Chapter 33: The Pitch-Black Stormy Night

After Zhou Zhongshan cleared the dishes, Zhou Xiaochuan jumped down from his chair.

The moment his feet touched the ground—

His body stiffened. He frowned slightly, a pained look flashing across his face.

Jiang Rou noticed and was just about to say something when she saw Zhou Xiaochuan raise his hand to rub his stomach. A moment later, he slowly eased up.

This little wolf cub… must have overeaten.

After all, he had devoured three whole bowls of rice mixed with meat sauce in one sitting.

Once Zhou Xiaochuan felt better, he immediately followed Zhou Zhongshan into the kitchen. While Zhou Zhongshan washed the dishes, he grabbed a cloth and started wiping the dining table.

Carefully and thoroughly, he wiped every inch until the table was spotless.

Jiang Rou watched with satisfaction.

If this little wolf cub was raised properly, he would definitely grow up to be a man who cherished his wife.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaohua shuffled her feet and toddled over to Jiang Rou.

The tiny girl flopped onto Jiang Rou’s lap, lifting a little face smeared with meat sauce and rice grains.

“Xiaohua, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Rou asked softly while pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe the little one’s messy face, which looked just like a little kitten.

Zhou Xiaohua’s eyes swirled with curiosity. Since she couldn’t speak yet, she simply grabbed Jiang Rou’s hand and placed it on her small belly, then giggled mischievously.

Jiang Rou’s fingertips touched a soft, round surface.

What a chubby little belly!

It was as if it had inflated like a balloon, plump and full.

“Whose little belly is this? Oh, it’s my little Huahua’s~ Such a big, round little tummy~”

Jiang Rou softened her voice, playfully teasing the child.

She knew in her heart that the little girl had eaten too much and was now feeling both satisfied and slightly uncomfortable.

Jiang Rou bent down and picked Zhou Xiaohua up, laying her gently across her lap.

Then, she slipped her hand under Zhou Xiaohua’s clothes, her palm resting against the round belly.

Her hand was soft, her touch gentle, moving in slow, clockwise circles.

In her past life, she had raised a cat.

Now, rubbing Zhou Xiaohua’s belly felt just like smoothing down a cat’s fur.

Zhou Xiaohua instantly relaxed, her little face blooming into a sweet smile. She was just short of letting out a crisp, giggling laugh.

When Zhou Zhongshan and Zhou Xiaochuan finished the housework and stepped out of the kitchen,

The father and son were met with this scene.

Under the warm, dim light, a radiant woman sat with a tender expression, holding Zhou Xiaohua in her arms. The little girl, like a defenseless cub, lay there with complete trust, exposing her soft belly as Jiang Rou gently stroked her.

This moment had an inexplicable magic, a warmth that seeped into the heart.

While peace filled the house,

Outside, the wind suddenly howled.

On the island, storms came without warning.

The day had been bright and sunny, yet by nightfall, a terrifying scene had unfolded.

Even inside the house, the howling wind outside could be heard, along with the sound of trees swaying violently in the storm.

A storm like this had a high chance of causing disasters.

The recent production and construction efforts of the military unit could also be destroyed by the raging wind and rain.

Because of this, the military headquarters held an emergency meeting in the afternoon, organizing patrol teams and disaster prevention personnel.

Zhou Chongshan was in charge.

That night, not only could he not sleep, but he also had to patrol the island.

Before leaving, he moved the little chicks that Jiang Rou raised in the courtyard into the water room.

He also checked the doors and windows of the house once more, just in case.

And he reminded her again.

“If you hear any sounds at night, don’t be afraid, and don’t go outside. If there’s anything you can’t handle, go next door and find Sister-in-law Zhao. The storm will come quickly, but it will also pass quickly. By morning, it will be over.”

“Okay, I understand. Chongshan, you be careful too.”

Jiang Rou saw Zhou Chongshan off at the door, carefully reminding him.

Zhou Chongshan gave her a deep look before withdrawing his gaze and turning to walk into the darkness.

The night was pitch black, with only the sound of the wind—there weren’t even streetlights.

As soon as Zhou Chongshan left, the rain began pouring down in torrents.

This was Jiang Rou’s first time experiencing a storm on the island. The rain fell as if a hole had been torn in the sky, with someone dumping water from above.

There was no gradual buildup—it started with a torrential downpour.

The raindrops, carried by the wind, slammed heavily against the doors, windows, and roof.

The simple house echoed with all sorts of loud crashing sounds.

Outside, it was pouring. Inside, it was also leaking.

Several spots on the roof were leaking, and rainwater dripped down, one drop after another.

Jiang Rou had no choice but to find basins and large bowls to catch the water.

She immediately returned to the bedroom to check carefully.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness! There are no leaks in the bedroom, and the blankets haven’t gotten wet. Otherwise, there’d be nowhere to sleep tonight.”

Jiang Rou touched the still-dry blanket and had just let out a long breath of relief.  

The next second—  

Zzzzz— The sound of electric currents crackled.  

With a sudden pop, the room was plunged into darkness.  

The power had gone out.  

On this island, there had originally been no electrical equipment or power lines. Every household used kerosene lamps.  

The power lines had only been installed after the military unit stationed here and began production and construction.  

But the fragile electrical grid stood no chance against the violent storm.  

It had completely collapsed.  

Jiang Rou looked out the window. Outside was pitch black, like a giant beast waiting to devour everything.  

The entire military family compound was swallowed by darkness, not a single glimmer of light to be seen.  

Before the cruel force of nature, humans seemed so insignificant.  

Faced with this scene, Jiang Rou couldn’t help but feel a surge of tension and fear.  

She had never experienced anything like this before—of course, she was afraid.  

But when she turned around—  

In the pitch-black bedroom, she saw two pairs of frightened, shrinking eyes.  

Earlier, while Jiang Rou had been busy checking the house, moving in and out, Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua had been silently following behind her the entire time.  

They hadn’t gotten too close, but neither had they hidden away motionless.  

It was as if following Jiang Rou made them feel safer than hiding.  

In the faint light, Jiang Rou saw their slightly pale faces, and a wave of heartache surged within her.  

Even she was afraid of this storm—how could such young children not be terrified?  

Jiang Rou took a deep breath, pressing down the tension in her chest.  

At that moment, she understood what it meant to be strong for the sake of her children.  

Jiang Rou smiled and spoke in a relaxed tone.  

“Xiaochuan, Xiaohua, it’s time for us to go to bed. Don’t worry, I’ve checked all the doors and windows—no wind can get in. We’re completely safe.”  

“Come here and feel this blanket… Wasn’t the sun really nice during the day? I took the blanket outside and let it soak up the sunshine. It still carries the warmth of the sun.”  

“You don’t have to be afraid. I’m right here with you. We’ll sleep together. Close your eyes, and by the time we wake up tomorrow morning, everything will be over.”  

In the darkness—

The two small figures climbed onto the bed.  

Zhou Xiaohua was the first to slip under the blanket.  

Listening to Jiang Rou’s words, she grabbed the blanket, lifted it to her nose, and took a deep breath.  

It really did have a warm, comforting scent.  

It was completely different from the dampness brought by the storm.  

Zhou Xiaochuan fumbled in the dark, neatly placing both of their shoes before climbing into bed.  

He burrowed under the blanket and hugged Zhou Xiaohua, just like always.  

But just as he was about to lie down…  

Zhou Xiaochuan hesitated.  

Lowering his head, his dark, shiny eyes flickered, quietly glancing in Jiang Rou’s direction.  

In the past few days, when they slept, there had always been a clear boundary between them and Jiang Rou.  

A strict invisible line on the bed, like a river separating two lands.  

But tonight…  

Zhou Xiaochuan pursed his lips, holding onto Zhou Xiaohua as he subtly shifted closer.  

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