How do you explain a big man showing up at your house on the third day of the Lunar New Year, carrying a bunch of gifts and New Year’s goods?

My grandma said, “Even a son-in-law wouldn’t bring such big gifts when visiting.”

So I did my best to create an image of Big Stutterer as a wealthy, handsome friend, emphasizing that these gifts were nothing for him, just casual.

Big Stutterer laughed on the outside, but inside he was probably crying.

As soon as this handsome guy entered the house, he attracted the whole family’s attention. After introducing him briefly, Big Stutterer sat down holding a bowl of water, smiling awkwardly at ten curious faces staring at him.

I could tell his face was almost frozen from smiling.

Relatives kept asking questions, and I jumped in to answer for him.

Since his visit was so sudden, I hadn’t told my family about his stutter. If someone accidentally said something that could hurt him, I’d feel terrible.

After I answered a question again, one of my uncles, clearly annoyed, asked me, “Why don’t you let him speak?”

He asked in our local dialect, which Big Stutterer didn’t understand, but he could guess my uncle’s meaning. He gently patted my shoulder, signaling that it was okay.

Big Stutterer said, “I… I… I… d-don’t… speak… so… smoothly.”

He was clearly nervous, stuttering more than usual.

Everyone in the family suddenly understood, and the uncle who asked the question felt a bit guilty and tried to comfort him: “It’s okay, take your time, we’ve got all day.”

Big Stutterer smiled at him and said, “Okay.”

So he began answering their questions himself.

I relaxed a bit, but then my younger cousin, two years younger than me and closest to me, pulled me aside.

He gave me a look that said, “Come on, spill the truth,” and asked, “What’s the deal between you two?”

“We’re just… good friends,” I said, hoping to get away with it.

“To me? No need to lie,” my cousin said with a smirk. “Look at both of your lips, all plump, red, and swollen. Anyone who knows will know.”

I was shocked and instinctively touched my lips. “Is it that obvious?”

He laughed, “Not really, only I noticed. Relax.” Then, bumping my shoulder, he teased, “Nice job! You’ve caught yourself a rich and handsome one.”

“Well, the handsome part’s true, but he’s not rich. All those gifts cost him half a month’s salary. Poor guy, I feel so bad for him.”

“Please, you know those gifts are basically for you anyway.”

As we were chatting, we didn’t notice Big Stutterer walking over.

My cousin saw him first and called out, “Hey, brother-in-law!”

I was furious. Right in front of Big Stutterer, I grabbed my cousin by the throat. “He’s your sister-in-law, not your brother-in-law!”

My cousin stubbornly replied, “Come on, with you two, it’s obvious who’s on top and who’s on the bottom.”

Big Stutterer chuckled, earning a sharp glare from me.

That night, I kicked my cousin out to sleep in the other room, giving Big Stutterer his spot.

My cousin, holding his pillow with a pitiful expression, teased, “Hey, brother-in-law, be gentle with my sister tonight.”

“Get lost!” I yelled, furious.

Big Stutterer sat beside me, blushing, and asked, “You… always… sleep… with… him?”

“You’re even jealous of my cousin now?”

“Mm-hmm, jealous.”

Once the lights were out, the room was pitch-black, so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

Big Stutterer and I lay side by side, and he started tracing circles on the palm of my hand, making my heart itch. But in this wooden house, with zero soundproofing, I really didn’t dare to do anything too bold.

I turned on my side and slid my hand under Big Stutterer’s shirt, feeling his abs. “I’m just touching, okay? You better control yourself.”

“You… you’re… being… a perv.”

“I am! But only with you.”

After a while of just touching, it felt like we were both about to explode from holding back, so I quickly thought of something to distract us.

I lay back beside him and asked, “Big Stutterer, what’s your New Year’s resolution?”

“To… to… have… my wife’s… plump… butt.”

“You’re playing with fire, mister.”

I slapped his firm thigh and warned, “I’m serious. Tell me your real resolution.”

Big Stutterer turned to face me and said, “To… always… be… with… my wife.”

I turned to face him too and asked, “Big Stutterer, when did you decide you wanted to seriously be with me?”

After a moment of silence, he said, “Maybe… the first… time… you… called… me… hubby. I… never… thought about… it… too much, never… hesitated. I’ve… always… been… serious.”

I wanted to kiss him on the forehead but ended up kissing his nose because I couldn’t see. “Thank you.”

He pulled me into a tight embrace.