After Gu Yanzhi washed his feet and closed the door, an awkward silence settled over the room.
There was only one bed here, so the two of them would have to sleep together. Shen Niannian had already burrowed deep under the covers.
Gu Yanzhi thought of how frightened she had been the night before, and his heart filled with concern. He figured she simply wasn’t ready yet. In this matter, he never wanted to force her; he wanted her to truly accept him before anything more happened.
Afraid of scaring her again, he grabbed a blanket and a mat instead.
“Niannian, don’t be afraid. Tonight… you sleep on the bed, and I’ll just sleep on the floor!”
Shen Niannian’s mind was in turmoil—part fear, part anticipation, and a strange, fluttering excitement. She hid her face in the bedding, her cheeks burning bright red. She’d even shifted closer to the wall to make room for him, telling herself he’d be joining her any moment… only to hear him say he intended to sleep on the floor!
She flung back the covers and sat straight up, staring blankly as he spread out the mat. Her brows drew together instantly.
This Gu Yanzhi… why is he so utterly unassertive? Surely the woman isn’t supposed to be the one taking the lead?
Then she wondered—maybe that was just his nature? Perhaps that was why he and Shen Youyou had never even consummated their marriage in their past life? The thought that he was still pure, untouched, and entirely hers made her heart leap with joy.
“Gu Yanzhi… don’t sleep down there. The floor is so cold! And if Mom and Dad found out, who knows what they’d think?”
At her words, Gu Yanzhi froze mid-movement. He looked up at her, eyes wide with disbelief, a flicker of unmistakable delight shining in them.
“Then… where should I sleep?”
Shen Niannian felt he was asking something obvious. She shifted further toward the wall, face burning, and lowered her eyes.
“Come… sleep here on the bed.”
She spoke quickly, turning away and shutting her eyes tight in embarrassment. Neither of them had ever shared a bed before, and tension radiated from every inch of them.
Gu Yanzhi had scarcely dared hope she’d agree. He beamed with joy as he rolled up the mat and laid his bedding back beside hers.
Behind him, Shen Niannian listened to every sound, twisting the corner of the sheet until it was nearly torn to shreds. Yet she waited… and waited… and waited some more—only to find him lying politely right on the very edge of the bed.
She turned her head—and found him gazing back at her with deep, smoldering eyes. He was watching her, his heart caught between longing and hesitation, wondering whether he should try again where they’d left off the night before, and whether she would welcome it. He certainly hadn’t expected her to turn around so suddenly.
Their gazes locked, and heat rose swiftly in both their faces. Shen Niannian felt utterly flustered. Up close like this, he was even more handsome—his features sharp and fine. She could feel the warmth of his breath fanning softly over her skin, sending delicious shivers through her.
Gu Yanzhi looked at the girl beside him, his heart pounding so hard he thought it might burst. His palms were damp with sweat.
“Niannian, I…”
His voice came out low and rough, and the sound of it sent her own heart racing.
To hell with propriety and modesty! In this life, he was hers—and in the last, she’d never known the touch of a man. Why should she be so shy? She had no wish to repeat the mistakes of their past. Though they had truly been husband and wife only for a day or two, she realized with sudden clarity: she had come to love him.
She inched closer, closing the space between them. Gu Yanzhi felt as though he were standing on the very edge of restraint, every ounce of his self-control slipping away. His Adam’s apple bobbed sharply, and beads of sweat broke out across his forehead. His gaze dropped to her soft, rose-tinted lips, and he thought he might lose his mind entirely.
But what finally broke his resolve was the quiet words she spoke then, her eyes soft and warm as she looked up at him:
“Gu Yanzhi… let’s have a child.”
In that instant, it was as though fireworks were exploding behind his eyes. He could hold back no longer. He leaned down and claimed her lips in a deep, fervent kiss.
He had stopped halfway the night before, afraid of hurting her—but this time, he would be gentle. So very gentle.
“…Does it hurt?” he whispered.
She frowned slightly, her face flushed scarlet.
“It hurts… but… it’s alright…”
Shen Niannian drifted in and out of consciousness, falling asleep only as the sky began to lighten. Gu Yanzhi watched her with tender remorse, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. He’d been too eager, too carried away by his own longing, unable to stop himself. She had been exhausted.
He, however, felt wide awake, his spirit still buoyant. He rose quietly, fetched warm water, and gently tended to her. Outside, the sky was turning pale grey. He decided not to sleep again. He went into the yard and chopped all the firewood, then filled every bucket and vessel in the house with water. When he reckoned his parents would soon be awake, he went to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
He remembered she had loved corn porridge the morning before, so he made a rich, fragrant pot, simmered slowly over the stove until it was thick and sweet. He whisked eggs with scallions and fried them soft and golden. He rolled out dough and baked flaky scallion pancakes with lard until they were crisp and delicious—their scent drifting through the whole courtyard. Knowing she liked pickled cucumbers, he sliced some thin and dressed them with fragrant sesame oil, setting them out neatly on a plate.
When Tian Yuefang and Gu Zhenhua woke, they found the wood stacked, the water jars full, and the kitchen filled with the aroma of a freshly cooked meal. Tian Yuefang assumed her second daughter-in-law had risen before dawn to prepare everything, and hurried toward the kitchen in alarm, afraid the girl would think her lazy for sleeping so late.
She rushed inside—and stopped short. There stood her son, apron tied around his broad shoulders, carefully arranging pickles on a plate.
“Second son?” she cried, hardly believing her eyes.
Gu Yanzhi turned and smiled at the sight of her.
“Morning, Mom. You and Dad are up? Go wash up—breakfast is ready.”
Gu Zhenhua stepped forward, equally stunned. “Second son… why on earth are you up so early? It’s barely past dawn… did you not sleep at all last night?” His gaze fell on the great pile of split wood, and his expression grew grave.
Tian Yuefang grew alarmed. She stepped forward and took his hand. “Tell me the truth—what happened? Did Niannian… did she not let you sleep in the room?” She had thought her new daughter-in-law seemed pleasant enough; surely she wouldn’t be as difficult as their former daughter-in-law Sun Meiling? One such woman in the family was already trouble enough…
Gu Yanzhi quickly shook his head, laughing in reassurance. “Mom, whatever are you thinking? Niannian only just fell asleep… she was worn out. I wasn’t tired, so I thought I’d help out. Later today we have to go back to her parents’ home for the first visit as a married couple. I planned to go to the supply and marketing cooperative after breakfast and buy a few pounds of pork to bring her father as a gift.”