The more important question… what do you do after getting married?
Of course, you sleep together. Yin Li immediately thought of that, her face flushing as she shook off his hand. “You’re so improper!”
It was still daytime.
“What are you thinking about? I said it’s time for us to eat.” Li Hanting leaned against the doorframe, a teasing smile on his face.
Yin Li looked back at him. He was tall, simply dressed, arms crossed with his muscles slightly bulging, and his smile was radiant.
Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned her head away. “I’m ignoring you!”
Li Hanting just shook his head. “You rest inside for a while. I’ll go cook.”
Yin Li didn’t answer him and stormed off into the main room, her cheeks puffed with annoyance.
This room was a bit larger. She had been too shy earlier to take a good look.
Pushing open the door, she was greeted by the smell of freshly painted white lime walls mixed with the fresh scent of new wood. Sunlight streamed through the bright glass window, shining right into the center of the room, where tiny specks of dust danced in the light.
The room was a neat rectangle. Against the far wall stood a brand-new, dark brown double bed, with two lace-edged pillows placed side by side.
To the left of the bed was a three-door wardrobe, with two quilts and pillows stacked on top, covered in plastic sheeting.
To the right of the bed was a bedside table with three drawers, covered with a white crocheted lace tablecloth and holding a brand-new lamp with a red shade.
Across from the bed stood a chest of drawers, on which sat a radio, a glass photo frame, and other small items.
Next to the chest of drawers, by the window, were a bookshelf and a desk, waiting for Yin Li’s things to be moved in and arranged.
So this was the home she would be living in from now on.
Yin Li sat on the bed and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of that man again.
To be precise, Yin Li could never see his face because her eyes were always blindfolded, or else they were in complete darkness.
But his unusually hot body and his forceful, dominating movements terrified her.
“No… please don’t…” Yin Li muttered unconsciously in her sleep. Even with the fan on, she still felt hot, uncomfortable, like a leaf tossed mercilessly on raging waves.
“Wake up, Li Li.” A voice came from beside her. Yin Li opened her eyes and met Li Hanting’s worried face.
“What’s wrong? A bad dream?” Li Hanting took her hand—it was ice-cold—and gently stroked her back.
Yin Li stared at him blankly, then suddenly grabbed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, answering in a muffled voice: “Yeah… I was just thinking about leaving Dad. It made me sad.”
The dream was too embarrassing for her to mention.
Li Hanting’s hand paused for a moment, then he let her lean on him. “It’s okay. We’re close by. We can go back to see Dad often. It’s a quick ride.”
Yin Li nodded.
He wiped the sweat from her forehead, and she felt much better. Li Hanting gently touched her head. “Want to eat first?”
“Mm.”
After all that commotion, she was truly hungry.
The kitchen was separate, spotlessly clean. On the brand-new square table were two dishes, a soup, and rice: stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers, vinegared cabbage, tomato and egg drop soup, and a pot of steamed rice.
Li Hanting was a good cook. The bold, enticing aroma filled the air, making Yin Li, already hungry, even more eager to eat.
After the meal, Yin Li noticed that next to the main room, by the small kitchen, there was also a bathroom.
Once dinner was finished, it was getting late. Yin Li went to take a nice, comfortable bath.
She had originally planned to wear what she would at home, but she still felt too shy. In the end, she came out in a short-sleeved shirt and long pants.
As soon as she stepped out, she happened to catch Li Hanting coming over with some things. His back was to her, his shirt off, revealing his strong, lean back as he cleaned the washstand.
Hearing her come out, he wiped the water off his arm and turned around. “All done? You go inside first.”
Yin Li’s gaze immediately locked onto his chest. As if her feet were scalded, she hurriedly ran into the main room.
But Yin Li hadn’t only looked at his chest—she’d also seen his sharply defined abdomen, the faint lines on either side, gradually disappearing along with a drop of water into his pants…
She covered her face and let out a muffled groan. Why was she so perverted? It was all Li Hanting’s fault—why couldn’t he just dress properly at home?
But… his physique really was quite good…
Before, Yin Li had never been able to see him like this. Now that she had, her face was burning red, and she had no idea what to do.
She had planned to read a couple of pages, but found she couldn’t concentrate at all. Hearing footsteps outside, she knew Li Hanting had finished his shower.
She quickly climbed onto the bed, pulled the blanket over herself, lay down on the inside, and pretended to be asleep.
Yin Li remembered that when she was little, she had been timid and often slept with her mother.
Later, as she grew up, she still needed a nightlight to sleep. After her father married Aunt Li, she became even more careful, not wanting to leave the light on all night for fear of wasting electricity.
Gradually, it seemed she wasn’t so afraid anymore.
But now, the thought of sleeping in the same bed with a man made her nervous to death.
She closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering, but wondered why he hadn’t come in after so long.
Yin Li quietly opened her eyes—and met Li Hanting’s amused gaze.
“Are you messing with me!?” Yin Li sat up immediately and threw a pillow at him.
He caught it easily, then sat down on the edge of the bed. “No. I was just thinking—how did a little turtle end up in the house?”
“You’re the turtle.” Yin Li looked at him. For some reason, after his shower, he seemed especially nice to look at.
But Li Hanting, who always had a response for her, didn’t say anything this time. He just sat there, motionless, staring at her.
“What are you looking at?” Yin Li felt uneasy under his gaze and quietly retreated a little.
But then her foot was caught. Li Hanting’s hands were large and rough, dry and hot.
“Li Li, we’re married.”
“I know.” Yin Li tried to pull her foot back but couldn’t—he was holding it tightly.
“We’re husband and wife.”
“Mm.” Yin Li avoided his burning gaze, not daring to look at him. She felt her voice grow small, her head growing dizzy.
The next moment, Li Hanting suddenly moved forward, encircling her completely in his arms. “No, you don’t.”
A deep red quickly spread to the tips of her ears. Yin Li couldn’t escape at all. Held in his arms, feeling his hardness so different from her own, her face turned pale again.
“I… I’m scared… Li Hanting, I’m scared…” Thinking of that sensual, turbulent dream she’d had several times, Yin Li reached out and grabbed Li Hanting’s shoulder, speaking timidly.
Li Hanting had more or less guessed, but he hadn’t expected her to be this frightened.
Holding her securely in his arms, Li Hanting gently stroked her hand and her face. “Li Li, do you trust me? I won’t let you get hurt.”
Yin Li didn’t know whether she should trust him, but he had never done anything to harm her.
“Mm…” Yin Li’s voice trembled with a hint of tears, but she still tried to wrap her arms around his neck.