CITM - 45

When Bai Wenfu returned home, a faint light illuminated the house. Ye Yun had not yet gone to bed. She had already heated water for him and was waiting. After he removed his coat, she helped hang it up.

Bai Wenfu sat in a chair, watching her move about busily. His gaze eventually landed on her cuffs, and he pulled her close, taking her hand and rolling up her sleeve. The delicate skin of her wrist bore a glaring bruise.

Her fair complexion made any mark stand out starkly. In their usual interactions, he always handled her gently, careful not to hurt her with too much force. Seeing Wen Bin treat her so carelessly filled Bai Wenfu’s eyes with a dark, brooding intensity.

“How is everything at home?” Ye Yun asked him.

Bai Wenfu’s thumb lightly stroked her wrist. “It’s settled.”

He had been gone for only a few hours, summarizing the events with just one short sentence, but Ye Yun knew there must have been another fierce battle at home.

Noticing her contemplative expression, Bai Wenfu asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Ye Yun lifted her lashes. “If it’s convenient, could you bring my sewing machine to me one day?”

Bai Wenfu raised his gaze to scrutinize her, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He knew how much she feared the tube-shaped apartment building. That night when he picked her up, as they neared Erwei Alley, she had nervously burrowed into his embrace. After all, unlike men, she was a young woman in her early twenties—her pride as thin as cicada wings. She had already resisted the vulgar gossip in that building, but being dragged to its front and publicly humiliated was no different from being flayed alive in the streets.

Yet after returning, she neither cried nor complained, nor did she utter a single word of reproach toward Wen Bin. All she asked was for him to bring back her sewing machine.

Bai Wenfu chuckled softly, bitterness pooling in his eyes. He lifted her and placed her on the bed, showering her with passionate, fervent kisses that left her defenseless. A flush of heat spread across Ye Yun’s face as she clutched the sheets tightly; her clothes were loosened, nearly slipping off entirely.

He kissed the smooth, tender lines of her shoulders, his voice hoarse with desire. “Can we do it now?”

Ye Yun raised her arms and wrapped them around him. His hands slid beneath her back, lifting her body. “Give yourself to me.”

Ye Yun buried her burning face into the hollow of his collarbone, softly murmuring an affirmation.

Though the room was small, there was no need to worry about others in the house. The distractions of the outside world were shut out beyond these walls. He licked and caressed her tenderly, like soothing an injured cub.

The anxiety and unease in Ye Yun’s heart shattered into pieces, her consciousness gradually dissolving.

Every time she lay with Bai Wenfu, her bones felt as though they’d been scattered. The next day, her legs would inevitably feel weak and powerless.

When Ye Yun woke up, Bai Wenfu was no longer by her side. She assumed he had gone out but then heard noises coming from the courtyard. Spotting his coat nearby, she grabbed it, wrapped herself in it, and cautiously peeked outside.

In just a morning’s work, all the weeds in the yard had been cleared away. Bai Wenfu wore a sweater, sleeves rolled up as he turned over the soil. His arms were well-proportioned and strong, each thrust of the spade unearthing fragments of stone and earth.

The sun shone brightly that day, casting warm rays over the small courtyard. Ye Yun asked him, “What are you doing?”

Bai Wenfu looked up, pausing his work. He leaned the shovel into the ground, resting one hand on it. His tall, lean figure basked in the morning light, exuding a sense of broadness, strength, and reassuring security.

“I’m tidying this place up. After the New Year, I’ll plant some peanuts.”

At this suggestion, Ye Yun’s eyes lit up. “We used to grow peanuts outside our house back home. My younger sister and I would secretly eat them.”

A smile curved Bai Wenfu’s lips. “Later, you can eat them openly. Once they’re grown, this whole yard will be yours. I won’t compete with you for them.”

Ye Yun giggled softly, but Bai Wenfu narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the exposed curve of her neck.

With a suggestive tone, he asked, “You... aren’t wearing anything underneath?”

Instantly, Ye Yun turned and rushed back inside. Just as she was about to take off his coat and change into her own clothes, Bai Wenfu walked in.

Her movements froze, and their eyes met. Bai Wenfu washed his hands slowly, a barely noticeable smile playing on his lips. “Go ahead and change. Are you still shy about letting me see you?”

Ye Yun wasn’t accustomed to changing in front of him during the day. Shyly turning away, she removed his coat and placed it aside.

Her graceful butterfly bones stood out clearly against her slender waist, free of any excess flesh. The dimples above her hips and the seductive curves of her buttocks hinted at hidden pleasures, naturally alluring.

As Ye Yun bent down to pick up her clothes, his shadow loomed over her. Her body was lifted once more and deposited gently onto the soft bedding.

If last night Bai Wenfu had brought her pleasure laced with tenderness and affection, then this morning was pure masculine desire unleashed.

When Ye Yun woke again, her body felt as though it had been run over by a train, yet her heart brimmed with deep affection.

In the afternoon, she hung the freshly washed clothes in the courtyard. Her long hair was loosely tied and draped over her right shoulder, accentuating her delicate features.

The neighboring elderly woman noticed her and deliberately stretched her neck to look. Feeling a bit uneasy under the scrutiny, Ye Yun tilted her head slightly. The elderly woman smiled and said, “Young lady, your man truly cherishes you!”

Ye Yun’s face flushed red, and she quickly retreated into the house.

That evening, when Bai Wenfu returned, he brought the sewing machine along. Seeing it placed in their small room, Ye Yun suddenly felt a profound sense of stability.

As they sat together eating dinner, Ye Yun said to him, “Next time, try to keep it down.”

“What noise?”

Ye Yun glanced at the wall. “I think the neighbors might hear us.”

Bai Wenfu raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

Ye Yun recounted what the elderly woman had said earlier and asked him, “Do you think she meant that we’re too loud and should quiet down?”

Bai Wenfu suppressed a grin. “Why don’t you think she was just envious of you?”

Ye Yun shot him a coy glance. “She’s old. Why would she envy such things?”

“Maybe she never got to enjoy it when she was younger.”

Ye Yun couldn’t argue further. He spoke these words without batting an eye, leaving her utterly embarrassed.

“And,” Bai Wenfu teased with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “the one making the noise was you, not me.”

Ye Yun set down her chopsticks. “You told me not to hold back and to make sounds.”

“You listened so obediently? That’s adorable.” Bai Wenfu laughed freely now.

Ye Yun’s face turned beet red as she turned away. “Stop talking.”

Seeing her flustered, Bai Wenfu finally put down his bowl and coaxed her back to finish eating. He promised not to mention it again and vowed to be quiet tonight, giving the elderly woman no reason to envy them.

But by bedtime, just as they lay down, he removed her clothes, claiming they irritated him. Normally, he didn’t complain about pain—even when covered in wounds—but now, he claimed even fabric touching him was uncomfortable.

As Ye Yun tried to scoot further into the bed, he tightened his grip around her waist. She could feel the evidence of his arousal pressing against her. Her face sank into the pillow. “You promised to behave tonight.”

He pulled her out of the pillow and pinned her hands above her head, lowering his hips. “At her age, opportunities to envy don’t come often.”

Caught off guard, Ye Yun gasped but immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. No matter what, she dared not make another sound—it would be far too mortifying if anyone heard.

Yet Bai Wenfu seemed intent on teasing her, alternating between fast and slow movements until she thought she might lose her mind. Leaning down, he whispered tenderly, “If you can’t hold back, don’t.”

Determined not to give him ammunition to tease her tomorrow, Ye Yun bit her lip and remained silent. By the end, tears streamed down her cheeks, her body trembling pitifully. Even after it was over, she accused him of being unreasonable and bullying her.

Bai Wenfu laughed as she scolded him, pulling her into his arms. Though her words criticized him, her body willingly nestled against his, submissive and endearing, always drawing his affection.

...

Since returning, Ye Yun hadn’t stepped foot outside the house. She couldn’t go back to the tailor shop—it wouldn’t be fair to Master Zhang. After working her entire life, she deserved peace instead of constant turmoil caused by Ye Yun’s presence.

After that incident, Ye Yun’s path in Erwei Alley was effectively blocked. Her reputation, dignity, and pride had been torn apart in front of everyone. She couldn’t bear to lift her head and walk through this neighborhood of low-rise houses. Perhaps the scandalous rumors had already spread to this shantytown—she didn’t know, nor did she want to find out.

When Bai Wenfu wasn’t home, Ye Yun stayed busy with chores and reading. She prepared meals and waited by the window for him to return.

Bai Wenfu always left early, even if he came back in the afternoon, he would leave again in the evening. Occasionally, Ye Yun noticed traces of fatigue in his eyes, but most of the time, he kept his negative emotions hidden from her.

She never asked where he went or what happened. She didn’t press him about Wen Bin’s situation or their future. She simply guarded their home, their little corner of the world, watching the sun rise and set.

A few days later, Ye Yun finished the work from the tailor shop and handed it to Bai Wenfu, asking him to deliver it to Master Zhang on his way out.

After that, she became even more idle. Aside from working on Fang Lizhen’s dress and reading books, she had nothing else to do.

She was completely cut off from the outside world. Its winds and movements no longer concerned her. It was as though she lived in a vacuum, repeating the same routine every day, hoping Bai Wenfu would return sooner so they could talk.

Knowing she waited for him at home, Bai Wenfu always made sure to come back, sharing dinner with her. However, one evening, Ye Yun waited in vain. Even by midnight, he had not returned.

No one knew she lived here, and Bai Wenfu would never casually reveal their address to others. All Ye Yun could do was sit anxiously by the door. By the middle of the night, unable to stay awake any longer, she finally climbed into bed.

The lamp was left on, but Ye Yun couldn’t fall deeply asleep. When the familiar sound of a motorcycle parking echoed in the courtyard, she bolted upright. As Bai Wenfu pushed open the door and saw her, he paused momentarily. “Why haven’t you slept yet?”

Her brows furrowed slightly. “What happened?”

The coldness in Bai Wenfu’s eyes hadn’t faded, and he still carried the chill of the outside world with him.

He removed his coat, his expression softening somewhat. “Something minor happened, but it’s resolved. Go to sleep.”

Ye Yun’s mind raced as she lay back down. Listening to his movements in the house, she gradually relaxed. Drowsiness overtook her, and in her haze, she felt Bai Wenfu pull her close. He buried his face into her chest.

Ye Yun raised her hand and gently touched his short, prickly hair. This action would normally provoke him—he hated anyone touching his head. Usually, before she could even raise her hand, he would catch it. But tonight, he didn’t react. When she stroked his hair, he nuzzled deeper into her softness and soon fell into a deep sleep.