RMCF: Chapter 30

 

Chapter 30

Xu He sat in the bridal chamber. There was no one else in the room. He didn't need to wear a veil, so the room's furnishings were completely visible to him.

This was undoubtedly his first time inside the Zhang house.

Zhang Fangyuan's bedroom was about two or three times larger than the room he lived in at the Xu family. The room was cleaned very tidy, and today it was decorated festively, with ‘double happiness’ characters pasted on the windows.

Since no one was coming into the room anyway, he stood up and looked around. There was a table, a dressing table by the window, and closer to the bed, a large wardrobe—these were all items they had chosen together in the city previously.

He felt a peculiar emotion, as if he had truly returned to his own home.

Just as he was gazing absently out the window, the bridal chamber door was suddenly pushed open, leaving a small gap, and then a figure slipped in.

“Cousin-in-law.”

Seeing the ger who entered, Xu He recognized him. They were from the same village, so he naturally knew Xiao Mao, though they hadn't had much interaction before.

Thinking it was improper for a bride to not sit properly on the bed waiting for the groom but instead wandering around looking at things, he quickly went up to Xiao Mao. “Why are you here?”

Xiao Mao smiled and placed the things he was carrying on the table. “Cousin A-Yuan said he was afraid you were hungry and asked me to bring some food in.”

Xu He glanced at the brought items: a bowl of sweet soup, a fragrantly braised black chicken drumstick, and two eggs. “Eat quickly.”

It was indeed time for dinner, and he was a bit hungry. Without being polite, he sat down to eat. After all, today wasn't just Zhang Fangyuan getting married; he was getting married too. There was no reason for Zhang Fangyuan to eat outside while he went hungry inside.

“Have you eaten? Have some too.”

Xiaomao shook his head, just looking at Xu He. Although peers told Xiaomao that Xu He had a bad temper and didn't like to engage with people, his cousin Fangyuan had an even worse temper. He wasn't even afraid of Cousin Fangyuan, let alone Xu He. Both were ger, and although their ages differed, it was easier for them to talk.

“I ate outside earlier, sitting at the first round. It's so lively today! Fifteen tables at a time, and three rounds to serve everyone.”

Xiaomao delightedly described the grand scene of today's banquet to Xu He. Hearing the noise outside, Xu He also knew many people had come. “Your cousin must have prepared a lot.”

“Of course! Cousin said happy events can happen every year, but you only get married once in a lifetime. It definitely needs to be done properly.” Xiaomao thought happily about the waves of wedding candies being given to the children outside.

Hearing this, Xu He's eyes softened.

“My mother said when I get married, if my husband's family holds it as grandly as this, she'll be reassured.”

Xu He thought Zhang Fangyuan's fourth aunt was praising her nephew both openly and covertly. “It definitely will be.”

Xiaomao was still quite vague about marriage matters, but the lively atmosphere seemed pretty good. Propping his chin, he said, “Eldest Cousin's Wife, is the chicken drumstick tasty?”

Xu He nodded. It wasn't just that it tasted good; the important thing was being cared for and looked after. That made the chicken leg even tastier. No wonder his second sister was so fresh and vibrant; eating such good things, how could she not grow up well?

“Do you want some?”

Xiaomao shook his head, saying seriously, “My cousin said to watch you finish eating, so you'll have the strength to have a fat baby soon.”

Xu He choked on his food. Xiaomao was also startled and hurriedly offered him the sweet soup to drink. Xu He, coughed, his cheeks flushed red. Holding the sweet soup, he glanced at Xiaomao with a red face.

That scoundrel! Spouting nonsense and corrupting a child.

“Don't listen to your cousin. He's just an idiot.”

Xiaomao giggled. “Only you, Cousin-in-law, dare call Cousin A-Yuan an idiot. Anyone else saying that would definitely get beaten up.”

Xu He smiled. “I said it secretly; don't tell him.”

“Okay. I won't tell him. But even if Cousin found out, he wouldn't be angry with you, Cousin-in-law.”

“Did he give you a lot of benefits? Always saying nice things about him.”

The two chatted and laughed for a while. Xu He ate the chicken drumstick and peeled an egg to eat. He really couldn't finish the other one, so Xiaomao left the soup and the remaining egg on the table and took the tray out himself.

Feeling full, Xu He grew a bit sleepy. He rarely felt this way because in the Xu family, unless it was a festival, he only ate until sixty percent full, so naturally, he never experienced feeling sleepy from fullness. Also, perhaps because Xiaomao came and talked with him for a while, his mind had relaxed. He didn't know how much longer the commotion outside would last, but looking through the window, he could see the sky had already darkened outside.

He thought taking a secret nap now would be nice, but he still had to sleep tonight. If he slept now, wouldn't he be unable to sleep later?

Besides, he used to sleep alone. Now that he was married, he should probably sleep in the same bed as Zhang Fangyuan. He didn't know why, but at home, Liu Xianglan and Xu Changren also slept together. Presumably, husband and wife were supposed to sleep together.

It was just a bit unfamiliar. If he couldn't sleep later, wouldn't it be even more awkward for both? And disturbing Zhang Fangyuan's sleep would be even worse.

Suddenly feeling worried, he wondered if Zhang Fangyuan snored in his sleep. His own sleep was rather light. Previously, when Xu Changren snored, he could even hear it through the walls, keeping him awake. Now, with someone sleeping right beside him, if he snored, wouldn't he not get any sleep at all?

Xu He felt restless and confused, thinking of all sorts of messy things, afraid that the two of them wouldn't be able to live together harmoniously.

He didn't know how much time had passed. The candle in the room had burned down by a third when the door creaked open. The candlelight made Zhang Fangyuan's strong figure appear even more imposing.

Xu He suddenly felt a bit nervous. Subconsciously, he sat up straighter on the bed, his eyes fixed on Zhang Fangyuan closing the door and sliding the bolt.

“Have all the guests left?”

“Pretty much. Fourth Uncle and Aunt are helping entertain the rest.” As soon as Zhang Fangyuan entered the room, he untied and took off his outer robe. “None of them could hold their liquor, yet insisted on drinking with me. When they got drunk and rowdy, they even spilled wine on my wedding clothes.”

Xu He stepped forward to help him with the clothes, but unexpectedly, Zhang Fangyuan had no intention of handing them over. He directly tossed them onto a nearby chair.

“You're not drunk?”

“How could I get drunk? I'm known for not falling even after a thousand cups.” Zhang Fangyuan looked carefully at the person in front of him and suddenly smiled. “You look really good today.”

Hearing this, Xu He quickly turned away. He thought Zhang Fangyuan was making fun of him. How could he be considered good-looking?

“Why are you hiding from me?” Zhang Fangyuan went to pull his arm. “I mean it.”

The tips of Xu He's ears grew warm. “It's been a long day. Let's sleep early.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fangyuan was slightly taken aback, then laughed again. His wife is quite proactive! “So eager?”

Xu He was a bit confused and frowned.

“Should I go take a quick rinse?” Zhang Fangyuan lifted his arm and sniffed. “I washed earlier. It's nothing else, just my clothes smell a bit of wine. Want to smell?”

Xu He didn't know what this quirk was. Too embarrassed to lean in and smell, he returned to the bed himself.

Seeing him take off his shoes, Zhang Fangyuan obviously became even more excited. Regardless of the alcohol smell, he directly stripped off his clothes.

“You… you sleep that bare? It's not even summer yet!”

Xu He glimpsed Zhang Fangyuan stripping down to only his pants left with lightning speed, very surprised. He had never slept with a man before and didn't know if his father also took off his clothes when sleeping with Liu Xianglan, but at least outside the bedroom, he had never seen him shirtless.

He was clearly shocked by the man's living habits.

Zhang Fangyuan was also very honest. “When it's hot, I usually sleep shirtless. On cooler days, I don't strip.” But today was his wedding day; how could he sleep without taking off his clothes?

Xu He's face felt hot. Although it wasn't the first time seeing him shirtless, he still felt somewhat embarrassed. He took off his shoes, socks, and outer robe and lay down on the inner side of the bed first.

The weather in the third month was just right—not too cold, neither too hot. At night, one quilt was just right. The mattress beneath was soft, and the cotton quilt covering him was also loose and comfortable. He sank into it, feeling very comfortable.

Zhang Fangyuan also hurriedly climbed onto the bed. Although originally spacious, it felt much more cramped with him on it.

The two were forced to be very close, able to hear each other's breathing clearly. Zhang Fangyuan had drunk a lot of wine, his body already somewhat feverish. Now, suddenly feeling nervous again, his whole body grew even hotter.

He couldn't stand it anymore. With a turn, he pressed down on Xu He, instantly meeting a pair of shocked eyes.

Suddenly bearing a large weight on his body was like several thick, raw logs pressing down on him. Xu He felt a bit breathless and also startled!

Zhang Fangyuan's powerful body covered his. Compared to him, he seemed without the strength to even truss a chicken. That bare chest pressed against his own right over his heart. Skin touching skin, the sturdy and flexible muscles made him powerless to resist. He could almost feel the pulse throbbing in the prominent veins.

“I… can I now?” Zhang Fangyuan's voice became hoarse. He could have pounced like a hungry tiger, but looking into Xu He's eyes, he worried the person might be unwilling to be under his control and would be unhappy.

So, against his own desires, he still made a request, “Is it okay?”

Xu He was confused, his pupils gradually filling with fear.

What's wrong with Zhang Fangyuan? Suddenly changed into a different person! Could it be that Liu Xianglan's words came true? Now that they're married and he has the person, he changed his attitude? Is he going to become violent?

If that were really the case… he definitely couldn't win a fight against him.

Zhang Fangyuan saw Xu He remained silent for a long time. Although he had a quick temper, he knew his wife didn't talk much, so he’s always been very patient waiting for him to speak.

Thinking the person was just feeling shy, he instead noticed both fear and sorrow in Xu He's eyes. He was immediately at a loss for what to do.

“What's wrong? Are you unwilling?”

He quickly got off Xu He, knelt on the bed, and scratched the back of his head while looking at the person lying stiffly.

Xu He's expression had truly frightened him.

But then again, they had only ever held hands before suddenly doing this; it was indeed a bit hard to accept all at once. But thinking about it, those who only obeyed their parents' orders and matchmakers' arrangements, meeting for the first time on their wedding day—wouldn't that be even more troublesome?

Did they perform marital duties on their wedding night? Zhang Fangyuan nearly scratched his scalp raw. This was something he was too embarrassed to ask about, and even if he did, people might not necessarily tell him.

Zhang Fangyuan ingratiatingly reached out to hold Xu He's hand. “I was a bit too impatient. Don't be angry.”

Xu He saw this person suddenly transform from a hungry wolf pouncing on prey back into a big dog waiting for its owner to give food. He regained some composure, avoiding Zhang Fangyuan's gaze, opening his mouth unsure of what to say next. “Aren't we going to blow out the light before sleeping?”

“Ah… right…”

Zhang Fangyuan hurriedly got out of bed to blow out the lamp. The room instantly plunged into darkness, became especially quiet.

Feeling the person lie back down beside him, carefully sleeping next to him without pouncing again, though still reaching into the blanket to hold his hand, Xu He slowly calmed down. “Were you… just now… trying to hit me?”

Zhang Fangyuan's spine stiffened. He suddenly sat up in bed. “How could you think that! You're the one I was so careful to marry and bring home!”

Xu He also sat up. With the moonlight, there was still some dim light in the room. Facing the person before him, he slightly lowered his head, his voice also a bit small. “But you were really scary just now.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fangyuan fell into self-blame, feeling his heart clench painfully. “I drank and was excited, couldn't control myself. I'm sorry.”

Xu He was confused. Control what? When he drinks, he can't control his temper and wants to hit people? He was truly puzzled, so he voiced his question.

Zhang Fangyuan suddenly fell silent.

He thought about how to explain his needs and desires without seeming too vulgar, but ultimately couldn't resist asking, “Didn't your mother teach you?” It would have been useful.

The words sounded a bit like an insult, but Xu He still didn't get angry. He vaguely sensed that before he married out, Liu Xianglan had probably failed to teach him too many things. But given his status in the Xu family, it was truly hard for Liu Xianglan to fulfill a mother's duties.

Moreover, they had fallen out when he married off. So now he was completely in the dark and couldn't go back to ask her either.

He answered honestly, “No.”

Zhang Fangyuan clenched his jaw. He didn't blame Xu He for not knowing, but instead felt heartache for him.

Not teaching him a thing or two about this was one thing, but at least let him know such things existed. Ordinary families might not send their children to study and learn characters, but pre-marital education shouldn't be missing!

“It's alright. I'll teach you.”

Xu He's heart was full of doubt. Zhang Fangyuan suddenly reached out and circled his waist, holding him as they lay down. Leaning against Zhang Fangyuan's chest, he could feel the beating sound within.

Xu He rested peacefully in his embrace and asked softly, “Just like this?”

“Uh… of course not.”

“Didn't you just say you'd teach me?” Xu He had always been quite eager to learn.

This, on the contrary, made Zhang Fangyuan a bit embarrassed. Originally, they could have quietly completed the marital duties, but now he had to teach at the last moment? It was really… couldn't help but curse Liu Xianglan.

“Mm… tomorrow. Let's rest early today.” Let him mentally prepare and think carefully about how to bring it up.

Xu He tilted his head to look at him. “Are you too tired today? Can't do it?”

“…” 

Wife, you really shouldn't say it like that.

“Then… let's try tonight…”

Xu He took a breath. Zhang Fangyuan turned over, and half the night passed without sleep.

 

***

 

T/N

so innocent uwu 

 

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