Reborn as a Tough Army Wife

At the Luo Family, because Xu He visited, Fang Xiu couldn't calm down anymore, making numerous mistakes—accidentally dropping several buns on the ground.

Zhou Yunmei felt very distressed and quickly stopped her, "Forget it, Fang Xiu, don't bother anymore, with the way you are, these buns aren't even enough to cover the ones you drop."

Luo Cuilan, who was sitting aside, also glanced at her, murmuring, "Exactly, acting as if she has done something guilty, all flustered."

These words from Luo Cuilan caused Fang Xiu to overreact. She suddenly stood up and glared at Luo Cuilan, "Who are you talking about? Who has done something guilty?"

Luo Cuilan gave her a sidelong glance, "Then it must be on purpose, to be lazy."

"It's none of your business."

Seeing the two were about to start arguing again, Zhou Yunmei stopped Luo Cuilan, then said to Fang Xiu, "Okay, Fang Xiu, you go and make lunch. Call Zhiming to help start the fire, we're too busy wrapping buns here to spare a hand."

Fang Xiu, having no desire to stay out in the courtyard, nodded and went into her room.

Once inside, she sat down beside the kang (a traditional Chinese heated bed), blankly watching Luo Zhiming, who was soundly asleep.

Luo Zhiming, not knowing what was happening, suddenly opened his eyes and stared at her, which so startled Fang Xiu that she sprang up from the kang.

Luo Zhiming chuckled softly, "Xiu'er, why are you such a scaredy-cat now?"

This time, Fang Xiu really did feel guilty; the slightest noise frightened her, and seeing that Luo Zhiming had scared her on purpose, she frowned at him, her tone impatient, "What are you doing pretending to sleep?"

Luo Zhiming snuggled deeper into the blankets, "I woke up a long time ago but it's cold, so I didn't want to get up."

Fang Xiu glanced at him, softened by memories of what she had done outside, walked over to the bed, and slid her hand under the quilt to stroke him, her voice gentler, "Hurry up and get up. Mom said to help me start a fire; we're planning to steam buns for the New Year."

Luo Zhiming, feeling warm from Fang Xiu's touch, pulled her onto the kang, whispering, "Wife, lie with me for a while."

As he spoke, he reached to undo her belt.

Fang Xiu grabbed him, "What are you doing?"

Luo Zhiming pulled her hand under him, pitifully saying, "Ever since you came back, we haven't done it, and look, I'm really suffering here."

Normally, Fang Xiu wouldn't refuse getting intimate with Luo Zhiming, but she really wasn't in the mood today, so she glared at him irritably, "Where are you suffering? Weren't you going at it until late last night?"

"With my hand? That's nothing like the real thing." Luo Zhiming finished speaking and pressed down on Fang Xiu, nibbling at her neck and panting, "Wife, let me in, I'll be gentle, okay?"

Fang Xiu felt overwhelmed by his insistence and finally pushed him away, climbing down from the kang, and muttered angrily, "Don't you have any propriety? Always thinking about these things; can't you do something productive?"

Luo Zhiming pouted, "During the New Year's celebration, even the factory gave us a holiday to rest. There's nothing serious to do."

Fang Xiu looked at him and sighed deeply, "Luo Zhiming, if you had only strived a little harder, I wouldn't have ended up in this situation."

"What situation are we in now?" Luo Zhiming didn't understand Fang Xiu's words and countered, "Aren't we living our best life now? We have a child, my mother treats you well, don't you think our life is much better than before?"

"I…" Fang Xiu realized she had misspoken and her complexion changed. She fell silent.

Luo Zhiming felt something was amiss. He sat up from the quilt and looked at Fang Xiu, "Xiu, why do I feel like you've been different since you came back this time? We used to be so happy, but now it seems like you're always preoccupied with something and you're unwilling to talk about it. Did you suffer any grievances when you left my sister-in-law's shop last month?"

Fang Xiu didn't expect Luo Zhiming to think of that. She was startled and quickly shook her head, "What grievances could I have suffered? It was just a job. The boss paid less than said before, which made me a bit unhappy, that's all." Con-ten^t pre$se^nt-e^d# by M%V&|-L%E.M#P|+Y^R.+

"Is that all? There's nothing to think about then, it's all in the past now, forget about it." Luo Zhiming really believed her and continued to console Fang Xiu, "Anyway, we don't rely on your income for living at home right now. Why worry so much?"

"How can I not worry? We still haven't paid off the debt we owe others. I'm pregnant and can't work, and next year at home, I might not even have enough pocket money. I don't know what to do." Fang Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. She was just worried that Luo Zhiming might suspect something and keep asking.

"Just ask Mom for pocket money, she's willing to give you two yuan a month," Luo Zhiming responded nonchalantly, "Besides, you're pregnant and staying at home, you don't need fancy clothes. There isn't much money to spend."

Fang Xiu didn't want to talk more with Luo Zhiming and simply called him out, "Forget it, forget it, speaking with you is in vain. Get up quickly, I'm going to steam buns in the kitchen and need you to start the fire."

"Alright."

Fang Pingying and the others were quick in making buns outside, and by the time Fang Xiu came out, several trays of buns were already prepared. Zhou Yunmei busily asked, "Is Zhiming up yet? It's time to steam the buns."

"Mom, I'm coming." Luo Zhiming responded from inside the house.

"Mom, I'll take these buns to the kitchen to steam." Seeing Fang Xiu emerge from the house with a pale expression, Fang Pingying found an excuse, planning to enter the house to check on Fang Xiu.

Zhou Yunmei saw her getting up and nodded, "Alright, be careful."

Fang Pingying nodded and together with Fang Xiu, each carried a tray of buns into the kitchen.

Once inside the kitchen, Fang Xiu glanced outside the door to make sure Zhou Yunmei and the others hadn't come over. She anxiously grabbed Fang Pingying and said, "Sis, what should I do? Xu He, that wretched woman, seems to know about my affair with Liu Junting. What if she tells Mom and the others?"

Fang Pingying thought for a moment and then advised Fang Xiu, "Fang Xiu, secrets don't keep forever. If Xu He knows, it's inevitable that others will find out too."

"What do you mean by that?" Fang Xiu vaguely understood Fang Pingying's implication, and her face turned deathly pale.

Fang Pingying looked at her and decided to speak clearly, "Instead of living in constant fear that Xu Hehua will spill everything, it's better if you confess to Zhiming yourself. See how he chooses. If things can still work out, from now on you'd need to mend your ways and earnestly live with him. If not, then consider a divorce, rather than causing a bigger issue later on."

On hearing this, Fang Xiu felt as if Fang Pingying was harming her and retorted angrily, "I have never thought about divorce."

"You've never thought about divorce?" Fang Pingying looked up at her, frowning, "Then what does messing around with Liu Junting mean? Can you dare say that when you were with Liu Junting, you never thought about divorcing Zhiming? Or is it not because you found out Liu Junting deceived you, otherwise you might have already divorced Zhiming earlier."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can visit m.qidian.com to read.)