Han Dongchen heard this nervous voice and felt somewhat uneasy. He was used to her fierce nature and her shouts, so to suddenly hear such a small, soft voice made him frown involuntarily. Was she scared by what happened today? Aware of the trouble she's caused? Hence her timidity, her fear?
When he thought about it, he realized he had never seen anything like this before. On the second day after their wedding, she had beaten his mother and then cried out to their son for help, which was indeed a strange event.
However, the impact of this incident was not good. Although his mother was at fault, this type of arrogance could not be tolerated.
So, he hardened his heart and said coldly: "I am Han Dongchen, your husband".
Su Xiaowan had been observing his face all this while, examining his expressions. She noticed that while he had initially frowned, his gaze had softened afterward, but somehow, his tone had turned cold again. That must be because of the matter involving his mother.
Ah! If only money could buy foresight. If she had known that it was his mother, she would never have given into the temptation to beat her. One way or another, she would have to pay back the debt of hitting his mother, sooner or later.
Upon hearing his cold response, she shrank back slightly and replied tremblingly: "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know her, but as soon as I woke up, she hit me. She kept saying that I had been sold. I couldn't respond in time. I thought I had met a bad person. So many people were watching me get beaten, but no one came to save me. I thought, I thought I was not going to make it, so, so, I'm sorry, I didn't know, please forgive me".
After speaking, she watched him carefully, tears welling up in her eyes. She was silently communicating that ignorance should be excused. Indeed, given the extent of her memories, she hardly knew anything herself.
Han Dongchen looked at her petite figure, her eyes wet and pleading. Her hair appeared somewhat dishevelled, giving her a fluffy look, and he felt a strange urge to reach out and touch her head. How peculiar, he thought. How could a few words have such an effect on him?
Although, he knew what kind of person his mother was. Easily swayed by others, not thinking about consequences once provoked. She could be easily placated with some kind words and coaxing. Otherwise, how could she spend 500 yuan to marry off a daughter-in-law? Even though there were other factors involved, only she could be capable of something like this.
As for who provoked her to beat up the new bride on the second day of marriage, he already knew who it was - his own sister, Han Chun Hua. And so, his tone softened and he said: "There is great virtue in admitting one's mistake and correcting it. Whether I forgive you or not depends on your behaviour tomorrow".
Su Xiaowan thought: Oh, I'll have to continue battling tomorrow. But, considering that he had softened his tone, my strategy of acting cute seems effective. At least, the hurdle of hitting his mother is temporarily overcome.
Immediately raising her voice a bit, she responded: "Yes, I'll behave nicely tomorrow, thank you. You're a good person. My name is Su Xiaowan. You can call me Xiao Wan".
Han Dongchen responded coolly: "Yes, I know. Go to sleep early if nothing else is there".
Su Xiaowan thought: Sleep? What a joke, my objective hasn't been achieved yet. Expecting me to sleep this early? Hence, she looked at him with her big, innocent eyes, wanting to say something but unable to do so, her hand gripping the quilt tightly.
After seeing her hesitating to speak, Han Dongchen asked: "Do you have anything else to say?"
I've been waiting for these exact words, she thought, and then with a resolute look, she began: "When my mother was alive, she told me that when I get married, my husband would protect me, and would not let anyone hit me or starve me, and he would love me dearly, just like how my father loved my mother. You said just now you're my husband. Will you protect me?"
What has been said before is actually not that important, the last sentence is the key. In a pile of words, it's often the last one that leaves the deepest impression.
Han Dongchen was moved by her determined and hopeful eyes, and her crisp voice. It prompted a surge of bravery within him. At his young age, he was a passionate young man and it was only right for a man to protect his wife with courage, regardless of anything else. It was a responsibility. Thus, he nodded with conviction, "Rest assured, I will protect you in the future."
Su Xiaowan thought to herself: I knew you would say that. She delighted inside, but didn't miss a beat, she immediately straightened her back, leaned forward half-kneeling on the quilt, then with bright and steadfast eyes, she looked at him and asked, "Is it true, will you really protect me?"
Han Dongchen was infected by her expectant eyes. He didn't want to refuse her, as if doing so would make him despicable. He quickly replied, "Yes, it's true. I will protect you. I am a soldier, you should trust me."
He thought to himself: he had been a soldier for so many years and had taken on so many missions, often in dangerous battlefields. Otherwise, how could he, without any foundation, have been promoted so quickly? If he could manage such tough tasks, how could he not protect a frail girl like her? At this moment, he completely forgot that earlier this morning, his mother had even bullied her.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaowan grinned inwardly, revealing a big smile on her face. Her eyes, curved like crescent moons, flickered with joy. She ecstatically said, "That's great, you're really wonderful! Finally, I have someone to rely on. I won't ever have to worry about being bullied or beaten again. I trust you, you are a soldier, the most admirable person in the world. I trust you. From now on, I'll follow you wherever you go."
Han Dongchen was also quite happy, it felt good to be trusted. He swiftly assured her, "Alright, don't worry, no one will be able to bully you as long as I'm there." His lips curved into a grin, but it quickly disappeared as he recalled her words, "I will follow you wherever you go."
He then realized the difficulty. If she followed him to join the military now, his mother would never agree. Although he didn't involve himself in the family affairs, he had heard that the major reason his mother had chosen Su Xiaowan as his wife was because she could help them ease the burden at home.
His elder brother was an honest man, but his sister-in-law was lazy and cunning, she bore them two sons and because of that, she considered herself a hero in the Han family. She worked less, and idled away her time.
The two boys in his elder brother's family were at an age where they were not particularly loved or looked after. His younger sister had married into the neighboring village; because of its proximity, she shamelessly returned home very often for free meals. His youngest brother and second sister were twins, but they were very different. The younger brother was proud and indifferent, focusing only on studying, soon he would be going to high school, and he was their mother's favorite.
His second sister hadn't had much schooling. She was soft-spoken, well-behaved and sensible. Because she was quiet, she wasn't the mother's favorite, and was almost invisible in the house. She did most of the housework.
This was a bit problematic. He only realized he had gotten himself into this situation now.
Su Xiaowan saw his fading smile and the sudden stiffening of his expression. She knew he had sensed it. It hadn't been easy to dig this trap for someone as smart as him, and to make him jump in.
She was lucky that people were naive and straightforward. They had never encountered someone as cute and cunning as her. She realized she was halfway through being successful. She had to keep pushing, to prevent him from backing out now.
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Xiaowan replied with teary eyes, "Han Dongchen, you are a great person. No one has treated me this well since my parents passed away. Don't worry, I am very obedient, I eat very little and I know all the household chores, and I can cook delicious food." Then she looked at him with pitiful eyes.
Looking at the girl in front of him, moved to tears and looking pitiful, Han Dongchen's heart sank rather than leaped in joy. He was very aware of his family's situation, if he were to take her with him now, his mother would strongly oppose it. But leaving her behind would mean she would suffer. He knew all too well the type of person his mother was.