After finishing everything, Liu Ergou paid the excavator operator and sent him on his way.

Hu Jing, who had been standing by Liu Ergou's side the whole time, looked embarrassed again when she saw him hand over the money.

Although Liu Ergou noticed her expression, he didn't say anything.

After the excavator left, the two of them tidied up the wasteland, not finishing until noon.

The midday summer sun was intense. The rays were scorching, enough to burn a person's skin if they weren't careful.

By then, Hu Jing was drenched in sweat. Liu Ergou was no exception.

Looking at Liu Ergou beside her, Hu Jing felt incredibly moved.

If it had been anyone else, they might have just abandoned me after what happened today. But Liu Ergou didn't. He just promised to keep helping me with my problems, putting his all into it without the slightest hesitation!

It seems like marrying a man like this wouldn't be too bad. As she thought this, a contented smile graced her face.

Liu Ergou happened to see this very moment. Seeing her expression, he couldn't help but reach out and gently tap her on the head.

"Hu Jing, I'm over here working my tail off, and you're just enjoying the show, aren't you?" he teased. "You'd better remember what I told you! When you're overwhelmed, you need to ask for help. Trying to tough it out will only cause bigger problems!"

This time, Hu Jing didn't get angry at his words. Instead, she smiled and nodded, showing that she understood.

Seeing that Hu Jing wasn't fooling around anymore, Liu Ergou wiped the sweat from his forehead and prepared to head home. After a busy morning, it was time for lunch.

However, just as he took a step, Hu Jing stopped him.

"Um, Er Gou, could you wait a moment?"

Hearing her, Liu Ergou immediately turned to face her. "What's wrong? Is there something else, Hu Jing?"

Looking at the man before her, Hu Jing suddenly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. Then, with a shy expression, she stammered, "Um, well… it's already noon, so… why don't you stay?"

"You can come to my place for a shower, and I'll wash your clothes for you! I feel bad making you do all this work for me!"

Liu Ergou considered her offer for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Soon, he was following Hu Jing to Liu Jingming's house. Once there, Hu Jing whispered, "I live out back. Follow me."

With that, she led the way, and Liu Ergou followed quietly behind.

She led him to the back of Liu Jingming's property, where a brand-new little house stood. It looked like it had been recently built.

Hu Jing walked quickly to the small house, reached out, and opened the door. She stepped inside, with Liu Ergou right behind her.

Once inside, she said shyly to Liu Ergou, "Um, so… you can take off your clothes and leave them aside. I'll wash them in a bit."

"These clothes are really uncomfortable. I'm going to take a shower and change first. Just wait for me; I'll be quick!"

Without another glance at Liu Ergou, Hu Jing hurried into her room, changed her clothes, and went straight to the bathroom.

Liu Ergou stood there, blinking. He shook his head with a helpless sigh.

This woman is unbelievable! She's telling me to take my clothes off first? But this is her house. If I take my clothes off, what will I wear? Does that mean… As this thought crossed his mind, a sly smile spread across his face.

Just then, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Needless to say, Hu Jing was taking a shower.

When Liu Ergou heard the water, his eyes glinted, and the sly smile on his face widened. In a flash, he stripped off his clothes and headed straight for the bathroom.

He reached the door, gave it a push, and it swung right open.

Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Ergou stepped inside.

Hu Jing was absorbed in her shower, completely unaware that he had opened the door and walked in. She didn't notice him until he was standing right beside her.

She looked at him and froze for a moment.

Then, she let out a piercing scream.

"AHHHH!"

"Liu Ergou, what do you think you're doing!"

"I'm taking a shower! Get out, get out!" Hu Jing cried, pushing against him with all her might, trying to shove him out of the bathroom.

But it was all in vain. Not only did she fail to budge him, but he simply scooped her up into his arms.

"Why are you so insistent on me leaving?" he murmured. "Don't forget, you're the one who said you were going to marry me!"

His words left Hu Jing speechless.

Seeing that she had stopped struggling, Liu Ergou chuckled. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Hu Jing, let's continue what we didn't get to finish earlier! You promised, so don't go back on your word."

Hearing this, Hu Jing's face flushed crimson. She didn't dare lift her head.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "Er Gou, I won't break my promise! But… this doesn't seem like the right place! This is my seco—"

Before she could finish, Liu Ergou sealed her lips with his own.

The two became entangled. Within minutes, Hu Jing had lost all her strength and collapsed, limp in his arms. Resting against his broad chest, she said in a delicate voice, "Er Gou, you're so bad! All you know how to do is bully me. I don't think you know how to do anything else!"

Her words made Liu Ergou burst out laughing.

"Hahaha!"

"You're right. I only know how to bully you. And I'm not just going to bully you today. I'm going to bully you for all the days to come. For the rest of our lives, I'm going to keep bullying you!"

His declaration left Hu Jing stunned. She hadn't expected him to say something like that to her.

A few moments later, she finally snapped out of it. Looking up at him, she let out a long sigh.

"Hah, Er Gou, you're awfully smooth with those words. Be honest, how many other girls have you said that to!"

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