Chapter 4: Zhou Yanjing, Let’s Have a Baby

“Wuwu?” he called softly.

Shen Liwu buried her face into the crook of his neck, her voice muffled, “Don’t talk. Let me hold you for a while.”

Zhou Yanjing lowered his gaze and saw her slender, fair arms wrapped tightly around his firm waist. Her body was taut, like a bowstring drawn to its limit—on the verge of snapping.

She was acting very differently today.

But he… couldn’t bring himself to interrupt this dream.

He had imagined countless times what it would be like to have her fall asleep in his arms. He’d replayed the scene in his mind a thousand times. And now, she really was lying in his embrace, her breath warm against his collarbone—it felt so unreal, like a dream.

He closed his eyes, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. His palm rested lightly on her soft back, patting it gently.

Shen Liwu’s breathing grew slow and steady, as if she’d fallen asleep.

Only then did Zhou Yanjing dare to quietly study her. This was the girl he’d loved for five years. He first met her when she graduated high school. She’d gotten into a top medical university, and she practically floated when she walked, like a butterfly ready to take flight. She’d sung the most popular songs with her classmates—completely tone-deaf but unwilling to admit it.

Back then, he thought, This girl is really something.

Later, when he found out she was his betrothed from childhood, he had been eager to marry her. He wanted to rush her straight to the civil affairs office and make it official.

He didn’t know exactly when he fell for Shen Liwu—just that he had fallen hard, truly hard.

After they got married, she barely acknowledged him. She wouldn’t even look him in the eye.

He had been angry. Disappointed.

But he still loved her. So much.

He thought: As long as we don’t get divorced, one day the clouds will part and I’ll see the sun. Even if she doesn’t love me, it’s okay—as long as I love her.

Zhou Yanjing’s fingers gently traced from Shen Liwu’s brow bone down to the bridge of her nose, stroking it lightly. Such delicate features. Such a beautiful nose. And such a lovely mouth.

She was like a masterpiece, a goddess sculpted by the heavens.

Zhou Yanjing lowered his head, pressing a soft kiss against the corner of her lips.

“Sleep well… my girl.”

…

Shen Liwu was awakened by the blaring wake-up call of the military bugle. When she opened her eyes, Zhou Yanjing was already gone. Thinking back to what he said the night before, she secretly cursed at him in her heart.

Just as she got out of bed, the door opened, and Zhou Yanjing walked in, fully dressed in his neatly pressed uniform.

His belt was fastened tightly around his waist, and his sleeves were rolled up to reveal strong forearms. His skin was a healthy bronze, glowing with vitality.

“Did I wake you? It’s still early—want to sleep a bit more? I can ask for leave and bring breakfast back while I’m out.”

For the first time ever, Zhou Yanjing resented the morning bugle. If she didn’t like military life and used this as a reason not to come with him anymore, he’d have nowhere to cry.

“No, I can’t fall back asleep,” Shen Liwu said, getting out of bed. One of the buttons on her pajamas had come undone, revealing a glimpse of her fair, delicate skin.

The curve of her chest was faintly visible. Zhou Yanjing’s throat bobbed, and he quickly looked away.

He went to request leave and brought back breakfast. After eating, the two of them went into town to shop.

Zhou Yanjing borrowed a vehicle from the military unit, so they could haul back plenty of things.

Kitchenware, daily necessities, new clothes, new shoes—everything he could think of, he bought.

“Is there anything else we need? We’ve got time today, might as well get everything now.”

Shen Liwu looked at the car filled to the brim and shook her head. “It’s enough.”

Most of the items were hers. They had only recently gotten married, and Zhou Yanjing was from the countryside—it’s not like he was rich.

Besides, just to avoid marrying him, she had deliberately demanded a bride price of five thousand yuan, saying she wouldn’t marry him without it.

But he still found a way to give it to her.

And this was the 1980s. Five thousand yuan wasn’t a small amount.

Zhou Yanjing seemed to notice her hesitation and said, “I have money. Don’t worry—buy whatever you want. I’ve saved up over the past few years. It’s enough for you to spend.”

“You gave me a five-thousand yuan bride price. You still have money left?”

Zhou Yanjing paused, his gaze warm as he looked at her. “That five thousand was everything I saved over the years. Some of it was also from my mom. My military allowance isn’t much, but it’s enough for us to live on. Don’t worry—I won’t let you suffer.”

Shen Liwu’s heart softened. Her eyes grew slightly warm. She lowered her head and twisted the hem of her shirt with her fingers.

Seeing she didn’t reply, Zhou Yanjing took out a bottle of soda from the car, twisted the cap off, and handed it to her. “It’s hot. Have a drink.”

Shen Liwu shook her head. She couldn’t drink anything right now.

Not far away, two children were playing. It seemed the boy had made the girl cry. He was trying to cheer her up, eyes darting around nervously—probably a brother and sister, and he was scared their parents would find out he made his little sister cry.

Shen Liwu thought: Zhou Yanjing would die a solitary man. Maybe… in this life, she should give him a child?

And her—she was destined to die a virgin. She couldn’t possibly live her whole life like some bland, watered-down soup, could she?

Zhou Yanjing often felt helpless around Shen Liwu. When she was silent, he always panicked a little, wondering what he had done wrong this time.

The sun was scorching. He shifted his position to block the sunlight so she wouldn’t be exposed to the heat.

Shen Liwu was kicking at small stones on the ground. Then she looked up. “Zhou Yanjing, let’s have a baby.”

Zhou Yanjing’s hand tightened slightly around the soda bottle. His knuckles turned white from the pressure. He stared at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. His voice was hoarse: “What did you just say?”

Shen Liwu stood by the roadside, her toes idly grinding a dead leaf into pieces, creating a soft crunch. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on her fair shoulders and dancing across her pale face.

Her fingers clutched the edge of her dress, knuckles whitening, but her voice was surprisingly calm. “I said, let’s have a child.”

A breeze passed, lifting strands of hair around her ears, brushing softly against her cheek.

She didn’t look at him—her eyes stayed fixed on the two children. The little boy, panicking, pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and stuffed it into the girl’s hand, muttering something with a face full of anxiety and helplessness.

Zhou Yanjing followed her gaze for a moment, then shifted his eyes to her profile.

“Look at me.”

Shen Liwu slowly turned her head and met his eyes. Those deep, black eyes of his were like an unfathomable sea. Her fingers curled instinctively.

“You’re really sure?” His voice was low, laced with a barely restrained emotion—like he was afraid of scaring her, speaking gently and cautiously.

“Mm.” She nodded slightly, her gaze steady. “Having a child doesn’t sound so bad.”

Zhou Yanjing was silent for a few seconds. Then he suddenly stepped forward, grabbing her hand. His grip was a bit tight, but it didn’t hurt her. His palm was warm against her wrist, radiating a firm, unshakable energy.

“Do you know what this means?” he asked, voice rough, breathing a little uneven.

“I know.” Shen Liwu looked up at him, her gaze clear and unflinching. “We’re married. Isn’t it normal to have a child?”

Zhou Yanjing stared into her eyes, as if trying to confirm whether she was telling the truth.

She had been so resistant when they got married—barely even acknowledged him for months. He had sent letter after letter, all with no reply. Now she suddenly wanted a child? This kind of unexpected behavior made him suspect she had another motive.

Could it be… she wanted a child in exchange for her freedom?

Zhou Yanjing’s expression darkened slightly, and his grip on her hand tightened. His voice dropped even lower, tinged with probing and unease. “Are you really sure? This isn’t about something else?”

Shen Liwu frowned. That didn’t sound right. Was he thinking…?

She glanced at Zhou Yanjing, her lips curving into a half-smile, half-teasing expression. “Zhou Yanjing, don’t tell me… you think I want a child just to trade for my freedom? Hmm?”

Caught off guard, Zhou Yanjing’s ears turned slightly red. His gaze wavered before quickly regaining its composure.

“I just don’t want you to feel wronged,” he said, voice low and heavy with emotion. “If you’re not willing, I can wait.”

“I’m not wronged.”

“Mm!” He agreed instantly.

Zhou Yanjing squinted and urged, “If we’re not buying anything else, let’s go home.”