A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 66

Recalling that incident still made Shen Sisi’s heart race with fear.

It happened during the second semester of her second year in junior high. The school had organized a spring outing for a picnic by the lake. She had gone to the water’s edge to fill a bucket when someone pushed her from behind. She lost her footing and plunged into the lake.

The March lake water was as bone-chilling as melting snow. The thick cotton coat she wore for warmth became like a suit of iron armor once soaked, dragging her straight toward the bottom.

Just as the water closed over her head, it was Gu Chengfeng who saved her.

The situation had been chaotic. He swam desperately toward the shore, so focused that he didn’t even realize his hand had been sliced open by a jagged rock on the lakebed. It wasn’t until they were safely on land that he discovered a long, deep gash on his hand…

She hadn’t expected the scar to still be there after all these years.

She vaguely remembered that the old traditional doctor’s formulas included a medicinal oil for removing scars. She couldn’t recall the exact ingredients and proportions, though. It seemed she really would have to find time to return to Jinfeng Village.

While Shen Sisi stood to the side, lost in thought, Gu Chengfeng had already begun working with great fervor.

Unlike Shen Sisi’s struggling efforts, the saw in Gu Chengfeng’s hand moved as if it were greased. With a few rhythmic strokes, a log was sliced clean through.

Niuniu’s eyes sparkled with admiration. She danced around, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Daddy is so awesome!!!”

Gu Chengfeng seemed to remember something. He turned back, flashing a grin that showed eight bright white teeth. “Good girl, go dig around in Daddy’s pocket and see what I bought for you…”

Niuniu hopped over on her short legs like a little rabbit, reaching into Gu Chengfeng’s military overcoat. She pulled out a lollipop! An orange-flavored lollipop!

“Thank you, Daddy…” Niuniu opened her mouth to bite the wrapper, but Shen Sisi snatched it away.

She spoke sternly to Niuniu: “It’s almost mealtime. Mommy will give it to you after you eat. Be good and listen!”

The corners of Niuniu’s mouth immediately flipped from an upward curve to a perfect frown. With a “waaah,” she burst into a loud wail.

Gu Chengfeng quickly put down the saw. He rubbed his calloused palms haphazardly on his clothes and reached out to scoop Niuniu up.

“Be good, don’t cry…”

Gu Chengfeng coaxed her patiently. He was clumsy, yet undeniably gentle. Niuniu was young, but she was a clever little thing. Knowing her father doted on her, she squinted one eye to peek at her mother with a triumphant little look.

Just as she thought her crying had won the day, Gu Chengfeng suddenly changed his tune: “Let’s listen to your mother. We’ll eat it after dinner, okay?”

Niuniu froze, teardrops the size of beans hanging from her lashes. Daddy is actually on Mommy’s side!

“Hmph!”

Poor little Niuniu began to cry even more pitifully…

Shen Sisi’s head throbbed from the noise. She shot Gu Chengfeng an annoyed glare. “You really are… Let’s set a rule from now on. No snacks are allowed within one hour before a meal. Don’t even mention them!”

If Gu Chengfeng hadn’t teased Niuniu with the candy, she wouldn’t be crying herself hoarse. But no matter how much Niuniu wailed or rolled around the courtyard, Sisi didn’t budge. This habit could not be indulged; once a child eats sugar before a meal, they lose their appetite for real food. Niuniu’s constitution was already weak; how could she fight off illness if she didn’t eat?

Seeing her firm stance, Gu Chengfeng realized he had made a mistake.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know kids shouldn’t have sugar before meals. It won’t happen again…” Gu Chengfeng hung his head low, looking like a child who had done something wrong himself.

Niuniu was stunned. How is Daddy even more cowardly than me in front of Mommy…

Shen Sisi let out a long sigh. “You didn’t know, so I won’t blame you. You haven’t raised a child before. But don’t let it happen again.”

Gu Chengfeng was instantly liberated from his dejected state. He stood up and began sawing the wood even more vigorously. Only Niuniu was left rolling around on the ground, covering herself in dirt.

Shen Sisi moved a small stool over and sat, looking down at her as if she were just waiting for a bag of melon seeds to enjoy the show. After a stalemate, Niuniu’s tears ran dry and her voice went hoarse. Seeing that her mother was completely unmoved, she finally shut her mouth, feeling the futility of it all.

When Shen Sisi eventually reached out her arms, Niuniu scrambled up and dove into her embrace.

“You brat. You’ve only been in the city a few days and you’ve already developed a temper…”

Shen Sisi playfully swatted the girl’s bottom twice, her hand coming away covered in dust. Back in the village, Niuniu would never have dared to act so spoiled. It was only because she felt loved and protected that she had become so bold. This child… truly is a little mastermind!

One moment she was screaming in a tantrum, and the next, seeing there was no hope, she flipped a switch and became Mommy’s good baby again.

“Mommy, I was wrong…”

“Niuniu will eat her dinner well, and then eat the candy.”

Looking at the little “mud ball” covered in dirt, Shen Sisi’s teeth itched with irritation. “If you dare do this again, I’ll pick you up and spank you for real.”

Niuniu tensed up instantly, using her short arms to cover her bottom. “Don’t spank me, it’ll hurt…”

“Fine. Let’s go change your clothes first.” Shen Sisi carried Niuniu back inside. After changing their clothes, she took the opportunity to wash Niuniu’s hair and wipe her face clean.

By then, the bone broth on the stove was nearly done. Xu Hongying asked Shen Sisi to call Gu Chengfeng for dinner.

Shen Sisi rounded the corner to the backyard. She was about to speak when she was stunned by the sight before her.

At some point, Gu Chengfeng had taken off his shirt, leaving only a white tank top. One foot was braced against the log as he leaned over, sawing with focused intensity. The muscle lines on his arms were symmetrical and taut.

When he bent over, the chest muscles faintly visible beneath the tank top were powerful and firm. When he pulled back and straightened up, the strength in his back muscles was fully displayed.

It was the typical “lean but not scrawny” look—an athletic, flowing physique. It was exactly the kind of build she liked…

The tips of Shen Sisi’s ears grew warm, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Her dreams from the night before began to overlap with the scene in front of her, becoming a chaotic blur.

Sensing someone staring, Gu Chengfeng looked up. Their eyes met. Like a child caught red-handed doing something bad, her eyes filled with bashfulness, though she tried to act nonchalant.

“Gu… Gu Chengfeng, it’s time to eat!” Shen Sisi instinctively looked away, her heart pounding in a nervous mess.

The next second, the man’s aura approached unexpectedly. Her heart gave a violent jolt.

“You…” Shen Sisi bit her lower lip, her face so red it looked like it might bleed.

Feeling Gu Chengfeng drawing closer, his hot breath brushing against her cheek, her breathing hitched. She looked nervous and afraid, yet also as if she were anticipating something…

The tall body loomed over her, his strong masculine scent making her feel weak. Her chest felt like a drum. Suddenly, the man’s hot, large hand braced against her waist from behind, lifting her slightly without any effort.

“You’re leaning on my clothes…”

Shen Sisi’s eyes flew wide open.

Realizing she had indeed leaned back against the bamboo pole by the wall where his clothes were hanging, her face burned with embarrassment. She gave him a quick push and hurried away…

Gu Chengfeng’s hand remained suspended in mid-air, still in the position of having held her.

Was he seeing things? It seemed Shen Sisi had been blushing! Remembering her flushed face and that shy, maiden-like expression, a smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his mouth. He slowly curled his fingers into a fist.

It seemed Sisi was quite satisfied with his physique.