Chapter 101 Breathing was rapid and hot

Xie Jiang stood up from in front of Huang Guilan and greeted Chen Shenghua, "Old Chen, have you had dinner yet? If not, sit down and we can chat while we eat."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhongming quickly fetched a stool. "Uncle Chen, please sit down."

Chen Shenghua looked at the dishes on the table: Mapo tofu, stir-fried pork with kimchi, braised cauliflower with cured pork, stir-fried pumpkin blossoms, shredded green peppers and potatoes, and tomato and egg soup. The stir-fried pork with kimchi looked delicious and smelled mouthwatering.

Chen Shenghua swallowed hard. "Your food smells amazing! But my Jia Hui and Shu Fen are waiting for me to come home for dinner, so I won't sit down."

He glanced at the people in the room and couldn't help but praise, "Old Xie, your house is always so lively. The eldest and second eldest brothers are back. Where are the third and fifth brothers? When are they coming back?"

Xie Jiang smiled and replied, "The third brother's train is at nine o'clock tonight, and the fifth brother's is tomorrow morning."

Chen Shenghua also laughed and replied, "This is going to be quite lively."

Knowing that Wang Shufen and Chen Jiahui were waiting for him to come home for dinner, Chen Shenghua quickly shared the good news:

"Old Xie, the Central Inspection Team has left. Zhao Guangliang was also arrested just five minutes ago. All his previous violations and misconduct have been investigated. He'll definitely face a severe punishment this time; he might even be discharged from the military."

Qiao Xingyue has a deep memory of Zhao Guangliang.

Zhao Guangliang had a big watermelon belly, looked short and fat, and had a large, nasal bulb that made people feel disgusted. His face was big, but his eyes were as small as a mouse's.

This kind of person looks like a villain.

Qiao Xingyue had also heard Xie Zhongming talk about Zhao Guangliang's past deeds. A deserter on the battlefield could still be lucky enough to become a division commander. It was only a matter of time before he was caught.

Upon hearing the news, Xie Jiang was filled with righteous indignation. "Back when Zhao Guangliang was a deserter on the battlefield, I wanted to shoot him dead."

"Without him, the air in the army is fresher. Alright, Lao Xie, I just wanted to let you know. I'm going back now. You and your family can enjoy your meal."

...

After the Xie family finished dinner, the men cleared the dishes and cleaned the house.

Immediately, the family divided the work, pasting the large red "double happiness" characters they had bought on the wall, and hanging large red silk flowers on the doors and windows, making the house festive and lively.

Around 7 p.m., everything was arranged perfectly.

Xie Jiang asked his sons to sit down and instructed them, "Eldest son, your eldest uncle, second uncle, and third uncle are taking the trains in the morning, afternoon, and evening respectively tomorrow. You are responsible for picking them up from the train station. I've borrowed a jeep for you."

The eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, nodded. "Okay!"

Next, Xie Jiang instructed his eldest son's wife, his second son's wife, and his second son's wife on what tasks they needed to do.

Qiao Xingyue brewed tea for everyone and served it on the square table. "Dad, what should Zhongming and I do?"

"You'll just be the bride, you don't have to do anything." Xie Jiang looked at Qiao Xingyue with kind eyes, "There are so many people in the family, how can we let you do all the work of a bride?"

Qiao Xingyue glanced at Xie Zhongming and said, "Then give Zhongming some work to do."

"He only needs to keep you company. The fourth brother took leave for his wedding this time, but it won't be so easy for him to take leave next time."

After discussing all the preparations for the banquet, it was already eight o'clock.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xie Zhongming called out, "An'an and Ningning, come on, Mom and Dad are taking you back to sleep. You can play with your brothers again tomorrow."

"No!" An'an hugged her older brother Xie Zhiyuan's leg. "I want to sleep on the floor with my brothers tonight."

No matter what Xie Zhongming said, An Anning just wouldn't leave.

With four doting older brothers around, how could these two kids possibly want to go back with Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue?

Since reuniting with his two children, Xie Zhongming has not slept with An An and Ning Ning.

Before he knew that An An and Ning Ning were his biological daughters, Xie Zhongming was always incredibly envious whenever he saw An An and Ning Ning lying together with Huang Guilan, and Huang Guilan holding two babies.

He longed to be able to sleep while holding two children.

But these two adorable dolls are girls, and as "Uncle Zhongming," he should at least have some sense of propriety and not get too close to An'an and Ningning.

After finally finding out that An'an and Ningning were his biological daughters, he still hasn't slept with either of them even once.

His hope of sleeping with his daughter in his arms was dashed once again.

I couldn't help but feel a little sour inside.

Seeing that An An and Ning Ning were hugging their nephew Xie Zhiyuan's legs tightly, he couldn't help but squat down and pinch An An and Ning Ning's pink and tender little nose.

"Does An'an and Ningning prefer their older brother to their father?"

His tone was also sarcastic.

Qiao Xingyue gently pushed him away, "Why are you jealous of the kids? Zhiyuan and the others will be going back to school after summer vacation. It's good to let An'an and Ningning stay with their brothers a little longer."

Huang Guilan knew that Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming were like newlyweds, so she quickly urged, "Alright, Zhongming, you should take Xingyue back to rest."

"Isn't Third Brother's train at nine o'clock?" Qiao Xingyue looked at Huang Guilan and said, "I haven't met Third Brother yet. I'll wait until he gets home, say hello to him, and then go back."

At this moment, Xie Zhongyi, the eldest brother, was already driving the Jeep that Xie Jiang had borrowed to the train station to pick someone up.

Huang Guilan added, "The third son will arrive at the train station at 9:10, and it will take him another half hour to get back to the compound. It's too late, so don't wait for him. We can see him tomorrow anyway."

Qiao Xingyue replied, "It's alright. It's my first time meeting Third Brother, so it's fine if it's a little later."

It's almost 10 o'clock.

The night was pitch black, the darkness spreading like ink across every corner of the family compound.

The courtyard was filled with the chirping of cicadas, when a sudden, sputtering engine sound drifted in from the alleyway, carrying the heavy, pungent smell of diesel fuel, breaking the silence of the night.

A jeep was parked outside the Xie family compound.

The car lights were still on.

Upon hearing the voice, Huang Guilan hurried to the courtyard to greet them, followed by Xie Jiang and Xie Zhongjie, as well as Shen Liping, Sun Xiuxiu, and others.

Qiao Xingyue followed as well.

Xie Zhongming followed beside him.

It was too dark, and Xie Zhongming was afraid she would fall, so he held her hand.

His large, calloused hands, calloused from years of training, held hers carefully, as if afraid of hurting her.

The moment his fingertips touched her soft hand, his entire back tensed up.

The two of them already have a child, and An'an and Ningning are almost five years old. Last night was their wedding night in the true sense, when they were both sober.

My breathing became erratic.

The tenderness of last night flooded into Xie Zhongming's mind like a tidal wave.

He gripped it even more carefully, as if holding some fragile treasure.

Qiao Xingyue wasn't shy at all.

Slender fingers parted slightly in his palm, precisely inserting themselves between each of his fingers.

They held hands tightly.

Feeling Qiao Xingyue tighten her grip on his hand, Xie Zhongming felt a surge of joy, but his ears were still burning uncontrollably.

The Xie family walked ahead, and Qiao Xingyue lowered her voice, giving Xie Zhongming a playful smile, "Xie Zhongming, what are you shy about? We did it four times last night, what's there to be shy about?"

The sound was crisp and clear, as pleasant as the tinkling of bells in the wind, and it sweetly entered Xie Zhongming's ears.

It wasn't the kind of harsh, crisp sound; it was like being moistened with honey, crisp yet tender, falling into Xie Zhongming's ears and onto his heart, light and soft.

Xie Zhongming felt a "buzz" in his eardrum as she tickled him with her clear voice, and a fine itch spread from his ear canal to every part of his body.

They did indeed do it four times last night.

The first two times, she rode up on her own initiative.

The last two times, he couldn't control himself.

Last night, she cried out softly beneath him all night, a sound that had already stirred his heart. Now, her playful words were even more alluring.

The voice seemed to possess a magical power, making the night breeze blowing against them feel tender and lingering.

He gripped her hand tightly, then tightened it again.

Qiao Xingyue discovered that this man was both iron-willed and tough, yet also very shy and easily embarrassed.

The two contrasting elements collide, creating a strangely endearing effect.

Qiao Xingyue loved teasing him like this.

The Xie family members had already stepped out of the courtyard and walked to the jeep.

Qiao Xingyue held Xie Zhongming's hand, paused briefly in the vegetable garden in the yard, and deliberately leaned close to Xie Zhongming's ear to tease him, "Xie Zhongming, do we have to do it a few more times before you stop being so shy?"

These words, like a ripe cherry, were both sweet and intense, and they unexpectedly struck Xie Zhongming's heart.

He froze.

Her originally straight back tensed up slightly, and the tips of her ears turned bright red in an instant, as if they had been burned by charcoal. Even her upright neck was tinged with a faint pink.

Under the starry sky.

That touch of red was particularly eye-catching, making the strong features between his eyebrows appear softer.

My heart felt like a lake had been rippled by a stone, the ripples spreading outwards in layers, hot and numb, making even my breathing a beat off.

Her words were so bold and direct; they were the most open he had ever heard of in his life.

If another woman had said those words, he would have thought she was shameless.

But when Qiao Xingyue said these words, they were accompanied by her soft and cheerful smile, which made him unable to feel angry at all, only filled with panic and excitement.

But he pretended to be calm and composed, keeping his back straight and taut, and gently pinched the tip of her nose. "Xingyue, you're too naughty. We can say this when we're in bed together, but don't let anyone hear us."

"Let them hear it. We're a married couple, why should we be afraid of what others say?"

"Were you pretty domineering last night when we were doing it? What were you afraid of?"

At this moment, Xie Zhongming had no idea that his third brother was still outside the courtyard, nor could he hear the commotion and noise outside. He didn't even notice or hear the children running out in front of him to call for their third uncle.

In his eyes, there was only Qiao Xingyue standing under the starry sky, with her fluffy side ponytail, fair skin, bright eyes, and a decisive and efficient demeanor.

"What are you looking at? Third Brother has already gotten out of the car. Hurry up and call for help."

Qiao Xingyue pulled him along, walking out of the vegetable garden in the yard. As they stepped out of the courtyard, they saw the second brother, Xie Zhongjie, take the backpack from the third brother's hand, and the two brothers hugged each other.

"Second Brother, it's been a long time!"

"Big brother, Dad, Mom, eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law."

"Zhiyuan has grown quite a bit taller, he's almost a young man now. Chengyuan, Boyuan, and Mingyuan have also grown quite a bit taller."

The third son of the Xie family is named Xie Zhongwen.

As his name suggests, he wears glasses and has a refined appearance.

The jeep's headlights were still on, the light somewhat blinding. Xie Zhongwen searched among the Xie family members but couldn't find the little girl.

"Where are the fourth son's two daughters? Are they already asleep?"

When Xie Zhongwen returned from the research institute, the thing he wanted to do most was to give his two beloved nieces, whom he had never met, a big hug.

You see, everyone in the Xie family adores girls, especially the third son, Xie Zhongwen. When he heard Huang Guilan say in a telegram that the fourth son's wife had been found and had given birth to twin daughters for him, Xie Zhongwen dreamed about his two lovely nieces.

The eldest nephew, Xie Zhiyuan, quickly and gently pushed An Anning, who was covering her eyes and blocking the jeep's headlights, in front of Xie Zhongwen.

"Eldest sister, second sister, this is third uncle."

No wonder I didn't see An An Ning Ning; the car headlights were so bright they were blinding me.

Don't let Xie Zhongwen's refined appearance fool you; he's incredibly strong.

He lifted An'an with his left arm and Ningning with his right, supporting the two children's legs so that their little bottoms could sit on his strong arms.

Blood relatives, An An and Ning Ning weren't shy at all when they first saw Xie Zhongwen, and they all shouted in unison, "Third Uncle!"

"Yes!" Xie Zhongwen responded excitedly, he was very happy.

"Third Uncle, I heard from Dad that you research satellites at the research institute?"

The one speaking was An'an, who had a lively personality.

Xie Zhongwen did not expect that the first thing his little niece said to him was about satellite research.

This little child is four or five years old.

Other children, four or five years old, are still wearing open-crotch pants.

His daughter An'an, how come her little brain is so smart?

Even if the fourth brother tells this kid about satellites, the kid might not remember it, and might not even know what a satellite is.

Xie Zhongwen thought that this child would be extraordinary when he grew up.

"You must be An'an. How would An'an know what a satellite is?"

Huang Guilan had told Xie Zhongwen that among the twins, the lively and agile one was the older sister, An'an, while the one with a slightly pale complexion was Ningning, who had asthma.

Therefore, Xie Zhongming immediately recognized that the first person to speak in his arms was An'an.

As they were talking, the entire Xie family had already walked from outside the courtyard into the main room.

An An and Ning Ning were still being held by Xie Zhongwen.

An'an replied, "Of course I know. My mom told me that satellites in the sky have their own orbits and can explore space... I also know about airplanes and rockets..."

"An'an, your third uncle is tired from the train ride. Get off quickly and let him sit for a while," Qiao Xingyue interrupted decisively.

I'm afraid An'an will say too much and let something slip.

She also often talks to her two children about what the future world will be like.

She had only told Xie Zhongming that she was from another time, and didn't plan to tell the rest of the Xie family. Not everyone could accept this fact.

Only then did Xie Zhongwen's gaze fall on Qiao Xingyue with gentlemanly politeness. "Sister-in-law, hello! I am Xie Zhongwen, the third son of the Xie family."

"Third Brother, hello!"

Xie Zhongwen, who wore glasses, bent down to put An An and Ning Ning down. After standing up, he smiled at Qiao Xingyue and said, "Sister-in-law, you've raised An An and Ning Ning very well. You've worked hard all these years. If Fourth Brother dares to bully you, tell Third Brother, and Third Brother will deal with him."

Qiao Xingyue smiled generously, glanced at Xie Zhongming, and said, "Third Brother, don't worry, Xie Zhongming wouldn't dare."

It's getting late.

After meeting Xie Zhongwen, Xie Zhongming led Qiao Xingyue back to his courtyard.

The courtyard gate was locked with a brass lock. Qiao Xingyue took out the key, opened it, and pushed the door open to enter.

Once inside, Xie Zhongming pushed the wooden plug into the slot and locked the door.

A pair of slender arms reached out from behind and wrapped around the man's strong, lean waist.

Qiao Xingyue hugged Xie Zhongming's waist from behind, one hand playfully resting on his belt buckle. "Xie Zhongming, you look so handsome when you're shy. Do you still want to play cards tonight?"

Playing poker was a secret code that Xingyue taught Xie Zhongming.

These three words felt like burning embers on Xie Zhongming's chest, scalding his heart.

He quickly turned around, picked up Qiao Xingyue, and easily supported her bottom with both arms, letting her hang on his waist. His movements were quick and steady, and his breathing was rapid and hot. "Yes!"