Bai Jiaojiao almost couldn't help but laugh at Shen Heng's speed in admitting his mistake.

She had originally intended to feign anger to tease Shen Heng, but to her surprise, he immediately admitted his mistake.

Bai Jiaojiao changed her strategy, leaning into Shen Heng's arms and sobbing.

"Hey, no, I've already admitted my mistake, don't cry!"

Shen Heng took Bai Jiaojiao's hand and brought it to his mouth: "It's my fault for not speaking properly. Hit me, Jiaojiao, don't cry."

"Heng-ge, please don't leave me, sob sob..."

Bai Jiaojiao hugged Shen Heng tightly, and Shen Heng, looking down, couldn't see Bai Jiaojiao's true expression or whether she was actually crying.

All that could be heard was Bai Jiaojiao's choked voice, pitiful and full of unease.

Shen Heng hated himself for indulging in this verbal sparring: "How could Brother Heng not want you? No matter what you become, you'll always be Brother Heng's wife. Come on, hit me to vent your anger."

"I won't hit you. I'll listen to you in everything from now on. Please don't leave me, Heng-ge, sob sob, please tell me what I've done wrong..."

Bai Jiaojiao was sobbing, and Shen Heng felt like his heart was being torn apart. He felt like he was a complete bastard.

"Jiaojiao is perfectly fine, it's my fault, I was just talking nonsense, I..." Shen Heng really didn't know how to coax people. He held Bai Jiaojiao in one arm, while the other hand was hanging in mid-air, not knowing what to do.

Oh no, he only wanted to tease Bai Jiaojiao, but he didn't expect her to take it seriously.

He must not treat his wife well enough, otherwise why would she feel so insecure and afraid that he would send her back to her parents' home?

Shen Heng then remembered that Bai Jiaojiao had said he was very good to her, and he felt extremely guilty.

"Jiaojiao, I'm truly in love with you. I admit that I only noticed you because you looked so different from the other country girls in the village. But after we got married, it wasn't just for the novelty. To be honest, no one has ever treated me this well in my life. They feed me, clothe me, and even give me face in front of others. Sometimes I can't sleep at night, worrying that I'm not destined to stay with you. But I don't want to let go. You're my wife, and you'll be my wife for life. If anything happens to you, I'll die with you."

"Brother Heng!" Bai Jiaojiao had been quite pleased with what he was saying at first, but the more he talked, the more nonsensical it became. "What nonsense are you spouting? How can you just say things like that?"

Shen Heng was so agitated that his eyes were red. He stared at Bai Jiaojiao's normal-looking face and was stunned for a moment: "Are you kidding me?"

Shen Heng vigorously wiped Bai Jiaojiao's cheek, which hadn't shed a single tear, with his fingertip: "Pretending to cry, huh?"

"Brother Heng, I..."

Bai Jiaojiao originally wanted to tease Shen Heng and get him to promise to come less often at night, but before she could even speak, Shen Heng ruined her plan.

Bai Jiaojiao panicked a little after being exposed and not getting any promises from Shen Heng.

She stepped out of Shen Heng's arms and took a step back: "The potatoes in the pot are ready to be served. I'll go stir-fry some clams for you."

Bai Jiaojiao returned to the kitchen and saw Shen Heng standing in the yard with his arms crossed, looking at her. She swallowed hard.

That's it, why did you tease him!

Shen Heng had no appetite for clams that evening. He ate a few bites of rice and then sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), staring at Bai Jiaojiao.

Bai Jiaojiao: "..."

She eats very slowly, as if she wants to eat a meal that will last until dawn.

But she really couldn't eat anymore.

"Just leave it there, I'll clean it up in a bit, come over here."

Shen Heng patted the spot next to him.

"What...what are you doing?"

"you."

"..."

Bai Jiaojiao's legs were already going weak: "Brother Heng, I'm not kidding you. I was really sad just now."

"Come here." Shen Heng's eyes clearly showed he didn't want to say it a second time.

This little brat needs some discipline, otherwise she'll really think I cherish her that much.

Bai Jiaojiao pouted and moved over, not sitting next to Shen Heng, but straddling his lap instead: "Brother Heng, don't bully me..."

Bai Jiaojiao was truly about to burst into tears, and Shen Heng, with his face close to hers, could see it all clearly.

"I...I didn't say anything." Shen Heng's heart softened immediately.

Damn it, I actually really like her!

His wife can't shed a single tear.

Shen Heng felt both heartache and anger at seeing Bai Jiaojiao's tearful face, but he dared not make any rash moves: "Jiaojiao, don't cry, Brother Heng won't bully you. Brother Heng loves you."

Shen Heng sighed; he really had no idea what to do with Bai Jiaojiao.

Even if Bai Jiaojiao had deliberately lied to him just now, his inner thoughts were genuine, and he would never dare to say such things to tease Bai Jiaojiao again.

“Heng-ge loves me,” Bai Jiaojiao sniffed, unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt, and snuggled against Shen Heng’s chest. “Heng-ge, I know all the things you said to me.”

With Bai Jiaojiao appearing so willing, Shen Heng couldn't refuse.

Anyone who can refuse is awesome.

“Look up,” Shen Heng lifted Bai Jiaojiao’s chin, making her watery eyes stare at him, “and see how Brother Heng does it.”

"Brother Heng, let's... let's blow out the light."

Bai Jiaojiao looked away, too embarrassed to meet Shen Heng's burning gaze. Shen Heng held her close, not intending to change his position, and reached down to remove her clothes: "Jiaojiao, watch carefully, see how your brother Heng will pamper you."

"Heng-ge, I don't want to..." Bai Jiaojiao sobbed shyly. She knew she couldn't resist, so she could only bury her head in Shen Heng's neck.

"obedient."

Bai Jiaojiao bit her lip. Shen Heng had somehow learned so many ways to torment her, making her feel like she was living a life of pleasure and debauchery, unable to stop.

Looking into Bai Jiaojiao's dazed eyes, Shen Heng understood.

For a man, outward appearances are not important.

Behind closed doors, the real skill is getting your wife to beg for forgiveness in a soft voice.

The two went to bed early. Apart from showing Bai Jiaojiao some new tricks last night, Shen Heng didn't tire her out too much.

Bai Jiaojiao woke up around 5 a.m., and her turning over woke Shen Heng: "Why can't you sleep?"

Shen Heng had restrained himself last night, so Bai Jiaojiao was in good spirits: "I don't want to sleep."

"One more time?"

Shen Heng smiled, his eyes still sparkling even in the dim room.

"Heng-ge! Didn't you promise me yesterday that you wouldn't bully me anymore?"

Bai Jiaojiao wrinkled her nose.

"Haha, just kidding." Shen Heng pinched Bai Jiaojiao's cheek.

"Hmph." Bai Jiaojiao snuggled up in Shen Heng's arms, making him feel ticklish.

Shen Heng had no choice but to tighten his arms to make Bai Jiaojiao behave: "You say you don't want to, but you're quite good at seducing me?"

"I didn't!" Bai Jiaojiao pinched Chen Heng. "Brother Heng, I'll read you some English."

"OK."

Bai Jiaojiao got up, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), lit the lamp, found an English book by the kang, and lay in Shen Heng's arms reading to him while holding the English book in her arms.

The kerosene lamp by the kang (a heated brick bed) cast a dim yellow light, making Bai Jiaojiao's face look very gentle, creating a warm feeling as if time had stood still.

Shen Heng tightened his arms, feeling as if he were embracing the whole world.