Watching Lin Lan wake up, Xiao Wang looked at her with pleasant surprise, "Mother, you're awake?" He cautiously reached out and hugged Lin Lan, "Mother, you're sick, please get some rest. I'll go bring you some food."
After saying this, he climbed off the kang and ran to the main room to fetch food for her.
He was small and couldn't carry much, so he brought things over one by one: a bowl of steamed egg custard, a piece of two-flour pancake, and a bowl of rustic eggplant braised in bean paste.
Lin Lan: ...I feel like I'm exploiting a child. How shameless.
She reached out and patted Xiao Wang's head, "Xiao Wang, Mother is fine, go off and play."
Xiao Wang refused and insisted on staying with her, "Mother is sick, I won't be noisy."
Lin Lan: "...Mother, Mother isn't sick, I'm just... just tired."
Xiao Wang nodded, "Mother is tired-sick from taking care of Xiao Wang, working in the fields, cooking, and moving. Tired-sick." He pressed his little face into Lin Lan's palm and nuzzled it.
Lin Lan's heart melted instantly.
Seeing that the food had gone cold, she quickly grabbed her watch to check the time. Good heavens, it was already past ten. Lin Lan, you've done it now.
She hadn't even heard the kids get up to cook. Han Qingsong had covered the windows with straw mats, so even when it got bright, not much light came through, and she had actually slept until nearly noon.
If word of this got out, all the village women would have something to say, and her reputation as a lazy housewife would be even more set in stone.
She quickly sent Xiao Wang away to fetch her a hand towel and then frantically scrambled to put on her clothes.
Her waist and legs were sore; she truly wondered if Han Qingsong had abused her. It felt even more achy and intense than the feeling after a grueling military drill.
She didn't even dare look at the purple marks on her waist and chest. You had to wonder, just how much force did he use? Couldn't he have taken it slow and steady?
Once she was dressed, Xiao Wang brought the towel for her to wipe her face, and even took a wooden comb to brush her hair.
Lin Lan: ...A thoughtful little sweetheart; I just want to kiss, hug, and lift you high.
Seeing that his mother was starting to chat and laugh again, Xiao Wang thought everything seemed fine, save for the occasional twitch of her lips and her slightly strange movements.
He said happily, "Mother is better, no longer sick. Mother is truly awesome~~"
He mimicked the way Lin Lan would kiss him, kissing her on the cheek, then petting her head, hugging her neck, and shaking her arm, completing a whole series of affectionate kisses, hugs, and lifts.
"Good baby, go and play, Mother is getting up to make lunch."
Once on the ground, it felt like she had been forced to run a few hundred-meter sprints without a warmup after a long period of inactivity. Her legs felt like her teeth after eating sour pomelo—they didn't even feel like her own.
Cooking, washing clothes, and tidying up the house were originally very easy tasks, but today, Lin Lan felt that life was just so difficult.
She started the cooking and was just preparing to do the laundry when Han Qingsong strode in from outside.
Work wasn't finished yet, so why was he back? Lin Lan subconsciously wanted to find a place to hide.
Han Qingsong didn't understand her reaction and immediately stepped forward to hold her, "Are you feeling better?"
Last night, he had started out thinking he would control himself so as not to frighten her, but in the end, he lost control. He felt regretful for being so unrestrained, yet was simultaneously driven to want more, which left him a bit confused as well. He had probably hurt her.
She was afraid of him again.
Lin Lan's face turned burning hot. Could he please stop talking? By asking that, wasn't he just reminding her of what happened last night? It was broad daylight, could he please be a little more mindful?
Fortunately, Xiao Wang had already led Wang Wang out to play and wasn't at home.
She feigned ignorance about what he was talking about, "I finished cooking and was about to wash some clothes. Why are you back at this hour?"
"Someone from the Commune came to find me about something." Han Qingsong gripped her waist and effortlessly lifted her horizontally, "I told the kids you were tired and sick, so you should rest for a couple of days."
Lin Lan gasped in surprise, "Put me down quickly."
Han Qingsong: "You aren't heavy."
Lin Lan: ...Was I asking if you were heavy?
He placed her on the kang and supported himself with his hands on either side of her, his upper body leaning forward until he was almost touching her.
Lin Lan instinctively leaned back. His gaze was deep and dark, looking very serious, but if you looked closely, you could clearly see a deep desire burning within.
"You, you... it's broad daylight, please be careful."
Each of the kids had eyes sharper than the last; she didn't want to fall into that kind of awkward situation where she had to explain this or that to the children.
Almost every couple inevitably had to face these kinds of questions from their kids, and you had to provide a reasonable explanation even if you were embarrassed, otherwise, their little minds would conjure up all sorts of wild things.
Han Qingsong suddenly broke into a smile, his lips brushing the corner of hers, "I can't help it when I look at you."
Lin Lan was so startled she immediately backed away and kicked him in the chest. You beast! Do you think you're some green youngster tasting the joys of life for the first time?
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." He caught her kicking foot and patted her lower leg soothingly, "You go and rest."
He went to the courtyard to help her wash the clothes, "There isn't much carpenter work left; I asked Wang the carpenter to take the wood back to finish it."
Lin Lan breathed a sigh of relief. She had been wondering why she hadn't seen Wang the carpenter since she slept in.
Lin Lan lay on the windowsill, watching him crouch in the courtyard washing the clothes. With his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his figure was truly a feast for the eyes.
Thinking this, a surge of heat flooded her heart, and she felt a bit shameful. Accidentally thinking of the intense "battle" from last night made her feel sore all over. She was definitely the type who could flirt but couldn't handle the consequences.
A thought suddenly occurred to her: there was no contraception last night!
She didn't want to get pregnant again. She had no experience with pregnancy, no experience with newborns, and no mental preparation to welcome that kind of grueling ordeal.
But with this physique, could she have already conceived?
She hurriedly counted the time since her last period on her fingers, then breathed a light sigh of relief—it was her safe period.
However, given how easily she conceived, that wasn't a guarantee. And even if she was fine this time, what about in the future? If he went to bed at eight or nine, it would be a miracle if he could keep his hands off her.
She still needed to find a way to use contraception.
Soon, the kids returned one after another. Maisui and Er Wang ran home first, "Mother, are you better?"
Han Qingsong had told them that their mother had been working, building the house, and moving, and was completely exhausted, so they weren't allowed to bother her and had been quiet all morning.
Lin Lan smiled and quickly got off the kang, "I'm much better, a good sleep is all I needed."
Maisui looked at her suspiciously, held her hand, and whispered, "Mother, did Father hit you?"
Lin Lan: ...!!!
"Why would you say that? Who is talking nonsense?"
Maisui stared at Lin Lan and discovered a suspicious, dark red mark on her neck that looked like a pinch. She immediately frowned, "It was San Wang who said it. He said Father must have hit you. Otherwise, you've been tired before, so why didn't you get sick, but as soon as you sleep on the same kang as Father, you get sick? If he didn't hit you, then who did?"
Lin Lan: !!!
She really couldn't have been doing better; having kids with too many thoughts was also a problem.
Was it like this in other families?
Those couples who slept on the same kang as their children, or even families like Han the eldest brother's and Han the second brother's who slept in the same room as their kids—they didn't stop having children either, so how did they handle these things?
This was just Lin Lan's lack of practical experience. In other households, the older children would definitely hear something, and the sensible ones would be embarrassed and pretend they didn't know anything, while the oblivious ones wouldn't understand what was going on even if they heard it.
Only the boys—the ones who weren't ashamed or were just thick-skinned—would go around bragging about what they knew.
Her kids hadn't really gone through that kind of precocious baptism, so their mental journeys were different from other children.
She could only assure Maisui over and over again that Father hadn't hit her.
"Your father takes very good care of Mother, he wouldn't hit me. Look, he's different from other men; other men never do housework. Not only does he do housework, but he does it willingly."
Maisui laughed, "That's true, my father is the best."
Lin Lan immediately seized the opportunity to educate her, "When you grow up and look for a partner, you must also look for someone who knows how to cherish you and has a manly spirit, you mustn't look for those..."
"Mother!" Maisui exclaimed, anxious, "I'm only how old? Why are you telling me these things?"
Lin Lan smiled. You're mature for your age; if I don't tell you, what if you fall for the male lead in the original story while you're still young, fight with the female lead for him, and end up as cannon fodder?
"I'm just giving you a bit of advice for free. My Maisui is pretty and gets good grades; you're going to go to university in the future, you can't fall for these useless, foolish boys. Become a cultured woman of high quality. When you grow up, you'll be well-traveled and knowledgeable, and you can pick whatever kind of man you want."
Maisui blushed, "Stop talking about it, I'm going to help you set the table."
Lin Lan whispered again, "Daughter, trust Mother, you'll definitely be able to go to university in the future."
Maisui said, her face blushing, "Mother, I'm listening to you."
Lin Lan felt wonderful inside.
With Maisui's explanation, the other children didn't suspect anything else. After all, Han Qingsong was much gentler with their mother than he was with them; nothing would make them believe he would even touch a finger to her.
After lunch, the kids all ran off first. The teacher was having them peel corn now.
Because Lin Lan had things to do and needed to go out, she let Er Wang and Maisui take Xiao Wang with them. They were all participating in labor with the teacher, and Xiao Wang didn't wander off, so he wouldn't cause any trouble.
Once the kids were all gone, Han Qingsong said to Lin Lan, "I asked for leave for you, stay home and rest."
Lin Lan: "I'm going to the supply and marketing cooperative to take a look this afternoon."
Han Qingsong: "I'll take you."
"No, no need, you go to work." Lin Lan didn't want to go out with him. Although others didn't know they had just slept together last night, she felt guilty herself, and felt that if they went out together today, the whole village would probably be watching her.
Han Qingsong reached out to hug her.
Lin Lan resisted slightly before letting him hold her.
She discovered that Han Qingsong actually liked physical contact, it was just that his expression was too serious. Even though his heart was racing, his expression didn't show much of a difference.
Of course, his eyes would be much softer.
This wasn't Lin Lan's imagination. After the unbridled, "negative-distance" communication last night, the magnetic field between them had undergone a subtle change.
She was more casual and comfortable in front of him and would unconsciously reveal a coquettish expression, which, in his eyes, made her even more delicate and delicious. And he was also gentler in front of her; even if his expression was serious, his actions and eyes couldn't hide that glimmer of affection.
It was a strange feeling—they were clearly an old married couple, so why was it like this?
He bowed his head to kiss her again, and only let go when Lin Lan pushed him away because she couldn't catch her breath.
Lin Lan gave him a glare, "We have to make three rules: no affection during the day so the children don't see, and no lack of restraint at night."
She acted as though it were easy, not daring to look him in the eye for fear of being sucked into his deep gaze.
His eyes became even more profound, and a smile touched the corners of his lips, "I'll listen to you."
Lin Lan felt a bit more at ease.
Han Qingsong looked reluctant to leave, "I'm off."
Lin Lan: ...It's not like we haven't seen each other in years, and I'm not some Wang Baochuan waiting faithfully in a cold cave. Go on, don't act like a youth who's just tasted forbidden fruit for the first time.
As soon as Han Qingsong left, Lin Lan told Xiao Wang to play at home while she took the money, put on her watch, and rode her bicycle to the Commune.
She first went to the Commune health clinic and found Zhou Lingling, the female doctor in charge of obstetrics and gynecology, to explain her situation.
During intercourse, she would feel pain. She always felt that wasn't normal, was it possible she had some kind of gynecological inflammation?
Otherwise, why would it hurt after having five children? She wasn't at ease, so she decided to get checked first. It would be troublesome if she had some kind of illness.
Doctor Zhou asked a few questions, such as whether she had lower abdominal pain or genital itching, etc.
Lin Lan shook her head. She was quite careful about hygiene, so there were none of those symptoms.
After checking her, Doctor Zhou indicated that everything was normal. Her uterus was of normal size, and her cervix was smooth with no signs of erosion.
Lin Lan then asked why she felt pain.
Seeing that there were no problems, yet she was still in pain, Doctor Zhou determined it wasn't a pathological issue; it might be a matter of size.
She began to explain the female anatomy to Lin Lan, lecturing on a mix of academic and common knowledge, before ending with, "Let's put it this way: if your pelvis is relatively small, your genital passage is relatively tight, and the man is too large, that problem can occur. It's not a pathological issue, don't worry about it—just be mindful of the positions you use."
After saying this, she gave Lin Lan a teasing look.
Lin Lan: …………
She hurriedly changed the subject, "Doctor Zhou, is, is there any way to use contraception?"
Zhou Lingling was originally a barefoot doctor in a rural village. Because she was named an advanced worker, she was transferred to the Commune health clinic and regularly went to the County Hospital for training. Having experienced regular hospital training multiple times, she was more knowledgeable and skilled than the average barefoot doctor.
Seeing that Lin Lan was a married woman, and a rural woman who had already given birth to five children, she felt it was fresh and new that she would suddenly ask about contraception. Rural women didn't even know the word "contraception"—where did she hear it from?
It was her first time meeting a rural woman who actively requested contraception. Even in the county, most people didn't understand or didn't ask; only some female cadres who were career-driven and didn't want to be tied down by children would ask.
Looking at Doctor Zhou's expression, Lin Lan asked, "Doctor Zhou, there's no medicine?"
Zhou Lingling shook her head, "There's no medicine at the Commune right now, and I'm warning you, don't you dare take random medicine."
So many people had taken random medicine and killed themselves.
Some educated youth who had gone to the countryside, or between educated youth and commune members, would secretly get together and fear pregnancy, so they would ask barefoot doctors about all sorts of messy folk remedies for contraception.
Eating raw soybeans, using sheep intestines, eating geckos... it was pure nonsense.
Lin Lan asked about condoms.
Zhou Lingling was very curious to see that Lin Lan was poised and not at all shy when mentioning that.
"We do have those condoms, but the Commune doesn't have them in stock. You can go ask at the County Hospital."
Lin Lan thanked her and, not wanting to waste any more time, bid her farewell.
She left the Commune and returned home, checking her watch; it was still not even three o'clock. If she went to the county, it would definitely be dark by the time she got back, and with her aching waist and legs, she couldn't persevere that long.
She tidied up and took Xiao Wang to visit her maternal home.
On the way, she was inevitably given the cold shoulder by other women, "Didn't she say she was sick and asked for leave? Why is she still riding a bike out to gad about?"
Now, some women in the village had strong opinions about her, feeling she was corrupting the village's moral climate. Especially with things like Han Qingsong working in her place, asking for leave for her, and doing housework—they didn't think it was Han Qingsong cherishing his wife, they just felt it was Lin Lan making trouble, not knowing her place, and manipulating her man.
Lin Lan ignored them, treating it all as sour grapes. If you have the ability to manipulate your own men, then do it—what kind of achievement is it to be jealous of me?
In ten minutes, she arrived at Lin Family Village. Her family was all out working, and Lin the old grandmother was at home tidying up and cooking with the children.
Seeing Lin Lan return, the old grandmother habitually pulled a long face, "It's autumn harvest, why are you suddenly coming to your maternal home?"
Lin Lan laughed, "Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, I was busy moving and didn't come back, so I asked for a day off today..."
"It's autumn harvest, what are you asking for leave for?" The old grandmother was anxious, "Asking for leave all day long—who's going to work? Who's going to earn work points? A bunch of kids waiting to be fed."
At this time, every household lived on the work points earned from labor, and unless they were deathly ill, no one ever asked for leave.
Seeing that her daughter was perfectly fine yet still asked for leave, the old grandmother couldn't stand it and started lecturing her again not to be lazy, and that after separating from the Han family, she had to live her life well and shouldn't be lazy or gluttonous.
Xiao Wang: "Grandmother, Mother is tired-sick, she isn't being lazy."
Lin Lan took out the mooncakes and a few apples, "These are gifts for the holiday."
Although they were poor, she still wanted to live her life properly, and the best way was to add a bit of ceremony to it.
Only then did the old grandmother look at her daughter suspiciously, "You're sick? Is it serious?"
Lin Lan smiled, "It's not serious, I'll be fine after resting."
The old grandmother invited her to sit down and drink water, and even brought out a pomegranate for Xiao Wang to eat, "It was given by your eldest sister-in-law's maternal family."
Lin Lan let Xiao Wang go play with the other children, and she took out some money and placed it on the table, "Mother, this is what you lent me last time, and the other bill is for Father and you as a sign of respect."
The old grandmother only took her own money back, "Enough, you just separated and built a house, things are tight for you." She felt her son-in-law was a good earner and they weren't in need of her help, so she refused the extra bill.
Next began the round of polite refusal, leaving Lin Lan feeling helpless.
She truly admired the habit people here had of haggling—even though everyone was poor and in need, when visiting during holidays, they would bring things that were constantly pushed back and forth between them, a never-ending tug-of-war.
It really looked like a battle!
The key was that this pushing back and forth wasn't sincere; later on, they would still count who gave how much, who was at a loss, and who was the stingiest.
Therefore, Lin Lan found it very exhausting.
"Mother, stop doing this with me. I'm your daughter, not just some acquaintance."
Seeing that her daughter was very serious, the old grandmother finally accepted it and kept it as her private savings. Thinking that her youngest daughter didn't have to wait for the third sister to come back and compete with her, she felt comforted that her daughter had truly changed for the better.
She asked Lin Lan if they had enough cotton and cloth at home, if her son-in-law was good to her after they separated, if her parents-in-law were picking fights, if the kids were obedient, and so on.
Lin Lan answered them one by one, "Mother, it's getting late, I have to go home to cook."
The old grandmother hurriedly packed three large pomegranates for her, "Take these back for the kids."
She sent Lin Lan and Xiao Wang to the door, and urged her repeatedly, "Live your life well with your son-in-law, don't stir up trouble." She was always on edge at home, fearing news that her fourth daughter had hanged herself or taken poison.
"Mother, I know, I'm going!" Lin Lan took Xiao Wang home.
……
Shanshui Labor Reform Farm was one of the three major labor reform farms in the area. In addition to the local county, the criminals from three neighboring counties were all sent here.
Their station was built in a mountain col of Pingding Mountain; the environment was harsh, and they were guarded daily by armed military personnel.
The main task for the criminals sent here was to be responsible for several hundred mu of farmland around Pingding Mountain, as well as several hundred mu of mountain land and wasteland.
During the slack season, they were also responsible for quarrying stone, repairing roads, building irrigation ditches, and so on. Their lives were nothing short of grueling.
Ever since Han Qinghua was locked up, he felt a sword was constantly hanging over his head, a sword that could fall at any moment and take his life.
It was tiring!
He had to get up at five in the morning to wash up, then be escorted to do drills. After half an hour, he would eat.
Eating here was like a battle—you had to rely on grabbing, and if you were a step late, you would go hungry.
After eating, they had to go to work. It was just in time for the autumn harvest, and these young men were all assigned to dig up corn stalks.
This was no work for humans. In less than two days, blood blisters had formed on his hands.
The damned captain even made them compete; they were lined up, and if they couldn't finish by the time the hour was up, they had to continue, and could only eat after they finished.
As a result, Han Qinghua was last every single time, and every single day he could only eat ice-cold leftovers.
Lunch was like that, and dinner was like that.
Going to bed hungry, he also had to endure the stench of rotting feet in the crowded bunks, and it was difficult to fall asleep.
Even so, he would still wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Waking up in the middle of the night, that crowded bunk was like a terrifying hell. With people grinding their teeth, snoring, talking in their sleep, and even sleepwalking, Han Qinghua was so frightened that his nerves were about to collapse.
On the first day he arrived, Han Qinghua was awakened by fear at night and couldn't sleep at all.
When he was driven to exercise the next day, he was exhausted, and before he was even full, he had to go back to work...
Not only that, but he also had to endure mental threats.
Zhao Jianshe took all his anger toward Han Qingsong and vented it on him, threatening him all day that he would kill him, putting needles in his shoes, hiding dry feces in his bunk...
Han Qinghua, who used to be so unrestrained and arrogant, was now so cowardly and withered, wishing he could dig a hole and escape.
Unfortunately, the soldiers here were all armed with live ammunition, their gazes like searchlights; anyone who fell behind could be spotted, let alone escaping.
As long as anyone dared to escape, they could be shot and killed on the spot.
Oh god... Han Qinghua felt as though he had fallen into a bottomless hell, and he could never go home again.
"Toot, toot!" The whistle to wake up sounded again.
Han Qinghua scrambled up like a conditioned reflex, put on his clothes, folded his quilt, and quickly got off the ground to put on his shoes.
"Perform well and strive for a sentence reduction!" The squad leader responsible for escorting them repeatedly emphasized this sentence, "Don't get any crooked ideas!"
Han Qinghua's expression was numb, his heart full of pain. He had been here for so many days, and Aizi and Shouzi, who came in with him, had already adapted to life here, but he was still suffering immensely.
He imagined that his third brother was just punishing him a little and would surely come to take him back very soon.
He had been looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival. This was a day for reunion, and his third brother would definitely come to pick him up.
If he didn't come, his father and mother would definitely make him come!
He waited confidently, but the Mid-Autumn Festival morning passed with drills, grabbing food, and autumn harvest as usual... until after dinner, when he was locked in the woodshed by Zhao Jianshe and his men, and he had not waited for Han Qingsong to come and pick him up.
He finally collapsed and could no longer bear it.
The situation from last night was still fresh in his memory.
"Han Qinghua, don't look at your third brother being the Director of the Public Security Bureau; he's actually just a piece of shit. He's not as good as my second uncle. Look, my second uncle paved the way for me to come here, to eat well and live well, and I don't have to do heavy labor. I can bully you whenever I want, and you can't do anything about it."
"You, you don't dare hit me..." Han Qinghua was shaking like a leaf, but he still maintained a shred of sanity.
Although Zhao Jianshe had connections and was always bullying him behind the scenes, they didn't dare hit him.
Fighting was strictly prohibited here; no matter who it was, if they hit someone, they would be put in solitary confinement or even have their sentence extended.
"Heh, you're really naive, aren't you? Didn't we drag you out without any consequences? Still don't understand?"
Han Qinghua suddenly understood—so Zhao Jianshe's ability was this great. He, he had bribed the guards, so no one cared.
"Let's put it this way." Zhao Jianshe looked at him maliciously, "If we want to kill you, it's as easy as crushing an ant!"
"You, what do you want? Let me go, I'm also a victim, I also hate Han Qingsong!" Han Qinghua was scared to death.
"Of course, if you listen to me, not only will I not make you do heavy labor, but I can also let you go home early." Zhao Jianshe used the small knife in his hand to pat his face, "It just depends on whether you want to leave here."
"I want to, I want to, I want to! As long as you let me go back, I'll do anything!" Han Qinghua expressed his willingness impatiently.
Han Qinghua could no longer bear it. He hated his third brother's family to death. It was all because of them; if it weren't for them, he wouldn't have come to the labor reform farm.
As long as it allowed him to leave here and made Han Qingsong miserable, he was happy to do anything!
Zhao Jianshe had already paved the way for him; this afternoon, he could run away while everyone was going to eat.
While digging corn stalks all morning, Han Qinghua felt no fatigue for the first time, feeling he had an endless supply of strength.
When the whistle blew, he still hadn't reached the end, and the others were already lining up to eat, but he still had to continue.
Zhao Jianshe passed him, patted his shoulder, "I'll provide cover for you, run."
Han Qinghua immediately handed the small mattock to Zhao Jianshe and plunged into the cornfield, crouching low. The soldier responsible for guarding the side seemed not to have seen him.
His heart was pounding like a drum, and he ran wild regardless of everything... He thought he was running toward freedom, toward the light...
……
It was already dusk when Lin Lan took Xiao Wang home. She cooked first; the meat and broth left over from yesterday were just right for reheating, and it was still aromatic.
In the evening, the kids returned one after another. Lin Lan took out the pomegranates for them to eat, saying they were given by Niang.
Seeing that Lin Lan was fine, they all believed she was just tired and told her to continue resting at home tomorrow.
After dinner, the kids hurried to the production team to peel corn to earn work points, and Xiao Wang wanted to go pick corn husks, asking Han Qingsong to weave a small cushion.
Lin Lan told them to put on their cotton-padded jackets; it was hot during the day so they wore unlined clothes, but it was cold at night, so they wore cotton-padded ones.
Once the kids were gone, only the two of them were left in the house, and an ambiguous atmosphere began to stir.
Lin Lan couldn't stand his ascetic expression when his eyes looked at her so hotly.
He hugged her naturally, "Still uncomfortable?"
He used a very serious tone to ask about the aftereffects of their intimacy, which made her face burn. She hurriedly urged him to go peel corn and earn work points.
Han Qingsong kissed her, "You rest, I'll go."
Lin Lan tidied up at home, and by eight o'clock or so, Han Qingsong brought the kids back.
As soon as they entered, the kids were chatting and laughing, heading for the kang, but were called by Lin Lan to wash their faces and feet.
Da Wang wanted to wash with cold water in the courtyard but was called out by Lin Lan: "There's hot water in the pot, don't use cold."
The weather was getting cold; Lin Lan didn't allow the boys to take cold showers anymore, to avoid them catching a chill and getting sick.
San Wang wanted to run away but was grabbed by the ear by Han Qingsong and thrown to Lin Lan. San Wang rolled in the mud all day like a pig; he was covered in mud from head to toe and was filthy. Although he liked swimming, he didn't like bathing.
Lin Lan stripped him naked in a few movements, had him stand in a basin, and teased him, "Where did this mud monkey come from? It's so dirty!"
San Wang was ticklish and laughed uproariously. Lin Lan told him to wash himself while she washed Xiao Wang.
Although Xiao Wang was well-behaved, he was often covered in dog hair.
She sat on a small stool helping Xiao Wang and San Wang bathe, while Han Qingsong silently scooped water on the side, taking the opportunity to secretly look at his wife. She had a slender waist and rounded hips, her voice was soft, and the expression on her face was incredibly gentle, making him feel hot all over but unable to take his eyes off her.
While watching, he had to follow her instructions, pouring a ladle of water for this one, and scrubbing that one a bit.
San Wang was scrubbed so hard by Han Qingsong that he yelled—it was too painful. Father's big hands were painful to hit someone with, and he scrubbed just as ruthlessly.
Lin Lan laughed, "Who told you to be so dirty? Water alone can't wash it clean, you need your father's invincible scrubbing hands. Most people wouldn't even have the chance to use them even if they wanted to."
After washing and drying, she had Han Qingsong carry him to the kang.
Seeing his third brother playing, Xiao Wang was full of envy.
Lin Lan hurried to finish washing him, patted his little buttocks, and let Han Qingsong carry him up too.
Han Qingsong picked up Xiao Wang, who giggled, kicking his little feet and playing happily.
Xiao Wang said in a soft, small voice, "Father... West room."
He wanted to sleep in the west room, the room where Mother was.
Han Qingsong didn't refuse him, carrying him directly to the bedding on the other side of the kang cabinet.
Seeing that Xiao Wang wasn't as afraid of Han Qingsong anymore, Lin Lan also felt relieved. Although he was serious, he was actually quite good to the children.
Xiao Wang obediently crawled into the quilt, "Mother, sleep," and then looked at Han Qingsong, "Father, sleep." This was the first time he had actively wished Han Qingsong goodnight.
Lin Lan came over and kissed his forehead, "Sleep soundly, little one."
Xiao Wang happily closed his eyes, a smile on his lips, and soon entered dreamland.
Lin Lan saw he hadn't even held that ragged towel in his arms—this was the first time. She whispered to Han Qingsong with a smile, "Xiao Wang is starting to like you."
Before, Xiao Wang was guarded and afraid of Han Qingsong, resisting being alone with him, so today was the first time he had actively made a request of Han Qingsong.
Although it was just to be in the same room as Mother, it was still progress.
She was very happy.
Han Qingsong's eyes also softened, and he went to the main room to get Xiao Wang's clothes and placed them on the kang cabinet.
Seeing the elastic of Xiao Wang's trousers was loose, Lin Lan took a needle and thread to sew a few stitches.
Han Qingsong had already brought her hot water, "It's getting late."
Lin Lan checked her watch; it was only nine o'clock and still early. The night was long, and if they lay down and didn't sleep, tossing and turning all night, it would be better to go to bed later.
Given his initiative, in Lin Lan's eyes, it seemed to have some other implication.
Not having gone to the fields today, she just dipped the towel in water to wipe herself.
Annoyed that Han Qingsong was staring at her, she blocked the basin behind the door to wash, fearing his eyes would bake her like a fire.
Although it wasn't against the law to look at your own wife, you had to control yourself, right? She had discovered that the colder people were on the surface, the more unbearable they were when they got heated up.
After she finished washing, dried off, and climbed onto the kang, Han Qingsong took the basin out, washed in the sheltered area outside as usual, and then came back.
Soon, Xiao Wang was snoring soundly. Because the kang was burning hot, he kicked his legs and pushed the quilt aside, sweating on his head.
Lin Lan had Han Qingsong take a towel to wipe Xiao Wang, and prop the quilt up a bit so he wouldn't be wrapped too tightly.
Han Qingsong did exactly as she asked.
Lin Lan whispered, "Xiao Wang is different from other kids. He has no sense of security, is somewhat timid, and is easily isolated and introverted. We as father and mother must take extra care of him, and have more patience." After saying this, she quickly added, "The doctor said so."
Before, when she didn't expect much from Han Qingsong, she hadn't mentioned this, obviously not expecting him to do anything. Since she said it now, it meant she had expectations for him, hoping he could share in the care and education of the children.
Han Qingsong's big hand rubbed Xiao Wang's forehead, pushing Xiao Wang's ragged towel toward the side of the pillow.
"No major issues, right?" He stared at her.
Lin Lan shook her head, "As long as we care for him more and make him feel he hasn't been abandoned, he'll be fine."
Han Qingsong nodded, without showing any intention of blaming anyone, "Okay, I'll be mindful."
Seeing her lying on the kang cabinet talking, lightly dressed, he signaled for her to hurry and get under the quilt.
Meeting his deep gaze, Lin Lan trembled and quickly burrowed into the quilt, wrapping it around herself.
Han Qingsong took a long stride, got on the kang, lifted the quilt, lay down beside her, and with one arm, pulled her into his embrace.
First, there was the cool sensation, then the scorching body temperature warmed her up, and Lin Lan felt very comfortable, unconsciously leaning into his embrace.
"Will I make your arm go numb?" Lin Lan found him strange—there were two pillows, so why did he insist on her using his arm? Were all married couples like this?
He said, "No."
He gently touched Lin Lan's moist hair tips, "It's not as heavy as a firearm."
Hearing him mention firearms, Lin Lan worried again if he was holding a grudge about the reporting incident, or if he missed the military more. In the end, she didn't ask.
"Can we find someone to order a large wooden barrel? That way we can soak in it in the winter; it's warm and clean." Thinking about how it was getting colder and she couldn't bathe, Lin Lan felt uncomfortable.
Han Qingsong's big hand gently kneaded her spine, finally rubbing and relaxing her shoulders.
"I'll take care of it."
His voice wasn't as cold as it was during the day, revealing a hint of hoarseness in its depth.
He could feel that she wasn't distancing herself from him as she had been a while ago, and she was no longer afraid of him, becoming more intimate with him and even talking to him about Xiao Wang.
This feeling was very good, making him unable to restrain himself from wanting more, so he lowered his head to kiss her.
After a while, Lin Lan asked softly, testing him, "You haven't slept much, and you were tired all day, let's go to sleep early tonight."
He gave a grunt, but pushed her undershirt up, "I'll try."
Lin Lan: "..."
"That, it hurts a little... can we... not..."
"I'll be gentle." His voice was low, brushing against her earlobe, bringing a numbing sensation like an electric current.
Facts proved that a man saying he would be gentle was as unreliable as saying "I'll just rub it and won't go in." Once they tasted the sweetness, even someone like Han Qingsong with strong self-control couldn't be restrained.
They were at it for most of the night, and Lin Lan was so tired that she fell into a deep sleep.
……
……
The moon was high in the sky when a chaotic sound suddenly tore through the quiet night, and someone on the street shouted: "Quick, catch him, don't let him run!"
Soon, the door of Lin Lan's house was pounded heavily, "Open the door, open the door!"
Lin Lan was startled awake, "Who is it?"
Han Qingsong had been holding her against his chest, touched her shoulder, and said softly, "It's nothing, you just sleep."
The knocking outside stopped, and Lin Lan thought she was dreaming, muttered a word, and because she was so exhausted and sleepy, she soon fell asleep again.
Only then did Han Qingsong get up, tuck in the corners of the quilt, get up, get dressed, and get off the kang.
Outside, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.
A person peered over the west wall and whistled at him twice.
Han Qingsong beckoned, and the person leaped down from the wall as nimbly as a civet cat, running forward in two or three steps, "Director Han, everything is as you expected."
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