Chapter 15: Will It Work?

Su Wan seemed startled, her hands freezing mid-task. Her face flushed deeply. An ambiguous tension spread between them, gradually enveloping them. She hadn’t expected Qin Yi to be so direct, to speak so blatantly about having a child in broad daylight.

Sure enough, when men lose their shame, they care little for others.

Su Wan reflected that, in a normal marriage, wanting children was natural—what couple didn’t have kids after getting married? It was only because of Qin Yi’s leg injury that they hadn’t consummated their marriage yet.

Snapping back to reality, Su Wan quickly glanced toward the kitchen where Granny Qin was mixing the dumpling filling. Seeing Granny Qin busy and unaware, Su Wan exhaled in relief and shot Qin Yi a playful glare.

Qin Yi’s gaze remained unabashedly fixed on Su Wan’s face. Seeing her coy glare, he chuckled softly.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Granny’s still here.”

It was the first time Qin Yi had seen Su Wan so shy. His heart stirred; at this moment, she seemed utterly enchanting, every movement an irresistible tease. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, his voice teasing.

“You mean, it’s okay if Granny’s not around?”

Su Wan’s expression flickered with both embarrassment and anger. How could this man be so shameless? If Granny heard that, how could they face each other?

Having never been in love before, Su Wan felt her face burning and her heart pounding uncontrollably. Without thinking, she reached out to slap Qin Yi.

“Smack!” Her hand landed on his shoulder, but before she could pull back, Qin Yi caught her hand firmly.

His large palm was calloused, tightly enveloping Su Wan’s slender fingers. After staying at the Qin residence for several days, and with Granny Qin’s special ointment for frostbite, the sores on Su Wan’s hands were nearly healed.

She tried hard to pull away, but Qin Yi didn’t let go. Their tugging left Su Wan’s cheeks flushed, and she could feel the heat radiating from his palm.

Though this wasn’t their first skin-to-skin contact, this time felt different. Tender feelings were quietly spreading between them, vying to seep into their very blood.

Qin Yi wasn’t in his military uniform; he wore a simple dark blue padded jacket. Sunlight filtered through the window, softening his rugged face with a gentle glow.

Su Wan stared at him for a few seconds, unable to help but admire him inwardly.

She had to admit, Qin Yi was strikingly handsome. Before his paralysis, many girls had fallen just for his looks.

She thought to herself, luckily he was paralyzed. And luckily, he hadn’t fallen for anyone else before that, or they wouldn’t have had the chance to be married.

Realizing her wandering thoughts, Su Wan quickly withdrew her hand and pretended to be busy kneading dough.

Qin Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a low voice, “Is your hand better?”

“Mm, Granny gave me some ointment.”

Just then, Granny Qin came out holding the mixed dumpling filling.

“The filling’s ready,” she said, a smile that couldn’t be suppressed spreading across her face. She had heard everything clearly just now. This old woman finally saw her grandson’s stubborn stone heart begin to soften. Watching the sweet interaction between the young couple filled her with immense joy. With the stone clearing, was the arrival of great-grandchildren far behind?

Setting down the filling, Granny Qin cleverly excused herself to boil water and returned to the kitchen.

Left alone, Su Wan rolled out the dough while Qin Yi wrapped the dumplings. They worked with seamless coordination.

Even after finishing the meal, the lingering closeness between them hadn’t faded.

Before returning to their room, Granny Qin reminded them, “The New Year’s coming soon. Wanwan, you must go back to your family on the second day. Today, take some time to let Changchun help you buy New Year’s goods and gifts.”

“Okay.”

Su Wan felt no strong emotions about returning to the Su family; their ties were shallow, and they held no real familial affection for her.

Qin Yi called Lin Changchun to arrange for him to take them out that afternoon. After confirming, he wheeled himself back to the room.

After the morning’s conversation, the subtle tension between Qin Yi and Su Wan naturally lingered when they were alone.

Su Wan parted her red lips softly, “I’ll get you some water and medicine.”

Unlike before, Qin Yi didn’t resist but took the medicine she handed him.

Seeing his cooperation, Su Wan teased, “Why so cooperative this time?”

Qin Yi’s deep gaze met hers, and his words made Su Wan blush again.

“Don’t want my wife to be angry.”

Su Wan seriously suspected that Qin Yi had a history of romance for him to say something like that so effortlessly.

Thinking this, she leaned slightly closer.

“Granny said you had married someone before?”

Qin Yi looked at her, their eyes locking. Unable to resist, he suddenly pulled Su Wan onto his lap.

“Aah!”

“Your leg.”

“Doesn’t feel anything anyway.”

His head tilted down toward her slightly parted red lips, almost irresistibly drawn.

Su Wan nervously grabbed his jacket. Just as they were about to kiss, the door suddenly opened.

Then came Lin Changchun’s loud voice.

“Old Qin! Oh my goodness, I didn’t see anything!”

Lin Changchun covered his face with his large hands, but his eyes peered mischievously through his fingers.

Su Wan quickly got up from Qin Yi’s lap, hastily straightened her clothes, and shot him a sharp glare.

“Enough, stop covering your face. Your hands are too small to hide that big face.”

Qin Yi glanced at Lin Changchun’s nosy expression and gave him a sharp look, making Lin Changchun shrink his neck.

With a wry face, Lin Changchun cursed his own poor timing for ruining Old Qin’s moment. Would Old Qin find a chance to get back at him? What to do? Should he go back and discuss with the others?

Seeing Qin Yi’s calm yet gleaming face, Lin Changchun squinted his eyes.

Old Qin was impressive.

Driving a Jeep, Lin Changchun took them out to shop and returned with plenty of goods. After unloading, he slipped away quietly—just afraid of trouble.

After a busy day, Su Wan boiled hot water while Qin Yi washed up simply and went to bed.

Qin Yi closed his eyes to rest, but as Su Wan turned off the light, he opened them suddenly.

He felt inexplicably restless, yearning for release.

As Su Wan lay down, Qin Yi’s hand reached out without hesitation, coincidentally touching her.

He grasped her hand and pulled her into his blanket.

His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist.

“What are you doing~”

Su Wan pushed against him, her heart pounding wildly.

Her voice carried a coquettishness even she hadn’t realized, which only inflamed Qin Yi’s blood further.

Their first intimate contact allowed them to hear each other’s heartbeat. Qin Yi’s rough palms grazed her skin with a slight sting.

Soft and fragrant, alluring and intoxicating.

Su Wan’s red lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with tender affection as she gazed at Qin Yi. She didn’t even know how seductive she had become.

“Su Wan, can I ask now?”

Qin Yi’s tension tightened like a taut string, his voice husky.

“Huh?”

“Let’s have a child. Us.”

The unspoken tension between them peaked; without some tangible expression, it felt like a betrayal of the mood.

Su Wan wasn’t one to fuss. Since she had married Qin Yi, this was only a matter of time.

The atmosphere heated swiftly, and Su Wan whispered hoarsely, “Can you…?”