TL: Etude
"Big sister, if you keep talking about this, I'll... I'll stop talking to you."
Lin Wanqiu stomped her feet, both anxious and embarrassed.
Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "Alright, alright, look how flustered you are. I didn't really say anything."
She knew her younger sister was thin-skinned and would probably start crying if she continued.
"But Wanqiu, not to criticize you, but you're already an old married couple. Why are you still sleeping separately?"
Lin Wanqing frowned slightly, not understanding.
"I... I..."
Lin Wanqiu fiddled with the hem of her dress, her head buried in her chest, unable to speak.
Lin Wanqing wrapped her arms around her sister's waist and said, "Wanqiu, Chen Jianghai is a good man. And I can tell he cares about you a lot, he must love you dearly. So don't let this issue cause any misunderstandings between you."
Seeing Lin Wanqiu still hanging her head without speaking, Lin Wanqing knew it was useless to say more. She patted her arm and said, "Think about it yourself! I'm exhausted from sitting in the car all day, I'm going to sleep."
With that, Lin Wanqing returned to her own room.
Lin Wanqiu hesitated outside for a long time before slowly stepping into the room, where she saw Chen Jianghai sitting on the bed, not yet asleep.
"You... why haven't you slept yet?"
Lin Wanqiu asked with a blush on her pretty face.
Chen Jianghai naturally replied, "I was waiting for you!"
Hearing him say that, Lin Wanqiu's face turned even redder, and she didn't dare to meet his eyes.
She bowed her head again, whispering, "Why wait for me? If you're sleepy, just go to sleep."
"Is there an extra quilt at home?" Chen Jianghai followed up with his question.
Lin Wanqiu paused, then looked up at him in confusion and asked, "What do you need a quilt for?"
"We always sleep separately at home, and I'm worried you're not used to it. I'll just make do with a makeshift bed on the floor today!"
Chen Jianghai pointed to the ground as he spoke.
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu felt a surge of emotion.
This man was always considering her feelings.
"No need, let's... let's sleep together tonight," Lin Wanqiu mustered her courage to say.
After spending the past half month together, Lin Wanqiu felt that Chen Jianghai had really changed, becoming a man worthy of her lifelong commitment.
Even if he hadn't been very impressive before, he had now completely reformed.
A prodigal who returns is more precious than gold.
As long as he could lead a good life, Lin Wanqiu was willing to walk with him through thick and thin.
Chen Jianghai was momentarily startled, then noticing Lin Wanqiu's demeanor, he quickly understood.
Completely unprepared!
But as a man, he certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity.
So he immediately walked up to her with excitement, wrapped Lin Wanqiu in his arms, and said with utmost tenderness, "Baby, I will definitely love you for a lifetime!"
"You... be gentle!"
Lin Wanqiu murmured with her head down.
As the saying goes, a single night of spring is worth a thousand gold.
The warmth of the moment in the small room was indescribable, as they enjoyed their profound intimacy.
...
The next day, Chen Jianghai, feeling refreshed, stretched out in bed and casually wrapped his arm around the blushing Lin Wanqiu beside him.
Touching her smooth, creamy skin and breathing in the faint fragrance from her hair, Chen Jianghai didn't feel like getting up at all.
He finally understood what was meant by the saying: The night of spring is short, and the day breaks high; from now on, the king will not hold court at dawn.
Lin Wanqiu, her face red, tried to sit up but uttered a soft moan, apparently moving a sore spot.
Chen Jianghai quickly supported her and said, "Wanqiu, just sleep a little longer."
"Your hand... let go."
Lin Wanqiu whispered softly.
It was only then that Chen Jianghai realized, in his haste to help her, his hand had landed on a supple and elastic softness.
"Haha! It was unintentional, all unintentional."
Chen Jianghai laughed, helping Lin Wanqiu to lie back down.
"Are you two still not up? Mom has made breakfast already, come out and eat quickly."
Outside the door came the voice of the elder sister-in-law, Lin Wanqing.
"Alright, we'll be right there," Chen Jianghai hastily replied.
Lin Wanqiu, however, covered her head with the quilt, feeling a bit too embarrassed to face anyone.
After getting up, Chen Jianghai asked, "Wanqiu, shall I tell them you're not feeling well, and you rest a bit more, and then go straight home later?"
"No!"
Lin Wanqiu hurriedly said, "Wait for me a bit, let's go out together."
If she stayed in bed all morning, or acted unwell, the family would surely guess something.
Lin Wanqiu, with her thin skin, couldn't endure that.
Chen Jianghai then asked with concern, "Wanqiu, are you feeling better now? Do you need help dressing?"
"No, no, I can do it myself." Seeing Chen Jianghai reaching for her undergarments, Lin Wanqiu quickly got up and snatched them away, resulting in a brief flash of springtime.
Chen Jianghai didn't insist, simply nodding, "Then you do it, I'll wait for you."
"You... you go out and wait for me," Lin Wanqiu said through clenched teeth, pointing to the door.
"Oh, alright!"
Seeing his wife's flushed, shy expression, Chen Jianghai smiled, stepped outside, and waited.
After a short while, Lin Wanqiu came out from the inside, still walking a little awkwardly.
Chen Jianghai quickly stepped forward to support her, whispering, "Be careful."
"No need to help, I can walk," Lin Wanqiu said softly, pushing Chen Jianghai away, worried the family might notice something off.
Chen Jianghai couldn't help but laugh and tease, "You think you can hide it from your mom with the way you are now?"
"Is it that obvious?" Lin Wanqiu bit her lip worriedly.
Chen Jianghai stroked her hair and said, "It's okay, we're husband and wife in every legitimate sense, what can they say?"
With Chen Jianghai's comforting, Lin Wanqiu's mental burden finally seemed to lighten a little.
At the breakfast table, Chen Jianghai greeted everyone and then sat down without saying more.
Xue Chunli didn't speak either, just buried her head in eating.
But Lin Wanqing and Lin Wanqiu, the two sisters, chirped nonstop, easing the atmosphere at the table somewhat.
Chen Jianghai felt that this state of life was actually quite comfortable, especially seeing Lin Wanqiu's smiling face, he felt an inexplicable satisfaction.
As long as Lin Wanqiu was happy and free from worries and sorrows, that was enough for him.
...
Early Monday morning, Chen Jianghai was waiting at the bus stop with his bag, while Lin Wanqiu was saying goodbye to Lin Wanqing.
"Sister, how many more days will you be staying at home?" Lin Wanqiu asked, holding onto her sister's hand.
Even though they were sisters who had grown up together, parting was inevitable after getting married.
Especially in this era when travel was still slow, and Lin Wanqing was working hard in a big city, it was uncertain when they would see each other again.
Lin Wanqing replied, "I'm not sure for how many days, but since I'm rarely home, I want to spend more time with Mom and Dad."
"Sister, let me know before you leave," Lin Wanqiu said with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
Lin Wanqing smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I will tell you. When you have time, come home more often to see Mom and Dad, they're very concerned about you."
"I understand, sister, I really don't know when I'll be able to see you again, I'll really miss you," Lin Wanqiu said, becoming a little sentimental.
"Silly little sister."
Lin Wanqing stroked her sister's face with a smile, "If you really miss your sister, come and stay with me for a while."
"Sister, going to your place costs quite a bit!" Lin Wanqiu shook her head.
Lin Wanqing then joked, "Didn't you say your husband can earn money? How much can a trip cost?"
"Sister..." Lin Wanqiu's tone carried a whine.
Lin Wanqing didn't continue on this topic, just smilingly reminded, "Alright, the bus is here, you should get going."
Chen Jianghai, hearing this, waved goodbye to Lin Wanqing and led Lin Wanqiu towards the bus.
Looking at the departing bus, Lin Wanqing whispered to herself, "Take care of yourself too."
The wheels of the bus rolled, carrying the young couple into the hustle and bustle of the early morning, disappearing amidst the flowing traffic and the misty rain of the city.
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Wow, that was early. Or late, I guess. We didn't get any fun details though :P
Jk