Chapter 31: Satisfying Your Momentary Pleasure

Song Yuzhou’s pupils widened, his face full of shock as he looked at her.

Clearly, this item was something completely outside his realm of understanding.

Jiang Zhining knew that during this era, people still lacked awareness of sexual education—it was a time when sex was considered taboo.

Most people either didn’t use contraception at all or relied on pills or IUDs (intrauterine devices).

But why should women be the ones to suffer?

Placing her palm against his chest, Jiang Zhining pushed him away and met his gaze.

“Comrade Yuzhou, are you hoping I’ll get pregnant by accident and have to get an abortion, or do you want me to take pills or have an IUD inserted?” Jiang Zhining looked at him with a half-smile.

Upon hearing that, Song Yuzhou immediately denied it. “No! I didn’t—I didn’t know about that… thing.”

Before he met Jiang Zhining, Song Yuzhou had never been with a woman. His older brother rarely talked to him about these things, and he’d never learned.

Later, he became too busy taking care of the kids to think about anything else, so he never took the time to understand.

“Condoms are for men to use—they effectively prevent pregnancy. But in many households now, women are still the ones who get IUDs. That method causes significant harm to a woman’s body.”

She had read reports that many women who wore IUDs for years suffered greatly.

After hearing her explanation, Song Yuzhou said earnestly, “I won’t let you get an IUD.”

He had heard of them before but didn’t know the specifics.

“I won’t get one anyway,” Jiang Zhining said with a light smile. “In a marriage, both people are equals. Why should my body suffer just to satisfy your momentary pleasure?”

The clarity in her eyes was different from other women—there was a firm awareness in them.

Looking into her gaze, Song Yuzhou held her hand. “You don’t need to get one. I won’t let you take pills either.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Jiang Zhining replied with a gentle smile.

Song Yuzhou looked into her eyes, the warmth of his palm spreading across her skin. “I said it, so I’ll do it.”

“Then tonight…” Jiang Zhining looked at him, waiting for his answer.

“I’ll go buy it,” Song Yuzhou said, releasing her hand and turning to leave.

As she watched him hurriedly leave, a smile danced in Jiang Zhining’s eyes.

Her principle was that women should love themselves first—only then could they love others.

After all, if you don’t cherish yourself, how can you expect others to love you?

Song Yuzhou rushed to the small store inside the military compound and awkwardly explained what he needed.

“Captain Song, why do you need that thing? It doesn’t feel good at all,” the shop owner said with surprise.

“It’s fine,” Song Yuzhou insisted.

The shop owner pulled a box from under the counter. Inside were different types of paper packets, each containing condoms.

Captain Song silently picked the largest size.

“Captain Song, take my advice—that thing… tsk tsk, it’s really uncomfortable. I have some birth control pills here. Just give your wife one afterward and it’ll be fine,” the shop owner said helpfully.

Thinking of Jiang Zhining’s words, Song Yuzhou refused. “No need. I don’t want her body to suffer.”

“What kind of harm can one pill do? Women these days aren’t that fragile,” the shopkeeper scoffed, clearly thinking birth control was solely a woman’s responsibility.

Song Yuzhou didn’t respond, just paid the money and left.

When he returned to the room, Jiang Zhining was already lying in bed, eyes closed, fast asleep.

Not wanting to disturb her, Song Yuzhou placed the items on the nightstand, undressed, and lay down beside her.

Feeling the warmth beside her, Jiang Zhining turned over and snuggled into him.

Looking at the small figure in his arms, Song Yuzhou gently pulled the blanket over them and embraced her as they fell asleep together.

This way, she could sleep a little longer in the morning.

Since his cooking skills weren’t great, the kids usually had sweet potatoes or porridge for breakfast.

Jiang Zhining picked up a sweet potato and happily began eating.

After finishing breakfast, she went to Xixi’s room to help the little girl put on her new dress and style her hair cutely.

“Mama, you smell nice,” Xixi said happily, hugging Jiang Zhining and kissing her cheek.

With a smile in her eyes, Jiang Zhining kissed Xixi’s cheek back. “Our Xixi smells nice too. You’re our little princess.”

Hearing she was a princess, Xixi bounced up and down with joy. Seeing the child’s simple happiness made Jiang Zhining’s gaze even softer.

After breakfast, Jiang Zhining picked up a washbasin to go do laundry.

“I really miss the convenience of the 22nd century,” she sighed wistfully.

Still, she didn’t miss that world much—because she had no home there.

After finishing the laundry, Jiang Zhining returned to the room.

Since she’d decided to live in this world, she figured she should make some friends. Distant relatives aren’t as reliable as nearby neighbors, so it was important to build good relationships with the military wives in the compound.

“I remember the book only mentioned a few troublesome people. I wonder what the others are like,” she murmured.

Thinking of Liu Zhilan from yesterday, her hand touched her jade bracelet, and with a thought, she entered the space.

Soon, a large basket filled with big, round peaches appeared in the room.

“Wow! Peaches!” Xixi’s eyes sparkled as she ran over and grabbed a big one.

The soil in the space was rich and fertile, so everything grown there—crops or fruit—tasted amazing.

Patting Xixi’s head, Jiang Zhining said indulgently, “Take one to eat, sweetie. Mama’s going next door to visit Auntie.”

“Okay!” Xixi replied cheerfully and skipped away with her peach.

Jiang Zhining picked ten peaches, packed them into a basket, and headed next door.

Inside the house, Liu Zhilan was hoeing the soil. When she saw her come in, she greeted her warmly, “Oh, it’s Sister Zhining!”

“Sister Zhilan, are you busy? I’m new around here and didn’t have much to bring, but I picked a few peaches for you,” Jiang Zhining said with a sweet smile.

Liu Zhilan looked surprised and delighted at the peaches. “These peaches look amazing! They even smell like real peaches—they must be expensive. You should keep them for yourself.”

“We’re neighbors—no need to be so polite,” Jiang Zhining said as she pushed the basket into her hands.

Seeing this, Liu Zhilan welcomed her warmly and had her sit down.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ve got plenty of vegetables here—take some home later to cook with,” Liu Zhilan said cheerfully.

“Thank you, Sister Zhilan,” Jiang Zhining replied with a bright smile.

Looking at Jiang Zhining’s sweet smile and pleasant demeanor, Liu Zhilan couldn’t help but like her.

Plus, her husband had always been well-treated by Song Yuzhou, so the two families already got along.

She started chatting casually with Jiang Zhining.

“Zhining, there are a lot of people living in this compound. Most are from rural backgrounds—straightforward and not always tactful, but not malicious. However, there are a few you should steer clear of, or you might get burned.”

Jiang Zhining nodded.

“Like Auntie Lin from Captain Lin’s family—she’s greedy, gossipy, and spreads rumors fast. Then there’s Wang Yufen—narrow-minded, jealous, and aggressive. Best to avoid conflict with her. And that Granny Xia from yesterday—not easy to deal with either.”

Jiang Zhining smiled awkwardly. “What if I’ve already offended them all?”

(⊙o⊙)… Liu Zhilan was stunned. Looking at her soft and gentle appearance, she thought Jiang Zhining’s days in this compound were going to be tough.

Seeing her expression, Jiang Zhining smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Sister Zhilan—I won’t let myself be bullied.”

After chatting for a while, Jiang Zhining left Liu Zhilan’s house.

The enthusiastic Liu Zhilan gave her lots of vegetables, solving the problem of what to cook for lunch.

Instead of going home right away, she carried her basket and wandered through the compound, curious about the military district she had only heard about in the original novel.

Just as she passed by one courtyard, suddenly—

Splash!

“Ah!” Jiang Zhining let out a cry of surprise. Caught off guard, she was soaked like a drowned rat.