Her past identity was nothing to be proud of. Even after marrying Duan Ruhai, when chatting with the other ladies in the social circle, she couldn't find common ground with those respectable and well - heeled ladies.
"Most beautiful girls are quite calculating. You mustn't be deceived by her," Yin Miao said half - seriously and half - jokingly, her slender fingers gently tapping the tip of Duan Jingqi's nose like a dragonfly skimming the water. Duan Jingqi took her hand in his palm, his eyes full of banter. "It's enough to be caught by a beautiful temptress like you."
Amidst the tender affection, the two started another round of passionate love - making.
...
The atmosphere of the New Year was getting stronger on the streets. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. All the shops were hung with red lanterns.
Overnight, the first heavy snow in Ningcheng fell in great flurries. When walking on the road, the snow was so deep that one's shoes were completely covered.
When Li Chuchu went out for work in the morning, a cold wind made her shiver. Shen Yanshan quickly wrapped a scarf around her neck. "It's cold. Don't catch a cold. I'll pick you up at noon."
She originally planned to go to the shop on Xingzheng Street to collect the rent for the next quarter, and after the New Year, tidy up the two newly - bought shops and rent them out. But now, feeling the cold wind, she really hesitated.
Early in the morning, Aunt Wang was busy frying radish balls in front of the stove in the yard. There was a large enamel basin beside her, filled with a batter made of shredded green and red radishes mixed with flour. With a pinch of her index finger and thumb, a ball took shape. She put the balls into the pot with one hand and stirred the oil with a strainer in the other, fishing out the cooked balls. The fragrance of the balls filled almost the whole yard.
Xiaohu was playing outside and managed to get two balls to eat.
When Aunt Wang saw Li Chuchu about to go out, she quickly called her over. "You guys haven't had your holiday yet? Come on. I'm just frying balls. Bring a bowl. I'll fill some for you as breakfast."
"The factory won't have a holiday for another five or six days."
In this freezing cold, the delicious smell made her mouth water. Li Chuchu shamelessly went over and ate a few.
Aunt Wang was really good at making balls. The vegetarian balls she made tasted as good as the meatballs sold outside.
The inside of the ball was still scalding hot. When she bit into it, a puff of hot steam came out, and a white mist billowed out of her mouth. Li Chuchu's tongue was scalded, so she slowed down her chewing and carefully swallowed the ball.
She felt as satisfied in her heart as in her stomach.
Aunt Wang said with a beaming smile, "Delicious, right? I'm also going to make some sweet potato balls. They should be ready by the time you come back. If you're free at noon, come and have lunch with me."
It would really be embarrassing. Li Chuchu declined repeatedly, but Aunt Wang was so enthusiastic that she had to use the excuse of being almost late to escape.
Along the way, the wind kept blowing into Li Chuchu's neck. She shrank her neck, thinking that this kind of weather was not suitable for work at all.
Shen Yanshan glanced back from the front of the bike. "Cold? If you are, come and sit in front. Wrap yourself in my coat."
Li Chuchu: ... What kind of position would that be?
Shen Yanshan stopped the bike by the roadside, and they changed positions.
For the rest of the journey, Li Chuchu sat sideways on the cross - bar in front of the bike, only showing a pair of eyes, while the rest of her body was wrapped in Shen Yanshan's big black coat.
Sure enough, not a single bit of wind could get in. Li Chuchu felt so warm that she even started to doze off.
When they arrived at the factory gate, Shen Yanshan touched the fluffy head in front of his chest through his gloves and gently reminded her, "We're here."
Li Chuchu was in a daze for a while before she got off the bike groggily.
There was no heating in the office. The only way to keep warm was to shiver. After Li Chuchu finished broadcasting the manuscript, she hugged her thermos and huddled in her own cubicle, dutifully waiting for the end of work.
During this time, she also took a look at the system mall to find some heating tools.
"System, system, do you have any heating tools?"
The long - absent system popped up and slowly yawned: [Most of the items in the mall are modern goods. Air - conditioners and electric heaters won't work here.]
"Air - conditioners and heaters can't be used. Can't I buy a few heat packs?"
[There should be some.]
Thankfully, the system quickly found them in the mall and recommended the product to Li Chuchu.
Li Chuchu clicked to buy them as fast as lightning. After sticking a few heat packs on her body, she felt like she was reborn.
Before this moment of leisure was over, there was a sudden knock on the door. Li Chuchu looked up and was surprised to see Yin Miao.
Li Chuchu's expression showed a bit of disbelief. What was she doing here?
"Hello. Who are you looking for?"
Yin Miao was carrying a small handbag on her elbow. She looked around for a while, and finally her eyes landed on Li Chuchu. "I remember you're Li Chuchu, right? I saw you in the mall with Jingqi last time."
"I was with Jingqi~" The tone was full of ambiguity, as if she was afraid that others didn't know how close she was to her step - son.
But unfortunately, Li Chuchu was not interested in the secrets of the wealthy families. "I don't really remember. May I ask what you want?"
Li Chuchu's impatience in her tone was naturally regarded by Yin Miao as hostility towards a rival in love. Her tone couldn't help but be a bit smug. "I heard from Jingqi that you like him and used to follow him around. But, little girl, this will only trouble Jingqi. As an experienced person, I tell you that loving someone depends on attraction, not pestering. He was too embarrassed to tell you, so he asked me to tell you. Please don't bother him in the future."
She glanced around the broadcasting room. "Our family's conditions are quite good, but we also have requirements for Jingqi's future wife. She must be well - matched. I can see that you're quite motivated, working in this cold broadcasting room in winter. But you're still young. Don't have unrealistic ideas."
Li Chuchu really wanted to pour hot water on her, but she thought it would be a waste of her good tea.
"Auntie, where did you see that I like Duan Jingqi?"
The title "Auntie" immediately made cracks appear on Yin Miao's face.
A woman in her age was most afraid of being reminded of her age. Even though Yin Miao had taken good care of herself in the past few years, her skin still looked a bit haggard compared to a real twenty - something girl.
"Did he tell you himself? Tell him not to flatter himself. He always has the nerve to tell others who likes him. Did he lack love when he was a child?" Li Chuchu said sincerely. "Please, as his parents, care more about his mental health. He can't keep acting so strangely all day long. He might have delusions. Send him to the hospital for a check - up."
Li Chuchu sighed. The cold weather really made her mouth extra sharp.
The system suddenly popped up and said coldly: [When aren't you sharp - tongued, host?]