[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later":3,"chapter-the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-chapter-384":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1748230,2235,"Chapter 384 - 383: Returning in the Middle of the Night","the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-chapter-384",384,"\u003Cp>\"Auntie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Daya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue walked over and asked, \"What are you doing out here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daya said, \"I was waiting for you. It’s already dark, and you hadn’t come back, so I came out to wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something came up at work and held me up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daya looked at Xue Yue, hesitating to speak. \"Auntie, Uncle isn’t back yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of emotion crossed Xue Yue’s eyes. \"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you two have a fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue didn’t say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daya looked at Xue Yue worriedly. \"Uncle slept at his office last night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds of silence, Xue Yue told her, \"It’s nothing serious, don’t worry. It’s getting late. Let’s go back inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mr. He saw Xue Yue return, he started grumbling, \"You kids are so busy all the time, especially Old Third. He still thinks he’s a young lad, so busy we never even see him. He’s still not back... well, forget it. Let’s not wait for him. Let’s eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Xue Yue heated up a plate for He Lang and left it in the pot before heading to the children’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two kids had already finished their homework and were playing in their room, with Daya sitting nearby and watching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xue Yue enter, Daya called out, \"Auntie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue sat down on the edge of the bed as well and asked the two children, \"Did you have a good day at school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruanruan said to Xue Yue, \"Mommy, Qin Haize’s mom and dad are back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, really? Did you see them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruanruan nodded. \"They came to the school gate to pick up Qin Haize. He started crying as soon as he saw them. He told me that was his mom and dad, and he even introduced me to them. Qin Haize’s mom is so gentle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. I feel so bad for Qin Haize. His mom and dad have been gone for years, and this is the first time they’ve come back. But I get to see you and Daddy every day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue said, \"Qin Haize’s parents are very capable people. Their work takes them far from home, which is why they can’t usually come back. You’re his friend, so you can show him a little extra care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruanruan nodded. \"I will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue didn’t return to her room until the children were ready for bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was empty, and Xue Yue’s heart felt just as hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometime in the middle of the night, after Xue Yue had already fallen asleep, the door creaked open softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue was startled awake by a sudden chill. A cool body embraced her from behind, and a pair of freezing hands wrapped tightly around her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue knew it was He Lang. She recognized his scent, and her uneasy heart immediately settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them spoke. He Lang just held Xue Yue tightly from behind, continuously breathing in her scent as if it were the only thing that could calm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang knew Xue Yue was awake. His hands grew bolder, slipping under the hem of her pajamas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue reached out and pressed down on the mischievous hand inside her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang’s voice came from the nape of her neck. \"Honey, I’ve missed you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xue Yue didn’t respond, He Lang continued, \"The office is so cold. I was cold and scared all by myself, and you didn’t even care about me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This was a pure guilt trip. She’d never heard him complain about being scared back when he was running to the black market in the middle of the night.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xue Yue still held his hand in place, He Lang went on, \"Guan Wenwen did say a couple of ambiguous things to me, but I made my position crystal clear. I told her I only love you. I didn’t tell you for two reasons. First, she still works at the shop. We don’t see each other often, and she’s competent, which makes her valuable to my work. Second, as I said, I honestly thought it was a minor issue. I rejected her and she didn’t pester me, so I considered the matter closed. I figured if I told you, it would just make you feel bad, and then things would be awkward whenever you saw her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you say a lot of women like you? Who else is there?\" Xue Yue finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you see them last time at the office? No matter who it is, I ignore all of them. I swear. You have to believe me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I have never disrespected you, I swear to God. If you still don’t believe me, I’ll rip my heart out and let you see for yourself. See if it doesn’t have your name, ’Xue Yue,’ carved on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corner of Xue Yue’s mouth twitched. \"Then go ahead. Rip it out. I want to see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man behind her suddenly pulled her, then rolled over and pinned her underneath him, leaving them face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their heated breaths washed over each other’s faces. Xue Yue’s eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really want to see?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Xue Yue answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang took Xue Yue’s hand and guided it inside his shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand stopped the moment it touched He Lang’s skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, rip it out. I’m at your mercy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, they couldn’t see each other’s expressions clearly, but they knew the other was watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue didn’t hold back. She felt around inside his shirt until her fingers found a small, protruding nub, and she pinched it hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HISS~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang’s whole body went stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Xue Yue let go. She tried to pull her hand out, but He Lang held it in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feel better now? If not, you can pinch me anywhere you like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue gritted her teeth. \"In your dreams.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang stared at Xue Yue, then slowly lowered his head and kissed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue pushed him. \"What are you doing? I’m not done questioning you yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang’s lips pressed against hers. \"Can we talk later? Can’t you feel it? I’m already at the point of no return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue said sulkily, \"What does that have to do with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang said, \"Honey, don’t you know where you just pinched me? I have no resistance when it comes to you. Stop bullying me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant Xue Yue hesitated, He Lang sealed her lips with his again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was finally over when Xue Yue was completely exhausted. He Lang rolled off her and pulled her into his arms, panting heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honey, you have no idea what these past two days have been like. The chair in my office is so uncomfortable, and it was freezing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue said in a low voice, \"I never told you not to come home. You brought this on yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang nodded. \"You’re right, I brought it all on myself. I wanted to come back, but I was afraid you were still angry and didn’t want to see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You weren’t angry?\" Xue Yue looked up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang confessed honestly, \"A little. If I’d known you’d get this angry, I would have told you from the start. I just didn’t think it was worth it. I genuinely thought it was a minor thing and didn’t give it a second thought. Who knew you’d care so much? It’s my fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue reached out and caressed his face. \"What about me hitting you? You’re not angry about that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang shook his head. \"No. So what if you hit me? You’re my wife, not some stranger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue pressed her lips together. \"I didn’t mean to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang said nonchalantly, \"It’s fine. With your strength, it didn’t even hurt. If you’re still not over it, you can hit me a couple more times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Yue shook her head. \"How could I? It hurt me too when I hit you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang laughed. \"Silly girl. What’s there to feel bad about? I’m tough. As long as your hand doesn’t hurt, that’s all that matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made Xue Yue laugh, and she playfully slapped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lang caught her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honey, let’s not fight anymore. From now on, if you get angry, just hit me. Aching muscles are better than an aching heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1406,"2026-06-06T17:00:09.019Z",1,"novelbin.me","c30d1ad8b92020ee5e940b6215de2bc43e554c961f672ec638e275a11890b24c","the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-chapter-385","the-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-chapter-383",388,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-1970s-married-first-fell-in-love-later-cover.jpg"]