Power and Wealth
Chapter 1410 – Mouth
Morning.
It’s past 8 am.
Breakfast is ready, and Jiang’s mother, Jiang Fangfang, and Dong Xuebing sit together at the table. The breakfast, consisting of millet porridge and eggs, may not be lavish but is heartwarming.
“Xiaotao.”
“Yes, Mom, what’s up?”
“Why are you sitting so far away?”
“Uh, cough, cough, we’re not sitting far.”
“You finally gather together. Don’t mind this old lady.”
“Sweat, we sit diagonally across from each other at home, yes.”
“That’s enough. In the past, you two were inseparable. Every meal, you were sitting close to each other.”
Dong Xuebing wanted to explain further, but Jiang Fangfang remained silent. She slowly pulled a chair, walked a few steps, placed it next to Dong Xuebing, and sat beside him. Then, she took the bowl from the opposite side and held Dong Xuebing’s arm. “Let’s eat.”
What should I eat?
How can I use chopsticks with my left hand?
Uh, is Sister Jiang’s husband left-handed?
Dong Xuebing didn’t know how to speak up with his right hand being held. He could only extend his left hand.
Jiang’s mother laughed, “That’s more like it. Don’t mind me. Seeing you two happily together makes Mom happy. Come, Xiaotao, eat while it’s hot.”
Dong Xuebing said, “Okay.”
Jiang’s mother asked, “Are you leaving today?”
“Um,” Dong Xuebing hesitated for a moment.
Jiang Fangfang spoke for him, “He has to leave. There’s something he needs to attend to.”
Dong Xuebing continued, “Yeah, something urgent. I’ll go back after eating.”
Jiang’s mother frowned. “No way. At least stay until after dinner. It’s decided.”
Dong Xuebing looked at Jiang Fangfang inquiringly. Seeing that Sister Jiang didn’t say anything, Dong Xuebing nodded to Jiang’s mother. It’s fine to leave after dinner; it doesn’t matter. County Chief Jiang will also be back to work tomorrow, and Dong Xuebing won’t have to worry about county government matters. He is quite relaxed.
After dinner.
Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang washed the dishes together.
At this moment, Dong Xuebing noticed that Jiang Fangfang was wearing clothes after she went to the bathroom in the morning. However, she only wore an upper garment, a light-colored shirt. There was no sign of her high-necked red autumn clothes last night; presumably, she didn’t wear them. But for the pants, she didn’t wear any. She still had the same red pure cotton autumn trousers from last night. Barefoot. She didn’t wear pajamas during the day. Wearing autumn clothes and trousers to sleep was normal, especially with Dong Xuebing, a pseudo-husband present. Mayor Jiang, a married woman, would certainly be cautious and not sleep in her underwear. But it’s too casual to expose the autumn trousers in broad daylight.
It seems like she doesn’t consider Dong Xuebing an outsider.
She looks so casual.
In the kitchen, after washing the dishes and wiping his hands, Dong Xuebing couldn’t help but look at her autumn trousers several times and whispered, “Sister Jiang, are you going back tonight?”
Jiang Fangfang contemplated and said, “I’ll stay with my mother for another night.”
Dong Xuebing said, “Uh-huh, your mother asked me to leave after dinner. What about during the day?”
“Casual activities are fine. The main thing is to make my mother happy. If she gets upset and goes on a hunger strike, I have no choice. I have a lot of things to do on my side. Many documents in the county are waiting to be processed. If my mother is ill, I can’t leave, and I must take a leave of absence.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“Let’s show more affection, or my mother might notice something is wrong. You heard what she said during dinner.”
Dong Xuebing coughed, “I’m afraid you’ll hold me accountable.”
“No,” Jiang Fangfang calmly glanced at him. “This time, you’re helping me. I’m aware of it. Let’s get through my mother’s scrutiny first.”
“Okay, let’s go. The dishes are done.”
“Sure, I’ll keep quiet.”
Jiang Fangfang had already opened the kitchen door.
Dong Xuebing adjusted his mindset and followed her.
The next moment, Jiang Fangfang took the initiative to extend her hand, grabbing Dong Xuebing’s hand. Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and held her hand.
The two walked hand in hand.
Jiang’s mother was in the living room listening to the radio. Seeing the two of them being so intimate, she smiled. It was quite gratifying. “This is great. Living together, it’s normal to have some disagreements but reconcile later.”
Jiang Fangfang said, “We didn’t quarrel.”
Jiang’s mother snorted, “If you didn’t quarrel, why did Xiaotao go on a business trip without even saying hello? You must have made him angry. Don’t take Mom for a fool.”
Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, “Mom we are doing well.”
Jiang Fangfang hesitated and had to go along with her, “We’ve reconciled now, everything is fine.”
Jiang’s mother looked at them and said, “You two aren’t pretending to reconcile just to fool me, are you? The old lady is quite suspicious.” After speaking, she became nervous, “You two haven’t divorced, have you?”
Dong Xuebing smiled bitterly, “Mom, there’s nothing like that.”
Jiang’s mother was still suspicious, “In these few months, every time I think about you two, I’m always worried. I’m afraid you young people will divorce impulsively after a quarrel. Marriage is a big deal; you can’t be so impulsive. Do you know that being together requires tolerance and patience? I’m telling you, if you dare to divorce, do you believe Mom will jump from upstairs?”
Jiang Fangfang said, “Last time, you almost jumped. How can I not believe it?”
“Don’t mention last time. Who made you lie to me that Xiaotao passed away? Hmph.” Jiang’s mother was angry.
“Mom.” Jiang Fangfang said seriously, “Xiaotao and I are fine. We’ve reconciled, and we’ll try not to quarrel. You can rest assured.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Dong Xuebing echoed.
The old lady, who was fine now, seemed to remember one thing after another. Staring at her daughter, she said, “By the way, show me your marriage certificate.”
Jiang Fangfang helplessly said, “I didn’t bring it with me.”
Dong Xuebing smiled and said, “Mom, we haven’t divorced.”
The old lady’s suspicion was quite heavy, “Let me tell you, if you dare to divorce, Mom will…”
“Mom, it’s time for your medicine.”
The Chinese medicine in the kitchen was almost ready. Jiang Fangfang went to the kitchen and picked up the sand pot, and Dong Xuebing, who didn’t dare to be alone with the old lady, followed suit. Holding a strainer, they filtered out the dregs and finally made a cup of Chinese medicine. The two brought it back and handed it to Jiang’s mother.
“After drinking, I’ll talk to you.” Jiang’s mother took a sip, but it wasn’t as enjoyable as yesterday. The bitterness made her furrow her brows deeply. She stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
“What are you doing?”
“Add some sugar. It’s too bitter.”
“Adding sugar will affect the efficacy of the medicine.”
“I can’t swallow it without sugar. What efficacy are you talking about?”
Jiang’s mother’s mood was not very good. It seemed that the more she thought about it, the more she felt that her daughter and son-in-law had a broken relationship and divorced. They were conspiring to deceive her. Therefore, her words were not kind, and she added a little more sugar after trying it.
Outside.
In the living room.
Dong Xuebing whispered helplessly, “Sister Jiang, what should we do now?”
Jiang Fangfang seemed accustomed to it, “My mom is like this, changing rapidly. It might be because of this illness. She used to remember almost everything from the past very clearly. But in recent years, she has forgotten one thing after another. Her emotions fluctuate quickly, and she often loses her temper. With you here, she’s a bit better. If you’re not around, my mom and I will have a rough time. She won’t be polite. She slams the table if she wants to and threatens to jump off the building. As her daughter, I can only go along with it.”
Sigh.
Every family has its own difficulties.
Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang sat on the sofa, their hands still held together. Since leaving the kitchen, they hadn’t let go. However, Jiang’s mother still harbored doubts, thinking that the two might have divorced. How could they explain the fake news about Sister Jiang’s husband’s death for so many years? Dong Xuebing looked at her and asked, “What about the marriage certificate?”
Jiang Fangfang thought momentarily and said, “I lost the marriage certificate.”
“If you lost it, I don’t have it,” Dong Xuebing was also at a loss. Where could they find proof? If they were a real couple, it would be fine. However, they were indeed a fake couple, feeling quite guilty.
Snoring sounds came from Jiang’s mother; it seemed she had finished the medicine.
Jiang Fangfang hesitated and said, “Let’s act more affectionately.”
“Be more affectionate?” Dong Xuebing wondered how they could be more affectionate. Just as he was about to ask, he heard the footsteps of Jiang’s mother coming out from the kitchen. She said, “Jiang…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Dong Xuebing was dumbfounded to find that Jiang Fangfang, in a calm and unhurried manner, had brought her head closer and planted a kiss on his lips.
Their lips touched.
They instantly fitted together.
Dong Xuebing was suddenly stunned, his eyes widened.
However, Jiang Fangfang remained motionless. She simply pressed her beautiful lips against Dong Xuebing’s, but she didn’t make any kissing movements. She didn’t move at all.
Behind them, Jiang’s mother’s footsteps suddenly stopped without any sound.
Dong Xuebing’s back instantly became covered in cold sweat, and he understood Sister Jiang’s intention. However, he didn’t take it as lightly as Sister Jiang did. How could Dong Xuebing endure being kissed by a woman, especially a beautiful one? He didn’t look back at Jiang’s mother, pretending not to know she was there. His mouth moved, and he directly bit Sister Jiang’s lip. Dong Xuebing guessed that Jiang Fangfang just wanted to make a symbolic gesture. However, by biting, he made it clear that it was more than a mere gesture, and he didn’t hold back, sucking her lips forcefully.
Jiang’s mother was watching.
Dong Xuebing’s back was instantly covered in cold sweat. He understood Sister Jiang’s intention now but wasn’t as indifferent as she was. After being kissed by a woman, especially a beautiful one, Dong Xuebing couldn’t pretend nothing happened. He didn’t look back at Jiang’s mother, pretending not to know she was there. His mouth moved, and he directly bit Sister Jiang’s lip. Dong Xuebing guessed that Jiang Fangfang just wanted to make a symbolic gesture. However, by biting, he made it clear that it was more than a mere gesture, and he didn’t hold back, sucking her lips forcefully.
Jiang Fangfang’s teeth were closed.
But with a bit of force, Dong Xuebing managed to enter.
Jiang Fangfang paused for a moment. Her lips moved slightly, closed briefly, and then slowly opened. Although not very enthusiastic, she gradually began to respond to Dong Xuebing’s kiss. The difference between the two was that Dong Xuebing was a bit eager, kissing intensely, while Jiang Fangfang was calm, kissing gently.
Kissing.
Unexpectedly, he was kissing the beautiful County Mayor.
Dong Xuebing felt a fiery sensation in his heart. He had already forgotten that Jiang’s mother was watching. Even if Sister Jiang turned against him later, this kiss was worth it.
Sister Jiang’s lips were so sweet.
Still carrying the fragrant honey.
The taste was indescribable in words.