After several days of blissful sweetness, Lin Aiyun knew that the time to leave this place was approaching.
Sure enough, that night, Xiao Cheng—fresh from his bath—held her in his arms and, while kissing her, said, “We’ll leave in three days.”
“Mm, then I’ll tell my parents to start packing.” Lin Aiyun nodded. The reshuffling in Jiangming Province wasn’t far off, so leaving earlier would be safer—they could avoid getting caught up in the turmoil along the way.
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng nodded in agreement. His hand slid up from the hem of her clothes. When he heard her hiss softly, he knew he had bitten too hard last night and it was still sore, so he appeasingly lightened his touch, kneading her gently like a massage. “We’ll take a car to Wan’an City first, then catch a train back to the capital. Bring only the essentials—everything else we can buy once we get home.”
Wan’an City was the capital of the neighboring province. Since it had been liberated earlier, basic order had already been restored there, and the train station had resumed operations—though only lines to major cities across the country were running.
Train tickets were hard to come by in those days, and Lin Aiyun had no idea how Xiao Cheng had managed to get tickets for so many people.
Originally, they had invited the eldest uncle’s family and the younger aunt’s family to come to the capital for the wedding banquet. But in the end, only the younger aunt and Ding Rongchun could make it. It was the height of the farming season, and households couldn’t spare anyone—those with jobs couldn’t get time off either. Even the younger aunt had only managed a few days off by swapping shifts with an acquaintance.
During times of war, grain prices would skyrocket, so stocking up on food was never a bad idea. But since their family might not return for a long time after going to the capital, they couldn’t take all the freshly harvested grain with them. The eldest uncle’s family was caring for their grandparents, and there were also the maternal grandparents to consider. The younger aunt’s family was too far away to manage, so the only option was to let them buy nearby in advance.
These families had always treated them well, so Lin Aiyun considered dividing the grain among them and giving them a heads-up.
But with everything still calm on the surface, how could she explain where she got news of an impending war?
Frowning at this dilemma, Lin Aiyun was still pondering when Xiao Cheng rubbed her face and bit her lower lip in dissatisfaction. “What are you thinking about?”
Snapping back to reality, Lin Aiyun shook her head. “Nothing much—just wondering what to do with all this stuff at home.”
Things like pots and pans could stay in the house and be used when they returned someday. But perishable goods and things that couldn’t be stored for long were a real problem.
It would be a shame to throw them away, but they couldn’t take them along either.
Hearing her words, Xiao Cheng lazily rested his chin in the hollow of her shoulder. After a moment of silence, he spoke: “Wife, there’s something I need to tell you.”
As he spoke, his warm breath fanned across her skin, making her shrink back slightly. She reached up to stroke his hair. “What is it?”
Xiao Cheng lowered his voice and whispered a few words into Lin Aiyun’s ear. Her pupils contracted sharply, and it took her a long moment before she managed to feign surprise, her voice trembling: “R-really?”
“Mm. That’s why we have to leave so urgently.” Xiao Cheng gently cupped her cheek, his well-defined fingertip stroking her earlobe. “But we can’t leak this to too many people. Tomorrow morning, I’ll mention it to your parents so they can prepare.”
“As for the things we can’t take—whether to give them away or sell them—it’s up to your parents to decide.”
It seemed Xiao Cheng’s thoughts aligned with hers. Lin Aiyun let out a slow, relieved breath. But then she asked, “How did you find out?”
This was supposed to be top-secret information, wasn’t it? The only reason she knew was because of her memories from her previous life.
Xiao Cheng’s gaze flickered, then he gave a soft smile, his narrow eyes curving slightly. “Your husband has a few special channels.”
He wouldn’t say more.
Lin Aiyun had no intention of pressing further. She discussed a few more details with Xiao Cheng and was about to sleep early so she could get up and help Zhang Wenhua pack tomorrow—when her wrist was caught and pinned above her head. In an instant, her drowsiness melted away under his seductive voice.
“Wife, now that business is settled, don’t you think you should take care of me? I’ve been holding back and it’s uncomfortable.”
Xiao Cheng’s gaze was dark as he stared at her, his tone pitiful. Paired with a face and body that could charm any woman, who could refuse him? She certainly couldn’t.
So she nodded in agreement.
Almost instantly, his waist pressed against her—somehow already lively and eager, its presence impossible to ignore, nudging against her now and then. His lips found her collarbone, lingering over her neck.
The fresh scent of shampoo filled her nose. Lin Aiyun licked her lips and instinctively crossed her legs, trying to suppress her bashful bodily responses. But the moment she moved, he stopped her, his burning fingertips tracing upward from her calf. The thin fabric was soon tossed to the foot of the bed.
Because they had been too unrestrained on the first night, the past couple of days had been all thunder and no rain. Now that she was fully healed, Lin Aiyun hadn’t expected Xiao Cheng to stay quiet—besides, she was a little eager too.
“Wife, why don’t you get on top yourself?”
Xiao Cheng toyed with the two red plum blossoms, clearly utterly enamored with them—he always played with them for quite a while before reluctantly letting go.
He clenched his jaw tightly, trying to suppress certain urges. After taking a few deep breaths, he gazed at her with red-rimmed eyes, dawdling and delaying without fully committing, his forehead beaded with sweat from the effort—yet he still had the leisure to ask her for new ideas.
Lin Aiyun’s breathing was heavy, her eyes hazy with desire. At his words, she pressed down on his shoulders and pushed him back. Though she barely used any force, he cooperated perfectly, falling back onto the bed beside her. His large palm found her slender waist, helping her slowly sit up before she straddled him.
“Wife, you’re on my thigh—move forward a little.”
A faint, lazy smile curled at the corner of Xiao Cheng’s mouth as he lazily directed her into position. His handsome face was etched with restraint, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. His voice came out hoarse, the rising inflection trailing to her ear—deep, mellow, and musical.
One “wife” after another—it was enough to drive a person mad.
Lin Aiyun thought this as she shifted forward a little, her beautiful brows furrowing involuntarily. Xiao Cheng wasn’t faring much better either—the veins on the arms supporting her waist bulged prominently, and his chest rose and fell heavily.
“Wife, wife, wife.”
Ever since their wedding day, those two words seemed to have fused with Xiao Cheng’s mouth. Whenever they were alone, he’d cling to her and chant them endlessly.
Young as he was, marriage had opened a new world for him. He practically wanted to keep her in his pocket and carry her everywhere he went.
His body was strong and warm, like a big furnace holding her. Lin Aiyun pushed at him in mock disgust, but every breath of his seemed aggressive, invading her relentlessly.
At some point, control had slipped back into Xiao Cheng’s hands. His fingertips traced from the back of her neck down to her back and waist, then returned to her earlobes, rubbing gently. The sensation was maddeningly ticklish, and she couldn’t help but bite his lip.
“Be good, loosen up a little.”
His strained voice, sucking in a sharp breath, reached her ears.
“Go away—you’re so mean, always picking on me.” Lin Aiyun’s accusatory words were swallowed into his lips. He obediently withdrew his hands—but only to kiss her even deeper.
Her thoughts began to drift. She tilted her head back, her lips tingling and numb from his sucking. She could sense that both she and Xiao Cheng were unusually excited, their bodies screaming with wild abandon—no pretense, no concealment.
She loved this feeling.
Hot, overwhelming—and when he filled her completely, Lin Aiyun felt a soft, high pillow being slipped beneath her lower back. She looked up at Xiao Cheng in surprise, and he leaned in to kiss her. “Mother said this makes it easier to conceive.”
“…” Oh, dear mother of mine—what exactly have you been discussing with Xiao Cheng behind the scenes?
But she, too, desperately wanted a child with Xiao Cheng, to make up for the regret of her previous life. And seeing the burning look in his eyes—he clearly wanted children too—she didn’t refuse. Instead, she cooperatively lifted her hips a little.
After a long while, when he still showed no sign of finishing on his own, she couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you going to pull out?”
“One more time.”
Gasping for air, Lin Aiyun felt a bit exasperated as she reached out to wrap her arms around his neck. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her deeply.
Her heart trembled, like willow catkins dancing freely in the wind.
Fortunately, mindful of the important tasks awaiting them the next day, they didn’t go as wild as the first time and soon fell asleep, one after the other.
“Here, your toothbrush.”
“Towel.”
“Let me tie your hair up—it’s gotten a bit wet.”
The young master who had never lifted a finger in his life now handled these menial tasks with ease, without a single complaint—in fact, with great eagerness.
“I’m not a three-year-old.” Lin Aiyun glanced at Zhang Wenhua and Xiao Juan, who kept looking her way and covering their mouths to stifle giggles, and two blushes rose on her cheeks.
“Never said you were. Taking care of one’s wife is what a man should do.” Xiao Cheng didn’t think twice about it. He took the towel she had used to dry her face and wiped his own with the same basin of water, then casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go. Time for breakfast.”
“…”
At the dinner table, with everyone present, Xiao Cheng briefly reiterated the news he had shared with Lin Aiyun the night before. Seeing the others’ faces change dramatically, he comforted them, saying the conflict would be very localized—likely only affecting a few areas near the provincial capital where military forces were stationed. Small outlying towns like Lanxi County and Guangping County wouldn’t be involved at all.
As long as they stored enough food and didn’t go out recklessly, they would be safe.
Although everyone was frightened, they had experienced similar situations before, so they weren’t in a panic. After a while, they began discussing buying rice and flour.
“Mother, this time we’re going to the capital, I want our whole family to settle down there and not come back for a while.” Lin Aiyun quickly stopped Zhang Wenhua, who was about to go to the room to get money, and spoke out what she had been holding in her heart all along.
“Ah?” Zhang Wenhua was caught off guard. She exchanged a glance with Lin Jianzhi, her brows furrowing slightly, but she still sat down under Lin Aiyun’s reassurance.
Lin Aiyun laid out the words she had prepared in advance.
But Zhang Wenhua, Lin Jianzhi, and even Lin Wenkang all fell silent, not answering right away.
No matter the era, Chinese people always held a special attachment to their hometown. Making the decision to move the entire family to a new city to live—no one could make that choice in an instant.
Moreover, moving to a new place, especially to their son-in-law’s turf, meant relying more or less on him in the future. That was like handing over their lifeline—if they ever had a quarrel, they wouldn’t even have the confidence to stand their ground.
Even though Xiao Cheng was a good man, still…
“The capital is a big city with much better conditions than here. Wenkang and I will definitely have more promising futures there.”
“I’ve also made quite a bit of money from my embroidery. I can find us a place to live and make sure we don’t go hungry. We all have hands and feet—if we’re willing to work hard, there’s no fear of not finding jobs.”
“I can’t bear to be separated from you. Father, Mother, please come with me. Our family staying together is better than anything else.”
“Besides, after Xiao Cheng and I have children, if there are no elders at home and something goes wrong, we wouldn’t even know who to ask.” Lin Aiyun deliberately lowered her voice when she said this, but the room was small enough that everyone heard clearly.
“How can you say such things in front of so many people?” Zhang Wenhua’s face flushed with embarrassment, but her expression clearly showed she was wavering.
“That’s right, Auntie. Look at us—it’s always just been my brother and me. Now that I finally have a sister-in-law and you all, and you’re all so wonderful, the house has finally become lively. These past days I’ve been staying here, I’ve felt so warm inside. If I had to part with you, I’d really miss you. And if I miss you, my sister-in-law misses you even more.”
Xiao Juan moved her stool closer, sat beside Zhang Wenhua, and leaned her head on her shoulder. The young girl’s soft, coaxing voice was impossible to resist, let alone her heartfelt words that warmed everyone to the core.
“Don’t worry—if my brother dares to bully my sister-in-law, I’ll be the first to deal with him.” Xiao Juan shook her fist in Xiao Cheng’s direction. The latter smiled politely and said, “If you dare to bully your sister-in-law, I’ll be the first to deal with you too.”
“I would never! Don’t try to drive a wedge between us!” Xiao Juan was like a cat with its fur standing on end, almost jumping up.
“Then don’t drive a wedge between us either.” Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow coolly.
The back-and-forth between the siblings eased the tension that had been building in the room.
“Father, Mother, little brother—I know it’s a bit selfish to ask you to leave this place and move with Aiyun and me to the capital. But we truly want to live with you. These days together have given A-Juan and me a sense of family warmth we’ve never experienced before. You are our family now.”
“If you have concerns, you can stay in the capital for a while first. If it really doesn’t suit you, once things settle down here, Aiyun and I will personally bring you back and visit you during the holidays.”
Xiao Cheng’s words were flawless, every sentence sincere and heartfelt. With Lin Aiyun and Xiao Juan chiming in as well, Zhang Wenhua finally nodded. After all, they were already going to the capital for the wedding banquet anyway. Staying a little longer as Xiao Cheng suggested wasn’t a bad idea—it would also let them observe their life in the capital more closely.
With that settled, the whole family immediately began packing. Lin Aiyun went to the eldest uncle’s house to inform them. As it happened, the younger aunt’s family hadn’t left yet and was staying there, so she was able to tell them all at once. She stressed that this matter must be handled discreetly—since it concerned their own safety, they couldn’t afford to be overly benevolent.
If the news leaked and alerted anyone, making the liberation more difficult, that would be the greatest sin.
Besides, in her previous life, no one in the village had starved to death. They might go hungry, but with the mountains nearby, it wouldn’t be a major problem.
After hearing the news, the younger aunt hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to go to the capital. She would stay in Lanxi County with her family and visit them in the capital after things calmed down. Seeing her mind was made up, no one had any reason to persuade her otherwise.
The younger aunt’s family had originally planned to go home the day after tomorrow. Now that they knew the news, they decided to leave tomorrow to go back and buy grain early.
Lin Aiyun asked the younger aunt to pass the message to Aunt Hui once she returned to Lanxi County. Seeing her agree, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Before Zhang Wenyue left, Zhang Wenhua stuffed two bags of rice into her hands. Fortunately, they hadn’t brought much luggage, so they could barely carry the two bags back.
Taking advantage of the good weather, Lin Aiyun and Zhang Wenhua pulled out all the winter clothes and quilts, airing and washing them. What could be taken was packed into luggage; what couldn’t was locked away in chests.
Sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting shimmering reflections on the clear river, occasionally carrying a few green leaves drifting endlessly toward the distance, full of life.
Just as Lin Aiyun was washing clothes by the river, she encountered an unexpected visitor.
“Aiyun.” A familiar yet unfamiliar voice sounded from behind her. Lin Aiyun’s hands, scrubbing the clothes, paused for a moment.
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