Chapter 025: Another Widow “Landon, please step back—otherwise I’ll never be able to apply the ointment!” The old lady, Iron Old Lady, cooed gently, extending both hands to gently push Landon’s hand away from her vital area. “Hah! Such a strong reaction,” she murmured, eyes glancing at Landon’s nearly bursting tent. She chuckled softly and settled back into her work of applying the ointment with focused attention. Landon exhaled in relief. *She doesn’t even flinch—I’m the one who’s trembling!* With that thought, he relaxed completely, letting Iron Old Lady attend to him as she saw fit. His k47 grew even more vigorous beneath his own awareness. After carefully applying the ointment to Landon’s leg wound, Iron Old Lady stood up, wiping a few drops of sweat from her brow. Her gaze drifted tenderly toward Landon, eyes misty with emotion, and in a dreamlike tone she whispered: “Landon, do you remember what you told me this morning?” Landon was startled. Though not an expert at romantic scenes, he wasn’t entirely inexperienced—yet he immediately sensed that Iron Old Lady had completely transformed from her usual composed self. She no longer seemed like the steady, reserved woman of forty; instead, she radiated a youthful warmth and flirtation, as if she were being courted by someone special. *It’s been a long drought—a true blessed rain!* Landon was certain of his assessment. For a woman entering her forties, Iron Old Lady had clearly not experienced such refined attention in years. Now, before him, she carried the grace and charm of a young girl in love. “Teacher,” Landon said hesitantly, “may I now get dressed?” *Play to my advantage—perhaps a little strategy is still alive in me.* “Why rush? You haven’t answered my question yet.” Landon rubbed his nose, eyes downward, not daring to meet her gaze. “I remember—but only in dreams. And you said yourself that as long as I speak the truth, no matter how bold or awkward it may sound, you won’t punish me at all.” The old lady smiled kindly. “Who says I’m going to punish you?” Landon remained silent. Then, with one hand still gripping his arm, she gently ran her other hand over Landon’s body, smiling softly. “Actually,” she said, “what I’d like to know is—would you refuse me if I were to willingly enter your arms?” “Really?” Landon raised his eyes in surprise, his gaze glowing with wild vitality. “Of course! How could you possibly deceive me?” Iron Old Lady chuckled softly. “But don’t think I’m pressing you. If you’re not comfortable at all, just leave—there’s no need to stay. After all, I’m nearly twice your age.” She sighed deeply, the tone filled with quiet regret. “Teacher,” Landon replied earnestly, “in fact, I’ve been dreaming of you for hours. If it hadn’t been for your urgent questions this morning, I never would have dared to say such things out loud.” Hearing that, Iron Old Lady couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp—then a low moan escaped her lips. Her cheeks flushed beautifully, and she breathed heavily: “Stubborn young man! I’ve always known you weren’t quite what one might expect!” Landon grinned mischievously, increasing the pressure of his hands. “You orchestrated all this—called me in, arranged everything… but did you really have any particular intention? Honestly, it’s like dry wood meeting a fierce flame—we both knew exactly what was happening, didn’t we?” “Now, Landon, you dare to mock me!” Iron Old Lady blushed even deeper, raising her hand to gently slap him. “But Teacher—just one more moment! With my slender frame, I’m afraid a single slap might scatter me like kindling.” Landon quickly interjected, guessing that Iron Old Lady’s famed iron palm could very well be quite powerful. Should she actually deliver that decisive strike, it would certainly be anything but gentle. On hearing this, the old lady paused, then laughed gently. “Are you afraid I’ll actually knock you out?” “With your legendary iron palms renowned across the entire campus, I’m truly terrified.” “If you’re afraid, why are you still touching me there?” “If you feel offended by my advances, just give me a single slap—anytime now—and I’ll be gone. After all, when the police come to investigate, they’ll have my fingerprints on your body as evidence—thus proving that I made an effort to take advantage of you. You simply defended yourself in self-defense, and unintentionally ended up killing me.” Iron Old Lady laughed out loud. “Oh, young man—you’re quite clever for someone so young!” “All thanks to your patient guidance,” Landon replied with a warm smile. Then, her right hand slowly glided down until it rested gently on his k47. “Wow… that’s quite large!” she exclaimed in surprise. Landon nodded shyly. “Landon,” Iron Old Lady said softly, “since you told me those words this morning, I’ve been unable to settle inside. I’m only forty! Yet I’ve remained a widow for fifteen years—through countless attentions from men who admired me, I’ve never moved beyond courtesy. It wasn’t until your words that I realized—I wasn’t always such an unyielding woman.” “Every man in my life—from my late husband to so many others who courted me—never dared speak those heartfelt things aloud before me. Only you, this little newcomer, broke through that barrier. Do you know how long these past few hours have felt? Every moment, I’ve been thinking about what you said. And suddenly—I realized I hadn’t aged at all. I’m still young, aren’t I?” Her voice wavered as if she’d lost herself in the very act of speaking—like someone pouring out a lifetime’s hidden feelings to an attentive listener. Another widow! Landon didn’t know that Iron Old Lady had been a lifelong widow until now—likely only the teachers in the school knew such a fact. And suddenly, Landon realized how deeply intertwined he was with widows—the very irony of it seemed undeniable. “Teacher,” Landon said, “you’re gripping me rather tightly.” “Call me Xinlan,” she replied, though with hesitation, releasing her hold on his k47. “Or perhaps just call me sister.” Though reluctant, she had clearly softened over time. “In all my years of being cold and distant—what I’ve truly longed for has always been a man who truly cared and cherished me. For over ten years, I haven’t encountered anyone quite right. And now, because of your bold words, I feel that deep desire stirring once more. Landon—do you think I’m not worthy?” *You’re not any less spirited—you're the very essence of a shy, passionate woman who’s been holding back her longing all these years!* *To confess and still be embarrassed—that's nothing short of being a true maiden!* “Teacher…” Landon said gently. “Call me Xinlan.” Landon felt his face flush—strangely so. Even when sharing moments with his aunt, or the other widows in the household, he hadn’t ever felt such an awkwardness. Was it possible that Iron Old Lady was about to make him her lifelong companion? With these thoughts swirling through his mind, Landon’s face grew even redder—his own embarrassment rising as high as a tide. *After all, I’ve barely managed to go through this once with any ease!* *Now I’m imagining a long-term commitment?* “Xinlan,” he said, now fully committed, “you’ve opened the door to your inner desires—and that proves you’re far from cold or indifferent. Right now… I want to be with you.” With that, without waiting for anyone to interrupt—Landon lifted Iron Old Lady gently and carried her toward the narrow single bed in one swift motion. …… *Country Wife, Chapter 025 – Another Widow (Seeking reviews and favorites!)* Update complete!