CITM - 4

After finishing his meal, Bai Wenfu left the house. As he was about to close the door, Wenbin asked, “Are you coming back for dinner tonight?”

“We’ll see.”

Once Bai Wenfu closed the door behind him, Ye Yun raised her gaze. “Is Big Brother going to work?”

Wenbin casually replied, “He’s no longer at the factory.”

Many people went to great lengths to get into a factory, so Ye Yun couldn’t quite understand why Bai Wenfu had left his position there.

“How much older is your brother than you?” she asked.

“Three years. He’s 28 this year.”

“Is he still unmarried?” In Qingxi Village, men of that age usually had children running around.

Wenbin paused for a moment before explaining vaguely, “He had an accident in the past. He was badly injured. Most of his body has recovered, but his leg hasn’t returned to how it used to be. After leaving the factory… well, the girl he was once engaged to called it off. Since returning, he probably hasn’t thought about finding someone new.”

His words were evasive, and Ye Yun recalled what Tong Mingfang had mentioned the day before—when the housing was allocated, Wenbin’s older brother wasn’t home.

So she asked, “Where did Big Brother go?”

A flicker of something unusual crossed Wenbin’s face as he replied, “He was away for a while.”

Ye Yun didn’t press further.

Later that afternoon, Ye Yun went to the public bath on the first floor. In the evening, the bathhouse was crowded, with only a few showerheads available. Familiar women shared one, helping each other scrub their backs.

At home, Ye Yun always washed with water fetched to her room. This was her first time being surrounded by so many naked bodies. Being younger, she felt more reserved compared to the other women. Despite being among women, her slender curves and smooth skin drew curious glances from others. Feeling shy, she moved to the innermost showerhead.

Though they stared, no one offered her a spot, making Ye Yun feel like she was pinned under their gazes, enduring an uncomfortable experience.

Nearby, Li Yan said to Lü Ping, “Are you done yet? You’ve been washing forever.”

Lü Ping retorted sharply, “What’s worrying you? If you can’t wait, go somewhere else.”

Then, turning to Ye Yun, she said, “Come over here.”

Li Yan rolled her eyes at them and walked to another area.

Gratefully, Ye Yun looked at Lü Ping. “Thank you.”

“No need to be polite. You’re Wenbin’s wife, right?”

Ye Yun nodded shyly.

“What’s your name?”

“Ye Yun.”

“I’m Lü Ping. I live downstairs from you.”

Lü Ping was tall with a larger frame, making Ye Yun appear slight in comparison. Lü Ping advised her, “Next time you come to bathe, grab any open spot. Standing aside waiting isn’t going to get you anywhere soon.”

Admiring Ye Yun’s long, lustrous black hair, Lü Ping remarked, “Your hair is beautiful.”

She handed Ye Yun her shampoo to use. Ye Yun usually washed her hair with tea residue or washing soda and had never seen such shampoo before. Its pleasant fragrance was irresistible to any girl.

She asked Lü Ping, “Is it expensive?”

“It’s not cheap,” Lü Ping replied. “Go home and have Wenbin buy it for you.”

Ye Yun smiled without responding and quickly finished washing before leaving.

Outside the shower area was a changing cubicle with curtains drawn. As Ye Yun approached, she heard voices.

“Really? Just yesterday, my mom told me Aunt Tong brought home a new daughter-in-law. Who would dare marry into her family?”

Another voice sneered, “I heard she’s from the countryside.”

“That explains it. Who in our neighborhood would willingly give their daughter to the Bai family?”

Ye Yun stopped pulling back the curtain. Before she could react, it was yanked open. Lü Ping leaned out and shouted, “Why are all of you so nosy? Do you have nothing better to do?”

The gossiping women glanced up at Lü Ping, silenced awkwardly, then exchanged looks while peeking at Ye Yun behind Lü Ping.

Ye Yun dried the water droplets from her body and slipped on her clothes. During this time, several women couldn’t help but scrutinize her. Ye Yun didn’t own many clothes, and the outfit she wore when she arrived was already her best. However, she still needed to wash and change. The outerwear she put on had a patch on the side, and its style was outdated. The women whispered among themselves, their sneering laughter making Ye Yun feel utterly uncomfortable. Unable to bear it any longer, she hurriedly left.

After exiting the public bath, Ye Yun held her dirty laundry and walked with her head down. A black bicycle approached from afar, and she instinctively looked up.

In Ye Yun’s hometown, owning a bicycle was a significant achievement—only a few well-off families had them. Last year, Uncle Zhu rode one, his eldest son sitting in front, and his youngest at the back—it was quite impressive.

Even in the city, seeing someone ride a bike still sparked curiosity. The man riding against the light appeared tall and skillful with the bike. As he drew closer, Ye Yun suddenly recognized him—it was none other than Bai Wenfu, Wenbin’s older brother.

Li Yan emerged from the public bath. Earlier, Ye Yun had taken her spot, and now seeing her alone, dressed so rustic, Li Yan gave her a disdainful look. As she passed by, Li Yan deliberately bumped into her.

Unprepared and frail, Ye Yun lost her balance under Li Yan’s forceful shove, scattering her clothes all over the ground.

Li Yan exclaimed, “Oh!” and then blamed her: “Why don’t you walk properly and stand here blocking the way?” With that, she turned to leave.

Bai Wenfu, who had already ridden past, turned his bike around and blocked Li Yan’s path. Startled by his sudden appearance, Li Yan froze.

Bai Wenfu’s prominent brow bone and the scar above it resembled a sharp blade, exuding an intimidating aura.

“I’m in your way too. Go ahead and bump into me,” he said coldly.

Li Yan’s face turned pale as she nervously glanced around.

“Pick them up.” Bai Wenfu’s three words weren’t loud but carried immense pressure.

Reluctantly, Li Yan bent down and picked up Ye Yun’s clothes along with her.

By evening, after dinner, people were coming and going in front of the public bath, and many stood on the corridor upstairs chatting or smoking.

This scene drew a crowd, everyone craning their necks to see what was happening.

Someone deliberately fanned the flames by running to Li Yan’s house and shouting inside, “Sun Baoguo, your wife’s been bullied.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Baoguo grabbed an iron shovel from behind the door and rushed downstairs.

Li Yan had already helped Ye Yun gather her things. Sun Baoguo came striding with the shovel, shouting angrily, “Who’s looking for death bullying my wife?”

Li Yan, already apprehensive, quickly went up to him, signaling with her eyes.

Before Sun Baoguo could understand, he heard Bai Wenfu’s chilling voice from beside the bike: “Let’s see how I die.”

Turning his head, Sun Baoguo’s face changed dramatically, and the surrounding murmurs quieted down.

Ye Yun, holding her clothes, sensed the tense atmosphere. From afar, a middle-aged woman hurriedly scooped up a child playing outside and retreated indoors. Upstairs, a smoking man remained motionless, the cigarette burning down to the filter. The women who had earlier gossiped about Ye Yun retreated to the entrance of the public bath, cautiously glancing over. The air seemed to freeze, all eyes focused on Sun Baoguo and Bai Wenfu.

Sun Baoguo, being a man, couldn’t let his wife be bullied in front of so many people without consequence. Moreover, with so many witnesses, backing down would tarnish his reputation in Erwei Alley.

With that in mind, Sun Baoguo pushed Li Yan aside and raised the shovel toward Bai Wenfu. Women on the first floor anxiously peered out of windows, while those upstairs widened their eyes. The women at the bathhouse entrance gasped sharply, yet Bai Wenfu showed no sign of being intimidated.

His left leg braced the ground, his right foot on the pedal, not dodging or yielding. His sharp eyes radiated a menacing glare, freezing Sun Baoguo’s heart. The raised shovel stopped just above Bai Wenfu’s head.

Not only did Bai Wenfu not dodge, but he leaned forward slightly, a sinister curve on his lips concealing a chilling ruthlessness.

“Why stop?” His six words chilled Sun Baoguo’s ears, forcing his hands to tremble. Anger clouded his mind, and the trembling shovel came crashing down towards Bai Wenfu.

Bai Wenfu raised his hand and gripped the shovel. The clash of strength between men was vividly displayed on the shovel.

Sun Baoguo, standing barely over five-and-a-half feet tall, was no match for Bai Wenfu. Tensing his arm and exerting slight force, Bai Wenfu pressed the shovel towards Sun Baoguo’s head.

Ye Yun hurriedly ran forward and pulled Bai Wenfu, pleading anxiously, “Big Brother, let it go.”

The gentle touch on Bai Wenfu’s arm elicited an unfamiliar sensation. He glanced at Ye Yun; her almond eyes shimmered with tears, her small face filled with panic.

Bai Wenfu withdrew his gaze and released his grip. Sun Baoguo panted and took a big step back. Li Yan, frightened, regained her senses and rushed to grab the shovel from Sun Baoguo’s hands: “I bumped into her first. Stop this nonsense.”

Sun Baoguo turned to his wife, asking, “What happened?”

Li Yan, holding back her breath, refused to explain, urging him instead: “Let’s go home.” She then turned and entered the building.

Sun Baoguo looked at Bai Wenfu, who indifferently warned him: “Keep your wife in check.”

Sun Baoguo wasn’t stupid. Realizing the situation wasn’t as it seemed, he followed his wife home.

Bai Wenfu dismounted the bike and glanced at Ye Yun: “Let’s go back.”

Relieved, Ye Yun followed Bai Wenfu back.

Bai Wenfu didn’t ride but pushed the bike slowly, walking alongside Ye Yun. He said nothing, yet made everyone aware that the woman beside him couldn’t be bullied.

Among the women gathered at the bathhouse entrance, someone muttered, “Big Brother Bai is quite protective of his sister-in-law.”

Beside them, Lü Ping’s gaze lingered on Bai Wenfu’s back, a flicker of admiration stirring in her eyes.

...

At the base of the tube building, there was a designated area for bicycles. Bai Wenfu pushed his bike over and parked it. Turning back, he saw Ye Yun peeking curiously.

He lifted his eyelids and asked her, “Do you know how to ride?”

Ye Yun shook her head shyly, “Actually, I haven’t seen one up close.”

Her gaze remained fixed on the bike. Bai Wenfu stepped aside and gestured for her to come closer: “Come take a look.”

Eagerly, Ye Yun approached the bike and examined it closely, her eyes bright with excitement: “Is this a Phoenix brand?”

“Mm.” Bai Wenfu stood nearby, lighting a cigarette.

Ye Yun extended her hand to touch it but hesitated mid-air, glancing at Bai Wenfu. He nodded, indicating she could proceed.

Ye Yun reached out and grasped the handlebars. Evening winds picked up, and the setting sun illuminated her flawless face, her excitement evident. Bai Wenfu, cigarette dangling from his mouth, watched her intently.

Ye Yun found the bell and gently rang it. The clear sound fascinated her, and she rang it again. When the sound echoed once more, she turned her head, her long hair swaying in the wind, a faint fragrance enveloping her. Her bright-eyed smile was captured by Bai Wenfu’s gaze.

Wenbin had just returned from the dock and happened to witness the scene. He strode over and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Ye Yun straightened up, her gaze passing over Bai Wenfu to meet Wenbin’s, a shy smile forming at the corners of her eyes: “Looking at Big Brother’s bike.”

Wenbin had been on duty all day and had just returned to see his charming bride looking fresh and lovely—he naturally adored her.

As the wind picked up, noticing Ye Yun’s thin attire, he asked, “Are you cold?”

Ye Yun shivered slightly. Wenbin took her small hand in his, warming it: “Let’s go home.”

Bai Wenfu’s gaze swept over their clasped hands, his eyes narrowing. Taking a drag from his cigarette, he extinguished it, following silently behind them.