Chapter 18.1

After washing up and making the bed, the moment the man entered, a faint blush appeared on his face. He placed the basin on the rack, first spreading out the towel and then folding it neatly before draping it back over the rack.

Luo Lan let out a soft chuckle. He was quite meticulous, leaving space for her. She had casually draped her used towel over the back of a chair earlier, and he had seen it and neatly folded it, placing it on the rack as well.

He was so methodical and a bit amusing. On their wedding night, the two of them remained silent, each trying to act normally. But the more they tried, the more their nervousness showed. For example, he struggled to undo his belt for quite some time when he took off his pants.

“Pfft,” with the lamp turned off and only the dim moonlight from the window, his clumsiness made her unable to stifle her laughter.

“What are you laughing at? I just had a moment of clumsiness.”

“I haven’t said a word.”

The man gave a light hum and then slipped into his side of the bed. They had prepared two separate blankets for their wedding night, each having their own side. After a while, there was no movement in the room. She couldn’t help but turn to look at him.

In the dimly lit room, even at such a close distance, she couldn’t clearly see his face. She could only feel his even breathing and see his posture was very proper, with his hands folded on his abdomen and his eyes seemingly closed.

Luo Lan mumbled softly to herself, “Could the rumors outside be true?” She hadn’t fully formed any emotions yet, it was just a question.

“What rumors?”

“Ah, you’re not asleep?” She rolled her eyes, “Why are you pretending to sleep? You scared me.”

“What rumors are you talking about?”

“I barely said anything. How did you even hear it?”

The man turned to his side, propping himself up on his arm, mirroring her position. “Stop beating around the bush.”

“Tch, why do you insist I say it? I’m sure you’ve heard it before.”

“So, you believe it?”

“Facts speak louder than words.”

“I think so too.”

Although they initially felt a bit awkward, their playful exchange seemed to bring them closer. The man suddenly jumped into her side of the bed, pressing his whole body against hers, like a natural heat source. She instinctively wanted to make a noise, but his precise kiss stifled her gasp.

The heated breaths were filled with a strong sense of hormones. Sweat rolled down his defined collarbone, like a long-accumulated fire being ignited. He set her ablaze, sparking flames all over her.

The ambiance of their wedding night, coupled with their intimate closeness, even influenced the cat on the windowsill, which meows loudly and jumped onto the wall in search of a mate.

By the time they were done, the night had passed, and she fell asleep exhausted and content. As expected, she woke up late the next day for the first time in her life.

In the kitchen, the Zhou family women were preparing breakfast. Zhou Junhui pouted, showing clear displeasure in her actions. Her mother glanced out of the window and gave her a disapproving look.

“What are you angry about now?” This child has a very hot temper. She has said so much, why is she still quarreling with her brother and sister-in-law?

“On the first day of their marriage, look at the time! She’s still not up. Is she a wife or a young lady? We’re preparing breakfast to take to her.”

“Lower your voice,” her mother scolded. “You’re making a scene. It’s the first day of marriage. What do you know about this?”

“Hmph, don’t underestimate me. I should have listened to my cousin and made her drink that seasoned water to take her down a notch. On the very first day of marriage, she’s already showing off.”

“You,” her mother sighed, frustrated with her daughter’s childish attitude. “Enough, stop looking so gloomy. Your brother should be back soon.”

“Hmph, already tamed by that woman, and now he’s bringing her a urinal early in the morning. It’s infuriating.”

“Mind your own business. It’s between the newlyweds. What’s wrong with him bringing it? He uses it in the room too.”

“My brother never used to bring such things before he got married. Now, not only is he bringing it, but he’s even delivering it. What did that woman do to make him so submissive in one night?”

“You’ll understand once you’re married. Now get cooking. I’ll go call your sister-in-law.” Her mother took off her apron, turning back to add, “Stop sulking.”

As a mother-in-law, she was very considerate. She said she was going to call her daughter-in-law for breakfast, but she actually waited for her son to come home and call her. It wasn’t proper for her to enter the newlyweds’ room.

Luo Lan woke up, gasping for breath from the kiss. She immediately punched him, but he adeptly dodged. Facing her annoyed gaze, his usually cool eyes had a hint of teasing.

“It’s time for breakfast. I had to resort to this because I called you three times and couldn’t wake you.”

Hearing “breakfast,” Luo Lan jolted upright. “What time is it? Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

The blanket slid off her shoulders, instantly making her aware of her current state. She hurriedly grabbed the blanket and gave the laughing man a big eye roll.

“Still laughing, huh?”

“It’s fine, take your time getting dressed. Mom won’t mind.”

“Get out.”

“Okay.”

Seeing his wife’s embarrassment, the man left the room obediently, closing the door behind him. Luo Lan checked the time, smacked her forehead, and hurriedly got up to get dressed.

As soon as she got out of bed, her legs felt weak, almost causing her to fall. She braced herself on the bed, grumbling as she stood up. “I knew those rumors were unreliable.”

Rubbing her aching legs and wincing, she walked around the room a few times to straighten herself out. Supporting her lower back with her right hand, she murmured as she left the room.

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

Walking from the inner room to the main room, she encountered Zhou Junhui carrying a bowl of food. The usually friendly sister-in-law was now silent, looking somewhat displeased.

She wondered if her late rising had upset her mother-in-law. Just then, her mother-in-law emerged from the main hall and immediately waved at her.

“Lan’er, come here, breakfast is ready.”

“Oh.”

Her mother-in-law’s warm and cheerful demeanor made her reconsider her previous thoughts. It was best if she could get along well with her sister-in-law. If not, being polite would suffice. After all, she wasn’t going to live with her sister-in-law forever.

At the breakfast table, her mother-in-law repeatedly served her dishes, including specially cooked eggs. Zhou Junhui kept her head down and remained silent. After finishing breakfast, when her mother went to clean up, Luo Lan took the initiative to help.

“I’ll do it.”

Zhou Junfang left for school after breakfast, and Luo Lan and Zhou Qingshan planned to visit her family. Zhou Qingshan had one more day off, he would start work the next day. In that era, weddings weren’t celebrated with much fanfare, and there was no such thing as a honeymoon.