Chuntao's heart felt like it held a hundred kicking little rabbits, thumping wildly. Let go of me!
Hurry up and drink your soup! Zhou Zhijun let her go, squatting to the side to smoke, his eyes uncontrollably glued to her.
Chuntao shoveled the food into her mouth. Zhou Zhijun finished a whole pipe of tobacco, and she still had not finished eating.
He tapped his ashes at the opening of the stove, walked behind the counter, rolled up his sleeves, and started washing the pot.
Cooking and washing dishes were all Aunt Zhou's chores; Zhou Zhijun had never done them before.
The first time he cooked was for Chuntao, and the first time he washed a pot was also for her. The corners of Zhou Zhijun's mouth twitched as those scenes drifted before his eyes again.
They would have many more firsts in the future. The more he thought about it, the more excited he got, and the warmer his heart felt, as if he were going to melt in the next second.
Tao, I am heading back first. I will come over in a bit! Without waiting for Chuntao to speak, he turned, opened the door, and left.
The sound of the movie playing drifted in from the doorway, and Chuntao's heart was beating like a drum.
Zhou Zhijun returned home. Old Man Zhou and Aunt Zhou had already finished tidying up and gone to the east room.
Dad, Mom, are you two going to watch the movie? Zhou Zhijun asked, already knowing the answer.
The old couple was getting on in years and did not like joining the crowds. When the village showed movies, they rarely went. Only if there was a storyteller would they go listen for a while.
No, you go ahead. Lock the front gate when you head out! Aunt Zhou said as she closed the door to the east room.
Alright, I will go in a bit!
Zhou Zhijun hurried back to his own room, grabbed a soft mattress from the large wardrobe to spread on the bed, and took out a bright red cotton sheet from a wooden chest.
He had spent five yuan specifically buying this sheet at the supply and marketing cooperative. The fabric was fine and felt soft to the touch.
He had originally planned to give it to Chuntao, but something like this was too eye-catching, so he had held off. Tonight, having Chuntao come over, it finally came in handy.
He spread the bright red sheet over the mattress and changed the pillow towels for clean ones...
He made the bed neat and tidy, then arranged the items on the bedside table.
He bent down to open the cabinet door, took out a brown paper package, and placed it on the cabinet.
He scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on the bed covered with the bright red sheet.
Although his bed was not as large as Chuntao's new bed, it was not small either. It was sturdy; no matter how much they tossed around, it would hold up fine.
In the past, it was always either in a ditch or a haystack, which was too unfair to her.
Tonight, in his own home, he wanted to prepare things as nicely as possible so she would not feel wronged.
He could not help but reach out and pat the bright red sheet. There were two mattresses underneath, and the sheet's surface was soft; he no longer had to worry about it being too hard on her.
Zhou Zhijun then went to the kitchen, brought the thermos into the room, and scrubbed his own enamel mug until it gleamed.
With everything ready, his heart burned with an agonizing impatience, just waiting for Old Man Zhou's snores to echo from the east room.
Meanwhile, Chuntao had eaten half the food in her bowl and could not swallow another bite.
She stood up, poured a bowl of warm water, took a few sips, and gritted her teeth, resolving not to go.
She wanted to go to the main room to sleep, but her legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to take a single step.
She looked up at the outside; the moon had at some point slipped behind thick clouds.
It was pitch black everywhere, so dark you could not see your hand in front of your face.
She stood at the kitchen door and turned her head to look toward the north room, but saw nothing but darkness.
She blew out the kerosene lamp on the stove and sat on a small stool, her heart feeling panicked and uneasy.
Chuntao did not know why she was acting like this. Was she waiting for Zhou Zhijun? Or something else? She could not clearly say.
Tao! A low, hoarse voice suddenly sounded at the kitchen door. It was Zhou Zhijun.
A big man like him, whose usual footsteps could make the ground tremble, had made absolutely no sound today.
This sudden call made Chuntao's heart tighten, and she stood up abruptly.
The man's heavy breathing washed over her, and her own breath lost its rhythm.
Tao! Zhou Zhijun bent down, threw her over his shoulder, and walked off.
He walked very fast without making a single sound. In a daze, Chuntao found herself already placed on the soft bed.
Tao... The man's breathing grew increasingly urgent, carrying the oppressive weight of an approaching storm.
Chuntao's heart felt as if it were being tightly squeezed by a large hand. She regretted it; she regretted waiting for him in the kitchen.
But by now, it was too late.
Brother Zhijun, I am scared...
Everyone went to watch the movie, what are you scared of...
