The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 197 - 196: Did You Miss Me?

Xue Yue was just about to turn and tell him about Aunt Ge, but the moment she did, He Lang silenced her with a kiss, rolling on top of her.

Everywhere she touched, his body felt scorching hot.

Even in the heat of the moment, Xue Yue didn’t forget to remind He Lang, "Turn off the light."

He Lang chuckled and reached out to turn off the light. In the darkness, every sensation was magnified. His hot breath fanned across Xue Yue’s face.

He Lang pressed against her. "Miss me?"

Xue Yue said nothing, simply wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

He Lang let out a soft chuckle, and the temperature in the dark room soared.

The next morning, when Xue Yue woke up, He Lang was gone again.

She lay in bed, staring into space for a while before getting up.

When she went out, Aunt Ge was already back. Xue Yue handed her the account book without a word.

Seeing Xue Yue’s reaction, Aunt Ge breathed a sigh of relief.

She smiled and asked Xue Yue, "What do you want for lunch today? I can go grocery shopping."

Xue Yue said, "Hold on. I’m taking the kids to the store, so we’ll eat out for lunch. You can decide what to make for dinner."

Xue Yue planned to take the kids to the store today. Ruanruan was on summer vacation, and Daya and Shiyi were always at home, so since Xue Yue had some free time, she decided to take them out for a change of scenery.

That morning, Xue Yue took the three children to the store by bus. As soon as they walked in, she saw that the place was already bustling with customers.

He Lang saw her and gave her a smile before turning back to attend to the customers.

Little Chen and Guan Wenwen saw Xue Yue, nodded in acknowledgment, and went back to their work.

Xue Yue led the children upstairs. The second floor was also busy, and Yang Wenxiu and Shitou were there.

The children were well-behaved, not running around but simply standing to one side and watching.

Xue Yue didn’t go over to help, just listened as the two of them skillfully presented to the customers.

As soon as the customers downstairs left, He Lang came up.

"Daddy."

"Dad."

He Lang patted the two children on the head, smiling. "What brings you all here?"

A smile played on Xue Yue’s lips. "I brought them out for a change of pace and thought I’d stop by to see if you needed any help. Besides, the kids were getting restless at home and wanted to see you."

He Lang glanced at the three children, all staring at him. "Alright, you can play here in the store. We’ll go out for lunch."

Xue Yue chuckled. "That was the plan. But can you get away at lunchtime?"

He Lang nodded. "Yes."

At noon, the family went to a nearby restaurant. When they returned, they brought takeout for everyone else, but Shitou wasn’t at the store.

Little Chen said, "Brother Shitou’s girlfriend asked him out to eat. He said he’d be back in a little while."

He Lang nodded. "Alright, you all go ahead and eat."

After lunch, Ge Meili walked Shitou to the store entrance. "You should go in. I’m heading back."

"Aren’t you going to come in and sit for a bit?" Shitou asked, holding her hand.

Ge Meili gave her hand a little shake and smiled. "No, maybe next time. It’s almost the end of the month, so you’re getting paid soon, right? Don’t forget to buy me that watch we saw at the department store."

Shitou nodded. "Okay."

Only after Ge Meili had left did Shitou go into the store.

Seeing that He Lang and his family were back, Shitou scratched the back of his head and called out, "Third Brother, Sister-in-law."

He Lang looked at him, his expression flat. "Taking her out to restaurants every other day... can your wallet handle that?"

Shitou nodded. "I have a little left."

Xue Yue raised an eyebrow. ’What’s this about? Does Shitou really take his girlfriend out to eat that often?’

He Lang nodded. "Alright then. In that case, I’ll pay you in a couple of days."

Shitou said anxiously, "Wait, no, Third Brother."

He Lang gave him a lazy look. Only then did Shitou say, embarrassed, "Actually, it’s not really enough. I promised to buy her a watch, too."

He Lang asked him, "Have you sent any money home to your family in the last two months?"

Shitou froze. Seeing everyone in the store staring at him, his face suddenly flushed crimson.

Seeing this, Xue Yue gave He Lang a tug. "Alright, that’s enough. It’s Shitou’s first time dating, so he’s still figuring things out. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with spending a little money on your girlfriend. Shitou, your Third Brother is just worried about you. Don’t take it the wrong way."

Shitou shook his head and said sheepishly, "It’s fine, Sister-in-law."

Seeing that He Lang still looked upset, Xue Yue pulled him upstairs to the second floor.

"What was that all about? Calling Shitou out like that in front of everyone," Xue Yue said. "He’s a grown man, he has his pride."

He Lang sighed. "I brought him here to earn a living, start a family, and build a good life for himself. But I’ve been watching him for the past two months. He takes the salary I pay him each month and just squanders it on that girl. Little Chen, on the other hand, sends money home as soon as he gets paid. Shitou? Forget sending money home. You heard him. He hasn’t even gotten this month’s paycheck, and he’s already planned how to spend it all. If this keeps up, how is he ever going to save any money? How is he ever going to be able to get married and start a family?"

Xue Yue looked at him. "But isn’t this girl the one he plans to marry?"

He Lang scoffed. "Get married? With what money? He’s living beyond his means every single month. When it’s actually time to get married, he won’t even be able to afford the bride price."

Xue Yue frowned. "How much is Shitou making a month right now?"

"Three hundred fifty yuan a month. He and Little Chen work the most; they’re in the store almost every day. This month, I’m planning to give Yang Wenxiu and Guan Wenwen another ten-yuan raise, bringing them to seventy yuan a month. They’re both doing a great job, especially Guan Wenwen. She’s very sharp and brings in a lot of repeat customers."

Xue Yue nodded, having no objections.

"Over three hundred a month isn’t a small amount," Xue Yue said. "Why don’t you talk to Shitou? See what this girl’s intentions are and if she has any plans to marry him."

’I just hope it’s not a case of her having no intention to marry him,’ Xue Yue thought. ’It would be terrible if Shitou’s the only one who’s serious, spending all his money and ending up with nothing to show for it.’

"I’ve already talked to him about it. Right now, he’s completely smitten with that girl. It’s useless no matter what I say. Let him figure it out himself."

Xue Yue thought for a moment. "What if I try talking to him?"

He Lang shook his head. "Don’t bother. He’s a man in his thirties; he’s not a child. Even if this is his first relationship, he should know that you can’t just buy your way into a marriage."

When they went back downstairs, Xue Yue saw Shitou guiltily sneaking glances at He Lang’s face, and she sighed again.

Before closing time that evening, He Lang handed each of his employees an envelope.

"This is your pay for the month. And starting this month, Guan Wenwen and Yang Wenxiu will each be getting a ten-yuan raise as a reward for your hard work."

Yang Wenxiu and Guan Wenwen happily thanked He Lang. "Thank you, Boss!"

Yang Wenxiu held her pay, her eyes full of unconcealed delight.

When Yang Wenxiu first started, she had been rather shy and soft-spoken. Now, she was much more confident, often wearing a smile that put everyone at ease.

Shitou clutched the thick envelope in his hand, glanced at He Lang, but said nothing.