Startled by her father’s stern gaze, Chen Lan shrank back. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held her head high, refusing to yield.​

’Why is he yelling at me? I didn’t even say anything wrong.’

’It’s the truth. Manman and Brother Zhengnian used to be so close.’

’It was all this woman’s fault. She just had to butt in and ruin everything for them.’

Chen Lan didn’t stop to think that this was a marriage, not some children’s game.

When Chen Zhengnian got married, of course he was going to marry someone he liked, not someone everyone else liked.

The third aunt quickly tried to smooth things over. "She’s just a child who doesn’t know any better. Xinxin, don’t take it to heart. Come on, let’s get you inside to change. I have a new floral blouse that should fit you perfectly."

With that, she quickly pulled Wang Xinxin toward the inner room, chattering nonstop.

"That child is so spoiled. Just you wait, I’ll deal with her later! Oh, Xinxin, I’m so sorry. You’ve been wronged."​

As Wang Xinxin was ushered into the inner room, she could still hear the third uncle outside, scolding his daughter.

The third aunt found a clean blouse and handed it to her, then gave her a towel to dry her face, her expression full of guilt. "Xinxin, don’t be angry with the child. Lanlan has been close to Manman since they were little. She cried for days when Manman left, so she’s definitely holding a grudge."​

"But your third uncle and I feel the same way. Marriage is about mutual affection. It’s not something that can happen just because two people get along well."

"I understand."

As Wang Xinxin changed out of her wet clothes, the feeling of being wronged slowly faded.

In the end, Chen Lan was just a child who had been kept in the dark.​

It was pointless to hold it against her.

When she came out after changing, she found that the third uncle had already sent Chen Lan to her room.

The third uncle was wringing his hands, his face full of apology. "Xinxin, I’m truly sorry. You must have been frightened."​

"Third Uncle, please don’t say that."

Wang Xinxin smiled. "She’s just a child. I won’t take it to heart."​

The third aunt brought over sliced watermelon and poured Wang Xinxin a cup of brown sugar water. "Here, drink this to warm up. Don’t catch a cold."

​The group sat down again to talk, with the third uncle and aunt deliberately avoiding the topic of Chen Man.

They asked Wang Xinxin about her family and mentioned that Chen Zhengnian had always been a sensible child, just a bit quiet. They asked her to be patient with him in their life together.

​Wang Xinxin answered each of their questions, and a warmth gradually spread through her heart.

’It seems Mrs. Chen was right. Most of the Chen Family are reasonable people.’​

Just as they were speaking, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard gate. Chen Zhengnian walked in quickly, and upon seeing Wang Xinxin was all right, he visibly relaxed.​

"Is it taken care of?"

​"Yes, just a small matter."

Chen Zhengnian walked over to Wang Xinxin’s side and asked in a low voice, "Did anything else happen?"​

Wang Xinxin shook her head. "Everything’s fine. Third Uncle and Third Aunt have been very good to me."​

The third aunt said with a smile, "Zhengnian, you’re finally here. Lanlan was being difficult just now and upset Xinxin. You need to comfort her properly."

​Chen Zhengnian looked at Wang Xinxin, his eyes filled with heartache for her.

He knew Wang Xinxin had put up with a lot today, yet she hadn’t uttered a single complaint.

"I failed to protect you."

He took Wang Xinxin’s hand, his voice low. "It won’t happen again."​

Warmth flooded Wang Xinxin’s heart. She squeezed his hand back. "I’m really okay."​

The third uncle and aunt insisted on them staying for dinner. Their hospitality was so effusive that they couldn’t refuse, so they ended up eating there.

By the time they headed back, the sky had already begun to dim.

On the third day of their marriage, it was traditional for the bride to visit her family, so Wang Xinxin began packing things as soon as she got home.

There were gifts for her cousin-in-law Su Tang and little Lu Cheng’an, for her aunt and uncle, and for her own mother.

When Chen Zhengnian came in from outside, he saw Wang Xinxin leaning over the table, sorting and folding a pile of colorful fabrics.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice and landed on the crown of her head, illuminating every fine strand of hair. He walked over and gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.​

"What are you busy with?"

His voice was slightly husky, and his breath smelled of fresh grass.

​Wang Xinxin tilted her head to avoid the tickle from his breath on her neck and pointed to a piece of aquamarine silk. "This is to make a new dress for my cousin-in-law. She mentioned last time that she wanted some bright-colored fabric."

In a bamboo basket on the corner of the table were two packs of brown sugar and some malt candy for Lu Cheng’an.​

Chen Zhengnian reached out and picked up a piece of ginger-yellow corduroy, rubbing the fabric’s texture between his fingers. "This would be perfect for making a lined jacket for your aunt."

He remembered Wang Xinxin mentioning that her aunt suffered from chronic pain in her legs, which had been so bad last winter she couldn’t get out of bed.

​Wang Xinxin’s eyes lit up. "How did you know?"

She had never gone into detail about her relatives’ preferences.​

"You let it slip once."

Chen Zhengnian leaned down and gave her earlobe a light peck. "I remember everything you say."​

The tips of Wang Xinxin’s ears turned red. She pushed him away and stood up. "Go on, get away. You’re all sweaty."

Despite her words, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve up. She turned and placed the corduroy he had chosen into another bundle.

「The next morning」

Chen Zhengnian stood at the courtyard gate with his bicycle. Four bulging bundles were tied to the back rack, and two strings of cured meat hung from the handlebars.

Wang Xinxin, wearing a new moonlight-white qipao with a light blue short jacket over it, was stopped by his outstretched hand as she walked up to him.​

"Wait."

He took a small red cloth bundle from his pocket and opened it to reveal a pair of silver bracelets.

"I had a silversmith make these a few days ago. They’re for your mother."

"You..."​ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Don’t overthink it."

Chen Zhengnian pressed the bracelets into her hand. "Our mom’s old ones are worn out."

He straightened the collar of her qipao, his fingertips unintentionally brushing against her collarbone. "Let’s go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back."

In the Lu Family’s small courtyard, everyone had known for a while that the two of them would be visiting today.

Su Tang was holding Lu Cheng’an, watching the couple as they walked in.

"Aww, my precious baby Cheng’an!"

Wang Xinxin made a beeline for Lu Cheng’an, who couldn’t talk yet and could only smear her face with drool.

Held in Wang Xinxin’s arms, Lu Cheng’an kicked his little arms and legs as drool trickled from the corner of his mouth onto her moonlight-white qipao.

Su Tang teased with a laugh, "Look at our Cheng’an. He knows his auntie brought him good things, look how excited he is."

Wang Xinxin freed one hand to pinch the little one’s chubby cheek. "Our Cheng’an is just so lovable."

As she spoke, she handed the malt candy from the bamboo basket to Su Tang.

"Cousin-in-law, this is for Cheng’an. Remember not to let him eat too much, or he’ll get cavities."

Su Tang took it with a smiling nod. "I know, I know. You’re a more attentive auntie than I am a mother."

She turned to Chen Zhengnian. "Brother Chen, please, come inside and sit down. My dad just brewed some fresh tea."

Chen Zhengnian acknowledged her and followed Wang Xinxin inside.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Xinxin’s mother came out from the kitchen. Seeing the two of them, her face bloomed into a wide smile. "You’re back! Come, sit down and rest. The food will be ready soon."

"Mom, we brought you some things."

As Wang Xinxin spoke, she took out the silver bracelets that Chen Zhengnian had made and handed them to her mother.

"Look, aren’t these bracelets beautiful?"