The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 60 - 59: Taken a Fancy?

"Who is it?"

Yang Xiaoxia stood up and looked toward the entrance, where she saw a man talking to Xue Xingzhou.

The man was tall and upright, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He exuded a sunny aura as he talked and laughed.

When Xue Yue walked over, she saw Yang Xiaoxia staring intently at the entrance to the yard.

At the gate, her brother and He Zhendong were talking.

The men of the He family were all quite handsome. He Zhendong was a year younger than Xue Xingzhou, and they were about the same height standing next to each other. Xue Xingzhou was steady and calm, while He Zhendong was bright and sunny. Both were easy on the eyes.

Xue Yue pursed her lips and glanced at Yang Xiaoxia. An idea sparked in her mind, and she called out to the entrance, "Brother! You and Zhen Dong should come inside to talk!"

He Zhendong looked over and said to Xue Yue with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I won’t come in. I just saw Brother Xue and came over to say hello."

While speaking to Xue Yue, He Zhendong also noticed the young woman beside her. She was staring right at him with her big eyes, and his gaze flickered for a moment.

Xue Yue said, "Come on in. My brother and my friend are here visiting, and He Lang isn’t home either. You can have a drink with my brother at lunch. I’ll make a few dishes, and we can all have a good time together."

Xue Xingzhou also grabbed He Zhendong’s arm. "Come on. These two are so busy talking they’re ignoring me. You came at the perfect time. Have a drink with me at lunch."

He Zhendong smiled and said, "Alright then. I just got back from the fields, so I’ll head home to wash up and let my family know."

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "Make sure you come!"

"I will."

He Zhendong walked away quickly.

Xue Yue looked at Yang Xiaoxia. "He’s already gone, and you’re still staring."

Yang Xiaoxia snapped back to reality and grabbed Xue Yue’s arm. "Yue’er, who was that man just now? Why did he call you Sister-in-law?"

Xue Yue said, "His name is He Zhendong. He’s my husband’s cousin."

"How old is he? Does he have a wife?" Yang Xiaoxia asked Xue Yue eagerly.

Xue Yue looked at her and chuckled. "What? Smitten already?"

"Who’s smitten?" Xue Xingzhou asked as he walked over.

Yang Xiaoxia quickly lowered her head, her face turning red.

Xue Yue said with a laugh, "Xiao Xia was asking me about Zhen Dong, so I asked if she was smitten with him."

Xue Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and looked at Yang Xiaoxia. "You’ve got good taste. From what I’ve seen, He Zhendong is a good guy, and he’s single. You two might actually be a good match."

Xue Yue laughed and nudged Yang Xiaoxia. "Did you hear that?"

Yang Xiaoxia’s face grew even redder.

At noon, Xue Yue and Yang Xiaoxia were cooking in the kitchen while Xue Xingzhou and He Zhendong chatted in the main room.

"Zhen Dong, I heard your engagement fell through. Has your family introduced you to anyone else since?"

He Zhendong shook his head. "I’ll wait until I meet the right person. I’m not in a rush."

"That’s true. When fate comes knocking, you can’t stop it."

In the kitchen, Yang Xiaoxia leaned against the wall, watching Xue Yue cook with practiced ease. "How are you so capable?" she asked admiringly. "You’re a great cook, you’re beautiful... If I were a man, I’d marry you. Sigh, your husband really lucked out."

Xue Yue shot her a look and shook her head. "Weren’t you just smitten with He Zhendong? And now you’re saying this. Tsk, I guess it’s not just men who are full of sweet talk."

Yang Xiaoxia’s eyes darted around, and she whispered, "Yue’er, do you think He Zhendong could ever like someone like me?"

Xue Yue gave Yang Xiaoxia a surprised look up and down. "Have you had a personality transplant? I can’t believe those words are coming out of your mouth. Aren’t you usually the confident one?"

Yang Xiaoxia sighed. "I know, right? Why did I suddenly lose my nerve? I’m not as pretty as you, I can’t cook... all I did was study a bit more, but that’s not much use now. Ugh, the more I talk, the worse I feel about myself. If I’d known, I would’ve learned to cook from my mom."

Xue Yue laughed. "Well, this is a rare sight. I never thought I’d see the day."

During the meal, Xue Yue deliberately had Yang Xiaoxia sit next to He Zhendong.

Yang Xiaoxia stole a glance at He Zhendong beside her.

"Zhen Dong, don’t be shy, eat as much as you like. By the way, this is my good friend, Yang Xiaoxia. We grew up together."

He Zhendong looked at Yang Xiaoxia. Their eyes met, and Yang Xiaoxia’s face instantly turned red again.

Watching Yang Xiaoxia’s shy reaction, He Zhendong’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Seeing this, Xue Yue felt even more certain that there was a spark between them.

After lunch, He Zhendong left. Knowing that Yang Xiaoxia was staying, Xue Xingzhou headed back home by himself.

Yang Xiaoxia sat on the kang, staring into space with her chin propped in her hand.

Xue Yue teased her, "Lost in a romantic daydream?"

Yang Xiaoxia muttered, "I wonder when I’ll see him again."

Xue Yue: "..."

’This must be what it’s like to be completely love-struck. He just left, and she’s already thinking about the next time?’

"Are you really smitten?" Xue Yue asked.

Yang Xiaoxia nodded decisively. "I am."

Xue Yue: "...Lady, don’t you want to get to know him a little better first?"

Yang Xiaoxia looked at Xue Yue. "Didn’t your brother say he’s a good guy?"

Xue Yue: "...Well, don’t you want to know if he likes you back?"

Yang Xiaoxia touched her own face. "I’m not that hard to look at, am I?"

Xue Yue was left completely speechless.

When He Lang came home from work, he welcomed Yang Xiaoxia’s visit. What he didn’t expect, however, was that with her staying over, he would be the one kicked out of his own room that night.

"You can sleep in my brother’s room. Xiao Xia so rarely gets to visit, and she wants to sleep with me. I couldn’t really say no, could I?" Xue Yue said as she pushed He Lang out the door.

He Lang said helplessly, "You’re my wife."

Xue Yue nodded. "I know. Just try to be understanding." She then leaned in, gave He Lang a quick kiss on the cheek, and shut the door from the inside.

He Lang stood at the door for a moment before heading to the guest room.

Yang Xiaoxia was already lying in bed. "Your husband wasn’t mad, was he?"

Xue Yue tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said, "Nope."

Yang Xiaoxia clicked her tongue twice. "You know, I just realized your husband is even better-looking than He Zhendong. Tell me, did you fall for him just for his pretty face?"

Xue Yue nodded. "A little."

Yang Xiaoxia burst out laughing. "Oh, Xiao Yue’er, I never knew you were just as shallow as I am."

Xue Yue laughed out loud, too.

Lying in the guest room, He Lang could still hear their laughter. He rolled over, unable to get comfortable.

After staying with Xue Yue for two days, Yang Xiaoxia had to go back.

Xue Yue was a little reluctant to see her go. "Didn’t you say you’d stay a few more days? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Yang Xiaoxia said with a smile, "I’ve been gone for two days. My mom is probably nagging about me already. I’ll definitely be back." She added with a wink.

Yang Xiaoxia hadn’t planned to stay long in the first place. Food was precious these days.

Xue Yue knew she was talking about He Zhendong. "Don’t worry, I’ll have He Lang ask Zhen Dong what he thinks. I’ll let you know as soon as I have news."

Yang Xiaoxia hugged Xue Yue’s arm. "Xiao Yue’er, you’re the best."

Xue Yue gave her a sideways glance. "And yet you’re still in a hurry to go home."

Yang Xiaoxia chuckled, waved her hand, and said, "I’m off. No need to see me out."