She was tricked into marriage for three years, then remarried a childless, tough guy and became preg

Shen Tang was stunned for a moment and didn't react immediately.

She thought Commander Zhang was coming to ask her if she was going back, but then he said he wanted to select her for the Spring Festival Gala.

This temptation was just too great for her!

The long-cherished wish that she couldn't fulfill in her previous life is now so close to her in this one.

"Commander Zhang, you mean... I have a spot in my own program?" Shen Tang's voice was somewhat uncertain.

"Yes. I've read the songs you wrote," Director Zhang said, looking at her with certainty. "You wrote the lyrics and music yourself, right? There aren't many young people in the performing arts troupe like you who can write and sing. If you're willing to come back, I'll help you promote the programs and sign off on the materials you submit."

Lin Manni stood behind Shen Tang, her brows furrowed.

Seeing her hesitation, Commander Zhang didn't urge her, and added:

"No rush, take two days to think it over, and come find me anytime you've made up your mind."

After she finished speaking, she nodded to Lin Manni, turned around and left.

Lin Manni frowned at Shen Tang. "You're not going back, are you?"

Shen Tang did not respond, but lowered her eyes and thought.

Lin Manni said incredulously, "You're giving up such a promising future where you can make so much money, and you still want to go back to the performing arts troupe?"

"The money you're earning now is more than the entire performing arts troupe could earn in several lifetimes!"

"You don't understand." Shen Tang turned around and sat down on the stool.

"What do I not understand?" Lin Manni followed.

"You don't understand what the Spring Festival Gala means to me."

Lin Manni really didn't understand. She had always lived abroad, and for her, the Spring Festival Gala was just a bigger stage for performance.

But for Shen Tang, the Spring Festival Gala represents the highest honor in the country.

This is the highest affirmation for her.

Shen Tang was unable to make a decision for the time being.

Huo Xiuyuan arrived in the evening, carrying a lunchbox.

"The army has braised beef brisket with tomatoes tonight. I know you love it, so I got a big portion."

Huo Xiuyuan was in a good mood.

Huo Xiuyuan placed the lunchbox on the table, and as soon as he opened the lid, the rich aroma of tomatoes and beef wafted out.

Shen Tang sat at the table, looking at the steaming stewed beef brisket, and all her worries vanished instantly.

A smile spread across her face. "It smells so good!"

Huo Xiuyuan sat down opposite her, then went to get two more bowls, filled one up, and pushed it in front of her:

"Eat it while it's hot, it won't taste good when it's cold."

Shen Tang picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of beef brisket, and put it in her mouth.

Stewed until tender and soft, with a tangy and appetizing flavor, it's the taste she likes.

Shen Tang finished her meal with gusto, and Huo Xiuyuan also put down his chopsticks.

I took the dishes and chopsticks to wash.

"Commander Zhang came by today," Shen Tang said.

"Hmm," Huo Xiuyuan put down his bowl, "You want me to go back to the performing arts troupe?"

Shen Tang nodded. "She said I could go back to the performing arts troupe, and that she could help me get my program on the Spring Festival Gala."

Huo Xiuyuan's eyes lit up. "That's great!"

Shen Tang looked at him and said, "I also think it's a good thing, but if I go back to the performing arts troupe, all the things I've just started to do will have to be put down."

Huo Xiuyuan sat down next to her. "Hmm. So you haven't made up your mind yet."

Shen Tang rested her head on his shoulder. "It's not that I haven't thought it through, it's just that I'm a little greedy."

Huo Xiuyuan put his arm around her and said, "Do whatever you want. I'll support whatever decision you make."

"However..." Huo Xiuyuan took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket, "The marriage certificate has been approved."

Shen Tang took the paper in her hand and looked at the words on it.

"So, I'm your lover now?"

"Yes! Comrade Shen Tang, we are legally married."

Huo Xiuyuan looked down at her and said, "I will make the arrangements as soon as possible so that we can have a wedding."

Shen Tang hooked her arms around his neck. "So, does that mean we can have a baby? I can't go back to the performing arts troupe. I want to have your baby!"

Huo Xiuyuan's eyes darkened, and he grabbed her waist and kissed her lips.

Huo Xiuyuan held Shen Tang in his arms, his lips moving away from hers and landing on her ear, his voice low and menacing:

"You just said...you wanted to have my baby?"

Shen Tang's face flushed instantly, and she bit her lip: "Should I have the baby?"

"Yes, of course I want it."

Huo Xiuyuan's breath became hot, and he placed his palm on her back, pulling her closer into his arms.

Shen Tang could feel his heart beating very fast and strongly.

Huo Xiuyuan looked at her with deep eyes. The two were very close, but they did not kiss.

"How about two days later?" Huo Xiuyuan asked.

"What are we doing two days from now?"

"I will marry you."

"Giving birth?" Shen Tang leaned closer.

Huo Xiuyuan's Adam's apple bobbed violently. "Two days from now."

"Is it not possible now?" Shen Tang's lips gently touched his lips.

Huo Xiuyuan pressed his lips to hers, "Not now."

His voice was low and hoarse, with obvious restraint.

"Can I kiss you?" Shen Tang kissed his lips.

Huo Xiuyuan's defenses crumbled, his voice growing even hoarse, "Shen Tang—"

His kisses came rushing in, and Shen Tang was wrapped in his arms, her body soft and wet, as if it had just rained.

The two of them, panting, collapsed into the blankets on the bed.

Shen Tang followed his belt and found the buckle. She fumbled around for a long time but still didn't know how to open it.

Huo Xiuyuan kissed her, his body pressed tightly against hers.

After a passionate and lingering kiss, he buried his head in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath.

He grasped Shen Tang's hand.

"Wife—no, not now..."

"You've already called me 'wife,' and you still won't accept it? You old-fashioned!" Shen Tang pouted and scolded.

"Who's the old-fashioned one?"

Huo Xiuyuan was already feeling unbearable, and when she provoked him, he used one hand to press her hand over her head.

Shen Tang looked at him with a smile in her eyes, "You."

Huo Xiuyuan rubbed his cheeks, propped himself up on the bed, and strode out.

"Where are you going?" Shen Tang asked.

"Take a shower!"

Huo Xiuyuan walked into the courtyard, drew water from the well, filled a bucket, and poured it from head to toe.

He stood in the moonlight, water droplets trickling down his chin, shimmering with tiny sparkles.

He wiped the water off his face, then bent down, picked up a bucket, and slowly poured it over his shoulder.

Shen Tang lay on the bed, looking at the people in the courtyard through the window.

The moonlight wasn't very bright, but it outlined his silhouette clearly—

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a straight back; water slides down the shallow groove along the spine and disappears into the waist.

Shen Tang looked at it and couldn't help but bite her lip.

Huo Xiuyuan turned his head and looked towards the window. "Haven't you seen enough yet?"

"You won't let us eat, and now you won't even let us look?"

Huo Xiuyuan frowned and picked up another bucket of water.

"Are you going to let me in or not?" he said helplessly.

"So easily provoked?" Shen Tang's gaze fell on his belt.

Huo Xiuyuan filled two more buckets with water before going inside.

The wet clothes clung tightly to her body, clearly showing off her body lines.

Shen Tang propped her head up and looked at him. "Are you planning to sleep in your wet clothes? Or should you take them off?"

"Shen Tang," Huo Xiuyuan suddenly approached, his gaze fixed on her, "don't you dare beg for mercy."