The night was as dark as ink, enveloping Chenjiawan Village.
At the entrance of the village, Chen Erniu's home was festooned with lights and decorations, alive with excitement.
"They say nothing's more fun than your brother's wife, Erniu, what do you think? Who's more fun, more beautiful? Your sister-in-law or your brother's wife?"
A guest who came to offer congratulations teased Chen Erniu, who had a big red flower hanging on his chest.
"Hehe, both are beautiful!" Chen Erniu chuckled naively.
After his brothers had left home, the simple-minded Chen Erniu could only rely on his sister-in-law He Hongjuan.
It just so happened that He Hongjuan was beautiful, a real peony beauty.
Although she wasn't Chen Erniu's biological sister-in-law, she inevitably became the talk of the village.
Today was also the day Chen Erniu welcomed his brother's bride, Han Meili, into their home.
The village's old men were even more restless because of that.
Because Han Meili was also a stunning beauty, fair, clean, full of character, and very fashionable.
It was said she'd seen the world in the city.
Each time Han Meili walked through the village in those city-folk's peachy-bottom jeans, a bunch of drooling men would follow behind her.
These two beautiful women marrying into the village's poorest family truly made the village's old gentlemen green with envy.
Just past eleven at night, as the guests dispersed, Chen Erniu stood at the door, looking towards the entrance of the village.
He had promised his eldest brother, who had left home, that he would take good care of his sister-in-law.
Today, the responsibility of taking care of his brother's wife also fell upon his shoulders, and the simple-minded man felt a heavy sense of duty.
"Erniu, you've been busy all day, you must be exhausted?" He Hongjuan approached with an exhausted face and asked with concern.
"Hehe, sister-in-law, not tired!" Chen Erniu replied with a foolish smile.
Seeing Chen Erniu's silly smile, He Hongjuan couldn't help but stare blankly.
"Hong Juan, if I can't come back, you should marry Erniu and be his woman. Consider it repayment for the Chen family's life-saving grace..."
Her husband's words echoed in He Hongjuan's mind.
At first, He Hongjuan rejected her husband's suggestion.
But now, looking at Chen Erniu's broad and sturdy back, she had to admit she was moved.
On her wedding night, her husband had quietly left home, and for over three years, there had been no word from him.
Since then, the simple-minded Erniu had become her sole support.
Moreover, even though Chen Erniu was born simple-minded, he was also obedient and considerate.
With such a man who was aware of the warmth and coldness of life by her side, which woman could remain indifferent?
"Missing your brother?" He Hongjuan wiped the sweat from Chen Erniu's forehead.
"Yeah, sister-in-law, did Sanwa say when he'll be back?" Chen Erniu asked absentmindedly.
A somber look crossed He Hongjuan's face: "No, but Sanwa knows that we're bringing Han Meili into our home today."
"Oh..." Chen Erniu opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but He Hongjuan pulled him towards the house.
"I've boiled some hot water for you to take a bath while it's still warm," said He Hongjuan, her cheeks slightly flushed.
In the house, there was a large wooden tub.
The tub was filled with water, and the steam rose up in swirling wisps under the dim yellow light.
As usual, He Hongjuan helped Chen Erniu off with his jacket, revealing his muscular build tightly clad in an undershirt.
At the same time, a scent mixed with sweat and masculinity hit her full in the face.
Smelling this and seeing Chen Erniu's broad chest, thinking about what was to come, He Hongjuan felt her heartbeat suddenly quicken.
Chen Erniu, too, felt a bit out of sorts.
Usually, after taking off his jacket, his sister-in-law would leave the room, allowing him to bathe alone.
But today, she didn't leave; instead, her watery eyes gazed intently at him.
This left Chen Erniu both puzzled and uncomfortable.
"Come on, today your sister-in-law will wash you!" He Hongjuan said softly, letting the words slip from her slightly parted lips.
After saying this, she didn't wait for Chen Erniu's response and started to take off his undershirt on her own.
Under the orange glow of the lamp, Chen Erniu's healthy wheat-colored skin gave him an even more manly allure.
In that moment, He Hongjuan almost felt her heart would leap out of her throat.
She lowered her head, reached out her hand, and proceeded to remove Chen Erniu's pants.