I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 203: Chapter 189: First Newlywed Experience (Part 3)

Lin Zhiyin didn’t shy away. That single touch seemed to pierce through the last, thin veil of bashfulness between them. Zhao Wendong grew bolder and moved a little closer, his shoulder pressing against hers. The warmth seeped through their cotton-padded clothes, bringing with it a sense of solid comfort that he found irresistible.

”Wife...”

Zhao Wendong’s voice was hoarse and dry, completely different from usual.

”We’re husband and wife now.”

”Mm.”

Lin Zhiyin’s soft reply was as fine as a silk thread, yet it sweetly pierced Zhao Wendong’s heart. She leaned into him gently, pressing their bodies tightly together and nestling herself completely into his embrace.

Their breathing grew heavier. Zhao Wendong slowly reached out, carefully taking Lin Zhiyin’s warm little hand in his. She entwined her fingers with his in response, a silent invitation.

Zhao Wendong propped himself up with his other arm, looking down at Lin Zhiyin. In the darkness, her sparkling eyes gazed back at him, her pupils reflecting only his image.

Their heads drew closer, and the atmosphere shifted from tender to fervent. Lin Zhiyin felt an uncomfortable heat spreading through her body. It was so hot she stuck her tongue out to cool down. One by one, their cotton-padded clothes were stripped off and tossed to the corner of the kang bed, but the heat remained. It wasn’t until the cold night air brushed against her bare skin that her hairs stood on end with a shiver.

An hour later, a sweat-drenched Zhao Wendong was painfully pulling at his hair.

”Fuck, why isn’t it working?”

”I... I don’t know either.”

Lin Zhiyin’s forehead was also beaded with sweat, and her face was a little pale from a mix of nervousness and shock. She was just as baffled.

”Forget it. We’ll have to ask someone later.”

”Aiya, who are we supposed to ask about something like this?!”

Zhao Wendong chuckled and pulled Lin Zhiyin into his arms.

”No wonder they used to have an old matron teach you before the wedding. Looks like we can’t figure this out on our own. Don’t worry, Wife. When my father-in-law and mother-in-law visit in a few days, you can ask her.”

”Mm.”

Held in Zhao Wendong’s arms, completely naked, Lin Zhiyin felt only a hint of shyness. What she felt more was a sense of security and bliss. She nodded in agreement and couldn’t help but yawn. They had been trying for so long, and even though they hadn’t succeeded, they were both utterly exhausted, mainly from the tension and excitement.

”You’re sleepy, aren’t you, Wife? Let’s sleep. I’ll hold you.”

”Mm, okay.”

Lin Zhiyin offered him a sweet kiss, and the two fell asleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, they were jolted awake by the sound of someone pounding on the door.

”Third Brother! Third Brother!”

Zhao Wenwu’s booming voice was exceptionally loud. Zhao Wendong opened his eyes and shouted back with a hint of resignation.

”I’m up, I’m up! Second Brother, stop pounding!”

By the time Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin got dressed and went outside, Zhao Wenwu and Jin Xiuying were already waiting for them. It was still dark out. Zhao Wendong checked his pocket watch; it wasn’t even seven o’clock.

”Third Brother, I woke up this morning and your second sister-in-law told me you two were up all night, saying something about ’can’t get in, can’t get in.’ Where were you two trying to get into?”

WHOOSH. In an instant, the faces of the other three turned beet red. Jin Xiuying swore to herself that she would never again share any private matters with Zhao Wenwu. The blabbermouth couldn’t even keep a secret for a single day before spilling the beans.

Lin Zhiyin rushed over and started tickling Jin Xiuying, and the two women dissolved into a fit of giggles and playful wrestling. Zhao Wendong’s face flushed. ’Being overheard isn’t the embarrassing part,’ he thought. ’After all, the walls in this day and age are thin as paper, and the whole family sleeps on one kang. It’s normal to hear things in the middle of the night. The key thing is that I didn’t get to successfully display my valor! I didn’t even storm the city gates! Now that’s truly embarrassing.’

”Shut up, Second Brother! Don’t you dare mention this to anyone else, you hear me? Or I’m cutting you out of my plans from now on.”

”Third Brother, I won’t say a word.”

Zhao Wenwu immediately clapped his hands over his mouth. ’Life with Third Brother is just too interesting,’ he thought. ’You get to eat your fill, get into fights, and even marry a soft wife to hold while you sleep. I can’t ever be separated from him!’ He genuinely couldn’t understand, though, why his brother wouldn’t let him talk about not being able to get in. What was there to hide?

The four of them returned to the old family house. Chen Yanmei and the others had already finished cooking. Zhao Ergou had also arrived early, as usual, and was squatting by the stove pit, poking at something.

As Zhao Wendong walked over, he saw that he was roasting sparrows. A plate of already-cooked ones sat on the stove nearby, emitting an irresistible, fragrant aroma.

”Haha, roasted sparrows! They smell delicious!”

Zhao Wenwu happily snatched one up and devoured half of it in a single bite. He then handed the rest to Jin Xiuying, mumbling indistinctly with his mouth full.

”Wife, you eat. It’s so good.”

Not to be outdone, Zhao Wendong immediately grabbed one for Lin Zhiyin.

”Wife, you eat.”

Watching the four of them acting so sweet and lovey-dovey, Chen Yanmei couldn’t suppress a smile.

Song Xiaoyu was a woman of experience; she and Zhao Wenjun had been just as clingy when they first got married. Shaking her head with a smile, she continued carrying dishes into the room.

During the meal, the plate of roasted sparrows was the first thing to disappear. Everyone ate their fill but was still left wanting more. Zhao Wendong said to Chen Yanmei,

”Mom, if you all like these, remember to collect the sparrows that get caught in the nets every day. We’ll save them up, get some oil for the New Year, and fry them!”

”Alright, got it!”

Chen Yanmei nodded, glanced at Zhao Dashan, and then spoke.

”Youngest son, your father and I talked it over yesterday. If you don’t want to split the family assets, then we won’t. It’s fair to say you’re the one who brought in all the money and grain we have. So, in a couple of days, once Zhiyin and Xiuying are free, they can help me take stock of our savings. We’ll see how much more we need to build a house for you. And to my eldest and second sons, don’t you worry. After Dongzi’s brick-and-tile house is built, the family will build yours next. What do you all think?”

Zhao Wenjun and Song Xiaoyu quickly nodded, showing they had no objections. Jin Xiuying also nodded, saying they would follow their lead. Seeing their three sons living in harmony, Zhao Dashan and Chen Yanmei beamed with happiness. Lin Zhiyin had initially wanted to be modest and decline the offer, but she glanced at Zhao Wendong, who simply smiled and nodded at her. So, she smiled too and accepted Chen Yanmei’s plan.

No one felt it was unfair. In fact, they all felt that Zhao Wendong was the one getting the short end of the stick. Without him, they wouldn’t just be unable to build a legendary, undreamed-of brick-and-tile house; even getting enough to eat would be a problem. They’d be lucky not to starve. Zhao Wendong also felt this arrangement was for the best. Wasn’t the whole reason he was reborn to come back and enjoy a happy life with his family? Keeping too close a count of every little thing would only spoil the beauty of it all.