I am Jia Dongjin in the Siheyuan (Courtyard House)

Chapter 76 After Marriage

After washing herself, Qin Huairu brought over a basin of hot water and helped Jia Dongjin undress to wash him.

"You just took a shower yesterday, why do you need to shower again?"

"Um"

Unlike her devout devotion when washing her feet, Qin Huairu was now shy and timid, her small hands trembling slightly, and the atmosphere instantly became enchanting.

Under the lamplight, Qin Huairu's pretty face was as red as a cloth. The eavesdroppers outside had already gone far away. The moment she undressed the man, she heard her heart pounding like a drum—looking at the man's strong body, having followed him all the way here, until now alone with him, that unreal, light feeling slowly settled into her chest, and the woman's fingertips were trembling.

They hadn't spoken much in the year they'd known each other, but now, suddenly, they were about to share a room and become the closest people to each other in their lives. All those hidden thoughts surfaced at once: Would he like me? Would he look down on me because I'm a widow? Would he think I can't cook?

A jumble of thoughts swirled together, and she even held her breath. Seeing Jia Dongjin's eyes light up, Qin Huairu hurriedly lowered her head, her ear tips burning hot.

Jia Dongjin lay flat on the bed, looking at the woman before him. Her eyes were lowered, her long eyelashes trembling like the wings of a startled butterfly, even her neck flushed pink. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. Having lived two lives, he had many experiences with women. He remembered that summer day when he returned from fishing, and she rushed to greet him from the tap, her eyes bright as if filled with spring water, like a joyful little bird. But life had been complicated. It wasn't until he broke up with Zhang Qin and encountered Liu Hong's depravity towards women that he decided to propose to her.

Now, truly in the bridal chamber, Jia Dongjin looked at his rightful wife. His hardened heart, accustomed to the coldness of the world, suddenly softened completely, and he felt a strange, inexplicable panic. He wasn't someone who hadn't seen many big scenes, but he had never been so nervous before. Even when he reached out to stop the woman from undressing him, his knuckles were secretly tense.

When their fingertips touched, they both felt a slight burn and pulled back simultaneously, then laughed in unison.

Seeing the woman's adorable appearance, clearly indicating her affection for him, Jia Dongjin finally felt completely relieved. His tone carried a gentleness he himself didn't realize: "Huai Ru, you must be tired. Get some rest. I can clean myself."

Hearing the man's words, Qin Huairu trembled slightly. She secretly peeked at him through her eyelashes: he had high brow bones and a straight nose, and looked more gentle than usual, but his body was unusually strong, with bulging pectoral muscles and eight-pack abs that highlighted his hidden strength.

This is my man. Qin Huairu felt a warmth spread through her heart. The anxiety about the unknown slowly turned into a sense of security and warmth—from now on, she would see this man by her side every time she woke up.

Jia Dongjin moved slightly, then gently pressed the woman's hand down: "Huai Ru, I'll take care of things from now on."

The voice was soft, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, rippling out gentle warmth throughout the room.

"Um"

"Huai Ru, I'm sleepy."

"Um"

"Huai Ru, I'm really sleepy."

"Um"

"Oh!"

The woman let out a soft gasp, already on the bed. "Water, the water hasn't been poured yet, um... ah..."

The moon climbed up outside the window, casting shimmering silver light through the curtains, overlapping the shadows of the two people who were getting closer and closer into a steady circle.

Early in the morning, Jia Dongjin was woken up by Qin Huairu. He pretended to be angry and took the opportunity to push the woman down onto the bed.

"No, not now. Let's wait until tonight. I need to cook for my mother-in-law. You go wash up first, then take Xiaodang home."

Qin Huairu had a face like a peach blossom, yet she possessed an upright character.

"I'm the head of the household."

"This is the rule in Beijing; even the head of the household can't do it."

On the first day of their marriage, according to the customs of Beijing, the new bride had to make breakfast for her mother-in-law. The husband's tiger skin didn't work. At this time, Jia Dongjin's skin wasn't thick enough, so he didn't dare to pester her anymore and could only obediently listen to the woman's orders.

Breakfast wasn't the usual cornbread and pickled vegetables, nor was there cornmeal porridge. Jia Zhangshi made a tough decision and had Qin Huairu cook chicken noodle soup, with some chicken that she had specially saved from the night before.

This was considered an extremely lavish meal at the time; even cadres' families wouldn't dare to eat like this.

Madam Jia and Jia Dongjin were of the same ilk; both of them loved to eat well and were willing to spend money on food. The mother and son seemed to be of one mind and got along so well that it surprised Qin Huairu, and it wasn't just because of economic reasons.

Previously, the relationship between Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu was not like this. Qin Huairu was a sensitive person, and she always had a strange feeling in her heart, as if her youngest son, Jia Dongjin, who had been sent away since childhood, was Jia Zhangshi's biological son.

In contrast, Jia Dongxu was clearly reserved and always seemed afraid of his mother, Jia Zhangshi, which made Qin Huairu afraid of her mother-in-law as well. Fortunately, the two brothers looked very alike, although Jia Dongjin was more handsome and tall, and his body was stronger, which Qin Huairu deeply regretted.

Everyone was happy. Bang Geng's bowl was small, and there was correspondingly less chicken in it, so he was inevitably a little upset. Qin Huairu immediately picked up the chicken from her bowl and prepared to share it with Bang Geng.

"When we march east to Huai Ru, Bang Geng needs his brothers. You all eat your food, Bang Geng," Jia Zhangshi sneered from the side.

At this point, Jia Zhangshi herself felt it was inappropriate. She looked at Banggeng and saw that her little grandson was looking at her with an innocent expression.

Knowing that Banggeng was the only son of the Jia family, bearing the heavy responsibility of the family's future and the continuation of its lineage, Jia Zhangshi could no longer bring herself to criticize him. She could only give Banggeng her chicken wings with a pained expression, muttering, "Isn't he afraid of getting fat and not being able to find a wife in the future?"

Since Jia Dongjin came to the Jia family, their living conditions have greatly improved. Jia Zhangshi's mean and selfish nature has been mostly suppressed by Jia Dongjin, and she rarely has the chance to lash out. Instead, she has shown a lot of her charitable side.

Bang Geng was not afraid of Jia Zhangshi. He lowered his head and ate the chicken wing with a smug look on his face.

Madam Jia's eyes darted around, and she asked Banggeng, "Banggeng, do you know why your family likes to pickle eggs?"

Banggeng was enjoying his meal when he casually replied, "Pickled eggs have no flavor; no one can smell the aroma."

"Why are you afraid of others knowing that our family is having a good meal?"

"Because I'm afraid others will be jealous."

"Then why are you showing off your White Rabbit candy to Guangfu and Jiedi!"

Jia Zhangshi finally revealed her true colors and exposed the culprit who had fallen into the pit.

Yesterday, Jia Dongjin bought White Rabbit milk candy at the department store. He didn't share it with his neighbors, but gave them regular fruit candies. He kept the White Rabbit milk candy for his own family. Last night, Jia Zhangshi felt sorry for her grandson and secretly gave him a handful of sticks.

The matter of Banggeng's sharing can be big or small. Since Jia Dongjin married Qin Huairu, it is only natural that he took over the responsibility and power to educate Banggeng.

"Bang Geng, hurry up and eat. I have something to tell you after you finish eating."

Jia Dongjin was indeed hungry. He ate his food in large mouthfuls, glared at Bang Geng, and gave an order.

Something terrible was about to happen. Bang Geng quickly finished his meal, then sat down obediently and awaited the unknown verdict.

Jia Dongjin was the head of the household and the pillar of the family. He not only gave Banggeng benefits, but also stood up for Banggeng and taught a lesson to the older children who bullied him. Banggeng was convinced and his attitude naturally became more upright.

Jia Dongjin cleared his throat and first told Banggeng the story of how a small favor is appreciated but a large one is resented, before speaking seriously: "Giving candy to friends is a good thing, but White Rabbit candy is very precious, and even we adults are reluctant to eat it. White Rabbit candy is equivalent to a large amount of rice, while fruit candy is a small amount. Even if Guangfu Jiedi eats White Rabbit candy today, she won't thank you later; instead, she'll hate you. Do you understand?"

The difficulties have arrived, but the time for them to exert their power is far off. Jia Dongjin must plan ahead and keep the sticks in check. Otherwise, if the children show off and talk nonsense outside, revealing the Jia family's secret military information, it will be a terrible matter.

"Uncle, I understand. I won't show off anymore."

After finishing her meal, Qin Huairu was breastfeeding her baby when she saw Banggeng calling him "Uncle." She frowned and scolded him, "Banggeng, you can't call him 'Uncle' anymore. Uncle and Mom are married now, you have to call him 'Dad.' Haven't you always wanted to call Uncle 'Dad'?"

"Yes, Bang Geng, from now on I will not only buy you delicious food, but I will also protect you, and no one will dare to bully you. Now you will get a change of address fee for calling me Dad."

Jia Dongjin almost forgot about the child changing his address, so he quickly and patiently coaxed him, taking out 2 cents.

"dad!"

Bang Geng was just 4 years old and didn't really understand the meaning of "father" yet, so he called out "father" and received 2 cents as a "change of address fee".

He happily pocketed the two cents, carefully tucking the stick into his pocket and patting it twice.

With a satisfied look on his face, he asked Jia Zhangshi, "Grandma, I'm going out to find Jie Di to play with."

"Leave the candy here first!"

"Wait a minute, Banggeng, it's still early. We'll go out to play later. Daddy has a present for you."

After the White Rabbit candy was put into the custody of the big boss Jia Zhangshi, he was about to leave dejectedly when Jia Dongjin stopped him again, saying that he had a gift to give him.

"Dad, is learning to write the gift?"

Looking at the simple sand table in front of him, Xiao Banggeng, holding a small shovel, was on the verge of tears. He had witnessed the pain that Erdan, Guangfu, and others suffered while doing their homework and knew that studying was a hard thing.

"Yes, you learn one word in three days. If you learn it, you get a candy. If you don't, you get a spanking."

Seeing that Banggeng was quite clever, and since he was on his honeymoon today and had nothing else to do, Jia Dongjin decided to start teaching Banggeng.

"The character we learned today is very simple; it's the character for 'person.' Look closely: the left-falling stroke and the right-falling stroke, the head reaching towards the sky, and the two feet firmly planted on the ground—this is what it means to stand tall and upright. I hope that when you grow up, you will become a man who stands tall and upright."

Holding a small bamboo stick, Jia Dongjin wrote the character "人" (person) and then casually swung it around a few times, making a whooshing sound. At the same time, he deliberately stared at the back of the stick with ill intent, as if figuring out the best angle to hit it.

The logic is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand; if you learn it, you get rewarded; if you don't, you get punished.

Bang Geng turned to look at Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu, hoping for support from friendly forces, but the reinforcements were all looking elsewhere, seemingly contemplating something important.

"If there's candy to eat, I'll learn!"

Seeing that he was isolated and helpless, and under the threat of the small bamboo stick, the little stick finally lowered his head and began to learn his first word.

"Study hard, Dad has high hopes for you!" Jia Dongjin chuckled.

He recalled a famous saying: Iron fists and sticks can solve many problems, although they cannot be relied upon entirely. He could not control what the stick was thinking, but controlling the stick's mouth was easy.

A sapling will not grow straight if it is not pruned; Jia Dongjin has a long way to go and a heavy responsibility to shoulder.