Free Web NovelChapter 179: Chapter 179: Such a Smooth Talker
Carry you on my back or in my arms? Pick one.
Su Li’s expression stiffened.
Tang Yuanxiao was exasperated. "Su Li, it’s just the two of us out here. Why are you trying to act so tough?"
He took a deep breath. "If it hurts, just say so. Why did you endure it? You kept holding it in until you passed out..."
Tang Yuanxiao had actually been very angry just now. Angry that Su Li had endured the pain without saying a word, to the point of fainting.
Su Li fell silent.
’I’m just used to the pain, used to enduring it...’ she thought. ’Isn’t this how I got through all the pain in my last life?’
"I... I’m fine," Su Li said, knowing Tang Yuanxiao was concerned for her. It was all she could say.
"From now on, you’re not allowed to just endure it. If it hurts, cry out," Tang Yuanxiao said, and then directly moved to lift Su Li onto his back again. "Be good."
Su Li looked at Tang Yuanxiao’s tense profile and didn’t struggle.
Tang Yuanxiao’s expression softened a little. "Lean on me and get some rest." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Su Li hummed a quiet assent.
The pain earlier had left her in a cold sweat, and now her sweat-drenched clothes clung to her skin, making her extremely uncomfortable. Moreover, although the pain that had made her faint had subsided, Su Li still felt incredibly weak.
Before long, lulled by the rhythm of Tang Yuanxiao’s steady breathing, Su Li unconsciously closed her eyes.
Tang Yuanxiao’s steps were steady, and his shoulders were broad and solid, giving her a sense of security.
The sun made Su Li drowsy, and she wasn’t sure how long had passed before she suddenly jolted awake.
She struggled a bit. "Tang Yuanxiao, you must be tired. Put me down."
"It’s fine. We’ll be at the bus station soon." Tang Yuanxiao’s breathing was a little heavier than before.
Su Li looked around. The village from before was no longer in sight. She then checked the time and realized nearly an hour had passed.
That meant Tang Yuanxiao had been carrying her for almost an hour without a single complaint.
She wasn’t fat, but she still weighed over a hundred pounds!
"Hurry and put me down," Su Li said anxiously.
"We’re almost there..." Seeing how hard Su Li was struggling, Tang Yuanxiao finally let her down.
He discreetly clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to ease the sore numbness in his arms. When he looked up, he saw Su Li gazing at him with an extremely complicated expression.
"What’s wrong?"
Su Li was still staring at the large, sweat-soaked patch on Tang Yuanxiao’s back when she noticed his forehead was also covered in sweat.
"You should wipe your sweat..." she said after a pause.
’And he said he wasn’t tired, that he wanted to carry me all the way to the station... What a fool...’
A strange feeling welled up inside Su Li.
Hearing this, Tang Yuanxiao smiled. "It’s hot today." He raised his arm and wiped his brow with his sleeve.
"Don’t you have a handkerchief?" Su Li hesitated for a moment before taking one out of her pocket.
"I gave it to Momo this morning..." Tang Yuanxiao’s gaze flickered as he looked at the handkerchief in Su Li’s hand. He took it and carefully wiped away his sweat.
"Are you still in pain?"
"It doesn’t hurt anymore," Su Li said, shaking her head.
The sharp, spasmodic pain had passed. Now it was just the usual ache she got during her period, which was completely bearable.
"That’s good. Let’s go. There’s a bus stop just up ahead where we can catch a ride." Tang Yuanxiao let out a sigh of relief.
He was glad he’d gone to the village to ask for that bowl of brown sugar and egg.
In the end, Su Li took a bus back that day.
Tang Yuanxiao took Su Li back to her place, bought her a meal, and then hurried off to pick up Little Tang Mo.
After eating and taking a quick wash, Su Li lay down on her bed and let out a long breath.
"Tang Yuanxiao..." she murmured, her voice filled with complicated feelings.
「The next day」
The shooting practice went without a hitch.
"You’ve got some color back in your face," Tang Yuanxiao whispered when they met.
"Thank you for yesterday," Su Li whispered back.
Yesterday’s pain was gone. After a night’s rest, her complexion was naturally much better today.
"Don’t mention it," Tang Yuanxiao replied quietly.
After shooting practice, Su Li picked up a shell casing to take back with her, just like everyone else.
Unlike the previous training sessions, the shooting practice ended around three or four in the afternoon.
The other students were happy about this, and so was Su Li, because it meant she could get a good rest.
Su Li went back, washed up, and went straight to sleep. It was pure bliss.
She was eventually woken by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" With no peephole, Su Li had to ask first.
There was no sound from outside, so Su Li lowered the hand she’d been about to use to open the door.
"Who’s there?" she asked again, raising her voice.
This time, there was finally a voice from the other side.
"Your man."
Su Li was speechless.
She opened the door and stared at Wu Sheng, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
’Is Wu Sheng the one who’s actually been reborn?’ she wondered. ’He’s so smooth with his romantic jokes and sweet talk.’
"What’s with that look? Don’t want to admit it? Do you not want my heart, or do you not want me?" Wu Sheng was dressed in the same fresh and clean style as before, looking impossibly handsome.
’With that face, that body, and that sense of humor, if he were in the entertainment industry today, he’d be an absolute heartthrob. He’d definitely become a huge star right after his debut.’
Su Li found this "big star" a little hard to handle. "You..."
"Cat got your tongue? Just admit I’m your man," Wu Sheng said smugly, then glanced inside. "Aren’t you going to invite me in?"
Su Li hesitated.
"You live alone?" Wu Sheng asked.
Su Li nodded. Wu Sheng showed a knowing expression. "Then I’ll wait for you at the door. You go get ready and come out."
Su Li nodded and was about to close the door when Wu Sheng smiled. "I’m thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?"
"Sure." Su Li turned to pour a glass of water. When she turned back with it, she saw Wu Sheng standing obediently at the doorway and sighed.
"You... you can come in."
Wu Sheng’s eyes lit up. Grinning, he stepped inside but didn’t close the door completely, deliberately leaving it ajar.
"Mm, not bad. It’s decorated nicely. I like it," Wu Sheng commented after glancing around the room.
"When we get married, I’ll let you decorate our new home, too."
Su Li’s hand trembled as she offered him the water, almost spilling it.
"You were sleeping just now, weren’t you? Your eyes are all drowsy," Wu Sheng said as he took the glass from her.
"Yeah. Shooting practice ended early today, so I came back and went to sleep." Su Li tidied her loose hair.
Su Li was wearing loungewear, with a slight sleep-crease on her flushed face. Wu Sheng looked at her, downed the water in one gulp, and handed the glass back. "More."
Su Li poured him another glass. Wu Sheng took it and drank it all in one go. "More."
Su Li was speechless.
Wu Sheng downed the third glass in one gulp and handed it back to Su Li again.
As Su Li poured another, she said worriedly, "Even if you’re thirsty, you shouldn’t chug water so fast. Slow down a bit."
"Okay, I’ll listen to you." Wu Sheng took the glass and winked. "I’ll listen to you in the future, too."
’A good husband has to listen to his wife after getting married!’
Su Li shook her head with a helpless laugh. "Your mouth... Why are you always such a smooth talker?"
"I’m not being a smooth talker; everything I say is true," Wu Sheng argued. "Tell me, how can a husband not listen to his own wife..."
Wu Sheng let the truth slip out without thinking. When he realized what he’d said and saw Su Li’s expression, he quickly shut his mouth.
He sat up straight and proper.
Su Li facepalmed.
Wu Sheng secretly pinched himself, punishing himself for his rashness.
"Since you’ve had a good rest today, you probably won’t fall asleep and drool in the movie theater. Let’s go see a movie after dinner."
Wu Sheng broke the silence, trying to salvage the situation. "Su Li, I can do everything those college students can do. And I can do things they can’t, too."
