Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Once the heat subsides, there is a brief refractory period.

In this initial period, Jiang Jining is most sluggish, yet even so he gives over his whole self, with only his dark hair covering his body, to Fu Yuze. Like a bird finding a sturdy perch, he nestles into it.

...He had never known it could be so pleasurable.

This is Fu Yuze's first time dealing with his heat cycle, yet he knows better than Jiang Jining himself, who has endured it alone for six years, how to give him comfort. It's like in a game of chess, placing the most perfect piece without hesitation, balancing offense and defense, leaving one with no room to advance or retreat.

"Feeling better?"

The voice by his ear inquires, calm yet gentle.

Jiang Jining gives a soft, affirmative hum. Once his senses fully return, he wants Fu Yuze to hold him even tighter. His arm gently drops, landing on a particular place, and his eyes immediately fill with confusion.

He lifts the thin silk quilt.

Confusion turns to shock.

Fu Yuze doesn't stop him. Watching him freeze in disbelief for several seconds, he takes Jiang Jining's hand, casually tosses the quilt back, trying to cover up and extinguish the fire, then wraps his arms around Jiang Jining's shoulders. "It's fine, don't worry about it."

Jiang Jining: "..."

"When did you... become like this?"

It seems more severe than his own heat right now.

How can it be so frightening?

The skin on his palm retains a lingering warmth and a slippery smoothness, like warm, polished jade.

Fu Yuze dares not let his gaze linger too long, afraid he might explode. He pinches Jiang Jining's chin, who is completely unguarded against him. "If you keep asking, I'm going to lose face in front of you."

He hasn't calmed down since the carriage.

Having just experienced it himself, no one understands Fu Yuze's state better than Jiang Jining. After thinking for a moment, he says softly, "...Maybe I'm not as good as you, but if you're willing, I can try."

Fu Yuze closes his eyes.

"No need."

Heaven knows it took all the self-control he's ever possessed to utter those two words.

Naturally, Jiang Jining can't read what it means to say one thing and mean another.

He simply shifts to a more comfortable position, his legs bending under the quilt. For some reason, he grows restless again. This time, it's not the front. He soon tilts his head back and whispers, "I'm still a bit uncomfortable."

Fu Yuze, who had been leaning back against the headboard trying to calm down, straightens up. "Hmm?"

Jiang Jining isn't afraid to tell him his thoughts anymore, though it's still a bit embarrassing. He whispers, even softer, right into Fu Yuze's ear. He clearly feels Fu Yuze's grip on his arm tighten.

"Mmm..."

Jiang Jining lets out a small, pained sound.

Fu Yuze rubs his arm while pondering how Jiang Jining could say something so criminally enticing. An absurd thought arises: "How did you handle it before?"

Jiang Jining asks, "Handle what?"

"What you just whispered in my ear."

Fu Yuze is genuinely worried that saying too much might scare him.

After all, during the last round, no matter how intense it got, he didn't dare to let his curiosity run wild. Even when things were overflowing, he only thought Jiang Jining had a good constitution.

Whispered in his ear?

Jiang Jining blushes and shakes his head.

He softly says he's only touched it a few times.

Fu Yuze quickly remembers a point he had overlooked. He sits Jiang Jining up and asks seriously, "Sit properly. Do you even know what method the doctor mentioned for relieving your heat cycle after marriage?"

"What is it?"

Jiang Jining blinks.

No wonder he's so unguarded. Fu Yuze is immensely grateful he didn't lose his composure. Jiang Jining would have been truly frightened to tears. He asks helplessly, "Do you know what happens on the wedding night?"

The wedding night?

Jiang Jining recalls the lively celebrations at the Jiang residence when his elder brother got married, a memory etched deeply. He thinks and says, "Entering the bridal chamber, drinking the nuptial wine..."

He remembers something happy and continues, "A few months later, sister-in-law had a little nephew or niece in her belly. When they were born, Mother had me hold them first, saying the child would grow up handsome."

He knows the procedures clearly enough.

Fu Yuze asks him formally, "How are children conceived?"

This question...

Jiang Jining's belief held for years is voiced with little confidence: "Isn't it that after two people marry and sleep in the same bed, over time, a child will appear?"

Fu Yuze: "..."

He knew it.

Ancient sex education remains this backward.

Under Jiang Jining's innocent and harmless gaze, Fu Yuze cups his face and whispers everything into his ear, ensuring every detail is covered, making him fully understand the process and the pros and cons.

Jiang Jining's eyes grow wider and wider.

How can that be!

That place can... so that's how it is?

After successive shocks, Jiang Jining feels more of a "that makes logical sense" kind of epiphany. He pulls at Fu Yuze, asking this and that, receiving answers that keep refreshing his understanding. However, he objects to one point: "Why is the chance of having a boy or a girl equal?"

Fu Yuze couldn't be more objective: "Under natural conception, the probabilities are basically close."

Perhaps out of habit of being thorough.

Fu Yuze looks at Jiang Jining and adds, somewhat inexplicably yet matter-of-factly, "Boys can't get pregnant."

"...That's not true."

Jiang Jining quietly refutes modern medicine.

He could accept Fu Yuze's bizarre claim that the sex of a child is determined by the father, but he couldn't accept the idea that the chances were equal, or that men couldn't get pregnant.

Definitely not.

Fu Yuze would know when Jiang Jining got pregnant.

Since that was the case...

Certain urges, once stirred, were impossible to conceal.

Fu Yuze had anticipated that after his explanation, Jiang Jining might withdraw or feel scared. He wanted to say something comforting, but Jiang Jining gently kissed the corner of his mouth. "Then... if I learn, will my heat cycles not be so uncomfortable in the future?"

Those who know nothing are the most honest.

Fu Yuze hadn't expected this day to come so soon. Although he had been prepared just moments ago, that wasn't reason enough to go through with it. The only reason could be Jiang Jining's willingness. "You're not scared?"

Jiang Jining quietly grabbed the quilt to take a peek.

"..."

Fu Yuze gave a helpless smile.

Then, he gently laid him down.

In their passion, minds clouded, their skin pressed together.

An unfamiliar and peculiar heat quickly enveloped Jiang Jining's senses, and what had been mild aftershocks became utterly unbearable.

Vaguely—

He heard the faint sound of plastic being torn open.

Jiang Jining was kissed into a daze.

Fu Yuze carefully gathered his long hair and held it gently in his palm, letting him take the half-opened plastic packet, revealing a transparent film inside. "What is this?"

"A condom," Fu Yuze explained, as he lifted Jiang Jining to tuck a pillow under his head, then kissed the corner of his mouth. "It'll keep you safe."

Fu Yuze also took the opportunity to explain its technical name.

After learning its primary purpose, Jiang Jining was utterly shocked, and the faint, deep-seated worry in his heart vanished completely.

Condoms were the greatest invention in this world!

This way, he could be without worry during his heat cycles, have a baby with Fu Yuze after they were properly married, and no one could criticize them for it.

It was just that the method of use was a bit awkward.

Jiang Jining covered his face, not daring to look.

Fu Yuze was constantly attentive to his emotions and reactions, slowly and gently turning him over. It helped, but soon, Jiang Jining reached back and grabbed his ear like a handle, nervously asking, "...Will it hurt?"

It didn't seem quite appropriate.

Not just "seem"—it was completely inappropriate...

Fu Yuze was really afraid he'd call it off at the last moment and said with a smile, "Only asking now?"

Jiang Jining soon stopped asking.

...

Fu Yuze really knew everything.

Jiang Jining's fondness for him grew many layers deeper.

During his first time, he had only one thought: No wonder the wedding night is considered one of life's four great joys.

It was thrilling beyond words.

There was just one thing Jiang Jining was quite bothered by.

Many times he meant what he said, but Fu Yuze didn't listen much. Perhaps it was because he had been frightened at the very beginning, gritting his teeth to keep from crying. He said he wasn't scared, but he was trembling.

After that, Fu Yuze stopped believing him.

For instance, when things were going smoothly, Jiang Jining would claim he wasn't nervous.

"Lying again."

Fu Yuze's hand remained resting on top of his.

Jiang Jining could hold it whenever he wanted, even bite it on a whim. It took him a long time to respond, "I-I'm not lying."

His very fair arm would turn red after being pressed on for too long.

Fu Yuze gathered him and turned him over, telling Jiang Jining that he shouldn't hide his difficulties out of shyness. Just as he was about to reason with him, he received a slightly urgent kiss. The kitten was almost in tears, "Talk later..."

This crying was even more overwhelming.

Fu Yuze could count the frequency of his sobs.

He had no choice but to attend to Jiang Jining first.

Exactly 8:00 PM.

*

The kitchen lights came on at an unusual hour.

Uncle Lu stood at the doorway with a concerned expression, asking Fu Yuze, who was cooking at twice his usual speed, "Why don't you take a break, sir? I'll have the chef come."

"No need."

He needed to return to the bedroom before Jiang Jining woke up.

Fu Yuze was completely absorbed in cooking, not to be disturbed by anyone. Today, he had to cook quickly without sacrificing quality or quantity. He stirred the simmering mushroom soup, set the timer, and the meat grinder had finished. He put on gloves and began forming black pork meatballs, each just the right size for one bite—otherwise, Jiang Jining wouldn't want to eat them at all.

The kitchen was filled with a fragrant aroma.

While the soup base was cooking, Fu Yuze finally sat down to eat the meal the chef had left warming.

Five dishes and a soup were still there, untouched, each looking and smelling perfect.

Although the dishes were comparable to those of a star-rated hotel, Uncle Lu and Aunt Tao felt strangely uneasy seeing them. After all, Fu Yuze never ate food that had been kept warm for more than twenty-five minutes after cooking. Today, not only did he eat it, but he finished it all.

It was kind of heartbreaking.

When Aunt Tao went to clear the plates, she finally asked, "Is Xiao Ning feeling better from his seasonal reaction?"

"Mhm." Fu Yuze had temporarily set up a portable baby monitor in the bedroom, checking it whenever he wasn't with Jiang Jining. Seeing he was still asleep, Fu Yuze closed the app and set his phone down. "I'm off work for the next few days, so he's sleeping in my room—easier for me to look after him."

There was nothing wrong with that statement.

Aunt Tao, remembering Uncle Lu's errands that afternoon, added while washing dishes, "If you and Xiao Ning have any laundry, just put it in the basket by the bedroom door. It's a new one; I'll collect it every morning."

Fu Yuze was still tying up some loose ends. "Yeah, I saw it."

There was no need to feel embarrassed.

Both Uncle Lu and Aunt Tao were no strangers to such things.

He really hadn't had time to clean the sheets himself. To keep his little kitten from being overly speculated about, he'd used towels to help. As for Jiang Jining's intimate clothing, he would handle that personally.

It was just that Jiang Jining would be shy when he woke up.

Fu Yuze suddenly thought of this as he turned on the faucet to wash his hands.

The intimacy had been surprisingly smooth. Aside from the inevitable first-time nerves and discomfort, there were no issues, largely thanks to Jiang Jining's natural talent... which had also made his own experience incredible.

At several key moments, the only word in his mind was "amazing."

Jiang Jining was truly made of water.

His heat cycle was a wonderful thing.