Chapter Twelve: My dear wife, be good, go back to your room and rest...

The family of three were pressed against the wall, the two elderly people supporting them, while Sun Xiangdong climbed onto the top of the wall, stepping on their shoulders. The two below anxiously asked what they had seen.

"Tell me quickly, what are you arguing about? Is it about making her have an abortion?" the old woman guessed.

"Are you getting a divorce?" Deep down, the old man still hoped Shuyao would come back because she had nowhere else to go; life was truly miserable without her. The house was filthy and chaotic, and the food was practically inedible.

Sun Yaozu remained silent, speechless at the scene in the courtyard. He didn't know whether his heart was filled with sourness, astringency, or bitterness. Was it anger, jealousy, or something else? He couldn't say.

Shu Yao was sleeping soundly at home, so she didn't hear any noise from next door. Su Xiangdong came home without saying anything and went to the kitchen to cook dinner.

Garlic-flavored lettuce, tomatoes with sugar, braised eggplant, stir-fried water chestnuts with meat, and winter melon soup. The four dishes and soup were all delicious and visually appealing; he was generous with the ingredients.

He works hard and cooks, so she insists on washing the dishes. She's had enough sleep all day and didn't vomit at all today; she feels energetic. She can't always let him take care of her. If a man has to work, do housework, and take care of another person after marriage, she worries that it won't be good for their relationship in the long run.

"I'll wash it," Su Xiangdong said with a smile. His wife had really been oppressed by the Sun family for too long. Being treated well actually made her worry. He had originally intended to tell her to go back to her room and rest, but upon discovering someone climbing over the wall, he immediately changed his tune.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, kissing her on the cheek. Shu Yao was stunned by the kiss; her blushing, shy expression resembled a peony weeping with dew. Her large, watery eyes dared not look at him directly, yet she would secretly and unintentionally peek up at him after lowering her head.

I couldn't help but kiss him again. My chest was pounding with emotion. I never imagined that a hug and a kiss between a man and a woman could be so intoxicating.

He leaned close to her ear, as if his lips were about to touch hers. The posture was very intimate, and the voice was just loud enough for someone climbing over the wall to hear.

"You're carrying my child, so it's only right that I treat you well. Be a good wife, go back to your room and rest."

If Shu Yao hadn't lived an extra lifetime, she would have been completely baffled by him. He had never been such a frivolous person; how could he suddenly act this way?

"Oh. It's all for the sake of the child? So you wouldn't be nice to me if we didn't have a child?"

At twenty-three, she was in the prime of her life. She was stunningly beautiful, pouting and acting coquettishly towards him. Although he knew she must have seen through something and was doing it on purpose, he still couldn't help but feel his heart pounding.

Someone created an opportunity for him, and of course he wanted to seize it. He tilted his head and kissed those long-awaited red lips. But it wasn't a deep kiss; it was a fleeting touch. Although he longed to merge her into himself, he remained perfectly rational.

"How could that be? You are my favorite, even children have to come after you. In this life, I will only love you."

Shu Yao had already guessed that it was definitely the Sun family next door causing trouble, most likely climbing over the wall. He was doing it on purpose, deliberately trying to annoy Sun Yaozu. But his kisses and words still made her heart race, her face burning red. She couldn't help but glare at him, but from Sun Yaozu's angle, it looked like a coquettish glare.

Her eyes, clear as a spring, were alluring and charming as they moved. Her pearly white teeth gently bit her rosy lips, which were as delicate as flower petals. Her profile was fair with a rosy glow, like a ripe cherry, so beautiful that one wanted to take a bite.

Su Xiangdong was almost unable to control himself, aroused by her unintentional charm. He steadied himself and still held her, this time kissing her beautiful cheek.

"Sweetie, go back to your room. If you can't sleep, read a book or something. It's a small thing, I can finish it in no time."

Shu Yao's face remained flushed. This time, she lowered her head and followed his lead back into the house. He didn't follow her in; he lowered the curtain after she went inside. He casually kicked out, sending a pebble he had placed on the ground bouncing up and hitting the man on the wall with pinpoint accuracy.

"Oh, Mother!"

"Hey, what are you doing, kid?"

Sun Yaozu fell backward in pain, dropping off his parents' shoulders. The elderly couple also fell heavily to the ground due to the momentum, screaming in pain.

"You brat, what are you doing?" Separated by a wall, the elderly couple couldn't hear what was being said. And without any visual impact, they had no idea what Sun Yaozu was feeling.

His head ached terribly from being hit by the pebble, and a large bump rose on his forehead. His body ached from the fall too; he could feel bruises on his elbows and other areas. But the worst pain was in his heart; he was in unbearable agony. That beautiful wife—she was originally his.

The Sun family members gasped and covered their mouths, none daring to utter a sound. They slunk back into the house, hiding before daring to ask. But Sun Yaozu wouldn't say what he had seen, making them grit their teeth in anger.

"Shu Yao, Shu Yao, how could she..."

The Sun family was in complete chaos, their curiosity running high as they kept asking questions. Next door, in the Su family's house, Su Xiangdong, after reprimanding Sun Yaozu, stepped inside.

He first recounted the trouble the Sun family had caused that afternoon, then explained, "Sun Yaozu climbed over the wall, so I..."

Shu Yao's face flushed slightly, and she nodded to indicate that she understood. "I know, you want them to give up. You're putting on an act for them, to stop them from causing trouble."

"That's why." He wanted to say, "I'm not acting, I'm telling the truth. I like you, my heart races when I'm near you." But the words just wouldn't come out. Just as he was about to muster his courage, she spoke.

"Um, I need to go to the restroom."

She left in a hurry, and he immediately deflated. He slapped himself, though not hard. "Su Xiangdong, how can you be such a coward? This is your wife, your wife."

Well, she still didn't say what she needed to say. Seeing that it was already pitch black outside, she went to the restroom herself. He took a flashlight and went out to wait for her at the restroom door.

"Station Master Su," a woman said as she came out of the women's restroom. "Waiting for your wife, are you?"

He nodded. "It's too dark outside."

"My goodness, you're treating your wife like a precious gem. What, so delicate just because you're pregnant? I'm pregnant too."

"What do you mean?" He gave a deliberately roguish grin. "You're not carrying my child. If you want a man to take you, go back to your husband."

"I……"

The woman was speechless after his retort, and went home, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Shu Yao, who was inside, naturally heard everything and immediately covered her face. In her past life, she had been his neighbor for nearly twenty years, and in this life, she had lived under the same roof with him for over a month, yet she had never known he had this side to him.

He seems so serious on the surface, but he actually has a roguish side. But for some reason, she doesn't dislike him; thinking about it, maybe he's doing it on purpose. Let the Sun family know: I, Su Xiangdong, don't just protect anyone. The child in my wife's belly is mine.

It seemed she had found a suitable excuse for him, and she faced him quite calmly when she came out. The couple walked home together from the restroom, prompting passersby to remark on how good their relationship was.

She's on the night shift now, and he usually delivers her things every night. "How about you take another month off? Just say you're pregnant and need to rest."

"No need. I haven't been vomiting much lately, and I don't feel unwell. I already lost my bonus for the month I worked, which was more than seven yuan less."

He chuckled softly, "My salary is enough for us to live on. Your health is the most important thing."

"I'm really okay." With a jolt, she reached out and hugged his waist. In her past life, she went to work and had to do laundry, cook, and do housework when she got home, and her two children were still fine. In this life, she doesn't have to do anything when she gets home, she eats well and sleeps well, and they'll definitely be healthy.

When he received his monthly salary, he would give her his payslip along with the cash. She would combine their salaries, save a portion, and put the rest in a drawer. He did most of the housework, and their food allowance was higher than the Sun family's, so she set aside more for herself.

I worked all night, and the next day after work, I took the bus home. I overheard some news in the alley: the neighborhood had previously run a sewing class, but it was closing down, and the sewing machines were going to be disposed of.

When she started the program, she knew it was meant to provide a path for unemployed women. But she knew all too well how people in this era lived; dual-income families were always trying to save money wherever possible. Women would learn to sew, buy a sewing machine, and make things at home, saving a lot on labor costs.

How much does one unit cost?

"Ninety. This machine is almost new, and it's more than fifty yuan cheaper than the original price. Plus, no coupon is needed. If my family weren't short of money, I would definitely buy one."

Yes, most people don't need tickets if the price is right. They don't have the money; they can't afford that much.

She was a textile worker who had diligently studied sewing techniques in her previous life. For many years, she had been making clothes for the Sun family and her two children; her craftsmanship was excellent.

"Director Hao, I'd like to buy one."

She had been very discreet, going in to talk to Director Hao about it, but many people still knew. An older woman jokingly teased her about it.

"Shu Yao, you've handed over Station Chief Su's fortune, haven't you? This sewing machine, just buy it without hesitation."

"Yes, Shuyao, you are so lucky to be in charge as soon as you entered the family."

“No,” she explained. “I made a reservation with Director Hao first, and we’ll discuss it with him when he gets back.”

"Of course I agree. Everyone knows that Station Master Su accompanies you even to the toilet, how could he not buy it for you?"

She felt a little embarrassed by what he said and left with her head down. Su Xiangdong seemed to genuinely obey her every word, and he had indeed entrusted all his belongings to her for safekeeping. She dared to order the sewing machine without asking his opinion, which meant she knew he would definitely agree.

Just by changing husbands, her life was turned upside down. Reborn, she actually harbored resentment towards Sun Yaozu, which was why she had been so cooperative and intimate with him before. But now, recalling those moments, her heart was filled with ripples of emotion.

After eating, she slept at home all day. When she woke up, Su Xiangdong had already bought her the sewing machine. He placed it under the windowsill in the main room, where the light was bright and suitable for working.

"Autumn is almost here, and we'll be giving out third-quarter bonuses next month. Why don't you buy some fabric and make your own clothes?"

She touched the sewing machine, smiled and nodded at him. "Yes, I'll make one for you too."

"Sure. My old cotton-padded coat is torn, could you mend it for me?"

"I'll make you a new one."

"We still need to make swaddle blankets and clothes for the baby in your belly. But there's no rush, we'll do it after you've completely stopped feeling unwell. If you're uncomfortable, you can ask someone else to help you make them, in exchange for the right to use the sewing machine."

He gazed at her tenderly, his eyes filled with expectation and joy. She nodded silently, her heart softening as well. He, too, was thinking about these needlework tasks and the baby in her womb, so he bought a sewing machine, intending to use it to exchange for help when necessary.

A note from the author:

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