Wang Puan cut a large piece of meat and made a pot of braised rice. Afraid that Xu Nian wouldn't like the greasy food, he also stir-fried a plate of vegetables for her.
After dinner, Xu Nian confessed to Wang Puan, "I was bought by the Liu family to bring good luck, but the man died right after we got married, so I'm a widow now."
Hearing that Xu Nian had already married someone else, Wang Pu'an felt very uncomfortable, but when he heard that the man was dead, he was secretly delighted.
It's good that she's dead. If that man hadn't died, he wouldn't have met her.
"It's okay, I'm all alone, I don't care about so much, as long as you don't mind my ugliness and fierceness." Wang Pu'an knew that he was not good-looking enough for the girl, but he hoped that Xu Nian was different, he really liked her.
“Actually, you’re not ugly; it’s just that the people in the village don’t know how to appreciate you.” Xu Nian was absolutely right.
Wang Pu'an is the rugged, tough guy type; if he lived in the 21st century, he would definitely charm many women.
She complimented me, saying I wasn't ugly.
Wang Pu'an was so excited that he wanted to go into the mountains to hunt a wild boar to add to the excitement.
However, seeing Xu Nian's worn-out clothes brought her back to reality.
"Come with me to town to buy a couple of outfits, and some women's items you want." After saying this, Wang Pu'an went into the house and rummaged through the chests and cabinets, finding all the silver. He then came out looking dumbfounded.
Under Xu Nian's puzzled gaze, he carefully took her hand, and then his whole face turned red.
This male lead is so innocent; his face turns red just from holding hands.
"Can I call you Niannian?" Wang Puan asked, trying to control his excitement.
"Yes, you can read?" Xu Nian was surprised. She didn't expect the big-looking Wang Pu'an to be so thoughtful. He had never asked her name before, only on the indenture.
"I secretly squatted outside the school when I was a kid and learned a little bit," Wang Pu'an said, scratching his head sheepishly.
"You're very smart." Xu Nian's praise made Wang Pu'an blush again.
He stammered, "Niannian, you are very beautiful."
"Thank you for the compliment." Xu Nian gladly accepted Wang Pu'an's praise. This body was indeed beautiful, but it gave people a feeling of frailty.
Her pale face, almond-shaped eyes, and slightly furrowed willow-leaf eyebrows seemed to be shrouded in an indescribable sorrow.
Her slender figure, snow-white skin, and long black hair, even in tattered clothes, could not conceal the beauty that emanated from her very bones.
Xu Nian even suspected that the original owner wasn't her biological child, otherwise why would she be so easily sold off to someone else for a marriage of convenience?
With her looks, they could easily marry her off to any rich man.
But the original owner's family just sold her off like that, which is so unreasonable!
"Niannian, are you feeling unwell?" Wang Puan noticed that Xu Nian had been frowning the whole way and was worried that he had done something wrong to upset her.
"I'm fine. When do we get to town?" Xu Nian's nose was sweating, and her rosy lips pursed unconsciously a few times, clearly indicating that she was thirsty.
"Niannian, have some water." Wang Puan handed Xu Nian his water bag.
After Xu Nian finished drinking the water, Wang Pu'an hung the water bag back on his waist and said, "Niannian, we'll be in town in just two miles. Hang in there a little longer."
He was inwardly cursing himself for being careless. He was a big, strong man and could walk without any problem, but how could Niannian, who was so delicate, compare to him? He would definitely rent an oxcart for Niannian next time they went out.
After walking two miles, they indeed arrived at the town that Wang Puan had mentioned. He excitedly led her into the clothing shop.
Xu Nian tried on several outfits, and Wang Pu'an thought they all looked good. He counted his money and bought them all without hesitation.
After leaving the clothing store, they bought whatever delicious food they saw, as well as hair accessories that suited Xu Nian. They also bought her new bedding and a bathtub.
Because he bought too much stuff, Wang Pu'an found an oxcart to haul it back.
On the way back, Xu Nian sat on the oxcart, and Wang Pu'an sat next to her, watching her and smiling.
"You've spent all your money, yet you're still smiling so happily?" Xu Nian had just watched him use his last bit of money to rent an oxcart.
“It’s alright. I’ll go hunting in the mountains tomorrow. I’ll earn more money in the future, and you should use the best.” Wang Pu’an blushed shyly again.
Xu Nian was taken aback, then her eyes became complicated. The thought of stealing his belongings and running away made her feel guilty.
“You don’t need to do this. As long as you’re safe and sound, it doesn’t matter how much money you have.” Xu Nian’s words, spoken unintentionally, moved Wang Pu’an to tears.
"Niannian." He murmured the name, his heart feeling as if it were soaking in honey, sweet and swollen, while at the same time, something called possessiveness gradually rose uncontrollably.
It was getting dark when they got home. Wang Pu'an asked Xu Nian to sit at the table and eat some pastries. After he tidied up all of Xu Nian's things, he went to heat up the bathwater.
"Niannian, the hot water is ready and has been put in the bathtub. Go take a bath!" Wang Puan said and quickly went out. He squatted by the yard, not daring to look at the house at all.
After Xu Nian finished showering, she called out to Wang Pu'an a few times when she didn't see him.
"Niannian, I'm here. Come inside quickly. It's chilly at night, don't catch a cold." Wang Pu'an walked past Xu Nian with his head down, went into the kitchen, emptied the water from the bathtub, cleaned the tub, and put it away.
He did everything perfectly and was incredibly considerate. Xu Nian saw all his actions, but didn't say anything and silently climbed onto the only wooden bed in the house.
Sleeping in the brand-new bedding, feeling warm and cozy, I drifted off to sleep in no time.
When Wang Pu'an came in, he saw Xu Nian sleeping. Afraid of waking her up, he quietly got into bed.
But with a fragrant person lying next to him, someone he liked so much, Wang Pu'an was stiff all over and couldn't fall asleep.
He longed to touch her, but reason told him he couldn't; she was so delicate, he would scare her.
He didn't want her to be sad, and he especially didn't want her to see him crying in pain.
Lying there stiffly, Wang Pu'an didn't know how he fell asleep.
He had a dream. In his dream, he was holding a delicate woman in his arms. In his dream, he was a wicked man.
Ignoring the woman's cries and struggles, he eagerly took everything from her.
He seemed to have become a beast driven only by instinct, brutally bullying the woman.
The woman's pleas and cries lingered in his mind. He tried to stop the version of himself in his dream from doing bad things, but he just couldn't stop.
Not enough, not enough, still not enough, he wanted more.
Nian Nian, his constant thoughts.
...
Wang Pu'an struggled to wake up and saw the person next to him lying there unharmed. He breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time felt ashamed.
He said he wouldn't touch her unless she agreed, but his heart and dreams were filled with her, and he was still savoring the feeling from those dreams.
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