Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Ye Chenfeng got married.
There were no witnesses, no certificates, and no grand wedding. It was just a family gathering where the parents announced that their child was married, and he and Ding Li became a couple in reality, moving into the same house.
Ding Li still felt a bit bewildered.
She was married, to the boy she liked, which was a dream come true for her. But why did it feel so different from the wedding she had imagined? She had fantasized countless times about what it would be like to be a bride.
Wearing a white wedding dress, with many guests attending the ceremony, accompanied by bridesmaids and groomsmen.
But now she was married.
There was no wedding dress, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, and certainly no grand wedding scene. She felt a bit wronged, wanting to cry, missing her parents. Ye Chenfeng was out entertaining guests while she sat alone in the new room, staring blankly at her reflection in the vanity mirror.
Suddenly, she felt very lonely and thought of her mother.
"Ding Li Sister, what are you doing?" Xiang'er entered with a fresh outfit and a joyful expression, deliberately checking herself in the mirror.
"Xiang'er, you look really beautiful today."
Having received many compliments from others, Xiang'er merely smiled at Ding Li's praise. She reached out to touch the mirror but her eyes were drawn to the bright red satin quilt neatly spread out on the bed. A glimmer of something unspoken appeared in her eyes as she moved to lift the quilt and said to Ding Li, "Sister, I want to rest here for a bit."
"Sure, that's fine."
With Ding Li's approval, Xiang'er eagerly lifted the quilt and jumped onto the bed, wrapping herself tightly in it except for a bit of hair that peeked out.
"Are you getting used to it here, Xiang'er?" Ding Li asked casually as she got up to pour some water.
"Yes, I'm very used to it. I like it here," Xiang'er replied from under the covers.
"That's good." Ding Li walked to the door without looking back at Xiang'er, who was nestled in the bright red satin quilt, sniffing and touching it.
Ye Chenfeng finished his socializing but couldn't help worrying about Ding Li. He hurried back and happened to see her pouring water. He took the cup from her hand and said, "I'll pour it for you." As they spoke, their eyes met deeply; both filled with love that made Xiang'er snuggled up on the bed feel envious.
Ye Chenfeng went to get some water.
Ding Li returned to the new house and saw that Xiang'er seemed to be asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, she got up and started organizing the wardrobe.
Her suitcase had just been moved in, and she took out her clothes one by one to hang them in the closet.
Xiang'er, hearing that Ding Li was still in the new house, quietly said, "Sister, I want some water."
Ding Li went to pour water for Xiang'er.
Just as she left, Ye Chenfeng came in.
Seeing someone on the bed, he mistakenly thought it was Ding Li and secretly thought that since there was no one else around, it would be nice to have a romantic moment with her. He walked over without lifting the blanket to check and reached out to touch—
Xiang'er was under the covers. Even though she knew it was Ye Chenfeng reaching in, she bit her lip and remained silent.
Ye Chenfeng felt something was off when he touched. Why did Ding Li's feel smaller? It felt like two unripe jujubes—flat and lacking any sensation. He was startled and quickly withdrew his hand, but Xiang'er grabbed him from under the covers and suddenly lifted the blanket, giggling, "Chenfeng Brother, you're so naughty for touching me."
Ding Li entered with the water and was shocked at the sight, dropping the cup she held onto the floor. She stared blankly at Ye Chenfeng and Xiang'er, asking, "What are you two doing?"
Ye Chenfeng was embarrassed and flustered as he struggled to pry Xiang'er's hand away but was caught again by the little girl.
Xiang'er pouted unhappily, saying, "It's not fun; Chenfeng Brother just touched me..." Before she could finish her sentence, Ye Chenfeng quickly covered her mouth with his hand, signaling her not to mention what had just happened.
"N-nothing! Xiang'er is just being playful," Ye Chenfeng explained as he forcefully shook off Xiang'er's hand. He walked over to pick up the fallen cup and asked with concern, "Why did you go get water? You should let Xiang'er sleep on the bed."
Ding Li glanced at Xiang'er, who wore a strange expression. Feeling dizzy, she said, "I think I need to go sit outside for a bit."
"Are you okay?" Ye Chenfeng supported Ding Li as they walked out. Xiang'er shouted from the bed, startling him into stopping abruptly. He kept winking at her until she quieted down a little.
Ding Li suddenly felt that Xiang'er was quite mischievous for her age; she couldn't tell what the little girl was thinking! It all seemed quite unbelievable today.
"Xiang'er is still a child; don't overthink things. Just rest and take care of yourself," Ye Chenfeng said as he led Ding Li to a quiet study room to sit down before going to find a book about fetal development.
“Ye Chenfeng, does this count as getting pregnant before marriage? Will we get fined?”
“Stop daydreaming. Calm down; we have support at home. Don’t forget about Su Dad and Su Mother,” Ye Chenfeng reassured Ding Li before rushing out. He felt something was off about earlier; what was Xiang'er up to?
Ding Li was reading intently.
Ye Chenfeng went to look for Xiang'er but found she wasn’t in the new house. He ran into Ye Mom and quickly asked, “Mom, have you seen Xiang'er?”
“She’s talking to your dad. I really don’t like that girl; she’s so secretive and sneaky,” Ye Mom muttered, frowning.
“Oh.”
Ye Dad was in the living room.
The guests were polite, enjoying the food and drinks before leaving after a few pleasantries.
The community had good conditions, but the space wasn’t as spacious as the countryside; a vacant area could only accommodate a few banquet tables. They had set up the banquet at a hotel, so there weren’t many guests returning home, and after exchanging a few words, they all left.
What was Xiang'er discussing with Ye Dad?
“Godfather, why do you think Chenfeng Brother likes Ding Li Sister?”
Ye Dad didn’t understand why the little girl Xiang'er would ask such a silly question. He was reading the evening news, his eyes glued to the newspaper, and casually replied, “They have a connection.”
“Then I have a connection with Chenfeng Brother too. Just now…” Xiang'er was about to reveal what Ye Chenfeng had done.
Ye Chenfeng approached and cleared his throat, stopping her from continuing.
“Xiang'er, come here; I need to talk to you.”
He called Xiang'er away, and Ye Dad didn’t say anything further, continuing to read his newspaper.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Xiang'er suddenly stopped and said, “Chenfeng Brother, I like you.”
Ye Chenfeng smiled and said, "I like you too; we both like you."
"Don't! What I want is the kind of liking between a man and a woman. I want to sleep in the same bed as you," Xiang'er said earnestly, her eyes wide with innocence.
Ye Chenfeng was taken aback. How had Xiang'er changed so much that he barely recognized her?
"Don't talk nonsense. I’m married to Ding Li Sister," Ye Chenfeng replied, unsure how to address the incident where he had accidentally touched her. This little girl was hard to read, and he couldn't fathom what strange thoughts were running through her mind, especially when she blurted out something so bold.
To be honest, Xiang'er's words truly shocked Ye Chenfeng.
"But I still like you," Xiang'er said, glancing around before leaning in closer and whispering mysteriously, "Ding Li Sister is pregnant with a Demon."
"Stop talking nonsense! Little girl, don’t say such things. Ding Li Sister loves you very much," Ye Chenfeng exclaimed in surprise. What was going on in Xiang'er's head to make her say such irritating things?
"Chenfeng Brother, it's true! I saw a wisp of smoke with sparks enter Ding Li Sister's belly," Xiang'er pouted, looking aggrieved as she swayed her little hips. She appeared innocent and naive, but her words were shocking.
"You scared me! How could there be a Demon? The child in Ding Li Sister's belly is not a Demon; it's my child. Xiang'er, if you keep talking nonsense, I really will send you to an orphanage," Ye Chenfeng said angrily. After a few steps of contemplation, he turned back and asked, "Why were you lying on the bed earlier? That’s the new house for me and Ding Li Sister."
"Ding Li Sister told me to lie on the bed," Xiang'er replied, looking like she was about to cry, which made Ye Chenfeng reluctant to leave her.
Just then, Ye Mom approached and asked curiously, "What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing much. Mom, do you think it would be okay for Ding Li to have some thin porridge tonight? She likes mung bean porridge," Ye Chenfeng changed the subject and shot a fierce glare at Xiang'er, signaling her to keep quiet.
Xiang'er was most afraid of Ye Mom. Naturally, she wouldn’t say anything but felt uneasy seeing how concerned Ye Chenfeng was about Ding Li.
When Ye Chenfeng went to find Ding Li, he specifically warned Xiang'er that if she continued to speak recklessly, he would really send her to an orphanage.
As he walked towards the study, Ye Chenfeng pondered how Xiang'er had changed so much! He remembered when they were in Zhanglin Village; she had been such a good girl.
Her transformation seemed rather strange.
Upon entering the study, Ding Li was waiting impatiently.
"Lily, you must be tired! Let's go for a walk outside," Ye Chenfeng said as he led Ding Li out of the study, occasionally checking on her condition with gentle inquiries. He even reached out to caress her belly, looking blissfully happy, which made Xiang'er, who was following not far behind, feel a mix of envy and jealousy.
During the Spring Festival, every household was adorned with decorations, vibrant red everywhere.
Red lanterns.
Red chilies.
Fuwa stickers were joyfully plastered on doors.
"The rural Spring Festival is quite fun; we can even set off fireworks," Ye Chenfeng reminisced about his childhood, recalling how every year he spent the Spring Festival at Grandma's House. They would stay up late, receive lucky money, and the fireworks would crackle and light up the night sky, creating a beautiful and entertaining spectacle.
Ding Li recalled what had happened earlier and asked with a troubled expression, "Ye Chenfeng, don't you think something's off with Xiang'er?"
"I think so too. It seems like she changed after Mom took her out to buy clothes. She even said..." Ye Chenfeng initially intended to share what Xiang'er had said earlier but reconsidered, fearing it might make Ding Li anxious.
"What did she say? Was she talking behind my back?" Ding Li was puzzled; how could such a good Xiang'er turn into this?
"That's not it; you're overthinking it. How could a young girl have such bad intentions?"
"Let's hope so!" Ding Li looked up at the sky, unable to discern its color.
The streetlights flickered dimly, casting a pale glow on the ground. A cold wind seeped into her collar, making her shiver. "Let's head back!"
"Okay."
By the time Ye Chenfeng and Ding Li returned home, Xiang'er was already asleep.
In the living room, their parents were watching television.
Seeing them return, Ye Dad nodded subtly.
Ye Mom pointed to the sofa and said, "Watch some TV; I need to tell you both something."
"Alright." Ding Li obediently approached Ye Mom and, at her gesture, sat down properly.
Ye Mom went to fetch a fruit platter, handing the largest piece of fruit to Ding Li and asking Ye Chenfeng to get a knife to peel it.
Ye Chenfeng left.
Suddenly, Ye Mom fixed her gaze on Ding Li's stomach and said, "Are you alright?"
Seeing the look in Ye Mom's eyes, Ding Li involuntarily shivered. Instinctively placing a hand on her belly, she hurriedly nodded and replied, "I'm fine; I just feel a bit nauseous sometimes, but other than that, there's nothing wrong."
"That's good. I'll have your dad find someone to get a birth certificate so you won't have to spend so much money at the hospital in the future."
"Thank you, Mom." Ding Li felt awkward calling someone else's mother that, as she was new to this family.
Ye Chenfeng returned with the knife.
He personally peeled the fruit for Ding Li.
Ye Mom excused herself, saying she felt dizzy and was going to sleep.
Ye Dad also got up to follow her.
The living room was left with just Ding Li and Ye Chenfeng.
"Ye Chenfeng, Mom mentioned she would ask someone to handle the birth certificate." For some reason, Ding Li felt an inexplicable sense of unease. It was as if something was about to happen, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Ye Chenfeng was completely absorbed in the joy of becoming a father and wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings. Noticing that Ding Li seemed distracted and her expression was off, he offered a few words of comfort before finishing the fruit and heading into the bedroom to rest.
Tonight was supposed to be their wedding night.
As they faced each other, Ye Chenfeng reached out to unbutton Ding Li's clothes when there was an unexpected knock at the door.
Along with the knocking came Ye Mom's voice: "Ye Chenfeng, open the door; I need to talk to you."
Ye Chenfeng opened the door, and his mother looked quite nervous as she glanced inside the room. Seeing Ding Li sitting peacefully on the edge of the bed, she pulled her son back a step and carefully closed the door before lowering her voice to say, "You can't touch her tonight."
"Why not?" Ye Chenfeng asked, puzzled.
"Ding Li's arrival was sudden and unclear. I think it's best if you sleep in separate rooms tonight," his mother said seriously.
Ye Chenfeng felt frustrated.
What kind of nonsense was this! He was married, an adult now, and soon to be a father, yet his mother was pulling this kind of stunt.
"Mom, did you hear something? Why are you saying such ridiculous things?"
"Ye Chenfeng, you are my only child. I don't want anything to happen to you. Just listen to your mother and sleep separately from Ding Li," she insisted.
"What are you talking about! I'm not listening to this nonsense. Mom, go to bed. This is my business; you don't need to interfere," Ye Chenfeng said, genuinely angry.
Seeing her son's firm attitude, Ye Mom leaned in closer and whispered again, "Xiang'er said there's an invisible person living in our house, and he resides in Ding Li's belly."
An invisible person! Ye Chenfeng nearly exploded with anger. What on earth did Xiang'er mean by that? How could he believe such nonsense?
"Mom, we should send Xiang'er to the orphanage!" Ye Chenfeng thought Xiang'er had gone too far. He had been kind-hearted, yet this was the result he got. It seemed she wasn't innocent at all. Remembering how she had casually touched on this matter while lying on the bed made him realize that this little girl was deliberately trying to sabotage his relationship with Ding Li.
Comment 0 Comment Count