1979: My fiancée is a goddess

After getting off work at noon, Cheng Kaiyan politely declined Ms. Chen Zijun's invitation to go out to a restaurant and went home for lunch.

"Xiaoli".

When he pushed open the door and entered the house, Liu Xiaoli was sitting on the sofa, holding half a watermelon, eating it while watching TV.

"You're back? The food is ready. Go wash your hands and eat."

Liu Xiaoli got up and walked over, speaking gently.

She naturally reached out and took Cheng Kaiyan's briefcase, slung it over her shoulder, noticed the fine dust on Cheng Kaiyan's shirt, patted it off, and smoothed out the wrinkles before stopping.

Cheng Kaiyan silently felt the girl's gentle and delicate movements, as well as the soft and warm touch of her hands on her shoulder.

"Okay."

Liu Xiaoli looked up at him and smiled.

"Ah."

Cheng Kaiyan admired her smile, and a slight stirring in his heart led him to subconsciously lower his head and kiss her.

Liu Xiaoli saw it all, but there was no time to escape, so she could only blush slightly, close her starry eyes, and let him kiss her forehead.

"Go wash your hands and eat, you pervert!"

A few seconds later, Liu Xiaoli gently pushed Cheng Kaiyan away, then rolled her eyes at Cheng Kaiyan, who was clearly still not satisfied.

However, she didn't realize that her voice was unusually sweet and soft at that moment.

"..."

Cheng Kaiyan initially wanted to tease his fiancée by saying he wouldn't eat, but then he thought better of it; Xiaoli was too easily embarrassed.

Liu Xiaoli felt that there was something wrong with the guy's eyes. She guessed that he was thinking about something strange. She gave him a disdainful look, turned around, put down her bag, and went into the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks to serve rice.

Cheng Kaiyan went to the bathroom to wash her face and wipe away the water droplets and sweat.

When he came out, Liu Xiaoli had already prepared everything for him.

Bowls and chopsticks, rice, and a bottle of ice-cold beer.

The meal was also plentiful, with three dishes and a soup, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes.

Stir-fried eggplant, glistening with oil.

A plate of fried cabbage and tofu, golden brown on both sides.

The braised fish with chopped chili peppers is a beautiful, vibrant red.

The loofah, egg, and vermicelli soup also included fried dough twists, which became soft after being soaked in the soup.

The dishes on the table were still steaming hot and smelled delicious, making them look very appetizing.

Wow! Xiaoli, your cooking skills have improved!

Cheng Kaiyan gave a thumbs up and praised, "Could it be that you consulted Aunt Wan a lot recently? Otherwise, how could you have improved so much?"

"Try it and see."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli spoke softly.

"Mmm, braised fish is indeed your specialty, it's delicious."

Cheng Kaiyan picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and tasted it. The fish was coated with juice, spicy and slightly sweet, and it went very well with rice.

While praising it, he picked up a piece of boneless fish meat from the back of the fish and gave it to Liu Xiaoli.

"Eat more if you like it. Are you going out again this afternoon?"

Liu Xiaoli smiled faintly, picked up a piece of food, and then asked.

"I should... go out again this afternoon, to the bank, the foundation, and my aunt's place."

Cheng Kaiyan looked at her apologetically and comforted her, "I'm sorry, Sister Xiaoli, I probably won't be able to spend the whole day with you, but I'll come back early this afternoon and bring you something delicious."

He naturally wanted to spend the weekend at home with Xiaoli; even just sitting together without anything to do would make him feel at ease.

However, they usually have to go to school, and they also have to take time to deal with things related to the Ark and the Foundation.

I only have free time on weekends.

"All right……"

Realizing this, Liu Xiaoli pursed her lips and nodded, her mood not very high.

She had originally planned to take Cheng Kaiyan shopping, to the movies, and on a date this weekend...

"Um... Auntie, what are you going to her place for?"

Liu Xiaoli thought for a moment, then looked up and asked.

"A secret."

Cheng Kaiyan answered with a smile.

"secret?"

Liu Xiaoli was a little curious, but didn't ask any further questions. "Why don't you go to your aunt's place first when you go out? Take me with you on your way! Hmph~"

As she spoke, she let out a soft hum, and Cheng Kaiyan could roughly understand his fiancée's little thoughts.

That snort most likely expresses his displeasure:

First, it's a secret; second, since you won't stay with me, I'll have my aunt stay with me.

"Okay, then we'll stay at Auntie's tonight."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled and nodded, then suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, Xiaoli, you should know your aunt's birthday, right?"

"Birthday? I know that, but... my aunt doesn't celebrate birthdays."

Upon hearing the word, Liu Xiaoli hesitated and spoke slowly.

"Then tell me, which day was it?"

Cheng Kaiyan felt that Xiaoli's face was telling her that this was a secret and she couldn't tell her.

"My aunt told me not to tell you before."

Liu Xiaoli bit her lip and said with great difficulty.

"You weren't allowed to tell me? Before? When?"

Cheng Kaiyan's eyes narrowed slightly, and she quickly asked.

"Just...just you..."

Liu Xiaoli stammered, reluctant to speak, but in a soft voice, she hugged his arm and rocked him gently, saying coquettishly, "Oh~ Kaiyan, please don't make things difficult for me!"

"September 10th, right?"

"You...how did you know?"

Liu Xiaoli opened her eyes wide, looking astonished.

“Just yesterday, I asked my aunt and she told me herself!”

Cheng Kaiyan said irritably, "You, Liu Xiaoli, actually conspired with your aunt to keep this from me!"

"It was all my aunt's idea. You had just woken up then, and it happened to be my aunt's birthday. She told us not to tell you..."

Liu Xiaoli frowned, looking a little aggrieved, her bright almond-shaped eyes darting around. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she raised her defiant face and retorted:
"Hmph! You have the nerve to talk back to me? It's been more than half a year, and you only just remembered to ask when your aunt's birthday is? You have no shame!"

"..."

Cheng Kaiyan remained awkwardly silent for a few seconds, seemingly agreeing with Xiaoli's assessment. She then coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment, saying, "Alright, alright, I've already spoken to my aunt and we're planning to celebrate her birthday. My aunt agreed."

"what?!"

Liu Xiaoli exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly asked, "Really?"

She said it was up to me.

Cheng Kaiyan wasn't quite sure either: "Does this mean they agree?"

"..."

Liu Xiaoli stared at the guy in front of her with a strange look in her eyes, and suddenly felt a little jealous.

She still remembers when she was nine years old, she first learned about her aunt's birthday from her mother, and she specially prepared a birthday gift for her aunt, spending all of her pocket money.

On her birthday, she was overjoyed and presented her aunt with a gift, only to receive the response: "It's not your aunt's birthday, so take the gift back."

But now...

"Why should she agree? Just because you say you want her to live with you doesn't mean she'll agree!"

Liu Xiaoli released her arms from her embrace, turned her head to the side, and said in a sour tone.

"..."

Cheng Kaiyan found it amusing; why was this girl jealous of him? He patiently explained:

"It was probably after my aunt went back to pay respects to her parents during the Ghost Festival a while ago that she felt much more at ease and let go of many things from the past?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli's brows relaxed, and she nodded in realization: "Oh, I see."

"Time may not truly heal all wounds, but at least as memories fade, the vivid pain will lessen."

Cheng Kaiyan nodded and said softly.

"yes……"

Liu Xiaoli sighed, but the girl's inner optimism quickly cheered her up. "At least my aunt is almost out of it now. When she was at home a while ago, I could occasionally see her smile."

"Okay. Let's prepare a special birthday party for Auntie this time to celebrate her new life."

Cheng Kaiyan held the girl's soft, boneless hand tightly and made a suggestion.

“Great! Let’s invite Aunt Xiu and Ning Wanjia over, and celebrate together at home.”

Liu Xiaoli's beautiful eyes lit up, and she eagerly waved her small fist, saying excitedly, "I'll make a super big cake for Auntie! A two-tiered one! Then we'll decorate the house with ribbons, balloons, candles..."

"Give Auntie a big surprise!"

The young couple sat side by side, eating and whispering to each other about how to arrange the birthday party a few days later.

About half an hour later, after finishing lunch, the two, who had agreed on their plans, didn't want to waste time taking a nap at home, so they went straight to their aunt's house.

Cheng Kaiyan thought that her aunt might not have eaten, so she packed some food in a lunchbox and took it with her.

After tidying up the dishes, the two went out in high spirits. At one o'clock, accompanied by the clear sound of a bell.

The two arrived at the teachers' compound by bicycle and headed straight for the aunt's house.

……

Pushing open the bedroom door, I entered the living room.

The beautiful woman, dressed in a light and thin nightgown, sat on the carpet with her fair and plump legs crossed, her two slender, white and pink lotus feet resting beneath her legs.

A pair of snow-white arms rested neatly on the coffee table, holding a pen and writing something on the manuscript paper.

No matter when, her slender waist always remained upright, graceful, and dignified.

"What brings you two here?"

The sound of the door opening caught Jiang Ting's attention, and she turned her head to look with a calm and indifferent expression.

Upon seeing who it was, a hint of joy involuntarily appeared in his dark phoenix eyes.

"It's the weekend! We've come to visit you!"

Liu Xiaoli took off her sandals at the door, put her hands behind her back, and trotted across the carpet in her white socks.

"Put your shoes on, so you won't catch a cold."

Cheng Kaiyan exclaimed, feeling both amused and helpless.

This girl probably had a secret surprise for her aunt, because she wasn't behaving as gently and quietly as usual; instead, she was as lively and adorable as a deer.

He picked up Xiaoli's personal sandals and followed behind her at a leisurely pace.

"Auntie, you've been busy all morning, haven't you had lunch yet?"

Liu Xiaoli lifted her long skirt and sat down cross-legged, mimicking Jiang Ting's posture. Seeing a thick stack of manuscripts filled with beautiful handwriting on the coffee table, she frowned and asked with concern.

I ate late this morning, so I'm not hungry yet.

Jiang Ting gently shook her head and asked with concern, "Have you both eaten?"

"I just ate and came over."

Liu Xiaoli reached out her hand to Cheng Kaiyan, frowning as she said, "Really! I knew you hadn't eaten!"

Before leaving, I specially prepared lunch for my aunt to bring over. Kaiyan handed me the lunchbox!

Cheng Kaiyan glanced at her speechlessly, dodging Xiaoli's hand that was trying to take credit, unscrewed the insulated box, handed it over, and advised with a hint of reproach:

"Health is the foundation of everything. You need to eat three meals a day on time. Even if you don't take care of yourself, we will still feel sorry for you."

The girl wrinkled her nose, showing her dissatisfaction with Cheng Kaiyan.

This bastard is actually worried that I'll steal the credit?
"Ah."

Jiang Ting stared at the two of them, feeling a warm glow in her heart. "I understand."

She gathered the manuscripts on the table and pushed them aside, then took the bowl and chopsticks that Cheng Kaiyan brought and began to eat.

"Screw rustle..."

My aunt's eating posture, whether it's picking up food or rice and putting it in her mouth, chewing, or swallowing, all have a slow, methodical, elegant, and natural beauty.

The three of them sat cross-legged beside the coffee table.

Jiang Ting was eating, while Liu Xiaoli poured hot tea for everyone.

"Shhh—"

The living room was exceptionally quiet in the afternoon. The rustling of bamboo leaves came from outside the window, and sunlight poured onto the walls, casting swaying bamboo shadows.

It has a serene beauty.

"call……"

Cheng Kaiyan blew on the fragrant hot tea, and the bittersweet taste entered her stomach, bringing warmth.

Looking at the two women sitting quietly in front of him, he felt exceptionally peaceful and content.

As Cheng Kaiyan's gaze swept over the pile of manuscript papers that Jiang Ting had placed to the side, she casually flipped through one, her eyes narrowing slightly. She looked up at the beautiful woman and asked curiously:
"Is this your latest paper? 'On the New Ideas That Totoro Brings to Chinese Children's Literature Creation in the New Era'?"

"Well, I heard from Professor Pu Manting a while ago that Ark is about to publish its first issue and is short of papers. I happened to be very interested in your Totoro paper, so I tried to write one."

Jiang Ting continued eating her food, replying in a flat tone.

"Is that so?"

Cheng Kaiyan nodded thoughtfully, looking at the thick stack of manuscripts in his hand.

I just wrote it down casually?

This wasn't just something I wrote casually; it was clearly written specifically to help him, the editor-in-chief of Ark!

Thinking of this, Cheng Kaiyan couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

It is a very touching and happy thing to have someone quietly helping and contributing behind you.

He asked, "Have you finished writing?"

"almost."

Jiang Ting thought for a moment and then said, "If your journal, Ark, is in a hurry to review the manuscript, it should be ready before next Monday."

"No need to rush. You can take your time writing. Once you're done, you can show it to me and I'll proofread it for you."

Cheng Kaiyan quickly waved her hand to politely decline.

Are you kidding me? Next Monday? You mean you can grit your teeth and finish it in two days?

How could he possibly exploit his own aunt like that?

In that case, let's just forget about translating that paper.
But this signature is a small gift for my aunt before her birthday, isn't it?
Cheng Kaiyan was caught in a dilemma.

"what happened?"

"Looking sad?"

Liu Xiaoli and Jiang Ting had been focused on Cheng Kaiyan, and immediately asked in unison.

"It's nothing. I co-authored a paper with Professor Ansel last time, and it's been sent back. I was thinking of asking you, Aunt, to translate it into Chinese, but now..."

Cheng Kaiyan explained frankly.

"So this is the secret you were talking about!"

Liu Xiaoli got up quickly and went out, just as Cheng Kaiyan had said.

"No problem, translating the paper isn't too difficult and won't take long."

When Jiang Ting heard that he had unhesitatingly entrusted her with the task of translating the thesis, she stared intently into his eyes, lost in thought for a long time.

As one of the top young scholars in China today, she naturally understands the value of Cheng Kaiyan's paper.

That is enough to make his name shine brightly in the history of international children's literature.

The translator of the paper can also be credited, thus benefiting from the credit as well.

This was his heartfelt gift, and Jiang Ting accepted it without hesitation. She then asked, "When does Fangzhou plan to publish the first issue?"

October 1st.

"That's enough time."

"That's good."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled and nodded, then asked, "Do you need my help? You can translate and I'll transcribe it into Chinese?"

"Ah."

Jiang Ting smiled slightly and did not refuse.

Are the two of them working together?
“I can help too! I can take turns with Kaiyan; when his hand gets sore from writing, I can do it for him!”

Liu Xiaoli listened for a long time without being able to get a word in edgewise, so she quickly raised her hand and volunteered.

“Okay, let Xiaoli help too, she writes beautifully.”

Cheng Kaiyan expressed her approval.

However, Jiang Ting did not speak, but simply nodded.

It seems our time together as a couple is over.

After the meal, Liu Xiaoli took the lunchbox to the kitchen to wash it.

Cheng Kaiyan watched Xiaoli's figure disappear, then turned to look at the beautiful woman and chuckled softly:

"This is also a small birthday gift."

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation. Thank you, Xiao Yan."

A radiant smile bloomed on Jiang Ting's usually cold and aloof, stunningly beautiful face; she was mature, charming, and captivating.

She doesn't care about the honor and glory that comes with being credited as a translator.

What she cared about more was that her name appeared on the first page of the paper alongside Cheng Kaiyan's.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it. I'll give you another gift on your birthday."

Cheng Kaiyan felt extremely satisfied when she saw her rare smile.

"I am looking forward……"

Jiang Ting nodded emphatically, then, feeling that this wasn't taking things seriously enough, continued:
"For the first time, I look forward to my birthday, and for the first time, I look forward to my birthday presents, all because of you."

"Ah."

The two looked at each other quietly, their eyes filled with smiles, but they still maintained a distance between them.

There was no overstepping of boundaries.

A little while later, Comrade Xiaoli came out after washing the dishes, and the three of them lay down side by side on the carpet for a midday nap.

Listening to the quiet breathing around me and the rustling sounds outside the window, smelling the familiar and comforting scent around me, I looked up and gazed at the ceiling...

But my thoughts drifted to September 10th without me even realizing it.

They were all eagerly anticipating this day. (End of Chapter)