Chapter 43 Night Vision

Chapter 43: Night Vision

Late at night, the Second Young Master tended the fire to boil water in the kitchen, while Jian Ru, inside, stripped the bed and replaced the sheets and quilt covers with fresh ones.

Once the water was nearly ready, they scooped it into a basin and tempered it with cold water. The two then sat on small stools on either side of the large basin, their legs touching as they scrubbed the recently removed linens.

As they washed, they couldn't resist leaning in for stolen kisses and gentle caresses.

After finishing the laundry, the couple, wary of Xiao Ning seeing or hearing them, dared not hang it in the courtyard. Instead, they strung ropes across the room, making do with them as makeshift clotheslines.

Once the chores were done, the couple lay back in bed. Jian Ru still felt as if every bone in his body had melted. Though the exertion on the bed had been truly exhausting, the thrill he had experienced was unlike anything before.

Outside the bed curtains, the freshly hung sheets emitted the clean scent of soapberries, while inside lingered the faint, delicate fragrance of the Second Young Master. Jian Ru took a deep, comfortable breath.

Back when Granny Jin had taught him how to please the Second Young Master, Jian Ru never imagined that, setting everything else aside, even in bed, the Second Young Master didn't need to lift a finger. Just by taking the initiative himself, he could utterly captivate Jian Ru, making him devoted body and soul.

A rustling sound came from beside him as the Second Young Master turned over, slipping an arm beneath Jian Ru’s neck. Jian Ru lifted his head to rest on the young master’s arm, and the latter gently pulled him into an embrace. Listening to the steady heartbeat of the young man, Jian Ru, thoroughly exhausted, soon fell asleep.

The next day, during morning greetings in the main hall, a patient Li Jinfeng had previously cured returned from a long journey and specially brought a basket of tangerines. Madam Li had Granny Jin arrange a large plate of them, and everyone ate the juicy, sweet-and-sour segments to quench their thirst after eating sunflower seeds.

Jin Rong ate one tangerine and stood up to leave, but Jin Hui tugged at her sleeve, saying, “Don’t coop yourself up in your room all day—it can’t be good for you. Stay and chat a while longer before going back.”

Jin Rong paused and replied, “The weather is nice today. I’m going to hang the bedding from little sister’s room out to air.”

After Jin Rong left the room, Jin Hui stole a glance at her mother. Sure enough, her mother’s expression was no longer as relaxed as before, and she let out a soft sigh.

Jian Ru noticed it too and glanced at the calendar hanging on the beam nearby.

When Jin He returned to her in-laws’ home before the New Year, she had said she would come back after the festivities. But now, three or four months had passed since the New Year, and there was no mention of her returning in her letters. She was likely held up by some matter again.

Seeing her mother in low spirits, Jin Hui smiled and changed the subject. “Yesterday, on my way to the clinic, I ran into the wife of the second son from Second Uncle’s family. It’s been ages since I last visited them—guess what?”

Jian Ru asked curiously, “What happened?”

Jin Hui gestured as she spoke, “That second daughter-in-law’s belly is bulging again, like a little pot lid—she’s pregnant with their second child.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Li momentarily forgot about Jin He’s situation and asked, “How is she pregnant again? Their chubby little one isn’t even a year old, is it?”

Jin Hui stuffed a tangerine into Zhao Pin’s hand behind her and filled her own mouth with segments, mumbling indistinctly, “He just turned ten months old.”

Madam Li clicked her tongue and said, “That second son is so irresponsible. How can he let his wife have children so close together? It’ll harm her health.” She turned to Granny Jin and said, “Later, go check the storeroom and find some nourishing herbs suitable for pregnancy. Have someone deliver them to the second daughter-in-law.”

Granny Jin acknowledged the instruction and left.

With the person who could remind her no longer in the room, Madam Li didn’t think much of it and casually remarked, “Third Brother from Second Uncle’s family can’t have children, but the second son’s family keeps having them one after another. If it comes to it, Third Brother could adopt one of his second brother’s children as a son. Otherwise, Third Brother and that Sun Yushuang will have no one to care for them in their old age or see them to their graves.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Qinglan, who was sitting nearby, visibly stiffened.

The Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master were chatting about matters at the clinic in the back. This time, the Eldest Young Master noticed his wife’s unusual reaction. He stood up, took a tangerine, and placed it in front of Li Qinglan.

Li Qinglan kept her head down and didn’t look at him. Not wanting to say anything in front of so many people, he could only return to his conversation with his brother.

Jin Hui didn’t pay them any mind, her focus still on Second Uncle’s family. She said to her mother, “Mother, don’t go making arrangements for others. If Second Brother and his wife find out, they’ll be upset with you. Besides, who knows how long Third Brother and Sun Yushuang will even stay together?”

Madam Li asked, “What? Last time, when Jin Rong and the youngest came back, didn’t they say that Third Brother and his husband were getting along quite well?”

Jin Hui lowered her voice. “I heard from the second daughter-in-law that Sun Yushuang has been acting up lately.”

“What?” Madam Li asked. “Is he fooling around outside?”

Jian Ru, who had been eating a tangerine, also looked up at Jin Hui.

Jin Hui shook her head at the two of them. “No, it’s not that. Well, he says he wants to open a shop and has been asking Second Uncle and Aunt for money.”

Jian Ru pondered to himself, thinking that Sun Yushuang was quite capable—able to manage opening his own shop.

Over there, Madam Li said, “That doesn’t really count as causing trouble. Given Third Brother’s condition, Sun Yushuang has to find a way to secure his own future.”

Jin Hui said, “That’s true. But if his business really takes off and he no longer lacks money or backing, he’ll likely kick Third Brother to the curb sooner or later.”

Madam Li said, “Well, Third Brother would deserve it!”

Jin Hui agreed, “That guy has been annoying since he was a child—no wonder everyone can’t stand him. Mother, do you remember what Third Brother did the year our youngest brother was six?”

“What happened?” Madam Li couldn’t recall immediately.

Jin Hui said, “He took our little brother to the graveyard late at night, left him there, and came back alone with a lantern. When asked, he claimed he didn’t know anything. You and Father were frantic with worry. Everyone in the family except Jin He went out to search, but we couldn’t find him for a long time. Eventually, our little brother found his way back on his own.”

Jian Ru gasped softly, and the Second Young Master glanced over.

Madam Li patted Jian Ru’s hand and said, “Yes, that did happen. Later, Second Uncle beat Third Brother so hard his backside was nearly raw. Although I was angry, I couldn’t let him seriously injure the child, so I had your father step in and stop him.”

Jin Hui turned to her youngest brother and asked, “Do you remember this?”

Li Jintong nodded. “I remember a little.” He glanced at Jian Ru again, his expression hesitant.

But Jin Hui didn’t give him a chance to hesitate. Clapping her hands together, she said, “Thank goodness you’ve been able to see in the dark since you were little! Even without a lantern, you could see clearly and find your way home from the graveyard. Otherwise, something terrible might have happened!”

Upon hearing this, Jian Ru gasped again.

Li Jintong’s heart relaxed for a moment, then tightened again. He knew that while nothing had happened to him back then, now he was truly in serious trouble.

...

After leaving the main hall, the couple walked one behind the other along the path.

Jian Ru kept his head down and remained silent. Li Jintong felt anxious and didn’t dare speak carelessly.

They returned to their courtyard in silence. Xiao Ning was also taking advantage of the sunny weather to air out the quilts.

Seeing his masters return, he greeted them with a smile and asked, “Brother Jian, the weather is warm today, so I won’t let the fire die down in the stove. I’ll relight it after the sun sets and it gets cooler.”

Jian Ru heard him and paused mid-step.

Li Jintong also stopped behind him.

Jian Ru turned to look at Xiao Ning. “Alright, no need to let it die down for now. But don’t wait until sunset this afternoon—light the fire during the Shen hour. Otherwise, if we wait until it’s dark, the room won’t have warmed up yet and will be cold.”

Xiao Ning said, “Yes, sir,” puzzled as he watched the Second Young Master follow closely behind Jian Ru. Just as Jian Ru finished speaking and was about to open the door, the Second Young Master quickly stepped forward, reaching from behind to pull the door open. After Jian Ru entered the room, he followed him in and gently closed the door behind them, as if afraid the sound of the door closing would startle something.

Once inside, the two washed their hands and changed clothes separately.

Normally, after returning from the main hall, the Second Young Master would teach Jian Ru to read and practice writing.

The Second Young Master never found this task tedious; on the contrary, he enjoyed it greatly. Jian Ru was clever and quick to learn, grasping concepts with just a hint, which made teaching him very rewarding.

Moreover, the Second Young Master had long noticed that Jian Ru held a special respect and admiration for those who knew how to do business or were literate. Sometimes, when the young master deliberately showed off a little, Jian Ru would look at him with sparkling eyes.

But today, Jian Ru wasn’t his usual obedient self. He didn’t happily go to get his books as he always did, nor did he move the two chairs to sit closely together.

After tidying up the room, he sat down on the edge of the bed without saying a word.

Second Young Master thought for a moment, took off his shoes and lay down on the bed, and tugged at Jian Ru's sleeve.

Jian Ru turned his head slightly but avoided looking at him, asking, "What?"

Second Young Master said apologetically, "Come sit on my lower abdomen."

Jian Ru pulled his hand back and turned his head away again, remaining silent.

Second Young Master grew even more flustered. He sat up, gazing at Jian Ru's profile, and said, "I never meant to hide it from you."

Jian Ru bent over and covered his face with his hands.

Thinking he was crying, Second Young Master felt both guilty and heartbroken. He quickly pulled the slender figure into his arms.

Jian Ru struggled a few times, but Second Young Master clenched his teeth and held on tightly, his face flushing red from the effort. Eventually, Jian Ru, afraid of tiring him out, stopped resisting and allowed himself to be held.

Second Young Master planted kisses on the slender fingers covering Jian Ru's face and whispered in his ear, "I was wrong. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I was too greedy—I wanted to see every aspect of you."

Jian Ru gradually loosened his grip on his face but still refused to look up at Second Young Master. His voice was barely audible as he stammered, "Before... when I let you... when I gave myself to you... did you see everything?"

Second Young Master replied with difficulty, "Mm-hmm."

Jian Ru’s voice cracked, "And last night, when you coaxed me to... to open myself up... you said it was fine since you couldn’t see, and you even... you still wanted to... Luckily, I refused firmly." Too embarrassed, he couldn’t bring himself to continue, finally bursting out angrily, "How could you do this!"

Hearing this, Second Young Master couldn’t help but recall the scene, his face flushing deeply and his nose itching. He quickly tilted his head back.

Jian Ru looked up at him and, seeing his reaction, grew even angrier.

He turned around, pushed against Second Young Master’s chest, and pushed him down. Out of habit, he lifted his leg and sat on his stomach. But as soon as he settled, noticing Second Young Master’s face turning even redder, he realized something was wrong and immediately tried to move away.

However, the young man reached out and grabbed his ankle, his thumb gently stroking the skin. Jian Ru looked down and saw Second Young Master’s beautiful, moist eyes gazing at him with immense tenderness.

"Xiao Ru, I was wrong. Punish me."