Chapter 14: Husband Helps Massage Hands

Du Wanchun heard someone calling her and quickly turned around to look at him.

Zhou Ruiyuan sat upright in the chair. Though he was crippled in both legs, he exuded an imposing presence no less than that of any normal man.

In fact, he even carried the aura of an aristocratic young master of high status.

For a moment, she was a little flustered.

While she was lost in thought, Zhou Ruiyuan gently took her hand, carefully spreading open her palm. He then opened a small fragrant balm box, scooped out a small amount of the white ointment, and softly applied it to her hands.

His hands were warm, like a soft cloud that completely enveloped her small hand.

Du Wanchun was startled and quickly tried to withdraw her hand. “Husband, you…”

Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Ruiyuan immediately pulled her hand back again, using the pad of his finger to gently massage the cracked wounds on her fingers. He said, “This balm was made by my mother herself. Don’t worry, it won’t cause any harm.”

Du Wanchun’s face flushed. The gentle touch on her hands felt like a feather brushing lightly over every inch of her skin.

She felt her heartbeat quicken, the warmth in her face rushing straight to her head. “Th-thank you… Husband…”

Hearing her gratitude, Zhou Ruiyuan’s lips curved slightly into a faint smile. However, he quickly concealed it, putting on a composed expression as he took her other hand and continued applying the balm.

Du Wanchun’s hands had long been covered in scars due to the torment from her stepmother, Liu Shi. This was the first time someone had ever held her hands so gently, carefully soothing the wounds on them.

She lifted her gaze to look at his handsome and serious face. A warmth spread through her heart, and before she knew it, a smile graced her lips. The dimples on her cheeks were more beautiful than the blossoms of spring.

There wasn’t much balm left in Zhou Ruiyuan’s small box. After finishing both of Du Wanchun’s hands, more than half of it was gone. He closed the lid, placed the box in her palm, and said, “Keep the rest and apply a little each day.”

Du Wanchun held the small balm box tightly in her hands as if it were a treasure and nodded firmly. “Mm.”

“Big Brother, Sister-in-law, hurry and eat, or the food will get cold,” Zhou Feng called out as he returned. Since he was blind, he couldn’t see what the two were doing. He only noticed that there had been silence for a while, so he spoke up.

Du Wanchun quickly put the balm box away and smiled. “Yes, let’s eat quickly. It won’t taste as good once it’s cold.”

After saying that, she turned and brought out the cornbread from the kitchen.

Zhou Ruiyuan followed behind her, carrying bowls and chopsticks.

After the three of them finished their lunch, Zhou Daniu returned with Zhou Zhao.

Twenty or so copper coins weren’t much, so Zhou Daniu had bought some rice and medicine. However, to Du Wanchun’s surprise, she had also purchased a piece of new fabric. Though the cloth wasn’t made of any luxurious material, it was dyed a soft orange color, looking much nicer than the coarse gray clothes they were all wearing.

Du Wanchun looked at the fabric in astonishment and asked, “Mother, why did you buy cloth?”

Zhou Daniu held the fabric against Du Wanchun’s body to measure it and smiled. “In two days, it’ll be time for you to return to your maiden home. You should dress nicely and show up that wicked stepmother of yours.”

Only then did Du Wanchun remember—she and her younger sister were supposed to return home in two days. She had nearly forgotten about it, but Zhou Daniu had kept it in mind all along.

After checking the fabric, Zhou Daniu continued, “I’ll make you a new outfit right away. It has to be the most beautiful one.”

Du Wanchun hurriedly said, “Mother, that’s really not necessary.”

Zhou Daniu retrieved a needle and thread from the room while saying, “How is it not necessary? Wanchun, listen to me this time. Your stepmother and stepsister have bullied you since you were little. This time when you return home, you must put them in their place.”