Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: Broad Shoulders, Slim Waist, and the Flesh Beneath the Clothes

Under the dim yellow light, Shen Sisi was close at hand. A loose strand of hair fell across her smooth, fair face, framing her delicately curved willow-leaf eyebrows and her clear, almond-shaped eyes that were extraordinarily captivating.

Gu Chengfeng lowered his gaze, his eyes sweeping over her brows and eyes, then hesitated as they passed her moist, inviting lips.

A blush quickly rose to his ears.

"Are you alright?" Shen Sisi asked, noticing his flushed appearance, his sun-kissed skin tinged with red.

"I'm fine. I'll go boil some water," Gu Chengfeng said hurriedly, turning away and heading straight to the yard to chop wood.

Watching his hastily retreating figure, Shen Sisi suddenly realized—could he be feeling shy?

She quickly shook her head, trying to cast away these chaotic thoughts.

Under the moonlight, Gu Chengfeng took off his coat, revealing a fitted black sweater that clung to his muscular frame as he swung the axe with vigor.

With each powerful strike, the muscles beneath the sweater flexed prominently—broad shoulders, narrow waist, well-defined but not exaggerated muscles, exuding pure masculinity.

Before long, the stove was blazing, and the water in the pot began to boil.

Shen Sisi took off her coat and carried a bucket to give Niuniu a warm bath.

Niuniu was ecstatic today, restless during the bath, splashing water all over Shen Sisi.

Holding the dripping little one, Shen Sisi suddenly bumped into Gu Chengfeng, unexpectedly pressed against his solid chest.

Quick as a flash, Gu Chengfeng steadied her. "Are you okay?"

At that moment, his downward gaze inadvertently caught sight of the shape pressed against her chest, and his eyes widened instantly.

Shen Sisi’s shirt...

That starkly white image, seen in just a glance, ignited a fiery heat throughout his body, his blood surging wildly.

He swiftly looked away.

Seeing his unease, Shen Sisi followed his gaze downward and felt her whole body explode with embarrassment.

Her white shirt was wet through, translucent as paper.

So, he had seen everything...

Feeling faint, Shen Sisi clutched Niuniu and fled in disarray.

Only after soothing Niuniu to sleep did she change clothes and sneak out like a thief.

Gu Chengfeng, burning with restless heat, took a cold shower.

The ice-cold water, upon touching his heated skin, steamed up in wisps.

Unable to stay indoors any longer, Gu Chengfeng went out for a walk; only after the heat dissipated did he return.

---

When they met again, both tacitly avoided the earlier awkwardness, trying to ease the tension.

"I’ve washed up and boiled another pot of hot water for you. Go freshen up!" Gu Chengfeng said.

"Also, take this," he added, pulling a soap wrapped in oiled paper from his pocket.

"Thank you," Shen Sisi replied, lowering her head carefully to accept it.

She hadn’t expected him to have bought soap especially for her.

Bringing the soap close to her nose, she inhaled its scent—her favorite magnolia fragrance, fresh and clean.

"Thank you, Gu Chengfeng."

She dashed off, only to hear a murmured voice behind her: "I really didn’t see anything."

Shen Sisi froze, wishing she could hide in a hole.

Well, she decided to pretend he hadn’t seen a thing...

Soaking in the hot water, she washed away the stench of the train ride and the fatigue clinging to her.

Bathed in the faint scent of magnolia, she could hardly believe that this morning she was still in Lin County, and now she was in Jiangcheng.

That night, she slept soundly.

Before dawn the next day, she was awakened by the distant call to rise.

There were soft sounds outside her door—the door opening and closing.

Yawning, she got up, wrapped herself in her clothes, and stepped out.

Gu Chengfeng’s room door stood open; his bed was neatly made, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Shen Sisi felt a pang of regret. Had she known, she would have gotten up earlier to make breakfast.

He shouldn’t have left the house hungry.

She fetched water to wash her face, then carefully applied snowflake cream.

Her fingers moved deftly, braiding her cascade of long hair into a neat plait that hung diagonally over her chest.

No matter how exhausted, Shen Sisi lived her days seriously—within her means, she refused to shortchange herself or Niuniu.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, unadorned yet radiant, she finally nodded in satisfaction and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

The new home was sparsely stocked; besides oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, there were only a few eggs.

She and Niuniu each ate a bowl of golden boiled eggs, then she held Niuniu’s hand and carried a basket, preparing to go out.

She planned to visit the nearby supply and marketing cooperative and the black market to buy some necessities, and perhaps find a way to earn money.

Though she held Gu Chengfeng’s bankbook, that money was absolutely untouchable.

As for the seven hundred yuan dowry, she intended to find an opportunity to return it to him.

---

Counting everything, she realized she had very little left on her.

Rather than live off diminishing resources or depend on a man, Shen Sisi preferred to rely on herself, earning money with her own hands.

She locked the courtyard door and set off with Niuniu to the morning market.

Passersby who saw her early in the day cast admiring glances her way.

When did such a beautiful woman arrive in this military compound?

Her face was fair and clean, her features bright and dignified, like a lotus blooming in clear water.

Her graceful movements revealed an elegant and refined temperament, though with a hint of aloofness—clearly someone from a wealthy family.

In her hand, she held a skinny little child.

Which military wife was this? No one seemed to have seen her before.

Sensing the curious but friendly gazes, Shen Sisi returned polite smiles.

Over the years, she had long ceased to seek close relationships; acquaintances were enough.

After all... few could accept someone like her.

Without lingering, she quickly walked on, holding Niuniu’s hand.

On the street, many early workers had already left for their jobs.

She inquired about the black market’s location; it was quite far, near the South Gate by the river, requiring a ferry ride at the dock.

Jiangcheng was an ancient city with a long history, bisected by the Nanjiang River into the North and South districts.

Their military compound was near the old North Gate.

The black market and various underworld elements mainly clustered around the South City Gate.

To traverse the two districts from north to south, the fastest way was by ferry.

It was Shen Sisi’s first time taking a ferry, which she found quite novel.

The ferry ran every ten minutes—a traditional wooden rowboat that could hold over thirty people.

A ticket cost three fen, like a waterborne public bus.

Seated at the rear with Niuniu in her arms, Shen Sisi gazed at the sparkling river surface, the passing cargo ships and fishing boats, feeling unusually uplifted.

"Mommy, the big boat is moving! So fun!" Niuniu exclaimed excitedly, her big eyes rolling with wonder at everything.

As the boat reached the middle of the river, a sudden wave rocked it violently.

An elderly woman beside Shen Sisi lost her balance, her hips slipping dangerously toward the water’s edge.

"Careful!" Shen Sisi reacted swiftly, grabbing her before she fell.