watch. He leaned down, biting gently on her earlobe, his voice rough with desire: “I can’t go slower. Bear with it.”

She was tossed and turned, her body boneless, soft, and yielding, yet obedient enough to make him crave more.

...

Early the next morning, while Ye Yun was still combing her hair, she heard Bai Wenfu calling her from downstairs. That single call of “Xiao Yun,” delivered in his uniquely deep and resonant voice, made her heart flutter.

Being called such a name in private was one thing, but having him call her that in front of the neighbors felt like being roasted over a fire. She quickly put down her comb, her face flushed red, and rushed out the door, peering down the corridor toward the ground floor.

When Ye Yun appeared, many others also looked down. Beside Bai Wenfu stood a bicycle. He beckoned to her: “Come down.”

Ye Yun flashed him a radiant smile, her heart brimming with joy. She hurried back to finish tying her hair and then rushed downstairs.

Even before reaching him, her eyes were already fixed on the brand-new women’s bicycle. Compared to Bai Wenfu’s bike, this one had a more fashionable chrome finish and looked lighter and more convenient.

She ran up to it, excitement lighting up her cheeks.

“Try riding it,” he said.

Eagerly, Ye Yun grabbed the handlebars and turned to him: “Help me hold it.”

Just like before, Bai Wenfu steadied the handlebars with one hand and supported the frame with the other, encircling her protectively. Only then did Ye Yun feel secure enough to let go of her fears and give it a try.

No sooner had she settled onto the seat than he leaned down to ask her, “Does it still hurt over there?”

Out in the open, with people passing by, he asked her this question, startling Ye Yun into clutching his sleeve: “Don’t ask that here!”

Bai Wenfu smirked mischievously: “Why can’t I ask?”

A deep blush spread across Ye Yun’s face, her voice barely above a whisper: “Don’t talk about it outside.”

Seeing her shy and bashful demeanor, he teased her further: “No one can hear us anyway.”

Anxious, Ye Yun wished she could just hop on the bike and ride away.

Fang Lizhen’s husband had worked the graveyard shift last night and was still fast asleep. With no one to restrain her, Fang Lizhen had gotten up early and started drinking a bit. By now, she was already slightly tipsy, leaning against the corridor railing and shouting down to Bai Wenfu: “Big Brother Bai has almost everything ready. Does this mean we should expect an invitation to your wedding feast?”

The crowd that had been watching curiously all turned their shocked gazes toward Fang Lizhen.

Bai Wenfu had always detested people meddling in his affairs. The reason the neighbors rarely dared to provoke him was largely due to the fact that anyone who had teased or mocked him when he first returned hadn’t fared well.

The other day, when Bai Wenfu had walked back holding Ye Yun’s hand, countless people in the building had seen them. Even after so many days, no one dared to mention the Bai family directly—Bai Wenfu’s glare alone was enough to make someone wish they’d be sliced into pieces. Yet here was Fang Lizhen, early in the morning, seemingly drunk and spouting nonsense.

Surprisingly, Bai Wenfu didn’t shoot her a warning glance. Instead, he lowered his gaze and smiled silently. This reaction stunned the onlookers, and it wasn’t until Bai Wenfu and Ye Yun rode off with the bike that everyone began to chatter freely.

Aunt Huang spat at Fang Lizhen: “You really dare say anything. Do you think they’ll invite you to their wedding feast?”

Fang Lizhen sneered disdainfully: “You lot don’t see clearly. Haven’t you noticed how much Big Brother Bai spoils Little Ye? Every time he comes back, doesn’t he bring her gifts? My words hit the mark, so he won’t hold it against me. It’s you troublemakers who stir things up.”

Lei Zi, hearing the women bicker back and forth, looked utterly confused. Astonished, he muttered: “Is Brother Fu interested in my sister-in-law?”

His wife rolled her eyes at her clueless husband.

Before Lei Zi could fully process what was happening, he continued muttering to himself: “Has he gone mad?”

His wife ignored him, but they overheard Li Yan’s shrill, sarcastic voice: “That’s right. Big Brother Bai earns good money and knows how to treat a woman. A country girl like her is now dressed in high-end clothes thanks to him. Some people just don’t have that kind of luck.”

Years ago, when the Lü family had come to cancel the engagement, their words had been harsh. Lei Zi’s wife, who had tried to mediate, had been cursed at by the Lü family for interfering. Now, hearing Li Yan speak this way, years of pent-up anger boiled over.

Though Lei Zi’s wife and Li Yan weren’t on good terms, she retorted: “Serves you right for kicking someone when they’re down and turning your back on them. People like that deserve nothing but bad karma.”

Grandma Lü, unable to withstand the neighbors’ gossip, retreated indoors and closed the door.

Lü Ping’s mother, livid, shouted: “Who deserves bad karma? Speak clearly! Stop cursing people behind their backs!”

Lei Zi’s wife didn’t flinch, bluntly replying: “I’m talking about your family. Back then, you wanted to marry your daughter into the Bai family because of his good job, but when trouble arose, you ran faster than anyone else. Such shameless behavior…”

The morning in the residential building was fully awakened amidst a chorus of insults. Those who had good relations with the Lü family tried to mediate, while others who had long disliked them joined in the criticism. Meanwhile, Fang Lizhen, who had sparked the argument, sat leisurely on a small bamboo chair in the corridor, pouring herself another drink.

Finally, Lü Ping, who had remained silent, stood up, pulling her mother along, and shouted furiously: “Everyone shut up!”

Tong Mingfang sat in her room, listening to the commotion outside. A cold smile spread across her face as she lit a stick of incense for Wenbin, silently praying: Protect our family.