The Missing Husband Returned (14)

The man gave off an intensely predatory air, as though his gaze had licked Xue Ci from head to toe.

Xue Ci sensed it, at least a little, and instinctively shrank into Zhao Ying's arms.

The sight of him relying on his husband made Lu Xiunan's expression grow colder and colder, but with everyone watching, he quickly returned to his usual demeanor.

He slowly looked away. "My sister-in-law really is a little shy around strangers."

Zhao Ying knew Lu Xiunan was not particularly friendly, so he noticed nothing amiss and assumed that was simply how he was. He moved slightly to block Lu Xiunan's view, took Xue Ci's hand in his broad palm, and rubbed it soothingly. "Don't be afraid," he said gently.

The young married couple seemed very close.

The two elders had been somewhat worried that Zhao Ying's spouse might be a coarse, vulgar country bumpkin. Now, it seemed their worries had been unnecessary.

Xue Ci had a face that naturally endeared him to his elders.

Mother Lu took out the red envelope she had prepared and smiled at Xue Ci. "This is a gift for you youngsters, since this is our first meeting. Please accept it."

Xue Ci did not realize they were doing this because they liked him. He thought that wealthy families cared about keeping up appearances.

He reached out to accept it, smiled shyly at her, and murmured, "Thank you, Auntie."

Mother Lu looked pleased.

They did not leave immediately. After exchanging pleasantries, Mother Lu said she wanted to see their living conditions, so Zhao Ying showed them around inside and outside the house.

The villagers loved gossip. Seeing such a nice car parked outside Song Xueci's house and several unfamiliar faces dressed in obviously expensive clothes, clearly from the city, they gathered around to see what was happening.

"Carpenter Zhao, are these your relatives?"

"They drove a Mercedes, and it's one with a hood ornament."

"What relatives? How come we've never heard you mention them?"

"Are you going to the provincial capital to make your fortune now?"

These people usually gossiped behind Zhao Ying and Song Xueci's backs because they were both orphans with no one to back them up, and they had nothing to do with them to their faces. Now, they were all trying to cozy up to them.

Zhao Ying wore his usual expression and did not respond to them. He showed Father and Mother Lu around. "This is where we bathe. The kitchen is inside, and that shed over there was put up recently. My carpentry work can be pretty noisy."

The two elders looked at each place in turn. To be honest, Zhao Ying's living conditions were worse than they had imagined. The house was dilapidated, and the facilities were rudimentary.

The little fenced-in garden by the door seemed out of place. Flower buds were on the verge of blooming, adding a touch of elegance to the surroundings.

"Xue Ci planted these. He's good at taking care of flowers."

The man's expression softened noticeably when he mentioned Xue Ci.

He looked into the inner room. His little wife was sitting quietly in a chair, looking slightly nervous. When he saw Zhao Ying looking at him, the corners of his lips lifted a little.

Zhao Ying smiled too.

Only when he saw that Zhao Ying suspected nothing did Xue Ci relax a little.

He secretly glanced at Lu Xiunan. Fortunately, the man was not too close to him and had also pretended they were meeting for the first time.

It was just that... Xue Ci could not help feeling that his tone had been deliberate. He had placed heavy emphasis on the words "first time."

He tried to remember how many days ago they had last met and what the other man had said.

After 11 reminded him, Xue Ci remembered that their conversation had been interrupted. Lu Xiunan... seemed to have wanted him to take responsibility.

Lu Xiunan knew about his relationship with Zhao Ying, so he probably would not make an issue of it, would he?

Nothing had happened between them. They had simply lived together for a while like roommates.

Besides, he had mistaken Lu Xiunan for his husband, but surely Lu Xiunan knew he was not married?

Yes, if Lu Xiunan tried again to pressure him into taking responsibility with some nonsensical excuse like "you even let him see your body," he would challenge him with that.

He would have to look fierce, too.

At the very least, he had to make Lu Xiunan think he was not easy to bully.

Xue Ci rallied himself, lifted his head, and puffed out his chest.

But a cold chuckle suddenly came from the doorway.

The laugh carried a complicated meaning that Xue Ci could not quite understand, though he could tell it was unfriendly.

Looking listless, he turned his face away and ignored the other man.

Lu Xiunan, however, clearly wanted to talk. "Doesn't it hurt?"

What...

Xue Ci looked somewhat bewildered.

"With your back so straight, won't your chest get rubbed?" A faint smile touched Lu Xiunan's lips. His cool voice concealed his jealousy as his gaze traveled down from Xue Ci's face and finally settled on a certain spot. "Didn't your husband suck it until it swelled?"

The man was so blunt that Xue Ci quickly understood. Heat surged up his spine and into his face, turning his fair skin pink in an instant.

His belated realization gave way to embarrassment and irritation.

He parted his lips, then bit down on one, quickly leaving a deep, wet mark.

It blurred slightly, leaving his lips moist and tender.

Xue Ci did not notice that the other man's gaze had already drifted to his lips.

He had been able to ignore the lingering ache and swelling in his chest, but Lu Xiunan's reminder made him conscious of it again.

He lowered his eyes and secretly glanced at his chest.

His pajamas were thin, but he was wearing a coat over them, so nothing showed.

The only way Lu Xiunan could have known was by peeping through the window.

There was no telling how many nights he had stood there watching.

Thinking of what he and Zhao Ying had done in the bedroom over the past few days, Xue Ci was so angry he wanted to curse him out.

He rounded his eyes, their outer corners flushed with embarrassment, and parted his lips. Just as he was about to strike back with the filthiest words he knew, a deep voice sounded in his head.

[Baby, cursing at him will only turn him on more.]

[He's already hard just from looking at you.]

Xue Ci: "..."

Ignoring the second remark, Xue Ci thought the first one might have a point.

The fragments came from the same original being, so perhaps they knew one another well.

Xue Ci: [If you have a way, hurry up and tell me.]

He was already in a bad mood, so his tone was naturally fierce.

[Baby, don't seduce me.]

Xue Ci: "..."

Fortunately, the fragment knew when to stop and told him how to strike back before Xue Ci could ignore him.

Lu Xiunan really had been lingering around Xue Ci's house these past few days. He wanted to find a chance to clear things up with him. He was not someone who could be discarded after being led on.

But Zhao Ying had nothing much to do all day and clung to Xue Ci every day, so Lu Xiunan could not find a chance to be alone with him.

Instead, every day he saw his dear elder brother, his face flushed, asking Xue Ci for more.

Kissing and sucking on his tongue were not enough; he touched other places too.

Despite his irritation, Lu Xiunan's body grew hotter and hotter, and he swallowed instinctively.

But soon, he heard Xue Ci's voice.

"I'm willing to let my husband suck them."

Lu Xiunan froze. Once he understood, his composure shattered, and jealousy twisted his handsome face. "What did you say?"

Unlike the jealous husband's tone, Xue Ci spoke openly. "I love my husband very much. I'll give him a lot more in the future, and I'm willing to let him kiss me anywhere he wants."

Lu Xiunan's eyelids twitched incessantly. Xue Ci's "declarations of love for his husband" made him so jealous that his temples throbbed.

He wanted nothing more than to go over right now, pull Xue Ci into his arms, strip him naked, and leave his own marks on him.

"Very good."

His voice was no longer as steady as before, and he could not hide the gritted teeth behind his cold tone. "Seeing that my sister-in-law and elder brother are so close puts my mind at ease."

Seeing that Lu Xiunan was angry, Xue Ci was finally satisfied. He ignored him, ran outside, and threw himself into Zhao Ying's arms without another glance at him.

Mother Lu noticed Lu Xiunan's unhappy expression and thought he was acting like a spoiled young master, unwilling to stay in this poor, remote place. "Why don't you drive back on your own first?"

Lu Xiunan's composure shattered again. His face darkened. "Why should I leave? Am I not part of this family?"

"As long as you're willing to stay." Mother Lu reminded him quietly, "Don't look so sour, or Ximing and his spouse will think we don't welcome them."

"...I know," Lu Xiunan said with difficulty.

More and more people were gathering outside the door, staring without restraint. When someone saw that Zhao Ying was ignoring them, they blurted out, "Why are you ignoring us? You haven't even moved to the city yet, and you're already looking down on us."

"Old Zhao raised a son for so many years, and he died before he could enjoy any of the benefits. Honestly..."

When Zhao Ying heard that, his expression turned cold. He looked back at the person who had spoken, who was frightened by his icy gaze.

Seeing this, Xue Ci rubbed his palm with his fingertips.

Zhao Ying understood that this was Xue Ci's way of comforting him. He threaded his fingers through his wife's and held them tightly.

An honest man was even more frightening when he got angry. The villagers clearly knew this, and seeing Zhao Ying's displeased expression, they did not dare say anything else and scattered.

Mother Lu looked heartbroken. She knew only a little about what her eldest son had gone through since he was abducted.

Zhao Ying was a man of few words and answered only when she asked him something. All she knew was that after he was abducted that year, he had jumped out of the vehicle when no one was watching and fled all the way to the wasteland by Zhou Family Village. The weeds there were thick and there were no lights nearby, which was how he had escaped. He was then adopted by a carpenter from a neighboring village and grew up in the village.

He had not continued his schooling, and his hands had become covered in calluses from rough work.

By the time everyone returned inside, it was already ten in the morning, and Zhao Ying invited them to stay for lunch.

Mother Lu suggested bringing him back to live with the Lu family. "I know you're used to living here, but we finally found you, and we've missed you so much."

After all, he was her own flesh and blood. As she spoke, tears began to fall. "We looked for you for so many years, and now we've finally found you!"

Father Lu stroked Mother Lu's back to comfort her. "Your adoptive father raised you, and you owe him a debt of gratitude. I'll have someone give him a proper burial. He's the only family you have here now."

He glanced at Song Xueci.

"You can bring your spouse and move to the city to live with us."

Mother Lu already felt guilty toward her eldest son. With the poor conditions in the village and the villagers' remarks just now, she naturally would not let Zhao Ying suffer such treatment.

"If you think living with us would be inconvenient, you can live separately. And if you're used to your name, you can keep using the one you have now."

"You and Xue Ci are both still young. If you want to continue your studies, we can help you find schools."

She could tell that Zhao Ying cared deeply about Song Xueci. Of course, she also had a good impression of Xue Ci, and by mentioning him repeatedly, she hoped to persuade Zhao Ying to return to the city and live with them.

Zhao Ying had anticipated this situation on the day he went for the paternity test, but he had a family now and needed to ask Xue Ci what he thought.

He did not know what to call the two of them either. He could not bring himself to call them Mom and Dad, but calling them Uncle and Auntie would be too distant. In the end, he stiffly said, "Let's eat first," and went to the kitchen.

Mother Lu wanted to help in the kitchen, but Zhao Ying stopped her. Only after he urged her several times did she return to the main room to rest.

Xue Ci poured tea for everyone, then took a handful of candy from the table and shared it among them.

He looked so well-behaved that Mother Lu liked him more the longer she looked at him. She accepted the candy and casually chatted with him.

After talking for a while, she learned that Song Xueci's parents had passed away and he had been forced to drop out of school.

Mother Lu said sympathetically, "Would you still like to continue your studies? I can help you find a school."

"..."

Xue Ci was a little dumbfounded. He had just tried very hard to present himself as illiterate in front of the Lu family. They should have looked down on him, so why were they helping him return to school?

Lu Xiunan took in his dazed expression. "Mom, didn't we say we'd let them think it over? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Mother Lu worried that her intentions were too obvious. "Yes, yes! There's no hurry. I won't make the decision for you!"

No one mentioned the subject again, and the main room fell quiet.

Xue Ci could sense Mother Lu's disappointment.

He got up, took some small animal wood carvings out of a drawer, and showed them to Father and Mother Lu.

Mother Lu was surprised. "Did... he carve these?"

Xue Ci nodded. "He's amazing!"

Mother Lu smiled, picked up one of the little dogs, and examined it from every angle several times. A pleased expression appeared on her face. At least the child she had thought long dead had now grown tall and strong, started a family, and learned a trade.

Xue Ci had meant to show Mother Lu what Zhao Ying was capable of, but to Lu Xiunan's ears, "he's amazing" automatically took on a different meaning.

-"My husband is amazing!"

Lu Xiunan let out a cold laugh.

His face darkened, and when he heard Mother Lu praise the couple's close relationship at the dinner table, his brows knitted even tighter.

Xue Ci had felt Lu Xiunan's gaze on him during the meal. Afterward, instead of staying with the Lu family, he went with Zhao Ying to tidy the kitchen.

They called it tidying up together, but in truth, Xue Ci watched while Zhao Ying did the work.

The two crowded affectionately together by the sink. Zhao Ying popped a piece of milk candy into Xue Ci's mouth and asked what he thought about going to the city as he washed the dishes.

According to the plot, Xue Ci would indeed go with Zhao Ying to the provincial capital to live with the Lu family. Only then would his shallow understanding and differences in taste be exposed later, causing the Lu family to look down on him.

But it was not time yet.

They would probably have to wait another half a month before moving to the provincial capital.

Besides, faced with the change in Zhao Ying's identity, Xue Ci should act uneasy.

He should be afraid that his husband would suddenly become a young master and look down on him.

Xue Ci put on a hesitant expression and waited a long while before saying softly, "I can't bear to leave the little garden by the door..."

Zhao Ying could tell he did not want to leave, so he nodded. "Then I'll stay here with you."

Hearing the sound of the progress bar moving forward, Xue Ci was pleased. He pulled Zhao Ying's arm over and rubbed against it affectionately.

The tips of Zhao Ying's ears turned bright red, and he could not help thinking of how Xue Ci had trembled and cried out softly under his kisses last night, his slender back arched.

His mind wandering, Zhao Ying finished cleaning the kitchen and went to talk to Father and Mother Lu.

He did not mention Xue Ci. "I'm used to living here, so I won't go to the provincial capital for now."

"Besides, I still have a lot of carpentry work to finish. I'll complete the jobs I promised people."

Zhao Ying spoke earnestly and methodically. Seeing the disappointment on Mother Lu's face, he hesitated helplessly for a moment before saying, "I'll visit you every month, and you can come here anytime. But for now, I still need time to get used to this. I'm sorry."

Being found by his biological parents had indeed stirred Zhao Ying's emotions, but he was past the age when he had longed most for familial affection. He could not adjust to suddenly moving in with a group of relatives who had never appeared in his memories, and neither could Xue Ci.

So for now, he would settle down here with Xue Ci. If Xue Ci came to yearn for life in the provincial capital later, it would not be too late to move to the Lu family home then.

He spoke sincerely, and Father and Mother Lu said they understood. They did not want to force the son they had only just found, so they gave the couple another red envelope, offered a few words of advice, and prepared to leave.

But when they returned to the car, Lu Xiunan suddenly announced that he wanted to stay here for a while.

Mother Lu was surprised. After losing one son, they had naturally devoted themselves to raising their remaining child and had never let him want for material things. As a result, Lu Xiunan had the arrogance of a young master and was particular and picky about everything he ate, wore, and used. Yet now he was actually volunteering to stay in the countryside, where conditions were poor?

The older couple had no idea that Lu Xiunan had already lived here and had even learned to wait on someone. Mother Lu asked, puzzled, "What are you staying here for?"

Lu Xiunan folded his arms. "To help you persuade them to move back."

"You'll persuade them?" Mother Lu knew Lu Xiunan well. Even if the sky fell, his mouth would hold it up. He had never humbled himself before anyone, much less persuaded anyone. "Forget it. You'll end up arguing with your elder brother and Xue Ci and making things worse."

Lu Xiunan said, "Have you seen me argue with anyone this past month?"

Now that he mentioned it, Mrs. Lu really did notice a change. Even when the housekeeper broke a vase, Lu Xiunan hadn't said anything. It seemed he had grown more steady with age.

"If I stay here and tell them more about life in the provincial capital, maybe they'll be willing to move. What young person doesn't want to head to the city?"

Mr. and Mrs. Lu were persuaded.

Just a few days ago, Fu Yun had told them that Lu Xiunan had been in a motorcycle accident, and they had been heartbroken. They hadn't expected the accident to change his temperament and teach him to think of his family.

Mr. Lu looked at him. "Aren't you busy lately?"

"With Fu Yun helping, it's manageable." Lu Xiunan got out of the car and stood by the window. "Besides, I won't be staying here every day. Head back without worrying. I'll definitely help you persuade my brother to come back."

Mrs. Lu was deeply reassured.

Not only had they found their eldest son recently, but even their younger son had become mature and dependable.

She said nothing more about it. "Are Ximing and Xue Ci all right with you staying here?"

"They just need to add a bed." Lu Xiunan couldn't be bothered to say more. He told the driver, "Drive on."

The luxury black Mercedes slowly drove away from Zhou Family Village, its tires kicking up muddy water. Only when they reached the entrance to the main road did Mrs. Lu remember. "He decided to stay rather suddenly. Did he forget to pack?"

Mr. Lu said, "He's a grown man. We don't need to worry about those things anymore."

Mrs. Lu nodded and said nothing more.

Lu Xiunan watched the car drive away before going back inside.

In the main room, Zhao Ying was helping Xue Ci trim his fingernails.

When Lu Xiunan returned, both of them looked over at him.

Zhao Ying paused. "You... haven't they left yet?"

"They've all left." Lu Xiunan glanced briefly at Xue Ci, then quickly looked away. "But, brother, I'd like to stay for a while."

Being called "brother" left Zhao Ying a little stunned.

He had always thought Lu Xiunan was a cold, self-serving businessman. At least, that had been his first impression. He hadn't expected him to be warm beneath that cold exterior.

Although having another person in the house was a bit inconvenient, Zhao Ying had no reason to refuse.

The same blood ran through their veins.

"I... this is Xiao Ci's house. You'll have to ask him."

Lu Xiunan could finally look at Xue Ci openly.

He lifted the corners of his lips and asked in a tone that made Xue Ci want to punch him, "Little brother's wife, can I stay here?"

"..."

Brother's wife is fine, but why add 'little'?

Xue Ci felt that Lu Xiunan was deliberately provoking him.

11 reminded him: [Host, according to your character setting, you can't refuse. You should even welcome him.]

"..."

Just as I thought.

Xue Ci didn't agree outright. Putting on a welcoming expression, he said, "You grew up in the city. Won't you have trouble getting used to staying here?"

"Why would I?" Lu Xiunan's lips curved slightly. "I've spent more than a month waiting on someone. What's this compared to that?"

"But he dumped me, and I'm not in a good mood. I want to stay here for a while."

"As long as you don't mind me getting in the way, little brother's wife."

His words carried an implication. Xue Ci guiltily looked away and stopped making things difficult. "In that case, sure..."

Zhao Ying, standing nearby, was surprised.

He hadn't expected Lu Xiunan to have someone he liked, or to be willing to wait on someone.

It seemed he had been wrong to judge him by appearances.

"It's good that Xiao Ci doesn't mind. There's an empty room here, but it's full of odds and ends. I'll go clear it out for you."

Zhao Ying's opinion of his twin brother changed slightly. He quickly cleared out the storage room, which was right across from their bedroom.

The bedding and mattress had just been aired in the sun. Worried that Lu Xiunan might be particular, Zhao Ying said, "There aren't any new sheets, but these have all been washed. I'll go to the market and buy a new set later."

Lu Xiunan gave a quiet "Mm." Now that he had achieved his goal, his expression turned indifferent again.

When Zhao Ying picked up his jacket and straw hat to go out, Xue Ci immediately clung to him, gripping his hand tightly. "Where are you going?"

"To buy sheets." Xue Ci was far too cute as he looked up at him. Zhao Ying glanced around. Lu Xiunan was still in his room and hadn't come out. He quickly pressed his lips to his little wife's soft ones. "Is there any fruit you want?"

Xue Ci didn't want to be alone with Lu Xiunan. He wrapped his arms tightly around Zhao Ying's arm. "I want to go too!"

The weather wasn't particularly hot. Seeing how clingy Xue Ci was, Zhao Ying lifted the corners of his lips. After letting Lu Xiunan know, he went out with Xue Ci.

After they left, Lu Xiunan dropped his disguise.

For the past few days, he had stood outside the window every day, able to see and hear, but unable to touch.

Now he wanted nothing more than to hold Xue Ci in his arms and take a few deep breaths of his scent.

Unfortunately, Xue Ci didn't welcome him and didn't want to be alone with him.

Lu Xiunan sneered.

He got up, went into his brother and brother's wife's bedroom, and opened the wardrobe.

He took all of Xue Ci's clothes out and threw them onto the bed, including those few small pieces of white fabric.

He buried his face in them and took a deep sniff.

It took only fifteen minutes to ride a bicycle to the market in town.

Zhao Ying had an old-fashioned, twenty-eight-inch bicycle with a top tube. He had made a soft cushion for Xue Ci to sit on.

Xue Ci had never tried riding like this before. His cheeks flushed with excitement, and when he turned back, the wind carried his voice into Zhao Ying's ears.

"Husband, this is so exciting!"

"..." Zhao Ying nearly lost his grip on the handlebars.

After arriving in town, the two bought sheets and some basic daily necessities. Then Zhao Ying went to a hardware store he often visited and asked the worker to install security bars on a window.

Xue Ci thought Zhao Ying was buying woodworking materials and crouched down to play with the lazy kitten in the shop.

It wasn't until half an hour after they got home, when the hardware store worker arrived on a tricycle, that he realized the man had come to install security bars.

The worker was experienced and had them installed in no time.

Xue Ci reached out and shook them.

They didn't move at all. They were very sturdy.

He should have installed them sooner. Then he wouldn't have mistaken someone else for his husband.

"We're right on the edge of the village. It's too dangerous." Zhao Ying was still bothered by the footprints he had seen beside the window the night before. "What if a thief comes?"

Xue Ci thought about their savings and said quietly, "I don't think there's anything to steal."

The next second, a voice came from behind him.

"What if he's here to steal a person?"

What...

Xue Ci's shoulders trembled slightly.

He turned around. Lu Xiunan was standing very close to him.

The man walked over, gripped the iron bar Xue Ci had just touched, and applied a little pressure. "Brother, now that you've installed these security bars, you can rest easy."

"I've heard that a lot of rich perverts in the city like to play with pretty little boys."

Author's note:

No matter how many precautions you take, it's hard to guard against a thief in the family.