Chapter 185: Not Tonight

After the meal, the guests gradually left, and Cheng Jingmo stayed behind, pulled by the third great-uncle for a chat over drinks.

Today, Dong Ju was helping out at the third great-uncle’s house. After everything was tidied up, she glanced at Yu Xiangnian several times, seemingly wanting to say something.

Although Yu Xiangnian noticed, she pretended not to see it. She had nothing to discuss with Dong Ju; Cheng Jingmo would take care of helping her with the divorce.

Finally, Dong Ju couldn’t hold back and said, “Sister-in-law, could you come out for a moment? I have a few words to say to you.”

Yu Xiangnian hesitated for a couple of seconds, then nodded and followed Dong Ju outside.

Once she confirmed there was no one around, Dong Ju spoke, “Sister-in-law, thank you for having Brother Jianwa help me.”

Yu Xiangnian replied flatly, “I didn’t do anything. Just thank him.”

Dong Ju said, “It’s because of your understanding that Brother Jianwa is helping me without hesitation.”

Yu Xiangnian’s heart tightened, and she frowned slightly, “Did he tell you how he plans to help you?”

Dong Ju shook her head, her tone becoming downcast, “Brother Jianwa said he went to the township government to inquire. The procedures are complicated and it will take a long time. He said he would think of a way.”

Yu Xiangnian relaxed a bit, “You’re so eager to get a divorce. Have you thought about what life will be like afterwards? What if people look down on you or bully you?”

Dong Ju looked relieved, “Who could bully me more than that man at home? As long as I can get a divorce, I can take care of my mother and child. I don’t care who looks down on me.”

“Divorce is quite difficult…” Yu Xiangnian said, “We can only stay here for at most twenty more days.”

Dong Ju blurted out, “Sister-in-law, please help me. Even if I can’t get a divorce, help me drive him away and never let him come back! I just can’t beat him. Sometimes I really want to kill him!”

“You can’t say things like that carelessly!” Yu Xiangnian cautioned, then asked, “That day, when I wanted to help you, why did you refuse?”

Dong Ju smiled bitterly, “Sister-in-law, I was too embarrassed. You’re Brother Jianwa’s wife, and I…”

Pausing, she quickly added, “Sister-in-law, don’t misunderstand. I don’t have any bad intentions towards Brother Jianwa now, I’m just envious of you!”

“When my father thought about having Brother Jianwa marry into our family, but then Brother Jianwa joined the army, that idea faded away. Back then, Brother Jianwa was the most handsome guy in the village. I secretly hoped to marry him.”

A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, experiencing her first crush, naturally felt moved by a handsome boy.

Yu Xiangnian smiled, unbothered.

Dong Ju continued, “When you guys came back recently, seeing how good Brother Jianwa is to you, I couldn’t help but think how nice it would be if I had married him!”

Laughing at herself, Dong Ju said, “But that’s just wishful thinking. I’m not as pretty as you, not as educated, I can’t compare to you. I just don’t have that kind of luck! Now, all I want is to get rid of that man at home and live a good life with my mother and child.”

Since Dong Ju had spoken her mind, Yu Xiangnian decided not to dwell on her previous rejection.

She said, “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way.”

After Dong Ju left, Yu Xiangnian went to find Cheng Jingmo.

During the meal, several people had toasted Cheng Jingmo, and now he had had a few more drinks with the third great-uncle. Cheng Jingmo was already a bit tipsy.

Yu Xiangnian could tell Cheng Jingmo’s level of inebriation by his expression.

When he wasn’t drunk, he always had a stoic expression and spoke little.

When he was tipsy, he would look at her with a silly smile and occasionally say things he normally wouldn’t.

When he was drunk, he was like a dead pig.

The sun had set for a while, and it was getting dark.

Yu Xiangnian walked over, “Third great-uncle, let’s save the drinking for another time. Cheng Jingmo is getting drunk; he won’t be able to go home soon.”

The third great-uncle glanced disdainfully at Cheng Jingmo, “This kid has been in the army for so long, yet he hasn’t built up any tolerance for alcohol! He’s worse than an old man like me!”

Yu Xiangnian smiled apologetically, “Indeed, his tolerance is quite poor!”

The third great-uncle stood up and said, “I’ll have Lao Yao take you home.”

“No, no need.” Yu Xiangnian waved her hand, “He can still walk on his own, we can make it home.”

She tugged on Cheng Jingmo’s ear, “Cheng Jingmo, time to go home!”

Cheng Jingmo’s eyes were slightly red and unfocused. He stood up, placing his hand on Yu Xiangnian’s shoulder and pulling her into his arms, slurring, “Third great-uncle, we’re going home now.”

Yu Xiangnian took his hand off and said sternly, “Stand up straight.”

“I’ll have someone take you home,” the third great-uncle insisted, “It’s getting dark.”

Cheng Jingmo stood up straight, his body swaying a little uncontrollably. “No need, third great-uncle, I’m fine.”

The three of them walked home, with Cheng Jingmo constantly trying to hold Yu Xiangnian’s hand. She pushed him away, but he shamelessly leaned back over. Normally, she would only hold his hand when no one was around or at night, but now he was persistently trying to hold hers.

All the way home, he kept reaching out, mumbling, “Nian Nian… Nian Nian…” as if he was very wronged.

Xiao Jie shook his head at the sight, and Yu Xiangnian, annoyed by his whining, finally relented and let him hold her hand.

At last, the family of three arrived home.

After washing up, Yu Xiangnian thought Cheng Jingmo might sober up a bit. But as soon as he entered the room, he pressed her onto the bed.

His normally cold and sharp eyes were now full of affection. “Nian Nian, I want to sleep with you…”

Yu Xiangnian covered his mouth with her hand, “Keep your voice down!”

“I want to sleep with you,” Cheng Jingmo said, removing her hand and pressing it above her head. His mouth turned down like a child who hadn’t gotten his candy. “I just want to sleep with you…”

He kept repeating the phrase loudly.

He’s gone mad! This drunk man is out of control!

“Cheng Jingmo, you’ll regret this tomorrow! Stop talking!” Yu Xiangnian warned him again.

“Nian Nian, I want to sleep with you…” He could only repeat that one sentence.

Yu Xiangnian couldn’t let him keep talking; the neighbors would hear everything!

With her hands pinned by Cheng Jingmo and her body trapped under him, she could only tilt her head up and use her lips to silence his mouth.

Cheng Jingmo seemed to have been waiting for this moment for a long time, eagerly and greedily kissing her.

Yu Xiangnian, trying to placate the drunk man, kissed him back, but Cheng Jingmo’s kisses were uncoordinated and haphazard, more like he was gnawing on her lips.

With his brain probably in a daze from the alcohol, he only knew how to kiss incessantly, forgetting what to do next.

Which, of course, was for the best.

The neighbors were probably listening closely.

Seizing a moment when Cheng Jingmo relaxed, Yu Xiangnian freed her hand, cupped his face, and soothed him, “Alright, let’s do this again tomorrow.”

Cheng Jingmo looked unsatisfied and confused, muttering foolishly, “Something doesn’t seem right?”

Yu Xiangnian stifled her laughter, “You’re not up to it tonight. Try harder next time.”