Chapter Twenty-Five: I Like You

“It’s alright now, I’m much better already!” Perhaps because Zhang Ye was by her side, Wang Mengzi’s pale face had regained some color, looking far less ghastly than before.

Indeed, though Zhang Ye had arrived a bit late, Wang Mengzi’s clothes remained intact—only her hair was somewhat disheveled from her struggles. She hadn’t really suffered any harm, just a fright.

“That’s good, that’s good.” Zhang Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief. All his efforts throughout the day had not been in vain. As long as Wang Mengzi was unharmed, he didn’t mind being tired.

“What happened? I heard banging from far away…” At that moment, the neighbors had come over, crowding up the stairs and opening the door.

Bang!

The door, having already been damaged by Zhang Ye’s earlier kicks, barely held together. Now, with just a push, it collapsed to the ground with a loud crash, breaking cleanly in two.

Zhang Ye quickly turned around and grinned, saying, “It’s fine, really, nothing happened. Aunt Wang’s lock broke and wouldn’t open, so I just kicked it open.” As he spoke, he put on an awkward expression and glanced at Wang Mengzi.

The neighbors in Lihua County were all on good terms, and Wang Mengzi was well-liked. At the slightest commotion, people would come to check on her—unlike in the city, where even after a decade, you might not know who lives next door.

“Oh, as long as everything’s alright. But remember to get that door fixed soon. There have been thieves around lately, and it’s not safe for a young woman to be home alone,” an old lady from downstairs said, pulling her grandson away from the scene.

“Yes, safety first, always,” echoed another neighbor.

“But Mengzi, you’re not so young anymore. Even though you’ve got a good life, wouldn’t it be nice to have a man around? How about I introduce you to someone? My brother’s boy is a fine lad—strong and healthy…” A middle-aged woman, who’d had her eye on Wang Mengzi for a while, seized the chance to play matchmaker, singing her nephew’s praises.

“No need, Aunt Liu. I’m not looking for anyone right now.” Wang Mengzi forced a smile and finally managed to usher her out.

All this bustle helped to dispel the lingering panic within her, and she gradually regained her composure.

Though Zhang Ye had fought fiercely earlier, he’d controlled his strength and not damaged any furniture. Now he simply straightened the sofa, and the living room was more or less back in order—but the door was beyond repair. Not only were there splinters scattered about, but the wooden panel itself was split in two, barely holding together. It could only serve as firewood now.

Zhang Ye gathered up the broken planks, stacked them, and shouldered the load, preparing to carry them out.

Wang Mengzi quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm, asking, “Where are you going?”

Zhang Ye turned back and replied, “Since the door’s broken, I’m taking it downstairs to throw out.” There was a trash bin at her place, but it was far too small for a door.

“I’ll go with you,” she said. Whether she admitted it or not, she was still a little shaken. Even after half an hour, she hadn’t fully calmed down.

Zhang Ye naturally had no objection. Together, they carried the door down and handed it over to the Li family downstairs, who were burning firewood, before returning to the second floor.

Looking at the empty doorway, Zhang Ye thought for a moment and said, “Aunt Wang, you should come sleep at my place tonight. Without a door, it’s not safe, and I’d be worried.”

“No, I can’t. I have so many things at home—if a thief comes and I’m not here, everything will be gone,” Wang Mengzi replied, shaking her head in distress.

She didn’t dare stay here alone. After the fright she’d just experienced, her fear of the dark was even more instinctive.

“In that case, I’ll stay here with you tonight,” Zhang Ye said, realizing the crux of the problem and quickly offering a solution.

By now, night had fallen. Even if they wanted to repair the door, they couldn’t find anyone to do it. They’d just have to make do for the night.

Suddenly, neither of them spoke. All that could be heard was the chirping of insects outside and their own breathing.

Wang Mengzi stayed silent because she was still afraid, wanting to remain close to Zhang Ye for comfort and protection. As for Zhang Ye, he realized that Wang Mengzi had nestled against his shoulder, her warmth and unique fragrance enveloping him, and he was reluctant to break the silence.

After a long while, Wang Mengzi, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, finally opened them. She looked at Zhang Ye’s face—still somewhat boyish, yet already showing the beginnings of manhood—and felt a tremor in her heart.

Not long ago, she had been close to despair. How could a woman’s strength possibly match a grown man’s? But at that critical moment, Zhang Ye had burst in like a god, kicking down the door and charging to her rescue. His power and ferocity had broken through her defenses in an instant.

“Xiao Ye, Auntie was so scared just now. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would have done.” As she spoke, she clung even tighter to Zhang Ye, her whole body pressing close.

“Hmm? Uh…” Zhang Ye was enjoying the feeling of Wang Mengzi in his arms when she suddenly leaned in, half her body pressing against him. Especially that soft warmth, which was now pressed firmly against him, sending a shiver of delight through his body.

It was summer, after all, and they wore little to begin with. With her pressed so close, it was almost as if there were no barriers between them, and Zhang Ye could hardly contain his excitement.

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one will ever hurt you,” he finally managed to say after a long pause, giving his assurance.

“I believe you.” Wang Mengzi nodded earnestly, then leaned over and planted a kiss on Zhang Ye’s cheek. Instead of moving away, she lay down in his arms.

After everything that had happened, she was truly exhausted, and before long she fell asleep in Zhang Ye’s embrace.

Zhang Ye sat there in a daze, touching his face, a silly smile spreading across his lips. He gazed at the woman in his arms, his heart filled with tenderness as he gently stroked her hair, vowing to himself that he would never let her suffer even the slightest harm again.

An hour later, Wang Mengzi awoke, shifting uncomfortably from her awkward sleeping position. Embarrassed, she said, “Look at me, I actually fell asleep in your arms. Are you numb? Want me to give you a massage?”

“Not numb, not numb. In fact, it was really comfortable.” In his fluster, Zhang Ye blurted out the truth, immediately blushing bright red.

“You rascal, what are you thinking?” In the past, Wang Mengzi would have shown no expression at such words, but now, Zhang Ye clearly saw a blush on her face, and a gentle, watery look in her eyes, soft and captivating.

“I’m thinking about you. Aunt Wang, you don’t know—ever since I was a kid, I liked you. My childhood dream was to marry you,” Zhang Ye confessed in a rush of emotion, unable to keep his feelings hidden any longer.