Su Mingfu then noticed his mother's expression, but he only patted her hand perfunctorily.

"Mom, I'm just going to help out for a bit, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he actually stepped out of the door and stood next to Xiaomei.

The two stood together, one tall and imposing, the other petite and delicate, looking exceptionally well-matched in the morning sunlight.

Of course, this is assuming we ignore Wang Xiulan's almost murderous gaze.

"Auntie, don't worry, I'll just borrow Comrade Mingfu for a little while."

Xiaomei smiled sweetly at Wang Xiulan, then turned to Su Mingfu.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"No trouble at all!"

Su Mingfu waved his hand repeatedly, his eyes never leaving Xiaomei's face.

"Let's go, let's go now!"

Wang Xiulan stood at the door, watching her son happily follow the young widow away, and she trembled with anger.

She knew this trick all too well.

First they borrowed salt, then returned it, and then they helped each other out. Before long, a lone man and woman...

"Mingfu! You come back here!"

Wang Xiulan shouted at her son's retreating figure.

Su Mingfu didn't turn his head, but simply waved his hand casually.

"Mom, I'll be back in a bit!"

Wang Xiulan stood at the door, watching the two figures walk further and further away, her fists clenching unconsciously.

She had to do something, or this young widow would turn the house upside down!

Xiaomei led Su Mingfu into her own yard, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

The courtyard gate closed gently behind her, making a soft "click" sound.

"It's that cabinet."

Xiaomei pointed to an old wardrobe in the corner of the wall.

"My mother-in-law and I wanted to move it to the inner room, but we couldn't budge it no matter how many times we tried."

Su Mingfu rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms.

"No problem, I can move it by myself!"

He walked to the wardrobe, grabbed both sides with his hands, and pulled hard.

The wardrobe didn't budge. Su Mingfu's face flushed red; he hadn't expected the wardrobe to be so heavy.

"Be careful, don't get hurt."

Xiaomei stood behind him, her voice filled with concern.

"How about I help you lift it?"

"No, no!"

How could Su Mingfu show weakness in front of the woman he admired? He took a deep breath and used all his strength to finally lift a corner of the wardrobe.

Just then, Xiaomei suddenly stepped forward and "just happened" placed her hands on Su Mingfu's hands.

"I'll help you stabilize things here!"

Their hands instantly touched.

Su Mingfu felt an electric current surge through his body from the point of contact, and the muscles in his arm involuntarily tensed up.

Xiaomei's hands were soft and warm, with a faint scent of face cream.

"Thank you..."

Su Mingfu stammered.

Xiaomei was very close, so close that Su Mingfu could smell the fragrance in her hair and see her long eyelashes.

His breathing became rapid involuntarily, and his palms became sweaty.

"Move a little over here..."

Xiaomei gave soft instructions, her body almost pressed against Su Mingfu's back.

Su Mingfu felt a tingling sensation in his back and almost let go, causing him to drop the wardrobe.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus on moving the cabinet, rather than on the soft, warm body behind him.

"You're really strong."

Xiaomei whispered in his ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe.

"Much better than my dead husband."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Su Mingfu's head.

He suddenly realized that the woman in front of him who had captivated him was a widow, a woman with a past.

Strangely, this realization did not make him back down; instead, it aroused a strange protective instinct in him, or rather, it made him even more excited!

"If you need any heavy work in the future, just call me."

Su Mingfu's voice deepened, carrying a hint of masculine responsibility.

Xiaomei's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer.

These young punks are the easiest to deal with; a few kind words and a little physical contact are enough to make them fall head over heels for you.

After a great deal of effort, the two finally moved the wardrobe to its designated location.

Su Mingfu's shirt was soaked with sweat and clung to his muscular back.

Xiaomei "just happened" to hand over a wet towel.

"Wipe your sweat."

Her voice was gentle as water, but her eyes were fixed on Su Mingfu's reaction.

Su Mingfu took the towel and clumsily wiped his face.

The towel had a faint fragrance, the same as Xiaomei's scent, which made him unconsciously take a deep breath.

"Xiaomei! The water's boiled!"

Grandma Zhou's voice came from the inner room, interrupting this ambiguous moment.

Xiaomei frowned, but quickly smiled again.

"Comrade Mingfu, would you like a cup of tea before you go? My mother-in-law just boiled some water."

Just as Su Mingfu was about to agree, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open and slammed against the wall with a loud "bang".