I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 202: Chapter 189: Newlywed’s First Experience 2

”Brother San, I’m willing. Niu Guizhi is a good woman.”

Zhao Ergou came over and stated his intentions directly, without beating around the bush. Zhao Wendong gave him an appreciative look and nodded.

”Alright, then it’s settled. After the New Year, we’ll have Aunt Xiufen pay them a visit. Just get ready for your wedding, hahaha.”

”Oh, yes, thank you, Dongzi! But what about the bride price and all that?”

”You don’t need to worry about any of that. Her family isn’t picky.”

Zhang Yufen was so happy she didn’t know what to do with her hands and could only wipe away tears of excitement. She never imagined that in less than a month, not only would her family have no worries about food or clothing, but they would soon have a daughter-in-law.

During dinner, Zhao Wendong told Zhao Dashan and Chen Yanmei about the plan to arrange a marriage for Er Gouzi. Their faces lit up with gratification. Lin Zhiyin fed the deboned crucian carp to Little Tuanzi, who was so delighted by the delicious taste that she bounced up and down, overjoyed.

”Third Brother, the fish is so yummy.”

”Haha, it’s good, huh? Third Brother will go catch more for you tomorrow.”

Hearing that Zhao Wendong and the others were going into the mountains tomorrow, Lin Zhiyin quickly recounted what Zhao Weiguo had told them that day.

”Today, Uncle Weiguo and Third Master said they want me and Second Sister-in-Law to be the team’s accountant and work-point recorder.”

Upon hearing this, the Zhao family members all beamed. This was great news. Being a cadre on the team committee meant that, at the very least, their work wouldn’t be so strenuous. It wasn’t a job just anyone could do, either, as it required one to be literate and skilled with an abacus.

Zhao Wendong was also very supportive and nodded at once.

”Do it. This is a good thing. The two of you should take the jobs.”

”But then we can’t go to the mountains with you tomorrow.”

”Hah, as if you’re any help when we go into the mountains anyway.”

”Zhao Wendong!”

”Hahaha.”

Laughter and playful chaos erupted again. It wasn’t just the Zhao family members; the little animals on the kang bed weren’t idle either. Xiaobai was constantly bullying Little Xiaobai, prompting Zhuangzhuang the little tiger to righteously intervene. The three animals were in a constant back-and-forth, tumbling into a single heap. Luckily, they knew they were on the same side, so even when they fought, they never went for the kill. Even so, it kept Little Tuanzi and Shitou busy. They would take a couple of bites of food before having to run over and break up the fight.

By the time dinner was over, the sky had long since grown dark. Chen Yanmei had taken Song Xiaoyu, Lin Zhiyin, and Zhao Wenjun to clean up the two houses at the educated youth point. The thought of her second and third sons moving out to live on their own brought a mix of emotions to Chen Yanmei. She had previously offered to give the money to Zhao Wendong for him to divide, but both he and Jin Xiuying had disagreed. They all made it clear that although they would be living separately, the family was not splitting up.

Even though Zhao Wenjun’s family had technically moved out, they had always eaten and used resources together. Chen Yanmei was very pleased with the younger generation’s attitude, and she was happier than words could say. After all, as long as the family didn’t split, she and Zhao Dashan could still feel young. If they truly did divide the family, it would immediately bring a sense of desolation, as if they were no longer needed.

The four of them—Zhao Wendong, Lin Zhiyin, Zhao Wenwu, and his wife—each carried their own bedding and two flashlights as they walked toward their temporary little seaside home. Zhao Wenjun had bought three more flashlights in the county last time, so now each family unit was guaranteed to have one for light. Zhao Wenwu no longer had to fight with the rest of the family over one.

When they reached the educated youth point, the four of them stopped. Before they could decide who would take which house, Zhao Wendong looked at Zhao Wenwu with a smile.

”Second Brother, you pick. Which one do you want?”

Zhao Wenwu thought for a moment, then pointed to the one for the male educated youths.

”This room is bigger. You take it.”

”You take it. You’re a big guy, the kang in the other one is too small for you. Hehe, time for bed, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-Law.”

After speaking, Zhao Wendong led Lin Zhiyin into the smaller room for the female educated youths and lit the kerosene lamp. Lin Zhiyin scanned the familiar yet strange room, ripples of emotion stirring in her heart. Starting today, this former educated youth point was her and Zhao Wendong’s home. Two years ago, she, Lin Zhiyin, had arrived alone in this land of ice and snow, and now, finally, her life had taken a turn.

The two sat on the kang, looking at each other, both at a loss and slightly flustered. One was a worldly yet innocent maiden who had grown up seeing much of life, the other an old bachelor living his second life—a man who’d consumed a world of theory yet remained a total novice in practice. Both seemed to know a lot, but their practical experience was zero.

”Um, I’m going to stoke the fire for the kang. You should sleep first.”

Zhao Wendong couldn’t stand the atmosphere and got up, practically fleeing to go get firewood. Seeing his state, the equally nervous Lin Zhiyin couldn’t help but crack a smile. She took out the small mirror Zhao Wendong had given her and looked at her reflection. Her gaze finally landed on her marriage certificate, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

The night grew deeper. Outside, a round moon illuminated the seaside as if it were day. The kerosene lamp inside had been extinguished. The warmth of the heated kang, filtering through the mat, was so comforting it seemed to melt one’s very bones. This was because, in those years, no family could afford a proper mattress pad. Zhao Wendong thought to himself that his own household would have to get one eventually; otherwise, they would wake up in the summer covered in indentations.

Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin lay side by side. It wasn’t the first time they had slept this close, but for some reason, their hearts were exceptionally restless and agitated tonight. Each other’s scents seemed particularly pleasant. The man’s faint smell of sweat and the woman’s natural fragrance mingled, stirring an unspoken desire.

Zhao Wendong gripped the edge of the bedding tightly, his heart pounding. In his peripheral vision, he could see Lin Zhiyin lying on her side, her long, dark hair spread across the pillow. Only half of her side profile was visible. She could feel the heat radiating from Zhao Wendong’s body, wrapping around her in waves, making even the air feel thick and sticky.

The room was so quiet they could hear each other’s heartbeats, one following the other, slowly falling into the same rhythm. Zhao Wendong finally shifted slightly toward her, his arm brushing against Lin Zhiyin’s.