Hearing how Song Wenqing addressed him, Pei Jinrong stammered, “You… you have no shame.”
Even in the capital, he had never met a ger with a personality like Song Wenqing’s. Upon seeing a young man he had never met before, instead of hiding away, his gaze was remarkably direct, even though, starting today, he was now his husband.
Song Wenqing let out a lighthearted laugh and lifted his wedding robe. The attire consisted of three layers; he parted the outer two and forcefully tore a piece of cloth from the innermost layer.
Pei Jinrong had never witnessed such a scene before. A ger lifting his clothes in front of an eighteen-year-old youth was something he could barely process. He hadn’t even fully realized that the two of them were already husband and wife. He instinctively closed his eyes and turned slightly to the side, his face completely flushed.
However, Song Wenqing did not understand his inner turmoil. Seeing Pei Jinrong’s pure and innocent reaction, he simply found it rather endearing. Squatting in front of Pei Jinrong, he said with a smile, “Extend your hand.”
Pei Jinrong’s face burned with heat, but he obediently held out his hand anyway. Just moments ago, Lu Yue had put all his might into striking Pei Jinrong. No matter how strong Pei Jinrong was, it was inevitable that he would sustain some injuries.
His palm had been scraped raw by the rough sorghum stalks, and blood was oozing out. Seeing this, Song Wenqing frowned slightly. After a brief silence, he said, “The cloth I just tore off is from the innermost layer. It is very clean, so do not worry.”
Only upon hearing this did Pei Jinrong, whose ears were burning red, dare to open his eyes. He watched as Song Wenqing pursed his lips and silently wrapped the cloth around his hand.
Ever since Pei Jinrong fell off a cliff two years ago, his legs had been paralyzed, confining him to a wheelchair. He was originally the son of the wealthiest family in the capital. His father had spent tens of thousands of taels of gold, yet not a single person could cure his legs. Even the imperial physicians were helpless, merely advising that he take some medicine to regulate his body.
From then on, he knew that the rest of his life would be restricted to this wheelchair. In his presence, his father and mother were always terrified that mentioning a single word about it would make him unhappy, so they constantly forced smiles.
A young man of sixteen or seventeen is at an age where he is most prideful. He would have preferred his parents to nag him or openly say he was ruined for life, rather than having them wipe away tears behind his back.
Unwilling to stay there any longer, Pei Jinrong left a farewell letter and came all alone to this remote Yunhan Village. Knowing that he was unwilling to return, his father and mother did not force him further.
However, they had sent him a letter this year, stating that although he was not returning to the capital, he had already passed the marriageable age. They urged him to quickly find someone he liked to settle down with; otherwise, the two of them would drag him back by force even if they had to carry him.
He was acutely aware that his legs were crippled. In this lifetime, let alone finding someone with whom he shared a mutual affection, it was highly likely that no family would be willing to marry their daughter or ger to him to endure such a bitter life.
It just so happened that Shen Xiaolan had sent someone to inquire, so he hurriedly agreed. He gave all the remaining silver he had brought from the capital to the Song family as a betrothal gift.
Pei Jinrong originally held no expectations for this marriage. After all, he had heard bits of gossip regarding Song Wenqing and assumed he possessed a hesitant, quiet, and taciturn nature. But looking at him today, he discovered that Song Wenqing practically radiated light. Just one look filled his heart with joy.
It was not that he had not fantasized about the life of an ordinary person. In the letters sent from the capital, his former good brothers already had sweet, soft husbands to hold while they slept. Two people pulling together through life was always better than being alone. Looking at the scenes described in those letters, his heart could not help but itch with anticipation.
This Brother Ah Wen was not only handsome, but he also cared about whether his hand hurt. Furthermore, it was a pure, unadulterated concern for the injury on his hand, rather than pitying him because his legs were crippled. He had always felt deeply insecure, but the person before him was carefully and gently protecting his meager remaining dignity.
As Pei Jinrong thought about this, his eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. He tilted his head upward, terrified of losing face in front of this person.
Unaware of Pei Jinrong’s emotional rollercoaster, Song Wenqing kept his head down as he bandaged the wound, instructing, “When you come back tonight, I will wipe it down with wine for you. Do not touch water for the next few days.”
Although wine could not compare to proper medical alcohol and its disinfecting effect was a bit lacking, having some was better than nothing.
“Mm,” Pei Jinrong responded softly.
“Does it hurt?”
“It hurts.” Pei Jinrong ultimately could not hold it in anymore. Large, bean-sized teardrops fell from his face, landing directly on the back of Song Wenqing’s hand.
Song Wenqing’s hand paused. His heart felt as though it had been scratched by a kitten, and he found it somewhat amusing. “Don’t cry.”
He thought to himself: Alright, I am a pervert. I take back what I said earlier; I really like this type.
Upon hearing these words, Pei Jinrong’s tears flowed like a broken string, and he wept uncontrollably.
He originally had not wanted to cry. Yet for some reason, perhaps because Song Wenqing’s smile was too indulgent, or perhaps because of the undisguised worry between his brows, the grievances he had bottled up for over two years finally found an outlet. The youth, who initially only shed silent tears, began to sob aloud.
It was not jarring or unpleasant; instead, it made Song Wenqing’s heart itch. As if possessed by a sudden impulse, he pulled Pei Jinrong into his arms and gently patted his back. “Stop crying. If you cry, you won’t look good anymore.”
Pei Jinrong’s tears soaked his shoulder, but he did not mind it at all.
After crying for a long time, the person in his embrace finally calmed down. Suddenly realizing how improper his current behavior was, Pei Jinrong froze rigidly for a moment before hurriedly pushing Song Wenqing away.
If his ears had been red just moments ago, he had now turned entirely into a cooked shrimp. Even his neck was tinged with a faint pink. Fortunately, the wedding attire was also red, allowing Pei Jinrong to conceal it slightly.
Song Wenqing was not annoyed at being pushed away. He looked at the embarrassed Pei Jinrong with a smile in his eyes, feeling a lingering sense of amusement in his heart.
He had not expected his future husband to actually be such a little crybaby.
Having taken advantage of Song Wenqing, Pei Jinrong’s face burned hot, but he still forced himself to speak. “Brother Ah Wen, you… you sit here for a moment.”
After saying this, he quickly pushed his wheelchair outside.
With his heart beating rapidly, Pei Jinrong still managed to spare a thought, wondering if Brother Ah Wen was just as nervous as he was.
It was very lively outside. An older aunt carried a freshly cooked dish to the table with both hands, saying cheerfully, “Young Master Jin, don’t be in such a rush for the bridal chamber. Wait until nighttime.” Handily clearing the empty plates from the table, she turned around. “You need to toast the guests first.”
The bridal chamber? Pei Jinrong’s face flushed red instantly. Stiffening his neck, he protested, “I am not!”
Weighing his duplicitous look, the aunt merely smiled. To save the youth some face, she did not expose him. “Right, right, right.” Noticing the tears lingering in the youth’s eyes, she was slightly puzzled but did not think too deeply on it, stating directly, “Young Master Jin, you will have to protect Wen-ger from now on. You can’t cry so easily anymore.”
Hearing this, Pei Jinrong raised his eyes and gave the aunt a calm look. Remembering something, he smiled and said, “Auntie, could you bring some food to Ah Wen?”
Seeing that the clear, innocent look in Pei Jinrong’s eyes had already vanished, replaced instead by his usual aloof and cold demeanor, the aunt froze slightly. It took her a brief moment to smile and agree.
Young Master Jin really had not changed; this was the real him. Just now, with his curved brows and bright, clear eyes as he led Song Wenqing into the house, it had actually been quite startling.
Seeing her nod, Pei Jinrong nodded in return and headed toward the tables to toast the guests.
He touched his ears, which were still a bit red, and smiled faintly as he recalled how panicked Song Wenqing had looked in the inner room when he saw him cry. His father was indeed right; only a man who knows how to act spoiled and show vulnerability gets to hold his wife.
The wedding could be considered one of the better ones in the village. It was evident that although Shen Xiaolan was usually stingy, she was willing to spend generously this time for the sake of her own reputation.
Just the meat dishes alone included stir-fried rabbit meat, fried pepper meat slices, and freshly made braised chicken, which was exceptionally good for the villagers. Coupled with the sorghum wine bought from the market for fifty wen per liter, everyone ate and drank happily, with cheers erupting from the crowd from time to time.
As the sky gradually darkened, the villagers dispersed after finishing with the festivities. However, many married women and ger stayed behind to help clean up.
They were worried that the eighteen-year-old youth might be too vigorous and full of youthful energy, leaving Song Wenqing unable to get out of bed tomorrow, which would mean he could not manage the chores alone. Seeing the slightly tipsy Pei Jinrong, the aunt pondered whether she should give him a talk on how to consummate the marriage.
After some thought, she felt too embarrassed to bring it up. She quickly urged him to enter the room and then led the rest of the people away.
Pei Jinrong had drunk quite a bit. Holding onto his last shred of sobriety, he pushed his wheelchair into the room.
Hearing the movement, Song Wenqing looked up at him. With that single glance, he fell completely for him.
Pei Jinrong thought to himself: This is my husband from now on. He lowered his head and stammered, “Ah… Ah Wen, did you eat something just now to cushion your stomach?”
Song Wenqing noticed that the way the youth addressed him had changed again, but he did not mind. It was just that this shy, bashful appearance left him at a loss for what to do.
Crucially, the youth’s gaze kept shifting around, and he swallowed hard from time to time, causing Song Wenqing to feel a wave of heat wash over his own body as well.
It was as if he were possessed.
“I ate a little,” he said softly.
Pei Jinrong nodded hurriedly. He pushed his wheelchair over and picked up two wine cups. “Then let us drink the matrimonial wine first.”
He handed the cup filled with wine to Song Wenqing. Under this atmosphere, both of them, having only met today, felt a wave of shyness. After finishing the wine, the ambiance turned distinctly intimate.
In his past life, Song Wenqing’s sexual orientation had been toward men. Now, not only was he sharing a room with his preferred type, but given their current status, it was entirely rightful and proper even if things progressed to that ultimate step.
Fortunately, though, Pei Jinrong’s legs were incapacitated. Even if the youth had the heart for it, he lacked the physical ability.
To his utter astonishment, in the very next second, he watched with wide eyes as the youth used his right foot to climb onto the bed.
Seeing Song Wenqing’s wide-eyed stare, Pei Jinrong scratched his head in embarrassment. “Walking with a limp is too ugly.” Remembering something, he quickly added, “But I really didn’t lie to you. My legs were indeed paralyzed before. I only regained sensation in my right leg last year.”
He was a bit panicked, fearing that Song Wenqing would think he had deceived the Song family.
Song Wenqing froze for a moment before letting out a lighthearted laugh. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“I was afraid Ah Wen would hear the villagers saying my legs are crippled, think that I lied to you, and then want a divorce,” Pei Jinrong murmured softly, his eyes watery and looking as aggrieved as could be.
Hearing this, a smile graced Song Wenqing’s starry eyes as he said, “Could it be that I married you because your legs were crippled?”
When he put it that way, Pei Jinrong finally realized how silly he was being and lowered his head in annoyance.
The two stopped talking, and the atmosphere turned awkward once again.
Throughout the entire day, Song Wenqing had truly believed that Pei Jinrong’s legs were completely paralyzed. Aside from a fleeting thought just now, he had not considered that kind of matter at all. He never expected to find out tonight that the youth only sat in the wheelchair because he thought walking with a limp looked too ugly; he turned out to be someone quite conscious of his image.
However, this also meant that for two individuals in the prime of their youth, sparking a fire between them would be completely normal.
He could not quite describe his feelings. In his past life, he had achieved excellent academic grades and his mind always worked rapidly, yet right now it was completely blank, his thoughts utterly disorganized.
But he was not the only one feeling uneasy. It was also Pei Jinrong’s first time being alone in a room with someone around his age, let alone the fact that this person was his husband.
After a long pause, he said dryly, “Then let’s sleep after I blow out the lamp.”
Seeing Song Wenqing nod, he stood up, curling his left leg and hopping over to the table to blow out the light. He thought to himself: I absolutely cannot let Ah Wen see me walking with a limp. It is dreadfully ugly.
Accustomed to sleeping on the outer side, he let Song Wenqing lie down on the inside first. The blanket was very soft. Recalling Pei Jinrong’s words from earlier today, “Let’s go home,” Song Wenqing’s heart began to race.
The bed dipped slightly, and Song Wenqing knew that Pei Jinrong had groped his way onto the bed. Since childhood, Song Wenqing had possessed a cold constitution; the moment Pei Jinrong got in, a warm aura completely enveloped him.
The two lay straight side by side, their breathing intertwining. Only now did Song Wenqing realize that Pei Jinrong was actually taller than him, standing at least 185 cm.
He never expected that in the next second, the tall and well-built youth would wrap an arm around his waist, nuzzling against his chest as he murmured, “Ah Wen, let’s sleep.”
In truth, Pei Jinrong was no fool. He knew that today was only the first time he and Song Wenqing had met. No matter how deeply he liked him right now, it would be useless if Song Wenqing did not like him back. Right now, the only thing he could think of was the method his father used when pursuing his mother: act spoiled, show vulnerability, and maintain a sense of boundaries.
Song Wenqing: “…”
Does he have any idea that doing this only makes me feel hotter?!
The youth’s furry head rested against his chest, and before long, the sound of even breathing drifted over.
Song Wenqing let out a soft sigh, closed his eyes, and went to sleep as well. Just before drifting off, a thought suddenly crossed his mind: It seems I’ll have to make Pei Jinrong drink less wine next time.