Outside the door, Zhou Wanyi, hearing the clattering and fighting from the radio, was delighted that she had ruined her brother’s wedding night, grinning from ear to ear.
Just then, her older brother pushed the door open, his brows cold and eyes sharp as they locked onto her. He didn’t say a word, but the sheer intensity of his gaze made her shiver instantly. She shrank back, turned, and ran.
Zhou Runqing watched her retreating figure, teeth gritted in anger.
The static crackle from the radio pierced the room, loud and harsh.
The man quickly traced the sound, walking to the potted plant in a few strides. He picked up the small radio and pressed his thumb on it the noise vanished immediately.
Holding the device, he glanced back, his voice low and gentle: “You sleep first.”
He lightly closed the door behind him, then hurried after the instigator.
Lin Yuqiu felt a vague unease, her fingers unconsciously clutching the edge of the quilt.
Before she could close her eyes, sounds from downstairs erupted one after another.
The man’s cold, reprimanding shouts, thick with suppressed anger.
Zhou Wanyi’s sharp, piercing screams, like a cat with its tail stepped on.
Then the dull thuds of furniture colliding, the crisp sound of heavy objects hitting the floor.
The chaos the clattering, banging, crashing echoed through the night like thunder, sending shivers down the spine, making sleep impossible.
Lin Yuqiu’s heart sank. Nervously, she got out of bed, straightened her disheveled clothes, grabbed the man’s military jacket draped over the chair, and pulled open the door.
She saw that the master bedroom downstairs had also been awakened. The elderly couple, wrapped in their clothes, hurried toward Zhou Wanyi’s room, faces full of anxiety.
Lin Yuqiu had barely reached the stairwell when she heard her in-laws shut the door. Inside, Zhou Wanyi’s heart-wrenching cries rang out:
“Brother, you hit me for that woman!”
Zhou’s mother soothed her: “Your brother just accidentally touched you. It’s not that serious. Come here, let mother comfort you.”
“Brother, you brought that freeloader home! You have to take care of her paralyzed mother and that useless girl. Every month, your salary goes into that bottomless pit!”
“Even worse, father prepaid six months of salary for her betrothal gift six months! After this, our family will be left eating air!”
“You got to live a good life with her while we suffer at home!”
“If you had married Sister Shi Yun, life would’ve been so much better. She treats me well and wouldn’t fight over our family’s belongings!”
“That woman is useless. She’s a capitalist’s daughter, hated by everyone. I don’t like her. I want Sister Shi Yun as my sister-in-law!”
Inside the room, Zhou Wanyi was throwing a tantrum, rolling on the floor. No one scolded her nonsense they were all trying to appease her.
Lin Yuqiu stood frozen at the stairwell, like a transparent shadow, like an unnecessary outsider.
She couldn’t stay a moment longer. Turning, she climbed the stairs quietly, her footsteps so light it was as if she had never come down.
Back in her room, she looked at the large red “double happiness” character on the wall and the clock.
Silently, she walked to the bed, lifted the covers, and lay down.
Zhou Wanyi was right.
She was indeed the daughter of a capitalist. She had a paralyzed mother who needed her brother’s salary for treatment and his care to live.
For Zhou Runqing, she was undeniably a burden.
Her heart felt blocked, sour and tight, each breath stinging.
She closed her eyes, burying her face in the pillow. Thinking of her mother’s health improving day by day, the sourness in her chest gradually eased.
She didn’t know how long passed. Only when the clock on the wall had made half a turn did the commotion downstairs gradually die down.
Finally, the door was gently pushed open.
Lin Yuqiu’s eyelashes twitched. She immediately composed herself, lowering her eyelids heavily, breathing soft and slow.
The quilt was lightly lifted at the edge, and the man’s chest, carrying the chill of the night, pressed close. His iron-like arms, firm yet careful, wrapped her entire body in his embrace.
Her fingers trembled slightly. Half-asleep, she shifted her shoulder slightly, a silent refusal.
Zhou Runqing looked at the woman in his arms, her face adorable and drowsy, eyes barely open, long lashes drooping, soft cheeks slightly puffed, giving her an innocent charm.
The warmth and fragrance of her body reignited the fire buried deep in his core. He restrained himself.
He bent down, placing an incredibly gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, careful not to wake her.
He tucked in the corners of her quilt and curled her exposed hand carefully into the warm covers.
His voice was low, like a gentle winter fire, brushing against her ear: “Sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow.”
Lin Yuqiu, eyes closed, felt a tinge of sharpness at her nose, yet a faint sweetness spread in her chest, entwining tightly.
Outside, the moonlight slowly faded behind the clouds.
As she was about to drift off, a hot hand slid around her waist, pulling her close.
Her soft lips moved slightly, mumbling indistinctly, a sleepy, cute protest.
The man froze, his Adam’s apple rolling. He didn’t move for a long moment, then slowly withdrew his hand from her waist.
Only when he heard her breathing even out in deep sleep did he cautiously lean in again, holding her close.
His forehead rested against her neck, inhaling her faint, soft, sweet scent, seemingly made for sleep, before he finally allowed himself to fall into deep slumber.
The next morning, Zhou Runqing opened his eyes. His arms were empty, the bed beside him cold and vacant.
He threw off the covers, hurried out of bed, and rushed to the living room downstairs.
Zhou’s mother was already dressed, preparing breakfast. Seeing him, she smiled and wiped her hands: “Awake? Go wash up quickly and come eat.”
Zhou Runqing scanned the room. “Where’s my wife?”
“She went to the sanatorium before dawn, said she was seeing her mother off.”
Zhou Runqing nodded, but his brows furrowed unconsciously, a vague emotion rising in his throat.
She went to the sanatorium without telling him?
Seeing this, Zhou’s mother picked up an enamel mug, scooped some malted milk powder, added hot water, and handed it to him: “Don’t worry. I had Xiao Zhang, your father’s aide, deliver it. The drive is safe; nothing will go wrong.”
Zhou Runqing took the mug, blew on the hot liquid, and sipped absentmindedly.
Zhou’s mother continued: “After breakfast, pack your luggage. Once Xiao Liu buys the train tickets, leave immediately. Don’t delay returning to duty.”
“Your situation is special. You can’t afford any mistakes. Don’t give anyone an opportunity. From now on, be careful in everything you do.”
“I heard Lin family’s father and son were sent to the labor camp. Don’t meddle; it’ll only bring trouble. Take care of yourself, take care of your little family that’s enough.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the sharp sound of a military salute came from outside the gate. Xiao Liu, the guard, rushed in with the tickets, voice loud and clear: “Commander, the train tickets to the island are ready!”