Zhou Zhijun came over the very night he returned from building houses out of town.
At that time, Wang Xiaohong and Chuntao were both in the kitchen drinking soup, so he had no way to get intimate with Chuntao. He exchanged a few words and left.
Lately, he had been busy making and drying adobe bricks, building walls for people in nearby villages, and working in the fields.
Working from dawn to dusk every day, he hadn't found a suitable opportunity to whisper a few sweet words to Chuntao, let alone do that. The burning desire in his heart surged up, impossible to suppress.
Zhou Zhijun was going crazy missing Chuntao. He wanted to know if she missed him too, so he eagerly blurted out the question.
His audacity was growing. It was broad daylight, right in the middle of the courtyard. Chuntao's face flushed crimson in an instant.
She didn't say a word, turning around and heading into the kitchen. Zhou Zhijun followed her in.
Tao, I've missed you to death. I dream every day, and my dreams are full of you... You must miss me too, right?
In front of others, Zhou Zhijun looked like a perfect gentleman, but behind closed doors, he was worse than a beast. Chuntao was teased so much by his words that her face and ears burned red, her heart thumping like two little rabbits kicking inside her chest.
Stop talking, I don't!
Zhou Zhijun looked at her completely red little face, the corners of his mouth twitching into a soft chuckle. I don't believe it. Women are just like men. I don't believe you don't miss me!
Shameless! Chuntao scolded softly, her voice so tender it trembled. It sounded just like lovers flirting, scratching at Zhou Zhijun's heart and making it itch even more.
Where's Xiaohong? He turned his head and glanced out the door.
Wang Xiaohong had returned from cutting grass in the fields, grabbed a bamboo basket, and went to the melon patch to pick vegetables. She should be back soon.
Hurry up and leave, she'll be back any minute! Chuntao pleaded.
Hearing her say this, Zhou Zhijun not only didn't leave, but he reached out and shut the kitchen door.
Before, it was at night when he bullied her in the kitchen, which had already frightened her badly. But now it was broad daylight, and he actually wanted to bully her again?
Chuntao suddenly rushed to the kitchen door, reaching out to open it, but Zhou Zhijun hugged her from behind.
Zhou Zhijun, are you crazy? What do you want to do in broad daylight?
Chuntao didn't dare to be loud at all. Her reprimand was squeezed out of her throat, carrying a pleading, tearful tone.
Zhou Zhijun went crazy whenever he saw her, but he still retained a shred of reason.
Tao, don't be afraid. I won't do anything else... It's been so long since I've been near you. I just want a hug...
He cherished her, cherished her to his very marrow, and increasingly couldn't bear to see her unhappy.
The man's voice was soft. Tao, I just missed you too much. I really can't control myself!
The last time was when they showed a movie in the village. It's been over a month now. To me, it feels like ten years have passed. It's too hard to endure...
Tao, I know you miss me too. I want to take you away, but you refuse...
She knew that being desired by him in this life meant she could never escape him, but she thought that avoiding his desires even once was better than nothing.
I'm annoyed by you. Let's just pretend nothing ever happened between us! Chuntao's eyes reddened again.
Tao, I won't force you. Whenever you figure things out, I'll take you away!
Zhou Zhijun looked at this lovely yet pitiful little woman, his heart aching.
She turned her face away, dodging his hand. I won't go with you, so just give up on that idea!
Zhou Zhijun held her tightly in his arms. Silly girl, why can't you think for yourself?
You think about this person and that person every day, but have they ever thought about you?
You work from dawn to dusk every day, and you still get bullied by Liu Cuilan. Have they ever felt sorry for you?
If they cared for you, they wouldn't lock you in this cage. They would have given you your freedom long ago...
Chuntao had never seen her parents' faces since she was a child. The closest people to her in the world were her grandmother and her brother.
The two of them were like a single spark of light in the dark night, and she was terrified of losing it.
Even though she knew clearly in her heart that she was nothing but an object used in an exchange marriage for her brother, she refused to admit it. Only by doing so could she preserve that sense of familial love and warmth.
Stop talking. I did it willingly! But what could she do even if she wasn't willing?
She couldn't leave. Even if it felt like she was clutching a red-hot piece of charcoal in her heart, burning her so much that she had no peace day or night, she had to grit her teeth and accept it.
Zhou Zhijun was so heartbroken he couldn't speak. He stayed silent, merely holding her tightly, so tightly, afraid that if he let go, she would disappear.
Chuntao's face was buried in his scorching chest. Her tears flowed like a spring, quickly soaking a patch of Zhou Zhijun's shirt.
He cupped her small face, bending down to kiss the corners of her eyes and brows, kissing away the tear stains on her cheeks.
Chuntao closed her eyes, letting her tears flow endlessly...
At this moment, the whole world seemed to stand still. No sounds could be heard except for each other's heartbeats.
Suddenly, the kitchen door was slapped twice from the outside, followed by a man's voice, startling them both into a stiff freeze.
