His hot breath carried sparks...
Chuntao’s cheeks burned as if they might catch fire.
But she strained her ears to listen for any sounds outside, terrified that Aunt Zhou or Second Aunt Zhou might barge in.
Zhou Zhijun’s movements were surprisingly gentle, as if afraid to disturb the child in her belly.
Yet the urgency in his voice couldn’t be hidden. His voice hoarse, he said, “Tao, I miss you so much it hurts...”
Chuntao quickly turned her head and whispered urgently, “Don’t let Aunt Zhou or Second Aunt hear us!”
“Let them hear!” Zhou Zhijun lifted his gaze, his eyes burning as he stared at the reddened corners of her eyes.
“You’re my wife, carrying my child... what’s shameful about that?”
Suddenly, Second Aunt Zhou’s voice came from the kitchen: “Zhijun, has Chuntao finished her meal?”
Startled, Chuntao pushed him away, shrinking back into the bed and clutching her arms tightly across her chest.
Zhou Zhijun could only grimace in frustration, glancing out the window and muttering under his breath, “Couldn’t have called earlier or later—had to be now...”
Instead of answering, he leaned close to Chuntao’s ear and said in a deep, husky voice, “Tao, once you’ve had the baby, I swear I’ll make it up to you!”
In the late afternoon, after Second Aunt Zhou had gone to work in the fields and Aunt Zhou was still asleep in the inner room, he finally got his wish.
“Tao, you’re so good...”
He never forgot to whisper indecent things, making Chuntao blush so hard she buried her face under the blanket.
Zhou Zhijun felt completely relaxed. He lay down and fell asleep, not waking until the fifth watch of the next day, when he groggily came to.
With a soft, warm figure in his arms, he couldn’t resist kissing her again.
“Mm...” Chuntao jolted awake, her eyelashes fluttering, her breath instantly thrown into chaos.
“Zhijun Ge...” Her voice was soft and sweet, making Zhou Zhijun’s heart itch.
Feeling his restlessness, Chuntao stiffened, afraid to move.
“Tao, it’s been so long. I’m dying for you!”
His hot breath enveloped her. She wanted him too, but with the child in her belly, she absolutely couldn’t be reckless.
Chuntao could only bite her lower lip. “Zhijun Ge...”
“Tao, don’t be scared. I won’t do anything else, I’ll just...”
Zhou Zhijun gritted his teeth until they nearly bled, forcing that restless urge to subside.
In this special time, just being like this was enough for him.
Chuntao curled up in his arms, pressed against his burning chest, feeling an unwavering sense of peace.
“Tao, let my mother stay to take care of you. I’ll go back to harvest the autumn crops. Once the wheat and rapeseed are planted, I’ll come back to be with you!” Zhou Zhijun kissed the soft crown of her head.
Chuntao pressed her cheek against his chest and said softly, “Let Aunt Zhou go back. When you and Uncle Zhou come home from the fields, you’ll at least have a hot meal waiting.”
“That won’t do. How can I rest easy leaving you alone here? Second Aunt has her own land to tend and is busy every day—she won’t have time for you. Let my mother stay!”
He looked out at the dimming dawn, pressed a light kiss to Chuntao’s temple, and said, “Tao, I need to go. If I ride fast, I can make it home before dark.”
“Mm, take it easy on the road. Be safe.” Chuntao’s eyes burned with tears, but she forced herself not to let her voice betray her.
Zhou Zhijun dressed quickly, then bent down to kiss her cheek. “Tao, I’m off. Once the wheat is planted, I’ll be right back!”
“Mm!” Chuntao responded, her eyes growing redder.
Before, she had always feared seeing him, dreaded how eagerly he clung to her. But now, everything had changed.
She wanted to see him every day, wanted to be held and kissed in his arms, wanted to live a steady, solid life with him.
Lately, she had been having shameful dreams almost every night, only wishing the baby in her belly would grow quickly and come out soon.
Once Zhou Zhijun left, Chuntao’s heart felt hollow, as if something vital had been emptied out.
Aunt Zhou stayed to care for her, cooking all kinds of dishes for her every day.
Vegetable pockets, dumplings, steamed buns, chicken stewed with mushrooms, mountain vegetable noodles, savory tofu pudding... three meals a day, never repeating.
Chuntao had never been a picky eater before, but since getting pregnant, her palate had become difficult.
Sometimes she would suddenly crave a certain dish, and Aunt Zhou would make it right away—but by then, her appetite was gone.
Watching Aunt Zhou, already advanced in years, run around for her, and feeling guilty for being so difficult, Chuntao’s heart was filled with both shame and embarrassment.
But Aunt Zhou didn’t mind at all. Smiling, she comforted her, “All pregnant women are like this. When you crave something, you have to have it right away, or the craving fades. Just tell me what you want to eat—I’m here to take care of you. You’re weak, and you need to be well nourished, or having the baby will be hard on you and the child too!”
Second Aunt Zhou chimed in, “That’s right! If there’s anything you want, just speak up. If we don’t have it at home, I’ll go to the market and buy it!”
The next morning, before dawn, Aunt Zhou and Second Aunt Zhou set off for the market, buying pork and crucian carp to nourish Chuntao.
Seeing Aunt Zhou cooking and washing clothes, bustling around tirelessly, Chuntao’s heart ached even more.
She had never dared to imagine having such good fortune. Staring at Aunt Zhou with reddened eyes, her voice trembling, she said, “Aunt Zhou, you’re too good to me...”
“Oh, what kind of talk is that, my girl?”
Aunt Zhou waved her hand dismissively. “The child in your belly is my grandchild—it’s only right that I take care of you! We’re family now. Don’t ever say such distant things again!”
Second Aunt Zhou frowned, took Chuntao’s hand, and said, puzzled, “Girl, this is your mother-in-law. Why do you call her ‘Aunt Zhou’? It sounds so distant!”
Aunt Zhou quickly smoothed things over. “Chuntao was originally my foster daughter. We’re just used to calling her that, and never changed it.”
“That won’t do!” Second Aunt Zhou said firmly. “Calling her ‘Aunt Zhou’ is too formal. You have to call her ‘Mother’—that’s what’s close and dear! That boy Zhijun is truly blessed to have married such a wonderful wife. And your mother-in-law adores you. Go on, call her ‘Mother’!”
Truth be told, Aunt Zhou had also wanted Chuntao to change how she addressed her, but since the two hadn’t yet gotten a marriage certificate, she was afraid Chuntao might feel embarrassed.
Now that Second Aunt Zhou had brought it up, she quickly seized the opportunity. Smiling, she took Chuntao’s hand and said, “Tao, I’ve already treated you like my own daughter. From now on, call me ‘Mother’!”
Chuntao had grown up without a mother, and in her heart, she had long seen Aunt Zhou as a true mother.
Her nose stung, her throat tightened with emotion, and she softly called out, “Mother—”
That gentle “Mother” melted Aunt Zhou’s heart.
“Ah! My good girl!” Aunt Zhou gripped her hand tightly, her own voice choking with tears.
Her other two daughters-in-law had never received such warmth from Aunt Zhou. But Chuntao was different—she genuinely cherished this sensible girl from the bottom of her heart.
Raising her hand, Aunt Zhou removed the jade bracelet from her wrist. Taking Chuntao’s left hand, she said solemnly, “Tao, this is a gift from your mother. Wear it.”
This bracelet had been passed down from Aunt Zhou’s mother-in-law. She had always planned to hand it down someday, but with so many daughters-in-law in the family, she had been afraid of causing gossip, so she had kept it all this time.
Chuntao looked at this precious item and quickly refused. “Mother, this is too valuable. I can’t take it—you keep it for yourself!”
“Silly girl, if I give it to you, you must wear it!” Aunt Zhou wouldn’t take no for an answer. She insisted on slipping the bracelet onto Chuntao’s wrist.
Gently stroking Chuntao’s wrist, her face full of joy, she said, “Look, with your delicate skin, it suits you so beautifully! Our Chuntao is so lovely— that boy Zhijun must have been blessed in a past life!”
Chuntao stared at the bracelet, but her heart felt unsettled.
She and Zhou Zhijun weren’t officially married yet, and her baby hadn’t even been born—could she really bear such a weighty gift of goodwill?
