Su Wan heard the noise outside gradually quiet down. It seemed the gathering was finally over.
She quickly stopped pacing, quietly pressed herself against the door, and carefully listened to the sounds outside. She seemed to hear footsteps coming this way, so she immediately ran back to the bedside and sat upright properly.
After seeing off the last group of guests, Han Rui finally let out a sigh of relief. At last, he could return to the room.
If not for entertaining the guests, Han Rui would have long wanted to come back and stay with Su Wan. Today, he had not even had the chance to properly look at her.
Although his expression remained calm, his hurried footsteps revealed his impatience.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Su Wan sitting obediently there.
This was his wife now.
Han Rui’s heart practically melted.
Walking over, he sat beside her and gently took her hand, giving it a light squeeze as he softly asked, “Are you tired?”
Su Wan held his hand back and shook her head lightly.
“I’m alright. Not too tired.”
For a moment, neither spoke, while an ambiguous warmth flowed between them.
Under Han Rui’s affectionate gaze, Su Wan finally could not take it anymore. Embarrassed, she pushed him lightly and said, “Take this bowl outside.”
Han Rui laughed when he saw her shy expression. Leaning close to her ear, his low voice sounded beside her.
“Yes, ma’am. Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Then he picked up the bowl and chopsticks and walked out.
Feeling the warm breath near her ear, Su Wan’s entire body went weak. She instinctively covered her ear and glared at his back several times as he left.
Who was waiting for him!
Han Rui placed the dishes in the kitchen, filled the thermos with hot water, and only then returned.
Someone as clean-loving as Su Wan definitely would not sleep before washing up properly.
Su Wan had already removed her makeup, washed her feet, and quickly climbed into bed beneath the blankets. Watching Han Rui tidy things up and pour water outside, she secretly smiled.
When Han Rui came back and saw Su Wan already tucked tightly under the blanket with only her small head exposed, he found her unbearably adorable.
Walking to the bedside, he stared directly at her while removing his outer clothing.
Su Wan lay there watching him undress. She had intended to turn away, but every movement he made carried an indescribable charm and attraction. She was completely captivated.
Only when Han Rui lifted her blanket, climbed in beside her, and wrapped his arms around her did she finally snap back to reality.
Just as Su Wan was about to say something—
Han Rui suddenly flipped over, one arm braced above her while the other reached to undo her clothes as he lowered his head and kissed her.
Su Wan whimpered softly, “The candle… blow it… out…”
One piece of clothing after another was tossed out from beneath the blanket.
Han Rui was far too occupied to bother blowing out the candle.
Leaving it lit was good too. He could see clearly that way.
…
The next morning, Sister-in-law Han and Second Sister-in-law Han were preparing breakfast in the kitchen. They only needed to reheat yesterday’s leftovers, so it was not much work.
Second Sister-in-law Han sat by the stove and chatted with Sister-in-law Han.
“Big Sister-in-law, why do you think they still aren’t up yet? Don’t tell me they’re really waiting for us to finish cooking before getting up to eat ready-made food? So lazy on the very first day!”
It was obvious she was talking about Su Wan. She did not dare criticize Han Rui, the capable younger brother-in-law.
“What nonsense are you saying now? If you’ve got guts, say that in front of Mother,” Sister-in-law Han immediately snapped back without giving her face.
This second younger sister-in-law was always like this—sharp-tongued, unable to stand seeing others doing well, yet too cowardly to say things openly. Big-hearted but timid.
Second Sister-in-law Han curled her lips and stopped talking. She truly did not have the courage.
Normally, a newly married bride did not have to do work during the first three days. Even in very busy families, no one would order the new bride around on the first morning.
When Second Sister-in-law Han herself had married into the family, she had not done any work on the first day either. Yet now she had the nerve to criticize someone else.
Sister-in-law Han really could not stand this younger sister-in-law. Her second brother-in-law was such a clever and capable man, yet somehow he had married someone like her.
Inside the room, Han Rui woke up.
Turning his head, he looked at the wife nestled in the crook of his arm. Her little face was flushed from sleep, and faint tear marks still lingered at the corners of her eyes, making her look pitifully delicate.
One of his hands rested on her soft slender waist, unconsciously rubbing lightly against her smooth skin with his rough fingertips.
Perhaps the calluses on his hand scratched her a little, because Su Wan frowned slightly and her eyelashes trembled.
Han Rui quickly patted her back gently, coaxing her to continue sleeping.
After a while, Su Wan slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she felt was soreness all over her waist and back, along with some discomfort elsewhere.
Looking up, she saw Han Rui watching her, his eyes filled with amusement.
The memories of last night immediately surfaced in her mind, and Su Wan’s face turned red. She buried herself into his broad chest.
Han Rui stroked her back and said softly, “Awake?”
The delight in his voice clearly showed he was in an excellent mood.
The two lay there quietly for a while until Su Wan suddenly remembered something.
She sat up and glanced outside. It was already broad daylight.
Immediately, she panicked.
It was so late already!
Annoyed, she smacked his arm lightly and said, “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Leaning lazily against the headboard, Han Rui replied, “It’s fine. Mother will leave food for us.”
“That’s not the point!” Su Wan laughed helplessly. “I mean, isn’t it bad to wake up this late on the very first day?”
As she spoke, she hurriedly dressed and prepared to get up.
Seeing her rise, Han Rui followed suit.
“It’s alright. When my two sisters-in-law married into the family, Mother didn’t make them do anything on the first morning either.”
Hearing that, Su Wan finally relaxed.
After all, she would soon be following the military and would only see them a few times a year, so she still wanted to leave a good impression.
When the two finished getting ready and came outside, only Mother Han was in the courtyard. Everyone else had either gone out or stayed inside their rooms.
Su Wan secretly let out a sigh of relief.
If she had walked out to see the entire family gathered there, it would have been unbearably awkward.
Seeing them come out, Mother Han smiled warmly.
“I left breakfast for you in the pot. Hurry and eat before it gets cold.”
Su Wan still felt embarrassed. Thankfully, they would only stay here for a few days. Later, in their own little home, waking up late would no longer feel awkward.
On the first day of their marriage, Su Wan and Han Rui stayed curled up in their room together all day, completely attached to each other.
That night, they simply held each other and slept.
Because the train the day after tomorrow was in the morning, they had to return to her parents’ home tomorrow.
Even though they had only been apart for one day, Su Wan felt as if it had been much longer. She was too excited to sleep, constantly tossing and turning.
The woman in his arms kept rubbing against him, stirring up a fire inside Han Rui.
Tightening his arms around her waist, he said in a hoarse voice:
“If you can’t sleep, then let’s do something more interesting.”
Hearing the dangerous rasp in his voice, mixed with a trace of gritted teeth, Su Wan immediately stopped moving.
She obediently lay still in his arms and closed her eyes.
What a joke. Her body was still sore right now. If they did it again tonight, how was she supposed to return home tomorrow?
Seeing Su Wan suddenly lie motionless, Han Rui hugged her tightly, closed his eyes as well, and gradually calmed himself down to sleep.
They both slept well through the night.