Chapter 13

Wei Yanzhen had finished making lunch, and the fragrant aroma of the food wafted through the air. The dishes were laid out on the dining table, steaming hot.

Deng Zhilán sat alone at the table. There was a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes and a plate of stir-fried greens. To her surprise, Wei Yanzhen’s cooking was quite good.

Meanwhile, the man picked up the packed food and headed out the door.
“Wife, I’m going to deliver lunch to my parents and Jinyue. I won’t be back — I still have to work this afternoon. You stay home and rest well.”

Deng Zhilán nodded.

She saw Wei Yanzhen out the door and watched his figure disappear down the road, then locked the courtyard gate behind him.

Back inside, she pulled out quilts and bedding from her space (a magical storage dimension).

She changed all the bedding in the room one by one, making the bed look completely new, brightening up the whole room.

The dirty clothes from yesterday’s home repairs had been soaked in a basin. Looking at the pile of laundry, Deng Zhilán thought she’d wash them in a bit.

After a busy stretch, Deng Zhilán felt tired.

She stretched lazily and decided to take a nap in the room.

Time passed quietly, and night gradually fell.

When Wei Yanzhen returned home, he gently pushed the door open and saw Deng Zhilán still asleep.

“Ge, what’s for dinner? There wasn’t any meat in lunch. I’m starving!”

Behind him came the voice of his younger sister, Wei Jinyue. The little girl was chattering non-stop. After a full day of farm work, her cheeks were sunburned red.

“Shhh~ your sister-in-law is sleeping.”

Wei Yanzhen spoke in a low voice.

Then he walked into the inner room and locked the small wooden door behind him. Wei Jinyue looked on, wide-eyed with disbelief.

Were her brother and sister-in-law made of iron or what? Weren’t they hungry?

She, however, was really hungry!

“What are you standing around for? Your sister-in-law is pregnant — sleeping more is normal. Come help me in the kitchen!”

Qin Ping quickly dragged Wei Jinyue away. Her daughter didn’t realize the young couple was getting along again. Don’t be the third wheel!

Wei Xiaotian saw his son closing the door and guessed he was whispering sweet nothings to his wife. He felt deeply comforted. At such a difficult time for their family, his daughter-in-law hadn’t kicked them while they were down — that was a true blessing!

So, Wei Xiaotian washed his hands and went to help cook in the kitchen. They couldn’t let their daughter-in-law wake up hungry.

Wei Yanzhen sat on the edge of the bed and saw that all the bedding had been replaced. His heart warmed. He looked at the sleeping Deng Zhilán quietly.

Outside the window, the faint glow of light spilled onto her face, softening her features. He couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

After about half an hour, Deng Zhilán slowly woke up. When she opened her eyes, she met Wei Yanzhen’s gaze. Her face turned red instantly.

“You… You’re back.”

She sat up in a bit of a panic.

Wei Yanzhen snapped out of it and replied gently, “Yeah. Are you hungry? Dad and Mom are making dinner in the kitchen.”

Deng Zhilán remembered she hadn’t done the laundry yet and said, a little embarrassed, “I was going to wash clothes, but I ended up falling asleep.”

Wei Yanzhen smiled. “It’s fine, no rush.”

Then he lay down beside her. His rough hands gently rested on her lower abdomen, as light as a feather, filled with tenderness and love — feeling the presence of new life.

“Thank you… for coming to the countryside with me.”

Deng Zhilán’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. She held Wei Yanzhen’s hand and smiled.

“Why are you thanking me? We’re family.”

Perhaps it was the quiet atmosphere, or the privacy — the two embraced. Wei Yanzhen gently cradled the back of Deng Zhilán’s head and pulled her closer…

His chest felt like it was swelling with emotion, ready to burst. He kissed her passionately and messily, overwhelmed by happiness.

Just then, Wei Jinyue’s voice rang out again, “Brother, sister-in-law! Dinner’s ready! Come eat!”

That shout shattered the tender moment inside the room.

Deng Zhilán’s face flushed red to her ears. She quickly pushed Wei Yanzhen away and scrambled to fix her hair.

Wei Yanzhen, on the other hand, remained calm. Smiling, he got up from the bed and reached out a hand to her.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

The two walked hand in hand to the main room. Wei Jinyue was putting dishes on the table. When she saw them come in, her eyes lit up.

“Brother, sister-in-law, come sit down!”

Looking at the corn porridge and stir-fried vegetables on the table, Deng Zhilán’s heart felt warm.

The whole family sat around the table. The food wasn’t fancy, but the atmosphere was cozy.

During the meal, Qin Ping occasionally reminded Deng Zhilán to eat more.

Wei Yanzhen sat beside her, sneaking gentle glances at her now and then.

After dinner, Wei Yanzhen took the initiative to wash the dishes. Deng Zhilán chatted with Qin Ping in the meantime. The rural night was peaceful and beautiful…

“Xiaolan, tomorrow after Yanzhen finishes work, have him take you to the commune market. We’re out of vegetables — gotta buy some.”

Qin Ping’s voice floated over.

Wei Yanzhen came out from the kitchen and readily agreed.

Deng Zhilán also figured she needed to find a better excuse to take out some of the vegetables and meat from her space.

Well, this was the perfect opportunity.

The next day, after finishing his work, Wei Yanzhen took Deng Zhilán on the tractor from the brigade. The two headed to the Shazhou Bay commune, first stop — the supply and marketing cooperative.

With ample savings, Wei Yanzhen didn’t hold back. The family’s money and ration coupons — he told Deng Zhilán to use as she liked. They came back loaded with goods.

Eggs, seafood, meat, vegetables, condiments, bowls and utensils — they bought a mountain of stuff. But just as the tractor neared the village entrance, someone stood still as stone, eyes fixed on them from afar.

“Brother, sister-in-law! What did you guys buy?”

Wei Jinyue had been at the village entrance all day, practically waiting for the sun to set, just to see them return.

The little girl ran over excitedly and reached out to help Deng Zhilán carry something.

Deng Zhilán smiled and handed her a small parcel. “Here, I bought you some patterned fabric. Ask your mom to make you a new dress.”

Qin Ping was skilled at sewing. Wei Jinyue’s eyes sparkled. She accepted the cloth with joy. “Thank you, sister-in-law! You’re the best!”

Wei Yanzhen jumped off the tractor and began unloading the goods. Wei Jinyue quickly came over to help.

Just then, a few village women passed by. When they saw how much they had bought, they started whispering.

“My, they sure bought a lot of fancy stuff. Really know how to spend money.”

Another woman chimed in, “Exactly. Don’t know how to live frugally — what a waste of money.”

Wei Jinyue, annoyed, snapped back, “My family can buy whatever we want. It’s none of your business!”

The little girl, a pampered city miss, had always spoken her mind. She hadn’t changed that habit even after coming to the countryside.

The women snorted coldly and walked off, not bothering to argue with a child.

Wei Yanzhen patted his sister’s head. “Ignore them. Let’s go home. Your sister-in-law bought you even more goodies. I’ll show you when we get back.”

Wei Jinyue instantly perked up.

She helped carry the bags and even clung to Deng Zhilán’s arm affectionately.

Her sudden change in attitude made Deng Zhilán laugh. Kids were so easy to win over.

And so, the three of them returned home amid laughter and chatter.