Chapter 48:

Chunfu and Jicheng had just been married for two months when the sky began to drizzle with a gentle rain, which soon turned into a steady downpour. The trees and flowers in the courtyard perked up instantly, their leaves lush and vibrant, a sight that brought joy to the heart.

Chunfu and Liansheng’s wife had just finished their chores. Liansheng’s wife watched the raindrops forming lines as they fell from the eaves and smiled broadly. “Heaven has finally opened its eyes! I was worried the crops in the fields would suffer from drought again, but with this rain, I won’t have to fret anymore.” With that, she prepared to leave.

Chunfu grabbed her arm and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t rush off. Take an umbrella so you don’t catch a cold.”

Liansheng’s wife waved her hand, revealing a row of white teeth. “No need, it’s just a short distance. I’m strong and healthy, not so delicate. Alright, go rest. I’ll head back now.”

Chunfu was indeed tired. After tidying up the kitchen, she stood under the eaves and watched the unrelenting rain. Puddles had formed in the uneven ground, the raindrops creating ripples upon impact. She wondered if Jicheng had found shelter from the rain and if the journey home would be even more difficult now. Her feelings were mixed—she hoped the rain would continue, as it was much needed for the crops, though she didn’t have to worry about fieldwork herself. A good harvest was always on everyone’s mind. But if the rain persisted, how would she deliver the pastries she had prepared? She couldn’t afford to delay the shop’s business.

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Ever since Jikun had caused trouble that day, she had developed a habit of locking the door whenever Jicheng wasn’t home. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she drifted into sleep. The rhythmic sound of the rain outside was like a lullaby, weaving its way into her dreams.

At the construction site, work had to stop due to the rain, giving Jicheng and the others a much-needed break. Third Uncle had to wait until his shift was over to return, but Jicheng and Liansheng wanted to go home early to help with chores. They called Zhou Jing along, and the three of them trudged through the rain in silence, their mouths shut tight to avoid swallowing rainwater. It was better to focus on the journey.

When Jicheng arrived home, he took off his mud-splattered, soaked clothes outside. The water in the kitchen kettle was still hot, just enough for him to wash up. He had been working outside for half the day, making occasional noises, but Chunfu hadn’t come out to greet him. After washing up, he tried to push open the door to change clothes but found it locked. He couldn’t help but chuckle—he knew his own door well and opened it with a light touch.

Chunfu was fast asleep, her face flushed, a faint smile on her lips as if she were having a pleasant dream. She even smacked her lips lightly, making Jicheng smile. He changed his clothes and sat beside her, watching her quietly. Only when her eyelids fluttered slightly did he retreat, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“When did you get back? Why didn’t you wake me?” Chunfu rubbed her eyes. The overcast sky made it hard to tell the time. “Is it time to cook? How did you get back? Did Third Uncle return too?”

Jicheng shook his head. “Third Uncle still has work to do—he can’t just leave halfway. Since there was nothing to do in town, we came back early.”

Chunfu suddenly became alert. “I locked the door tight. How did you get in?”

Jicheng patted her head and pulled her back down. “How could I be locked out of my own house? It’s rare to get a break, so I’ll nap too. Don’t rush to get up—dinner’s still two hours away.”

Chunfu felt too drowsy to argue and closed her eyes, planning to sleep for another two hours. But she ended up sleeping so soundly that she didn’t wake until Jicheng had finished making dinner. She scolded him lightly, “Why didn’t you wake me? You must be exhausted—you should rest.”

Jicheng set the table for her and smiled. “Why fuss over one meal? You’re usually just as busy as I am. We didn’t work long today because of the rain, so I’m not tired.”

They ate early, and with the chores done while it was still light out, Jicheng moved the wooden table under the eaves. The two of them sat there, sipping water and watching the rain, which showed no signs of letting up.

“How are we going to deliver today’s goods? The roads must be terrible. In summer, we can manage, but what about winter? It’s such a long journey—running back and forth every day will be miserable.” Chunfu rubbed the rim of her bowl with her slender fingers, her brows furrowed in worry.

Jicheng couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her soft, smooth cheek, amused by her pout. “What’s there to worry about? Tomorrow, I’ll wrap the basket in extra layers to keep the rain out. As long as we can earn money to support the family, who cares about wind or rain? We’ve survived worse. Leave it to me.”

Chunfu thought about it and realized he was right. With him around, why should she worry?

Having slept too much during the day, neither of them felt tired when bedtime came. The sudden rain had cooled the room, and Chunfu instinctively moved closer to Jicheng. But as soon as she touched him, she felt his skin burning like fire. She tried to pull away, but he held her tight, his breathing ragged, his voice tinged with shyness and longing. “You… are you better now? I… I want…”

Chunfu understood immediately. She was afraid of the piercing pain she remembered, but hearing his restrained desire made her reluctant to refuse. Like any woman deeply in love, she couldn’t bear to see him suffer, especially when he treated her so well.

Jicheng felt her grip tighten on his arm and knew she was nervous. Remembering her quiet sobs on their first night, he hesitated, but his desire was too strong to suppress. Earlier, while Chunfu was asleep, he had secretly flipped through an illustrated book, studying it carefully to avoid hurting her.

Under his husky, magnetic whispers, Chunfu’s tense body gradually relaxed. He was like a devout worshipper, tracing her contours with reverence. Under his tender care, she surrendered completely, her lips parting slightly as her breath quickened. She melted into his embrace, letting him take control.

Jicheng, meanwhile, was like a man preparing for a great battle, sweat beading on his forehead and dripping down his brows, eyes, and nose. His body remained taut as he proceeded cautiously, testing her reactions until her discomfort faded. As he pursued her pleasure, her frown eased, and her hazy eyes fluttered open. Her delicate fingers intertwined with his, and when she suddenly smiled with unexpected allure, he was utterly captivated. The intensity was intoxicating, and once she had adjusted, he unleashed his passion, more urgent than the storm outside, sweeping her away in his tidal wave of desire.

Chunfu felt like a tiny boat caught in a raging river, the waves threatening to drown her. Just as she thought she couldn’t take any more, a strong arm pulled her into a tight embrace. His scorching breath and heaving chest told her the storm had passed.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck and murmured, “Chunfu, I adore you. You’re so good to me.”

Feeling sticky and uncomfortable, she tried to push him away, but he caught her hands. His dark, gleaming eyes locked onto hers, his voice hoarse and mesmerizing from exertion. “Don’t… stay a little longer.”

Chunfu realized that her earlier teasing was nothing compared to this. The man who seemed so proper was actually the boldest of all. Her cheeks burned, her eyes shimmering like shy peach blossoms in spring. The room was silent, but their heartbeats seemed to echo in unison.

At some point, the rain stopped. Jicheng, acting like a scoundrel, finally got up after much prodding from Chunfu. He left the bed, but she was so exhausted that she fell asleep instantly, not even noticing when he wiped her down. Her sleep didn’t last long, though—she woke at dawn to the sound of rain starting up again, heavier than before.

Jicheng came in from outside and saw her sitting up. “Why not sleep more? I’ve already packed my things and am about to leave. The earlier I go, the sooner I’ll return.”

Chunfu threw off the covers and put on her outer robe, motioning for him to come closer. In the dim light, she noticed his collar was still tucked inside his clothes and fixed it for him. “Once the weather clears, I’ll go to town with you. I need to discuss business with Miss Jin and buy you some new clothes. These are getting too worn out.”

Jicheng just smiled, said “I’m off,” and left with his basket. Chunfu cracked open the window and watched as he disappeared into the misty rain, his straw raincoat protecting the basket, a large bamboo hat shielding his head.

Unable to sleep, she remembered that Jicheng probably hadn’t had time to feed the pigs. She grabbed an umbrella and went to the pigpen, dumping yesterday’s cut grass inside. The pigs eagerly dug in, and she noticed they had grown noticeably fatter. At this rate, they’d fetch a good price by New Year’s. As she picked up the basket to leave, she heard Zhang Yan’s voice behind her, urgent and excited. “Auntie!”

She turned to see him in a raincoat, carefully carrying a burlap sack as he ran toward her. Frowning, she scolded, “What are you doing running around in this heavy rain? Aren’t you afraid of getting sick? Did your parents not scold you?”

Zhang Yan grinned, pulling her under the eaves. After shaking off his rain-soaked coat, he said cheerfully, “My parents don’t care where I go anymore. They don’t even scold me. Luckily, they haven’t kicked me out, but I don’t like sharing a room with Zhang Tong, so I moved my things to another room. Auntie, I’ve got something amazing to show you.”

Chunfu chuckled at his mysterious expression. “What treasure did you find that you had to tie it up so tightly?”

Zhang Yan hesitated. He didn’t want to scare her, but he also wanted her to taste this delicacy. He had killed it immediately after catching it, fearing she’d be more frightened if it were alive. Seeing her curiosity, he reluctantly opened the sack for her to peek inside. Sure enough, Chunfu recoiled at the sight of the black creature.

“Where did you get that? Don’t be reckless!”

Zhang Yan shrugged. “It’s already dead. Snake meat is delicious. I thought you and Uncle might not have tried it, so I brought it for you.”

Chunfu’s face darkened. “You caught it yourself? What if it had bitten you? What if it was venomous? How could you be so reckless? Don’t ever do this again, understand?” She knew snake meat was considered a delicacy, but she couldn’t stomach the idea of such a hideous, dangerous creature. How could a boy as young as Zhang Yan be so bold? Had he been influenced by bad company?

Zhang Yan remained unfazed, ignoring her warnings as he tied the sack and set it aside. “It makes a great soup—very nourishing. I’ve heard rich families love snake meat. Auntie, I’m hungry.” He didn’t dare tell her he had spent the night at Old Jiang’s place. After returning home that day, his mother had told his father about the incident at Chunfu’s house. Surprisingly, his father hadn’t lost his temper. Instead, he had asked Zhang Yan if he wanted to leave the family for good. “If your heart is with outsiders, then I won’t force you to stay. Save us the trouble—out of sight, out of mind.”

Zhang Yan had taken it to heart. He didn’t cry this time—he accepted it as his father’s true feelings. He didn’t even know what he had done wrong to be so despised by his parents since childhood. Maybe his father’s patience had lasted only one night. The next day, neither parent spoke to him, treating him like a stranger. Chunfu had once told him that parents’ favoritism had no logic—sometimes they didn’t even know why they preferred one child over another. But so what? He was grateful they had let him see the world. Once hope was lost, nothing else mattered.

In a few days, Old Jiang would take him to town to “broaden his horizons.” Old Jiang was the second person in the world Zhang Yan felt he could trust. He had poured out all his grievances to the old man, who had simply laughed and said after a long pause, “So what? They just lack vision. See if your brother really becomes a big official. My parents doted on my eldest brother, thinking he’d achieve greatness. Instead, he grew up lazy and useless, and their precious son was the death of them—literally. I laughed all day when they died. Kid, when you reach my age, you’ll understand. No matter how hard you try to please them, they’ll never see your worth. Of course, don’t write them off completely—maybe your brother will make it big. But focus on living your own life happily. In the end, what are they to you?”

Zhang Yan sat at the small wooden table as Chunfu brought out steamed buns and pickles, still scolding him. “If I catch you doing this again, don’t you dare step foot in my house.”

Zhang Yan devoured the food hungrily, savoring the salty pickles. He knew Chunfu didn’t mean her threats—she couldn’t bear to turn him away. But he had no choice. The resentment in his bones made it impossible to stay in that house any longer. At his age, wandering alone was too young, but without the suffocating atmosphere at home, he could finally breathe freely.

Since Zhang Yan was there, Chunfu decided to make vegetable pancakes. She usually skimped on oil, but an occasional indulgence wouldn’t hurt. She mixed greens and eggs for the filling, wrapped them in dough, and fried them in the pan. She wasn’t sure when Jicheng would return—he’d probably rest in town for a while. Even gods needed breaks after such a long journey. Zhang Yan was growing and couldn’t wait on an empty stomach, so she planned to let him eat first and save some for Jicheng, keeping it warm on the stove.

Just as the pancakes were done, Jicheng walked in, surprisingly free of mud. “You’re back so early today?” Chunfu exclaimed.

Jicheng set the basket against the wall and ruffled Zhang Yan’s hair. “I ran into someone from town right after leaving the village, and he gave me a ride. On the way back, Shopkeeper Jin sent someone to bring me home. Pretty lucky for a rainy day. Oh, Miss Jin asked me to give you this—she said you’d understand.” He handed her a money pouch and a note, looking puzzled. “It’s covered in tiny characters I can’t read. What does she want with you? You’re illiterate.”

Zhang Yan couldn’t resist pulling Jicheng toward the burlap sack, grinning proudly. “Uncle, Auntie’s too scared to handle this, but you’ll see—it’s really tasty!”

Jicheng peeked inside and whistled in admiration. “Well, well, you’ve got guts, kid! Not afraid of it?”

Zhang Yan puffed out his chest. “Why be afraid? I caught it myself. I know how to tell venomous from non-venomous snakes now. If you’re brave enough, nothing’s a problem.”

Chunfu turned around and scolded sternly, “Jicheng, don’t encourage his reckless behavior! What good is bravery if he gets bitten? That thing is disgusting—who could eat it?”

Jicheng stroked his chin and chuckled. “Actually, rich households and restaurants pay top dollar for this stuff. A skilled chef can make it taste amazing, and it’s not cheap. But catching snakes requires skill—not just anyone can do it. Zhang Yan, listen to your aunt. Don’t take unnecessary risks. She and I have talked—once we save up a bit more, we’ll send you to school. Whatever Zhang Tong gets, we’ll make sure you have it too.”

Zhang Yan puffed his cheeks, his long lashes fluttering. After a moment, he muttered, “I don’t want to. You work too hard for your money—save it for my future cousins’ education. It doesn’t matter if I go to school or not. I’ll find another way to feed myself.”

Jicheng flicked his forehead playfully. “By catching snakes? Sure, they’re plentiful now, but what about winter? You’ll starve? Kid, life isn’t that simple. And if Zhang Tong becomes successful through education, will you be content? Don’t talk nonsense. Your aunt and I want to send you to school. Ignore what others say—they’re just jealous.”

Chunfu carefully examined the papers Miss Jin had sent. They detailed the costs of flour, oil, and other ingredients over the past half-month, along with daily earnings, filling three large pages. After subtracting expenses from income, the net profit for the month was over eight taels—a delightful surprise. She tucked the papers away and walked over to Zhang Yan, patting his shoulder with a smile. “No need to wait. Once the weather clears, we’ll send you to school.”