Chapter 081: The Lonely Bao Yuehong

Yang Tian was always rational. Before giving Zhang Xinyu a bath, he secretly went to discuss it with Zhang Qiang and Fang Li. If possible, he hoped Fang Li could help Zhang Xinyu instead. Yet, unexpectedly, Zhang Xinyu was even more mischievous than Yang Xueling and insisted that Yang Tian be the one to bathe her. This left Zhang Qiang and Fang Li at a loss, but they trusted Yang Tian enough to let him assist.

Yang Tian had no choice but to agree. Zhang Xinyu’s skin was even fairer than Yang Xueling’s, and she appeared more delicate and fragile. Sometimes, a young girl's fair skin is a subtle temptation.

When bathing Yang Xueling, Yang Tian would often keep his head down, not daring to look more than necessary. With Zhang Xinyu, he was even more cautious. But while Yang Xueling behaved obediently, doing whatever she was told, Zhang Xinyu was different. She constantly tried to chat with Yang Tian, sometimes pointing to a small mole on her neck and asking, “Brother, do you think this mole looks pretty?” Other times she would ask, “Brother, do you think I have a nice figure? Do you prefer me thinner or a little chubbier?”

This made Yang Tian look up more than he should, and each glimpse of her delicate form stirred up all sorts of improper thoughts in his mind. Fortunately, having been reborn and experienced many hardships, Yang Tian understood that some things in life are truly valuable, and he had become extremely rational. He managed to restrain himself, giving nothing away.

On the fifth day of the new year, Yang Bao and his wife wanted to visit Yang Ming’s family to exchange New Year’s greetings. Because Yang Ming and Su Fang were known for their harshness, Yang Xueling didn’t want to go. She and Zhang Xinyu went to her home instead, and Yang Tian took the opportunity to slip away. He had promised to visit Bao Yuehong during the winter break but hadn’t managed to do so until now. So he decided to pay her a visit and bring her some New Year treats—rice cakes, flour, dates, and puffed rice candy.

During the Spring Festival, the city of Binhai was bright with lanterns and decorations, filled with a festive atmosphere, and cheerful people could be seen everywhere.

When Yang Tian arrived at Bao Yuehong’s place, he found the door closed but not locked—she must be home! He remembered she was supposed to be running a tutoring class near the school during the winter break, so at this hour she should have been there. Why was she at home?

He walked up and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Bao Yuehong’s voice rang out from inside, brisk but a little weak.

“It’s me, Yang Tian!” he replied quickly.

The door opened almost at once. Bao Yuehong, dressed in a bright red nightgown, greeted him and pulled him inside with concern. “Come in quickly, it’s cold outside. You’re not frozen, are you?”

As she said, the day was indeed cold—four or five degrees below zero. Although the sun was out, the snow in the streets and lanes was just starting to melt, and the chill still bit at the air.

“Are you sick?” Yang Tian put down the things he brought on the sofa. To his surprise, Bao Yuehong went straight back to bed. He realized she must have been lying there before he arrived; she had only slipped on slippers to answer the door, and the blanket on the bed was still rumpled.

“Puffed rice candy? Hurry, give me a few pieces—I haven’t had any in years!” Bao Yuehong didn’t answer his question directly but instead cried out eagerly for the candy, her face lighting up with excitement.

Noting how pale she looked, Yang Tian felt worried but handed her a few pieces of the candy and poured her a glass of hot water.

Delighted, Bao Yuehong immediately crunched into the candy, lively as a little girl.

“Can you tell me why you don’t go home for the New Year? Is it just about earning money from tutoring?” Seeing her slightly dejected, Yang Tian was suddenly touched. Before his own rebirth, nearing college graduation, he had been the same—holed up alone in a rented room, troubled by countless worries, living like a recluse.

Spending too much time alone in your own world, loneliness inevitably sets in. Truthfully, Yang Tian had rarely seen Bao Yuehong with any close friends. At her age, most women would have a circle of confidantes or sisters to shop with, or at least spend time together at the salon. Yet Bao Yuehong always seemed to be alone, both at school and outside of it. Even though she appeared capable and strong, Yang Tian sensed that deep down, she harbored an inexpressible loneliness, just as he had in his previous life.

“Why did it take you so long to come see your big sister? Cold out there? Come, sit here with me on the bed.” Bao Yuehong was always evasive in her answers, patting the space beside her and calling out to him.

“No, I’m not cold,” Yang Tian replied, shaking his head. Bao Yuehong’s figure was so alluring that he dared not share a blanket with her.

“Come on, what’s the matter? Afraid your big sister will eat you up?” Bao Yuehong smiled slyly, popping another piece of candy into her mouth.

Truth be told, riding a motorcycle in winter was cold enough, and Yang Tian wasn’t even wearing a down jacket today. He really was feeling the chill. At Bao Yuehong’s invitation, he relaxed a little, took off his shoes and coat, and slipped under the quilt, sitting shoulder to shoulder with her. In fact, he was eager to understand the other side of Bao Yuehong, hoping to help her out of her loneliness.

“Is it that your family doesn’t want you to come home? There could be two reasons—either they don’t want to see you, or you don’t want to go back. But that seems unlikely. I remember you said your family wasn’t well-off, but everyone worked together to support you through college. That shows they care for you very much and would want you home. So it’s unlikely you don’t want to go back either, since I can tell you value family deeply. That leaves only one reason—they’re putting a lot of pressure on you, probably pushing you to get married,” Yang Tian analyzed softly.

“Yang Tian, do you know what I like most about you? That you’re so clever. And that’s what I hate about you, too—nothing can be kept from you!” Bao Yuehong pinched his nose, then let out a long sigh.

“I’ve already told you—you’re at the age to get married. It’s time to find someone,” Yang Tian said after they’d warmed up under the covers for a while. He no longer felt cold, but the soft fragrance in her bed and the faint scent from her body left him restless.

“Now you sound just like my mom—careful or I’ll hit you! You have no idea. They’ve found a coal boss for me and insisted I come home for a matchmaking date. Really, what age are we living in? And they’re still pulling this nonsense!” Bao Yuehong shot him a look, then burrowed deeper into the quilt, turning her back to him. Her long, black hair spread smoothly across the glossy blanket, radiating all the charm of a mature woman.

“Parents’ hearts are always full of care! If you don’t look for someone yourself, how can they not worry? Girls from the countryside your age have probably had several children by now!” Yang Tian joked. Of course it was about a marriage match—Bao Yuehong had grown up in a rural area, where early marriages were the norm, so her parents’ anxiety was understandable.

“That’s so old-fashioned! Hey, why are your feet so cold? Come here, let your big sister warm them for you!” Bao Yuehong suddenly grabbed his feet in her hands, exclaiming in surprise, and held them tightly.

Yang Tian was caught off guard, then pulled the blanket up a little higher to cover Bao Yuehong’s back.