Free Web NovelChapter 157: Chapter 157: Midsummer Cicadas, Golden Sunlight
Cicadas droned in the midsummer heat under a brilliant golden sun.
On her way back to the military family compound, Wen Ci saw slogans painted on a wall, encouraging students for the upcoming college entrance exam. It was already June tenth; the exam was set for July seventh.
While many wouldn’t get into a university, just being a high school graduate was a big deal. Jobs were guaranteed upon graduation. As long as you didn’t make any major mistakes and weren’t fired or laid off, you were set for a comfortable life.
After you’d been at your job long enough, your work unit would even provide you with housing.
You didn’t have to pay into a pension, but you’d still receive retirement pay decades later—at a rate often much higher than the wages of younger workers. The benefits were fantastic.
Walking through the compound, Wen Ci noticed many of the residents were dressed in new outfits—fashionable, short summer clothes layered with stylish jackets.
Suddenly, a few young women from the compound approached her. "Comrade Jiang," one asked, "do you have any more summer clothes for sale? My cousin just got back from the Southern region, and she said the clothes you sell are the latest and most fashionable styles."
Hearing this, Wen Ci lightly licked her lips.
She had promised to sell them for eight yuan a piece today, and she’d been planning to rest at home this afternoon. "Tell you what," she said, "come find me tonight, and I’ll bring them for you."
"Okay."
Meanwhile, the proprietors at the major wholesale markets had already scented a business opportunity. The newest, most fashionable clothes were being sold for surprisingly low prices.
If they could just find the supplier, their business would explode.
While they were searching, Wen Ci had already returned to her courtyard.
In the courtyard, Huo Jingyuan was stretched out on a lounge chair in the center. A blanket was draped over his head to block the sun, his shirt cast aside.
His wounds were wrapped in bandages, the white gauze tinged with faint traces of blood and medicinal ointment. Soaking up the sun was supposed to help the injuries heal faster.
Wen Ci tiptoed to his side. She saw that his waist and abdomen were uninjured, revealing sharp, tight abs that radiated a raw, hormonal energy.
His broad shoulders and narrow waist were just begging to be touched.
Wen Ci leaned over, craning her neck to look down at him, her body blocking some of the sunlight.
On the lounge chair, Huo Jingyuan caught a faint, elusive fragrance—the scent that belonged only to his wife. He raised a hand, his grasp unerring as he gently but firmly took hold of Wen Ci’s slender wrist.
Wen Ci’s breath hitched. The moment he grasped her wrist, it felt like a feather brushing against her heart. He lifted the blanket from his face.
Wen Ci’s lashes fluttered. "How did you know it was me?"
"Your scent."
His voice was deep. Wen Ci looked closer and noticed a bite mark on his Adam’s apple—her handiwork from the other night. Lowering her gaze, she murmured, "You could at least try to cover that up."
"Cover what?"
Realization seemed to dawn on him. He adjusted the lounge chair, pushing himself into a half-sitting position. A hand with well-defined knuckles traced the bite mark, and his lips curled in satisfaction.
"This is the mark my wife left on me. No need to cover it."
Wen Ci rolled her eyes at him. "We have a kid in the house, you know."
"He’s just a little kid, what the hell would he know?" he grumbled, the curse sounding surprisingly manly in his magnetic voice.
An excited voice suddenly cut through their flirtatious moment. "Sis, you’re back?"
Wen Ci pulled her hand free and snatched the blanket, throwing it over his body. It wasn’t that she minded Wen Yaozu seeing Huo Jingyuan’s physique.
It was just that things had gotten a little intense between them the other night.
Huo Jingyuan was injured and hadn’t dared to use too much force.
He could only endure a few bite marks being left on his body.
Wen Ci didn’t answer, instead changing the subject. "How did your studying go today? If you finish all your sixth-grade practice questions, I’ll treat you to dinner at the state-run restaurant tonight."
