As his words fell, Jiang Ye grabbed Xie Jiao Jiao's arm and flipped her over to face him, his dark eyes blazing fiercely like flames.
Before Xie Jiao Jiao could even cry out, seeing the look in Jiang Ye's eyes, she seemed to find her anchor. She threw herself into his arms, tears spilling like golden beads, filled with helplessness.
"Where did you go? She... they... all bullied me."
Her shoulders trembled as she sobbed, as if she had been terribly wronged.
Jiang Ye looked down at Xie Jiao Jiao in his arms, mewing like a newborn kitten. The hardness in his heart softened instantly; his tightly furrowed brows relaxed without him realizing it.
"Shh, shh."
The men nearby whistled in unison at the scene.
"No wonder she's a city girl — so passionate, hugging each other in broad daylight. Soon, they'll probably be nibbling on each other too?"
"Hahaha, maybe."
"What do you mean maybe? Didn't they... around noon?"
"Hahaha."
Understanding smiles flickered in the men's eyes.
Hearing the other men's lewd remarks, a fierce anger flashed in Jiang Ye's eyes as he bellowed,
"Shut the hell up!"
"If I hear another unpleasant word, don't blame me for being rude."
After his sharp words, Jiang Ye lifted Xie Jiao Jiao in one arm and turned to leave this den of gossip.
The men, startled by his sudden outburst, froze for a moment, then sneered dismissively.
"A rich kid acting all high and mighty? Still thinks he's the master of a gang of servants?"
"Heh, whether master or not, Jiang Ye's lucky to marry such a beautiful city girl. If it were me, I'd be laughing in my sleep."
"Marry? Does he even deserve her?" Jiang Ran sneered. "Everyone knows Xie Zhiqing likes Su Zhiqing. She just treats Jiang Ye like a dog to play with."
"Hahaha, Jiang Ran, you're just sour because you can't get any grapes. They're all cousins, but Jiang Ye's the one who's successful. You want to be a dog, but even she won't look at you."
Jiang Ran's dark gaze clenched the hoe tightly, glaring at the man speaking until he looked frightened. Spitting silently, he muttered, "Bad luck."
...
"Stop crying. If you cry more, I'll kiss you till you faint."
Xie Jiao Jiao shot Jiang Ye an annoyed look.
Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow, leaning close to whisper mischievously in her ear, "Don't look at me like that, or I might just have to take care of you properly."
Instinctively, Xie Jiao Jiao clutched her stomach and took a step back, stubbornly saying, "No way."
When the soft warmth and gentle scent left his arms, Jiang Ye frowned and stretched out a long arm to pull her back into his embrace.
"What? Not satisfied with noon?"
Jiang Ye asked casually, but a trace of seriousness flickered deep in his dark eyes.
His hot breath brushed Xie Jiao Jiao's ear, making her giggle and reach out to scratch it.
He caught her small hand and placed it on his chest. "Answer me, hmm?"
His firm chest thumped beneath her hand; the steady beat sounded like a bell, pounding hard against her heart. From her toes to her neck, face, and ears, a blush spread like ripe honey peach—utterly irresistible.
Jiang Ye's gaze darkened. Gently coaxing, he said, "Don't be shy. Tell me, and next time I'll make sure you're comfortable."
"Shut up!"
Xie Jiao Jiao snapped at him, annoyed by his increasing nonsense.
Jiang Ye lowered his head, wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, and drew her closer. Then he pointed to his mouth with a playful look and said, "It won't listen to me. How about you help it?"
"How do I help?"
Caught smoothly in his trap, Xie Jiao Jiao blinked in confusion.
Jiang Ye chuckled softly. How could she be so easy to fool?
It only made him more reluctant to let go, and darker thoughts swelled in his heart, screaming to hide her away.
"Say something!"
Xie Jiao Jiao genuinely wanted to shut him up, so when Jiang Ye fell silent, she poked his chest to urge him.
Jiang Ye didn't explain. Instead, he covered her shimmering, puzzled eyes with his hand and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Mmm, just as sweet as noon.
Mmm.
Mmm.
Frustrated, Xie Jiao Jiao's hands balled into fists and pounded on Jiang Ye's chest. But her tiny strength was like a drizzle against his body—not only failing to stop his "attack," it only awakened the beast within him.
Breaking the kiss, Jiang Ye released her and said hoarsely, "Jiao Jiao, do you get it now? If not, we can do it again."
Xie Jiao Jiao's flushed face immediately showed panic and urgency. She covered her mouth with both hands and nodded like a little chick, "Got it, got it!"
Seeing she was no longer upset, Jiang Ye carefully put away his teasing and asked seriously,
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
Thinking about it made him angry. He had stormed off to deal with those bastards, not even eating, and rushed back to find her.
But when he got there, she was already gone.
Xie Jiao Jiao replied defiantly, "None of your business."
Smack.
Jiang Ye's rough hand landed on her perky rear with a low voice: "Speak properly."
"You..."
Having long been subdued into a meek, put-upon little wife by Jiang Ye, Xie Jiao Jiao couldn't hold back anymore under that humiliating slap—tears suddenly welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
She sniffled, "You're bullying me too."
Jiang Ye furrowed his brows tightly. So delicate, huh?
"Did it hurt?" he asked in a coaxing tone, like comforting a child. "Come here, I'll rub it for you. It'll stop hurting after I rub it."
Xie Jiao Jiao paused her crying, shooting him a look and saying firmly, "No need, no need. It doesn't hurt."
"Really doesn't?" Jiang Ye was a bit skeptical since she had just been crying so hard. "Don't be shy, I'm your man."
Your man?
Suddenly remembering something, Xie Jiao Jiao looked up at him and asked, "When do you plan to marry me?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Ye's eyes. He hadn't expected such a shy little girl to be so fierce when it came to certain things.
He raised an eyebrow and asked, "When do you want?"
Xie Jiao Jiao thought seriously for a moment and said, "The sooner, the better!"
"That eager, huh?"
"What? You took advantage of me and don't want to take responsibility?" Her pretty face quickly grew serious.
Jiang Ye poked her puffed-up cheeks with a crooked but fierce expression.
"Do you think I'm the kind of man who can't take responsibility? But you—are you really sure? Marry me, and if I catch you fooling around with some other wild man, I'll break his legs."
Jiang Ye was never a good man. Since she chose to mess with him, she shouldn't expect to summon him at will and dismiss him just as easily.
Otherwise...
Not wanting to lose face, Xie Jiao Jiao shot a glance at Jiang Ye's crotch and said, "Same goes for you. If you go chasing after wildflowers outside, I'll break your legs."
Well, someone's a little spicy.
"Oh, right." Xie Jiao Jiao suddenly remembered something else. "After we get married, you're not allowed to touch me for ten months."
ps: advance chapters come to my https://www.patreon.com/c/Seraphim777