Chapter 11

Lin Tian woke from hunger and looked out the window. The night was deep and quiet.
She checked her watch, it was just past 2 a.m.
The house was silent. She put on a coat and went to the kitchen.
She lit the stove to boil water, deciding to make herself a bowl of noodles.
The noodles were a special purchase from Chu Ci for her, and this was her first time trying them.
While waiting for the water, she washed two small cabbages and some scallions.
Suddenly, she heard movement behind her.
Moments later, Chu Ci appeared at the kitchen door, tall and elegant. His clear black eyes looked at her, and in a gentle tone asked: “Hungry? Want me to make noodles? You go wait in the living room.”
Lin Tian had no ill feelings at first, but his sudden appearance and question stirred unexpected anger and a hint of grievance.
“I realize being a man is easier. You never have to bear children, never endure this suffering. Mothers carry for ten months, and in the end, men reap the benefits,” she said coldly, expressionless.
Chu Ci froze, took the noodles from her hands, and softly asked, “Want me to make a cup of malted milk first?”
Lin Tian ignored him, turning to wait in the living room. She knew she was taking out her frustration, but felt he deserved it.
About ten minutes later, Chu Ci brought a bowl of noodles.
Two eggs and some small cabbages floated atop, seasoned only with salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It smelled good, perfect for a late-night snack.
Lin Tian picked up a strand and tasted it; it was decent.
Watching her, Chu Ci calmly said, “Angry? Yes, I got lucky. You’re right to scold me. If you’re unhappy in the future, vent at me, I won’t complain. Hit or scold, I won’t resist.”
After a few bites, Lin Tian’s hunger eased, and her mood improved. She laughed softly: “I’m not unreasonable. I hate domestic violence, whether man hitting woman or vice versa. At most, I might pinch you a little.”
She looked up at Chu Ci, smiling: “If I get angry in the future, just say a few nice words to soothe me like tonight.”
Chu Ci looked at her under the light; her eyes were clear and sparkling, mesmerizing.
He bowed his head: “Okay, I understand.”
After finishing the noodles, Lin Tian was wide awake. She suddenly asked, “Chu Ci, are you okay with my sudden outbursts?”
“A little at first, but after spending time with you, it’s fine,” he replied.
“Oh,” she said, then asked, “What did the doctor say about your amnesia?”
Chu Ci answered honestly: “They said it’s a very rare case. There’s nothing they can do for now.”
Lin Tian nodded, not pressing further.
Chu Ci suddenly realized it was still the middle of the night, and as a pregnant woman, Lin Tian needed proper rest. He glanced at her: “You should sleep. Tomorrow we’ll visit my aunt’s house.”
Lin Tian remembered and, though unhappy, didn’t protest, nodding reluctantly.
Chu Ci, reading her thoughts, said: “If you don’t want to see your aunt, we can postpone.”
Lin Tian wasn’t rude, she simply lacked experience, so she was anxious. She smiled and reassured him: “No need. I’ll sleep now.”
Chu Ci didn’t know what she was thinking. He stood and lightly touched her head, softly, like someone soothing a child: “Don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.”
Lin Tian spun away, giving him no chance to react, and returned to her room.
Chu Ci watched the closed door, smiling despite himself.
Afterward, he picked up the empty bowl and went to wash it.
Lin Tian leaned against the door, nervously touching her racing heart.
The next morning, Chu Ci brought gifts and went with Lin Tian to his aunt’s house.
They arrived near noon, because Lin Tian had slept in.
Chu Ci’s aunt lived in the provincial committee compound, in a two-story house. At the door, Chu Ci glanced at Lin Tian’s gentle smile: “Should I knock?”
Lin Tian rolled her eyes: “Go ahead, can I stop you?”
She quickly recovered her smile. Chu Ci found it both amusing and touching.
When the door opened, a graceful woman in her thirties appeared. Seeing Chu Ci first, her gaze shifted to Lin Tian, eyes brightening. She grabbed Lin Tian’s wrists and smiled warmly: “Xiao Ci, this is your wife? She’s beautiful.”
Lin Tian wore a loose light-colored dress, her belly was too big for fitted clothes. But her face remained lovely.
Together with Chu Ci, they made a perfect couple.
The aunt, Chu Mingshan, was a secret beauty enthusiast, she adored Lin Tian at first sight.
“Yes, Aunt, this is my wife, Lin Tian. Tiantian, this is my aunt,” Chu Ci introduced with a smile.
Previously, Chu Ci always used full names; Lin Tian was surprised at “Tiantian,” but reacted normally and greeted his aunt: “Hello, Aunt.”
“Good, good, come in,” Chu Mingshan said, reluctant to let go of her hand.
Inside, a man reading a newspaper looked up. He had a stern but handsome face and said seriously: “Have a seat.”
Chu Mingshan glanced at her husband and explained to Lin Tian: “Don’t worry about him, Tiantian. He may look strict, but he’s actually very kind.”
Lin Tian understood they had a close relationship and smiled: “I know, Aunt.”
Chu Ci put the gifts on the table. Chu Mingshan looked at them and, in a tone of seniority, said: “Why bring gifts?”
“It was Tiantian’s idea. She insisted since it’s her first visit,” Chu Ci said innocently.
Chu Mingshan laughed more openly. She had worried her nephew might marry a rural girl who’d be treated unfairly. But seeing Lin Tian in person, beautiful, poised, confident, she had nothing to worry about. Even if she wasn’t highly educated, her son liked her, and she was carrying twins. She would treat her well.
She was glad she had prepared nourishing food and mild dishes for a pregnant guest, maintaining her dignity as an elder.
Chu Ci asked, “Where’s Yingying?”
Chu Mingshan remembered her daughter, who had refused to greet the new guest, thinking her cousin’s wife didn’t match her son. But she couldn’t say that in front of Lin Tian, so she calmly said: “Yingying is studying. She’s preparing for the college entrance exam next year. You can chat with your uncle, I’ll call her later.”
Chu Ci didn’t notice anything, but Lin Tian sensed something was off.
Chu Mingshan went upstairs, leaving Chu Ci chatting with his uncle, Jiang Hu.
Bored, Lin Tian idly peeled an orange, not interrupting them.
Upstairs, Chu Mingshan entered her daughter’s room. Seeing Jiang Ying’s expression, she scolded, “Jiang Ying, your cousin and cousin-in-law are here. Why aren’t you coming down?”
Jiang Ying got up, annoyed: “They’re here, so what? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Chu Mingshan nudged her and admonished: “When you see your cousin-in-law, be polite. I warn you, if you dare show her an attitude, I’ll deduct three months of your allowance.”
Jiang Ying had been spoiled all her life. Her older brother and cousins always indulged her. Her grandparents and uncle never scolded her, only her mother did.
Now her mother was scolding her over an outsider, so Jiang Ying’s resentment intensified, though she wisely kept it hidden. She said, “I understand, don’t worry.”
Chu Mingshan relaxed. She could tell her nephew treated Lin Tian well, his eyes hardly left her. She didn’t want her daughter to sour the relationship over this.
No matter how close siblings were, after marriage, the spouse became the closer one.
Moreover, Lin Tian was genuinely likable. Yingying shouldn’t let her prejudice prevent her from respecting a cousin-in-law she’d never met.
Chu Mingshan and Jiang Ying went downstairs, and Lin Tian quickly noticed them.
She stood, looking at them. Jiang Ying’s gaze naturally fell on her cousin-in-law. The first impression was stunning, but she quickly concluded that Lin Tian must be using her looks to seduce her cousin. She grew more displeased with her cousin-in-law.
Yet, constrained by her mother’s instructions and respect for her cousin, she forced a polite smile and said, “Cousin-in-law, sorry for keeping you waiting on our first meeting.”
The young girl’s hostility was faintly visible in her eyes, but Lin Tian found it amusing. She enjoyed when people disliked her yet had to greet her with smiles.
Lin Tian smiled even more brightly: “It’s fine. I heard you’re preparing for the college entrance exams, you should focus on studying.”
Jiang Ying responded deliberately: “Yes, I always look up to my cousin. I want to get into a good university next year. Cousin-in-law, what about you? My cousin is in university, what’s your educational background?”
Lin Tian laughed lightly: “We country folks didn’t study much. I was only allowed to attend school until middle school.”
“That’s a shame. I thought you were a university student too,” Jiang Ying said maliciously, her almond-shaped eyes glinting.