The soft, sweet fragrance of the woman beside him filled the air, heating up Bai Yichen’s body. He instinctively reached out a large hand, ready to push away the octopus-like An Xin who was clinging to him.

But when his sharp gaze fell upon her peaceful, sweet sleeping face, he found himself unable to act. With a resigned sigh, he thought to himself, Fine, fine. If the woman I married turns out to be a ancestor I have to worship, so be it.

And so, Bai Yichen endured a night of being “bullied” by An Xin’s unconscious sprawling. It wasn’t until just before dawn that he managed to drift off into a restless sleep.

When the first light of morning seeped through the window, An Xin woke up feeling well-rested for the first time in days. She hadn’t had a single dream all night.

As her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Bai Yichen’s sharp profile: his thick lashes, the strong lines of his face, and the faint stubble growing on his chin—all etched clearly in her view.

What the—?! Why is she so close to a man?! she screamed internally. Weren’t they sleeping far apart?

Feeling a wave of panic, An Xin cautiously slid out of bed, careful not to wake him.

As she quietly picked up her washing kit and opened the door, Bai Yichen’s eyes snapped open. He glanced at her retreating figure with a deep, unreadable gaze before closing his eyes again, slipping back into slumber.

To avoid disturbing him further, An Xin went to the communal washing area of the geological exploration team. While she was brushing her teeth, a cheerful woman next to her struck up a conversation.

“You must be Bai Yichen’s new bride, right? What’s your name? And why are you up so early?”

The woman’s curious and scrutinizing eyes made An Xin feel a bit self-conscious. Internally, she grumbled, Is it some unspoken rule that brides have to sleep in on the second morning after their wedding? Well, I’m not a real bride, and nothing even happened last night. Why shouldn’t I get up early?

Despite her inner complaints, An Xin maintained a polite demeanor, offering a shy, appropriate smile.
“Yes, I’m Bai Yichen’s wife. My name is An Xin. And you are?”

The woman’s smile widened as she continued to examine An Xin. “Oh, so you’re An Xin! My husband’s last name is Chen, so you can just call me Sister Chen.”

An Xin’s smile froze for a moment. What a bold nickname, she thought. You marry someone named Chen, and suddenly you’re Sister Chen? Does that make me Sister Bai?

Suppressing a chuckle at her own ridiculous train of thought, An Xin quickly rinsed her hands and packed up her washing kit. She was just about to leave when Sister Chen piped up again, her tone warm and inviting.

“Up so early to make breakfast for Bai Yichen, huh? Most married couples don’t go to the canteen anymore. So, what are you planning to cook for him this morning?”

An Xin stopped in her tracks, turning around with a blank expression.
“Married couples don’t eat at the canteen?”

If that were true, then she was now responsible for Bai Yichen’s meals. Great, she thought bitterly. Marriage is a scam! Not only do I have to deal with this awkward situation, but now I’ve got to be a free cook too. What a mess.

Yet as she considered how Bai Yichen had been dragged into this marriage because of her, her irritation quickly faded.

Sister Chen nodded, looking at An Xin like this was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Of course! Once you’re married, you have a home. Who still goes to the canteen? It’s only natural to eat with your family.”

Pausing for dramatic effect, Sister Chen continued, “I’ve heard from my husband that the food at the canteen is awful. Poor Bai Yichen ate there for years—how did he even manage?”

An Xin blinked. I see. I underestimated the situation, she thought, quickening her pace.

If she didn’t make an effort to cook for Bai Yichen, nosy people like Sister Chen would spread rumors about her being a lazy wife. It wasn’t a big deal to prepare breakfast—she had to eat too, after all.

Seeing An Xin dash off, Sister Chen called after her in confusion.
“Hey, An Xin, wait! Let’s talk some more. What are you planning to make for breakfast?”

But An Xin was already gone, leaving Sister Chen to sigh in disappointment.

The geological exploration team was a small community, with only about a dozen people. Among them, only two were married, and one of their wives was a primary school teacher living in the provincial capital, rarely visiting. This left Sister Chen as the sole resident housewife in the team.

With no one else to talk to during the day, she had been thrilled when Bai Yichen got married, only for An Xin to vanish so quickly.

“Looks like I’ll just have to cook noodles again for my husband,” she muttered to herself. “They’re quick, filling, and don’t waste too many ingredients.”

Back in the dormitory, An Xin spotted a small stove in one corner. Likely, it was being used to cook porridge or something similar. That room opposite with the small stove must be Sister Chen’s room, she thought as she scanned Bai Yichen’s room.

The room was spotless. There wasn’t even an extra set of chopsticks or a bowl, confirming that Bai Yichen had indeed relied on the canteen for meals.

Determined to fulfill her “duties” as a wife, An Xin got to work.

She found a quiet spot to discreetly retrieve items from her space: a small stove, cookware, seasonings, fresh meat, and cabbage. With these, she decided to make pork and cabbage dumplings.

As she was kneading dough and chopping vegetables, Sister Chen returned. Seeing An Xin busily preparing dumplings, she approached with an envious look.
“Wow, dumplings! Bai Yichen is lucky to have you.”

An Xin didn’t notice Sister Chen’s expression, focusing instead on her work. She replied casually, “It’s nothing special. Just a simple breakfast to fill his stomach.”

If not for the risk of raising suspicions, An Xin would have made something even more elaborate. But for now, dumplings would do.