Chapter 21: Restless and Wanting to Sleep with His Wife

Ah Zheng pinched Ye Yaodong’s cheek, looking at him from side to side. “We’re all from the seaside, so how come you don’t tan? If I looked as fair as you, I wouldn’t still be single!”

“Are you sure it’s only about being fair-skinned? That’s the real issue here!” Ye Yaodong put his hand on Ah Zheng’s head and gestured sideways to his shoulder.

Ah Zheng scowled. “What the hell, I’m 170 cm tall!”

“169 cm, rounding up to 170?”

“It’s still 170!”

“Hahaha~~”

Everyone laughed, teasing each other with jokes. The atmosphere was lively.

Ye Yaodong hadn’t relaxed like this with friends in a long time. Most of his later years had been spent working hard for a living. The saying “If you don’t work hard in your youth, you’ll regret it in your old age” summed him up well.

After eating and drinking their fill, dusk was setting in, and the table was littered with empty cups and dishes.

Ye Yaodong let out a satisfied burp. “You guys clean up. Fatty and I have been busy all afternoon!”

“No problem, I’ll handle it,” one friend offered.

“Yeah, right, you’ll just boss your sisters around. We didn’t even drink, and it’s not fully dark yet, so we can all pitch in.” Ye Yaodong, now more mature, thought it was only right to clean up after themselves.

“Fine, fine, everyone helps a bit; it won’t take long.”

With that, they all started moving, knowing a few bowls would be quick to clean up.

“There’s still some Dragon and Phoenix Soup in the pot, though it’s a bit cold now. Do you want any?” someone asked.

Ye Yaodong glanced in the pot; there wasn’t much meat left, but plenty of broth. “Pack me a bowl to take back. My wife and kids can have a taste too.”

“Pack me one too,” said Xiao.

The others didn’t ask for any, either because they didn’t have families or had better food at home, like Fatty.

They were childhood friends, so it didn’t matter who ate a bit more or less.

Ye Yaodong packed a large bowl of soup with a few bits of meat and started heading home.

Aguang’s house was at the foot of the hill, not far from his own. It was a short walk, but he didn’t want to spill the soup, so he walked carefully.

By the time he got home, it was completely dark. His neighbors had all turned in early to save on electricity, and his family’s lights were off as well.

He pushed on the door. “Locked? Who locked it?”

Muttering to himself, he walked to the side of the house, where his room’s window was open but quiet inside.

He gently tapped on the window and called out, “Aqing, Aqing? Are you asleep? Open the door; it’s locked.”

“Dad!”

“Dad!”

His two kids, not yet asleep, heard him at the window and scrambled up.

Lin Xiuqing was furious; she’d almost put them to sleep, only for them to be disturbed again! What a troublemaker!

“You’re not asleep yet? Perfect timing—I brought you something tasty. Tell your mom to let me in!”

The older son perked up at the mention of food. “Mom, hurry! Dad’s locked out!”

“Alright, keep it down; don’t wake the neighbors. I’ll open the door. You two stay inside,” Lin Xiuqing said, putting on her slippers and quietly opening the door to avoid disturbing others, especially Ye’s father and younger brother, who were likely already asleep before heading out to sea at night.

Ye Yaodong moved to the door, watching as his wife, her face dark, opened it. He patiently coaxed her, “Don’t be mad; I promise I’ll come back earlier next time. I brought Dragon and Phoenix Soup for you. Warm it up and enjoy.”

“What’s Dragon and Phoenix Soup?”

“Snake and chicken stew, with added pork ribs. It’s good for detox and cooling down. I even brought extra broth. It’s already cold, so it’ll need reheating. Who locked the door? On purpose?”

Lin Xiuqing took the soup and shot him a “you know it” look, letting him read between the lines.

“My mom locked the door?”

“Yep. She told me not to open it for you, said you should spend the night at the doorstep to clear your head!”

Ye Yaodong: Thanks, Mom!

“Heat up the soup a bit. I’ll go out back for a quick rinse.”

In the heat of summer, he didn’t need warm water; a bucket of well water from the backyard would do just fine.

When he came back inside, only a faint glow remained in the stove, casting a bit of light in the hall. A soft light was also visible through the crack in his bedroom door, standing out in the darkness.

He pushed open the door to see Lin Xiuqing sitting on the bed, feeding their two sons, who were taking turns with open mouths, each getting a bite.

“Already heated up?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s hot out; it doesn’t need to be scalding. Just warm enough without any oil floating on top.”

“Dad, what kind of meat is this? It’s all bones—not tasty!” his older son complained, even as he kept eating.

“If it’s not tasty, then why are you still taking bite after bite? Finish it up and go pee before bed. If you wet the bed tonight, I’ll tan your hide!”

“I won’t wet the bed!”

Ye Yaodong grabbed a pair of shorts, changed at the side of the bed, and tossed his dirty clothes onto a corner stool before lying down.

“How much did we get for the two crabs today?”

“One yuan and fifty cents. Mom gave it to me; I put it away.”

He grimaced. So cheap!

“Leave some soup for your mom. Don’t finish it all.”

Lin Xiuqing said gently, “It’s fine. If they want it, they can have it.”

The kids weren’t too hungry since they’d just had dinner. After a few sips of soup and a couple of bites of meat, they didn’t want any more.

“They’re done, so go ahead and finish it up. I already ate outside.”

“Oh!”

The two boys started jumping and playing on the bed, giggling as they wrestled. They weren’t careful and ended up stepping on Ye Yaodong’s foot, both tumbling onto him.

He grunted, grateful he’d kept his hands over his more delicate area, avoiding a worse injury!

He gave each of their bare little behinds a playful slap. “Enough! Lie down and go to sleep.”

“But I’m not tired!”

“You played all day and still aren’t tired? Whether you’re sleepy or not, lie down and settle in. Everyone in their spot.”

Succumbing to his authority, the two boys obediently nestled down side by side.

Lin Xiuqing finished the leftover soup and meat, then switched off the light, lowered the mosquito net, and lay down beside Ye Yaodong. She patted the kids on their chests, soothing them to sleep.

Even though they’d insisted they weren’t sleepy, within moments, they were both fast asleep.

Under the moonlight, Ye Yaodong looked over at his wife lying next to him, wearing only a tank top and shorts, her back turned to him. He felt a stir of desire… but hesitated, not quite daring to make a move.

Just as he rolled over and prepared to reach out, she sat up again. He quickly asked, “What are you doing?”

Lin Xiuqing gave him a puzzled look. “Going to sleep!”

She switched her position, lying down at the other end near his feet.

Ye Yaodong suddenly remembered that, ever since their second child was born, the bed had been cramped for all four of them. His wife would always lull the kids to sleep, then move to the other end of the bed to give them space.

Damn! He’d been this close, almost smooth sailing!

Left with no other choice, he got up and moved to the opposite end of the bed too.