RMCF: Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Upon returning home, within half an hour, spring thunder suddenly rumbled outside.
Xu He stepped out from the kitchen. The wind had already picked up in the courtyard, whistling and filling his sleeves. He hurriedly herded the chickens and ducks into their coop and brought some dry firewood into the kitchen.
The weather had been clear for many days. If it didn't rain soon, the villagers would have started getting anxious. The spring crops relied on rainwater to grow properly. With this rain, the crops would be fine.
The vegetable seeds he and Zhang Fangyuan sowed last month had sprouted. But without rain, they weren’t growing robustly, always wilted and droopy. He didn’t dare pull up the seedlings to transplant them separatelyHe had planned to carry some manure water tomorrow to irrigate them, but tonight's timely rain saved him the effort.
He would get up early tomorrow to transplant the seedlings separately. In one or two months, at the start of summer, they could eat their own vegetables. He could prepare many dishes for Zhang Fangyuan then.
The wind on his face felt cool, carrying faint traces of rain.
Xu He went inside to shower. After washing, he didn’t wait for Zhang Fangyuan, who had gone to the neighboring Chen family earlier—perhaps drinking with cousin Chen Si. Rainy days were perfect for sleeping. He curled up in bed early.
Wild vegetables sold well these past few days, and he had some regular customers. Counting the money, he’d earned over a hundred wen from selling vegetables recently. Though not as profitable as Zhang Fangyuan selling pork at the stall, he always believed even a mosquito’s leg was meat—small amounts add up.
He planned to find time to buy two bolts of cloth to make Zhang Fangyuan some summer clothes. After the rain, the weather would quickly heat up. The man was tall and sweated a lot daily. If he didn’t wear lighter clothes, he might get heat rash.
He lay in bed thinking. A while later, when Zhang Fangyuan finally returned from the Chen family, Xu He was almost asleep.
“Chen Si’s marriage is arranged. They’ve settled on a ge from the Lin family at the east end of our village.” Zhang Fangyuan came back, grabbed a cloth to wipe the raindrops from his hair. The rain outside was heavier now. He sat at the table in the room, telling Xu He, “Lately, there’s been quite a few happy events in our village. Can’t attend the Fei family’s, but we can definitely go to the Chen family’s banquet.”
Xu He didn’t expect such good news. Speaking of which, cousin Chen Si used to be quite smitten with his second sister. When the marriage news came out, he heard Zhang Fangyuan mention once that Chen Si was quite distressed, but he had accepted it. Now, he had arranged a good marriage carefully.
“The Chen family wants to buy some pork from me. For the newly purchased livestock, we can sell a quarter right away.” The Chen family wasn’t as generous as Zhang Fangyuan, mainly because Chen Si’s older brother just married not long ago, and the family really couldn’t afford a lavish event.
Xu He was also pleased. Although selling to fellow villagers like this definitely wouldn’t be as profitable as selling retail in town, being able to sell so much at once was a good thing.
“When the time comes, we’ll both go help at the Chen family’s event. Madam Chen helped a lot with our wedding before.”
“Alright.” Not to mention helping neighbors, given the kinship with the Xu family, he should go too.
Zhang Fangyuan went to shower and came back. When he lay down, the bedding was already warmed by Xu He. Outside, the wind howled; rainy days really were a bit chilly.
He naturally pulled Xu He onto himself, then occupied the warm spot Xu He had slept in, immediately feeling cozy.
Enveloped by a wave of cold air from Zhang Fangyuan, Xu He's drowsiness instantly vanished.
Outside were the sounds of wind, rain, and the startling spring thunder. Leaning against Zhang Fangyuan's chest, he could hear the strong, rhythmic heartbeat. Lying beside him felt like even if the house collapsed, someone would be there to hold it up.
He imitated Zhang Fangyuan's usual gesture, gently nuzzling his chest. Perhaps because the weather was cool today, the man who usually slept bare-chested was wearing his inner garment.
Suddenly recalling, it had been almost half a month since that last time, and Zhang Fangyuan hadn't brought that matter up again.
He pursed his lips, wondering what was on the man's mind. The other day, when he went to the river to wash clothes, a group of married women and ger had pulled him aside. Listening to their obscene talk had made him blush.
One older fulang had even laughingly asked if Zhang Fangyuan was 'impressive' or not… He mostly understood what they meant.
He had questions but couldn’t ask in front of so many people, afraid of becoming a laughingstock. Seeing the group of women and ger chatting and laughing happily, not finding it difficult to discuss like he did, he became even more confused.
Thinking that since he couldn’t sleep tonight, he mustered his courage and tugged Zhang Fangyuan’s sleeve. “Is it too noisy outside? Can you sleep?”
“It’s okay.”
Zhang Fangyuan opened his eyes, his chin brushing against the top of Xu He’s head.
“How about… we try again.” Others spoke of it with laughter; there was no reason for him alone to suffer. Maybe with time, he'd get used to it?
Zhang Fangyuan moved his arm, almost doubting his ears.
These past days, he’d held back, not bringing it up. Although he had gone back to An San’er for secret remedies, after failing twice, he was apprehensive and truly couldn’t bring himself to mention it to Xu He again. He just wondered if Xu He might bring it up someday. Never thought he’d actually wait for it.
He was deeply moved, momentarily at a loss for words.
Seeing him remain silent for so long, Xu He’s face grew hot. Feeling embarrassed, he poked Zhang Fangyuan’s arm again.
“Alright!”
Zhang Fangyuan suddenly got up and left the bed. Xu He watched him rummaging through the cabinet. Remembering the previous times, he thought to himself, this man's not going to bring out that booklet again, is he? Last time, the booklet was hastily tossed halfway through; he picked it up and put it away in the morning.
“Are you looking for that book?” Xu He was about to say it was in the second cabinet when he saw Zhang Fangyuan bring over what looked like a bottle.
Zhang Fangyuan said, “This time will definitely work.”
Seeing the man’s confident, guaranteed expression, Xu He couldn’t help but lower his head and chuckle softly. It wasn’t that the previous times didn’t work. Hearing those ger and women talk, he had roughly figured out what ‘not working’ meant.
“Where did you get this stuff?”
Zhang Fangyuan planned to follow the usage method An San’er had explained earlier. Feeling even more embarrassed than before, he pulled the quilt over Xu He before starting to apply the stuff.
If even he felt embarrassed, Xu He, facing these new techniques, was even more shy. He could only open his mouth to say something to distract himself.
“I got it from the brothel.” Zhang Fangyuan didn’t hide it from Xu He, saying he used to hang around there.
Xu He felt a cool, tingling sensation, cooler than the wind and rain blowing on his face outside before. Blushing, he added, “Since you used to frequent such places often, why are you still…” so inexperienced.
Having lived together for barely a month now, sometimes when Xu He spoke half a sentence, Zhang Fangyuan could guess the other half.
“I was just doing my job honestly before, not fooling around with like other men.” He spoke the truth. When young and vigorous, he had been very restless, and with women and ger throwing themselves at him daily, he was no sage; of course, he had entertained improper thoughts.
It's just that before he could ever indulge, that year several people in the establishment were carried out with venereal diseases, implicating many others. There were even people coming to demand explanations. Busy dealing with it and seeing the miserable state of those men and women, he gave up the convenience of dallying in the establishment.
Xu He buried his face in Zhang Fangyuan’s neck. Others might think he was lying, but he knew it was true.
“If you feel uncomfortable, tell me.” Zhang Fangyuan took a breath. Although eager, he cared more about Xu He’s feelings. After all, not everyone would give him countless chances. “We can take it slow.”
Xu He softly acknowledged.
The next day, the rain had stopped. Water still dripped from the eaves; the yard, roof, and fields everywhere bore traces of the rain.
As the saying goes, third time’s the charm.
Zhang Fangyuan, eyes slightly lowered, had been gazing at the sleeping face of the person in his arms for who knows how long, just wanting Xu He to see him first upon opening his eyes.
His wait was not in vain. When Xu He stretched his legs and opened his eyes, he immediately found himself being watched. He felt a little self-conscious and gently turned over, presenting his slender back to the man.
Zhang Fangyuan reached out and encircled Xu He, not turning him back, and asked eagerly, “Was it alright yesterday?”
Seeing the man wake up early just to ask him this, Xu He felt somewhat helpless. Good or bad, didn’t he have some idea himself?
“Hmm?”
Not hearing an answer for a while, Zhang Fangyuan shook Xu He gently.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Really?” Hearing this, Zhang Fangyuan was overjoyed, instantly seeming to wag an invisible tail. Wanting to hear more nice words, he coaxed, “Don’t hold back. Tell me in detail.”
“Detail what? Xu He’s ears burned red to the tips. He only said, “What time is it? Want to sleep a bit more.”
Zhang Fangyuan glanced outside. It was starting to brighten. Rainy days dawned later than sunny ones. If it was bright now, it must be quite late.
But so what if the sun was high? Xu He’s words pleased him immensely. He solicitously tucked the quilt around Xu He. “Sleep as long as you want. I’ll get up and heat the food.”
Hearing this, Xu He thought it improper and tried to get up to stop him, but Zhang Fangyuan moved too quickly, evading his grasp. A glimpse of a bare torso flashed by as Zhang Fangyuan threw on an outer garment. “Rest. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
He didn’t fight to cook. Watching the man leave the bedroom, he curled back under the covers. His waist was a bit sore, but it didn’t hurt.
Confirmend, those tricks worked. He wonder how much silver had been spent buying them. If it could be like this in the future, he really wouldn't need to suffer any hardship.
He seemed to have experienced some of the pleasure those women and ger spoke of. Previously, Zhang Fangyuan was frustrated; this time, he performed remarkably well and kept pestering him for praise. But regarding this matter, he truly didn’t know how to praise, so he just said this.
Zhang Fangyuan, having received affirmation, gained immense confidence and no longer avoided or suppressed it like before, practically pestering Xu He for several days in a row.
Although daily indulgence inevitably became a bit overwhelming for Xu He, at least he had gained some skill and it was no longer as disastrous as the beginning. After feigning some reluctance he agreed.*
* ban tui ban jiu (半推半就) — half willing half unwilling; to feign reluctance while actually being willing, to yield after a show of resistance, or to half-heartedly agree to something
The two seemed to be making up for the ‘dry spell’ of the first half-month of their marriage. Their affection and closeness in all aspects grew stronger. Only when the third bottle of lubricant was nearly used up did they tacitly exercise a little restraint.
***
T/N
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