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

Huo Xiuyuan's eyes trembled slightly, appearing even more alluring in the darkness.

Huo Xiuyuan?

This Shen Tang actually called him by his full name.

"You're quite the stranger," Huo Xiuyuan said in a deep voice.

Shen Tang then came to her senses and quickly turned around and stood up.

Unexpectedly, Huo Xiuyuan took a step forward, and the tips of their noses almost touched.

Their eyes met, their breaths stopped, and time seemed to stand still.

The surroundings were silent, except for the two hearts pounding wildly, echoing each other.

Shen Tang's legs went weak and she fell backward.

Huo Xiuyuan took half a step forward, put his large hand around her slender waist, and steadied her.

Huo Xiuyuan's body underwent some uncontrollable changes.

Shen Tang's pupils trembled.

Huo Xiuyuan's face showed a rare look of panic and embarrassment.

He applied slight pressure to help Shen Tang up, then quickly turned around.

Shen Tang stared at him in shock. His entire back was stiff, his fists were clenched, and the tips of his ears were bright red.

Shen Tang opened her mouth, unsure how to break the awkward and slightly ambiguous atmosphere.

Huo Xiuyuan took a deep breath and said, "We made too much malted milk powder; it's a waste to throw it away."

His voice was hoarse and low, even trembling slightly.

Shen Tang looked at the small table next to her, where there was a full bowl of steaming malted milk powder.

Wisps of white steam curled and drifted into the air.

Huo Xiuyuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Get some rest, don't waste lamp oil."

Shen Tang looked at Huo Xiuyuan's bright red ear tips and couldn't help but laugh.

If you care about her, just say so. Don't make up so many excuses.

It only costs a dime to light a kerosene lamp all night.

And then there's that malted milk powder, a whole big bowl full, they insist on saying they made too much.

Shen Tang took a step towards his retreating figure, her voice tinged with laughter:

"Huo Xiuyuan, do you like me?"

Huo Xiuyuan's jawline tightened, and he said in a deep voice:

Stop being so vain.

After he finished speaking, he strode out.

He paused at the door, then said, "Go back and rest early."

"Understood—Commander Huo, malted milk powder—it's very sweet."

Shen Tang's deliberately drawn-out words came from behind, and Huo Xiuyuan's lips curled up, a smile spreading across his face.

He coughed lightly, suppressed the corners of his mouth, took a couple of steps, but the corners of his mouth still involuntarily curved upwards.

Deep within his heart, a warm little sprout emerged.

Shen Tang drank the malted milk powder, took a deep breath, and silently shouted, "Keep it up!" before burying himself in his work again.

Huo Xiuyuan lay on the bed, listening to the clicking of the sewing machine, feeling conflicted.

He wanted her to go home and rest soon, but at the same time, he also wanted her to stay with him a little longer.

He was startled by his own thoughts.

Regardless of the circumstances, Shen Tang is not divorced yet, so I shouldn't have those kinds of unfounded thoughts.

What I shouldn't have done just now was... lose control with her.

Huo Xiuyuan glanced down and frowned deeply.

After an unknown amount of time, the sewing machine stopped.

He heard Shen Tang close the door and footsteps approaching his yard.

Huo Xiuyuan looked at the dark window and heard Shen Tang say softly:

"Commander Huo, I'll take the bowl back first, and I'll wash it clean and give it back to you tomorrow."

"Hmm," Huo Xiuyuan replied in a deep voice.

Shen Tang was somewhat surprised—she was just testing him, but she didn't expect him to actually still be awake.

Goodnight, Huo Xiuyuan.

Her voice was soft, languid, and captivating.

Huo Xiuyuan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and through the window, he silently moved his lips:

"Good night."

Shen Tang turned to walk back, and suddenly remembered that the coat Huo Xiuyuan had draped over her was still in her bag.

She had originally planned to return it to him later, but as time went by, she completely forgot about it.

Oh well, I already promised to make him a shirt, so at least I don't have to take his measurements.

Let's give it to him together once it's finished!

A good night's sleep.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Shen Tang called Zhao Wenjing, Feng Yuling, and Zhou Nan to go to the sewing room to get their performance costumes.

The four people were carrying their costumes back when they ran into a group of people.

Sun Qian looked at the brightly colored clothes the group was carrying and scoffed:

"What is this rubbish? A piece of torn cloth?"

"Haha... I guess the first team didn't have money to make costumes, so they just tore off some unwanted rags." Someone from the first team mocked.

"Does that mean they're dressed as beggars? Or is their performance piece supposed to be 'Begging'?"

The group burst into laughter.

Zhao Wenjing glared at them fiercely, "What are you laughing at? Aren't you afraid of laughing your teeth out? If you laugh again, don't blame me for being impolite."

Shen Tang pulled her aside and said, "It's just a few dogs barking on the road, what's there to be angry about?"

"Who are you calling a dog?!" someone in the group said angrily.

Yang Xinyue chuckled softly and said gently, "We're all part of a team, let's not ruin the harmony."

Sun Qian rolled her eyes at Shen Tang and said, "See, our team leader has a better sense of style. He doesn't stoop to your level."

Shen Tang smiled and walked past Yang Xinyue and the others.

She didn't want to waste time on these trivial matters; she'd rather win the game decisively.

"Hmph, you can't argue with us anymore, you're in the wrong now, aren't you?" Sun Qian's provocative voice came from behind.

Zhao Wenjing bent down and picked up a pebble. Taking advantage of Sun Qian's inattention, she flicked it out with her finger.

"Ouch, who hit me on the head?" Sun Qian cried out.

She was hit on the forehead by a pebble, and a red bump quickly appeared.

Shen Tang stared at Zhao Wenjing in shock. This girl actually knew how to use "hidden weapons"?

Zhao Wenjing raised an eyebrow and whispered, "There's so much to learn in Peking Opera! I can handle a few moves with swords, spears, and clubs. If I weren't afraid of being expelled for breaking the rules, I could beat Sun Qian until she peed her pants."

Zhou Nan covered her nose and frowned, saying, "Don't make it sound so disgusting."

Feng Yuling leaned closer to Zhao Wenjing and said, "Could you teach me?"

Zhao Wenjing raised her chin. "You think it's that easy to learn? I started practicing on plum blossom stakes with my grandfather when I was four years old. I practiced this finger skill by poking through countless plum blossom stakes."

Feng Yuling's eyes widened in shock. She raised her slender, white fingers and gasped.

"Then let's forget about it."

Shen Tang's gaze towards Zhao Wenjing deepened.

Zhao Wenjing looks carefree, but she must have suffered a lot.

A four-year-old child should be at a playful age, but she was forced to practice martial arts.

Zhao Wenjing felt a lump in her throat from Shen Tang's gaze. She put her arm around Shen Tang's shoulder and smiled.

"Why are you looking at me like that? If you hadn't suffered all that hardship, how would you have acquired these skills?"

Shen Tang and the others returned to the training room with their performance costumes, and everyone gathered around them.

But when they saw the "clothes," they all frowned.

"Captain, what are all these things? Ragged rags?"

"Yeah, it's one thing to not have costumes, but wearing this is just too embarrassing!"

Zhao Wenjing unfolded the things Shen Tang had made, her brows furrowing.

These can't even be called "clothes"; they're just a few strips of fabric of various colors sewn together.

"Shen Tang, how about... we just wear the dance costumes the troupe issued?"

Shen Tang smiled without saying a word, then beckoned to Zhou Nan, saying, "Come here."

Zhou Nan walked over in confusion. Shen Tang picked up a piece of "clothing" and wrapped it around Zhou Nan's waist. Then she picked up a strap, wrapped it around her chest, and tied it at her lower back.

The girls went from being confused to being shocked.

One by one, they opened their eyes wide and surrounded Zhou Nan.