Chapter 138
When they returned home in the evening, Jindou, tired from playing, went to sleep early. The couple, having finished reading, weren’t sleepy yet, so they lay in bed chatting softly.
“Earlier, when you went to town to buy fish in the morning, Xiao Zhuang’s mother came by and brought a lot of food,” Qingyan said.
Qiu Henian leaned against the headboard and asked, “I remember Xiao Zhuang’s engagement is set for next spring. Have they decided on the exact date?”
Qingyan shook his head and replied, “I asked Xiao Zhuang’s mother. She said Xiao Zhuang went to the girl’s family yesterday to deliver New Year’s gifts and mentioned discussing the date after the New Year with both parents.”
Qiu Henian nodded thoughtfully and said, “I checked the almanac. There are auspicious dates for weddings in both February and March, but not in April, and May would be too late.”
Smiling at this, Qingyan said, “You, as their master, are quite attentive. Once they set the date, we’ll have to arrange for gifts. Think about what would be appropriate. Spring is a busy time for your shop, so if you’re busy, I can prepare them for you.”
Qiu Henian responded with a grunt of agreement.
The two chatted leisurely for a while longer. Qingyan’s hand grew tired, so he changed positions, laying his arm flat and resting his head on it. One leg was bent forward, and his knee lightly touched Qiu Henian’s thigh.
Qiu Henian glanced over and paused his gaze there for a moment before looking back at Qingyan.
Qingyan smiled sweetly at him, lips rosy and teeth white, with a radiant expression.
Qiu Henian stared at him for a while before turning his head to look at the ceiling.
Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and they had to get up early to paste couplets and set off firecrackers. There was still plenty of work to do during the day, so they couldn’t stay up too late.
However, Qingyan shifted closer, resting his forehead on Qiu Henian’s shoulder and softly saying, “Henian…”
Qiu Henian’s Adam’s apple moved as he turned to look at Qingyan.
Looking up, eyelashes fluttering, Qingyan said softly, “Henian, I want another child, a companion for Jindou.”
Qiu Henian seemed to take a deep breath before speaking, “Don’t worry. As Xiao Zhuang grows more capable, with an older brother to support him in the future, he won’t suffer.”
Qingyan shook his head, “It’s not the same. They will have a significant age difference and won’t play together.”
Qiu Henian sat up, facing Qingyan, and said, “When Jindou was born, you suffered a lot. I don’t want to see you go through that pain again.”
Qingyan gently placed his injured hand on Qiu Henian’s leg, looking at him.
“But I’m willing, and the old doctor said it wouldn’t be as difficult as the first time.”
Qiu Henian lowered his eyes, silent.
Softly and lightly, Qingyan pleaded, “You promised me. You said you’d listen to me in everything.”
Qiu Henian replied, “Except for things that would hurt you.”
Feeling aggrieved, Qingyan said, “Not giving me a child hurts me.”
Qiu Henian was at a loss and said, “Qingyan, we need to be careful.”
Qingyan said, “I’ve thought about this for a long time before telling you. As I get older, it’s not as good to have children. I’ve been thinking about this, and I hope you won’t make me wait until I’m older to agree.”
At his words, Qiu Henian fell silent. Qingyan lifted his head, resting his face on Qiu Henian’s thigh, gently rubbing against it, and said, “So how about this, we won’t force it. If it happens, it happens. Let nature take its course, okay?”
Qiu Henian raised his hand to stroke Qingyan’s head.
After a while, he finally gave a low “Hmm.”
Qingyan was happy, opening his arms to embrace his waist warmly, his breath warming Qiu Henian’s abdomen.
After holding back for a while, Qiu Henian couldn’t resist anymore. He pulled his arm out from under Qingyan’s embrace. Qingyan looked up at him, and Qiu Henian got out of bed, put on his shoes, and bent over to hold Qingyan horizontally in his arms, heading towards the next room.
Qingyan understood and obediently nestled in his embrace, pursing his lips and smiling, letting him carry himself into the adjacent room.
Jindou in bed slept soundly all the while, undisturbed. When they left, only Amiao, sleeping beside Jindou, lifted her head briefly, then boredly nestled back onto Jindou’s little arm and closed her eyes again.
In the next room, the bed creaked and squeaked for quite a while.
Fair, tender, fragrant, soft, smooth.
Qiu Henian tried to restrain himself, after all, there were things to do tomorrow, but in such moments of abandon, it was hard to maintain reason.
They had been married for so many years, with children running around, yet this matter never tired him enough.
At the critical moment, Qiu Henian gritted his teeth and tried to resist, intending to withdraw as before.
However, Qingyan suddenly woke up from his trance, tightly wrapping his arms and legs around the man, not allowing him to retreat, kissing his ear and murmuring, “You promised me, let nature take its course…”
Qiu Hedian couldn’t hold back anymore, quickly thrusted a few more times, and soon released.
Qingyan curled his toes, trembling, and his body deep inside received long-absent full moisture.
The two rested for a while, kissed for a while, cleaned up, and went back to the room to lie down and sleep.
The next morning, Qiu Hedian didn’t wake Qingyan up, got up quietly, and pasted spring couplets.
However, the sound of firecrackers outside woke Qingyan up.
Jindou was also woken up. When Qingyan got up, he dressed Jindou in his clothes and put on a small padded jacket.
When they left the house, Qiu Hedian hadn’t finished pasting the spring couplets. Jindou became interested and had his father teach him step by step to paste the character “福*”.
*T/N: prosperity, luck
After they finished at home, they went next door to Aunt Li’s to paste them.
As usual, Aunt Li cooked a pot of noodles on New Year’s Eve morning. The four of them gathered around the table in the outer room and had a warm breakfast.
Jindou woke up earlier than usual this morning. Logically, he shouldn’t have had much of an appetite.
But he had just pasted the spring couplets and was all excited now, so he ate most of a bowl by himself. Aunt Li couldn’t help patting him on the head, she was so happy.
After breakfast, they set their bowls down. It was just starting to snow outside.
Aunt Li pushed the door open a crack, took a look outside, and sighed, “A timely snowfall promises a prosperous year. Looks like it’s going to be a good year!”
“This Chinese New Year went more smoothly than the past few years.
The shop and stall made quite a bit of money, and San Yao’s land yielded a good harvest.
Jindou has grown up, well-behaved and amusing, bringing much laughter to the table.
Nian Sheng passed the provincial exam this year, ranking first in the county. When this was mentioned at the dinner table, San Yao even happily drank several cups of wine.
In the past, everyone treated Nian Sheng like a child, but now, even the adults pour wine for him and drink a few cups together.
These past two years, matchmakers have been eyeing their doorstep. A couple of years ago, Nian Sheng was still young, so Qiuniang wasn’t in a hurry. Now that Nian Sheng is of marriageable age, Qiuniang is even less anxious.
It’s still early enough to think about marriage after the child achieves success in the imperial examinations.
Another busy year has passed by, each year better than the last, and every day filled with hope.
There are difficulties and worries too, but as a united family, helping each other, we can get through anything!”
