"Swish… Swish…"
Rustling water sounds came from the courtyard. Wang Daniu, dazed and confused, opened his eyes and instinctively reached down, half-thinking he had wet the bed.
He tiptoed out of bed, pulled open a sliver of the door, and under the moonlight saw a seductive woman scooping water and pouring it over her shoulders, ladle by ladle.
It turned out to be his sister-in-law, Jiang Yinwa, taking a bath, the water cascading down her fair skin, smooth and sliding.
Wang Daniu felt his blood about to boil and quickly swallowed his saliva.
Peeping was thrilling, but he craved something more tangible or he would burst.
He couldn't care less at this point; this woman was his sister-in-law, but today he was going all out.
Wang Daniu pushed the door open, walked out bare-chested, and from behind, he embraced Jiang Yinwa, who was still bathing.
Jiang Yinwa jerked in shock, about to scream, but a large hand covered her mouth.
"Sister-in-law, it's me. Don't scream," he said.
Jiang Yinwa shivered all over, never dreaming that the person behind her would be so bold.
Since her husband's death, she hadn't been close to a man in three years. Suddenly being held by her grown-up brother-in-law, she was indescribably tingling and trembling.
"Da Niu, we can't cross this line; we will be drowned in spit," she said.
Jiang still struggled forcefully.
But her meager strength quickly sank into a quagmire as two strong hands drew her even closer, almost leaving her breathless.
Intense breathing sounded in her ear, "Why not? My brother has been dead for almost three years now. Shall we still wait?"
Wang Daniu's eyes blazed with a fierce glow as he greedily stared at his sister-in-law's pale, jade-like skin.
Jiang Yinwa's resistance was expected; in this little mountain village, a relationship between a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law was not acceptable.
But Wang Daniu was a twenty-two-year-old adult man.
His sister-in-law, Jiang Yinwa, was only about twenty-five or twenty-six, not only beautiful but also with skin as tender as any college girl's.
In his youth, Wang Daniu only felt hot and restless, as if he were about to explode with hormones.
He lost control and pounced on her.
Under the moonlight, their two shadows almost clung together.
Wang Daniu passionately kissed Jiang Yinwa's earlobes, and she, too, was hot all over, her eyes hazy.
The two of them were on the verge of crossing a line, but in the end, Jiang Yinwa summoned all her strength to push Wang Daniu away.
"No, you should find a good woman," she said.
Jiang Yinwa covered her chest, daring not look at Wang Daniu in his vigorous state.
"What's wrong, sister-in-law! It's you that I constantly think of; I dream of being with you, and I can't control myself," he said.
Wang Daniu had had many a wet dream, always doing that kind of thing with his sister-in-law.
The bed sheets would be drenched when he awoke.
Eye to eye, Wang Daniu's eyes were bloodshot, like a hungry wolf, lunging again.
"Da Niu, don't mess around," Jiang warned, using her hands and feet and shouting sternly.
Wang Daniu simply grabbed her waist and thighs, lifted her out of the tub with one effort, carried her straight into the house, and threw her onto the bed.
"Sister-in-law, since my brother left, no man has kept you company. You must feel very empty now, right?" he said.
Being a widow for three years was tough, and Wang Daniu struck Jiang Yinwa's sore spot.
She hung her head in silence.
Wang Daniu's mouth curled into a sly smile, and he began to unbuckle his belt, soon standing before her in the nude.
"Sister-in-law, you see how much I resemble my brother. Pretend I'm him for a while, and I'll treat you as my wife, and we'll have a good time,"
Jiang Yinwa's heart fluttered at the suggestion. After living with Wang Daniu day and night for three years, how could she be without feelings?
Wang Daniu was handsome and well-built, an object of desire for countless women.
"Da Niu, I don't want to hold you back. With your qualities, which woman wouldn't love you?"
Hearing this, Wang Daniu laughed even more heartily and reached for Jiang Yinwa's hand, slowly placing it on his chest.
"So, your modesty is all an act? You do have feelings for me, right?"
"My brother was weak and left no children. If we get together, we'll surely have a son."
Jiang Yinwa shuddered. Her deceased husband had been sickly; every time they got excited, it ended abruptly, never fulfilling, let alone leaving a child.
But here was Wang Daniu, a strong and vigorous young man, and that thing of his was incredibly powerful.
Any woman with him would be over the moon with pleasure.
Jiang Yinwa's inner conflict grew more intense, her cheeks reddening like an apple.
When Wang Daniu moved closer again, Jiang Yinwa only put up a token resistance before coyly slipping under the covers.
Wang Daniu hugged Jiang Yinwa and sniffed her deeply, "Sister-in-law, you smell so good. No matter what, today I'll turn our raw rice into cooked rice. Don't be nervous."
Soon, the quilt began to heave, and the wooden bed creaked, as if the thin layer of window paper would be pierced.
"Cough cough!"
A harsh cough sounded, the lamp in the eastern room lit up, and the two's movements came to an abrupt halt.
"That's bad, Grandpa's woken up," Jiang said nervously as she fumbled for her clothes.
"You shameless cur, engaging in such indecent acts. I'll break your damn legs,"
Their commotion was too much and eventually woke the old grandfather who stormed in with his walking stick, aiming a hit right at Wang Daniu's behind.
"Ouch, Grandpa, please don't actually hit me."
Da Niu feared neither heaven nor earth but was terrified of his grandfather's wrath. In the heat of the moment, he couldn't care less, pulling up his pants and leaping out of bed.
The old man, wielding his cane, chased after him to strike. Out of options, Wang Daniu had to abandon his sister-in-law and flee.
The village they lived in was called Peach Blossom Village, surrounded by cliffs where even during the day cattle and sheep would often fall to their deaths, let alone at night.
In his haste, Wang Daniu felt the ground give way beneath him, and with a splash, he plunged down the cliff.
It was over. He hadn't even touched a woman and already his young life was cut short, which was utterly frustrating.
Wang Daniu felt dizzy and lost consciousness...
He had no idea how long it had been when he heard the drip-drip of water. Was his sister-in-law taking a bath again?
Wang Daniu suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
He found himself in a cold pond, looking up at a sheer cliff face.
He was lucky to have fallen from the cliff directly into the middle of the pond, saving his life.
Wang Daniu moved his limbs, feeling no serious injuries, and thought to himself, 'Heaven has not forsaken me.'
Relieved, Wang Daniu stood up, ready to find a way out, but realized he was naked and quickly retreated back into the water.
This couldn't be right. He clearly remembered running out in his underpants. How had they disappeared?
"Hee hee..." A sweet, clear laugh suddenly rang out, startling him.
"My lord, it's only me here. What are you shy about? Come over here,"
My lord? Confused, Wang Daniu followed the voice and saw a lush woman sitting on a white jade stone that shone like mutton fat not far away.
Shrouded in golden silk and silver veils, a slender, unblemished arm was beckoning to him invitingly.