In East Stone Village, Zhao Yuhong had already indirectly learned from her daughter that her daughter and Ye Qiu had not consummated their marriage. She felt indescribable, a mix of worry and relief.
She was worried that without consummating the marriage, her daughter might be despised by Ye Qiu and lack a descendant to rely on in the future. Yet, she felt relieved that Ye Qiu had not taken advantage of her daughter. Although they were husband and wife, the reason for their marriage was not entirely honorable, and besides, the daughter was that way, her first ti should have been that way, despite it being natural, she still felt sowhat uncomfortable.
After so thought, Zhao Yuhong decided to let them be for now, reasoning that it would not be too late to offer advice if sothing turned out to be wrong in the future. She had watched Ye Qiu grow up and believed in his character.
Thinking that Ye Qiu would be her daughter’s support in the future, she treated Ye Shuai, the child, doubly well, hoping that if her daughter did not have children of her own in the future, Ye Shuai would not dislike her, considering her his stepmother.
Ye Shuai, only three this year, once timid but now much more lively and cheerful under Ye Qiu’s tutelage, combined the best features of both Ye Qiu and Cai Baoqin into his cute and exquisite appearance. Even without any intention, Zhao Yuhong found herself extrely fond of him.
She sat on a small stool, smiling as she watched her daughter and Ye Shuai share snacks, neither willing to suffer a loss nor take more than the other, creating a scene of exceptional warmth. Zhao Yuhong never stopped smiling as she watched.
By the ti Ye Qiu returned ho today, it was already evening. Ye Shuai and Yu Xiaolin were both yawning, but they refused to sleep without seeing Ye Qiu. With nothing better to do, they pestered Ye Hao and Ye Kang to teach them to read, and Zhao Yuhong, having tried to intervene twice, let them be.
"Everyone go to sleep, I’ll co back earlier next ti," Ye Qiu said, concealing the fatigue in his eyes and affectionately ruffling their hair.
"How’s it going?" Zhao Yuhong was more concerned about his work.
Ye Qiu responded with an affirmative smile, "It’s almost settled, Mom, don’t worry. It should be confird in a couple of days."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuhong still couldn’t ease her mind, "Another two days? Should we give the shopkeeper more gifts? We country folks don’t have much to offer, and it’s just so frustrating."
"Mom, don’t worry about it, it’s going to be fine," Ye Qiu reassured her, "But I’ll need you to take care of Xiao Lin and Shuaishuai in the next few days."
"Of course, I don’t have much else to do at ho anyway."
After sending Zhao Yuhong away, Ye Qiu nodded to his younger brothers, "The business is starting to take shape, don’t worry. Big brother won’t ss around with your money."
"Big brother, we’re not worried about that," Ye Hao frowned and said, looking like a little adult overwheld with concern, "We are worried about you, don’t get too exhausted."
"Don’t worry, I’m not tired. My main concern is ho. Shuaishuai is too young, and your sister-in-law is too naive. Big brother wants to ask if you two could help look after them more when I’m not around in the future?"
"Big brother, are you treating us like outsiders?" Ye Hao said uncomfortably, "That’s what we’re supposed to do."
Ye Qiu chuckled lightly, looking at them, "No, big brother is not treating you like outsiders. I’m just talking to you as an adult now." Seeing them puff out their chests made him even prouder; it was deliberate. He hoped his brothers would grow up quickly in spirit. Once his business took off, they would face all sorts of challenges. While he expanded his territory outside, he definitely did not want any trouble at ho.
Although Ye Hao and Ye Kang were young, they should also start to grow up. The first thing he wanted to teach them was a sense of family responsibility.
"Big brother, we will take good care of sister-in-law and Shuaishuai," indeed, with Ye Qiu’s encouragent, the two brothers imdiately felt ambitious.
"If you hear any rumors, tell right away, and don’t easily believe what outsiders say. As we are getting better, so people will be jealous and wish for us to fail. If our unity breaks, they will be happy. So we must never fulfill their wishes, you understand?" Ye Qiu said earnestly to them.
"We know, we’ll never believe those bad people’s words."
"Good, your big brother believes in you. But while you take good care of your sister-in-law and Shuaishuai, I also hope your grades don’t fall behind. Your midterm exams are just around the corner. If you don’t do well, big brother will go talk to your horoom teacher, understand?"
In this era, kids might not be afraid of their parents, but they definitely fear their teachers. The mont Ye Hao and Ye Kang pictured the scene where they perford poorly and their big brother went to talk to their horoom teacher, both of them shivered in unison.
"Big brother, we’ll study hard," the two promised.
"Good kids, go to sleep now." Ye Qiu patted their heads, but the brothers no longer felt as relaxed as before.
"We’ll preview the lessons for tomorrow again."
"Mm, but go to bed early and don’t overdo it. If you doze off during class tomorrow, the quality of your study will be even worse."
Ye Hao and Ye Kang were sowhat frightened by Ye Qiu’s caring smile, and they took his words seriously, not daring to delay a second.
Before returning to his own room, Ye Qiu went to check on his son Ye Shuai, who was bouncing with energy when he saw his dad just now, but was now sound asleep in bed. Ye Qiu tucked him in, then went back to his own room.
At this mont, Yu Xiaolin was hiding under her blanket, only revealing a pair of sparkling black eyes and a head of jet-black hair, and her large eyes blinked as she gazed at him.
"What’s wrong?" Ye Qiu asked.
"Sleep together."
"Why were you waiting for ?"
"Cold, comfy."
"Are you saying you’re cold when you sleep alone, and it’s comfy to sleep with ?" Ye Qiu raised his eyebrow.
"Mhm." She nodded vigorously.
Ye Qiu felt sowhat helpless. He was a normal man, after all; any man would be tempted if his own wife actively requested to cuddle in sleep. Especially since Xiao Lin, apart from her ntal issues, was well-developed in every other aspect. But even so, he couldn’t just lay his hands on soone with a child’s mind, could he?
However, seeing Yu Xiaolin’s expectant gaze, he felt unable to refuse. What else could he do? She’s his wife; he had no choice but to endure.
Ye Qiu lay down on the bed, and seeing that he agreed, Yu Xiaolin imdiately let out a cheer and rolled over from under her own blanket, then tightly hugged him. After two minutes, seeming a bit uncomfortable, she moved around a few tis until she finally settled down.
Poor Ye Qiu was tornted by the friction yet powerless to do anything about it, only glaring in the dark at a certain woman who had quickly fallen asleep. Once she was back to her usual self, he would get his revenge, and by then, he’d see if she would still dare to be so bold.
The fast asleep Yu Xiaolin was unaware that her present obliviousness would lead her to beg for rcy on countless nights to co.
User Comments
0 comments from readers