Chapter 38: The Wobbly Chair
Qingyan never imagined he would be like this.
As someone who had no practical experience before and only saw “pigs running” in small videos as a “thought giant,” experiencing such a thing himself, especially with Qiu Henian involved, left him both embarrassed and quite shocked.
But the warmth inside the bed curtains allowed no room for further contemplation. His ankle was held, his knees bent.
In that moment, Qingyan bit his lip and turned his head away, trying to resist, but when unable to, he ended up biting the corner of the blanket, wetting it with saliva.
After it was over, Qingyan lay under the blanket, while Qiu Henian went to the basin stand to wash his hands. He took quite a while, drying his hands before returning to bed.
Qingyan, with a flushed face and moist eyes, looked at him without speaking.
Qiu Henian sat beside him, brushed his forehead gently, and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
Qingyan hesitated as if wanting to speak but stopping himself, mouth opening and closing before finally closing his eyes firmly and bravely asking, “Just now… do you… think I’m very wanton?”
At his words, Qiu Henian’s gaze dimmed slightly.
He lowered his head and kissed Qingyan’s rosy lips, his voice husky, “Don’t overthink it. You were like that because of me… you desired me,” his voice lowered further, “I feel fulfilled.”
Qingyan blushed deeply, his eyelashes fluttering, his lips half open, revealing a few white teeth and a hint of healthy pink gums.
He still looked at Qiu Henian with watery eyes, until the latter realized he had more to say, and asked proactively, “Don’t you want to sleep yet?”
Qingyan sat up, hands on the strong shoulders of the man, his face burning like fire, and whispered in his ear, “But I still feel restless.”
Qiu Henian’s hand on his knee gradually tightened, veins on the back of his hand and arm showing.
Qingyan looked up at him, eyes misty as if on the verge of tears from longing.
Qiu Henian lowered his eyelids, his Adam’s apple moved, closed his eyes briefly. He wanted to get up from the bed but Qingyan’s soft body lay half-leaning against him.
Though not heavy, he had no willpower to push him away.
Finally, as if resigned yet driven by an uncontrollable desire, his voice hoarse, he said, “There’s hemp rope in the next room. I’ll go get it.”
Confused, Qingyan looked up as he got up.
Qiu Henian’s voice became husky, sighing softly, “Qingyan, tie me up.”
…
The next day, both husbands woke up later than usual.
The chores from the shop piled up yesterday, so after breakfast and a few brief words, Qiu Henian hurried off to the shop.
Qingyan finished washing the dishes, went out to pour the slops, and met Chen Yu next door hanging clothes in the yard. Qingyan was in a particularly good mood, smiling brightly at him.
Chen Yu rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, “What’s with that expression of yours? It gives me goosebumps!”
Returning to the room, Qingyan deliberately looked in the mirror, wanting to see what his smile looked like. Upon closer inspection, he noticed his eyes and brows were filled with an unmistakable springtime charm today.
Even his skin looked fairer and more radiant than usual, appearing completely satisfied.
He hadn’t noticed his state all morning; Qiu Henian must have surely noticed, which embarrassed him.
Suddenly, Qingyan saw a wooden back chair beside the table, leaning askew and almost falling apart. His face flushed instantly.
He sat on another chair, and this time, his thighs and hips were sore, making him grimace. Unlike the last two times, it wasn’t painful afterwards, just a slight discomfort.
Last night, there wasn’t a suitable place to tie ropes on the bed, so they went to the ground.
Now, Qingyan could see faint traces left behind on the legs and armrests of the wobbly chair after the hemp ropes were tied. Qingyan’s stamina wasn’t great; he tired after a few rounds, his legs sore and he needed to rest for a while.
Repeatedly doing this several times, like scratching an itch through a boot, Qiu Henian’s eyes turned red. He looked like a wild beast losing reason in the woods.
He lost control again, but his hands and feet were restricted, so he had to follow the most primitive instincts like a trapped animal.
…
After tidying up the house and hanging last night’s sheets and blankets, Qingyan put on his outer robe and went to Qiuniang’s house. Together, they carried a basket of food and walked towards the field.
Today, Qiuniang was sending food to the hired workers in the field. Qingyan wanted to see the field, so he went with her.
Both their lands were passed down from the old Wang family, not far from each other, about an incense stick’s journey from the village.
A few hired workers came over to clear the land recently, probably tidying up.
Although Qingyan’s thirty acres of land were not far from Qiuniang’s, the natural conditions of the land were much worse.
The land was all near the foot of the mountain, with shallow soil and poor fertility.
The old worker Qiuniang found for him had told him that for the land to yield a good harvest this year, it should have been prepared since last autumn. All the necessary fertilizers should have been applied early, and the land should have been thoroughly irrigated before winter.
If he wanted to plant this year, he could, but planting first and then applying fertilizers and irrigation would greatly reduce the effectiveness. Even if the crop seedlings grew tall and strong, the grains they produced wouldn’t be plump.
Qingyan pondered over this for a while, discussed it with Qiu Henian, and listened to the opinions of the hired workers. Finally, they decided not to plant rice like other families but to plant soybeans and sweet potatoes in the field. They would also reserve a small plot for vegetables such as scallions, rapeseed, and cabbage. This way, they wouldn’t need to buy vegetables themselves; they could eat their own produce and even sell the surplus.
These crops were suitable for planting in barren land without needing too thick soil or much fertility.
Once they harvested this autumn, they would properly nourish the land, and next year, they wouldn’t have to worry about such things like this year. They could grow a wide variety of crops.
When they arrived, it was almost noon.
The oldest of the four hired workers saw them and called the others over for lunch.
Qiuniang and Qingyan were not unkind people. Farming was hard work, and they couldn’t work well if they didn’t eat enough or eat well
At noon, their packed lunch always included meat.
Several people spread some straw and sat on the field embankment. Qiuniang and Qingyan uncovered the cotton pads on top of the basket and arranged the dishes one by one.
There was a pot of pork belly stewed with cabbage and tofu, a plate of steamed egg cakes swimming in oil, and a large plate of shredded potatoes. The staple was steamed buns made of a mix of white and corn flour, enough to fill a large basin.
Seeing this meal, the hired workers were all pleased. They sat down to eat and courteously invited the two hosts who brought the food to join them.
Qiuniang laughed heartily, “We’ve already eaten before coming. It’s warm today, so take your time and rest after eating.”
One of the older workers, with hints of white hair at his temples, ate while remarking, “We’ve worked for many households, but you and this young man are the most considerate. Every meal is good, and the food is delivered promptly and still hot. You’re also very polite and thoughtful.”
Qingyan also smiled, “Both Qiuniang and I can’t be in the field every day. The future harvest of these thirty acres will depend on you. We can’t do without you!”
The hired workers were flattered. A younger worker slapped his thigh and said, “This young man understands. Let me tell you, even if the master watches every day, it’s up to us how well or poorly the work is done in the field. Isn’t that right?”
An older worker coughed nearby, and the young worker realized he had spoken too freely. He hurriedly assured them, embarrassed, “Big sister and this young man, rest assured. With your daily good meals and food, we will definitely work well for you!”
In the afternoon, after Qingyan spent some time learning to work in the fields, it was time to go back and cook dinner with Qiuniang.
All the way back, he groaned and rubbed his lower back, muttering, “Every grain is hard work.” Qiuniang found it amusing and said, “You delicate thing, maybe you should just deliver meals. If it gets too hot, you’ll melt away!”
When they got home, it was already late. They didn’t have time to stew dishes, and stir-frying alone wasn’t enough, so Qingyan decided to make braised noodles. He swiftly kneaded the dough and let it rest on the stove.
He also sliced the soaked wood ear mushrooms, cut the green peppers and pork into strips.
When the dough was ready, he rolled it into thin sheets and cut it into noodles with a knife. The noodles were now ready.
After finishing the braised sauce, Qiu Henian came home. Qingyan cooked the noodles, and when they were ready, they sat down in the outer room to eat.
During the meal, neither of them said a word, just eating with their heads down.
Although they hadn’t spoken or even looked much at each other, Qingyan’s face gradually turned red, a blush that he couldn’t hide or control.
After dinner, Qiu Henian helped him clean up and wash the pots and pans. When their fingertips accidentally touched, Qingyan felt a tingling sensation, and his face remained warm the whole time.
Once everything was cleaned up, Qiu Henian took the almost falling-apart chair outside and began repairing it with tools.
Qingyan sat beside him awkwardly, his face turning red again.
Qiu Henian glanced at him, smiled slightly when his gaze returned to his work. Qingyan covered his face, leaning on his knees, refusing to get up for quite some time.
Someone knocked on the door outside. Qiu Henian opened it, and after a while, Liu Fa and his wife came in together.
Today, Liu Fa’s tofu shop made tofu brains, and his wife sent a bowl over here.
Liu Fa placed the small bowl on the stove. Qingyan brought a stool for him, and he sat down, teasing while watching Qiu Henian work, “Wow, how hard did you sit on this chair? It’s almost falling apart!”
Qiu Henian paused, silent.
Qingyan blushed so much it looked like blood might drip, quickly turned his head and pretended to go inside to fetch water.
The chair wasn’t the only thing almost falling apart.
Last night, Qingyan’s voice sounded like a string of beads breaking, his toes curled up, his whole body tense, bones almost crumbling from the vigorous activity
Spoiler for the Next Chapter:
“If I lose control, Qingyan,” he looked into his eyes, “squeeze it hard. Don’t hesitate.”
