Chapter 31 : Wedding Night

Hot water was simmering on the stove. Zheng Lanhua came over to fetch some and saw Shen Haifeng washing dishes. She said, “You’d better stand with Grandma’s camp. Those two betrayed us for a bite of food!”  

Shen Haifeng nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I won’t betray you!”  

Zheng Lanhua grumbled, “It’s just a little stir-fried pork with cabbage. Tomorrow, Grandma will make it for you too. It’s not like it’s hard.”  

Shen Haifeng hesitated for a moment. “Grandma, there’s really no need. We can just steam some rice tomorrow and add a bit of soy sauce. No need to make it complicated, it’s too much work for you.”  

Truthfully, he wanted to cook for himself. He could handle simple dishes, and honestly, they’d probably taste better than what his grandma made.  

But she was always worried he’d burn himself or that his cooking wouldn’t be nutritious enough. So, she never let him cook.  

Zheng Lanhua replied, “How could that do? You’re all so thin, you need proper nourishment.”  

With that, she carried the basin and left.  

Shen Haifeng let out a sigh. His grandma was great at everything, except her stubbornness when it came to cooking.  

—

Fang Xiaoluo returned to the room while Shen Zheng went to the storage shed on the west side of the yard. It was impeccably organized, with a small stove set up.  

This space had been sectioned off specifically for bathing.  

He lit the fire, heated the water, and filled the tub. After checking the water temperature, he returned to the house to call Fang Xiaoluo.  

After bathing, she felt much more refreshed.  

While applying lotion and drying her hair, Shen Zheng also went to take a bath.  

When the door opened again, Fang Xiaoluo turned her head.  

Shen Zheng stood there wearing a tank top, his firm muscles on full display.  

His damp hair glistened with moisture, and water droplets trailed down from his hair to his face, then to his collarbone, before disappearing beneath the fabric of his tank top.  

Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but marvel. This man was infuriatingly handsome. Just look at that skin, those muscles…  

At the same time, Shen Zheng, standing there, was also stunned.  

Fang Xiaoluo, dressed in a red nightgown, sat there with her hair loose, framing her already fair and delicate face.  

Her eyes sparkled with life, and in that moment, she looked like a fairy, glowing with an ethereal light.  

Fang Xiaoluo stood up and walked over to Shen Zheng. “Do I look beautiful?”  

Shen Zheng snapped out of his daze and nodded. “Beautiful.”  

Fang Xiaoluo closed the door behind her. Turning around, she draped her arms over Shen Zheng’s shoulders.  

The loose sleeves of her nightgown slipped down her fair, slender arms, her pale skin dazzling in the light.  

Shen Zheng felt enveloped by her fragrance, the beauty before him almost unreal.  

His body tensed. “Fang…”  

Fang Xiaoluo pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh…”  

“Captain Shen, it’s our wedding night. Surely, you’re not still planning to call me Comrade Fang?”  

Shen Zheng swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving visibly. His voice came out husky. “Xiaoluo, I… is it okay today?”  

Fang Xiaoluo’s finger traced downward, brushing against his Adam’s apple, collarbone, and chest, not missing a single detail.  

Just as she imagined, the feel was quite satisfying.  

It seemed that, despite the influence of the medicine that other day, she couldn’t deny that Shen Zheng was exceptionally well-built.  

And now, this man before her was hers.  

Although she had no prior experience in these matters before or after her time-travel, who hadn’t at least ‘seen’ it if not done it?  

If it could be seen and touched, there was no reason to miss out.  

“Hug me.”  

Shen Zheng obeyed, lifting Fang Xiaoluo into his arms.  

She wore little, and through the thin fabric of her nightgown, the softness of her body pressed against him teasingly.

At that moment, Shen Zheng felt even more moved than when they first met.  

He gently placed Fang Xiaoluo on the bed, but she swiftly rolled over, taking the lead.  

Lying atop him, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Shen Zheng, you mentioned you have three children at home, but you didn’t say anything about their temperaments.”  

The warm breath on his ear sent a tingling sensation through him, but her words made his heart tighten. “Xiaoluo, I’m sorry.”  

Initially, all he’d thought about was taking responsibility for her and giving her everything he could. He hadn’t considered this aspect, and with his busy work schedule, it had completely slipped his mind.  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled faintly. “Sorry doesn’t mean much, Shen Zheng. If apologies could fill bellies, there’d be no one starving in the world.”  

Shen Zheng slid a hand around her slender waist and cleared his throat. “Xiaoluo, I… I promise I won’t let you suffer.”  

Fang Xiaoluo waved a finger in front of him. “Shen Zheng, just treat me well and be fair, that’s all I ask. As for the household matters, since I’ve agreed to marry you, I’ll handle them myself. Just promise me you won’t play mediator or sit on the fence.”  

“I promise!”  

Shen Zheng answered without hesitation.  

Fang Xiaoluo’s smile deepened, her eyes curving like crescents. “Shen Zheng, you’re quick to agree. Aren’t you worried I might bully your mother and your three children?”  

Shen Zheng had complete faith in her. “You wouldn’t.”  

Hearing his serious tone, Fang Xiaoluo felt much more at ease.  

Then Shen Zheng added, “When it comes to educating the kids, whether you scold or discipline them. I trust you completely.”  

Fang Xiaoluo didn’t say anything more. Her fingers began to play idly over his muscles.  

When the lights went out, even the crescent moon outside shyly hid behind the clouds.  

The night in the military compound was unusually quiet.  

A gentle breeze rustled, harmonizing with the timeless, moving melody that seemed to echo from behind the red curtains.  

It was unclear how much time had passed, but Fang Xiaoluo felt like her body was falling apart.  

Both of them were experiencing this for the first time.  

For Shen Zheng, the intense pleasure was overwhelming and utterly intoxicating.  

Afterward, Shen Zheng fetched warm water. By this point, Fang Xiaoluo was feeling a bit shy.  

When they lay back down, Shen Zheng pulled Fang Xiaoluo into his arms, and the two of them fell asleep together.  

—

Early the next morning, Fang Xiaoluo was woken up by the bugle call that signaled wake-up time in the military compound.  

She groggily opened her eyes, meeting Shen Zheng’s clear and bright gaze.  

“You’re awake?”  

“Mm.” Fang Xiaoluo nodded sleepily. She shifted slightly and felt a deep soreness all over, especially in her lower back.  

Shen Zheng noticed her frowning and asked with concern, “Are you uncomfortable?”  

“My back really hurts.”  

Shen Zheng reached over, his large hand gently covering her waist as he began to massage it.  

His hands were strong yet tender, and the sensation was incredibly soothing. Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but let out a couple of contented hums.  

But then she suddenly felt something extra under the covers.  

Her eyes widened in alarm.  

Shen Zheng looked embarrassed but found her reaction utterly endearing.  

“Shen Zheng, you… you… I forbid it! I’m going to die!” Fang Xiaoluo stammered, completely flustered.  

Shen Zheng sat up quickly, dressing at lightning speed. “I’ll go check the kitchen to see what we can eat.”

After saying this, he left almost as if fleeing.