Chapter 107 The Wedding Night...

A meal was enjoyed with complete satisfaction and happiness by everyone, especially the children, whose bellies were round and full. Every dish on the table had been devoured, leaving behind only a few traces of seasoning. After dinner, Zhang Chunshan and Director Sun came over to say goodbye, once more offering their blessings and inviting Xia Yan to visit the town whenever she had time.

When Xia Yan returned to the house, Aunt Wang next door and Sister Ruan were busy helping her clear the plates from the living room table. “Aunt Wang, you and your family should join us for dinner again tonight,” Xia Yan said.

Wang Guilan waved her hand dismissively. “How can we do that? We already ate at noon; it wouldn’t be right to eat again tonight.”

Xia Yan replied, “It’s nothing, really. I actually saved a whole table’s worth of dishes at noon, thinking you could take it home. But then I thought it would be more enjoyable if everyone ate together.”

While the two women were still hesitating, Erdan, who had been playing nearby, spoke up. “Grandma, Mom, I want to eat at Auntie’s tonight. Auntie’s cooking is delicious.”

Xia Yan laughed and scooped him up in her arms. “Then tonight you’ll eat here with Auntie. Auntie will make you something tasty.”

At this point, Wang Guilan could hardly refuse and nodded in agreement.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, Xia Yan saw Wang Guilan’s family off and stretched with a big yawn. “I’m so grateful for Aunt Wang and the others. Without them, I wouldn’t have managed it all.”

Lin You, seeing the weariness on her face, gently pressed her down onto a bench and massaged her shoulders. “You’ve worked hard today.”

Xia Yan patted the back of his hand. “It wasn’t hard. Seeing everyone so happy makes everything worthwhile.”

Hosting today’s gathering felt like a weight off her mind. Next, she just needed to wait for Lin You’s parents to arrive in the northwest and host a meal for Commissar Zhou and his family. There would be fewer guests then, and it wouldn’t be so troublesome.

The two exchanged glances, and Lin You recalled what had happened that night, a flicker of anticipation rising for the evening ahead.

Xia Yan noticed the heat growing in his gaze and seemed to guess his thoughts, her cheeks flushing. But with three children still in the house, she knew they had to be careful.

As night fell, the Ruan family arrived as promised for dinner. While reheating dishes in the kitchen, Wang Guilan quietly pulled Xia Yan aside and whispered, “Xia, I talked it over with your sister-in-law this afternoon. Tonight, let the three children sleep at my place, and Xiaotian can spend the night in the dormitory.”

Xia Yan blushed, perfectly understanding Wang Guilan’s implication. Yet her heart was stirred; after all, she was newly married. That night, she and Lin You had held themselves back, but tonight, perhaps he wouldn’t.

“Auntie, isn’t this a bit much? Wouldn’t it be inconvenient?”

“What’s inconvenient about it? It’s only inconvenient when the children are at home. Both your sister-in-law and I have been through this; we understand…” Wang Guilan laughed, patting Xia Yan’s hand.

Xia Yan glanced at Lin You, who was chatting with Ruan Xiaotian in the living room, and after a little thought, nodded. It wasn’t that she was eager, but what was meant to happen would happen eventually. If things got noisy and the children heard, that would be much worse.

Wang Guilan smiled and turned to Chen Hui, Ruan Xiaotian’s wife, who was tending the fire. “Hui, tonight you and I will squeeze in with Erdan, and let Xiaozhe and the other two sleep in your room.”

Chen Hui nodded. “Mom, I’ve already tidied up the room and changed the bedding. Don’t worry.”

Wang Guilan went on with many instructions, some so explicit that Xia Yan’s cheeks burned.

Some of Wang Guilan’s words were so bold that Xia Yan wanted to cover her ears; it was simply too… open.

During dinner, Xia Yan couldn’t stop thinking about what was about to happen that night, barely touching her food. Lin You, worried she was unwell, asked several times.

“I’m fine. I probably ate too many shrimp at lunch,” she replied.

As Xia Yan was tidying the kitchen that night, Wang Guilan reminded her again, “Xia, remember what I told you—put a pillow under your hips…”

“Aunt Wang, I remember,” Xia Yan said.

Seeing that Xia Yan truly listened, Wang Guilan was finally reassured.

Before leaving, Chen Hui pulled Ruan Xiaotian aside and spoke to him. Ruan Xiaotian was briefly surprised, then nodded and went over to Lin You, explaining that the three children would stay at their house for the night.

Both men felt awkward as they discussed it.

Lin You looked at Xia Yan, who was still listening to Wang Guilan’s “education,” and said, “I’ll ask the children if they’re willing. If not, then forget it.”

He thought the children might hesitate, but surprisingly, Lin Hongzhe was the first to agree. Lin Hongzhuo wanted to ask a few more questions, but Lin Hongzhe quickly covered his mouth.

Led by their eldest brother, Lin Hongzhuo took Lin Nuannuan’s hand, and the three left for the neighboring house, pausing every few steps to look back reluctantly.

After everyone had left, Xia Yan and Lin You sat facing each other for a while. Eventually, Xia Yan drained her glass and said, “I’m going to take a bath…”

“Alright, I’ll make the bed.”

“No… no need. Just sit here and have some tea to sober up…”

“But I haven’t drunk anything tonight.”

“You drank at lunch…”

Xia Yan paced around for a while before fetching her nightclothes, bumping into the doorframe twice in her distracted state.

While bathing, her mind was filled with anticipation for what was to come.

After she finished, Lin You was not in the living room. Xia Yan found him standing outside, gazing at the sky. “I’m done. You can go bathe now.”

Lin You took longer than last time.

When he finally came in, Xia Yan was sitting, towel in hand, drying her hair. The room's lights were off, leaving only a kerosene lamp.

In the dim light, the room felt intimate and inviting.

Xia Yan wore a slip dress again, her pale legs glowing in the lamp’s light.

Lin You walked over and embraced her from behind. “Let me help you.”

Xia Yan murmured assent and handed him the towel. Lin You took the towel in one hand, gently running the other through her damp hair, captivated by her subtle fragrance.

Both could hear their quickening breaths.

When her hair was dry, Lin You set the towel aside.

Xia Yan was frozen, caught between expectation and fear.

Lin You turned his gaze from her, then swept her into his arms, holding her tightly. Their breaths grew heavy; Lin You pressed her waist, his eyes drawn to her tempting lips.

This time, he did not hesitate. He lowered his head and kissed her deeply…