CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: I HEARD YOU HAVEN’T SPENT THE WEDDING NIGHT WITH YOUR HUSBAND YET

"Are you just used to stealing things and can’t stand seeing others do well? He Chen, let’s go inside quickly, so she won’t come and steal from our house again."

"Did you buy a lock for the bicycle? Lock it up quickly, lock the door too, and maybe get a wolfdog, since some people can even pick locks. It’s too dangerous."

Ye Manman didn’t wait for Li Hongmei or the onlookers outside to react; she slammed the door shut with a bang.

She also pulled down the latch from the inside.

Everyone was dumbfounded, and some started to gossip.

"That bicycle was bought with her own dowry, so what’s Li Hongmei so envious about? She wouldn’t be thinking of taking it back, would she?"

"My goodness, are there people this shameless? She even stole their money a few days ago."

"Truly, a leopard can’t change its spots. He Chen’s wife did the right thing. We’d better go home and lock our doors, lest certain people get envious when they see something nice. This person can pick locks, after all."

"Yeah, yeah, by the way, didn’t the Zhou family’s dog just have a litter? I should get one to raise. Having people like this in the village really keeps you on edge."

"..."

With nothing more to see, the crowd quickly dispersed.

Some people initially wanted to check out He Chen’s new bicycle, but because Li Hongmei came and caused a scene, they didn’t get to see or touch it. Many were cursing Li Hongmei as shameless as they left.

Li Hongmei was a bit taken aback, still savoring Ye Manman’s first sentence.

This girl who’s obsessed with money actually used all her dowry to buy He Chen a bicycle? Impossible! It must be fake! He Chen must not have handed over all the money to her before!

"It can’t be Ye Manman’s money!"

She sat at the doorway, yelling loudly, but aside from a few neighbors occasionally coming out with bowls to watch her spectacle, no one paid her any attention.

In the end, Li Hongmei reluctantly got up and slunk back to her own house.

Seeing Liu Tiejun still lazing around inside, not working, and the water tank empty, she felt both angry and regretful but could only steel herself to fetch water.

...

After closing the door, Ye Manman started sorting through the basket, filled with all sorts of supplies, all of which He Chen remembered and knew.

As she rummaged, she marveled at how convenient He Chen was.

Meanwhile, He Chen was dealing with the duck, his mind still absorbed in what Ye Manman had just said.

She not only defended herself but boldly declared that he was her husband.

Just imagining how she said the word "husband" made He Chen feel like pink bubbles were about to burst from his head, putting him in a bit of a daze.

However, Ye Manman didn’t notice his odd behavior. After organizing the supplies like a little hamster, she took the new scorecards and went out.

"He Chen, I’m heading out to give the scorecards to Lili."

"Okay, be safe, and come back soon."

He Chen continued plucking the duck’s feathers as Ye Manman waved at him cheerfully and left.

Unexpectedly, delivering the scorecards went smoothly, but she encountered a twist on the way back.

Walking back to the He family from the team leader’s house means passing through a secluded path with fields on one side and a pond on the other.

This path usually sees a lot of foot traffic, but perhaps because someone from Li Hongmei’s family was jailed for theft, not many people are out and about these days, preferring to stay home.

Currently, the path had only Ye Manman and another man meeting face to face.

Unluckily, the man was a ruffian that Ye Xiaotong had previously bribed.

"You’re Ye Manman, right?"

The ruffian was thin and not tall, but his expression and gaze were vile. He circled around Ye Manman slowly, his eyes growing more fervent.

"I heard you haven’t slept with your husband yet?"

"Is he not capable? Such a beauty sleeps next to him every night, and he can control himself not to touch?"

He stroked his chin, approaching Ye Manman from behind, making exaggerated swallowing noises.

"Want brother to properly love you? If I’d known you were so pretty, I wouldn’t have charged you. I’d have taken you as my wife. Such a pity that now we can only sneak around."

Seeing Ye Manman seemed too scared to move, he grew bolder and reached out to grab her waist.

At that moment, Ye Manman suddenly exclaimed in excitement, "Hey? Husband, you’re here! I’m over here!"

Her voice was soft but clear. The ruffian, already worried that someone might pass by in broad daylight, was startled by her loud call.

When he withdrew his hand to look forward, Ye Manman stomped hard on his foot and then took off running.

The man winced in pain, squatting on the ground for a while before getting up with gritted teeth. He initially wanted to chase her, but Ye Manman had gotten far, and someone else was passing by, so he gave up.

Nonetheless, he still raised his head and called out amicably in Ye Manman’s direction.

"You won’t get away! I’ll find you again!"

Ye Manman ran fast, faster than she ever had before, air burning in her lungs painfully.

She ran all the way home, and upon seeing He Chen, she rushed over to him, sobbing with fear.

"Boo-hoo! He Chen! I was almost bullied just now, boo-hoo..."

When Ye Manman encountered the ruffian, her back went cold, and hearing his disgusting words, with no one around, her fear peaked.

Until she got home, she kept a brave front; but upon seeing He Chen, the taut string inside her snapped, and she cried uncontrollably.

He Chen was initially flustered when she suddenly hugged him, but hearing her words, his expression darkened.

He turned and hugged Ye Manman’s quivering body, wiped his hands, and awkwardly patted her back gently.

"Don’t be afraid. Who was it? Take a moment, and tell me slowly."

He Chen gazed icily forward, but his large, warm hand lightly rested on Ye Manman’s back, offering a comforting presence through her clothes.

It was his first time holding Ye Manman so closely, feeling her soft, delicate body, but no other thoughts arose in his mind.

He felt only mounting fury, sensing her trembles. The thought of her almost being touched or bullied in his ignorance filled his chest with anger and remorse.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you go alone. From now on, I’ll accompany you wherever you go, don’t be afraid, I’m here."

He Chen had never been so scared in his life. Before, he couldn’t be with Ye Manman and could only worry secretly.

Ye Manman clutched He Chen’s shirt tightly. After his gentle soothing, she finally calmed down, her large eyes still glistening with tears, her eyelids red.

Seeing this, He Chen’s heart ached, feeling it twist, and he spoke even more carefully.

"Don’t be afraid, tell me who he is."

"I won’t let him appear before you again."

Ye Manman, still sniffling, spoke softly again.

"It’s that ruffian from before."

"He was bribed by Ye Xiaotong. On the first day we hunted wild boars, he planned to... Do something to me... But then the wild boars showed up, so it didn’t happen..."

"I saw Ye Xiaotong talking to him outside my yard wall that day... He"

At this point, Ye Manman paused and then nervously said.

"He said I couldn’t escape, and that he’d come find me again."

Hearing this, He Chen’s face turned completely grim.

"He’s asking for it."