A Divine Farmer

Chapter 157 - Are You Willing to Give Up?

Chen Yaru's cheeks flushed as she listened, and finally, with a touch of shyness, she asked, “Is it really okay?”

“Don't worry about it,” Liu Mei reassured her with a smile. “Xiaolong is my son—don't I know him best? He's not truly mad at you. He just got it into his head that you were plotting something. Go on, I guarantee it'll work.”

Once Liu Mei had said her piece, she headed downstairs. Zhang Daniu hurried over to inquire about the situation, only to be met with a dismissive glance. “Stay out of the kids' business,” she chided. “Let them work it out on their own.”

“I wasn't planning to interfere, but Xiaolong shouldn't be bullying the girl!” protested Zhang Daniu, still visibly upset.

“Bullying? What do you know about it? Just keep out of it,” Liu Mei retorted. “Didn't you hear what the girls said? If it's not Xiaolong's fault, then let them handle it.” With that, she made her decision final.

Truth be told, Liu Mei harbored her own preferences. She had always admired Yang Jingjing for her pleasant conversation and hardworking nature. When Zhang Xiaolong started seeing Chen Yaru, she thought highly of her as well. Both girls were beautiful, and she was momentarily torn about which would be the better match.

Now that both girls seemed interested in getting along with Xiaolong, any mother would be lying if she claimed not to be pleased by the prospect.

Even with the knowledge that it wasn't quite right, she couldn't help but hold on to a sliver of hope.

After all, as a mother, who wouldn't want the best for their son?

Upstairs, the door to Zhang Xiaolong's room was gently pushed open, then quietly shut and locked from the inside.

Treading softly to the bedside, Chen Yaru addressed the silent man with his back to her, “Honey, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made decisions without discussing them with you first. Can you please not be mad?”

The figure on the bed remained still, showing no sign of engaging with her plea.

“Or maybe you'd like to punish me?” she offered earnestly. “Whatever you decide, I won't argue—I promise.”

Zhang Xiaolong remained silent, the room enveloped in quietude.

Chen Yaru stripped off her garments until she was clad only in her undergarments. She lay down gently, attempting to snuggle up to him.

However, before she could get close, he shifted away. She moved nearer again, and once more, he edged away, clearly not wanting any contact.

With no other option, Chen Yaru resorted to the last-ditch strategy Liu Mei had taught her. She leapt out of the bed, stark naked, and stood on the icy floor, barefoot. “Alright, Hubby, I truly realize my mistake. If you're unwilling to touch me, then I'll stand here all night until you're ready to forgive me.”

At that, Zhang Xiaolong stirred. Though he didn't look, he could tell she had shed all her clothing, even her shoes.

Their newly built home lacked the central heating of city dwellings. Standing all night in such cold could only result in a severe cold.

While he wavered on whether to rise, Chen Yaru's soft sobs filled the air.

Turning to look, Zhang Xiaolong saw the tender, pale woman standing there, trembling and dabbing at her tears, a sight so poignant it moved him deeply.

He sprang from the bed and wrapped her in the blanket, his voice tinged with exasperation, “Are you trying to freeze and miss work, so I have to dock your pay?”

Chen Yaru, seeing him stand, clung to him, tears forgotten. “Hubby, I knew you wouldn't ignore me. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

He sighed and tenderly wiped away her tears. “Why do you act so foolishly, pushing your husband toward another woman? Does that make you feel better?”

“I… I didn't think it through. I just saw how wonderful Jingjing is, and she likes you too. I thought it would make you happy,” Chen Yaru confessed sincerely, for she had indeed believed that.

“The world is full of wonderful women, but that doesn't mean I can marry them all,” Zhang Xiaolong said, seeing her remorse. He couldn't bring himself to say more and simply embraced her gently. “Having you is enough for me, Hubby.”

In that tender moment, the words of affection were incredibly touching. Chen Yaru's heart swelled with excitement as she tiptoed to plant a kiss on the man's lips.

Zhang Xiaolong's fury quickly transformed into burning desire. He swept the woman into his arms and tossed her onto the bed. “So you want to be punished? Let's see how your husband deals with you!”

Realizing she was truly forgiven, Chen Yaru knew it was her time to shine. Her eyes sparkled with alluring charm.

But before she could even begin to undress him, he had already turned the tables on her.

“Damn kid!” Zhang Daniu muttered under his breath from downstairs.

Even though the house had better soundproofing than before, it wasn't a professional studio. Complete silence was impossible.

Liu Mei gave him a withering look and lobbed a cotton ball his way, then stuffed her ears with another before turning off the light and settling down to sleep.

They had cotton, but Yang Jingjing did not.

Lying alone in her bed, she listened to the noises from next door, her emotions a tangled mess. If only things were slightly different, she might have been the one receiving such attention. But life is full of uncertainties, and there's little to be done when someone like Zhang Xiaolong won't reciprocate her feelings. For now, she had to try to let go.

?

She wondered if she could ever truly move on while staying close to him. Yet the thought of leaving left her unsure of where to go.

Tossing and turning with these thoughts, she didn't sleep all night. The next day, she emerged with dark circles under her eyes.

Chen Yaru was startled at the sight of her but quickly pieced together what had happened.

They had planned to bring Zhang Xiaolong and Yang Jingjing together, but when he got angry, Yaru had lost the chance to look after Jingjing. The night had turned into a frenzy with the man instead.

“Jingjing, I'm so sorry, it wasn't intentional…” Chen Yaru fretted, hoping Jingjing wouldn't think she was flaunting or showing off on purpose.

“It's okay, Yaru,” Yang Jingjing said with a wry smile. “I guess I'm just not that fortunate, but I'll still wish you both happiness.”

Chen Yaru felt a pang of concern at those words, sensing that Jingjing might be considering leaving. She quickly grasped her hand, “My dear sister, you can't go. I truly believe Xiaolong has feelings for you; he just hasn't realized it yet. If you walk away now, you're essentially giving up all hope. Do you really want to give up without a fight?”