Chapter 240: The Grapes are So Sweet

After speaking, Xie Huaizhen turned and walked onto the military base.

Gu Qingran stared at Xie Huaizhen’s retreating back, stomping her foot in frustration.

’Judging by the way Xie Huaizhen was looking at Su Zhaozhao just now, he’s probably started to develop feelings for her, right?’

’Especially now that the misunderstanding between them is cleared up. I’m afraid Xie Huaizhen will only like Su Zhaozhao more now.’

’Damn that Su Zhaozhao! She’s already married and has another man, so why can’t she just leave Xie Huaizhen alone?’

Gu Qingran was furious. She had finally been reborn, thinking she had gotten a head start, but who knew that Su Zhaozhao had beaten her to it.

’If she’s been reborn too... that’s so unfair.’

’I have to take care of this problem before I leave. Otherwise, the big boss probably won’t like me.’

Su Zhaozhao led Li Tiantian to the military family housing compound.

By now, her mood had calmed down considerably.

Li Tiantian looked at Su Zhaozhao. "That man... his name sounds so much like Xie Huaizheng’s. Do you think he likes you? The way he looks at you is a little different. He’s pretty handsome, too. If you weren’t married to Xie Huaizheng, he wouldn’t be a bad choice."

Su Zhaozhao nearly choked on her own spit.

She looked at Li Tiantian in disbelief. "Don’t be ridiculous! You absolutely cannot let Huai Zheng hear you say that, or he might actually strangle you."

’Xie Huaizheng gets jealous of even Li Tiantian, to say nothing of other men.’

Li Tiantian was so scared she immediately clamped a hand over her mouth. "I won’t say anything, I won’t! You have to promise not to tell Brother Zheng!"

"Look at you, being such a scaredy-cat." Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh.

’Still, now that everything was out in the open, a weight was lifted from her shoulders.’

’At least Xie Huaizhen seemed to be a rational person. By speaking so clearly, she hoped he wouldn’t come to hate her.’

’That way, she wouldn’t become the villainess, just like in the story.’

’And her luck wouldn’t be so terrible in the future, right?’

After her trip out with Li Tiantian, Su Zhaozhao felt much more relaxed. It was probably from the exercise of walking around and sweating a little in the sun.

She put all her purchases into the refrigerator. ’This way, they’ll blend right in with the things from my space and won’t look out of place!’

Once she was done, Su Zhaozhao settled in to wait for Xie Huaizheng to return from his training.

Life as a military spouse was really just that simple. The wives were either stay-at-home mothers or they went to work, usually at jobs arranged by the base. Of course, if you could find a better job on your own, that was even better.

Thinking about her upcoming career as an English teacher, Su Zhaozhao pulled out the English book Li Tiantian had given her and began reading through the lessons.

Since Xie Huaizheng had told her not to worry about cooking today, Su Zhaozhao was happy to have the time off. She waited until he returned, carrying food that Zhou Xiaoyun had cooked for her, and then began to eat at a leisurely pace.

Xie Huaizheng studied Su Zhaozhao’s expression and breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed she was in a much better state now. She wasn’t as pale as she had been at noon; a bit of color had returned to her cheeks.

That was a good sign. Still, Xie Huaizheng knew she would need to take it easy and recover slowly.

"I went grocery shopping with Tian Tian today and bought quite a lot of things." Su Zhaozhao went to the refrigerator and took out a bunch of grapes to wash.

But Xie Huaizheng quickly took them from her. "I’ll do it. You’re not feeling well, so you shouldn’t be touching cold water."

Seeing how nervous he was, Su Zhaozhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Xie Huaizheng, you don’t have to treat me like I’m so fragile."

’I can eat and drink just fine now, and my spirits are lifting. I’m really not as delicate as he seems to think...’

"Nope. As long as I’m here, you’re not doing it."

Xie Huaizheng washed the grapes. As he looked at the plump, perfectly round, and beautiful fruit, he found it a little strange.

"Where did you buy these grapes? They’re so fresh, they look like they were just picked."

"Oh, I just happened to run into someone who grows grapes nearby. He said they were freshly picked and was even using ice to keep them cool. I put them in the fridge as soon as I got back."

After washing the grapes, Xie Huaizheng immediately peeled one and held it to Su Zhaozhao’s lips. "Here, Zhaozhao, you have the first taste."

Su Zhaozhao opened her mouth, and Xie Huaizheng popped the grape inside. A burst of sweetness instantly flooded her senses.

’So delicious!’

Su Zhaozhao couldn’t stop her eyes from crinkling in delight.

’Even though I’d already devoured a whole bunch earlier today, it still tastes absolutely amazing!’

’Maybe it’s because having someone peel the grapes for you just makes them taste better. Not having to lift a finger really is nice.’

Seeing Su Zhaozhao enjoying the taste with her eyes closed, Xie Huaizheng couldn’t resist feeding her another.

One after another, he fed her. At one point, his fingers accidentally brushed against her lips. The soft, warm sensation made him freeze for a moment.

An instant later, he felt a wave of heat course through his body, as if a fire had suddenly been ignited within him.

Desire flickered in his eyes.

"I haven’t had any yet," Xie Huaizheng said in a low voice.

"Then have one," Su Zhaozhao said, not yet sensing anything unusual about him.

She was still chewing the grape in her mouth. It was tangy and delicious, and wonderfully cool from being in the refrigerator.

It wasn’t freezing, just chilled to the perfect, refreshing temperature.

"Yes, I think I will have a taste," Xie Huaizheng’s voice was a few shades huskier as he leaned in and pressed his lips against Su Zhaozhao’s.

Caught completely off guard by his kiss, Su Zhaozhao’s eyes flew open.

The kiss was gentle yet fiercely possessive, plundering the sweet aroma from her lips and leaving nothing untouched.

Xie Huaizheng even stole the half-eaten grape from her mouth, and their kiss became infused with its sweet flavor.

But this time, Xie Huaizheng was restrained, pulling away before she was left breathless.

His thumb traced over her lips, now rosy and flushed from his kiss. He couldn’t stop his Adam’s apple from bobbing.

But he knew he couldn’t continue.

He was still worried about her health, so even as desire surged within him, he did his best to keep himself in check while kissing her.

But then, to make matters worse, Su Zhaozhao looked up at him, her eyes glistening, and asked, "Was it sweet?"

’She really hadn’t expected him to just kiss her like that. She hadn’t been prepared at all.’

"Very sweet."

Xie Huaizheng licked his lips, as if savoring the taste of their kiss.

The sweetness of the grapes, combined with her own unique sweetness, was enough to make the last thread of his self-control snap.

Xie Huaizheng pulled Su Zhaozhao into his arms, holding her tightly. It took him a long moment to suppress the fire she had ignited.

Su Zhaozhao, in turn, peeled a grape for him. "Open up."

Xie Huaizheng opened his mouth, and Su Zhaozhao popped the grape inside.

She said, "When you eat, you should just eat. No funny business. Doesn’t it taste better this way?"