Chapter 71: Serving Tea and Water

Jiang Han had beaten Jiang Xiaochao again, and Jiang Xiaochao was furious. He took advantage of Jiang Han’s absence to retaliate by using his cup to make milk for his calf, muttering bad things about Jiang Han to the calf.

Hu Yao sighed and washed Jiang Han’s cup clean once more.

In the afternoon, the mother and son took the calf out to graze. Upon returning, they made sour cabbage in the courtyard.

The last batch she made was almost finished, so this time she made more, intending to bring some to Liu Grandma when she went to town next time.

Jiang Xiaochao sat on a small stool, diligently helping her peel the radish.

The girl Song Sikai brought back was named Du Ximei, about the same age as Hu Yao. She had delicate features and a sweet smile that revealed two dimples.

It was said that her parents had passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her grandfather. She was a simple and kind girl, and Song Sikai had to trick her for a long time before he could win her over.

He hadn’t dared to reveal his true nature to her. He acted like a good citizen and a pure young man in front of her.

Du Ximei’s grandfather had passed away two years ago, leaving her alone and vulnerable. She had a hard time and was said to be weak.

She left her hometown and came with Song Sikai, making a big decision. Song Sikai treated her like his eyes.

She didn’t know anyone here. Their wedding banquet wasn’t ready yet, so they weren’t living together. Song Sikai let her stay in his house while he lived outside. He was always smiling foolishly and telling everyone he was going to get married soon.

Hu Yao liked Du Ximei the first time she met her. She was truly innocent and enthusiastic, and she could even play with Jiang Xiaochao.

She was patient and loved his calf just as much.

Naturally, Jiang Xiaochao was overjoyed to have someone who liked his calf so much. In less than two days, Du Ximei’s status in his eyes rose rapidly, and he even shared his milk with her.

Hu Yao was often amused by them and couldn’t help but feel that Song Sikai was very lucky to have found a girl like her.

Du Ximei didn’t call Hu Yao “sister-in-law,” but “sister.” Song Sikai’s family lived in the neighboring village, and Du Ximei had been there once and remembered. She often came to play with Hu Yao and Jiang Xiaochao，and she brought them many local specialties.

“Sister, what did Kai Ge do before?” Du Ximei looked up with bright eyes, curious, as she didn’t know much about Song Sikai.

Hu Yao met her gaze, seeing her cheerful smile, and thought of how Song Sikai had badmouthed her to Jiang Han yesterday. She wrinkled her nose slightly: “He…”

“Sister-in-law!” Song Sikai strode over, interrupting her, his eyes pleading.

It was strange. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to call her “sister-in-law” and looked at her with such a pleading expression.

“…He was a shepherd.” Hu Yao paused, swallowing her original words. She glanced at him. Couldn’t he be honest? Everyone in the ten miles knew his reputation. Only Du Ximei, who had just arrived and didn’t know anyone, didn’t know. Once she found out, she would know he was a scoundrel!

Hu Yao looked at Du Ximei again and helped Song Sikai by saying it. But then she felt guilty for lying to her with him.

She hesitated, about to say something, when Du Ximei’s bright voice rang out: “Really? Does Kai Ge still have sheep now? Can you take me to see them?”

Song Sikai nodded, his voice choked: “Okay, in a couple of days.”

The dimples on Du Ximei’s face appeared, and her smile deepened: “That’s settled then. It’s almost time for dinner. Let’s go. Don’t bother your sister today.”

“I want to eat the braised pork you made for me last time.”

“…Okay.”

“But your hand is injured. Can you still cook?”

“It’s fine. I can do it!”

…

The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance. Song Sikai’s repeated compliance still surprised Hu Yao.

This was probably what they called “one thing conquers another.” He had said he would make his wife obey him, making her go east and not west, and he would make Jiang Han do the same to her! Now, he wasn’t even officially married to the girl yet, and he was already being controlled by her! The contrast was quite big!

Hu Yao was also somewhat impressed by Du Ximei. She could turn Song Sikai into what he was now in such a short time.

Jiang Han，however, looked disgusted. Tang Hao Fei, who had just returned from outside, saw this and also clicked his tongue, saying that Song Sikai must have been bewitched by a woman. A big man, serving tea and water for a woman, doing laundry and cooking for her, and enjoying it!

Before, he would listen to his mother’s nagging every day, but now he couldn’t hear a word she said!

“What a failure of a man!” Jiang Han clicked his tongue.

Hu Yao pursed her lips, glanced at him, and turned to go to the kitchen to cook.

“What’s that look in your eyes? Come back here and give me another glare. Do you have something to say?” Jiang Han narrowed his eyes and pulled her back.

“No.” His hand was tight around her waist, making Hu Yao uncomfortable. She frowned.

“You want me to serve you tea and water too? You’re dreaming!” He snorted: “Am I sick like Song Sikai?”

“…”

That night, he “got sick.”

As usual, he pressed against her, getting intimate. Halfway through, she started her period.

Perhaps they had been intimate too frequently lately, and he wasn’t gentle. This time, the pain was so bad that her face turned pale.

Jiang Han’s face was ugly. He put on her clothes, seeing her curled up in pain, looking pitiful. He pulled her into his arms, his big hand resting on her flat stomach, kneading it clumsily.

“Does it hurt a lot?” He endured a little more patience, looking down at her.

“Yeah.” Hu Yao nodded. She had felt a dull ache in her stomach for the past few days, and he had been rough just now.

Now, the stabbing pain in her lower abdomen was even more obvious.

Jiang Han frowned, looking at her pale face. She didn’t seem to be in so much pain when she had her period before. She looked like she was about to die.

“Should we go to the clinic?” He put his arm around her shoulder and asked. The next moment, his face changed slightly as he looked at her, who had fainted in his arms.

“Damn it, you keep trying to scare the crap out of me!” Jiang Han quickly got up, muttered a curse, casually threw on a shirt, and carried her out in a big stride.

The evening breeze hit him, and he stopped for a moment, returning to grab a coat from the closet and wrap it around her.

More than an hour later, in the middle of the night, he carried her back, looking at her stomach with a complicated expression.

Great, another little thing. And almost gone.

What was she doing? Didn’t she know what was in her belly? And she was still flirting with him!

Jiang Han’s mood was complicated, just like when he found out she was carrying Jiang Fuchao back then. Now, there were many more inexplicable strange feelings.

He stared at her, his eyes softening without him noticing.

Hu Yao didn’t know what crime he had accused her of, nor what he was thinking. She opened her eyes, dazed, and met his strange gaze.

Even stranger, he heard her coughing dryly and went to pour her a glass of warm water.

“Hungry? Do you want to eat something?” he asked softly.

Hu Yao shook her head, a little confused.