Xie Jingzhou suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Last night, both of them had been somewhat unfamiliar with each other. After several attempts and explorations, they finally got into the swing of things…
At this vigorous age, once they started, they couldn’t help but crave more.
Unconsciously, he had clung to her, asking for a little extra.
Xie Jingzhou lifted her with one arm, startling her with the sudden motion.
She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”
Xie Jingzhou smiled gently. “I’m taking you to bathe. Washing with hot water might make you feel more comfortable.”
Song Siyi immediately patted him. “I can walk. What if someone in the family sees? It wouldn’t be good.”
“Don’t worry, they’ve been asleep for a long time. No one will see.”
Song Siyi had nothing more to say. In the end, Xie Jingzhou carried her to the bathhouse.
But when Song Siyi was about to bathe, Xie Jingzhou ran off. Watching his fleeing figure, Song Siyi couldn’t help but smile.
Xie Jingzhou strode back to the room, his throat parched and dry.
Even the slightest glimpse of her waist was enough to stir his heart and fill his body with restless heat.
Xie Jingzhou picked up the water kettle and gulped down several large mouthfuls.
After drinking, he looked at the kettle. It was his, no doubt, but he could have sworn he detected a hint of sweetness in the water.
Was his wife so sweet that even the water tasted sweet to him?
Unable to resist, he took several more sips. It wasn’t his imagination.
Could it be that his wife had secretly added sugar to the water?
Just then, a foul, sour stench reached his nose—a smell like fermented socks mixed with various other odors.
Xie Jingzhou lifted his arm and sniffed, only to realize the stench was coming from him. Even with the endurance of a soldier, he nearly gagged.
In that moment, he felt as if the sky had fallen. Without a second thought, he turned and rushed out of the room.
If his wife found out, she’d surely be disgusted with him.
He dashed to the river at top speed and jumped in without even taking off his clothes.
After bathing, Song Siyi returned to the room and found Xie Jingzhou was nowhere to be seen.
Noticing the water kettle had been taken down from its hook, she understood.
She knew that as a soldier, Xie Jingzhou would likely notice something unusual soon, but it didn’t matter—he had no proof anyway.
As long as she didn’t say anything, no one would ever know.
Song Siyi took a towel from her space and began drying her hair.
Truth be told, she had given Xie Jingzhou the water so quickly because she wanted him to return to his military unit soon.
She wanted to follow him to the army base and no longer stay in the countryside.
Although the Xie family was very kind, living under the same roof made it impossible for her to enjoy any special treats.
Following him to the army base would be different. Xie Jingzhou wouldn’t always be home, so she could occasionally take things out to cook for herself.
As Song Siyi was lost in thought, Xie Jingzhou pushed the door open and returned.
Song Siyi: “You’re back. Did you go to the river to bathe?”
Xie Jingzhou didn’t answer, only stared intently at Song Siyi as he closed the door behind him.
He then walked to the kang, reached out, and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
He held her with such force, as if trying to meld her into his very bones and blood.
Just moments ago, he had felt a warmth in his legs, and the piercing pain that usually accompanied walking was gone.
As a soldier who frequently undertook dangerous missions, his body was riddled with hidden injuries.
But after drinking that water, he felt an unprecedented lightness in his body.
He knew it had to be because of the water. Last time he caught her, he had clearly seen that the sun-kissed tone of her skin was genuine.
In just two or three short days, his little wife's face had become fair and smooth. Even though she had disguised it, he could still tell.
He knew she must have had some unusual encounter, but if she wasn't willing to say, he wouldn't ask.
He would simply remember firmly that it was she who had given him hope again.
Song Siyi gently patted his back. "It's alright, it's alright, things will get better."
Xie Jingzhou buried his head deep into the crook of her neck, his voice muffled as he said, "Mhm, thank you, wife."
Song Siyi already knew, but she didn't say anything more.
That night, Xie Jingzhou was too excited to sleep and pulled her into another round of deep communication until Song Siyi was crying and begging for mercy before he finally let her go.
In the end, Song Siyi fell into a deep sleep once more.
The next day, when Song Siyi woke up, Xie Jingzhou had already gotten out of bed.
Beside the bed was a note he had left. Xie Jingzhou's handwriting, like the man himself, was vigorous and powerful.
[Wife, I'm taking Zhou Xun and Shen Zhiheng to catch the train. No need for you to rush getting up. I've already told Mom and Dad that you don't need to go to work. I can provide for you. I left porridge and eggs for you on the kitchen stove.]
The corners of Song Siyi's mouth lifted. She stored the note in her space for safekeeping before leisurely getting out of bed.
It was the busiest time of the autumn harvest, and everyone was busy. Even Xie Rui and Xie Chen weren't at home.
She couldn't go join the army camp with him just yet, and being idle all day wasn't a good idea either.
Besides, they hadn't split from the family yet. Even if her father-in-law and mother-in-law had no objections, others certainly would. She still needed to go to work.
But she definitely couldn't go today, so she decided to go up the mountain to take a look.
Song Siyi took the eggs, slung a basket on her back, and went out.
At the foot of the mountain, many children were already gathering pig feed.
Song Siyi avoided them and quietly made her way up the mountain.
There was almost no one on the mountain now. Song Siyi didn't go deep into the woods. She sprinkled a tiny bit of Spirit Spring Water on the ground.
Before long, several rabbits and pheasants came sniffing around, drawn by the scent.
She had discovered this secret in her previous life. Back then, she had often used the Spirit Spring Water to get herself extra food, but because of the bound space, Lu Yan would always find out.
Thinking of Lu Yan, Song Siyi gritted her teeth in hatred. She wondered how Lu Yan was doing now?
With her around this lifetime, he could forget about returning to the city. It would be best if he rotted in this countryside forever.
She wanted to see if, without his glamorous status, his "white moonlight" would still cling to him so eagerly.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Song Sijia had searched everywhere but couldn't find Song Siyi.
Song Siyi actually hadn't come to work. What right did she have not to come to work?
At that moment, Song Sijia was sitting under a large tree resting, while not far away in the field, Lu Yan was frantically picking corn. Even though he was moving at his fastest speed, he was still far behind everyone else.
He turned and glanced at Song Sijia leisurely fanning herself with her hat under the tree, pursed his lips, a flicker of something called regret flashing in his eyes.
If he had known she would be like this, why had he married her?
Now he not only had to do his own work but also Song Sijia's share.
If he had married Song Siyi, things definitely wouldn't be like this.
Lu Yan threw down an ear of corn fiercely and walked over to the tree, looking at Song Sijia with a dark expression.
"You plan to just dump your work on me. Do you think that's appropriate?"
Seeing that he seemed about to get angry, Song Sijia immediately stood up and pressed her body tightly against him, acting coquettishly.
"Brother Yan, how could I bear to leave all the work to you? It's just that you kept bothering me last night. Let me rest a little, won't you?"
Lu Yan thought of last night, and his expression grew somewhat awkward.
He hadn't intended to touch Song Sijia, but she had too many tricks up her sleeve—he simply couldn't hold back.