Their eyes met. Seeing her restless behavior, Gu Lanyin thought of how she had died in his past life. He couldn't help but chuckle.
Candlelight flickered uneasily. Water splashed in the washroom.
The drunken young man lay lazily watching her, his clothes disheveled in a way that inexplicably made her cheeks burn.
Bao Niang's hand hurt, but that pain was nothing now.
She struggled to untie the knot but couldn't manage it.
Wan Niang returned after testing the water temperature and saw her dawdling. She said disapprovingly, "Just use the scissors. Why bother with this?"
Snip—
Gu Lanyin unfastened his outer robe and forced himself up, not daring to let Wan Niang support him, afraid he'd crush her.
His steps faltered, as if still on the boat. Wan Niang tried to follow, but a door blocked her.
She held clean clothes, her expression momentarily lost.
Wan Niang turned and placed the clothes on the rack, then remade the bed. From the other room, there was no sound for a long time. Her heart pounded restlessly. Finally, unable to resist, she went to knock.
"Gu Lang, are you done?"
The water was almost cold.
Gu Lanyin stared into the darkness, an unnatural flush on his face. He closed his eyes, letting the cool water wash over his burning skin. Even with his voice lowered, he couldn't suppress a sigh.
That wine was too strong. If not for his tolerance, he might have ended up in some brothel tonight.
Two lifetimes. Only now did Gu Lanyin truly believe he had lived twice.
He stared at his shadow on the ground, his palm sticky and wet.
The air was thick with a certain scent.
The water had gone completely cold. Gu Lanyin picked up the clothes from the floor and dressed again.
He had thought Wan Niang would be asleep, but when he opened the door, her anxious face greeted him.
Gu Lanyin took her hand. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was afraid you'd leave again." Wan Niang hugged his waist and begged, "Can we stop sleeping apart?"
"We won't."
They were husband and wife, after all.
He slept in the darkness. As soon as he closed his eyes, he saw Wan Niang's pitiful face in the clinic.
Holding her, she was thin and frail, her eyes full of tears.
But now, her hands began to wander.
Wan Niang wrapped her arms around his waist. At first, she only touched his clothes. Gradually, her palms grew hot. When she felt the hard, defined muscles, she paused.
She called out "Gu Lang," but only deep breathing answered.
He reeked of alcohol; he must be asleep by now.
She felt like a guilty thief, a shameless mouse, wanting to slip under his clothes.
She pressed her face against Gu Lang's back, rubbing again and again.
Laughter came from the darkness, instantly tearing away her veil of shame. She yanked her hand back.
"You've just recovered from a serious illness. Sleep early."
Wan Niang hummed a reply, her voice tiny as a mosquito's buzz.
She thought Gu Lang must be laughing at her, acting like a wanton woman who'd never seen a man.
She shouldn't have been the one to initiate this.
But—
"Gu Lang, we've been married for days, and you haven't touched me. Mother says she wants a grandchild." Fighting off shame, she reached out and poked his back.
Gu Lang must have woken.
He caught her hand and said gently, "Your body can't handle it. You're still young. Even if you got pregnant, childbirth would be dangerous."
"Now that we're in Xunyang, and mother isn't here, you don't need to worry about this. Who's been urging you? Bao Niang or Bai Long?"
Wan Niang shook her head. "How can we not have children?"
Gu Lang was silent for a long time. Then he said, "Even without children, you will still be the mistress of this house."
"It's different."
Tears filled her eyes, soaking his clothes. She burrowed into his arms, cupped his face, and as if sensing something, accused him: "Do you have another woman outside? Why else would you torment me like this? I am your wife. I want a child. What's wrong with staying at home, raising children, and assisting my husband?"
She expected comfort, but he said, "Who's been whispering nonsense in your ear? You're too kind, you don't discipline these people. You let them spread rumors and harm the mistress. In that case, I'll help you."
Wan Niang was taken aback. Why was he saying this?
The servants in the household, especially those close to her, were all from her maiden home. And his own people were all well-behaved.
"I can still handle the people in this house," Wan Niang said. "You have your own business; in your spare time, you study diligently. Don't be distracted by these trivial matters."
Gu Lanyin looked at her and tapped her head.
"A leaf can block the view."
Wan Niang frowned. "Do you despise me?"
Gu Lanyin sighed helplessly. "How could I despise you? I'm afraid you'll be harmed by someone and still praise them."
"I'm not that stupid."
Gu Lanyin was about to say more, but she had already turned her back, as if sulking.
He watched her quietly for a moment, then closed his eyes again.
Perhaps Wan Niang would only learn her lesson after suffering some consequences.
Author's Note:
None