Chen Wenqi glanced at the pitifully small amount of wild vegetables.
With Aunt Zhang still watching from the side, the family’s poverty pricked at his pride as a man like a needle.
But seeing Lin Suier’s pale face, he swallowed the harsh words that had reached his lips.
Instead, he said, “Mother, say no more. Since Suier is injured, it surely wasn’t intentional. Suier, go back to your room and clean up first. As for dinner… Mother, please trouble yourself to prepare something simple for now.”
Hearing her husband speak up for her—and even ask her mother-in-law to cook—Lin Suier felt a warmth in her heart.
“Thank you, husband…”
Chen Wenqi gave a brief “Mm” and returned to his book.
Still worried about her daughter, Lin Suier went into the inner room first.
Little Cao was already asleep, curled under a thin blanket, her cheeks rosy, completely unaware of what had happened outside.
Looking at her daughter’s peaceful sleeping face, the tears Lin Suier had been holding back finally rolled down silently.
She hurriedly wiped them away with the back of her hand, afraid of waking the child.
Behind her, the voices from the main hall drifted in intermittently.
Madam Zhou grumbled unhappily, “Aunt Zhang, just look at this and tell me if it makes sense! My son is just too soft-hearted, too kind! His wife only has to put on a pitiful face and shed a few tears, and he immediately takes her side! This wife of his—she just lacks discipline! She may seem quiet and honest on the surface, but deep down she’s lazy! She can’t even handle the simplest tasks and only brings trouble! Tell me, how are we supposed to live like this?”
Aunt Zhang tried to soothe her. “Wenqi is a scholar—caring for his wife is only natural! Suier is usually quite diligent…”
“Diligent? That’s what you call diligent? That’s just for show! Who knows how much she slacks off behind our backs! Otherwise, how could she twist her ankle just digging wild vegetables? I say she’s just—”
Chen Wenqi’s voice cut in, “Mother, it’s getting late. Aunt Zhang should be heading home. Please go check the kitchen and prepare something simple.”
Then came Aunt Zhang’s words of farewell and Madam Zhou’s perfunctory send-off.
At last, Lin Suier couldn’t hold it in any longer. The tears she had suppressed streamed down in large drops.
She had come home so late, yet no one had gone to look for her…
But her husband…
He had still spoken up for her just now, and even told his mother to cook.
In his heart… he still cared for her, didn’t he?
Lin Suier took off her dirty cloth shoes.
Her right ankle was frighteningly swollen—just touching it made her gasp in pain.
There was no medicine, and no proper water for treatment.
Just as she was at a loss, the door was gently pushed open.
Chen Wenqi entered, holding a coarse pottery bowl with half a bowl of cool water, and in his other hand, a worn cloth.
“For your foot… apply some cold water first. If it still hurts badly tomorrow, go see Physician Li at the village entrance and get some medicine.”
Moonlight filtered faintly through the window paper, outlining his figure in soft shadows.
His tone was calm, but at least he had brought something.
Warmth spread again in Lin Suier’s heart.
“Thank you, husband…”
Chen Wenqi gave another “Mm” and turned to leave.
Holding the soft cloth, Lin Suier felt that small warmth slowly spread within her.
Her husband… he still cared about this family, about her.
Though he didn’t speak much, and focused only on his studies, and though his temperament was somewhat cold—he still knew how to care.
That was enough. There was still hope for their future.
Once her husband passed the provincial exam, everything would get better.
Lin Suier dipped the cloth in water and wrapped it around her ankle, letting out a sharp hiss.
With that pain, everything that had happened in the forest rushed back into her mind like a flood.
That hand—rough, strong, and burning hot.
That broad, solid back—like a wall…
Lin Suier stiffened, her cheeks heating uncontrollably, her heartbeat quickening for no reason.
Lin Suier! What are you thinking? Your husband just brought you water to treat your injury!
How can you… how can you be thinking of another man again?
But… that feeling had been so… different.
Had her husband ever carried her on his back?
Never.
Not before marriage, and certainly not after.
He couldn’t even carry a bucket properly—after a few steps, he would be out of breath. How could he possibly carry her?
Let alone walk steadily along a rugged mountain path like that, his steps firm and fast, his breathing unshaken.
Lin Suier shook her head hard.
She was Chen Wenqi’s properly wedded wife—the mother of Little Cao!
Thinking such chaotic thoughts—how could she face her husband? How could she face this family?
Yet an unfamiliar warmth rose uncontrollably from deep within her lower abdomen, spreading quickly through her body.
The sensation made her both ashamed and frightened. Her cheeks burned as if on fire. She quickly pressed her legs together and buried her face into the pillow that still carried her daughter’s milky scent.
From the main hall, all sound had faded.
Her mother-in-law was probably busy in the kitchen.
The east room had grown quiet as well.
Only the occasional chirping of insects outside the window remained, along with Little Cao’s steady breathing beside her.
In the thick darkness, Lin Suier lay with her eyes wide open.