Chance Encounter with Jiang Manman

"Xiaoyang, whenever the timing is right, Sister-in-law will call you over for dinner, okay?" Wang Jingjuan reclined comfortably on the sofa, swinging her long legs in silk stockings as she spoke to Li Yang contentedly.

She did not know why, but whenever she was alone with Li Yang, Wang Jingjuan felt like a young girl again. She could freely be herself, without forcing herself to wear a mask to please everyone else. Being her true self was what made her feel most at ease.

To her daughter, she was a good mother; to her husband, a good wife; to her parents-in-law, a good daughter-in-law. Wang Jingjuan's days were not easy. Only at this moment could she truly be herself.

"Sure, Sister-in-law. I'm free anytime. Whenever it's convenient for you." The clever Li Yang quickly understood the hidden meaning in Wang Jingjuan's words.

No matter what, Lao Zhao was still her husband. She could not openly interact with Li Yang too often. Never underestimate the limits of a man's jealousy. Li Yang was an adult man too, after all, so they shared an unspoken understanding.

Wang Jingjuan smiled seductively, pleased by Li Yang's understanding. Looking at him kindly, she said, "Eat slowly, Xiaoyang. Sister-in-law is going to rest for a while. Just leave everything there when you're done; don't worry about it. I'll clean up."

"Alright, Sister-in-law. Sleep without worry." As he spoke, Li Yang thoughtfully lowered the television volume so as not to disturb Wang Jingjuan's afternoon nap.

The floor-standing air conditioner in the living room was set at just the right temperature. Before long, a sweet smile appeared at the corner of Wang Jingjuan's lips as she slowly drifted off to sleep, her soft breathing making the faintest sound.

Everything around them became quiet. Li Yang quickly launched another clean-plate operation. The three delicious dishes had whetted his appetite, and he could not resist finishing every last bite.

Rubbing his round belly, Li Yang drank some of the tea Wang Jingjuan had prepared for him in advance. Sitting there, he quietly admired her graceful sleeping form. The more he looked, the happier he felt. She really was a temptress!

Li Yang could not help sighing inwardly.

In the end, he still got up and carried all the dishes into the kitchen, then took out a rag and carefully wiped the coffee table clean. After that, he entered the kitchen, shut the door, and began washing up earnestly.

Li Yang had often done housework at home since he was young, so none of it felt unfamiliar. He cleaned the kitchen inside and out until it was spotless before finally walking out in satisfaction.

Seeing Wang Jingjuan curled up with her legs drawn in, Li Yang thoughtfully went into her bedroom and took out a thin blanket. He returned to the sofa and carefully covered her from her silk-stockinged feet up to her chest. Then he stood there quietly, admiring the beautiful face before him from close range.

A few mischievous strands of hair rested against Wang Jingjuan's red lips. The refreshing fragrance radiating from her made Li Yang's heart surge with delight.

In the end, Li Yang could not resist reaching out to arrange her hair for her. Looking at Wang Jingjuan, who slept as adorably as a child, he could not help lightly kissing her sexy red lips a few times, like a dragonfly skimming the water. Seeing that she remained peacefully asleep, Li Yang smiled happily. Unable to bear waking her, he slowly stood up and left.

On his way back, Li Yang could not help humming Jay Chou's "Simple Love."

[He hummed lyrics about falling in love, holding hands, visiting Grandma's home, watching the sunset, and wishing for a simple, carefree love.]

[He continued singing about never letting go, riding bicycles, watching baseball, and walking forward together without worries.]

[He hummed of a life where she leaned against his shoulder and slept against his chest—simple love, shared between the two of them.]

Wang Jingjuan slept naturally until two in the afternoon. Her job was relatively easy, so she did not have to worry about being late. When she opened her eyes and saw the thin blanket draped over her, sweetness unconsciously filled her heart. No matter when it was, women all wished to be cared for and cherished. Wang Jingjuan felt happy because of Li Yang's attentiveness and consideration.

She slowly slipped on her slippers and stood up. Seeing that the dining table had been cleaned spotless, she hurried into the kitchen to take a look. A delighted smile immediately spread across her face. That boy is so thoughtful and sensible. It seems I really didn't misjudge him.

After checking the time, Wang Jingjuan changed into her high heels with satisfaction, picked up her bag and car keys, and headed out.

Lao Zhao had bought Wang Jingjuan a family car quite early on, making it convenient for her to commute to work and take their child to and from school. It was not expensive, but at least it kept out the wind and rain.

Wang Jingjuan skillfully started the car. Even in high heels, she drove the manual transmission Volkswagen Sedan with effortless ease. Wearing large sunglasses and listening to the car stereo, she headed to work.

By coincidence, the song playing in Wang Jingjuan's car was exactly the same one Li Yang had been humming when he left.

Humming along all the way, Wang Jingjuan soon arrived at the company. Seeing how radiant she looked, her colleagues curiously asked whether something good had happened. Wang Jingjuan only smiled without answering; the joy in her heart was something she wanted to share only with Li Yang.

At last, it was time to get off work. As Li Yang went downstairs, he ran into Lao Zhao, who was also leaving work. They greeted each other warmly. As for the meal, Li Yang naturally did not mention it at all. It was an unspoken agreement between him and Wang Jingjuan. No matter how broad-minded Lao Zhao might be, Li Yang would not stupidly take such an unnecessary gamble.

Better to avoid trouble whenever possible. Li Yang always believed in that saying.

"Wife, I'll wait for you at the bus stop now. Just take the bus to the Village Entrance."

Li Yang spoke on the phone with Yue Xiaodan as he walked.

"Honey, you don't need to leave so early. Wait for my call—come out when I'm almost there. Go home and rest for a while first, okay? Be good." Without realizing it, Yue Xiaodan had already begun treating Li Yang like the husband she would have after they got married.

She was always thinking of Li Yang, and he could feel Xiaodan's warmth. He was overjoyed.

"Come back early, wifey. I've already washed up nice and clean, waiting for you," Li Yang said teasingly.

"Got it, hubby. I miss you too. See you in a bit—I need to get back to work. Bye-bye." Neither of them wanted to hang up.

"Li Yang, wait for me!" Jiang Manman came jogging up behind him in her high heels, panting. When Li Yang turned and saw her like that, he could not help grinning wickedly.

"Why were you running so fast?" Li Yang's lecherous expression made Jiang Manman pout unhappily.

"Get lost!" Jiang Manman did not indulge him. She brazenly stretched out her manicured fingers, about to scratch Li Yang's face.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't!" Li Yang laughed as he blocked Jiang Manman's little hand. "I still make a living with this face."

Jiang Manman had only meant to scare him. She did not dislike Li Yang's flirting, either. Bad boys attracted girls; honest, straightforward men were not necessarily women's favorite targets. Men who were glib, sweet-talking, and knew how to be a little rogue were often the ones women favored.

"Where are you going? Home?" Jiang Manman casually asked Li Yang as she openly tugged at the neckline exposing her cleavage.

"Yeah. Let's go," Li Yang answered readily.

"Great, carry this for me." As she spoke, Jiang Manman unceremoniously stuffed her purse into Li Yang's hand, linked her arm through his, and headed with him toward the bus stop.

"You've got it good, singing and dancing every night. I'm still single. Do you know any handsome guys? Introduce one to me. We should share good fortune and hardship together."

Jiang Manman asked Li Yang cheerfully.

"No handsome guys—just loser dudes. Want one?" Li Yang teased.

"Tch, who wants a loser dude?" Jiang Manman rolled her eyes at Li Yang. "But what's up with you lately? You don't come out to play at night anymore?"

"I've got a wife now," Li Yang said with a grin.

"Oh? Didn't see that coming. You're actually pretty devoted to home," Jiang Manman teased. "I never saw you being this obedient before."

"Of course. I'm a good man," Li Yang said proudly.

"Give me a break. You?" Jiang Manman did not believe him at all, though she still felt a little disappointed. After all, it had always been the two of them hanging out together before.

Just then, the bus arrived, and the two got on. It was crowded, and Jiang Manman was squeezed against Li Yang.

"Li Yang, shield me. Don't let anyone grope me," Jiang Manman said softly, worriedly raising her head from his arms.

"Okay, come over here." Li Yang took her hand and laboriously switched positions with her, letting her face him and lean against the handrail. He shielded her from the dense, crowded mass of people outside.

Fortunately, the Route 50 Bus had the air conditioning on, so it was not too hot even with the two pressed together.

Jiang Manman wore a lace dress as thin as cicada wings. Li Yang spread his arms and held her tightly in his embrace. Jiang Manman naturally wrapped her arms around Li Yang as well, resting her little head against his chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat, she slowly closed her eyes.

As the bus swayed along, their bodies remained tightly entwined.

Jiang Manman looked up, blushing as she shot Li Yang a glare when she saw him looking at her.

"Don't blame me," Li Yang replied with an innocent look.

With a beautiful woman like Jiang Manman, fragrant from head to toe, in his arms, who could remain a saint?

In the end, they both tacitly fell silent and quietly enjoyed the brief tenderness.

Only, Jiang Manman's arms around Li Yang grew tighter and tighter, as if she wanted to meld him into her body. Li Yang, too, was infected by her passion. He used all his strength to hold her close, and their breathing grew increasingly rapid, their hearts pounding harder and harder, as though the entire world contained only the two of them.

Time seemed to have stopped...

The final stop finally arrived. At the driver's announcement, the two, who were nearly asleep, slowly opened their eyes. Their gazes met, and they smiled at each other knowingly.

"You're so annoying. I don't want to move right now. Help me off the bus," Jiang Manman said in a coquettish tone, wrapping her arms around Li Yang.

"Okay." There had long been no one around them, yet they had still embraced all the way to the final stop. The other passengers did not find it strange; there were far too many young couples showing off their affection in public these days.

Li Yang and Manman waited until the crowd had dispersed before getting off last. Li Yang directly scooped Jiang Manman up in a princess carry and carried her off the bus.

"Hee hee hee!" Jiang Manman wrapped her arms around Li Yang, laughing as happily as a little bird.

Her feet also swung up and down nonstop in cooperation.

"Princess, please get off." Li Yang looked at Jiang Manman with a wicked smile. Even though they were already off the bus, he still held her soft, delicate body in his arms.

"Alright, Li Yang, put me down. What, are you planning to carry me all the way to my house? Aren't you afraid my parents will beat you up?"

Jiang Manman asked in a teasing tone.

"I wouldn't dare." Li Yang gently set Jiang Manman down, then thoughtfully tugged down the hem of her skirt where it had ridden up.

"Aren't girls afraid of exposing themselves when they wear skirts this short?" Li Yang asked curiously after straightening Jiang Manman's clothes.

"You're such an idiot!" Jiang Manman glared at him irritably. Then, like a thief, she cautiously looked left and right. Once she made sure no one was paying attention, she quickly lifted her skirt a little and whispered, "Here, take a look."

"Oh, so there's a whole other world underneath," Li Yang said with a straight face, sounding completely serious.

Jiang Manman burst out laughing.

"You goof, you sure know how to phrase things. You must've been good at Chinese class!"

"Of course. Back in high school, writing essays was my strong suit. I even won awards."

Li Yang was not lying. Back then, whenever it was time for composition class, he would be thrilled.

It was as if she had endless thoughts to write down.

"Fine, fine, fine—I believe you, okay?" Jiang Manman stuck out her tongue in acknowledgment.

"Come on, I'll take you back to your neighborhood." Li Yang found his bicycle, unlocked it, and hung the bag on the handlebars.

"Do you have anything to do when you get home? Let's go eat," Jiang Manman said suddenly, lifting herself onto the back seat.

"Sorry, maybe another day, Manman. Xiao Dan is coming back from Yiyang tonight, and she asked me to pick her up."

Li Yang pedaled along, replying somewhat apologetically.

"Oh, I get it. A brief separation makes a couple feel like newlyweds again. Take it easy tonight, Li Yang—don't throw out your back." Jiang Manman wrapped her arms around his waist and teased him with a smile.

"Not everyone is like you, acting like some female hooligan," Li Yang shot back with a grin.

"Hehe, who are you calling a hooligan? It's not like I'm with you. Don't go slapping labels on me."

Jiang Manman protested, giving Li Yang a displeased smack.

"Fine, fine, fine. Manman is the most proper girl in the whole world, okay?" Li Yang replied casually.

"That's more like it. I'm naturally very ladylike. Can't you tell?"

Li Yang soon brought Jiang Manman to the entrance of a residential compound. It was housing for the factory employees. Both of Jiang Manman's parents worked in the factory offices, and their jobs were fairly easy, so her family was doing quite well financially.

"Come visit my place when you're free sometime, Li Yang." Jiang Manman stood before him, took the bag he handed her, and spoke politely.

"Sure. Can you cook? Let me try your cooking sometime." Li Yang sat handsomely on his bicycle and asked with a cheerful smile.

"I'm not letting you try it. You're not my husband." Jiang Manman puckered her lips and replied playfully.

"Then let me blah blah—" Li Yang gave her a wicked grin.

"Get lost. Go find your wife. Don't think you can fool me—I'm not falling for it."

Li Yang did not bother being polite with her. He reached out and gave her a random slap, then pedaled off at once, laughing loudly as he went.

"Li Yang, you bastard!" Jiang Manman's voice was not loud, but a hint of happiness showed on her face as she watched him ride away. She stamped her foot, then slowly turned and headed home...