Han Qingsong’s tone remained as steady as ever, but Han Er-ge detected a hint of coldness in it. Knowing that his brother was angry after hearing what had just been said, he felt too embarrassed to follow, so he could only say, "Third, don't be angry. You've built a brick-and-tile house while Die and Niang are still living in a dilapidated thatched hut; surely you can see why they would feel a bit of discomfort and resentment."
He did not hear Han Qingsong respond, so he stopped talking and turned to head home.
Han Er-sao grabbed him and whispered, "Are you stupid?"
She reached out and felt the meat on top, whispering happily, "Meat!"
She grabbed a piece and shoved it into her mouth, stuffed another into Er-ge’s mouth, then poked around to grab the rest to save for her own children.
Not only did she snatch all the meat from the top, she even squeezed the vegetables to ensure no hidden pieces of meat remained, completely disregarding any sense of hygiene.
Just then, Gumi walked out and shouted, "Er Dada, Er Niangniang, what are you sneakily eating?"
With her shout, Han Jinyu rushed out, "What are you two doing?"
Han Er-ge hurriedly said, "They wouldn't come over, so we sent a bowl of vegetables and a package of mooncakes over for Die and Niang."
Fortunately, it was pitch black, so things weren't clearly visible.
Fearing that his sister would start picking a fight, he rushed toward home, with Han Jinyu in pursuit.
Han Er-sao hurriedly returned to the east side room, put the meat she had stolen into a water bowl so she could give it to her children later, and then sucked her fingers clean.
Han Er-ge entered the main room and placed the large bowl and mooncakes on the table, just as Han Er-sao arrived.
Han Jinyu, however, was not having it. She insisted that there had been meat in the vegetables and that the two of them must have picked it out and eaten it. "Look at these vegetables, they're a mess. One look and you can tell they've been pawed through. Isn't that disgusting?"
She stared at Han Er-ge and Han Er-sao’s mouths. "Look, your mouths are all shiny with oil. Just how much did you steal and eat? Tell me, how much?"
She stomped her foot and cried to Die and Niang, "Look at this! These are the 'good' sons you raised!"
She hadn't eaten meat in so many days since returning home.
Han Laotaitai stared at Han Er-ge and his wife with a gloomy expression, scolding, "You really are like lazy donkeys—lagging behind when it comes to work, but reaching out first when it comes to eating! How can you be so shameless and lacking in decency? If you're that greedy, just die of it. You're getting on in years, yet you're only getting more disgraceful. Aren't you embarrassed?"
To be scolded so harshly right in front of the younger generation was humiliating. Even someone thick-skinned like Han Er-ge couldn't take it. He grew unhappy as well; when Lao Si and his sister weren't home, he would suck up to the old lady, but with his younger brother and sister around, there was no place for him.
Han Da-ge hurriedly tried to mediate. "Niang, calm down. Perhaps Third's family only gave a bowl of vegetables without meat. Look, there are still mooncakes here. Eat the mooncakes."
Han Er-sao immediately chimed in, "That's right, there was no meat. Lao San’s wife is so stingy, how could she ever be willing to give us meat?"
Han Jinyu rushed into the east room and brought out a bowl. "You say there was no meat? Then where did this come from?" Furious, she slammed the bowl against Han Er-sao. Han Er-sao let out a howl, and the bowl fell to the floor and shattered.
Han Jinyu shouted angrily, "Nobody is allowed to eat!"
Over on the Er-fang side, Xiaofu and Gaoliang couldn't resist; they scrambled to pick the meat off the floor and stuff it into their mouths. It was too delicious!!
It tasted so good that tears came to their eyes.
Seeing this, Han Jinyu was so angry she couldn't speak. She pointed at them, "You—you—you vulgar, base people." She stomped her foot, covered her face, and ran off.
Han Er-sao patted her dirty clothes and began to jump up and down as well. "We’re vulgar and base? You're the noble one? Then why are you still in this house? Isn't it us 'base' ones supporting a 'high-class' person like you? If you're so capable, go out and earn your own food!"
With a "slap," Han Laotaitai stepped forward and hit her. "You shrew, who do you think you’re bullying?"
Han Er-sao hadn't expected the old lady to hit her. Her face turned pale with fury. She turned to Han Er-ge and cursed, "Are you a dead man?!" Not daring to hit the old lady, she turned to tear into Han Er-ge.
Han Er-ge was still stunned—how did it become his fault?
He hurriedly pushed Han Er-sao away. "You crazy woman, why are you going mad for no reason?"
Han Er-sao truly went mad, throwing things, crying, and making a scene.
Han Laotaitai started cursing Lao San, Lin Lan, San Wang, and Da Wang, cursing them one by one. Seeing Han Da-sao’s mocking expression, she felt even more incensed and cursed, "You happy? You gloating, dog-hearted thing!"
Han Da-ge tried to persuade this person and that, but he couldn't soothe anyone, and instead got scratched several times by Han Er-sao during the commotion.
Han Da-sao was so angry she wept. Finally, Han Er-sao was forcibly carried back to the east room by her husband, where they locked the door and continued to fight on the kang.
The neighbors next door were eating their reunion dinner while enjoying the great drama from the Han family, murmuring, "What’s going on? Director Han brought food over, and that ends up being the wrong thing?"
"It was meat, too. If that were sent to our house, how nice it would be! I guarantee I wouldn't complain!"
"I think it’s just that their hearts are never satisfied because of their bias!"
...
Meanwhile, Han Qingsong had returned home. Lin Lan was surprised he was back so soon. "You didn't sit down to talk for a while?"
Judging by his pace, he had just dropped it off; why was he back already? Was he driven out? The old lady hated him for having Lao Si locked up, so that was very possible.
Han Qingsong’s expression was as usual, revealing nothing, but his lips were pressed into a straight line, and his eyes were a bit cold.
Hearing Lin Lan’s question, he shook his head. "No."
Lin Lan keenly felt his low mood—could he be angry? Although he was always this serious in his daily life and there was no obvious difference whether he was happy or not, she still sensitively perceived that he was unhappy.
She gestured for him to sit down and eat, saying softly, "They have so many people, and rations are tight right now; it's normal that it wasn't convenient for them to have you stay for dinner. If it weren't for the fact that we have so many children and I don't earn many work points, I would have been happy to give them some food coupons."
She knew how to say nice things to coax her man.
Han Qingsong ate in silence without a word.
For some reason, seeing him look even more silent, Lin Lan couldn't bear it.
She thought again: That's not right; he’s been cursed at before, and I’ve never seen him so down.
A man who was usually strong, cold, and emotionless suddenly showing a hint of vulnerability made one unable to bear it.
Lin Lan became exceptionally gentle when speaking to him, which, from Han Qingsong’s perspective, felt like she was coaxing Xiao Wang or a sick child.
Thus, he became even more silent.
Lin Lan suddenly remembered, "Oh dear, didn't you bring that large bowl back?"
Han Qingsong stood up. "I'll go get it."
Lin Lan quickly pressed him down. The poor dear, he went to deliver good food and was driven out, and now to go back to ask for a bowl, wouldn't that just be even more unbearable?
She said, "Forget it, the old lady must really cherish that bowl, let her have it." She would go and ask for it back later; if they dared not to give it to her, they could just try.
The children saw that their father’s mood wasn't great, so they didn't dare to be mischievous. After eating, they ran to the east room to listen to the radio.
Lin Lan said, "Your father bought you mooncakes and apples. One of each; you are not allowed to fight over them. You don't have to eat them all tonight; it's fine to eat them tomorrow, too."
Several children scrambled to the east room. Er Wang went to the desk by the wall to fight over the radio dial, while the others ran to the kang to grab mooncakes and apples.
San Wang wanted to trade his apple for the rock sugar in his sister’s and brothers’ mooncakes. When others wouldn't trade with him, he went after Xiao Wang, but Er Wang protected him, and for a while, it was lively and bustling.
Lin Lan listened to the children's chattering and felt very much at ease. She moved the dishes in front of Han Qingsong. "Eat more."
She imagined the grievances Han Qingsong must be feeling but unable to express, and for a moment, she pitied him, so she took the initiative to peel a salted egg. "We pickled these ourselves; they aren't as good as salted duck eggs, they don't have oil."
Han Qingsong took a bite from her hand. "It's alright." He continued to eat in silence.
After the meal, Lin Lan cleared the table and washed up.
Han Qingsong rolled up his sleeves and went to help her wash the bowls.
Lin Lan was happy inside, though she acted polite on the surface. Han Qingsong took them without a word and began washing. The serving bowl was a bit greasy, so he asked Lin Lan to get some alkali powder.
"Director Han, here is the alkali powder you requested." Lin Lan handed it to him with a giggle.
Han Qingsong: "..."
Lin Lan stood to the side and admired the scene: the tall man hunched over the stove washing bowls actually looked quite harmonious.
She had been very satisfied with Han Qingsong’s recent performance.
In the whole village, what man would wash bowls for his wife? They wouldn't even pick up a fallen broom.
Looking at it this way, Lao Han was quite suitable for running a household and a country. In the army, he had a box full of medals; upon transferring to civilian work, he could earn money and build a house; he could sew quilts and wash bowls—he was a master at everything, inside and out.
Feeling her gaze, Han Qingsong gave her a look.
Lin Lan immediately took the bowls and chopsticks he had washed and wiped them dry one by one with a clean cloth. "Thank you for your hard work, Shouzhang."
Han Qingsong: "...At your service."
Lin Lan saw the light in his eyes; he must have been in a better mood.
When Han Qingsong was washing the pot, Lin Lan went to close the front gate. She vaguely heard some noise coming from the northeast, so she went out quietly to listen. Emma, it sounded like the Han house. Should she tell Han Qingsong?
With a turn of thought, she decided to pretend she didn't know, to avoid him getting dragged into it.
She walked home by moonlight, but before she could get close, she heard Han Jinyu’s voice.
She had only been out for a few minutes and this person was already taking advantage of the opening!
You aren't busy enough fighting your own battles at home that you had to run to my place to cause trouble?
Han Jinyu cried with deep grievance and distress, "Third Brother, I can't live over there anymore. Er-ge and Er-sao are too mean. They stole all the meat you gave, and I didn't get a single bite. Wuwu~~ I don't want to go back there to live. At night, it’s all snoring sounds, I can't sleep at all. And the rats crawl onto the kang; I'm scared to death. Wuwu~~ Third Brother, I want to come to your house to sleep."
Lin Lan was just about to go over to roast her, but she stopped in her tracks.
She heard Han Qingsong say coldly, "The family has been divided; your Saozi has the final say."
"Third Brother, how can you be like this? What kind of love potion has she fed you? We are one family, she is a Lin—she’s an outsider." Han Jinyu was clearly muddled with anger.
"She is my wife and the mother of my children; she is the head of this household. Since the family is divided, brothers and sisters are guests." Han Qingsong spoke in a mechanical, rote manner, like someone reciting a book.
Han Jinyu couldn't imagine he could say something so heartless. "You—you, how can you be like this? Does this mean you don't want Die and Niang anymore? Die is the head of the family!"
"You're mistaken. In the big family, Die is the head of the house. In the small family after the division, my wife is the head. There can only be one person in charge of a household. If you want to come and stay, go ask your Saozi; if she agrees, I have no objection."
He rarely said things like this; he seemed to find it difficult, yet he was firm, so he spoke stiffly, appearing solemn and very serious.
"Then what if Die and Niang come to stay? You won't allow that either?" Han Jinyu insisted on getting to the bottom of it out of spite; she didn't believe he would choose to be unfilial to Die and Niang.
"If the family is divided, then elderly care is taken in turns—of course there is no objection to that. Your Saozi is a reasonable person."
"Her? She’s reasonable?" Han Jinyu looked as if she had heard the most ridiculous joke. "She’s the most famous shrew in the whole village, didn't you know?"
Han Qingsong’s voice grew increasingly severe, rising and falling like a leader giving a lecture. "The fault before was not entirely hers; it was mine. Today, I want to tell you very seriously that your fault is also not small. As a sister-in-law, you do not unite with your Saozi, but instead sow discord and squeeze her every day, treat your niece like a servant, and monopolize the family’s money and grain. You have also repeatedly slandered your Saozi in front of me—if it weren't for Die and Niang’s sake, I should have sent you to receive re-education."
Han Jinyu was stunned. What did he mean? Was he blaming her for slandering Lin Lan and wanting to send her to labor camp too?
She trembled all over with anger, pointing at Han Qingsong and cursing, "You—you are not a person! I hate you to death! You don't deserve to be my Third Brother!"
Han Qingsong said coldly, "As you wish."
Han Jinyu had already been full of anger at home, ran out and cried for a good while, then thought of looking for her Third Brother to pour out her grievances, but now she was so enraged by Han Qingsong that she just exploded. She let out a sharp "Ah—" and turned to run away.
Lin Lan hurriedly hid, pretending she wasn't there.
Han Qingsong stood in the courtyard for a moment, then walked out the gate. Hearing Han Jinyu’s footsteps running away, and not hearing any movement from Lin Lan, he walked a few steps to the east. "Lin Lan?"
Lin Lan stayed hidden and didn't make a sound, so Han Qingsong continued to walk east to look for her.
Lin Lan hurriedly flashed back home.
The full moon of the fifteenth day was like a giant yellow mooncake hanging low on the eastern treetops; it wasn't very bright yet.
A moment later, Han Qingsong returned. Lin Lan immediately went to meet him. "Where did you go?"
Han Qingsong: "To find you."
Lin Lan gave an "ah" sound. "I heard movement on the west side, so I went to take a look, but there was nothing there."
The late autumn night was cool, and the wind carried a slight chill. Lin Lan couldn't help but shiver.
Han Qingsong immediately hugged her. "It's cold outside, go inside; I’ll go close the gate."
He went to close the courtyard gate, and Lin Lan waited for him.
Han Qingsong was a bit surprised. He took her hand in his large one, and Lin Lan let him hold it.
Remembering Han Jinyu’s words, Lin Lan took the initiative to say, "We still have some roof tiles left from building the house."
This time, Han Qingsong hadn't bought a small amount of bricks and tiles, but because they had added a small gatehouse and a row of small south rooms, plus the outhouse and the pen, the bricks were all gone. As for the tiles, because the brick and tile factory had extra when he bought them, Han Qingsong spent the money to buy them all, so there was a surplus.
Han Qingsong made an "en" sound.
Lin Lan smiled. "We aren't going to be building an inner room for a while, so how about we use them to tile the old lady’s room first?" That would save them from always obsessing over her house.
Han Qingsong said indifferently, "No need."
Lin Lan gave an "ah," a bit unable to believe he would be so decisive.
Han Qingsong explained, "The family is divided; everyone has their own way of living. If Die and the eldest brother come to borrow from us, we will give, but if they don't ask, we don't need to offer voluntarily."
Lin Lan secretly rejoiced; he was thinking exactly the same thing as her.
If they borrow, then the brothers share the burden, and it has to be paid back.
If they don't borrow, it’s not given for free.
This could also spur them toward dividing the family. If they want to enjoy the benefits of her household, then they divide the family, and the brothers take turns caring for the elderly.
Right now, her family had no obligation to support the brothers and sisters.
She felt that the slight low mood Han Qingsong had earlier seemed to have disappeared completely.
Lin Lan tugged him into the east room to talk to the children and bond with them.
These men were all the same—ignoring their wives, being too strict with their children, and not affectionate enough; it was the same situation in the whole village. Men were fine hanging out together chatting nonsense, but they didn't have much patience for their own wives and children.
The children were listening to the radio, which was playing allusions and stories related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lin Lan gave Maisui a look, signaling her to go to the west room to wash up.
Since it had gotten cool, she taught Maisui to wipe her body, change her underwear, and soak her feet every day; Maisui was working hard to get used to it.
Lin Lan smelled a child’s sweaty feet. "Who didn't wash their feet? It stinks to death; are you trying to turn your feet into fermented manure?"
The boys giggled, and Er Wang immediately pushed San Wang: "Go wash your feet; you’re the only one who didn't."
San Wang pouted. "It was Da-ge, not me."
Da Wang immediately shoved his feet in front of him. "You smell it! You smell it! I washed them in the river!"
In the end, it was San Wang whose feet were smelly, and he was forced to wash them.
When the children returned, Lin Lan asked, "Who can recite a poem related to the Mid-Autumn Festival? Did the teacher teach any?"
Han Qingping was a very interesting teacher, but because his goal wasn't preparation for examinations but literacy, his teaching was very realistic.
Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, so besides teaching reading and writing, he surely would have taught reciting poetry related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The children couldn't recall one for a moment; after all, they had been too relaxed—they were eating mooncakes—who would have thought they would be quizzed on memorization?
Lin Lan prompted them: "There are those about the full moon, about Mid-Autumn, about Chan Juan. Even if it just has the word 'moon', it's fine. Like, 'The moon at Mid-Autumn is exceptionally bright'."
She smiled and immediately gave herself a footnote: "I listen to the radio at home every day; I've heard quite a few."
Da Wang glanced at her. "The radio plays poetry recitation?"
Lin Lan: "Sometimes."
Let alone that she actually hadn't heard any.
In fact, at this time, with the cultural movement, educational reform, and the breaking of the 'Four Olds' to remove feudal elements, classical poetry and prose were generally treated as feudal dross, and in many places, they weren't taught at all. However, in small places, it wasn't that strict, and teachers would still teach it. After all, those who had studied Tang poetry and Song lyrics, captivated by the beauty of that language and imagery, often couldn't help but want to chant it and teach it to students.
Lin Lan realized she should say less; she only knew what she had heard them say; if they hadn't said it, she didn't know it either.
Just then, Han Qingsong began to recite a few lines: "The moon has its cloudy and clear phases, people have their joys and sorrows; such is a difficult thing to complete since ancient times, but may we live long and share the moon’s grace from a thousand miles away."
Lin Lan: "...Good! Look at your father, how amazing he is!"
Aiyo wei, how appropriate for the occasion.
With them saying this, Er Wang also began to remember, and they all started reciting poems Han Qingping had taught.
Xiao Wang was there fiddling with a flute; after a while, he began to play. Although no one had taught him, he was just blowing randomly, but it wasn't harsh—instead, it was quite pleasant.
Of course, he didn't know how to coordinate the eight musical notes, only using three or four familiar ones in a loop.
Lin Lan praised him: "The little one is our family’s musician."
San Wang immediately said, "I'm the swimming expert."
Everyone laughed, and Maisui laughed at him: "Swimming expert? Don't be shameless. I think you're the eating expert."
San Wang pointed at Da Wang: "Da-ge is the fighting expert."
Da Wang’s face turned black instantly, and he glared at him; San Wang just laughed.
San Wang pointed at Er Wang: "Er-ge is the stingy expert," then pointed at Maisui: "You are the vanity expert."
Several children chased him, wanting to hit him.
San Wang hid in Lin Lan’s arms. "Die is the stealing-and-eating expert!"
Lin Lan: "!! You’re asking for a beating."
She pinned San Wang to the kang and tickled him. "I think you’re a little 'trouble' expert." Er Wang and Maisui all came to tickle him.
San Wang laughed until he was out of breath, curling up like a shrimp and hiding, his body limp from laughing.
Da Wang suddenly blurted out: "A hundred battles through yellow sand, wearing gold armor; I will not return until Loulan is broken."
Everyone froze for a moment, and Er Wang laughed: "Amazing, Da-ge! Which poem is that from?"
Although it had nothing to do with the moon, it was truly amazing that Da-ge, who usually never studied, could blurt out a poem.
Da-ge instinctively tilted his chin. "I don't know either."
"Hahaha..."
The laughter of the whole room echoed in the new house. Seeing his wife and children so happy, Han Qingsong’s heart slowly lifted, as light as the moon in the sky.
At this time, Han Jinyu ran back home, and it was bound to be another round of chaos.
A bowl of vegetables had made the Han family’s Mid-Autumn Festival miserable—beating, cursing, crying, and shouting—and it took a long time for everyone to enter their rooms.
Han Laotaitai suddenly had a flash of inspiration, slapping the edge of the kang and cursing: "That huli jing (vixen) did this on purpose. That black-hearted thing, she deliberately sent a bowl of vegetables to sow discord. I’ve finally understood—that bad thing—from now on, everyone should have as little to do with her as possible. If I see anyone in this courtyard talking to her again, get out!"
She didn't feel satisfied after cursing, and added: "Thinking about dividing the family all day long, running out to eat and drink well, is she only happy if she throws Die, Niang, and her sister aside to starve to death?"
If the family wasn't divided, she was the ancestral matriarch; if the family was divided, she was just an old woman—who would treat her like anything of value?
Han Laotaitai understood now: unless she died, the family must absolutely not be divided. Dividing the family would be the biggest loss for her!
Han Da-sao, after the children were asleep, whispered to Han Da-ge: "It’s already come to this, are you still not going to talk about dividing the family?"
Han Da-ge said in a dilemma: "How to divide it? Not care for Die and Niang anymore?"
Han Da-sao: "Why not care? Can't we take turns providing for them?"
At the very least, separate from the Er-fang and separate from the sister-in-law. If they had to continue living under the same roof as these people, she would simply suffocate.
In the past, everyone suffered together, and she didn't feel anything, but now that Lin Lan was separated and had built a big house and was living a good life in the blink of an eye, she felt exceptionally unhappy.
Lao San was still the most famous wife-pamperer in the village. Just listen to what the women were gossiping about—each one of them like sour old vegetables, green with envy to the point of death.
To put it plainly, wasn't it just envy that Lin Lan had a man who pampered her?
Lao San was capable, knew how to earn money, and was an official. In other houses, women would have to treat him like a father, so how would they ever be willing to let him do housework?
But Lin Lan—the good man others envied, she treated like a servant. Sewing quilts, sewing clothes, working in the fields, washing bowls, sweeping the floor, washing vegetables, cooking—there wasn't a thing she didn't make him do.
And she would give him attitude whenever she wanted, yet the man would still humble himself and coax her.
Who could look at that and not feel jealous and resentful?
She, the Da-sao, wasn't jealous, but envious—certainly. Especially when she compared him with her own man; it was simply a situation where comparing people would lead to death.
Han Da-ge was still there muttering, "Now Lao Si isn't around, and Lao San has moved out. I am the oldest; I cannot ignore Die and Niang. Even if the family is divided, we cannot be the ones to divide."
Han Da-sao was so angry she buried her face in the quilt and wept silently, yet she didn't dare to cry out loud, for fear of waking the children.
Han Da-ge felt a bit sorry for her seeing that, wanted to persuade her, but didn't know what to say, and finally blurted out: "You old woman with long hair and short knowledge, I am the eldest son, I must bear more."
Han Da-sao almost fainted from anger.
She had to find her own way; the man couldn't be relied on at all.
...
On Lin Lan’s side, the children ate mooncakes and apples. Er Wang and Xiao Wang didn't finish and saved them for tomorrow, while Maisui took hers to her own kang.
Now she slept on the north kang by herself; she wasn't afraid to be in a room alone—she was beyond happy.
Xiao Wang was sleepy and wanted to find Niang to sleep.
Han Qingsong: "Sister, Er-ge, choose one."
Xiao Wang looked at this one, then looked at that one, and finally pouted. "Niang~~"
Lin Lan’s heart instantly melted. She was about to reach out to hold him when a large hand pinched her waist from behind.
Lin Lan patted Xiao Wang’s head. "Xiao Wang, go sleep with sister. We used to all be in one quilt, all three of us."
Maisui smiled and came to hold Xiao Wang. "Come, sister will hold you."
Although Xiao Wang wasn't happy, he didn't dare to cry. He was afraid of Han Qingsong, so he followed Maisui aggrievedly.
Lin Lan breathed a sigh of relief and said to the children, "Blow out the lamp and go to sleep early." The children were tired after a whole day; usually, they were asleep in seconds, especially San Wang and Da Wang. However, she figured since it was a festival, it might be a bit later.
She said goodbye to the children and pulled the door shut behind her.
As soon as they left, Da Wang "puff" blew out the lamp.
Maisui: "I haven't taken off my clothes yet!"
Da Wang: "You took them off in the dark before; it's the same now. Don't waste oil."
Er Wang: Da-ge, you stole my line.
San Wang wanted to sleep by himself, then squeezed between his big brother and Er-ge, then wanted to sleep at the head of the kang.
Unfortunately, there was only one big quilt; all three had to be in one quilt. In the end, he was carried over by Da-ge and pressed to the head of the kang, so he wouldn't roll around 360 degrees and prevent him from stealing the quilt and leaving others freezing.
Er Wang screamed: "Where are my mooncakes? Who stole my mooncakes!" He had only eaten the apple and not the mooncake, saving it to show off at school tomorrow.
San Wang didn't make a sound and immediately started snoring loudly.
Da Wang pinned him down and felt around, grabbed the mooncake, and returned it to Er Wang.
Er Wang felt the mooncake that had already been bitten into once, and hurriedly went to hide it in a small wooden box.
Listening to the children's bickering, Lin Lan smiled and headed to the west room.
She washed up, while Han Qingsong went to the courtyard to wash.
He was used to taking cold showers; even in winter, they often went winter swimming, let alone now.
Han Qingsong had formed the good habit of hygiene in the army, which she liked very much, unlike other men in the village who wouldn't bathe for three or four months in winter, and even then, would want to be intimate—it would be a miracle if there were any interest.
When he returned, Lin Lan had already washed up and was spreading the bedding on the kang.
One mattress, two pillows, one plaid quilt, and that other single quilt was forlornly folded in the corner.
Seeing the two pillows placed together, she felt a bit distracted. If she spread a separate quilt for Han Qingsong, would he lose his temper?
In her previous life, she hadn't been in a relationship, but to sleep with a man so formally was indeed a first.
A rather... strange feeling.
Thinking about having a person in the same quilt as her all day, fighting over the quilt, and squeezing her, she felt a bit uncomfortable.
Especially after reading so many emotional stories and hearing her best friends complain about men’s infuriating habits, she felt a bit scared.
Those best friends of hers, some entered the "walled city" (marriage); in the honeymoon period, they still knew how to show affection, but after having a baby and living with in-laws for a while, without exception, they were all complaining.
There were also those who couldn't stand the torture and couldn't wait to come out to enjoy the single life. And those who left the "walled city" all rejoiced that she hadn't entered it, saying that when they were old, they would grow old together as girlfriends; it would be much better than being with a smelly old man.
Living together with a soulmate who shared the same interests, knowing each other's bottom line and preferences, without worrying about in-law relationships or marital feelings, made for a more harmonious and relaxed way of getting along.
Then there was her mother’s preference for sons over daughters; she was good enough to her younger brother, but she also had many conflicts with her daughter-in-law.
That younger brother of hers—when he was chasing his girlfriend, he was typical of someone who forgot his mother once he had a wife; but once he was married and had children and the freshness wore off, with a pile of trifles, he didn't seem to cling to his wife as much anymore. His wife complained more and more about him being inconsiderate, a mommy's boy, etc. He not only didn't reflect on himself, but instead felt that his wife was becoming increasingly unreasonable.
So she had trauma.
And now, she was going to give herself to a man?
Although this body was his wife’s, she also had the previous memories, and they had been married for over a decade and had five children.
But for Lin Lan, this was a serious, major event full of ritual.
Accepting him meant opening her heart to him and treating him as one of her own.
It wouldn't be like before; if he didn't do something right, she would just complain and not really be angry. After all, she didn't love him, so she didn't have many demands of him.
But now, she appreciated him and had already been moved; she had a good impression of him, so she couldn't be as desire-free toward him as before.
Especially after hearing what he said tonight, she knew her greed would only grow, and her demands of him would get higher and higher. If he were to make her feel aggrieved for someone else's sake in the future, she would absolutely be unable to stand it and want to divorce him.
So, should she still accept him?
As it stood, he was her type, and she was willing to spend her life with him.
While she was lost in thought, Han Qingsong entered the room, bringing a chill with him. He had taken a cold shower and was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of military shorts, revealing his strong, muscular torso. His legs were straight and long, full of the beauty of strength; the leg hair was slightly long, adding a bit of wildness to him.
Her gaze subconsciously drifted to that place, and upon seeing it, she felt a bit unwell.
After a cold shower, that place should be quiet as a chicken... should be in a non-combat state.
Why... are you so proud?
Just then, Han Qingsong raised his eyes to look at her. Lin Lan instantly had a brain spasm: Woman, are you satisfied with what you see?
She was so embarrassed by her own lewdness that her face turned red instantly, and she hurriedly dived into the quilt.
Han Qingsong looked at her puzzledly; she would often blush suddenly for no reason, and he really wanted to know what she was thinking about when she blushed.
He never knew what she was thinking; no wonder his comrades always said that a woman’s heart was harder to understand than the most complex firearm.
He took a mooncake onto the kang, broke it in half, and handed a piece to her, eating the other half himself. "Eat some mooncake."
Lin Lan: "I already brushed my teeth and can't eat, it’ll rot my teeth."
Han Qingsong had already taken a big bite. Hearing this, he paused. "Then should I still eat?"
Lin Lan burst out laughing. "Since you’ve already taken a bite, just finish it."
Han Qingsong ate a piece of rock sugar and signaled for her to take it and eat it.
If Lin Lan were to say it, mooncakes were really hard to eat at this time—the kind with green and red silk and rock sugar, plus a bit of peanuts and melon seeds—regardless of texture or taste, they were very devilish. However, children loved the rock sugar inside.
He actually treated her like a child. Lin Lan smiled and waved her hand, declining—it was too funny.
Han Qingsong lowered his head to look at her.
She was wearing a cotton vest she had sewn herself, revealing fair skin; in the dim light, it had a luster like jade. She was already pretty, and especially in the light, she appeared even more vibrant and moving, her gaze like rippling water, as if about to drown him.
It wasn't enough to look at.
Her lips were red and moist, like flower petals. He subconsciously held the sugar in his mouth, "crunch" chewed it to pieces, then placed the mooncake in the bowl, no longer eating it himself.
Lin Lan looked at him. "Finish eating; you have to rinse your mouth anyway."
Han Qingsong kept looking at her, suddenly wanting to see her in a woman’s vest and a pink scarf. His heart couldn't help but stir, so he leaned over to kiss her lips, passing the rock sugar between his teeth to her.
Lin Lan gave a soft "wu" sound, wanting to say she had brushed her teeth and couldn't eat sugar; opening her mouth like that gave him the chance to invade, conquering and occupying every inch of her mouth.
She had originally feared that since he had been abstinent for so long, he would be very rough, but he was like a hunter, extremely patient, exploring and savoring the sweet taste in her mouth.
...
...
Slowly, the moonlight shone in, getting brighter and brighter, shining brightly on half the kang.
Han Qingsong lifted her up and pulled the quilt, adjusting the direction for both of them.
She thought that because he was too tall, he might feel the kang wasn't long enough if they slept north-south. Only when she saw the bright scene in front of her did she realize belatedly: he had placed her in the moonlight, cold and clear like water.
He braced his body to stare at her, his back to the light, his eyes deep and profound.
And she was in the moonlight, her cheeks flushed, her eyes like water, blending into the moonlight.
For a moment, he didn't move, looking somewhat entranced.
Lin Lan moved a little, as if to remind him to move to the next step. Hot lips were imprinted on her eyes, nose, cheeks, lips, neck, and continued downward.
A round of entanglement, he lifted the quilt, [mouth mouth mouth mouth]
...
...
A "clatter" sounded from outside.
"Xiao Wang, what are you doing?" Maisui shouted.
"I... I want Niang, wuwu~~ I want Niang~~"
The sobbing sound of Xiao Wang came from outside, and the next moment, their door was pushed open. Han Qingsong instantly pulled up the quilt to cover himself and Lin Lan.
Xiao Wang rushed in from outside, standing at the head of the kang, a look of confusion on his face like a lost little beast.
He wasn't wearing his glasses, and even if he were, he wouldn't be able to see clearly, so he could only reach out and touch blindly.
The two in the quilt were still playing acrobatics; Lin Lan pushed him, signaling him to get off.
Han Qingsong moved a bit, somewhat unwillingly, but he had to listen to her.
Lin Lan reached out to touch Xiao Wang’s head, feeling that he was shivering. "Little one, did you have a nightmare?"
Xiao Wang immediately pressed his face into Lin Lan’s palm. "Wuwu~~ I want Niang, Niang don't leave me."
Lin Lan couldn't stand this and was about to get up to hold him.
Han Qingsong’s large hand was clamped on her waist; she couldn't move for a moment, so she kicked him, her voice delicate and soft. "Let go, ai."
Han Qingsong stretched out his arm and lifted Xiao Wang up.
Xiao Wang wasn't afraid; instead, he giggled.
Lin Lan immediately pulled the somewhat cold and still-shivering Xiao Wang into her arms. "Go to sleep."
She figured with the son there, Han Qingsong surely couldn't do anything; she could safely go to sleep tonight, oh yeah!
She held Xiao Wang tightly, her back to Han Qingsong, feeling like she was holding a death-immunity badge.
Han Qingsong: "............"
The large hand wandered on her back; her skin was very smooth, and the feel was very good, making him reluctant to part.
A moment later, the sound of rhythmic breathing rose.
"Xiao Wang is asleep."
Lin Lan: ...This child, asleep in seconds. He really doesn't give me any face.
She figured he had had a nightmare and run over like a sleepwalker, not fully awake yet. Fortunately, Han Qingsong had cleared the aisle neatly, with no clutter or sharp corners, so the child hadn't bumped into anything.
Lin Lan held Xiao Wang, unable to let go.
Han Qingsong’s arm crossed over, wrapping around her waist, and he touched Xiao Wang. "Put him inside."
Lin Lan: "...No need."
Xiao Wang had already been taken by him, wrapped tightly in that single quilt, and placed on the other side of the kang cabinet; the space wasn't big, so he wouldn't fall off and had a sense of security.
"Let him sleep on that end from now on." Han Qingsong didn't insist on sending Xiao Wang back.
Lin Lan: "..."
The next moment, she fell into a scorching embrace, being approached without a single gap.
The heat on his body was alarming, making her feel dazed, like she had been attached by a large-sized heating pad, hot and about to melt away.
Hot kisses fell like raindrops, and the scorching palms wanted to rub her into a pool of spring water, blooming slowly in the moonlight like a resilient flower.
...
...
...
Lin Lan slept soundly and sweetly this time, her eyelids feeling like they were stuck with something, as if she were going to sleep until the end of time.
She felt like she had many dreams, yet remembered nothing. She opened her eyes in a daze; the room was still pitch black, with only a circle of light coming from the window.
Was it not dawn yet?
She felt around to the side; the quilt was cold, and Han Qingsong was no longer there.
She breathed a sigh of relief—finally, he wouldn't continue to torture her.
Last night, she felt so ashamed after being so indulgent, wasteful, and unrestrained [mouth mouth mouth mouth]. She, who couldn't keep up with the rhythm later, only hoped it would end quickly and that the next day would come soon. She would rather go to the fields to work—this was much more tiring than working on the job...
However, the night was long, very long, and his demanding nature seemed endless...
Later, he finally let her go; she didn't know when she had fallen asleep—maybe she had slept and then been woken up—maybe it was almost dawn? She felt in a daze that he was helping her wipe her body, and finally, she was held in a hot embrace and slept sweetly.
She figured that if she were thrown onto the main road then, she could still sleep soundly—look, she didn't even hear the disturbing rooster crowing at dawn.
"Niang... Niang..." The sound of a child sobbing reached her ears, just like when she had first transmigrated. "Niang, don't die."
Lin Lan was jolted into full wakefulness, opening her eyes to see Xiao Wang staring at her with a look of terror.
Lin Lan: ...Han Qingsong, you beast! How could you have tortured her so much that the child thought she was going to die?
She gnashed her teeth slightly; if he did this two more times, she would definitely be wrecked.
Separate rooms, they must sleep in separate rooms!!
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