Volume One, Chapter Six: Curious to Taste the Thrill of Forbidden Desire

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Shaoting An had never been slapped before in his life. The sudden smack left him stunned, staring blankly at Su Li, unable to muster any anger.

“You… you sure hit hard!”

He awkwardly raised his hand to cover his face, his gentle eyes clouded with a hint of displeasure.

“Why do you always sneak around so quietly? I’m your wife, not someone to hide away from the world. Do you have to be so secretive just to give me a hug? It feels like we’re having an affair. You never used to be like this.”

Su Li snapped the towel she was holding. “Have you been hanging around bad company? Trying to taste the forbidden fruit?”

A flash of panic crossed Shaoting An’s eyes, then he snatched the towel from her hand. “What nonsense are you spouting? I just wanted to tease you, surprise you a bit. Didn’t expect you’d greet me with a slap—no fun at all.”

Under Su Li’s scrutinizing gaze, Shaoting An avoided eye contact and left with the towel in hand.

Watching his retreating figure, Su Li recalled the words he had said before his death in the previous life: she wasn’t as young as Zhao Xinran, nor as interesting.

That “interesting” must have meant the spark between a couple—the playful, endearing girl who could bring him new sensations and excitement. No wonder he found her dull.

Thinking back on her past life, Su Li felt it necessary to visit the hospital. After all, she still didn’t know if Zhao Xinran had drugged her this time. To be safe, a checkup would put her mind at ease.

Besides, she had a more important plan in mind.

At dinner, Shaoting An’s mood was low. Su Li had hit him too hard, and now he felt a dull ache in his jaw.

“Not good? Looks like I really can’t cook like Xinran. You ate two bowls of rice last night.”

Shaoting An’s expression was indifferent. “My tooth hurts. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

Su Li looked apologetic. “Sorry, I…”

Shaoting An waved his hand. “I know, I’m not blaming you. I’m going to take a shower.”

Watching him leave, a small smile curved Su Li’s lips. This man was undeniably cultivated—never losing his temper no matter what. That was why she had been so enamored with him in her previous life.

Handsome, gentle in manner, educated, refined—every woman would adore him.

As the old saying goes, “It’s not the thief you fear, but the one who covets.” In the end, it was precisely because someone coveted him that she had met an early demise.

Su Li couldn’t help but think: perhaps this was heaven’s way of teaching her a lesson, urging her to reform and change her nature.

Before sleep, Su Li hugged her quilt and murmured with mock grievance, “Though it wasn’t intentional, this is our first fight as husband and wife. I must punish myself and sleep outside to reflect.”

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Su Li knew Shaoting An’s pride was strong—he would never get affectionate after being slapped.

But he wouldn’t let her actually sleep outside either; his dignity would compel him to maintain decorum.

“It’s nothing. I’m not mad at you since it wasn’t on purpose. Go to bed now. I have an important day tomorrow—the first test run of the harvester. It’ll be busy.”

Su Li realized he was referring to the new harvester they were developing. Suddenly, a thought struck her and she smiled faintly.

“You’re really good to me.”

After saying this, she tossed aside her pillow and quickly lay down. Sharing a bed but dreaming different dreams suited them perfectly.

Yet sleep eluded Su Li as her mind churned over the hospital visit.

She needed a proper excuse to sleep separately from Shaoting An, or else she feared that if she startled awake in the middle of the night, she might end up hurting him.

“Shaoting An, I’ve been feeling off these past few days. A dull ache in my lower abdomen. I’m going to the hospital tomorrow morning. I’ll take some money from home.”

Shaoting An groggily hummed and turned over to sleep.

Only when his breathing grew steady and soft snores escaped did Su Li quietly get up, taking her quilt to the balcony to sleep on the folding bed.

Early the next morning, after tidying the house and seeing Shaoting An off, Su Li headed to the hospital. It was the weekend; as expected, Zhao Xinran would come by that evening.

Thinking of this, Su Li stopped at the door downstairs and knocked on Mrs. Zhang’s door.

“Hey, Teacher Su, come in, come in.”

Su Li wasn’t fond of visiting neighbors. She’d lived here almost a year but had never entered anyone’s home.

Mrs. Zhang beamed at her. She liked Su Li—a cultured university lecturer knocking on her door was a great honor.

“Mrs. Zhang, I won’t come in. I have a favor to ask.”

“We live in the same building. No need for formalities. Tell me.”

Su Li smiled. “I’ve been having insomnia at night. I’m going to the hospital in the morning and visiting my parents in the afternoon, so I might be late getting back. Could you please make an extra dinner and bring it to Shaoting An? I’m worried he won’t have anything to eat.”

Mrs. Zhang hesitated.

“Oh, I can pay you two yuan for the food.”

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Mrs. Zhang waved her hand repeatedly. How could she accept two yuan? That was enough to feed her whole family.

“No, no need for money. We’re neighbors. I thought you needed help with something serious, but you’re just worried Shaoting An might go hungry. You two really have a good marriage.”

Su Li smiled. “If you don’t want money, that’s fine. I promised to treat you to sesame lamb tomorrow. When I’m free, we’ll eat together.”

Mrs. Zhang’s grin widened. “Teacher Su, you’re so polite!”

“Thanks, Mrs. Zhang. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Shaoting An eats well.”

After Su Li rode away on her bicycle, Mrs. Zhang stood at the door telling everyone how Teacher Su truly cared for her husband, even worrying he’d have no dinner when she went home to visit her parents.

Most of the women in the complex were uneducated, many brought from the countryside by men sent there as youth laborers. Their specialty was gossip, and soon the whole neighborhood buzzed with how devoted Su Li was to Shaoting An.

...

At the hospital, Su Li went straight to the gynecology department. Seeing her results were all normal, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But the thought of soon needing a favor made her frown.

She lingered near the outpatient clinic for a long time. Though she had planned last night, now she hesitated.

Before bed, she had gone through everyone she knew who might help. Only her high school classmate, Fu Jinzhou, came to mind.

He was a renowned surgeon at the city’s central hospital. Over the years, Su Li hadn’t interacted much with him. She didn’t know if he would be willing to help, especially with something like this.

Head bowed, she stood outside the outpatient clinic. She knew Fu Jinzhou was working today but couldn’t bring herself to walk in.

Thinking of having to share a bed with Shaoting An every night suddenly made her braver. The embarrassment was drowned out by the rising tide of anger.

Just as she steeled herself to head upstairs, a cold, stern voice rang out:

“Notify everyone. The consultation is about to start. Come with me to observe. Anyone late won’t get their allowance this month.”

Hearing this, Su Li slowly raised her head to see a man stride forward. Wearing a pristine white coat, his features were refined and sharp, his brows slightly furrowed, commanding respect without anger.