Surprise

"It's not that I want to criticize you, but you never settle down anywhere. Couldn't you wait until we got home?"

Li Yang scolded Manman for her recklessness with the air of someone who had gotten a bargain and was still playing innocent.

"Fine, fine, you're always right, okay? I was wrong, happy?"

Manman couldn't be bothered to argue with him. Whatever you say. Come on, get in the water. Are you really still up for it?

Manman kissed Li Yang and teased him with a smile.

"A man can't say he can't."

"Don't worry," Li Yang said casually and aggressively.

"Such a nuisance."

Manman rarely blushed from embarrassment. What she had been like just now really was unforgettable. No wonder Li Yang liked teasing her.

"Hold on to me first, then slowly try practicing with your legs."

After they got into the water, Manman had Li Yang learn the basics in the shallows. The water was surprisingly comfortable; after being baked by the blazing sun all day, the river water was just right.

"Hey, don't let go!"

Li Yang had just begun to get the hang of it when, for some reason, the girl suddenly released the hand holding him. He immediately panicked and sank, bubbles gurgling up around him.

Hehehe. Manman laughed so hard she shook all over. Annoyed, Li Yang grabbed her and roughhoused with her for a while before he finally vented his frustration.

The two played around happily, and before long, Li Yang was able to slowly dog-paddle through the shallows.

Seeing Manman playing so spiritedly in the deeper water, Li Yang wanted to check it out for himself.

So he boldly swam toward her.

"Li Yang, I've got a cramp! Come save me!"

All of a sudden, Manman struggled in the water with a pained expression and called out to Li Yang.

"I'm coming!"

With no time to think about anything else, Li Yang suppressed the panic in his heart and calmly swam to her side using the techniques Manman had taught him.

"Get on my back, hurry!"

Knowing they couldn't delay, Manman didn't waste words. She obediently wrapped her arms around Li Yang's neck as he slowly swam toward shore. Fortunately, it wasn't flood season, and the drought had kept the water from getting too deep. They soon reached a safe area.

"Thank you, baby. I love you to death."

Manman had no way to repay Li Yang for his bravery, so she could only express her deep love with a passionate kiss.

The two of them once again fell into a fiery passion.

By then, her leg had miraculously recovered too.

After everything calmed down, Manman lay in Li Yang's arms, her face brimming with a happy smile.

"Jiang Manman, you're a White Bone Demon. Sooner or later, I'm going to die in your hands!"

Holding her, Li Yang suddenly let out a soul-deep complaint for no apparent reason.

Hehe, dead or alive, you're not allowed to die. Otherwise, I'll go with you and be buried alongside you. Manman wasn't joking in the slightest when she said that.

After tidying up, they changed into clean underwear and put their swimsuits into a bag to take home.

On the way back, Li Yang weakly pedaled the bike along while Jiang Manman sat on the rear seat, swinging her little feet and singing to him.

"I'm hungry."

Li Yang directly made his demand. After working so hard just now, Jiang Manman definitely had to take responsibility for him.

"Okay, baby. I'll treat you to barbecue. Let's go."

The two arrived at a night market stall on Binhe Road. There were quite a lot of people, and crowds looking to sample delicious snacks came in an endless stream.

They found a clean spot and sat down.

"What would the handsome guy and beautiful lady like to order?"

A young waitress approached them with a professional smile.

"Let my boyfriend order. I'm fine with anything."

Jiang Manman had waited nearly a week for Li Yang, and after finally being thoroughly satisfied today, she cheerfully replied to the waitress.

"Twenty lamb skewers, ten kidney skewers, ten roasted gluten, ten fish tofu skewers, a serving of boiled peanuts, and two beers. Get her a bottle of fruit beer."

Li Yang looked over the menu and ordered a few things first.

"Oh, right, miss, do you have any... you know, supplements for men?"

Feeling bad for Li Yang, Jiang Manman asked the waitress rather hesitantly.

"You mean lamb skewer, right? Of course we do."

The young waitress said it quite frankly, which only made Manman feel even more embarrassed.

"Then... give him two," Manman said softly.

"One is enough. It's not like I have kidney deficiency. Are you silly?"

"Okay, it'll be ready soon."

Li Yang replied to the waitress without hesitation, making the young woman cover her mouth and walk away laughing.

"Hmph. You're so annoying. I was just worried about you!"

"Thanks for caring, baby. Whether I need supplements or not, don't you know that already?" Li Yang took a sip of beer, touched Manman's cheek, and laughed.

"I won't be playing with you tomorrow night. I'm going to Yanqiu Village. Stay home and behave, okay? Don't run around."

Li Yang opened Manman's fruit beer, filled a disposable cup, and handed it to her.

"What are you going there for? Why can't you take me with you?"

Manman took a sip of fruit beer and looked at Li Yang with innocent eyes.

"Silly girl, one of my buddies is getting married the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow night, we're going over to help put up the double-happiness decorations and haul bedding. It'll be a bunch of grown men, so there won't be anything for you to do if I bring you along."

"If you really want to go, come with me to the wedding banquet the day after tomorrow, okay?"

"Oh yeah, that's awesome! Of course I want to! I love wedding banquets. Is it the kind cooked at someone's home?"

"Yeah. They hired one of those professional catering companies that does flowing banquets. It'll be really lively." As Li Yang spoke, he was delighted for Wang Long, who was about to get married. A few days ago, Li Yang had already received Wang Long's call inviting him.

"Thank you, darling. I'll take leave the day after tomorrow, and we'll go in the morning." Manman danced with excitement, grabbed Li Yang's cup, took a big gulp of beer, and let out an adorable little burp.

Before long, the grilled skewers were brought over. Playfully, Manman picked up Li Yang's "major supplement," examined it curiously, and only then fed it into Li Yang's mouth.

"This thing actually looks kind of cute."

As she fed Li Yang, Manman muttered like a curious child.

"If you want some, go ahead and try it."

Li Yang coaxed her like a big bad wolf.

In the end, Manman couldn't resist and lightly took a small bite.

"Oh my god, what is this weird taste? Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"

"You eat it. It tastes awful." Manman stuffed it back into Li Yang's mouth with disgust, then picked up her beer and took several more sips before finally getting rid of the gamey, funky smell in her mouth.

"You have to brush your teeth before you kiss me when we get back. Got it?"

Manman would never touch that thing again even if it killed her. It had practically traumatized her. Why did men like eating something like that? She truly couldn't understand it.

Watching Li Yang swallow it without a care made goosebumps rise all over her body. She grimaced and bared her teeth.

"You were the one who ordered it. How is that my fault?"

"I don't care. You have to brush your teeth when we get home. Be good." Manman picked up another lamb skewer and fed Li Yang a bite, while she began eating roasted gluten herself. She left all the meat skewers for Li Yang.

Li Yang didn't stand on ceremony. He grabbed the food from the table and started devouring it. With Manman constantly feeding him beside him, the meat skewers and kidney skewers were wiped out in no time.

Manman did pretty well too, eating quite a few vegetable skewers and boiled peanuts before giving the rest to Li Yang.

After finishing the two beers, Manman called over the waitress to pay the bill. It cost a little over a hundred yuan. To Manman, that was barely worth mentioning.

As long as Li Yang asked, even if he wanted to buy a house, Manman would go home and ask her parents for money without a second thought.

"I'll take you home." Li Yang stretched and said to Manman.

"Aren't you sleeping at my place? I want you to hold me while I sleep!"

Unable to bear parting with Li Yang, Manman hugged him and started acting cute again.

"Your parents are both home. It'd be way too awkward. I won't go even if you kill me."

Li Yang had never liked staying overnight in strangers' homes since he was little. Unless they had a chance to be alone, it was out of the question.

"Then let's go to your place. That way you won't have to worry."

Manman suddenly came up with an idea and happily danced around.

"Whatever you want, but let's make this clear first. You have to sleep properly and can't mess around. We have to leave very early on the wedding day, so we definitely need a good rest."

"I know, baby. You think I don't care about you? Do you really need to remind me?"

"Come on, let's go home early and sleep." With that, Manman took Li Yang's hand and was ready to leave.

A cool breeze drifted along the road. Manman happily spread her arms, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the rare warmth of the summer night. How wonderful it would be if time could stay frozen in this moment forever.

After a while, Manman leaned against Li Yang's dependable back and closed her eyes.

After arriving home, Li Yang listened to Manman, and the two shared a toothbrush while getting ready for bed.

"Go take a shower, good boy. The river wasn't very hygienic either." Thinking about what had happened earlier, Manman's little face immediately turned red.

In truth, tonight's idea had been Manman's attempt. How could Li Yang escape Manman's gentle seduction? Before long, he obediently went along with her.

Li Yang gave her a quick rinse, then they returned to the room. After all, they had agreed on it that night.

This time, Manman was unusually docile, like a little kitten. She obediently lay in Li Yang's arms and enjoyed his tenderness.

"Do you still remember when we first met?"

Listening to Li Yang's powerful heartbeat, Manman murmured softly.

"Hehe, of course I remember. You were captivated by my good looks on the bus and charmed by my handsomeness, so you pretended to come talk to me. In the end, you tricked me into your hands. Am I right? Hahaha!"

Manman didn't argue. In fact, the first time she saw Li Yang, she had felt a strange flutter in her heart, as if some invisible force had been urging her to get close to him. Thinking of that, she didn't regret it at all. Instead, she felt lucky that she had been brave and decisive. Otherwise, how could she have these happy moments now? Every day with Li Yang would become her happiest and most unforgettable memory many years later.

Perhaps sensing the faint love Manman radiated as her whole body burned hot, Li Yang couldn't help seeking out her red lips. Naturally, he kissed her fragrant skin...

As their feelings deepened, everything followed naturally...

"I love you, Li Yang. You're the only person I'll love in this life..."

After those heartfelt words, all kinds of echoes began filling the room...

Early the next morning, Li Yang was woken up by Manman's mischievous pestering.

"Were you tired last night, my baby?" Manman blinked her big eyes, gave him a sweet kiss, and asked with a giggle.

"You deserve praise. Keep working hard in the future too!"

After receiving Li Yang's approval, Manman finally smiled so happily that she couldn't contain herself.

The two openly went to the kitchen and ate the food Li Yang's mother had made. Though simple, it filled their stomachs, which was much better than having no one care for them.

Li Yang's mother had long grown used to Manman's visits. Her son wasn't married yet, but he was an adult with his own judgment. When it came to choosing his future wife, she was broad-minded enough not to interfere. She believed Li Yang had his own ideas.

"Is that enough, Manman? Have some more."

Seeing Manman's pretty and adorable appearance, Li Yang's mother felt a swell of emotion. This girl really had grace, like she came from a well-bred family.

"No, Auntie, I'm full. If I keep eating, I'll get fat, and then Li Yang will dislike me."

Manman politely declined Li Yang's mother's offer. She wasn't shy or awkward in the least, and her poised manner made Li Yang see her in a new light.

After Li Yang finished his last steamed bun, the two held hands and left. His mother couldn't bear to take her eyes off them. Ah, thank heaven for caring for our family.

Watching their retreating figures, Li Yang's mother sighed inwardly.

Li Yang first took Manman home to change clothes. She had even gone out in slippers last night.

Then the two took the bus to work together. But from that day onward, Manman's love for Li Yang became even more clingy.

She practically wanted Li Yang to carry her around in his pocket wherever he went. Sitting on the bus, the girl clung to him the entire way without letting go, leaving Li Yang both amused and helpless. The single young men on the bus were green with envy. They had no idea what tricks Li Yang had used to make such a beauty so infatuated with him. It was maddening!

"Have lunch with me." Manman stood at the entrance of Li Yang's shop, reluctant to let go of him.

"Didn't you say you take turns eating and only get half an hour?"

Li Yang asked in confusion.

"I don't care. I'm the boss, so I can make whatever rules I want." Manman was completely lovestruck at that moment. Why should she care about anything else? If someone upset her, she could just quit. Gold would shine anywhere, and Manman had never been afraid of losing her job.

Her title as a top salesperson hadn't come from nowhere. At her peak, Manman's sales performance had ranked first among all the branch stores in Henan. Later, she was promoted to store manager and stopped doing sales herself, but many longtime customers still came to shop just because of Manman.

"Fine, I promise. Hurry up and go to work like a good girl."

Li Yang patted her cheek and said lovingly.

"Hehe, kiss me before you go." Manman pushed her sweet, pretty face toward him again.

Li Yang couldn't bear to spoil her mood, so he took the initiative and firmly pecked Manman's red lips, making a loud smacking sound.

Manman became excited and copied him by kissing Li Yang back. Their lovey-dovey display was enough to make anyone sick with sweetness.

"Bye-bye, darling."

Manman happily looked back at Li Yang every few steps before finally swaying her shapely hips and heading toward the north side of Pedestrian Street...

At noon, Xu Rui told Li Yang about going to Wang Long's home that night to help out.

"Got it. We'll head over after work. I'm going to eat first." Li Yang greeted him and left. Xu Rui knew Li Yang had a date with his beauty, so he didn't follow along to play third wheel.

Then Xu Rui went to find Zhang Xiaoli himself to see if he could mooch another meal. He had long since forgotten the lesson from last time.