Jiang Nuan carried two plates of steaming dumplings into the room, her face glowing with a smile.
“Hungry, aren’t you? Making dumplings takes time—hurry and eat while they’re hot.”
Lu Lin set up the low kang table. Jiang Nuan placed the dumplings on it, then went back to the kitchen to mix vinegar and sesame oil for dipping sauce.
Through the rising steam, the two looked at each other.
The man suddenly reached out his hand. Jiang Nuan instinctively leaned back.
“Don’t move. There’s flour on your face.”
Hearing his voice, she froze.
She had meant to say she could do it herself, but his fingers had already brushed her cheek.
To make it easier for him, she leaned slightly closer. Seeing his face so near, her heart began pounding wildly.
Sharp brows, bright eyes—every feature seemed carefully sculpted.
The spot he touched burned instantly.
They were so close their breaths intertwined, thickening the air between them.
Lu Lin focused on wiping away the flour, using the action to suppress the turbulent emotions in his eyes.
“All done.”
He withdrew his hand. Jiang Nuan quickly sat back, afraid he might notice her flustered state.
Food and desire are human nature.
She couldn’t blame herself for staring—if anyone was to blame, it was Lu Lin for being so good-looking.
The thought that she had married such a handsome man filled her heart with pink, bubbly joy.
“Eat the dumplings while they’re hot. They won’t taste as good once they cool.”
Nothing beats dumplings.
Most families could only afford them during the New Year.
For their first meal after registering their marriage, each of them finished a large plate of fragrant dumplings.
Jiang Nuan still remembered her plan to lose weight. But this meal was special.
Besides, if she didn’t eat, Lu Lin wouldn’t eat either—and his body desperately needed nourishment.
She would start dieting tomorrow.
After dinner, Jiang Nuan cleaned the kitchen, boiled water, and helped Lu Lin wash up and change his bandages.
By the time she finished, the moon was already high in the sky.
After her bath, Jiang Nuan looked down at the layers of fat around her waist and sighed in embarrassment.
Lose weight.
She had to lose weight.
Forget whether Lu Lin would dislike her—she disliked herself.
She changed into clean clothes, dried her hair, and slowly made her way back to the room.
Thinking Lu Lin had already fallen asleep, she gently pushed open the door. He immediately looked over.
“You’re still awake?” she asked with a smile.
As she entered, the faint scent of soap drifted toward him.
His ears turned red. Watching her come closer, his gaze softened. “It’s still early.”
Now that everything inside and outside the house depended on his wife, and he couldn’t help with anything, the only thing he could do was wait to sleep together with her.
The kerosene lamp flickered, their shadows swaying and merging.
Outside, insects chirped intermittently.
Jiang Nuan walked to the kang, nervously clutching her clothes as she carefully climbed up.
She tried to move as quietly as possible, afraid her large body might make noise and leave a bad impression on him.
Being overweight made even something as simple as getting onto the bed feel exhausting.
Finally, she crawled onto the kang and moved from the foot of the bed to the inside.
As she hesitated over which side to sleep on, she saw that Lu Lin had placed a pillow on the inner side.
The two pillows were pressed tightly together.
She froze, slowly lifting her head to look at him.
Lu Lin’s smile remained gentle, though only he knew how nervous he felt, afraid she might refuse. He tried his best to look calm.
“I don’t snore. I won’t disturb you.”
Noticing his careful tone, Jiang Nuan didn’t hesitate.
She moved closer to him.
Watching her lie quietly beside him, Lu Lin’s lips curved upward.
He blew out the kerosene lamp.
Moonlight streamed through the window as they lay side by side.
Though there was still space between them, Lu Lin felt deeply content.
Feeling his strong presence, Jiang Nuan was grateful the darkness hid her flushed face.
She took a deep breath and spoke as steadily as she could.
“It’s late. Let’s get some rest.”
After a pause, she added, “If you need to get up at night, be sure to tell me.”
Moonlight illuminated half of his sharply defined face. Her soft voice lingered by his ear.
He smiled faintly. “Mm.”
“Wife, good night.”
The word wife struck heavily against Jiang Nuan’s heart. Hidden by the darkness, her smile spread wide.
“Good night.”
They both slept well.
Jiang Nuan woke to the sound of rain pouring down. Remembering that the window hadn’t been closed, she jolted upright—only to see it was already shut.
She then realized Lu Lin was awake.
“Why are you up so early?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.
Though he looked refreshed, he hadn’t slept at all.
He had been too happy, watching his wife all night.
His mind was still exhilarated; he felt no trace of fatigue.
“Just woke up,” he said, watching her yawn. “It’s raining. Looks like it won’t stop anytime soon. Sleep a little longer.”
Jiang Nuan wasn’t used to sleeping in. She usually got up at dawn. She glanced at the watch on his wrist.
“It’s eight o’clock!”
She quickly climbed off the kang. “You must be starving. I’ll make breakfast right now.”
She was annoyed with herself for oversleeping—something that had never happened before.
Lu Lin shook his head gently. “I’m not hungry. It’s rare to have a day to rest. Sleep a bit more.”
She was already fully awake. Tying her hair up quickly, she said, “I’ll cook. There’s still some millet and red dates at home. Let’s have millet and red date porridge this morning—and I’ll make a couple of egg pancakes. How does that sound?”