RIRW – Chapter 119

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When Zuo Dan woke up in the morning and opened her eyes, Shen Yiming was still lying next to her, propping his head up and staring at her. What’s more, he shamelessly wasn’t wearing a shirt.

Zuo Dan glanced at the scratch marks on his shoulder and immediately felt guilty, turning her gaze away. “Why are you still in bed? Don’t you have work?”

Shen Yiming smiled and tapped her lips. “I have the morning off, I’ll go in this afternoon. After all, we’re newlyweds—I can’t just abandon my bride first thing in the morning.”

“You’re so clingy. It’s not like it’s your first day being a groom… cough cough.”

Zuo Dan trailed off, looking awkward. Shen Yiming pulled her into his arms and laughed happily, whispering by her ear, “I feel like I’m a groom every single day.”

“Shen Yiming, you’re shameless!” Zuo Dan shoved him away in embarrassment and anger, then started getting up to get dressed. But the moment she realized she was completely naked, she yanked the blanket over herself. “Shen Yiming, get up and get out!”

Shen Yiming let out a long sigh. “Burning the bridge after crossing it, huh?” Still, he slowly got up and got dressed. Once he was done, he brought her clothes over.

Zuo Dan stayed under the blanket to get dressed. Afterward, she climbed out of bed, only to find her back aching and her limbs sore. She sat down in front of the vanity to brush her hair, but even lifting her arm was a struggle.

“Shen Yiming, look what you’ve done! I can’t even brush my hair!” she complained, turning to glare at him.

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it.” Shen Yiming grinned contentedly and took the comb, gently brushing her hair.

Only then did Zuo Dan look satisfied, watching him through the mirror. “Shen Yiming, do you think I should change my hairstyle? I’m thinking of cutting it short, just to my ears. It’ll look really fresh. I’m married now, so maybe it’s time for a change.”

Hearing this, Shen Yiming’s expression instantly darkened. “No cutting it!”

Zuo Dan was annoyed. “Why not? It’s my hair.”

“It’s mine!” Shen Yiming said as he carefully braided her hair. “Every strand is mine.”

“You’re so domineering! Fine, but you’d better brush my hair and braid it every day. If you don’t have time, I’m cutting it off,” Zuo Dan said through gritted teeth. She felt like Shen Yiming was talking big because he wasn’t the one suffering.

To her surprise, Shen Yiming was delighted. “Deal. I’ll brush your hair. Just don’t cut it.”

Zuo Dan: “…” Does he have a hair obsession or something?

After he finished brushing her hair, Zuo Dan was about to head out, but before she could even open the door, Shen Yiming pulled her back, pinned her against the door, and kissed her thoroughly until he was satisfied.

When they finally left, Shen Yiming looked radiant while Zuo Dan’s face was flushed.

Her grandma seemed to have gotten up late as well—just finishing her morning routine and practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard when they came out.

Without pausing her movements, Grandma said, “The porridge is ready. Yiming, go cook the flatbreads and eat.”

Shen Yiming hurried to wash up and ducked into the kitchen. After Zuo Dan washed up, she followed him in. Although Grandma always said the man of the house should do all the chores, Zuo Dan didn’t take that completely to heart. As part of the household, she felt it was necessary to do her share.

So she stood beside him cheering him on. “Chef Shen, you got this! I’ll support you. Just let me know if you need anything—I’ll pass it to you.”

Once Shen Yiming finished cooking a flatbread, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, breath-stealing kiss that left her legs weak. Only then did he let her go and go back to cooking. Zuo Dan quickly backed away, putting several meters between them.

Once the food was on the table, Grandma told Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming to go offer incense to Grandpa and Shen Yiming’s mother.

After they obediently did so, Grandma stood to the side and gave Shen Yiming some words of guidance. “Yiming, you’re a grown man now. You’re Dandan’s husband, the pillar of this family. You must walk the right path, the upright path—no shady business. Dandan is your wife, and you must treat her well. No two-timing. Our Shen family doesn’t raise men like that.”

Shen Yiming said earnestly, “I will always remember Grandma’s teachings.”

Zuo Dan quickly chimed in, “I’ll help Grandma keep an eye on him. If he ever steps out of line, I’ll go straight to Grandma and tell on him.”

Grandma chuckled and said, “Good. With you two together, I’ve got nothing to worry about. I just hope you’ll have a baby soon, so I can still help take care of it while I’ve got some strength left in me.”

The couple blushed and nodded.

After the wedding, Shen Yiming really did get busy—leaving early and coming back late every day. Zuo Dan knew he was preparing for something, so she didn’t ask much. Besides, she was pretty busy herself. Every day was filled with reviewing her schoolwork. She had been diligently studying all along, even after arriving in the provincial capital. Just like she’d told Shen Yiming before: she wouldn’t stop until she had it all memorized backward and forward.

Seeing how much she loved to study, Grandma smiled and said, “Our Dandan studies so seriously. If she could get into college, she’d definitely be a university student.”

Hearing the praise made Zuo Dan feel a little guilty. Her studies had never really been “serious”—she was always the type to cram at the last minute. Growing up, she had just coasted along, whatever results came were good enough.

The reason she was so determined now was purely because of Shen Yiming. She didn’t want to fall behind him. Even if others wouldn’t think much of it, she’d feel ashamed.

Besides, she took the first national college entrance exam very seriously. Not everyone got a shot at such a chance. If she missed this first round, it just wouldn’t feel the same. She even dreamed of becoming one of the first-generation college students and scoring well, so she could brag to her future children and grandchildren: Look how awesome your mom and grandma were—first batch of college students! Top of the line!

“Dandan, if you get into college, where do you want to go?” Grandma asked while stitching a shoe sole, smiling.

Zuo Dan thought for a moment. “Grandma, the Provincial Capital University is actually pretty good.” She had originally wanted to go to a university in Beijing, but after marrying Shen Yiming, a new thought occurred to her—if both of them left for college, what would Grandma do all by herself?

Grandma smoothed her hair and said, “You know, there’s one regret I’ve always had. When I was young, I really wanted to go to the best universities—Peking University or Huazhong University. But back then, I was the only daughter in the family and couldn’t leave. I pinned my hopes on Yiming’s mother, but she couldn’t bear to leave me and her father either. So that dream was never fulfilled.”

She smiled warmly at Zuo Dan. “Study hard and try to get into Peking University or Huazhong University. Fulfill that dream for me. Honestly, I’ve gotten tired of being stuck in this provincial city. I’d love to visit Beijing someday. If you and Yiming end up there, that would be perfect. I could even tag along and enjoy the trip.”

Looking into her grandma’s wise eyes, Zuo Dan’s nose stung with emotion. “Don’t worry, Grandma. No matter where Shen Yiming and I go, we’ll bring you with us. Take good care of yourself, and we’ll take you traveling with us in the future.”

“Wonderful. I already feel healthier than ever,” Grandma said joyfully. She had originally planned to hold on until Yiming was settled down before reuniting with her husband and daughter. But now that life was going so well, she couldn’t bear to leave. She wanted to see more—to see how far Yiming and Dandan would go, to see how adorable their children would be. Then someday, she could share all this good news with Lao Shen and Yuehong.

That night, as they lay in bed, Zuo Dan nestled into Shen Yiming’s arms and talked with him about college and what Grandma had said earlier that day. After she finished, she couldn’t help but sigh, “Shen Yiming, how can Grandma be so wonderful?”

She knew Grandma didn’t want to be a burden to them or hold them back. That’s why she’d so intentionally encouraged them to pursue schools in Beijing.

As she thought about Grandma’s kindness, she made a decision. She leaned in close and whispered something in Shen Yiming’s ear.

Shen Yiming’s eyes lit up. “Really? You mean it?”

Zuo Dan buried her face in the blanket. “Mm-hmm.”

Shen Yiming immediately turned off the light and dove under the covers—and soon, the blanket was moving restlessly.

…

A while later, Zuo Dan, panting and drenched in sweat, pushed at him. “You didn’t… plant the seed…”

Shen Yiming emerged from the covers and kissed her lips. “Let’s wait a bit longer—no rush.” There were still some things unsettled, and he wasn’t at ease yet.

By the time dawn approached, Zuo Dan had finally fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Just before drifting off, she still remembered something important—Shen Yiming hadn’t planted the seed! That big liar!

When she woke up in the morning, Shen Yiming was already gone—off to work.

At the Provincial Military District News Office, Shen Yiming sat at his desk, face glowing, writing an article. Suddenly, the phone on his desk rang. He picked it up. “Provincial Military District News Office.”

“I’m looking for Shen Yiming.”

“This is he,” Shen Yiming answered, instantly becoming serious.

“The rat is in the cage.”