FreeBooksOnline Chapter 176
Chapter 176
"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe no one is coercing me?" Mu Shi'an really didn't want to waste any more time with Zheng Lanhui.
He'd never realized she could be so unreasonable before.
Mu Shi'an braced himself against a nearby stool and tried to stand up, but Zheng Lanhui blocked his way.
"Shi'an, what are you so afraid of? A man like you would never willingly marry into a woman's family. Do you have some secret that woman is holding over you?"
Mu Shi'an didn't even have the energy to respond anymore. Ignoring her, he hopped toward the door.
"Shi'an..." Zheng Lanhui tried to support him, but he brushed her off.
Heartbroken, she watched him. The gesture was as if he were swatting away something utterly repulsive.
Was he so disgusted with her now?
"Comrade Zheng, there was never much between us. I don't know why you're here, but I hope you won't disturb my life anymore—and stop investigating me and my wife." With that, Mu Shi'an walked out the door.
What he didn't know was that Song Nianchu had slipped away just moments before he left.
Hopping along the wall, Mu Shi'an made his way to the hospital lobby, searching for Song Nianchu.
"Shi'an." Just as he thought she'd returned to the treatment room, a familiar voice called out behind him.
Turning, he saw Song Nianchu smiling.
"Chu." He instinctively moved toward her, forgetting his injured leg, and nearly stumbled sideways.
Luckily, Song Nianchu caught him quickly.
"You're still hurt—what's the rush?" she frowned.
"I just forgot." Mu Shi'an looked apologetic.
"Why are you out here? I told you to wait for me in the treatment room." Song Nianchu asked knowingly.
"There was nothing left for Dr. Zheng to say, so I came out to wait for you." He said nothing of Zheng Lanhui's words.
A hint of laughter glimmered in Song Nianchu's eyes.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" He touched his cheek, puzzled by her gaze.
"Nothing. I just think you look especially handsome today," she said with a smile.
Ahem... caught off guard, Mu Shi'an's ears turned red.
"We're out in public," he mumbled, glancing around to see if anyone had heard her.
"So what? We're husband and wife." Song Nianchu took his arm.
Helpless, Mu Shi'an just smiled. His wife had always been bold.
"Let's go home." She supported him as they walked.
"Alright," he replied.
What they didn’t notice was a pair of eyes fixed on them—eyes burning with jealousy, resentment, and indignation.
On the way back, Song Nianchu was in high spirits. She stopped at the supply cooperative to buy meat and spare ribs, planning to stew some soup for Mu Shi'an.
He assumed her good mood was because the doctor had said his leg was healing well. They chatted and laughed all the way back to the village.
But when Song Nianchu saw a familiar car parked at the village entrance, her face lit up.
"They're here!"
Mu Shi'an noticed the car and the joy on her face. The warmth of their journey home suddenly turned sour.
"Is the owner of that car a close acquaintance?" he asked, feigning casualness.
"He's the manager of the city supply cooperative. If he's here, it must mean the village's electrification application went through. Let's go see." Lost in the excitement, Song Nianchu didn't notice his shifting mood.
"...Sure." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Pulling the cart into the village, she spotted Xiang Tianyi standing by the roadside, with Wu Zhenggui chatting and smiling beside him. Workers from the power supply station were busy in the nearby fields.
"Manager Xiang," Song Nianchu called out, steering the cart toward him.
Xiang Tianyi, who had seemed listless, turned at her voice. But when he saw the man in her cart, the warmth in his eyes dimmed.
"Manager Xiang, are they already working?" Song Nianchu set the cart down eagerly.
"Yes," he replied flatly, though his gaze flickered to Mu Shi'an.
"Where were you this morning?" Xiang asked.
Though Wu Zhenggui had already explained, he still inquired.
"Oh, my husband hurt his leg, so I took him to the hospital to change his bandages," she said before introducing them.
"This is my husband, Mu Shi'an." She then turned to Mu Shi'an: "Shi'an, this is Manager Xiang Tianyi. Our canning workshop owes a lot to him."
"Manager Xiang, nice to meet you." Mu Shi'an extended his hand.
Xiang Tianyi gave it a brief, cold shake.
"He hurt his leg, and you still hauled him to the hospital?" Xiang's words seemed neutral, but a hint of disdain lurked beneath.
"I told her I could manage, but she insisted on accompanying me. She even offered to carry me on her back to get there faster. My injury isn't serious, but she was so worried she couldn't sit still." Mu Shi'an spoke before Song Nianchu could reply.
Xiang Tianyi’s expression soured as he stared at Mu Shi'an, his eyes dark with unreadable emotion.
"Leg injuries are serious. A poorly healed wound could leave lasting problems," Song Nianchu said without noticing the tension between the two men.
"I know. You're always so caring." Mu Shi'an smiled warmly at her.
He was naturally handsome, and his smile made his features even more striking. Song Nianchu felt her soul almost stolen, standing there grinning foolishly and nodding.
Xiang Tianyi watched her reaction and snorted coldly.
"I thought you were different from other women, but it turns out you're just as naive."
"Hmm?" Lost in admiration, Song Nianchu hadn't caught his words. She looked at him in confusion.