Chapter 105
This was probably the first time in his life that he had suffered such an unexpected injury, and Zhou Jingchen couldn't help but blush.
Speaking of this, Zhou Jingchen wondered if God was deliberately tormenting him, making him make all kinds of bizarre and ridiculous appearances in front of the woman he loved. He, Zhou Jingchen, had always been praised for his good reputation, but now he was like a hapless wretch in front of Ye Jia... Sighing deeply, Zhou Jingchen felt frustrated about the little heroic image he had left in Ye Jia's heart.
He had a blank expression on his face and let Ye Jia apply medicine to his head and then bandage it.
"Jia Niang, am I still handsome in your eyes?" After a long time, Zhou Jingchen couldn't help but blurt out these words.
Ye Jia was caught off guard and almost burst out laughing.
She tilted her head to examine the man before her. Zhou Jingchen wore a lush green robe, his hair cascading down like a waterfall, his features painted in a beautiful manner. Ignoring the unevenly tied bandage on his forehead, he had a touch of frail beauty. Considering the undeserved misfortune he had endured, Ye Jia felt it best to be kind to him. "Still handsome. Zhou Yunan, still young and beautiful, is as beautiful as a flower."
Zhou Jingchen: “…”
In fact, the stone that Diandian was holding in his mouth was not very big, only the size of an adult whale's head.
After all, it was in its mouth, and it took two at once, so it couldn't hold them too big. But it must have been thrown too accurately, which is why it was hit like this. Ye Jia thought the funniest thing wasn't Zhou Jingchen, but Dian Dian. A canine climbing a tree with two stones in its mouth was amazing. She was under the impression that cats loved to climb trees. But since it happened, it was just a joke.
"Hey, husband, tell me, what did you do to make Diandian hate you so much?" Ye Jia was really curious. This was not the first time that Diandian treated Zhou Jingchen like this.
Diandian was actually a very intelligent wolf, able to understand human speech and follow simple instructions. Ye Jia suspected its intelligence could rival that of a modern Border Collie. Generally speaking, Diandian was kind to those around Ye Jia. He would either treat them like wolf cubs, like Rui Jie'er and the Sun Jun brothers, or simply ignore them, like Old Man Sun and Fourth Sister Ye. But he was the only one who seemed to express such clear rejection of Zhou Jingchen without actually harming him. Ye Jia inexplicably saw a complex contradiction in this very animal.
Zhou Jingchen glanced at Ye Jia dimly, he couldn't say for sure.
Actually, he had specifically taken Diandian from a wolf den on the grassland. He had chosen Diandian after comparing the other cubs and finding her much more lively than the others. He later raised her at home and fed her. In other words, he was essentially the owner, but Diandian simply wouldn't kiss him.
"...Is it xenophobia?" Zhou Jingchen pondered this question for the first time. He had never cared whether others disliked him or not, but now he was actually wondering how he had offended a wolf. "Maybe it's because I wasn't home when you were young, and then I appeared around you from time to time."
Ye Jia raised her eyebrows. This seemed to make sense. Small animals with high IQs were actually just like children.
Thinking of this, Ye Jia touched the back of his swollen head and couldn't help laughing. As a wolf, he was able to climb up a tree and ambush, and even pick up a stone to hit Zhou Jingchen on the head. It was really thoughtful.
But the more I think about it, the funnier it gets.
Zhou Jingchen waited for her to stop laughing with a wooden face before reaching out to cover Ye Jia's face. He dejectedly demanded that Diandian be driven out: "You can't stay in the house."
"Why?" Diandian must have spent a lot of energy to find her. How could Ye Jia bear to drive it away?
"I'm afraid it will bite me in the middle of the night."
...It's possible. Diandian has done this kind of thing before, and Zhou Jingchen is really afraid of it.
Ye Jia: “…”
After quietly giving him the medicine, Ye Jia discussed with Zhou Jingchen about returning to Dongxiang Town.
She had originally thought she'd come along to help cover up, that it was essential. Now that she realized Zhou Jingchen simply had selfish motives for wanting to spend more time with her, she had other ideas. It wasn't that she didn't understand romance, but when necessary, a relationship doesn't need to be constantly together to be considered deep. Ye Jia herself wasn't so sentimental; she always believed that a more rational approach would lead to a long-term relationship.
Next, after Old Lady Yang and her servant were sent out, Zhou Jingchen would also make a big move.
He couldn't stay away for long, wasting time in Khotan. Li Wenzhu was temporarily managing Luntai, and while there had been no problems, Zhou Jingchen still needed to return as soon as possible. Given this situation, it would be easier to proceed without any obstacles. This wasn't to suggest that Ye Jia was a burden, but it was clearly not a good idea for Ye Jia to stay in Khotan.
Ye Jia herself was aware of this. While she wasn't sure how Zhou Jingchen would move Qiao Zhengyuan to take over the Anxi Protectorate, she was certain it wouldn't be a gentle move. She could easily become Zhou Jingchen's weakness. If she were caught, the consequences would be disastrous.
"...We do need to leave, but there's no rush."
Sometimes Zhou Jingchen didn't want Ye Jia to be so smart. She was too smart, and it was rare to see her relying on him. This wasn't to say he admired women who relied on him, but Zhou Jingchen hoped Ye Jia could rely on him. He put his arms around Ye Jia's waist and naturally pressed his face against the side of Ye Jia's neck. He loved this action now, as if this way he could completely possess this person.
"This happened suddenly, so some things naturally need to be arranged in advance. Please wait for me for three days. I will make all the necessary preparations before you leave."
Ye Jia wasn't in a hurry. He nodded when he heard him say that. "That's perfect. I have a lot of things I need to sort out. By the way, husband, do you have anyone you can trust to assign to me? I'll arrange for people to buy food and stockpile supplies, and I need someone trustworthy and reliable to watch over them."
Zhou Jingchen lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "...I will send you home when we return to Dongxiang Town."
"Besides that, there's also the matter of the shop and the business. It's hard to find a capable shopkeeper these days..."
...She still doesn't forget to make money at this time, she is worthy of being the woman he likes.
Ye Jia patted him, and in his mind he was still thinking about how to make the most of the funds on hand.
The shops and farmland have been registered, and Ye Jia has already ordered renovations. Two of the shops have already decided to sell rouge and powder, so naturally, they've chosen a more refined style. It's still unclear how the Yu family's lip rouge is made, but they'll definitely start selling scented soap and pear blossom cream. Another shop plans to sell meat, potentially opening a chain of Xishi shops.
She had only just found a capable manager, and the other two needed to go back and make plans. Time was short, so these arrangements couldn't be rushed. As for the fertile land, she still had to discuss it with Mr. Zhang Changli.
Old man Zhang Changli has always had two capable assistants at his side. I heard that they used to work for the Grand Minister of Agriculture and have profound knowledge of agronomy.
Regardless of their former official positions, they must have considerable expertise in agriculture to be able to work for the old man. Ye Jia had originally felt that it was a waste for three people with knowledge of farming to occupy the hundred acres of fertile land at the bottom of the Dongxiang Township valley. This was perfect, so one or two could be sent to Khotan. While mentally pondering the business, Ye Jia noticed Zhou Jingchen's hand slipping into her clothes again.
Ye Jia: "...Can you be more serious in broad daylight? Also, my husband, have you forgotten what the doctor told you?"
"Do you want your son or daughter to return to heaven?"
Zhou Jingchen's stroking hand paused.
After a long moment, he sighed and withdrew his hand, muttering to himself as he breathed a sigh of relief: "My retribution, my retribution."
Ye Jia: “…”
Reason is reason, and feeling is feeling.
Zhou Jingchen was genuinely delighted by the child's arrival, but he also felt it came too soon. Since his marriage to Jia Niang, he hadn't enjoyed much intimacy. He often only returned home once every month or two, and even then, he wasn't sure if he'd see Jia Niang. Furthermore, the Turkic invasion kept him on the road, forcing him to return home six months later.
"Don't forget me when you're busy."
It wasn't that Zhou Jingchen wanted to be long-winded, it was just that this young lady was cruel and immediately forgot about him: "Remember to always think of me and write to me."
Ye Jia was a little amused, but mostly speechless: "Didn't I stay here?"
"I didn't leave, but I explained it in advance."
Having said that, some things still need to be arranged early. Zhou Jingchen hugged her and kissed her for a while, and then let go after a long time.
…
The situation in Khotan was becoming increasingly tense, with twice as many soldiers patrolling the streets as before.
They had previously suspected Zhou Jingchen and Ye Jia's backgrounds, but without evidence, they couldn't justify slander. Furthermore, these individuals themselves were dishonest and acted in a similar way, so they didn't dare openly search other people's homes. So, they could only watch in secret, and after a few days of not finding anything unusual, they relaxed their focus. Now, with their superiors getting anxious and putting pressure on them, they've turned their attention to Zhou Jingchen and Ye Jia, the strikingly handsome couple.
In order to report to their superiors, these officers and soldiers secretly arrested the old doctor who had visited the inn earlier and brought him back for questioning. When they learned that the doctor was called in because the young couple's wife was pregnant, and not because of the old woman, they relaxed their vigilance again.
Zhou Jingchen's arrangements were also very quick. In less than three days, all the people from the Yu family had been sent away by him one after another.
Ye Jia boarded the carriage back to Dongxiang Town on the third night. The people who came to pick him up brought a small team, disguised as household guards. Huanpei and Xiaoli dressed as maids, and the group of over twenty people came to meet him.
Besides, Diandian also boarded the carriage. The eldest wolf was curled up at Ye Jia's feet.
"I'll be back in about a month." Zhou Jingchen stood by the car window, looking up and talking to Ye Jia from above. "Thanks to Jia Niang's luck, this time things are easier than expected. You wait for me at home."
Ye Jia's heart wasn't made of stone. Not to mention that Zhou Jingchen was just what she liked, but seeing such a grown man hanging around her all day, it was natural for her to be reluctant to let him go. Reaching out and touching his cold earlobe, Ye Jia thought of the various injuries on his body and had only one thing to say: "Zhou Yun'an, remember this: take care of yourself and don't die."
Zhou Jingchen was stunned. Just one sentence made his heart filled with sweetness. It took him a long time to smile with his eyes curved.
Dongxiang Town wasn't far from Khotan, so taking a shortcut, they arrived in a day and a night. Considering Ye Jia's pregnancy, they couldn't ride too much, so they traveled very steadily. They arrived at Dongxiang Town on the morning of the third day. The carriage lurched to a stop at the Shen Mansion—no, the sign had now been changed to read Zhou Mansion. Yingtao, having received the news long ago, immediately came down to greet them, and Lingling quickly ran back to inform Yu Shi.
It was already dawn when Ye Jia got off the carriage.
She didn't bring much with her, and Diandian jumped off the carriage beside her. As the man and the wolf reached the door, Yu Shi, who was inside, had already received the news and hurried over to greet them: "Jia Niang, you're finally back! You're finally back!"
Ye Jia had left in the middle of the night, so hastily that Yu Shi hadn't even noticed he was missing. It wasn't until someone Zhou Jingchen sent told her the next morning that she realized her son had come back in the middle of the night and kidnapped his daughter-in-law.
Upon hearing the news, Yu was both happy and angry. She was happy that her son, who had been so stubborn, had finally taken his daughter-in-law with him on his long journey. She was delighted that their relationship was harmonious. She was naturally angry that Zhou Jingchen was acting recklessly and without restraint.
Others didn't know what he was doing behind his back, but Yu knew it all. Zhou Jingchen was a martial artist, and being a man, it was already worrying that he was doing something so dangerous, but he even forced his helpless daughter-in-law to accompany him! What kind of thing was this? If something went wrong and Ye Jia got hurt, who would she hold responsible?!
"Why are you losing weight again?"
As soon as Mrs. Yu saw Ye Jia, she said she had lost weight. Ye Jia had always been thin, and although she was in good health, she often worried Mrs. Yu. Now, after looking around at Ye Jia, she felt that her daughter-in-law had become a paper figure after going out. "She's lost so much weight! What's wrong with this kid Yun An?"
Ye Jia was helpless, but she felt warm in her heart when she heard Yu's care and concern.
The people who had escorted Ye Jia back this time were actually Zhou Jingchen's guards, hiding in the dark to protect the couple. If Ye Jia was escorted back to Dongxiang Town, Zhou Jingchen would naturally have fewer people around him. Now that Ye Jia had been sent back, they had to immediately return to Khotan. Ye Jia knew what was going on and let them go on their own: "He's indeed lost a little weight. The food outside isn't tasty, and I don't eat much."
As she spoke, she walked into the house with Yu.
Fourth Sister Ye went to the shop with Qiuyue. Business had stabilized, and Fourth Sister Ye went to the shop every day without fail. Ye Jia followed Yu through the corridor into the house and saw two chubby little kids sitting on the carpet in the main courtyard.
One had black hair and black eyes, the other curly hair and green eyes. They were fair, tender, and chubby, like two lucky dolls made from dough. Though they'd only been gone for two months, children grew up so fast, changing every day. Before I left, they were barely able to speak, but now they were arguing with each other in garbled language, showing great strength and fighting over things.
Rui Jie'er was sitting on a small stool beside her with a piece of dessert in her hand. When she saw Ye Jia, she immediately jumped off the chair and rushed over to hug Ye Jia's waist.
However, no matter how fast the person moved, he could not be faster than Huanpei. Before the person could get close to her, Huanpei dodged and blocked him outside. Although Huanpei looked thin, she was very strong and could lift a hundred pounds of things with one hand. She directly grabbed Ruijie'er's collar and pulled her aside: "Miss Rui, please be careful. Don't bump into the master."
As soon as the words fell, Yu, who was following Ye Jia, was stunned.
She blinked and looked at Ye Jia.
Ye Jia felt a little awkward, but at her age, things were just natural and there was nothing to be awkward about. Before she could say anything, Yu's eyes flickered over Ye Jia's body, and then they lit up.
"...It's not very stable yet." Ye Jia sat down on the chair next to him and said lightly, "About a month."
Yu's eyes suddenly welled up at Ye Jia's affirmation. God knows how long she'd been waiting for this child. It was this strength that kept her standing here, alive and well. But no one knew her son's stubbornness better than she did. While Yu never publicly urged Ye Jia, she secretly prayed for this very thing. Finally, finally, her wish came true.
"Okay, okay, okay!" After saying "okay" three times in a row, Yu rolled her eyes and fell down in front of Ye Jia.
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