Jiang Linchuan smiled helplessly and did not refute. He simply reached out and lifted the blanket. "Don't stay in bed. It's time to get up and eat something. I've made your favorite millet porridge and some refreshing side dishes."
"I'm in pain all over if I don't get up." Xu Xinghe shrank back a little, resisting getting up.
"I'll carry you." Jiang Linchuan said, bending down and carefully lifting her out of the blankets, his movements gentle, as if afraid of hurting her.
A set of loose cotton pajamas had already been prepared by the bedside. He picked up the pajamas and patiently helped Xu Xinghe put them on one by one.
Xu Xinghe then realized that her body felt exceptionally refreshed, obviously because Jiang Linchuan had wiped her body after she fell asleep that morning.
The resentment in her heart dissipated almost entirely in an instant.
He still has some conscience.
After getting dressed, Jiang Linchuan picked her up and carried her into the living room.
The food was already laid out on the small table.
A bowl of warm millet porridge, still steaming, with two side dishes on the side.
Cold cucumber salad and pickled radish are both refreshing dishes that she loves.
Jiang Linchuan placed her on a chair, then took a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of millet porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and then held it to her lips. "Eat slowly, it's freshly cooked, not hot."
Xu Xinghe did not refuse and opened her mouth to eat it.
The millet porridge was cooked until it was soft, sticky, and sweet, melting in her mouth, which perfectly suited her hoarse voice at that moment.
Jiang Linchuan fed her spoonful by spoonful, occasionally adding a small side dish to her plate.
After finishing a bowl of porridge, Xu Xinghe felt sleepy again, and the soreness all over her body became more and more obvious.
She tried to stand up, but after taking just one step, she felt a sharp, stabbing pain that startled her so much that she immediately stopped.
Seeing this, Jiang Linchuan quickly stepped forward and hugged her. "Does it hurt a lot? I'll take you back to your room to rest. Don't do anything this afternoon, just lie down and relax."
As he spoke, he picked her up again and carried her quickly into the bedroom. He carefully placed Xu Xinghe on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
Xu Xinghe shrank further into the quilt, watching his busy figure.
She tugged at Jiang Linlinchuan's sleeve and whispered, "Sleep with me for a while too."
Jiang Linchuan nodded, lay down on the edge of the bed, and carefully pulled her into his arms.
Xu Xinghe leaned against his warm chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and soon fell into a deep sleep again.
The two had just fallen asleep when there was a rapid knocking at the gate.
Jiang Linchuan frowned slightly, afraid of waking Xu Xinghe in his arms. He gently released his arms, got out of bed, grabbed a vest and put it on, then pulled up his shorts before walking towards the courtyard gate.
Lian Xiao stood outside the door, his face gloomy and his eyes filled with anxiety.
When he saw that it was Jiang Linchuan who opened the door, his expression became even more unpleasant.
The other person was wearing only a thin tank top, revealing their toned arms, and casual shorts. They still had a lazy, just-woke-up vibe about them, clearly having stayed there overnight.
Lian Xiao's anger flared instantly. He swung his fist and smashed it towards Jiang Linchuan's face, yelling, "You bastard! What right do you have to marry her!"
He had just heard from Political Commissar Wang that the two of them had gone to get their marriage certificate. At first, he refused to believe it, but now, seeing this scene, all his hopes had vanished!
They actually got their marriage certificate!
The girl he loved was taken home by someone else!
Jiang Linchuan was prepared. His eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to precisely block the fist.
Before Lian Xiao could make a move, he raised his foot and kicked hard, sending the man staggering back several steps.
Jiang Linchuan closed the courtyard gate and looked at him coldly. "What do you want? Do you want to fight me? I just got married and don't want to do anything bloody. But if you insist on causing trouble, I don't mind using my strength."
Lian Xiao stopped, his chest heaving, and pointed at Jiang Linchuan's nose, demanding, "Did you trick Xinghe into marrying you? You two hadn't registered your marriage for so long, why did you suddenly do it now? There's definitely something fishy going on here!"
"Deceive?" Jiang Linchuan scoffed. "She and I are engaged. Marriage is a natural progression. Why would we need to deceive her? Besides, this is our business. What does it have to do with you, an outsider?"
He inadvertently revealed a faint red hickey on his neck, a mark left from their tenderness the previous night.
Lian Xiao's gaze was instantly drawn to the hickey, his pupils contracted sharply, and he staggered back a step, his face turning deathly pale.
His voice trembled as he asked incredulously, "You...you slept here last night? You've already..."
“Otherwise?” Jiang Linchuan raised an eyebrow, interrupting him. “We are a legally married couple, and it’s only natural for us to live together. Whatever happens has nothing to do with you. Lian Xiao, I advise you to stop having unrealistic fantasies. Xinghe is my wife now, and we are already a family.”
Lian Xiao remained silent.
His hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched into fists, his eyes filled with resentment.
He liked Xu Xinghe and had been in love with her for a long time. In recent days, he had been thinking about finding an opportunity to steal Jiang Linchuan away.
But now, they've not only gotten their marriage certificate, they're already living together.
If he continues to pester me, it will really be going too far.
His grandfather once told him that one should have a bottom line. If you like someone, you can try to win them over, but you can't do anything to ruin someone else's relationship, and you certainly can't cross the moral line.
Lian Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and stared intently into Jiang Linchuan's eyes. "I understand. I won't bother Xinghe anymore. But remember, if you dare to treat her badly, even just once, I will take her away immediately and never let her suffer the slightest grievance!"
Jiang Linchuan watched his departing figure, his eyes darkening. He remained silent and closed the courtyard gate.
He turned and went back to the bedroom, where he saw Xu Xinghe still fast asleep, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she had a bad dream.
He walked to the bedside, bent down and gently smoothed the wrinkles between her brows, whispering, "Don't worry, I will never let you suffer, and I will never give anyone else a chance. You will always be mine."
Xu Xinghe seemed to sense his touch, unconsciously snuggling closer to him before falling back into a deep sleep.
Jiang Linchuan sat down by the bed and quietly watched her sleeping face.
From now on, he will protect this happiness and not let anyone disturb it.
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