Chapter 25. You should go back to Jiangzhou first, okay?
Su Mu felt quite helpless when his mother misunderstood that he had bullied Jiang Ran and made her cry.
He was the one who had his "learning results" thoroughly "practiced" by the other party, to the point that he was sore all over the next day and could barely walk. Yet, in his mother's eyes, he was the one who "perpetrated" the abuse.
This feeling of frustration that is difficult to express.
But he couldn't tell the truth.
Otherwise, given Jiang Ran's thin skin and her pretentious and sensible facade in front of elders, once she finds out that her glorious deeds have been discovered by her future mother-in-law, she might immediately find a crack in the ground or dig a hole and bury herself alive, never to see anyone again.
Su Mu watched Jiang Ran wearing sunglasses and pretending to be nonchalant as she drank her porridge, and he found it quite amusing.
After breakfast, Su's father went out to the fields, while Su's mother went to do the final rehearsal.
Jiang Ran snuggled up to Su Mu, acting all clingy, and whispered in Su Mu's ear, "Mu Mu, what did Auntie secretly ask you just now?"
Su Mu was holding her phone when she heard this. She glanced at him sideways and saw that he looked guilty and afraid of being exposed: "It's nothing. He just asked me if we have prepared a gift for Grandma's birthday in a few days."
"Oh..." Jiang Ran visibly breathed a sigh of relief, then leaned forward, almost half-encircling Su Mu in her arms. Her voice was even lower, with a pitiful, pleading tone, as she once again instructed, "Mu Mu, you absolutely, absolutely cannot tell anyone about what happened last night, not a single person."
He felt extremely ashamed.
I actually... I actually couldn't control myself and cried because of that.
That feeling of being out of control, of being overwhelmed by immense pleasure and having your mind go blank, leaving you only able to release it through physical tears, is also real.
He had lived for over twenty years and had never experienced such a loss of composure.
But he couldn't control himself.
Because it felt so comfortable.
It was more comfortable than he had ever imagined or expected.
…………
Like a sudden tsunami, it instantly overwhelmed all his rationality and self-control.
It was so comforting that it brought tears to his eyes.
The first time, I was drunk and had such a chaotic memory that I didn't have time, or rather, I didn't have the mind to savor or appreciate it.
But last night, after his hard work, everything changed.
Su Mu was amused by his nervous, anxious expression, as if he were afraid of his embarrassing secret being exposed, but also found him rather cute. He nodded: "Okay, I know. Of course I won't tell anyone."
"This is between us."
Jiang Ran finally relaxed completely and smiled, but the smile carried a hint of malice. He reached his hand behind Su Mu, and through her clothes, gently, with infinite tenderness, placed it on Su Mu's lower abdomen, asking softly, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere today?"
Su Mu shook his head. Apart from a slightly sore lower back and weak legs, he felt perfectly fine overall. Jiang Ran had indeed been as he had promised last night—very gentle and attentive to his reactions throughout, without any roughness.
Jiang Ran: "Did you feel good last night?"
Strangely, after last night, after breaking through the barrier of reserve and experiencing an unprecedented intimate connection in both body and emotion, Su Mu found himself less hesitant.
In the past, when he and Jiang Ran were still in that ambiguous, tentative, and hesitant stage, he would always subconsciously avoid mentioning these things. Now, they even have a child, and last night they truly stepped into the most intimate category. So, it seems normal to communicate their feelings.
"...It's alright."
Jiang Ran's sense of pride swelled up instantly, almost overflowing from his chest. He tightened his arms, pulling Su Mu closer into his embrace, his chin rubbing against the top of his head, letting out a satisfied, low hum.
It must be said that a fulfilling and harmonious sex life is indeed an excellent catalyst for enhancing feelings.
Jiang Ran could clearly sense that Su Mu's attitude towards him had undergone a subtle but positive change since last night. He no longer maintained a reserved distance as before, but had become more affectionate.
For example, right now, Su Mu nestled obediently in his arms, neither pushing him away nor making excuses to leave as she used to. Occasionally, when she looked at him, a soft, warm light would unconsciously shine through her clear eyes.
Jiang Ran felt as if her heart was filled with soft, sweet cotton candy, swollen and sweet.
Well, it seems I still need to continue to "study hard" and "make progress every day" in the future.
The day of the temple fair was a beautiful day, and Jiang Ran's allergic reaction on her face subsided.
The sky was as blue as washed glass, and the sunlight was bright but not scorching, gently warming the skin.
The busy farming season is long over. The rice in the fields has been harvested and stored in the granary, and the corn stalks have been piled up. The air seems to be filled with the leisurely atmosphere of the harvest season, with the scent of new rice and hay.
The town's annual temple fair kicked off in this lively atmosphere.
Jiang Ran and Su Mu drove to pick up their aunt first.
My aunt was waiting at the door early in the morning. She had clearly dressed up carefully, wearing a fine dark purple floral dress with a beige cardigan over it. Her hair was carefully combed and tied into a neat bun at the back of her head. She was also wearing makeup, using the lipstick Su Mu had given her. The color was perfect, making her pale cheeks look more vibrant. Her eyebrows were finely drawn and powdered to cover the weariness under her eyes.
Although her makeup technique was still a bit rough, she looked radiant.
Su Mu looked quite pleased. He took out his camera and snapped a few pictures of his aunt. His aunt waved her hand shyly, but her eyes revealed a long-lost shyness and joy.
The temple fair was held in the town square and several nearby old streets. When they arrived, it was already bustling with people and incredibly lively.
People from nearby towns seemed to have flocked there, young and old, men and women. The air was filled with the aroma of fried food, the sweetness of roasted chestnuts, the smoky fragrance of roasted sweet potatoes, and various vendors' cries, laughter, and the sounds of gongs and drums and singing coming from a distant stage, all blending together to create a bustling, lively atmosphere.
As soon as Jiang Ran got out of the car, she frowned when she saw the bustling crowd.
"There are too many people. Hold my hand and don't let go."
Su Mu's hand was held in his palm. He didn't pull away, and his fingers obediently squeezed back as a response. The feeling of being protected so preciously wasn't bad.
They held hands and joined the surging crowd. The aunt initially followed beside them, but soon encountered several familiar neighbors, all women of similar age.
They warmly chatted with my aunt, asking about her recent situation and complimenting her on how smartly she looked today. Gradually, my aunt followed those acquaintances and walked ahead, gesturing for them to go and explore on their own first, and then they would meet up later.
So, only Jiang Ran and Su Mu remained.
The temple fair was indeed lively.
The roadside was lined with all sorts of stalls: selling candied hawthorns, cotton candy, fried stinky tofu, grilled squid, and jianbing (Chinese crepes), their aromas so enticing they made your mouth water. There were also ring toss games, balloon popping games, and vendors selling all sorts of cheap trinkets and toys, their shouts rising and falling in a cacophony of voices.
However, Su Mu felt nauseous at the smell of anything slightly greasy, so he pulled Jiang Ran and said, "Let's go, let's go."
In the distance, a stage was set up, where a local troupe was singing local opera, the gongs and drums beating loudly. On the other side of the open space, a song and dance troupe was performing, with actors in brightly colored costumes dancing lively folk dances, drawing cheers from the audience.
Jiang Ran's eyes swept over the food stalls, finally settling on a sugar figurine stand. The stall owner was an experienced craftsman, his skillful hands moving deftly as he used melted sugar syrup to quickly sketch various lifelike patterns on the smooth stone slab—dragons, phoenixes, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie… Jiang Ran found it fascinating and pulled Su Mu over.
"Which one do you want?" Jiang Ran asked Su Mu, pointing to the crystal-clear, sparkling sugar figurines.
Su Mu looked at it and pointed to a relatively simple little rabbit shape.
Jiang Ran paid, and the chef quickly prepared the dish, handing it to her with a long, thin bamboo skewer. Su Mu took it and licked it. The syrup was cooked to perfection, very crisp, and melted in her mouth, but the sweetness was also almost cloying.
He frowned, took only a small bite, and didn't want to eat anymore.
Jiang Ran had been watching him the whole time. Seeing this, she naturally reached out and took the candy rabbit with only a small piece missing from his hand. She then took a bite herself, using the spot where Su Mu had licked it.
The sweet taste melted on his tongue, and he finished the little rabbit in a few bites. He casually threw the bamboo skewer into the roadside trash can, then took out a wet wipe from his pocket and wiped Su Mu's hands.
After his hands were wiped, Su Mu picked up the camera hanging around his neck. He loved taking photos, especially capturing these ordinary, heartwarming moments in life. He adjusted the focus, snapped a few pictures of the bustling street scene, then turned around and raised the camera to Jiang Ran, who was standing behind him with her eyes fixed on him.
"Jiang Ran," he called out, "look at the camera."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran's lips involuntarily curled upwards. Then, very cooperatively, he made a standard, slightly childlike peace sign for the camera.
Crack.
The shutter clicked softly, capturing the moment: a bustling temple fair backdrop, surging crowds, warm autumn sunshine, and a handsome man smiling unguardedly at the camera, his eyes relaxed, making a peace sign.
His gaze, through the lens, fell directly on the photographer, his eyes overflowing with smiles and tenderness.
Perfect.
Su Mu put away his camera and took Jiang Ran's outstretched hand again.
They strolled around, watched the song and dance performance for a while, and finally found a relatively less crowded spot in the reserved area where they could still see the stage clearly, waiting to see the song and dance troupe to which Su's mother belonged perform.
Su Mu actually felt that her belly was already showing. Although it wasn't obvious yet because she was wearing loose clothes, her body felt much more real.
For example, standing for a long time can easily cause lower back pain, and calf cramps may occur at night or when tired. Movements are also less agile and flexible than before.
So he's already told the factory manager that he'll work for about another month and then stop. After all, as his pregnancy progresses, his belly will become more and more noticeable. Although thick winter clothes can cover it up a bit, the factory has many machines and a messy environment. If he gets hurt, it will be too late to regret it.
Su Mu knew that both Jiang Ran and their parents were quite worried about him having to go to work in the factory despite his special circumstances. Jiang Ran didn't say anything, but every time she accompanied him to the factory, she acted as if it were a major crisis, as if she wanted to do everything for him, even bending down to pick things up. As for his parents, although they supported his decision, Su Mu wasn't an unreasonable person.
He knew these worries and affections stemmed from concern. But he couldn't take advantage of that affection and risk his own and his baby's safety.
Know when to quit while you're ahead, step down in time, and take good care of yourself.
At this moment, after standing and waiting for a while, the soreness in his lower back started to resurface. Jiang Ran, who had been standing beside him, had her arm loosely wrapped around his back. She felt Su Mu subtly adjust his posture: "Are you tired? Why don't you lean on me?"
Su Mu subconsciously looked around. Although they were standing in a slightly off-center spot, it was still a temple fair, with people coming and going, shoulder to shoulder, and curious or kind glances occasionally swept over them.
Su Mu felt a little embarrassed as the two grown men stood close together in public.
But he was indeed a little tired, and the soreness in his back was becoming more and more obvious. He hesitated for a moment, but finally relaxed his body slightly and leaned some of his weight quietly and inconspicuously towards Jiang Ran.
Fortunately, Jiang Ran was tall enough, with broad shoulders and strong arms. He simply tightened his arms, which were originally loosely wrapped around Su Mu's back, slightly, so that Su Mu's back could be firmly pressed against his chest and the crook of his arm, forming a stable and concealed support.
Su Mu immediately felt the pressure on his lower back lessen considerably.
Just as the two maintained this intimate yet not overly conspicuous posture, with Su Mu even slightly turning his head to whisper something to Jiang Ran, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
What are you all doing, all sticky and clinging here?
Su Mu turned around and saw Meng Lingxuan holding hands with Jiao Jiao, who was dressed like a little princess, standing behind them.
"Did you two have magnets or glue on you?" Meng Lingxuan's gaze swept between the two of them. "In this public place, with people coming and going, it's impossible to keep your distance. This isn't some big city where you can be so uninhibited."
Su Mu quickly straightened up, trying to cover up his mistake: "I was just a little tired, and my back ached from standing for so long. Jiang Ran, could you help me up?"
Meng Lingxuan smiled and bluntly exposed, "Come on. I just saw it; it was you who leaned against Xiao Jiang on your own initiative."
Su Mu blushed deeply, even the tips of his ears turning red, from his rapid-fire teasing. He opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but found that it seemed to be true.
After being mercilessly exposed by Meng Lingxuan, Su Mu silently reflected on her actions.
It seems I've been clinging to Jiang Ran a bit too much lately. During the day at home, my eyes always unconsciously follow him; when I sleep at night, I subconsciously lean towards him; when I'm uncomfortable or tired, the first person I think of to lean on is him. This almost instinctive dependence is something even I think is going too far.
The person I used to be seems to be quietly melting and being reshaped by something gentle and warm.
As he was reflecting on his actions, Jiaojiao broke free from her father's hand and ran over, calling out in her childish voice, "Brother Su! Brother Jiang!"
Su Mu squatted down, stroked Jiao Jiao's soft hair, and smiled gently: "Jiao Jiao looks so beautiful today."
Su's father also came over, specifically to watch Su's mother dance.
Just then, the music on the stage suddenly changed, becoming more festive and cheerful. The song and dance troupe to which Su's mother belonged was finally about to perform. Su Mu quickly stood up, picked up the camera hanging around his neck again, adjusted the angle, and aimed it at the stage.
The women, dressed in matching outfits, filed out in single file to the rhythm of the music, their smiles radiant. Su's mother stood in the center of the first row, her stage makeup complete, wearing a royal blue dress and a sparkling headdress that swayed gently with her dance steps, shimmering under the lights.
Jiang Ran stood next to Su Mu: "Auntie danced very well."
Su Mu pressed the shutter: "That's right, they've been rehearsing every night in the village activity room lately, rain or shine, they've put in a lot of effort."
When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted.
Su's mother came out quickly, and her eyes lit up when she saw them. Su Mu's voice was full of pride: "Mom, you're amazing! You danced exceptionally well!"
Jiang Ran stood to the side and said, "Auntie, you dance so well, you're so energetic."
A little embarrassed by the two young men's praise, Su's mother waved her hands repeatedly, her face beaming with joy: "What are you talking about? It's just some casual jumping around, loosening up my muscles. It can't compare to the professionals..."
Su's father said, "If he were even more professional, that would be amazing; he'd have to jump to the national team."
Su's mother laughed and slapped him lightly.
As they were talking, a few of Su's mother's dance friends walked by. One of them, a curly-haired, outgoing woman who wasn't a local from Phoenix Village, curiously looked at Su Mu and Jiang Ran and said to Su's mother with a smile, "Huanzhen, are these your two sons? They're so handsome!"
Su's mother quickly explained with a smile, "No, no, this is my son Su Mu." She pointed to Su Mu and then looked at Jiang Ran, "This is Xiao Jiang, Mu Mu's college classmate. He came to visit, but he's no different from my son."
Upon hearing this, the auntie's gaze swept over Su Mu and Jiang Ran again, and she clicked her tongue in admiration: "They're so handsome, such good-looking people! Do you have a boyfriend yet? Auntie will introduce you to one."
Mother Su: "Oh dear, we can't interfere in the affairs of young people. Let them handle it themselves."
Another slightly older aunt also came over, her eyes shifting between Su Mu and Jiang Ran with a hint of inquiry and curiosity. She lowered her voice and asked Su's mother, "Is he Xiao Mu's college classmate? I heard he's been staying at your house for quite a while? Doesn't his family say anything about it?"
That's a rather subtle question, with a hint of inquiring into someone's privacy.
Su Mu stood to the side, listening to the women's conversation, his smile somewhat stiff. He could feel their gazes shifting between him and Jiang Ran, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and inquiry.
He dared not stand too close to Jiang Ran as naturally as before. In this environment filled with the gazes of elders and gossip, he instinctively chose to avoid suspicion.
Fortunately, Su's mother quickly finished her greetings with her dance friends and left with Su Mu and Jiang Ran.
On the way back, the smile on Su's mother's face faded, replaced by a hint of helplessness and displeasure. She said softly to Jiang Ran, "Jiang Ran, don't mind them. Some people are just gossipy and like to pry into other people's business. What's wrong with you living in our house? We're family, we're happy to stay, what's it to them?"
She spoke frankly.
Jiang Ran: "Auntie, I'm fine. Thank you."
As Su Mu listened to his mother's words and looked at Jiang Ran's calm profile, the tension and discomfort he had felt due to the earlier environment gradually dissipated.
After the temple fair, Su Mu thought to himself: I still need to let Jiang Ran go back as soon as possible.
It wasn't that he found Jiang Ran annoying, nor that he didn't want him to stay by his side. On the contrary, it was precisely because he cared that he didn't want Jiang Ran to continue staying here and becoming the focus of gossip in the village.
Jiang Ran probably wouldn't think anything of it. He comes from a privileged background and is used to being watched and talked about, so he probably doesn't care at all about these speculative glances and words from strangers.
But Su Mu cared.
He grew up in the village and knew it all too well. Unlike Meng Lingxuan, who chose to settle down, marry, and have children, becoming a part of the village, people took it for granted. But an outsider like Jiang Ran, a young man who clearly didn't fit in with the environment, would quickly become the talk of the town if he stayed for an extended period, or even lived in someone else's home.
They would speculate about why he came, why he stayed for so long, whether he couldn't make it outside, or whether he had done something wrong and came back to lay low. Even worse, like those aunties today, they would start asking about his family, job, and marital status.
Su Mu himself could not care. He was used to the pace of life in the village, but the thought of those gazes and words falling on Jiang Ran, even if they were just baseless speculations, made him feel uncomfortable, as if something he cherished was being casually judged and criticized.
Jiang Ran should not be treated like this.
He should return to his own glamorous city, where his career is, where his familiar social circle is, and where he can breathe freely.
So, after washing up in the evening, Jiang Ran, as usual, sat on the edge of the bed and skillfully massaged Su Mu's slightly sore calves and waist.
Su Mu squinted comfortably, the dim light from the bedside lamp illuminating his soft hair and slightly flushed cheeks.
After Jiang Ran finished massaging him, Su Mu slowly opened his eyes, looked at her profile so close to his, and spoke with a hint of negotiation in his tone:
"Young Master Jiang, after you've visited your grandmother in a couple of days... would you please return to Jiangzhou first?"
Jiang Ran: "Why?"
Su Mu pursed his lips: "You know, in the village, when farming is in a slack season, the biggest hobby is just getting together and chatting. If you stay any longer... you'll probably become the freshest and most enduring topic of conversation among them. They can make up all sorts of stories about you."
Jiang Ran: "What about you? Aren't you coming back with me?"
Su Mu: "I want to stay a little longer and spend more time with my parents. Actually, since I left home to go to school and then stayed in the city to work, there have been very few times when our family can get together peacefully like this. I just want to spend more time with them."
He reassured Jiang Ran, "Besides, I won't be going to work at the factory starting next month. I'll stay at home, so it's very safe. You don't need to worry about me."
He looked at Jiang Ran's still furrowed brows, leaned forward, and gave him a quick, light kiss on his tightly pursed lips.
"You should go back first. You have your own things to do too. You can't just keep revolving around me all the time, can you?"
Jiang Ran was kissed by him, and after hearing his sensible and considerate words, she was momentarily at a loss for words. Of course, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to see Su Mu every day, to be with him, to take care of him personally, and to feel the little life changing day by day.
But Su Mu's words were all reasonable.
Does Su Mu look down on him because he doesn't have a job?
Jiang Ran reluctantly replied, "...Mm."
His voice was muffled, clearly indicating disappointment and unhappiness.
Seeing him like this, Su Mu felt a little soft-hearted. He reached out and cupped Jiang Ran's face in his hands: "Cheer up."
Jiang Ran, her face cupped in his hands, forced a smile and returned it to Su Mu.
“…Hmm.” He responded again, this time a little louder.
Su Mu knew he was feeling unwell, so he pulled Jiang Ran down to lie down as well. Then, like a little animal seeking warmth, he snuggled into Jiang Ran's arms and found a comfortable spot.
"Go to sleep," he said softly.
Jiang Ran reached out and wrapped her arms around him tightly, resting her chin on the top of his head. In the darkness, he stared at the ceiling with his eyes open. After a long while, he sighed almost inaudibly, then hugged the person in his arms even tighter.
He knew Su Mu was right.
But he just didn't want to leave.
His whole world revolves around Su Mu, but Su Mu doesn't revolve around him.
-
A note from the author:
They need to separate a little, because our little blockhead hasn't actually confessed his feelings yet, and Young Master Jiang is actually a bit insecure. But the romance isn't angsty; it's just a story of them integrating into each other's lives. They're both down-to-earth people, so it'll be very heartwarming. [doge emoji]
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