11
Sharing a Half Bed
After the Lin family delivered the goods, they prepared to return to the village.
No matter how Mother Lu tried to persuade them to stay, they insisted on leaving. In a fluster, she borrowed two bottles of liquor from Aunt Xu’s house in the front yard and asked Mother Lin to take them back for Lin’s Father to try.
Lin Jianchun and Mother Lu saw them off to the entrance of the alley, instructing Lu Xuanzhou, “A Zhou, make sure you escort your mother-in-law and the others onto the bus.”
Only when they were completely out of sight did the two return home.
Once home, Mother Lu immediately began sorting through the items. One sack was filled with spring vegetables and wild mushrooms, while another contained wild boar meat and dried bamboo shoots.
“This is far too much—it’ll last us at least two months.”
Mother Lu had already prepared most of the gifts to take to the countryside, but since the Lin family valued this marriage so highly, she felt she ought to add more to her own gifts.
Mother Lu discussed with Lin Jianchun the idea of using some of the vegetables to build goodwill. “Last time we had trouble, Grandpa Sun spoke up for us—we owe him a favor. The property manager in the front yard, Uncle Xu, is an 8th-grade forger at the machinery factory. He’s the one who helped A Zhou transfer from the workshop to escorting trucks in the freight department. Usually, Aunt Xu is always willing to lend a hand when we need help. And then there’s Aunt Jiang in the middle courtyard…”
“Mom, my head is spinning just listening—”
“You silly child, there are many intricacies to living in a Courtyard. Sooner or later, this household will be in your hands, and you’ll have to get along with everyone.”
Lin Jianchun replied, “That’s still a long way off. I’ll learn gradually from you later. Right now, I just want to find a job and solve our food supply issues.”
The work units in the city only had a few positions available each year, and most were reserved through connections. Even if one wanted to buy a job, it required extremely close relationships; otherwise, you wouldn’t even hear about the opportunity.
Mother Lu didn’t want to dampen Lin Jianchun’s enthusiasm, as having such motivation was a good thing.
After all, as parents, we shouldn’t discourage our children’s initiative.
“Let’s not force the job issue; we’ll let it happen naturally. Don’t get too worked up about it. The most important thing for you now is to build a stronger bond with A Zhou. When a couple gets along well, everything else falls into place.”
Lin Jianchun agreed to everything and helped Mother Lu sort through the items.
Mother Lu set aside a few fish to give as gifts and prepared the rest to be salted and dried.
After dark, Mother Lu discreetly visited a few households to deliver the fish and vegetables.
Once the family had everything in order, Mother Lu urged Lin Jianchun and Lu Xuanzhou to go to bed early.
Her earnest gaze made Lin Jianchun feel a bit overwhelmed.
Having handled fish earlier, Lin Jianchun was covered in a fishy smell. After washing up, Lu Xuanzhou took the initiative to dispose of the water for her.
Lu Xuanzhou looked at the wet floor and wondered how he could possibly sleep on it.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lin Jianchun swung her legs leisurely. “How about you squeeze in with Little Lu for the night?”
Lu Xuanzhou glanced up at her, his expression complicated.
Hmph, who could take a bath without splashing a single drop of water?
Lu Xuanzhou walked out.
Just as he pushed open Little Lu’s door, Mother Lu emerged from her room. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Lu Xuanzhou remained silent.
Mother Lu raised an eyebrow. “You’re not thinking of sleeping in your brother’s room, are you?”
Lu Xuanzhou sighed helplessly. “Mom, I have to go to Shanghai tomorrow.”
Mother Lu frowned. “All the more reason to have a good talk with your wife. This is your first business trip since you got married—don’t let her worry.”
Lu Xuanzhou was ushered back to his room, where Lin Jianchun had already changed into a loose tank top and was stretching her legs on the bed.
Lu Xuanzhou watched as the pale leg stretched taut, the panties he had washed clinging tightly… His eyes darkened like ink, inscrutable.
“Ahem.”
“Could you share half the bed with me tonight?”
Lin Jianchun retracted her leg, smoothing her tank top as she did. “Sure, this is your room after all.”
Just as Lu Xuanzhou breathed a sigh of relief, Lin Jianchun spoke again: “But I have one condition.”
“What condition?”
“I like holding something when I sleep. If you’re sharing half the bed, you’ll have to lend me an arm to hold.”
After a brief hesitation, Lu Xuanzhou agreed.
Thankfully, it was just an arm.
“Then turn off the light and sleep.”
Lu Xuanzhou took off his clothes and lay down stiffly.
“Your arm.”
Mechanically, Lu Xuanzhou extended an arm, but when it touched Lin Jianchun, he tried to pull back. She immediately grabbed hold of it.
“Alright, we can sleep now.”
In the darkness, the breathing beside him was clear and distinct, each breath tantalizing.
Suppressing his urges, a thin layer of sweat formed on his forehead, carrying a thick, dangerous aura. One month—still quite long.
“I have to drive out tomorrow, might be gone for five or six days.”
The only response was Lin Jianchun’s steady, even breathing. Lu Xuanzhou slowly turned his head and saw her sleeping soundly.
Lu Xuanzhou didn’t know when he fell asleep, but when he woke, Lin Jianchun was curled up entirely in his embrace.
By the time Lin Jianchun woke, Lu Xuanzhou was long gone. In her arms, she held his pillow.
Tch.
What a considerate gentleman, really thinking she needed to hold something to sleep at night.
She placed Lu Xuanzhou’s pillow back and noticed a note.
“Business trip. Back in about five or six days.”
Under the note were three pairs of panties!
Lin Jianchun’s cheeks flushed crimson, wishing she could burn holes through the panties with her stare.
What did Lu Xuanzhou mean by this? Was he afraid she’d have no panties to wear while he was away?
After calming herself, Lin Jianchun left the room and saw Mother Lu drying wild boar meat.
Lin Jianchun ate a vegetable bun while chatting with Mother Lu. Just then, Aunt Jiang from the central courtyard came over.
“Sister Lu, the grain station will have a batch of rice, oil, and flour this morning. Just come around noon during the lunch break. I have a relative with extra rations in their grain booklet to sell, but it’s a bit more expensive. Do you want it?”
Mother Lu quickly replied, “Yes! I was just worrying about where to buy high-priced grain next month.”
“Alright, then remember to come at the right time. I’ll head to work now.”
Mother Lu hurriedly packed two dried bamboo shoot and meat buns for Aunt Jiang. “Have these on the way.”
Aunt Jiang declined a few times, but when she heard the Song family next door opening their door, she stopped refusing.
Song’s Mother greeted Aunt Jiang warmly, “Xiao Jiang, off to work so early? Did the grain station get supplies today?”
Aunt Jiang responded indifferently, “Mm.” Then she rode off on her bicycle.
Song’s Mother had been waiting for Aunt Jiang to chat and open the back door for her, but instead, she got a cold shoulder. She’d have to remind her son to be more attentive and marry the nurse home sooner.
Watching Aunt Jiang’s casual demeanor, Lin Jianchun thought she was truly free-spirited. She wanted to be a woman like that too.
“Mom, does Aunt Jiang work at the grain station?”
“Yes, your Aunt Jiang works at the grain station. The director there is her biological father. The reason she married down to our Courtyard is because she cares about looks—your Uncle Hai is handsome.”
Lin Jianchun nodded. So, having a respectable job is essential. Even handsome men can be picked at will.
Lin Jianchun accompanied Mother Lu to the grain station. The Lu family could collect 84 jin of grain per month, and they also bought an additional 60 jin of high-priced grain.
Fearing Lin Jianchun might overthink, Mother Lu quietly reassured her on the way back: “A Zhou often drives at night and needs to stay focused. I can’t let him drive on an empty stomach, so I have someone buy high-priced grain for us every month. But since A Zhou travels to many places for work, he sometimes brings back some good stuff, which I secretly sell for a little extra money.”
Lin Jianchun was surprised that Mother Lu was being so open with her, especially since she and Lu Xuanzhou hadn’t even registered their marriage yet and could part ways at any moment.
She was the kind of person who couldn’t bear others treating her with such sincerity.
She linked arms with Mother Lu and said, “Mom, once I find a job, I’ll make sure you never have to worry about food again.”
Her words immediately brought a smile to Mother Lu’s face. “Then I’ll just wait to enjoy the blessings of having a daughter-in-law. I’ve come to realize that those two rebellious sons of mine would be lucky not to upset me—I certainly can’t expect any happiness from them.”
With next month’s food supply secured, Mother Lu cooked a pot of steamed rice that evening. Little Lu devoured four bowls, and Lin Jianchun finished two. Mother Lu nibbled on the crispy rice crust at the bottom of the pot and only ate one bowl, claiming she’d feel uncomfortable sleeping if she ate too much.
Lin Jianchun knew Mother Lu was simply reluctant to use up their grain.
Although there were several black markets in the city, the crackdowns were strict, and people often got arrested. Mother Lu feared implicating her son and preferred to tighten her belt rather than frequently visit the black market.