Chapter 45 Flashback

Chapter 45: Retrospection

When Gu Yu left in the morning, Xie Xinyi was still asleep.

Everyone in the Gu household knew she had gotten drunk with friends the night before. Since it was the weekend and the factory was closed, no one woke her until noon.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Xie Xinyi had slept exceptionally soundly. However, upon waking, a subtle, inexplicable tenderness on her lips left her puzzled.

Did I bite myself?

But how could that have happened?

She remembered everything being fine during dinner at the restaurant the previous night.

They'd even had some drinks.

Sitting on the bed, Xie Xinyi pieced everything together bit by bit.

They drank, she got drunk, then she heard Ms. Liu call Gu Yu. Gu Yu arrived on his bicycle, and she remembered sitting on the back seat, feeling the cool late-summer breeze against her skin—it was very comfortable, though the bicycle seat had made her backside a little sore.

But later, things got better. Not only was the swing she sat on comfortable, but the pregnancy pillow she hugged was also soft and well-behaved, staying put when she told it to.

She dreamed while holding the pregnancy pillow, but the dream’s plot made her too embarrassed to describe.

After all, the person in the dream who nearly kissed her until she was breathless was someone she couldn’t possibly associate with the unfeeling big shot described in the book.

The big shot had no interest in love and had always kept to himself—how could he possibly handle her roughly, kiss her, suck on her, and nibble all over like in the dream?

Wait... wait...

Biting me?!

Xie Xinyi’s mind froze on the image of the man biting her lips in last night’s dream...

Still unconvinced, she replayed the scene again...

Impossible, it must be a memory lapse!

In a panic, she jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom without even putting on shoes.

She turned on the light, faced the mirror, pulled back her lips, and examined them—only to find the red mark from her memory.

It was definitely from someone; her close friend had shown her a similar mark after being bitten by her boyfriend.

So, it really was Gu Yu who bit her!

She touched the mark gently—the feeling was unmistakably real, and the pain was undeniable.

So, last night’s dream was no dream at all!

Xie Xinyi: “!!!!!”

How intense!

Scenes from last night’s dream gradually resurfaced in her mind: her hugging the man, wrapping herself around him, tilting her head to receive his kisses, and the controlled reluctance in his eyes when he bit her and pulled away...

Xie Xinyi took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes.

After living together peacefully for so long, she never expected that she, the one who only wanted a smooth cooperation, would be the first to upset the equilibrium.

In the original book, the big shot had even divorced to maintain the standards of a Jinjiang male lead. Now, with her making waves, wouldn’t she cost him his status as a male lead?

Xie Xinyi felt remorseful, but then she reconsidered—it wasn’t entirely her fault.

After all, with such a handsome man right in front of her, not seizing the opportunity would almost feel like letting down the audience.

Besides, they were legally married, with official certification. Driving on the road was perfectly normal, so what was a kiss in comparison?

Xie Xinyi wasn’t one to beat herself up about it. Considering the other party hadn’t hesitated at all during the process, she, as the one who started it, saw no reason to overthink it.

As for the descriptions of the big shot’s private life in the original book, those were merely interpretations by her bookworm friend based on the text itself. Their accuracy was questionable, and as someone who believed in living for the present, why should she care about such things?

Instead of wasting time on that, she might as well work on her technique. At least next time something like this happened, she wouldn’t get hurt again.

Having reasoned it out, she quickly let go of her guilt. When she saw the man again that evening, she didn't feel nervous at all and even playfully asked him with a smile, “I didn’t cause any trouble while drunk last night, did I?”

Gu Yu, who had been stopped at the door, clearly didn’t expect such a question. Glancing at her still slightly flushed face, he didn’t answer but gave her a look that said, “You tell me,” before entering the room.

Was he angry?

Xie Xinyi thought it was funny and followed him inside, asking, “So, I didn’t do anything excessive, right?”

Excessive?

Gu Yu thought of the cold shower he’d taken in the middle of the night. He turned to look at her and, after a long pause, finally muttered, “No!”

Xie Xinyi had known he wouldn’t admit it, which was why she’d teased him. But her teasing backfired.

That very night, the man seized her and reenacted the “excessive” events of the previous night.

When Gu Yu leaned in with a dominant presence, Xie Xinyi forgot to breathe.

The moment their lips met, she realized what regret felt like. But the man gave her no chance to escape, pressing her against the wall with one hand on her neck and the other gripping her waist.

His forceful kisses landed on her lips, her neck, and even more intimate places...

Xie Xinyi’s legs went weak, and she completely gave in to the man’s control. What was even more alarming was that she felt no aversion throughout the entire process.

If last night’s lack of resistance was due to alcohol, what about now?

In a completely sober state, not only did she not push him away, but she also felt no disgust when Gu Yu pressed closer. Even when he buried his head to explore further, she only lightly pushed against his head without any real force.

The weak push seemed more like a playful resistance, and the man, taking it as a signal, intensified his kisses even more fiercely.

Xie Xinyi felt incredibly hot; wherever his kisses landed, she shuddered. Just as she was about to lose control, he sensed her change.

He swept her up in a sudden lift, and the next moment, she sank into the soft bed.

When he leaned over her again, she immediately became aware of an undeniable presence. Before she could process it, his kisses descended once more.

And this time, unlike the night before, there was no gradual buildup or gentle exploration—instead, he seized the opportunity to delve deep, stirring up a storm without restraint.

Xie Xinyi was completely overcome, her body gradually succumbing to the sensations.

She wasn’t a prude and knew their relationship was both legal and logical. With a handsome man sleeping beside her every day, if it weren’t for her friend’s misleading assumptions, she might have given in long ago.

And Gu Yu—he really had remarkable self-control. If she hadn’t taken the initiative while drunk the previous night, who knew how long he would have remained chaste?

Lost in her thoughts, she was caught off guard when he noticed her distraction. Opening his eyes, he glanced at her and, during a brief pause for breath, gently bit her lip as a warning. Xie Xinyi immediately whimpered, “That hurts.”

But this soft and coquettish cry of "pain" was immediately cut off by Gu Yu's deeper kiss. Xie Xinyi pressed lightly against the man's chest in resistance, but it was utterly useless.

The hand on the back of her neck slowly moved downward as the atmosphere heated up. Just as he slipped under her clothes and effortlessly nudged her legs apart with his knee to proceed further, Xie Xinyi suddenly felt a flow below her abdomen.

"Wait."

She grabbed the man's hand, which had paused mid-motion, and said breathlessly, "I think I got my period."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Gu Yu lifted his dark, intense eyes, looking at her with restrained and suppressed emotion. After a long moment, he finally turned over and lay back on the bed.

With the quiet settling in and her senses clearing, Xie Xinyi hurriedly grabbed her sanitary pads and went to the bathroom. Gu Yu also got up and went to the balcony.

What was supposed to be a smooth ride had suddenly been interrupted by an unexpected obstacle. Not only was Xie Xinyi uncomfortable, but the man was also left frustrated and aroused. Unable to calm down lying in bed, he could only go to the balcony to smoke.

He smoked one cigarette after another. After Xie Xinyi returned from changing, he took another cold shower. When he came back, cool all over, he didn’t approach her but tossed and turned restlessly, unable to sleep.

The sweet taste of the girl still lingered on his lips, and the room was filled with lingering arousal. Gu Yu turned over, and the next second, the girl’s soft, hesitant voice came through, "Are you very uncomfortable?"

The man’s body stiffened. "You get some sleep. I'm going for a smoke."

Instead of answering her directly, he chose not to disturb her rest. Xie Xinyi suddenly recalled the restrained look in his eyes when he had gazed at her earlier.

"Maybe... I can help you."

She murmured these words, speaking before her brain could catch up.

Then, five minutes later, Xie Xinyi realized just how deep a hole she had dug for herself.

When her hand trembled lightly, she had initially felt relieved that her period had saved her. But two hours later, she understood how naive she had been.

The consequence of her naivety was that the next day, she got her wish to stay in bed—only this time, it was literal.

When Gu Yu left, he told the family that she wasn’t feeling well and that they shouldn’t wake her.

She was indeed unwell—not only did her lower abdomen ache, but her arms were sore too. When Wang Ma brought her lunch upstairs, she could barely muster the strength to hold chopsticks.

"It hurts this much? Should we take you to the hospital?"

When Wen Shuhua heard about it and came upstairs, she insisted on taking Xie Xinyi to the hospital, but Xie Xinyi refused each time.

A doctor could treat her abdominal pain, but what about her sore arms?

It wouldn’t do to calmly explain that it was due to excessive intimacy without blushing.

Xie Xinyi’s mind was clear now, and she certainly wouldn’t put herself on the spot like that again.

She smiled and told Wen Shuhua it was nothing, saying she just needed to rest. She thought to herself that as long as the man didn’t bother her tonight, everything else would be manageable.

She wondered if anyone had noticed anything unusual, but by evening, Gu Yu indeed left her alone.

He brought dinner upstairs, tended to her needs, and even brought water for her when she went to wash up, being unusually attentive.

He must have some conscience, after all, Xie Xinyi thought, letting go of her resentment and comfortably accepting the care from the very person who had caused it.

She had to admit, being taken care of felt wonderful—no wonder the man had been so energetic before leaving this morning.

Xie Xinyi enjoyed two days of being taken care of, and by the time Monday came around and she went back to work, she had almost fully recovered.

Recently, the weather had turned cooler, and the workload for their Ice Pop Team had gradually decreased. Because the new ice cream product they had developed was selling well, the factory didn’t stockpile inventory as before. Instead, they announced that a new R&D team would be formed by the end of the year.

The notice stated that the selection of R&D team members would be fair, open, and just. Unlike last time, everyone had an equal opportunity, so after the notice was issued, everyone in the factory became eager to participate.

As the core department, the Frozen Products Workshop had two spots, not only offering more opportunities but also putting them in an advantageous position.

Although the R&D team would only be formed for a short one to two months, it was common knowledge that the perks were great.

Flexible working hours, light tasks, double the usual salary and benefits, and even plenty of test products to sample if the development failed—all these perks motivated even those who had previously been less enthusiastic about work.

Since the notice didn’t specify the selection criteria, everyone assumed it would be similar to the last time when they developed the Doll-Head ice cream, with Old Liu prioritizing diligence and proactivity.

Some followed Big Chen and Xie Xinyi’s example, avoiding tardiness and leaving early, focusing solely on their work. Others smiled warmly and tackled challenges head-on.

While everyone responded enthusiastically and took it seriously, the very people being imitated seemed indifferent.

Big Chen handed the inventory list to Monitor Cui and, in response to his teasing, simply said, "My mom is coming at the end of the year."

His hometown was in Chenjiatun, and his mother would bring the family up every year around that time, claiming to help take care of his three children. In reality, it was because the village had no harvest in winter, so she brought the family to sponge off Big Chen, her eldest son and a factory worker.

Big Chen had only one younger brother, whom their mother usually took care of. Although Big Chen sent money home every month, in the eyes of others, he hadn’t fulfilled his filial piety by being physically present.

Now that Second Chen was bringing his family along, Big Chen, honest as he was, felt uncomfortable but couldn’t say anything.

While the village had no food in winter, Big Chen, as a worker, received continuous benefits during that time. The Chen family had tasted this advantage and naturally came every year.

As for their claim to help take care of the children, it was merely for show.

Big Chen had three daughters—the eldest was thirteen, and the youngest had just turned seven. It was unclear who was taking care of whom.

Moreover, when Big Chen’s wife ran off with someone else, a significant reason was her inability to endure the Chen family’s annual winter visit.

Big Chen suffered in silence, bearing the burden of his family’s exploitation alone.

Over the years, he had been both father and mother, while also supporting the extended family from the village. His team members knew about his situation and tried to help as much as possible around year-end.

But sometimes their help backfired. For instance, during the last Doll-Head ice cream development, Ms. Liu took San Ya home to care for her, thinking it would allow Big Chen to focus on work. Instead, Big Chen’s mother made a huge fuss at her home and accused her of having ulterior motives.

Her kindness was met with ingratitude, leaving Ms. Liu upset and Big Chen in conflict with his family.

Without understanding or support from his family, and constantly being held back, Big Chen suffered greatly. So, this time, he wasn’t particularly concerned about whether he could join the R&D team.

Flexible hours weren’t a benefit for him, lighter tasks didn’t make much difference, and extra pay and free samples would only bring more trouble.

He dusted off his clothes, took the inspection form from Ms. Liu, and went upstairs.

"With that unreasonable mother of his, Big Chen’s efforts are in vain."

Ms. Liu, recalling last year’s incident with Big Chen’s mother, couldn’t help feeling he deserved better. "His mother is something else—so biased it’s unbelievable."

"Who says only Eldest Brother Chen’s mother is biased? My family was even worse."

Seeing Ms. Liu’s indignation, Xiao Jiang joined in self-mockingly. "The year I got married, the old woman conned me out of my dowry, saying it was only right. When I argued with Shang Fushun, she said I was being unreasonable. Me? Unreasonable? Hah! I couldn’t have been more reasonable."

Since divorcing Shang Fushun, Xiao Jiang had completely let her hair down.

Xie Xinyi had been worried Xiao Jiang might not get through it, since getting a divorce in this era—even if family members didn’t say anything—the gossip from outsiders alone would drown you.

Xiao Jiang was naturally thin-skinned, and her family had never approved of her relationship with Shang Fushun in the first place.

Now that she had been dumped with such a mess, Xie Xinyi wondered how much misery she would have to endure to get through it.

Concerned, Xie Xinyi even discussed with Ms. Liu the idea of subtly steering Xiao Jiang gently from time to time. But then…

She glanced at the girl laughing and chatting animatedly across from her.

Her eyes showed disgust, her face was full of disdain, and when talking about her own divorce, she didn’t hesitate to say, "Thank goodness."

"...You're right, Xinyi. Those with good fortune don’t marry into unlucky families. Good thing I got out fast, or I’d have been weighed down by his family."

Xiao Jiang showered her with praise, her tone showing not a trace of sadness one might expect from someone recently divorced. She didn’t seem to need any comforting at all.

Xie Xinyi sighed inwardly, realizing her worries had been unnecessary, but she was glad to see Xiao Jiang in such good spirits. She nodded in agreement with Xiao Jiang’s words and was about to say something about Big Chen’s situation when Monitor Cui pulled her back to reality.

"Just because Big Chen doesn’t have time doesn’t mean others don’t. Xiao Xie, work hard and try to win glory for our Ice Pop Team again this time."

Last time, the R&D team had five members, and their Ice Pop Team contributed two of them. Monitor Cui had basked in the glory in front of the other team leaders. Now, as soon as this year’s notice was released, he was already setting his sights on it again.

Telling her to work hard without being too pushy, yet making excuses that were hard to refute—Xie Xinyi smiled wryly. "Last time was just luck. This time, it’s hard to say."

She had finally been assigned to the Ice Pop Team, an older, laid-back team, and hadn’t even fully enjoyed the benefits before being caught up in the lax period before the reforms. She had been pulled here and there for months, and now she was being given such a heavy task.

The R&D team was great—good food, drinks, and potential awards—but Xie Xinyi didn’t care.

Like Big Chen, she could already enjoy flexible hours with light work in the Ice Pop Team. The tasks in the R&D team weren’t necessarily easier, the higher pay came with greater effort, and as for the test products, she wasn’t missing out.

So, for her, competing for a few spots was less appealing than learning to knit sweaters and pants with Ms. Liu.

Moreover, this time, the selection of R&D team members was done through an open call. Not only were all the factory employees watching, but the requirements were surely stricter than before.

As a newcomer, Xie Xinyi didn’t think she had any special skills to stand out among the experienced senior workers.

She didn’t want to take the lead or fight for it, so she followed Cui Jun’s example and gave an irrefutable reason.

Last time, she was lucky—Old Liu had randomly picked her. This time, with a fair and open selection process and Old Liu not interfering, it was hard to say whether she would be chosen.

Xie Xinyi feigned a sigh, but her reasons seemed nonexistent to Cui Jun, who was only focused on showing off.

"Don’t follow Ms. Liu’s example—don’t retreat before even trying."

Cui Mama patiently encouraged her, but Ms. Liu, who was used as a negative example, couldn’t let Cui Jun talk nonsense and immediately argued with him.

The team members had been debating for over a month about whether Xie Xinyi could join the R&D team again, with no consensus. Meanwhile, Big Chen, who hadn’t even been part of the plan, unexpectedly faced an accident just before the selection.

Xie Xinyi was in the middle of a disagreement with Gu Yu about how long after her period they should wait to have sex when the guard at the gate came to deliver a message.

Last month, just as her period started, Gu Yu had been called away for a month-long military training.

The training ended just as Xie Xinyi's period had just ended.

Whether it was because he knew her cycle had normalized and her health had recovered, or because he had gotten a taste and wanted more, Gu Yu’s first priority upon returning was to pick up where they had left off.

Xie Xinyi refused, thinking she had worked hard to regain her health and didn’t want him to ruin it. She laid down the law: they had to wait ten days after her period ended.

Gu Yu disagreed, his face stern as he bargained it down to three days.

Three days—exactly the safe number later promoted in public health education. Xie Xinyi was about to ask him where he had learned such things when there was a knock at the door.

Hearing that someone was looking for her, Xie Xinyi first glanced at her watch.

It was already late, and she wondered who it could be. The guard said it was someone claiming to be Ms. Liu.

Ms. Liu was looking for her—and had come all the way to the army base.

Xie Xinyi had a bad feeling. Without even grabbing a coat, she followed the guard to the gate.

By the time Gu Yu brought her a coat, Xie Xinyi was already listening to Ms. Liu relay the news she had heard.

"...Da Ya came to my house looking for me. The child was lightly dressed and hadn’t eaten. She said her father had been unconscious since returning home, and her grandmother—you know how she is—doesn’t care about anything except whether her second son’s family is well-fed."

Ms. Liu complained about Big Chen’s mother before repeating what she had heard from Da Ya to Xie Xinyi.

"He must have hit his head when he fell down the stairs this afternoon. I told him to go to the hospital for a check-up, but he refused, insisting he was fine."

Xie Xinyi knew about Big Chen’s fall earlier that day. She and Xiao Jiang had been inspecting the cooling machine when they heard a loud "thud," startling both of them.

When they went to check, they found Big Chen lying straight on the stairs, head on the ground, feet on the steps, upside down and unresponsive. Cui Mama had to call his name several times before he came to.

A tall man like him, falling from such a height—everyone was terrified. Once he regained some consciousness, they suggested taking him to the hospital, but Big Chen repeatedly refused.

He laughed it off, chalking it up to a misstep, and said going to the hospital would make him a laughingstock.

Though he tried to hide it, everyone knew he was avoiding the hospital to save money.

People in this era had a low sense of urgency, often thinking minor injuries were no big deal. They believed resting at home for a day or two would fix everything. Plus, hospital visits cost money, so most chose to "tough it out" at home.

But they didn’t realize that some illnesses could be treated at home, while others required hospital care.

Take Big Chen, for example—he seemed fine at the workshop in the afternoon, but by evening, he was unconscious at home.