Chapter 29: If You Want It, I Will Give It to You

In response to the call from the authorities, parts of this chapter have been harmonized. You can join the group to discuss the plot: 203920481. This new book urgently needs to be added to your favorites and receive recommendation votes—please help! Thank you...

When Lu Feng was massaging Chen Lan’s injury, there was inevitable skin contact. At his age, full of youthful vigor, and with Chen Lan’s figure being so alluring—her curves perfect in all the right places—Lu Feng couldn’t help but react physically. Unable to restrain himself, he swallowed nervously, reached out to touch, and then gently squeezed her. The soft, yielding sensation made his fingers burn.

Chen Lan turned to look at Lu Feng, her expression a little dazed.

Feeling embarrassed, Lu Feng quickly withdrew his hand and stammered, “S-sorry…”

Seeing his awkwardness, Chen Lan actually smiled. She already had a daughter and immediately understood Lu Feng had never experienced such things. Thinking she owed him, with no other way to thank him, she pulled his hand back to her body and said softly, “If you like it, you can touch… You’ve saved me and Xiaoxiao twice now; I’ll never be able to repay that kindness in this life. Maybe all I have left is this body, and if you want it, I can give it to you.”

“No… I didn’t mean to take advantage of you…” Lu Feng hastily explained, waving his hands.

“It’s not taking advantage, and I won’t ask you to be responsible. Honestly, after Xiaoxiao’s father ran away, I haven’t let another man touch me. But I’m still a woman; I want to be protected, to have a safe harbor. Yet every man who comes near just wants my body—none are sincere. I thought I’d never meet the right person again, but then I met you. When you stood in front of Xiaoxiao and me, I looked at your back and felt tears inside. Maybe my greatest misfortune in life is not meeting you at the right time…”

Lu Feng was no moral saint, nor did he pretend to be a gentleman. When a woman said such things to his face, to feign indifference would have been hypocritical.

He gently embraced her from behind, feeling her warmth and the tingling softness of her skin.

Xiaoxiao, who had fallen asleep earlier on the road, stirred, crawled up, and stared at them with wide, curious eyes. “Mommy, big brother, what are you doing?”

Both Lu Feng and Chen Lan turned to look at Xiaoxiao, the atmosphere instantly awkward. Yet the little girl tilted her head, gazing at them with innocent curiosity.

“Mommy got hurt, big brother is helping mommy with her injury,” Chen Lan explained fondly, pinching her daughter’s cheek and coaxing her, “Be good, go back to sleep.”

“I want to help mommy too!” Xiaoxiao crawled into her mother’s arms and began kneading earnestly.

“Good girl, don’t be naughty. How about mommy holds you while you sleep?” Chen Lan gave Lu Feng an apologetic glance, pulled the quilt over her daughter, and soothed her to sleep.

...

The next morning, Lu Feng rose early, stretched outside, and bought breakfast. When he returned to the inn, Chen Lan was already awake.

After last night, there was a hint of awkwardness when their eyes met.

Lu Feng hurried to change the subject, “I bought breakfast, it’s still hot. Come and eat.”

“Thank you…” Chen Lan took the soy milk and buns, setting them on the table.

“Is Xiaoxiao still asleep?” Lu Feng glanced at the bed.

“She was frightened last night and cried in my arms for most of the night. Let her sleep a bit longer.” Chen Lan tucked the covers around her daughter and took a bite of the bun.

Silence settled once more. Though they hadn’t known each other long, fate had made their relationship subtly ambiguous.

“What are your plans for the future?” Lu Feng asked, seeking something to talk about.

Chen Lan was a devoted mother, but not someone decisive. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have endured years of debt collecting from the Lianhong Society before finally running away.

She feared change, dreaded drifting from place to place, worried that any shift in her life might make things even worse—though her life was already as bad as it could get.

Lu Feng’s question caught her off guard, for she had no plan for the future. If there was any, it was simply to grit her teeth and survive with her daughter.

Seeing her silent, Lu Feng pressed, “Do you have anyone you can rely on? Family back home, or Xiaoxiao’s grandparents?”

Chen Lan shook her head and put down the bun, unable to eat as the pain of those memories surfaced.

After a while, she looked up and said, “I don’t want to stay in Baiyun District anymore. I’d like to find a job in Tianhe or Haizhu, rent a place, and send Xiaoxiao to school.”

Finding work wouldn’t be hard for Chen Lan; pretty women always have an advantage, especially those blessed with beauty and a good figure. She might not land a particularly dignified job, but jobs like receptionist or waitress would be easy enough.

“I see…” Lu Feng thought for a moment. “Let’s choose Tianhe District then—the public security there is better.”

“Alright.” Chen Lan nodded, reassured that someone else was making decisions for her. Even if the choice wasn’t perfect, it didn’t matter.

“Let’s go then. It’s still early; taking a taxi will be quicker. If we wait for rush hour, the roads will be too congested.” Lu Feng glanced at the sun’s position.

“Okay!” Chen Lan replied cheerfully, quickly finishing her bun and soy milk, then turning to pick up her daughter.

“Mommy…” Xiaoxiao mumbled, barely awake, as she rolled over.

“Mommy’s got you, be good…” Chen Lan lifted her daughter, resting her head on her shoulder so she could keep sleeping.

...

The two of them took Xiaoxiao by taxi to Tianhe District to look for an apartment.

Chen Lan knew Tianhe’s rents were high and had prepared herself, but after seeing the apartments in person, she realized her preparations were far from enough.

Tianhe was nothing like Baiyun District, which lagged behind in development, filled with urban villages and poor public security. Tianhe was much better in every respect—and its rents were exorbitant.

Chen Lan had planned to rent a one-bedroom apartment, or even a basement if necessary, though that would mean hardship for Xiaoxiao.

But after visiting several apartments through the agent, she realized she couldn’t even afford a basement.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t earn enough for the rent, but that her overall expenses would be unsustainable. If she were alone, maybe she could manage, but with a daughter to care for, she couldn’t work overtime and had to take Xiaoxiao to school. Adding it all up, she truly couldn’t make ends meet.

Chen Lan was the one choosing the apartments; Lu Feng just helped look around and didn’t offer opinions. When she wasn’t satisfied, they moved on to another.

After seeing three or four places, Chen Lan finally sighed, “I’d better find a cheaper district to rent in.”

Only then did Lu Feng realize that Chen Lan wasn’t unhappy with the apartments, but with the rent being too expensive.