A delicate beauty takes a place in a marriage, while a cold, rough man seduces her every night.

"After her first husband died, she married a carpenter in Shidianzi Village. That woman was shrewd; she squeezed money out of her husband and then used it to support her own brothers. Chen Liang was her favorite younger brother, and he benefited greatly from her. Their family lived a very comfortable life."

The two women chatted animatedly, and every word they said reached Qiao Qingyan's ears.

She kept her eyes downcast, her hands never stopping as she washed the clothes, her expression calm.

Even if Chen Xiuying empties Qiao Nianshan's coffers, it's none of her business.

Before long, the women who had been washing clothes finished packing up and carried their wooden basins home.

Qiao Qingyan glanced at Chun Ya and saw that she had finished washing the clothes. The wrung-out clothes were neatly stacked in the basin, and it seemed that she was about to get up and leave.

But the next second, as if she had suddenly seen something, Chun Ya quickly squatted down, picked up a piece of clothing, and began to wash it repeatedly in the stream in a very professional manner.

The water in the stream was crystal clear, shimmering in the sunlight.

Qiao Qingyan followed Chun Ya's gaze and looked up, only to see a tall figure walking towards her from the other side of the bridge.

When the man got closer, she could see that it was Xiao Jingye.

He carried a large cloth bag over his shoulder and two dying wild pheasants in each hand, walking steadily across the bridge.

"Brother Jingye!" Chun Ya was the first to wave and greet him excitedly.

Xiao Jingye raised his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping across the shore, pausing for a moment when it landed on Qiao Qingyan.

Their eyes met briefly in the air for a few seconds.

He quickly looked away.

This was the first time Qiao Qingyan had met Xiao Jingye since their marriage.

Xiao Jingye walked steadily and strode towards the two of them.

The man was muscular and tall. It was hot, so he was only wearing a white tank top, dark cargo pants, and a pair of Doc Martens.

His broad chest was mostly exposed, and the muscles on his arms were clearly defined and strong, exuding a sense of power.

With a high, straight nose, thin lips slightly pursed, and a light stubble on his chin, he exuded a primal and wild masculine aura, making him look quite aggressive.

Even from a distance of two or three meters, Qiao Qingyan could clearly feel the overwhelming masculine energy emanating from him.

It smelled very similar to the scent she had detected in his bedroom that night.

Just as she took a deep breath, intending to greet him, he completely ignored her—

He walked straight past her and stood in front of Chun Ya.

"Chun Ya, this wild pheasant is one I just hunted. Take it back and share it with your uncles and aunts." Xiao Jingye said, handing over a wild pheasant he was holding in his left hand.

Chun Ya was overjoyed and took it, saying, "Thank you, Brother Jingye. I'll take it back and cook it for my parents right away."

Qiao Qingyan stood with her hands on her hips, furious. Seriously... does this person treat her like she's invisible?

Do you even have basic manners?

Even if he doesn't like her as his wife, he should at least give her a greeting.

She turned around, staring angrily at the back of Xiao Jingye's head, her bright eyes bulging with rage, almost as if she were staring two holes through him.

Chun Ya's eyes sparkled: "Brother Jin Ye, why don't you and Aunt Zeng bring Duo Duo to my house for dinner tonight?"

Xiao Jingye's tone was cold as he simply and decisively refused: "No, you can have the pheasant. I'll head back now."

He turned around and suddenly met Qiao Qingyan's fair and delicate face.

The girl wore a sleeveless cotton dress, her skin was fair and smooth, her jet-black hair was styled in a side braid, and beneath her arched eyebrows were a pair of bright and clear eyes full of spirit; she was extremely beautiful.

It possesses a purity that draws you in irresistiblely.

A gentle summer breeze blew by, causing her skirt to sway lightly in the wind, and a faint, clean fragrance wafted from her.

Xiao Jingye's fingers trembled slightly, his heart pounding like thunder.

Qiao Qingyan's brows furrowed even deeper...

She pursed her lips slightly, gave a soft snort, and after thinking for a moment, decided to take the initiative to greet them. After all, she still had to shamelessly discuss the matter of being a nominal couple with them later.

Before she could speak, Xiao Jingye's Adam's apple bobbed forcefully, and he indifferently shifted his gaze away.

Without saying a word to her, the person hurriedly walked past her.

? ? ? ? ?

Qiao Qingyan was completely stunned.

She was so angry that she stomped her feet on the spot, wishing she could scoop up a basin of cold water and splash it on his head, then yell at him:

Xiao Jingye, what are you so arrogant about?

She squatted down, quickly rinsed her clothes, and then hurried back with the basin in her hand.

Chun Ya, who was standing to the side, saw all of this and became more and more certain in her heart: Brother Jingye really didn't like this wife.

As soon as Xiao Jingye arrived home, Duoduo heard the noise and rushed out of the house, throwing herself into his arms and hugging his long legs tightly, calling out indistinctly, "Brother... Brother..."

Zeng Yumei also came out of the house. When she saw her son, she immediately smiled and said, "Jingye, you're back."

Xiao Jingye placed the wild pheasant he was holding in the corner, bent down and gently pecked his younger sister's soft cheek, his voice very gentle:

"Duoduo, let go of your brother first, let him go wash his hands."

The wild pheasants on the ground were still twitching slightly, and Duoduo's attention was quickly drawn to these living creatures.

She loosened her grip on Xiao Jingye's leg, squatted down, and carefully poked at the pheasant, having a great time.

Zeng Yumei quickly scooped two ladles of water into the basin, saying, "Son, come and wash up."

The washroom was located under the eaves outside the kitchen, with bricks piled up against the wall and a flat bluestone slab laid on top, where the washbasin was placed.

A rope was strung under the eaves, with several towels draped over it.

Xiao Jingye walked under the eaves, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over a pink striped towel on a hemp rope.

The towel emitted a faint fragrance, a scent both familiar and strange...

Zeng Yumei spoke up: "Hey, let me tell you, your wife is already married. No matter what, we can't be cold to her, you know?"

"Hmm." Xiao Jingye splashed some cold water on his face.

He's figured it out these past few days. Now that he's already married her and spent the money, he can't just get a divorce.

These days, divorce isn't good for a girl's reputation either.

And they didn't do anything wrong, the fault lies with him...

He won't fulfill marital obligations with her; they'll just live politely to each other from now on.

After washing his face, he picked up his old towel and casually wiped the water droplets off his face.

Duoduo, who was squatting by the door playing, suddenly stood up, jumping and shouting, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law..."

When Qiao Qingyan saw Duoduo, her cold expression softened. She carried the basin over the wooden threshold and softly replied, "Duoduo~".

In the past two days, she and her sister-in-law have become very close, and Duoduo is not hostile towards this newcomer.

She liked to be close to Qiao Qingyan, often hugging her legs and calling her "sister-in-law." Qiao Qingyan didn't mind at all that Duoduo would occasionally wipe her snot on herself; she liked Duoduo's childlike innocence and cuteness.

"Jingye, your wife is back." Zeng Yumei gently patted her son's arm to remind him.