Chapter 70

The next day, the bitterly cold wind rattled the windows, but inside the room it was warm as spring.

Ye Qingshui slowly opened her hazy eyes. Staring at the face so close to hers, she felt as if she had just awoken from a long dream. She reached out a hand, wanting to touch his face—wanting to see if, after all these years, it had been gnawed away by termites underground.

This was the man who had lived alone in the mountains for decades. By the time she learned the truth, he had already turned into a mound of yellow earth.

But just as Ye Qingshui’s hand slipped out of the quilt, it was caught by Xie Tingyu.

His large hand was warm and strong. He was still alive.

Ye Qingshui’s eyes opened fully, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Good morning, Shui’er.” Xie Tingyu’s well-defined hand landed on her head, rubbing it gently. His little wife’s sweet morning smile was enough to warm anyone’s heart.

There was a clear smile on his lips, and the uneasiness from last night had long been cast aside.

This was the first time since they shared a bed that they woke up facing each other. No longer separated by a cold expanse of mattress, no longer with him forced to look only at her turned back.

Xie Tingyu thought: Shui’er truly does love me.

They might have had many misunderstandings, but in the end, she still cared for him.

Watching Ye Qingshui steal a glance at him with tender eyes, he chuckled quietly to himself. Then he squeezed toothpaste for her, and the two stood side by side brushing their teeth before the mirror.

In the glass, their reflections were vivid—the man tall and upright, the woman petite and slender.

From downstairs, Grandma Xie’s voice rang out strong and hearty: “Tingyu, Shui’er, come have breakfast!”

Just before Ye Qingshui stepped out the door, Xie Tingyu stopped her. He cleared his throat and said, fists lightly clenched: “Shui’er, wear the new dress today.”

“I checked already. It’s beautiful and fits you perfectly.”

Ye Qingshui glanced sideways at him as he took out the custom-made dress again. A pale blue-and-white color, simple and elegant, with embroidered collar.

Last night it hadn’t stood out, but in the morning light she could see the exquisite handiwork clearly—it was the work of a first-rate tailor.

“Put it on,” Xie Tingyu said.

Ye Qingshui looked troubled, hesitated for a long while, but finally put it on.

Standing outside the door, Xie Tingyu’s eyes lit up in amazement as the wooden door swung open.

Ye Qingshui walked out with her head held high, her slim, graceful back straight. From beneath the cotton dress peeked a pair of slender, fair legs.

Her long black hair fell loose to her waist, smooth and glossy, and her clear eyes shone brightly. In the pale blue dress with delicate floral patterns, she carried a youthful, student-like charm—smart, fresh, and pretty. It was rare for Ye Qingshui to dress herself up like this.

With her fair, snow-white skin, Xie Tingyu almost felt as though he had stolen away a young girl.

He stared at her for a long while, covering his mouth with his fist to hide a smile.

“I knew this dress was perfect for Shui’er. You look wonderful in it.”

Especially now that the indifference in her eyes had lifted, her usual gloom swept away. She was like a polished jewel, newly wiped of dust—so dazzling that he couldn’t help but keep glancing at her.

Together they went downstairs. For the first time ever, Grandpa Xie gave a rare compliment: “Shui’er looks full of spirit today.”

For such a tight-lipped man, those words were already high praise.

Grandma Xie beamed.

“Eat quickly. While Tingyu’s mother is here, the two of you can serve tea. After that, we’ll visit the ancestral hall, then you can do as you like.”

She winked repeatedly at her grandson.

The young couple quickly finished breakfast, then knelt on woven mats to properly serve tea to his parents.

Wen Zhihua pressed a fat red envelope into Ye Qingshui’s hands, her eyes turning moist.

“Tingyu’s childhood was bitter. Shui’er, you must take good care of him. I don’t have much else to say—just that I hope you’ll be safe, sound, and soon bless us with a child.”

Xie Jun also drank his tea. He had no red envelope to give, but after clearing his throat, he said: “Husband and wife must support and understand each other. Only with harmony at home will all things prosper…”

Everyone present looked upon them with warm, affectionate eyes. Embarrassed, Ye Qingshui bowed her head, feigning shyness. Only then did the elders let them off.

Grandma Xie suddenly asked with suspicion: “Shui’er’s appetite hasn’t been good lately. Could she be pregnant?”

Xie Tingyu couldn’t hold back his laughter. After a moment, he explained: “Her? No, she’s not pregnant. Probably just not used to the local food, or caught a chill.”

Of course, the elders would never guess that although the two had been married for over half a year, they had never truly shared a bed. Their hopes for a grandchild were destined to be empty for now.

Standing off to the side, Xu Maofang forced a smile.

“Time to go pay respects at the ancestral hall.”

Watching the couple’s quiet happiness, her own lips stiffly curved, Xu Maofang felt a nameless irritation. The Xie family treated Dongmei like a pet dog or cat—summoned when needed, dismissed when not. They could be kind enough in daily life, but once true blood kin were involved, everyone else had to step aside.

Cruel, truly cruel.

Xu Maofang thought to herself that after all these years, if nothing else, she had worked hard—yet she couldn’t even keep her own daughter by her side.

Xie Tingjue fixed her with a deep, unblinking stare.

With him watching, the tragedies of the past in the Xie household would never happen again.

He clapped Tingyu on the shoulder.

“Go on now. Try to get the honor of lighting the first incense.”

Hand in hand, Xie Tingyu and Ye Qingshui went to the ancestral hall to pay their respects. While bowing, he muttered under his breath:

“Many thanks to our ancestors for blessing me. Now that I have my wife, I ask you to bless me again this year—let me have a child soon.”

At his words, Ye Qingshui burst out laughing with a soft puchi .

“The divorce papers haven’t even been drafted yet, talking about having children is still far off.”

Hearing this, Xie Tingyu immediately straightened his face and said seriously, “Not far. Nothing in this world is difficult if one sets their heart to it.”

After they finished worshiping at the ancestral hall, Xie Tingyu brought up his plan about taking wedding photos. He joked, “Come to think of it, we’ve never even taken wedding photos.”

Not only did they not have wedding photos, they didn’t even have a marriage certificate.

Xie Tingyu recalled how hastily their marriage had been arranged. In his memory, there was only a vague impression of that day.

His gaze softened as it landed on Ye Qingshui. She wore a thick coat over her blue-and-white cotton dress, her cheeks tinged with pink as she spoke and laughed, her eyes shining brightly. If they were to take photos, she couldn’t be dressed more suitably than she was today.

“I’ll take you somewhere.”

Ye Qingshui already guessed he wanted to take photos, but it was the first day of the Lunar New Year—how could a photo studio possibly still be open?

Truthfully, Ye Qingshui very much wanted to take a picture with Xie Tingyu. After all these years, she didn’t even have a single photo of him, let alone one of them together. She couldn’t keep him, nor could she even keep his image. Thinking of the regret she had carried in her past life, she had tasted that bitterness enough.

This time, she wanted to make up for what was lost.

Xie Tingyu led Ye Qingshui back to the compound and found Shen Weimin. “Go borrow a camera from your uncle. We want to take wedding photos.”

Shen Weimin was a little stunned by Xie Tingyu’s sudden request on the first day of the new year, but he still did as asked. He brought out the camera, set up a red backdrop in the room, and said, “You two, stand closer together.”

Ye Qingshui felt a bit nervous in front of the dark lens. To her, the camera felt ancient, the resolution likely very poor, perhaps even black and white. She couldn’t help asking, “Will this be okay?”

Her heart was uneasy. She had cried for so long the night before—had her face swollen? If such a look was captured and kept for a lifetime, how ugly it would be.

Xie Tingyu, on the other hand, had slept well and looked fresh, his complexion glowing, his face as strikingly handsome as always.

He leaned his head slightly toward her and grinned. “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry, Shui’er—you look beautiful today.”

The tall man bent slightly, the heavy camera clicked, faithfully recording the moment onto film. The delicate woman, as pure and fresh as a gardenia, smiled sweetly, her brows tinged with shyness, like a bride about to be wed.

Xie Tingyu, meanwhile, showed a pride he had never revealed in his life—standing tall, chest lifted, mouth curved with deep, unshakable affection.

Through the lens, Shen Weimin saw the young couple’s intimate pose, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He still remembered not long ago when this fellow had come to him, pouring out his bitterness. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Shui’er had already coaxed him back to joy. Looking through the lens, Shen Weimin even took a few extra shots for them.

Afterward, Xie Tingyu casually borrowed the camera and carried it along, taking candid shots as they walked. Ye Qingshui, embarrassed, paused to glance at him.

“You can take as many pictures as you like, but when we return to the countryside, I’m still going to divorce you.”

Xie Tingyu had heard this word “divorce” from her lips many times, but now it seemed to carry a deeper weight.

He had her stand beneath a plum tree, smiling as he said, “I’m not afraid.”

“Shui’er, smile for me.”

Clusters of plum blossoms bloomed defiantly against the bitter cold. Each blossom, white as jade or red as blood, exuded a faint fragrance. They had survived the harshest winter, their beauty quietly lingering in the air.

Beneath the flowering branches stood the young girl, poised against the wind. Her snow-pale skin was tinged with a frozen blush; flower like person, person like flower.

Shaking the camera in his hand, Xie Tingyu smiled and said, “Shui’er, let me recite you a poem.”

“Peach blossoms are blooming, brilliant and radiant. This maiden, upon marriage, will bring harmony to her household.” Click.

“Peach blossoms are flourishing, bearing abundant fruit. This maiden, upon marriage, will bring prosperity to her family.” Click.

“Peach blossoms are lush, leaves dense and green. This maiden, upon marriage, will bring joy to her kin.” Click.

Beautiful maiden, once you wed, you will bring happiness, harmony, and a lifelong bond.

Listening, Ye Qingshui couldn’t help her face heating under his burning gaze. She had always known he loved poetry, but she hadn’t imagined he’d recite like this.

Xie Tingyu drew her into his arm, leaning back against the tree, and with a soft cough said, “Shui’er, do you want to marry me again?”

At last, he was no longer nervous. With his palm damp with sweat, he clasped Ye Qingshui’s hand tightly, looking straight into her eyes.

Support Sansukini on Ko-fi

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here