Chapter 49 – First Part

Chapter 49 - First Part

Not much changed after Qin Yao and Gu Cheng's marriage. The couple planned to stay at Qin Yao's place until after the Spring Festival before heading back. With the festive atmosphere growing thicker, Qin Yao, apart from helping her mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law prepare for the New Year, spent her time lazily holed up on the sofa at the corner of the second floor like a couch potato, reading novels.

After they moved into the courtyard compound, Qin Yao discovered there was a library with a collection of novels, some of which had been banned in previous years but were gradually released recently, such as the Four Great Classical Novels, along with various newly-created cultural novels like *Female Militia on the Island*.

Qin Yao, who had majored in Chinese literature and had previously worked as an editor, had a passion for reading novels. Since there had been a lack of books on the island before, she now felt blissfully content surrounded by stacks of books.

Her daily routine now consisted of lounging on the sofa reading novels, helping in the kitchen, and cleaning the house.

Gu Cheng, on the other hand, was in the hall playing wargames with others. He was a military commander and also a wargame design enthusiast.

The men were deeply engrossed in their discussion. Qin Yao kept her distance from Gu Cheng’s activities. She couldn’t understand any of it, with all the different model numbers and codes, so she was happy just reading her novels. The couple barely spoke during the day and kept their distance.

But at night, behind their locked door in their cozy room, they spent at least a couple of hours in unabashed affection.

Both Qin Yao and Gu Cheng found this setup comfortable. They had an unspoken understanding, occasionally touching palms, exchanging glances, and sharing secret moments.

The couple enjoyed their 'contented seclusion,' though others found it odd.

The first to feel concerned was Gu Cheng’s elder sister-in-law, He An. He An had a marriage arranged through an introduction by the organization with Gu Cheng’s elder brother. After marriage, they treated each other with respect as guests, had harmonious relations with their in-laws, and were considered a model marriage that everyone envied.

But deep down, He An felt an overwhelming sense of boredom and exhaustion. Despite having a marriage that everyone admired and a husband with excellent conditions, as well as a considerate mother-in-law, her life felt too plain and dull, lacking meaning.

She couldn’t share these feelings with her friends, who would only say she was complaining without reason, that she had it too easy.

It wasn’t until the arrival of their daughter Miaomiao that some color was added to He An’s otherwise calm life. However, Miaomiao didn’t like sticking to her mother and preferred spending time with the elders, listening to their stories from the past.

Her husband was too busy. When they first married, He An, full of girlish fantasies, thought her future husband was outstanding and strong, and marrying him would bring her happiness.

But after marriage, life was as bland as water. Her husband treated her well, and the family was harmonious, but something was missing in terms of closeness. Though they were physically close, it felt like an invisible barrier separated them.

These past few days, seeing the newlywed Gu Cheng and Qin Yao, she noticed they were "just the same," distant during the day with little interaction. Was this just how men from the Gu family were?

Unlike one of her female friends, who married someone average but had an enviable relationship. They often traveled and took many photos together, even celebrating their wedding anniversary!

Her own husband, Gu Xing, could barely remember her and their daughter’s birthdays. Last year, he said he would accompany her for her birthday, but something urgent came up during the day, and he left. He An had made an egg cake and waited until he returned at night, only to receive a perfunctory "Happy Birthday" from him. He even found the egg cake too sweet.

He An felt stifled but couldn’t bring herself to quarrel with her husband over such trivial matters, only feeling a sense of helplessness in life.

Was this seemingly perfect marriage really what she wanted? Why wasn’t she as happy as she thought she’d be?

These thoughts had been buried in He An’s heart, but seeing the newlyweds Gu Cheng and Qin Yao, who were also respectful but distant during the day, brought them to the surface again.

Other people still whispered that Qin Yao was marrying above her station. But from He An’s perspective, when it came to marrying such a man, whoever wanted to could!

He An couldn’t hold it in anymore. She went to her mother-in-law, Liu Shuqin, and said softly, “Shouldn’t you ask the younger brother to spend more time with his wife? I’ve seen her reading alone these past two days.”

Liu Shuqin nodded. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him.”

Liu Shuqin found her youngest son among the men. Gu Cheng, dressed in an old military uniform with a cold expression, had just been standing by the sand table, exuding an air of strategic command. To those who knew, he was a newlywed husband; to those who didn’t, he looked like a warlord from a Three Kingdoms battlefield.

Gu Cheng asked, “Mom, what’s the matter?”

“Can’t I look for you without a reason?” Liu Shuqin said with some irritation. “Your elder sister-in-law can’t stand it anymore. You’ve only been married a few days. Shouldn’t you spend more time with Yaoyao? Your elder sister-in-law sees her reading alone every day but doesn’t dare to disturb you. Can’t you take the initiative to care for her?”

"You're not exactly young anymore; you're thirty already," Liu Shuqin gave Gu Cheng a scolding. "Yaoyao is ten years younger than you and is at an age where she likes to have fun. Don't keep her cooped up at home; take her out to explore and have some fun."

"Your mother-in-law has entrusted such a beautiful daughter to you. Don't be ungrateful."

Gu Cheng replied indifferently, "I got it."

Following his mom's words, he headed upstairs to look for Qin Yao. Sure enough, he saw her curled up on the sofa in the corner. She was wearing a new cotton jacket, her hair done in loose twin braids, her pointed ears showing, like a little sprite.

Buried in her book, bathed in sunlight, the scene was peaceful and lovely.

She sensed someone coming, looked up, saw it was him, and then quietly went back to her book.

Gu Cheng reached for the book, but she clutched it to her chest, pushing against him. "Wait... not now," she whispered. "I'm right at a key part."

Qin Yao had a habit of needing to finish the key parts of a book. If she couldn't, she'd feel really uncomfortable.

Gu Cheng said softly, "Let's go out for a bit."

"In a bit... or maybe tomorrow. Let me finish this part first," Qin Yao replied, getting annoyed. Just when the plot was about to reveal a big twist, it was so frustrating to be interrupted.

Novels from back then were big on "suspense." Each chapter built on the last, leading to unexpected twists that left readers in awe. They weren't "quick thrills," but they really kept you hooked.

She'd finally stumbled upon a really good book.

But remembering they were at his family's place and her usually awesome husband was acting weird today, she decided to placate him for now.

Suppressing her frustration, Qin Yao wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed his lips. "Husband, let me finish this, please," she begged.

Qin Yao was willing to swallow her pride to finish her book.

Gu Cheng stayed cold and distant.

Qin Yao tugged his sleeve and did a little squirrel-like pawing gesture, begging with her hands. "Please?"

Gu Cheng gave her the book back and sat down next to her, sulking.

Qin Yao leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Tonight, I'll do whatever you want, okay?"

Hearing the offer, Gu Cheng's lips twitched into a smile despite himself, but he tried to hide it. Was he really that easy to coax?

Yes, he was that easy to coax!

Gu Cheng adjusted his clothes, feeling pleased as he thought about the intimate moments awaiting them that night. As he walked downstairs and turned the corner into the hall, he ran into Liu Shuqin.

The mother and son locked eyes.

Gu Cheng's expression turned cold and distant. He said nothing, simply walking back to the group of men gathered around the sand table, continuing his high-minded discussion as if nothing had happened.

He couldn't let his mom know that his wife had brushed him off so easily with just a few words.

Liu Shuqin's anger hit her all at once when she saw Xiao Cheng's completely thick-skinned attitude. She rushed up the stairs and, feeling a surge of affection, found Yaoyao still sitting on the sofa by the window, reading.

Yaoyao noticed Liu Shuqin's arrival and, having been interrupted twice, felt a pang of disappointment. Her mood dampened, she closed her book and sat there demurely.

Liu Shuqin sat next to her and took her hand, speaking in a gentle tone. "Are you feeling bored being alone? That boy Xiao Cheng, he's really something else. Next time, I'll make sure to give him a good scolding."

Yaoyao: "..." No, she wasn't.

"Mom, I'm fine reading here."

Liu Shuqin frowned. "Don't defend him. He married such a good wife as you and still doesn't know to spend more time with you."

Yaoyao stopped talking, feeling that anything else she said would just add fuel to the fire.

Liu Shuqin was about to say something else when she noticed Yaoyao's lips. If she wasn't mistaken, they seemed slightly swollen.

Liu Shuqin's eyebrows shot up.

Becoming aware of Liu Shuqin's gaze, Yaoyao reflexively covered her lips. Could there be a mark?

Liu Shuqin said coolly, "There's still one by your ear."

By her ear?

Yaoyao instinctively covered her ears. Seeing this, Liu Shuqin burst out laughing. "Were these two former underground party members?"

Hearing her mother-in-law's laughter, Yaoyao, still holding her book, felt a lingering fear and decided this wasn't a good spot for reading anymore. She wouldn't come here again.

"Yaoyao, what did Xiao Cheng come to tell you just now?"

Yaoyao: "He said he'd take me out for fun. I said I wanted to finish this book first and we'll go tomorrow. That's it."

"…Oh." Liu Shuqin responded thoughtfully. She knew her son's personality well. Was he the type to say 'wait until tomorrow' and actually mean it?

Clearly not.

If he were that easy to deal with, she'd write her surname backward.

Could it be that her son was sent away by her daughter-in-law?

Liu Shuqin pursed her lips, trying not to laugh.

Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes, and couples have their own ways of getting along. She placed Yaoyao's hand back and patted it gently. "If you ever have any grievances in the future, tell me, don't keep it to yourself."

Yaoyao nodded, feeling a bit ashamed under Liu Shuqin's gentle and loving gaze. She lived very comfortably and didn't feel wronged at all.

So, Yaoyao whispered, "What if he's the one who's wronged?"

Liu Shuqin: "..."

This daughter-in-law indeed had some skills. Perhaps her elder daughter-in-law should learn from her.

"Then let him be wronged. Men should carry more on their shoulders."

Comrade Xiao Qin shed a tear of crocodile sympathy.