Chapter 42 Afternoon Intimacy
Pigs are slaughtered in batches at the pig farm, and piglets are brought in one after another.
In this cycle, Wenbin honed himself into a capable "small boss".
He is thorough and efficient in his work, and he never slacks off when feeding or cleaning up manure.
What's even more commendable is that he has a natural sincerity and sense of propriety in his interactions with others.
Offering cigarettes and chatting with the truck drivers who deliver feed can make them more willing to drive a few extra miles to deliver the best feed first next time.
When settling accounts with pig buyers, he generously conceded the rightful profits and paid every penny without shortchanging them. Over time, his reputation even surpassed that of some seasoned businessmen.
Zhao Fei saw it all.
That evening, after finishing up most of the work at the pig farm, he called Wenbin over.
"Brother, come, sit here." Zhao Fei pointed to the peeling wooden chair in the office and sat down first.
Wenbin dusted himself off and sat down somewhat awkwardly.
He and Zhao Fei are the same age, so they are considered to be of the same generation.
According to his younger sister Wen Xiaoxiao's perspective, he should call Zhao Fei "Big Brother".
The two later simply started talking to each other separately and calling each other "brother," which made them feel less restrained.
"Brother, what's up?" Wenbin asked.
Zhao Fei didn't beat around the bush. He took out a bunch of keys and a thick kraft paper notebook from the drawer and pushed them in front of Wenbin.
"You'll be in charge of that newly expanded farm on the east side from now on. Take charge of the accounts, feed intake, pig output, and labor costs."
Wenbin was startled and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, brother, how can I manage such a big mess? All I can do is exert my strength..."
“You have strength, you have attention to detail, and you’re becoming more and more reliable in dealing with people.” Zhao Fei looked at him with a trusting gaze. “If I say you can do it, you can. Give it a try, and ask me if you don’t understand.”
Wenbin knew that this was an opportunity given to him by Zhao Fei, and also an affirmation of his hard work these days.
He clenched his rough hands and nodded emphatically: "Then... I'll give it a try first. Don't worry, I'll definitely do my best!"
From that day on, Wenbin became a different person.
I get up before dawn and go to the farm I'm in charge of to check on the pigs' condition and the temperature of the feed troughs.
While the other workers rested at night, he was still under the lamp, checking the ledgers one by one.
He's lost some weight, but his eyes are brighter, and he stands up straighter.
Even his speech and actions exude a calm and composed air of someone in charge.
That morning, Sister Hu rushed to the courtyard house.
"Xiaoxiao! Help!" Sister Hu grabbed Wen Xiaoxiao's hand, her voice urgent. "I've taken on a big job. The newly opened credit union needs four suits made for its employees, two for men and two for women! They've already provided the materials, high-quality wool! The deadline is tight, and I really can't finish them all by myself. I trust your craftsmanship. Help me with two suits, and we can talk about the pay!"
Looking at Sister Hu's eager eyes, and then at Yi Zhen and Yi Bao lying side by side in the main room, playing with their fingers, Wen Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment.
After the two little ones turned 100 days old, they were indeed much easier to take care of. Once they were well-fed and slept, they could play by themselves for a long time and were not too fussy.
"Okay, Sister Hu, I'll take it." She finally nodded; it's always good to be able to earn some money herself.
Besides, she only has one year to save money.
She placed the two small bamboo carts side by side in the best-lit spot in the main room, put the two treasures inside, and surrounded them with pillows and blankets.
Then they moved the sewing machine out and set it up next to the octagonal table in the main room.
The rhythmic "clack-clack-clack" of the sewing machine, accompanied by the occasional babbling of the children, created a strange sense of peace.
Zhao Fei often saw this scene when he came home at night.
He never disturbed them, but simply stood quietly at the door and watched for a while.
In fact, he had given Wen Xiaoxiao a lot of money, which he stuffed under the milk powder cans he bought for the child, or tucked into the new fabrics that were delivered.
But when Wen Xiaoxiao found out, she would always quietly keep the items and then find another opportunity to put them back in his pocket, or buy him and Yidi clothes and shoes.
She was adamant: no.
Zhao Fei understood her stubbornness and pride, but he couldn't do anything about it.
The only option was to buy more things in various ways, ensuring that the family had enough rice, flour, oil, salt, baby formula, diapers, and even coal for burning.
Several months have passed since our last intimate encounter.
Zhao Fei wasn't unwilling; he was extremely eager to do so.
In the stillness of the night, the glimpse of her fair nape when she bent down to sew, the gentle humming she sang while coaxing her child, even the faint scent of milk and soap on her body, were like invisible hooks, stimulating every nerve in his body.
But he tried his best to restrain himself.
He didn't want Wen Xiaoxiao to think that he was no different from Zhao Qingda, a beast who only cared about venting his own anger, as if he only sought her out for that kind of thing.
He cherished her, respected her, and felt sorry for her.
Besides, Zhao Yidi is currently sleeping in the east wing at night, so there's really no opportunity, and it's not appropriate.
That afternoon, nothing urgent happened at the pig farm.
Wenbin arranged the new batch of piglets perfectly. Zhao Fei looked at them, satisfied, and drove back in his van.
The courtyard was quiet, and the shadows of the jujube trees stretched long.
Zhao Yidi hasn't finished school yet.
Inside the main room, the sewing machine was quiet, and the children in the two small bamboo carts were asleep, their little chests rising and falling gently with their breath.
Wen Xiaoxiao lay on her side on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), with her back to the door, pounding her lower back with her hands.
For several days in a row, I was rushing to make suits, bending over and operating the machine, and my back ached terribly.
Zhao Fei walked in quietly, and when he saw her movements, his brows furrowed slightly.
He walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), sat down, and placed his warm, broad hands on her aching lower back instead of her own feeble pounding.
"Ah..." Wen Xiaoxiao gasped softly, realizing that the person who came was Zhao Fei, and then relaxed.
He didn't speak, but silently and attentively massaged her.
The technique, though somewhat clumsy, was extremely patient, moving from the lower back to the spine.
His fingers occasionally traced the hollows of her spine, sending a slight shiver down her spine.
Wen Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, feeling the reassuring yet restless touch on her back.
Something dormant within my body for months seemed to be awakened by this gentle massage, slowly reviving and spreading.
She recalled Zhao Qingda's rudeness and indifference, and even more so Zhao Fei's carefulness and thoughtfulness.
That feeling of being cherished and cared for overwhelmed her like a warm tide.
She's not made of wood.
She misses him too.
She longed for his embrace.
His warmth, the intimacy he gave was completely different.
A blush crept onto her cheeks, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the sheets beneath her.
After a while, as if she had made up her mind, she turned her head slightly, reached out and gently squeezed Zhao Fei's wrist, which was busy around her waist.
It was a subtle, yet incredibly clear signal.
Zhao Fei's kneading and massaging movements suddenly stopped.
He took a deep breath, turned around and grasped her slightly cool hand, holding it tightly.
No further words were spoken.
All the suppressed longing and silent yearning found an outlet at this moment.
He leaned down and kissed her lips, which were slightly pursed due to nervousness.
This kiss was different from the previous tentative and explosive one; it was longer and deeper, filled with longing and suppressed passion.
Wen Xiaoxiao was a little stiff at first, but she quickly responded awkwardly under his guidance.
Her hand climbed up his broad back, her fingertips applying slight pressure.
The autumn wind was still blowing slowly through the fallen leaves in the yard.
The door to the main room was ajar, and the two children were fast asleep in the small bamboo cart, oblivious to everything.
On this ordinary yet special autumn afternoon, two souls who sought warmth from each other finally came together once again.
All concerns were temporarily cast aside.
Only the burning body temperature, the intertwined breaths, and that silent yet surging desire to confirm each other's existence.
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