Chapter 69: An Unfortunate Man

Xiao Fei and Chen Jin shared a bedroom, making it inevitable that they’d occasionally encounter each other in moments of changing or undress. Chen Jin’s shy blushes sparked something in Xiao Fei, enticing him to draw her close.

Xiao Fei lacked self-control, and Chen Jin, though hesitant, was not entirely unwilling. Her body responded to his advances, her mind at odds with her desires. In the end, the two consummated their relationship.

Xiao Fei’s parents couldn’t help but notice the change in their dynamic. Since they already held an engagement ceremony, they chose not to interfere, merely reminding them to be cautious and finalize their marriage certificate soon.

Chen Jin agreed. Legal status would safeguard her interests now that their relationship had reached this level.

Xiao Fei, however, hesitated. Seeing Zhang Chenjun at work daily only reinforced his belief that she was his ideal partner.

However, Zhang Chenjun’s flirtations with Xiao Fei were a delicate dance. They embraced, her perfume intoxicating him, soft lips promising unspoken delights. Yet, she always held him at arm’s length, leaving him desperate for more.

His hands would roam, eager to explore the curves beneath her tailored clothes, but she’d gracefully divert him, her touch fleeting. And whenever he’d press for the certainty of a marriage certificate, she’d silence him with a kiss, stealing the words from his mouth.

Xiao Fei tried his best to delay things with Chen Jin, inventing excuses with each passing day. The rain fell heavy against the windows like a warning, or he’d claim marriage licenses were mere formalities in this day and age.

Though simmering with resentment, Chen Jin knew confronting Xiao Fei would bring her no gain. The knowledge sat like a stone in her stomach.

At work, Xiao Fei flirted with Zhang Chenjun under the harsh fluorescent lights, their secret smiles flickering like the faulty bulbs. At home, he cavorted with Chen Jin in the concealing darkness of their bedroom, his guilt masked, his ego sated.

Chen Jin, exhausted by Xiao Fei’s nightly demands, longed for daytime naps. But his aunt, contemptuous of Chen Jin’s seemingly fragile, pampered ways, always found chores to keep her busy until her hands were raw and aching.

Chen Jin complained to Xiao Fei, but he didn’t see his aunt’s behavior as wrong. All he could do was try to placate Chen Jin, saying his aunt would only be staying for a few days.

Left with no choice, Chen Jin endured the daily torment, retreating to bed early each night.

Xiao Fei’s moods dictated her rest. If he was in the mood, he cared little if he woke Chen Jin. Only when he desired sleep did she have a chance for a full night’s rest.

Such a lifestyle naturally invited pregnancy, especially since the couple didn’t use protection.

Once pregnant, Chen Jin became the pampered focus of the Xiao family, relieved from “burdensome” household chores.

However, this newfound care came with a price. Her phone was locked away “for the baby’s sake”, and even TV was allowed only occasionally.

Still, Chen Jin didn’t find it too unbearable. Sleeping took up most of her time, and meals and idle chatter filled what remained. Besides, without Xiao Fei’s nightly disruptions, she slept more soundly than before.

Take today for example. Chen Jin had gone to bed early as usual.

Around 11:30 pm, the Xiao family prepared to go out.

“Mom, let me wake up Chen Jin,” Xiao Fei said, reaching for the bedroom door.

“She’s asleep, leave her be,” his mother swatted his hand away, frowning.  

“Didn’t they say there’s supposed to be energy rain? She needs to soak in it too. We can’t leave her behind,” Xiao Fei argued.

“Don’t jump to conclusions, Xiao Fei. How much of that online stuff is real? What if it doesn’t rain? Or worse, Chen Jin catches a cold? She’s pregnant, she can’t take medicine—what if the baby’s affected?” Xiao Fei’s aunt chimed in.

“But… won’t the energy rain help the baby?” Xiao Fei scratched his head, confused.

“Who knows? Let’s try this: we’ll go out, see what’s happening first.”

With that, the Xiao family left Chen Jin sleeping. They stood in the rain, feeling their bodies change.

“Let’s bring Chen Jin tomorrow,” Xiao Fei said to his mother.

His mother hesitated. “But the energy rain is still normal rainwater and quite chilly too. What if she gets sick?”

“So, we just don’t let her experience it? We’ve already felt the benefits today.” Xiao Fei’s main motivation was his own child’s well-being.

“We’ll play it by ear. If Chen Jin asks tomorrow, we’ll explain. Besides, she sleeps a lot lately, she might not even be able to get up at night,” his mother replied thoughtfully.

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Another Thursday rolled around, and Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an arrived at work, barely stifling their yawns. Bi Qiao’an slumped at her desk, propping herself up on two books for a quick nap but it proved futile as the office chatter became too distracting.

“You guys have been soaking up this energy rain, right? It’s amazing! I can actually feel the energy surging into me. It feels incredible,” Yu Shui gushed, eyes shining.

“Same! My skin feels better already. My whole family rushes out every night, afraid to miss a second,” Li Yueya added, instinctively touching her cheek.

“Only thing is, with so many of us in the family, we have to line up to wash up after getting drenched,” Wei Qin added with a rueful headshake.

“No matter how crowded it is, we’re willing. The thought of missing three whole months of this? My heart aches!” Chen Qing exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically.

After hearing them rave, Bi Qiao’an couldn’t help but ask, “Are you guys storing any water?”

“Nah, the rainy season’s got three months left, right? We’ll save up at the end. No point storing it now, it’ll just go bad,” Yu Shui replied confidently.

Bi Qiao’an shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Then what’ll you store it in when the time comes?”

“Well, we’ve got basins, the bathtub, fish tanks…” Yu Shui trailed off, suddenly unsure.

Bi Qiao’an playfully smacked Yu Shui’s head. “Think about how long that’ll last you! And with a drought, won’t it all evaporate anyway?”

Yu Shui’s eyes went wide, realization dawning. “Qiao’an, what do we do then?”

Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes. “Containers with lids, duh! You ever seen water in a bottle empty on its own?”

Wei Qin laughed. “You can tell Yu Shui’s never managed a household before! Those of us with experience have ordered plenty of five-liter jugs of purified water for later use. I’ve also got some plastic barrels ready to fill up with tap water in the last month for everyday use.”

“Why not just stock up on bottled purified water? Wouldn’t that be easier to store?” Yu Shui asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Wei Qin patted Yu Shui on the head. “You think buying bottled purified water is cheap? Moreover, it’s wasteful to use purified water for daily use like for washing and laundry!”

Bi Qiao’an countered, “Auntie Wei, even water for washing will be a luxury later this year. There may not even be enough to drink then.”

“Is it really that serious?” Wei Qin sounded doubtful.

Bi Qiao’an nodded. “It’s hard to predict, but since they said it will be the worst drought in history, we can assume that drinking water could become scarce by then.”

Wei Qin had learned to trust these warnings since the rice-hoarding incident. “Okay, I’ll order more purified water when I get home.”

“Me too. I was planning to wait until the last month, but now I don’t dare,” Yu Shui agreed.

“Think about it—purified water is easy to buy now. Wait two months when everyone is panicking, and see if you can still find any. Tap water will exist, but it might start to smell if you store it too long!” Bi Qiao’an warned.