The man clutched his groin, hands covering his crotch, hopping in pain, almost in tears, “You kicked my manhood!”
Shen Qian, dazed, said, “Ah, did I hit the right spot? I aimed there because it’s soft and vulnerable…”
“You…” The man’s face turned from red to white, tears streaming down, looking utterly tragic. Shen Qian stuck out her tongue, glanced at the four men writhing on the ground, then looked up at You Ran, who stood amidst the fallen, tall and alone. Despite standing, his face bore a bruise on his left cheek.
You Ran, catching his breath, grabbed one of the fallen hooligans and dragged him to Shen Qian. With no expression, he commanded, “Apologize to her.”
“Sorry.” The hooligan, his face more bruised than You Ran’s, spoke with a slurred voice due to his swollen face.
“It’s okay.” Shen Qian’s eyes twitched at the sight, truly pitiful.
You Ran dropped the hooligan and took Shen Qian’s hand to leave. Behind them, the man who had been kicked by Shen Qian was wailing, “Boss, my manhood is swollen!”
“Shut up, isn’t it better to be bigger?”
“But what if I can’t get it up later?”
“…” Shen Qian found the conversation increasingly disturbing and quickened her pace, but You Ran slowed her down, pressing his stomach, “Shallow, slow down.”
Shen Qian supported him, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m hurt.” You Ran pulled Shen Qian into his embrace, frowning, leaning on her, “I’m in pain all over. No strength.”
“I’ll carry you.” Shen Qian immediately crouched in front of him, “Come on, get on.”
You Ran felt both amused and exasperated, pulling her back into his arms, “Let’s go, just support me.”
“You really, fighting like a child.” Shen Qian complained while supporting him.
You Ran leaned on her, softly saying, “Because I won’t let anyone insult you.”
“They are just uncouth people, and I’m not like that, Mr. You, you shouldn’t have been so impulsive.”
You Ran gave her a reproachful look, “You heartless woman.”
Shen Qian playfully pinched his cheek, and You Ran gasped, “Ow.”
“Know it hurts and you still fight? Mr. You, you’re getting younger by the day.”
Shen Qian shot him a glance, her body pressed down heavily. At this rate, they might as well go straight back home without shopping for groceries. Stepping out of the alley, Shen Qian hailed a taxi, pushed You Ran inside, and followed. She told the driver, “To Jiangxia Community.” The car started moving.
Suddenly, You Ran pulled Shen Qian into his embrace, pressing her head onto his shoulder. Just as Shen Qian was about to ask why, You Ran explained himself, “It’s uncomfortable if I don’t press here.”
“I can give you a massage.”
“No need, this is fine.”
“…” Shen Qian was speechless; this position was quite awkward.
You Ran suddenly burst into laughter, contentedly lowering his head and resting his face in her hair, catching a faint scent of orange. “Miss Shen, do you like eating oranges?”
“My favorite fruit.” Shen Qian adjusted her position to find the most comfortable way to lean on You Ran’s shoulder. She noticed he also carried the scent of orange and was taken aback, “Mr. You also loves oranges?”
“How about we buy a box of oranges next time we go home?”
“Sure.” Shen Qian’s eyes crinkled in a smile.
The driver, observing through the rearview mirror the intimate and amusing conversation of the couple, remarked, “You two are quite the interesting couple, with your unique way of addressing each other.”
Shen Qian was momentarily stunned, but You Ran chuckled, “You can try it at home, the driver. Your wife will surely play along.”
“Oh, she’d just call me an old flirt.” The driver laughed.
Shen Qian thought about explaining but decided against it, seeing the harmonious atmosphere. She kept quiet, maintaining her awkward position. You Ran, seeing Shen Qian so “obedient,” his eyes sparkled with a mischievous charm. He whispered to Shen Qian, “It’s been a while since you called me ‘husband’.”
The driver couldn’t help but laugh at this, and Shen Qian shot You Ran an angry look. He just maintained his usual composed smile and said, “Call me that.”
The driver laughed again, “Your wife is shy.”
As Shen Qian was about to lift her head, You Ran pushed it back down and said to the driver, “She’s not always this shy in certain aspects. Right, dear?” His eyes were full of playful teasing.
Shen Qian took a deep breath, fearing You Ran would say something even more inappropriate, she cooed sweetly, “Husband, let’s not talk anymore.”
You Ran gazed at her for a long while, his eyes too complex for Shen Qian to read. Then, with a sudden force, he pulled her closer, his gaze softening like water, “Alright, I’ll listen to my wife.” Those five words, light as a feather, flowed like a clear spring through Shen Qian’s fluttering heart, soothing her emotions. She fell silent, lowering her head to avoid his gaze, her heart racing as if it might leap out at any moment.
After getting out of the taxi and entering their home, You Ran sat on the sofa while Shen Qian fetched some liniment from the first aid kit to treat his injuries. Seeing the bruises on his arm, she muttered, “You seem so gentle usually, but you’re quite fierce.”
“I have great stamina.”
“Must have been tough during your military training.”
“Yeah, it was tough and exhausting. But I wanted to push myself harder back then.” You Ran’s eyes darkened momentarily. Shen Qian glanced up at him, apologized awkwardly, “Sorry for bringing up sad memories.”
“Qian Qian.”
“Hmm?” Shen Qian was busy applying the liniment to his arm.
“Help me take off my shirt, I think I’m hurt on my abdomen too, and it’s quite painful there.”
“…” Shen Qian’s cheeks flushed red instantly, her mind reeling. This was outright flirtation. Seeing You Ran’s amused face with a slight smile and the mischievous glint in his eyes, Shen Qian said with a hint of annoyance, “Mr. You, it’s wrong to tease an innocent woman.”
“Miss Shen, where did I tease you?”
“You… you asked me to undress you. Isn’t that teasing?”
“Oh? Is that so? I just injured my arm, can’t lift it to apply the medicine. Isn’t it reasonable to ask for your help?” You Ran feigned sudden realization, his tone playful and his eyes teasing.
Shen Qian grunted in response, knowing well this was all part of his teasing game. Since he was using this opportunity to tease her, she decided to take it to the extreme, curious to see if he’d dare to tease her again. With a rebellious streak, she moved closer, unbuttoning his shirt one by one. You Ran, with a half-smile, asked, “Miss Shen, didn’t you say I was teasing you? What are you doing?”
Shen Qian shot him an angry glance, saying with feigned annoyance, “Didn’t you ask for my help? I’m being charitable here.”
“Miss Shen really knows how to ‘undress’ people.” He emphasized the word ‘undress’, but Shen Qian, with her thick skin, missed the nuance.
You Ran watched quietly as Shen Qian undid his buttons, seemingly accustomed to such scenarios. When his physique was exposed, Shen Qian was prepared for the sight, having seen him shirtless before, but this time she was closer, noticing even the pores on his skin. Although he was lean, the muscles on his abdomen made her pause. Such defined abs; his core strength must be formidable. Shen Qian stared at his abdomen.
Feeling her intense gaze, You Ran’s lower abdomen heated up, and his usually thick-skinned face even reddened slightly, not used to such focused attention. Shen Qian, curious, poked at his abdominal muscles, wondering if they were as soft as his arm. To her surprise, they were quite firm.
“What are you doing?” You Ran’s voice deepened, a hint of hoarseness as he inhaled sharply, his tone unsteady.
