"Hello!" Standing at the door of Chen Baoshanâs house, she knocked and asked.
"Coming!" Zhu Guiying, who opened the door, saw Sheng Ning standing outside and said shyly, "Is it Sister-in-Law? Come in, come in! Why didnât you go to the cafeteria to eat? Everyone is there celebrating the Spring Festival today."
It was somewhat embarrassing for Sheng Ning to be called âSister-in-Lawâ by someone several years older than herself, "I wonât go, these are dumplings I wrapped myself, I brought some for you to try."
"Ah?" Zhu Guiyingâs honest face was filled with surprise, "Sister-in-Law can make dumplings?"
"..." Was it so strange that she could make dumplings?
"Iâm sorry, Sister-in-Law, you see, my mouth just doesnât know how to speak properly. I just thought you looked like a city person, you definitely wouldnât do manual work. I..." she faltered and dared not continue.
Ever since she came from her hometown, she wasnât very popular in this residential area, and she was not good with words. If she wasnât careful, she might offend people. The villagers didnât like her, and the city folks looked down on her, thinking she was too rustic with her heavy local accent.
Sheng Ning was the Captainâs wife and also from the Song and Dance Troupe, and she was so beautiful. Two months ago, when people in the residential area were waiting for Sheng Ning to move in, everyone was thinking about how to establish a good relationship with the Captainâs wife.
She... she finally had a chance, and yet she had offended her.
"Itâs okay!" Sheng Ning smiled, her fair and delicate cheeks blooming like a bright rose, which left Zhu Guiying dumbfounded.
The Captainâs wife was truly beautiful, much more so than the wife of the leader of the third group.
"Keep the dumplings, Iâll head back now." Sheng Ning was not familiar with her, and she still didnât understand the situation in the residential area well, so it was better not to be too rash; she left the dumplings and walked away.
Zhu Guiying tried to persuade her to stay for a while, but she refused.
Returning to her own home, Sheng Ning reflected on Zhu Guiyingâs reaction and felt more or less sure of the situation. The camaraderie among the men in the rescue team was strong, but among the families, there was constant pettiness. It was better for her to be less involved to avoid mishandling things and causing trouble for Living Yama.
Having finished making dumplings, she returned to the room to call everyone.
"Get up, itâs time to eat!" She reached out to pinch Xu Qigangâs nose, but her hand was halfway out when he suddenly grabbed it.
Xu Qigang opened his eyes, his deep gaze like an inscrutable cold pool, capable of sucking in oneâs soul.
Sheng Ning stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Stunned?"
"So itâs you, Xu Qigang! Youâve been deceiving me, you werenât drunk at all, were you?" Itâs no wonder she managed to help him inside earlier. Though he felt heavy, she managed to do it. At that time, she thought it was strange; nearly six-foot-three, he might look slim, but his body was solid muscle, which made him weigh much more than he looked.
She thought her strength had increased, but in fact, he was pretending.
"No!"
"Let me go, I donât believe you," Sheng Ning struggled to break free from his grasp, but somehow she ended up being pinned down again.
"You... youâre bullying me." Frustrated, her eyes reddened.
"Be good, donât cry." He lowered his head and pressed a kiss on her lips. "I pretended to be drunk because I was afraid youâd be angry, afraid youâd think of leaving."
"Really?" Sheng Ningâs heart had already softened, "Youâre not lying to me?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Alright! I believe you, but since you lied to me today, you are not allowed to touch me for the next three days."
Xu Qigang groaned as he burrowed his face into her neck, "Can we choose another punishment? This one is too cruel, Iâd rather do a thousand push-ups."