Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 16 Can I hold you while I sleep?
Shi An and Shi Ning sat at the table, looking curiously at the plate of sweet and sour pork in front of them.

The sweet and sour pork on the plate is golden in color, and each slice looks as if it has been kissed by the sun, radiating an enticing sheen.

The crispy fried outer layer, like a golden armor, encases the tender and juicy pork tenderloin, and is evenly drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce. It is garnished with scattered carrot shreds and cilantro. Just looking at it makes one's mouth water.

Shi Ning stretched out her little hand, pointed at the plate, and asked in her childish voice, "Mommy, what is this? It smells so good!"

Jiang Man smiled and patted his head, saying, "This is sweet and sour pork, baby. It's delicious, try it!"

Shi An couldn't wait any longer. He kept bringing his little nose close to the plate to sniff the tempting aroma. After hearing his mother's words, he didn't even bother to pick up his chopsticks and reached out to grab a piece.

Fortunately, Jiang Man was quick-witted and stopped him. She smiled and handed the chopsticks to the brother and sister, reminding them, "Use chopsticks to eat, be careful not to burn yourself."

Shi Ning clumsily held the chopsticks and struggled to pick up a piece of sweet and sour pork.

The piece of meat trembled precariously between the chopsticks, as if it were about to fall off at any moment.

Shi Ning quickly put it in her mouth, and as soon as she bit down, she heard a "crunch" and the crispy outer layer instantly shattered between her teeth. The wonderful taste made her eyes widen in surprise.

Immediately afterwards, the aroma of tender meat and the sweet and sour sauce filled my mouth.

As Shi An chewed, a satisfied smile spread across her face, and she mumbled, "Wow, it's so delicious, Mom!"

"It tastes so good! Let me try some too."

Qin Yishen had just washed his hands and came over. He also picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork and put it in his mouth. Then his eyes widened instantly, filled with surprise. While chewing, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This...this is so delicious!"

"After I save up some more money, I'll bring you over there and open a restaurant. Then I'll find a few trustworthy chefs, teach them, and you can become the boss's wife, so you don't have to work yourself out."

As Qin Yishen spoke, he served rice to Jiang Man, his words filled with trust in her.

"With your skills, you'll definitely be able to make money."

Jiang Man couldn't deny what he said. After all, in her previous life, she started by selling tea eggs, then started selling boxed lunches, and finally opened a restaurant, which gradually developed into a hotel. She then used the financial knowledge she learned in college to start investing in stocks.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Jiang Man was lost in thought as she recalled her past life.

Seeing that Jiang Man was silent, Qin Yishen thought he had said something wrong and upset her, so he explained, "If you don't want to open it, we won't. I'm not using you as a money-making tool. My salary can support our family. I misspoke this time, please forgive me?"

When Jiang Man came to her senses, she met a pair of big, bright eyes, wet like a puppy's, and seemed to hold some guilt and grievance.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she could almost hear the deafening sound of her own heart pounding in her ears.

"I'm not upset. I was just thinking about something, so you don't need to apologize."

Jiang Man lowered her head to eat, and Qin Yishen still couldn't quite believe it. "Really?"

"Really, why would I lie to you?"

Seeing how much Qin Yi cared about her, Jiang Man felt as if her heart was filled with honey, sweet and warm.

After dinner, Shi An and Shi Ning went out to play with the other children in the village, and the house became quiet again.

Because Qin Yishen is leaving tomorrow, there is a somber atmosphere in the house.

Jiang Man lowered her head slightly, her eyes filled with loneliness. She stared at the stove that she had wiped countless times, her mind a jumble of thoughts that she couldn't untangle.

When Qin Yishen came out of the shower, he saw Jiang Man still wiping the stove, which she had been cleaning before he went in to shower. He paused for a moment before realizing that Jiang Man was... reluctant to let him leave?

The idea sent a powerful shock through his heart, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and something deep within his heart instantly became clear.

"Jiang Man."

Qin Yishen suddenly hugged Jiang Man from behind, his voice low and slightly hoarse.

"wait me back."

He seemed to have a lot to say, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know where to begin, and in the end, he could only say dryly, "Wait for me to come back."

Jiang Man was stunned by his embrace, and her heart warmed after hearing what Qin Yishen said.

"I'm waiting for you to come back, but you must come back safely."

As far as I can remember, it was during this trip back that Qin Yishen developed a limp.

Based on what she got out of Jiang He, Qin Yishen was probably injured while saving someone.

She's not Guanyin Bodhisattva; she can't save that many people. She's just a selfish woman who only hopes her husband can be safe.

"Okay, I promise you."

Qin Yishen felt that Jiang Man seemed to have a hidden meaning in her words, but he still agreed without hesitation.

"When you're on a mission, think more about me and the two kids. What would we do if something happened to you? My sister would probably be constantly nagging me, and I'd be bullied by the village thugs..."

"They dare!"

Before Jiang Man could finish speaking, Qin Yishen suddenly said, "If they dare to bully you, I'll haunt them even as a ghost!"

That night, Qin Yishen and Jiang Man tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Qin Yishen stared at the dark ceiling and suddenly said in a hoarse voice, "Xiaoman, can I hold you while I sleep? The thought of seeing you tomorrow makes my heart ache."

When Jiang Man heard what Qin Yishen said, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. This man was quite perceptive.

"I guess I can manage. If I can't count to three, I'm really going to go to sleep."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yishen immediately moved over.

However, instead of lifting Jiang Man's blanket, he simply reached out and hugged her.

Jiang Man lay quietly, her breathing even and gentle. Qin Yishen lay on his side behind her, one arm gently resting on her waist, pulling her into his embrace, letting her back press tightly against his chest.

Qin Yishen could even clearly feel the warmth of Jiang Man's body through her thin pajamas. The warmth seemed to seep into his heart little by little along his skin, instantly calming his restless heart.

He tightened his arms slightly, holding Jiang Man even closer, as if trying to meld her into his very bones. Their bodies were pressed together without a single gap, as if they were an inseparable whole.

He lowered his head, bringing his nose close to Jiang Man's hair, and a sense of satisfaction gradually made him sleepy.

"Thank you, Jiang Man."

(End of this chapter)