"Remember to make some noise when you walk next time."
"You could scare someone to death."
Pei Zhengnian adjusted his collar and crouched down to gather the chopped firewood, stacking it neatly.
Shen Nanchu blinked her beautiful eyes, tilting her head in confusion.
"Aren’t you a soldier?"
"How come you didn’t even hear me coming back?"
The firewood in Pei Zhengnian’s arms nearly slipped to the ground.
Could he admit he’d been thinking about her?
No way!
"I was just preoccupied with work."
"Oh."
Shen Nanchu seemed to half-believe him.
Still, chopping so much firewood early in the morning—he really had too much free time on his hands.
Might as well put him to good use while he was here.
"Use this wood to build a rabbit hutch and a chicken coop."
"Oh, and make a little house for Meiqiu too."
Shen Nanchu shoved a basket into Pei Zhengnian’s arms.
"I just got these rabbits from the village chief’s place. Take care of them while you’re at it."
"These two are important—don’t let anything happen to them."
After rattling off her instructions, Shen Nanchu headed back inside.
She was sleepy and needed a nap.
Bang!
The sound of the door closing snapped Pei Zhengnian out of his daze.
His gift—he still hadn’t given it to her!
Pei Zhengnian finally remembered.
Glancing down at the two little rabbits in the basket, he sighed. Might as well wait until she woke up.
Resigned, he set the basket aside and got to work on the tasks Shen Nanchu had assigned.
The moment Shen Nanchu stepped into the room, she immediately noticed the changes.
On the bed lay an extra set of red bedding—pillows and a quilt.
Even her own quilt and pillows had been replaced with red ones.
She didn’t need to ask—she knew the extra set belonged to Pei Zhengnian.
They were legally married now, after all. Sharing a room and a bed was only natural.
Without a second thought, Shen Nanchu changed into her nightclothes and climbed under the covers.
Stretching lazily, she hugged Pei Zhengnian’s pillow and drifted off to sleep.
That evening,
Pei Zhengnian took charge of dinner.
Shen Nanchu didn’t hold out much hope.
After all, she’d tasted his cooking before—only slightly better than Pei's Mother’s.
Sitting at the table, she was already planning what to eat for a late-night snack.
Hmm?
Was that the sweet and sour aroma of fish?
Maybe she’d have sweet and sour fish for her midnight meal.
Just as she made up her mind, she straightened in her seat.
Wait—why did the house smell like sweet and sour fish?
And was that braised pork knuckle too?
When Pei Yunxi and Pei Yunzhou brought the dishes to the table, Shen Nanchu’s eyes lit up.
It really was sweet and sour fish and braised pork knuckle!
"Your brother made this?"
"Yep!"
Pei Yunxi and Pei Yunzhou couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.
"No idea what Second Brother’s been up to in the army, but his cooking’s gotten amazing."
"Even better than Mom’s."
Not just the twins—Grandpa Pei, Grandma Pei, Father Pei, and Pei's Mother were all astonished.
Once all the dishes were served, Pei Zhengnian sat down to seven pairs of eager eyes fixed on him.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom—let’s eat."
Completely unruffled, Pei Zhengnian picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of fish—the one with the fewest bones—into Shen Nanchu’s bowl.
"Try it. How’s the taste?"
"Alright."
Shen Nanchu took a bite.
Her eyes half-closed in satisfaction.
The flavor was on par with the state-run restaurants.
Who knew Pei Zhengnian had such culinary talent?
Her mind was already racing with ideas for the next meal.
"It’s delicious."
Pei Zhengnian’s tense shoulders finally relaxed.
A hint of pride flickered across his handsome, stern face.
See? He knew his cooking was good.
"Second Brother, good thing you joined the army instead of working at a state-run restaurant. Otherwise, the place would’ve been mobbed."
Pei Yunzhou was a master at flattery.
"Sister-in-law, isn’t Second Brother the perfect package? Handsome and a great cook. Satisfied?"
Pei Yunxi teased Shen Nanchu.
"Very."
Shen Nanchu nodded earnestly.
"And if there are leek pancakes and millet porridge for breakfast tomorrow, I’ll be even more satisfied."
"Got it."
Pei Zhengnian agreed.
Simple enough—Old Zhu at the army canteen made those often. He knew the recipe.
Watching the usually rigid Pei Zhengnian dote on his wife, Pei's Mother and Grandma Pei exchanged knowing, pleased smiles.
Dinner was a lively, joyful affair.
But when bedtime came,
Pei Zhengnian wasn’t feeling quite as cheerful.
Not that he was unhappy—just nervous.
Yes, nervous.
Dragging his feet, he was the last to finish washing up. Finally, he forced himself to walk with heavy steps into Shen Nanchu’s room.
Shen Nanchu had washed her hair that evening. Now, she lounged on a rocking chair, legs crossed, lazily fanning herself as her hair dried.
The moment Pei Zhengnian entered, his gaze landed on her fair ankles and delicate toes.
He paused mid-step before continuing toward the bed.
A folding fan blocked his path.
"Fan my hair for me."
Shen Nanchu shoved the fan into Pei Zhengnian’s hand and closed her eyes, perfectly at ease.
Her arms were exhausted from fanning herself.
Without a word, Pei Zhengnian stood beside her, carefully gathering her glossy black tresses in one hand while gently waving the fan with the other.
Every breeze was directed at her hair, never her head.
The corners of Shen Nanchu’s lips curled slightly.
How thoughtful.
This was Pei Zhengnian’s first time drying someone else’s hair, and he fumbled awkwardly.
Afraid of tugging too hard, afraid the wind might blow the wrong way.
By the time Shen Nanchu’s hair was finally dry, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
But before he could relax, he met a pair of bright, knowing eyes.
Shen Nanchu had opened hers at some point, reclining in the rocking chair, watching him intently.
The dim golden light softened her features, casting delicate shadows under her lashes. Her lips, glistening like ripe cherries, seemed to invite a taste.
Pei Zhengnian’s throat moved.
Whether from the heat or not, a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Plop.
It landed on Shen Nanchu’s cheek.
Her lips curved into a smile.
Like a rose unfurling in full bloom—radiant, breathtaking.
Pei Zhengnian froze.
What a fool.
The next instant,
Shen Nanchu reached up, looping her arms around his neck.
The moment their skin touched, Pei Zhengnian felt like his entire body had caught fire.
Tilting her head up, Shen Nanchu pressed her lips to his.
Crack.
Something inside him shattered.
The kiss was brief—just a brush of lips before she pulled away.
Her eyes, playful and teasing, gleamed.
"Pei Zhengnian, don’t tell me you don’t even know how to kiss?"
"Bullshit. Of course I do."
Pei Zhengnian’s arm tightened around her waist as he bent down, capturing her lips again.
...
