Thus, after dropping the sentence "You just wait and see," they left foul-mouthed.
Sitting on the sofa, Ebert looked Stella in the eye.
Stellas eyes, while sparkling with a dazzling shine, seemed too timid to look back at Eberts.
She drooped her eyes and stared at her wriggling fingers.
"Are you afraid?" said Ebert in a low voice.
"Um… no."
She turned to Ebert, her face stiff.
Ebert picked up the cigarette case on the end table, took out a cigarette, lit it, and began to smoke it with it between his index finger and middle finger, which looked slender and graceful.
It occurred to Stella she had never noticed how elegant his hands were—so elegant that they didnt match his occupation at all. The fingers were slender, the knuckles were clear, and the nails were quite clean. One wouldnt assume that such a pair of hands belong to a construction worker.
And the cigarette in his hand was too quite unusual. While she couldnt tell the brand, she knew it must be of high quality, for it didnt smell uncomfortable, but somewhat pleasant.
In a trance, Stella heard Ebert say, "I didnt intend to take your property, Stella. You know, weve agreed on a pre-marital property notarization before. Even if I want it, the law will forbid it."
Stella nodded promptly in slight awkwardness, "I know it, Ebert. And I trust you."
The truth was, there was still a glimmer of suspicion in her heart.
But obviously, she couldnt show it.
Ebert rose to his feet and braced himself for going out at her words.
Stella hastened to stand up, followed him to the door and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you Ebert, for the help today."
Ebert turned back, his face expressionless, and the cigarette in his hand still glowing.
He bit the end of the cigarette and let out a muffled voice.
"Well, thank me tonight, Stella." So saying, he turned and left.
She heard it clearly.
Standing at the door, Stella flushed deeply and hurriedly shut the door.
In the afternoon, when Stella was working online, she received a call from Eve Machin, her best friend.
They were classmates in college—both were graduates of a highly prestigious university in the city of Anston, but after graduation, Eve remained in Anston, and Stella returned to her hometown, a small town.
The two friends shared everything—they had no secrets.
"You really married? A builder? You must be fucking crazy, Stella! You were such a gorgeous babe in Anston University, and now youve ruined your rosy future. You really pissed me off, Stella. What the hell are you thinking about?"
Having let Eve give vent to her indignation in a screaming voice, Stella replied placidly, "I know what I want, Eve, and Ive made every preparation for it. Ive signed a property notarization and a prenuptial agreement with my husband. I owe the house and the money. True, he has nothing to commend, but he looks handsome, and a robust body. Thats enough to satisfy me."
Stella said the last words in a jocular tone, yet there was much earnestness in them.
With the money, shed be the boss. And Eberts performance in bed last night was rather satisfying.
Thinking of this, Stella found her face slightly hot.
Eve decided now the die was cast, she had to lump it and calm down.
"Alright then, but… I wonder how handsome your husband is. You got a photo of him? And his robust body, show me, Stella. Have you slept with him?"
"Stop it, Eve. Youre being too curious," said Stella slightly embarrassedly.
"Im thinking for you. You know, a man is not a man without a good body."
It seemed Eve wouldnt let it go until she got what she wanted.
"Hes good; very good at it, alright?" Stella blurted out, trying to stop Eve from badgering her.
"Thats good, good indeed. You seem quite satisfied with him, dont you?"
"Yep!"
"Thats what matters. Physical pleasure always matters to a woman, especially a rich woman—thats what marriage means for them."
Then Eve began to talk incessantly about men and the pleasures they could bring women. Listening to it, Stella inadvertently looked up, only to catch sight of Ebert. He seemed to be there long ago.
She was stunned.
"What has he heard?" she was wondering.
Ebert kept his indifferent look, which made her all the more curious if hed heard what Eve said.
The black T-shirt on him was covered with dust, and his trousers were muddy.
He took a look at Stella and began to take off his T-shirt and trousers, then walked past her and entered the bathroom, half-naked.
Stella froze, flushed, bit her lips, and hurriedly hanged up the phone.
When Ebert appeared out of the bathroom, he was again wrapped with merely a bath towel around his waist.
Holding a cup, Stella stole a glance at his six-pack abs and said, "Youre so early home today. Is there something wrong." Her eyes were quivering.
Ebert came up to her, poured himself a cup of water, gulped it down, and sat down. His thigh happened to touch hers; Stella started and sprang to her feet. She went to the door, picked up the clothes he threw there, and walked in the bathroom to wash them.
Ebert sat lazily on the sofa, twisted his head to look at the bathroom, and saw the door was open, and the little woman was washing his clothes.
A suggestion of a smiled flashed across his dark eyes.