Chapter 20: Why should she marry herself?

Tan Qiuyue casually asked, “What’s that smell?”

Lin Weimin sighed helplessly. “Someone peed on me after work today. Probably got it on me then.”

Tan Qiuyue scolded him gently, “Why didn’t you change clothes? Don’t you want to be laughed at the factory?”

“Hey, I didn’t want you to be tired doing laundry.”

Hearing his considerate words, Tan Qiuyue felt extremely pleased. She gently urged him to wash his hands and prepare for dinner.

Lin Yirou was dazed, not hearing her parents’ conversation. The family washed their hands, sat at the dinner table, chatting and waiting. But Lin Yihao didn’t return for a long time. Tan Qiuyue was worried.

“What’s wrong with that child? Why isn’t he home so late?”

Lin Weimin frowned. “He wouldn’t be following those kids and signing up for the countryside, would he?”

City kids hadn’t experienced hardship; they all yearned for the outside world. A little encouragement, and they’d enthusiastically sign up for the countryside.

Hearing this, Tan Qiuyue’s eyelids twitched.  “No… no way? I’ve warned him so many times.” But what if?  “No, I have to go to school tomorrow to check on him.”

—

Meanwhile, Lin Yiwan had a busy day.  It was late when she got back. After dinner and a bath, she found two clean, pretty bottles, filled them with wine, and made two boxes of mung bean cakes. By the time she finished, it was late at night.

The next morning, still half-asleep, she heard someone calling outside. Recognizing the deep voice, she instantly woke up.

Oh no!

She had stayed up too late yesterday; she must have overslept!

She quickly got out of bed, hastily replying, “Just a moment, I’ll be right there.”

She quickly tied her hair, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and rushed to the door in slippers.

Xie Lin had been calling for a while but hadn’t received a response. Thinking the courtyard was large and she couldn’t hear him, he was considering going to the back yard when he heard her flustered reply. 

He waited for her slightly disheveled footsteps to approach. He could imagine her hurried state. The footsteps stopped at the door, accompanied by slight panting. The door creaked open. A slightly embarrassed smile appeared.

“Brother Xie Lin, good morning!”

After greeting him, Lin Yiwan realized the sun was already quite strong. Even more embarrassed! But Xie Lin calmly nodded.

“Morning!”

“Come in and sit for a while, I… I haven’t changed yet.” Lin Yiwan blushed, feeling embarrassed. Anyone would be flustered if their fiancé, whom they hadn’t known for long, saw them so disheveled in the morning.

Xie Lin saw her shyness and embarrassment, a smile slowly appearing in his eyes. “It’s still early, no rush, take your time.” He stepped over the threshold and entered the courtyard.

Lin Yiwan closed the door and led him to the back yard. “Have you had breakfast?” She poured him some water.

“Not yet.”  He had been busy this morning.

“Can I make you some egg noodles? I planted some greens in the back, they’re doing great.” Speaking of her greens, she seemed less self-conscious and became energetic.

“Thank you.”  Xie Lin nodded, his gaze falling on her. A glimpse of her snow-white skin caught his eye.

Xie Lin’s ears felt hot; he shifted his gaze uncomfortably.

Lin Yiwan noticed his strange expression and had a bad feeling. Mechanically lowering her head, her face burned!

“You… you sit, I’ll go to the kitchen.”  She rushed out, covering her collar. She had slept with her top two buttons undone.  She hadn’t noticed when she got up, and bending over to pour water… she didn’t dare to think what he saw!

Lin Yiwan felt mortified. The sound of her hurried footsteps faded, leaving the living room quiet.  A faint, warm fragrance lingered in the air. Xie Lin drank the water. The slightly hot water flowed down his throat, a warmth spreading through his body.  He felt even thirstier.

Twenty minutes later, Lin Yiwan finished the noodles.  It was sunny under the locust tree, so they ate in the kitchen.  The freshly cooked noodles were distinct, coated with a thin sheen. 

The golden-yellow, tender poached egg rested on the white noodles, a few green vegetables scattered among them appetizing. The noodles were chewy and smooth, with a faint, indescribable fragrance.

The kitchen was quiet, only the sound of slurping noodles. Having lived in the countryside for almost ten years, Lin Yiwan ate quickly. She had only eaten half a bowl when Xie Lin finished.

“Brother Xie Lin, there are more noodles, I’ll serve you some more.”  Though still slightly uncomfortable, Lin Yiwan had regained her composure.  She had been married before and wasn’t naive.  They were about to get married, so she didn’t need to be coy.

Xie Lin didn’t refuse but didn’t let her serve him.  “I’ll do it myself.”

Lin Yiwan smiled.  “Okay.”

Most of the noodles ended up in Xie Lin’s stomach.

Afterward, Xie Lin rested in the yard while Lin Yiwan changed clothes.  It was barely ten in the morning, but the sun was already high. The yard was stuffy and still. Xie Lin stood like a pine tree, seemingly unaffected by the heat.

After a while, the door creaked open.  Xie Lin looked over and was stunned.  His only thought was:

Such a beautiful, delicate girl, why would she marry me?  And go with me to such a harsh place as the Northwest?