The kitchen wasn’t far from the bridal room, and soon a sizzling “zila” sound could be heard the sound of oil splashing against the bottom of the wok. Then came the fragrance of chopped scallions, mingling with the wheat aroma of noodles, making one’s stomach growl.
Lin Tianxin walked to the doorway and leaned against the frame, looking outside.
Their marital home wasn’t shared with his parents it had been set up by Lu Ye himself.
A dim yellow light shone out from the kitchen window, outlining Lu Ye’s tall figure. He stood at the stove, head lowered as he worked. The sleeves of his army-green shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing firm forearms. The muscles tightened and relaxed with his movements, each line full of strength.
How had she never noticed in her past life that this man, full of raw strength, looked like this when cooking?
Before long, Lu Ye came in carrying a large coarse porcelain bowl. Inside were two golden fried eggs resting on top of a heap of noodles piled high, sprinkled with bright green scallions. The aroma rushed straight at her.
“Eat,” he said, handing her the bowl. His fingertips accidentally brushed against hers. Both of them paused for a moment. This time, he didn’t pull away like before his gaze simply drifted aside.
They were already married what was wrong with a little touch? It wasn’t like it was forbidden, he thought.
Lin Tianxin took the bowl. The rim was a bit hot, so she held it carefully and walked to the table to sit down. Picking up her chopsticks, she lifted a strand of noodles. The hot soup made her shrink her neck slightly, but she couldn’t bear to put it down. She slurped up a big mouthful.
It tasted like a home-cooked meal, with a faint soy sauce fragrance. The fried eggs were crisp on the outside and tender inside, with runny yolks. One bite and the hot yolk coated the noodles, sliding into her mouth, warming her from the tip of her tongue all the way to her heart.
“Delicious,” she mumbled, her eyes sparkling.
Lu Ye sat across from her, not touching his own chopsticks, just watching her eat. His dark eyes seemed to hold starlight, shining brightly. He had been busy all day, and had been forced to drink quite a bit while seeing off guests. His stomach was already empty, yet watching her eat seemed to fill him up.
“Eat slowly. No one’s taking it from you,” he said softly. He reached out to pour her some water, noticing the enamel cups on the table printed with “Happy Newlyweds.” He picked one up, poured some warm water, and set it in front of her.
Lin Tianxin was truly starving. She buried her head and ate quickly, finishing the large bowl in no time, even drinking more than half the soup.
When she set the bowl down, a thin layer of sweat had formed on the tip of her nose, and her cheeks were flushed.
“Full?” Lu Ye asked.
“Mm.” She nodded, letting out a satisfied burp, then lowered her head a little shyly.
She had disliked him, yet still finished everything he cooked.
Lu Ye picked up the empty bowl and went back to the kitchen. When he returned, he held a clean cloth towel and handed it to her. “Wipe your mouth.”
Lin Tianxin took it. It was a coarse cloth towel with a faint soapberry scent slightly rough, but very clean.
But she didn’t wipe her mouth. Instead, she looked up at him and asked, “Is my mouth very dirty?”
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t dirty, just…
“I’ll help you.”
Looking at the towel she offered, a wicked smile curled on his lips. He didn’t take it.
His strong arm reached out, gripping the back of her neck as he leaned in, using his lips to “wipe” her clean himself.
Damn, she was so sweet.
So damn soft after thinking about it for so many years, he had finally tasted her.
Lu Ye let go after just a moment, then lifted her with one arm, carrying her toward the bed.
Lin Tianxin had just recovered from the kiss and thought he was about to consummate the marriage. Her arms tightened slightly around his shoulders.
He set her down on the edge of the bed. Just when she thought he would take the next step, Lu Ye turned and walked into the bathroom.
She was stunned. None of this had happened in her past life!
Back then, the moment Lu Ye entered the room, she had started scolding him, declaring she hadn’t willingly married him, saying every harsh thing she could.
Lu Ye had only looked at her meaningfully. He hadn’t asked if she was hungry he himself had been hungry.
Like a wolf seeing fresh meat, combined with her constant nagging insults, he hadn’t been gentle at all and had taken her by force.
Now, Lu Ye came back carrying a basin of foot-washing water and squatted in front of her. Looking up, he asked, “Wash them yourself, or want me to help?”
He was tall even squatting, he was only slightly lower than her.
Lin Tianxin turned her face aside, a little uneasy. “You help me.”
Since she had decided to live a good life with him, she wouldn’t resist anymore she would accept his kindness.
“Such a princess,” Lu Ye muttered, though he felt pleased inside as he took off her shoes and placed her feet into the basin.
“I haven’t even washed my parents’ feet before. Lin Tianxin, you’re the first.”
Whether she understood or not, the girl he had thought about for so many years had grown even more charming. He was sure he liked her the most.
Knowing she hadn’t wanted to marry him, he had used some means to make it happen. Washing her feet was one of the things he had long dreamed of.
Back in the army, those guys were always bragging about washing their wives’ feet, joking about whose wife’s feet smelled worse.
At the time, he had thought if he ever got married, he’d wash his wife’s feet too, even on their wedding night.
Lin Tianxin’s feet were so small, not even as big as his palm, soft like a baby’s. He was certain his wife’s feet were the most beautiful and the sweetest.
“All done.” Lu Ye picked up a dry towel, wrapped her feet, and gently dried them. He tossed the towel aside but didn’t stand up still squatting in front of her, looking up.
“Get ready,” he reminded.
Lin Tianxin didn’t understand ready for what?
Lu Ye just smiled and carried the water out. Suddenly, the light went out.
Startled, Lin Tianxin fumbled in the dark, slipping into her slippers as she called out, “Lu Ye, is the power out?”
“Lu Ye?”
Suddenly, she was pulled into a solid embrace. The familiar scent of soapberry mixed with a faint trace of alcohol surrounded her.
Lu Ye lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist, and roughly yet eagerly kissed the lips that had just called his name.
As he pressed her onto the bed, Lin Tianxin stopped him.
“Lu Ye, can you…?”
“No!” he refused outright. Who the hell wouldn’t consummate their marriage on their wedding night especially with the girl he’d liked for so many years?
In the darkness, Lin Tianxin was stunned by his reaction and quickly explained, “I mean… can you be a little gentler?”
She leaned forward and lightly kissed his Adam’s apple, whispering softly,
“Lu Ye, I’m not unwilling.”
His throat bobbed as a low laugh escaped him.
So it wasn’t unwillingness just that she was a little timid.
Even if she was afraid, he wouldn’t stop now. They were legally married real husband and wife. No matter how unwilling she might have been before, it was too late now.
Lu Ye’s wild strength softened slightly at her words, his defined muscles easing as he restrained his force.
That night, the wind and snow howled outside, while inside, one coaxed and the other cried a chaotic mix of laughter and tears.
…