Chuntao’s whole body went limp, her cheeks burning even hotter, a faint flush spreading all the way down her neck.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the thin quilt, and she lowered her head even more. “You’re such a pest. All you think about all day is that!”
“You’re my wife. How can I not think about it? We never properly consummated our marriage before. Tonight, no matter what, we’re making up for it!”
“Tonight, I’m going to give you the most comfortable wedding night of your life—better than any time before!”
“No,” Chuntao said, giving him a gentle push. Her voice was soft and sweet. “I’m hungry. Give me the bowl. I can eat by myself!”
“No way. I’ll feed you. I’ll fill your stomach first, then I’ll eat you!”
As he spoke, Zhou Zhijun picked up a piece of egg and brought it to Chuntao’s lips, coaxing her. “Open up. Come on.”
Unable to resist him, Chuntao obediently opened her mouth, though her heart kept pounding. She was afraid that Aunt Zhou or someone else might suddenly walk in and catch them.
“I can eat by myself!” Chuntao reached for the bowl, but Zhou Zhijun quickly moved it out of reach and said sternly, “Listen to me.”
“Second Aunt!” Suddenly, Zhou Xiaobao came rushing in, calling out in his clear, childish voice, “The movie’s started! Why aren’t you watching it?”
When he saw Zhou Zhijun feeding Chuntao noodles, he blinked in confusion. But he was intimidated by Zhou Zhijun and didn’t dare ask any questions.
“Xiaobao, you go ahead. I’ll be there in a little while.” Chuntao smiled and rubbed the top of his head. “Hurry and go watch the movie. Don’t run around.”
Zhou Xiaobao turned to leave, but Zhou Zhijun suddenly said coldly, “Xiaobao, stay outside and watch the movie properly. Don’t go running all over the place.”
“Got it,” Zhou Xiaobao answered quietly before racing out.
As soon as he left, Aunt Zhou came in carrying the sleeping Nuannuan. When she saw Zhou Zhijun feeding Chuntao, a kindly smile spread across her face.
Caught by her mother-in-law, Chuntao’s face flushed bright red. She put on a little pout and scolded him, “I can eat by myself. You go watch the movie!”
Knowing how shy Chuntao was and that she couldn’t relax in front of his mother, Zhou Zhijun handed her the remaining half bowl of noodles.
Aunt Zhou looked at Zhou Zhijun and reminded him, “There’s still hot food in the kitchen. You’ve been busy all day and haven’t eaten anything. Go eat.”
After Zhou Zhijun left, Aunt Zhou placed Nuannuan on the inside of the bed and carefully tucked the quilt around her. As she did, she murmured, “This bed sure is spacious.”
Then she cast a knowing glance at Chuntao and said, “I was originally planning to hold Nuannuan while she slept. I was afraid she’d wake up wanting milk during the night.”
A few days earlier, Zhou Zhijun and Chuntao had gone to the market. When they returned, Chuntao had been wearing Zhou Zhijun’s clothes, which were marked with quite a few streaks of grass. Aunt Zhou had been through it all herself—how could she not understand what had happened?
Chuntao had been pregnant for more than half a year and had only just finished her postpartum confinement. The young couple hadn’t been able to get properly intimate all that time, and Aunt Zhou understood and sympathized with them.
Now that the babies had reached their full month, tonight the young couple should make up for the wedding night they had missed and enjoy some time together in peace.
Besides, Zhou Zhijun would soon be leaving to work on the reservoir. No one knew how long it would be before he could return home, so they ought to cherish some private time together.
Ever since the two babies were born, Aunt Zhou had slept holding Jianshe, while Chuntao held Nuannuan. Three generations had been crowded into the same room.
At that moment, Chuntao immediately understood what her mother-in-law meant. Aunt Zhou wanted her and Zhijun to sleep alone in one room, without anyone disturbing them.
Chuntao was so embarrassed she wished the floor would open up and swallow her. In a small voice, she said, “I can hold Nuannuan while I sleep.”
Then she glanced toward the old wooden bed in the corner. “Ma, where’s Jianshe? Isn’t he asleep yet?”
“He’s asleep, he’s asleep. That boy’s like a little pig—once he’s had his milk, he drops right off. Your eldest sister is watching him in the east room.”
Aunt Zhou took the empty bowl from Chuntao’s hands and said with a smile, “I’ll go fill another one for you.”
“Ma, I’m full!”
Even though Chuntao was already out of confinement, Aunt Zhou still looked after her according to the old postpartum customs. She cooked six or seven meals a day, and Chuntao never felt hungry.
“All right. You and Zhijun have been worn out after all the commotion of the full-month celebration today. Go to bed early.
“Tonight I’ll hold Jianshe and sleep in the east room. If he gets hungry during the night, I’ll just give him some rice cereal.”
Chuntao didn’t dare look up at Aunt Zhou. She lowered her head and softly murmured, “Mm.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Nuannuan sleeping peacefully on the inner side of the bed. A vague, indescribable anticipation quietly spread through her heart.
Aunt Zhou left the inner room of the north house. Instead of going to the east room, she headed straight for the kitchen.
“Zhijun, tonight I’ll hold Jianshe and sleep in the east room. You’ve been busy all day, so finish your soup and hurry back to the room to rest!”
His own mother really understood him. The corners of Zhou Zhijun’s mouth lifted in a smile as he answered, “All right, Ma. You should go to bed early too.”
Aunt Zhou moved closer and lowered her voice. “Tao has only just finished her confinement, and you’re about to leave for the reservoir. She’s bound to miss you and feel miserable. Comfort her properly. Speak more gently, and don’t always sound so stiff and harsh!”
Zhou Zhijun gave a soft chuckle. “Don’t worry, Ma. I know.”
A smile hung on his lips, but for some reason the corners of his eyes grew moist.
Once the full-month celebration was over, someone from the commune’s family-planning office would soon come knocking. There was no escaping the sterilization procedure.
There was no way he would let Chuntao suffer through it. If one of them had to go, it would be him.
Afterward, he would still have to leave for the reservoir. He couldn’t bear to part with his parents or the children—and least of all Chuntao. She surely couldn’t bear to part with him either.
The more Zhou Zhijun thought about it, the more bitter his heart felt. He quickly raised his head and forcibly held back the heat gathering in his eyes.
He gulped down two large bowls of vegetable soup and gnawed on a big white steamed bun. His stomach was full, but his heart felt hollow and unsettled.
After scrubbing the large pot clean, he heated an entire pot of water. He ladled most of it into a large metal basin and carried it into the inner room of the north house.
Chuntao was sitting on the big bed. The red candle on the bedside table flickered, its glow illuminating her fair, rosy little face and making her look even more delicate and lovely.
The sheets and quilt on the bed were bright red, and several large red paper characters for “double happiness” were pasted on the walls. The whole room was filled with a warm, festive atmosphere.
Zhou Zhijun looked around and was very pleased.
Tonight, he could finally give Chuntao a proper wedding night. They no longer had to worry about being discovered or interrupted. They could do whatever they wanted.
“Tao, take a bath.”
He set the basin of water in a concealed spot at the foot of the bed and drew the bed curtain around it. Just as he was about to go embrace her, he heard Aunt Zhou calling from outside.
“Zhijun, come out for a moment!”
Zhou Zhijun strode out of the room and saw Aunt Zhou standing at the doorway.
“Ma, what is it?”
Aunt Zhou moved close to him and whispered, “Your eldest sister and your little sister have gone to sleep at your eldest brother’s and third brother’s homes. Tonight, it’ll just be the two of you in the north house. Remember to bolt the door.”
Afraid of disturbing the young couple, Aunt Zhou had specifically arranged for Zhou Zhicai and Zhou Zhiduo to spend the night at Zhou Zhiguo’s and Zhou Zhimin’s homes.
“I’m only telling you so you won’t wait for them. After the movie, they’ll go straight to those two houses to sleep.”
Zhou Zhijun had been worried that if his sisters slept in the next room, any noise would be a problem.
He himself had thick skin and wouldn’t mind, but Chuntao was shy and certainly wouldn’t be able to relax.
Now everything was settled. His mother had thought of everything. Tonight, the north house would belong only to him and Chuntao, and they no longer had to hold anything back.
“All right. Ma, you should stop watching the movie too. You’ve been busy all day—go to bed.”
He turned and went back into the room, then slid the bolt into place with a loud clank.
“Tao, tonight it’s just the two of us.” Zhou Zhijun walked over to the bed, his warm breath brushing Chuntao’s face and making her hurriedly turn away.
His gaze fell on Nuannuan, who was sleeping soundly on the inside of the bed. His voice softened. “And Nuannuan too…”
Zhou Zhijun let out a low chuckle. “Nuannuan’s still so little. What could she possibly understand?”
Without giving her a chance to object, he swept her up in his arms and set her down at the head of the bed. His large hands immediately went to undo the buttons of her clothes.
“I can wash myself…” Chuntao murmured, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
But Zhou Zhijun did not stop. His tone was gentle yet impossible to refuse. “I’m your man. Taking care of you is only right. How could I let you do it yourself?”
One by one, he removed her clothes, until only a bright-red camisole and matching shorts remained. The color was almost dazzling.
Zhou Zhijun stared at her full, graceful curves and swallowed hard. His voice had grown hoarse. “Tao, a beautiful moment is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Suppressing the restlessness rising inside him, he carefully removed the last two garments, then cautiously lifted her and placed her into the basin of warm water.
Steam drifted up from the basin, shrouding Chuntao in a hazy veil and making her skin look even fairer than snow.
By now, Chuntao was terribly embarrassed. She kept her head bowed, her voice so soft it was nearly inaudible. “Go outside. I can wash myself…”
But Zhou Zhijun did not move. His large, callused yet warm hands slowly reached into the basin…
