Chapter 89

After Shen Weimin finished speaking, he suddenly felt that the air temperature had dropped a few degrees — Ye Qingshui’s gaze had turned… a little frightening.

After hearing it, Ye Qingshui froze. Her expression stiffened, and something indescribably subtle stirred in her heart.

Xie Tingyu… had never been drunk in his life!

Then what had happened in her previous life?

Ye Qingshui thought of a possibility. A buzzing sound seemed to explode in her ears, and her blood rushed in reverse, surging straight to her face.

In her previous life, Xie Tingyu had deceived her.

She had always thought he had lost control because of drunkenness and remembered nothing about that night — but in fact, he hadn’t been drunk at all.

When Xie Tingyu turned back again, his handsome face already carried a trace of intoxication.

He hadn’t yet noticed the change in Ye Qingshui’s expression.

He sat back in his seat, still smiling proudly and at ease. He said to his wife, “They were all so lively — I drank a lot…”

Although his smile was faint, his heart was full of unprecedented brightness. Today, after finishing the college entrance exam, he also got his marriage certificate with his wife — double happiness in one day.

As the saying goes, “A happy event lifts the spirit,” and with that, drinking came easily.

If their relationship could progress one step further, that would be even better.

He casually placed his arm around his wife’s shoulder and leaned his head gently against her shoulder. “Feeling a bit dizzy.”

Shen Weimin, who was pouring drinks on the side, stared dumbfounded.

Could that wine barrel really say such words with a straight face?

He swallowed back what he almost blurted out and said nothing.

Those who bring misfortune upon themselves can’t blame others. Brother Yu probably still didn’t know his secret — that his ability to handle alcohol had already been exposed.

At this point, Shen Weimin decided to play deaf and dumb, pouring even faster.

“Brother Yu, come on, have another bowl! How can you stop before drinking to your heart’s content?”

Because Xie Tingyu had built several biogas pits for the village, solving the lighting problem for the educated youth station as well, the others couldn’t bear to let him go easily. Their gratitude overflowed.

Moutai was high-end liquor — something they usually had no chance to drink. They wouldn’t drink it themselves, but when toasting Xie Tingyu, they were very enthusiastic.

“Yes, Comrade Xie, this one’s for you!”

“If the bond is deep — bottom it in one go! Comrade Xie, drain this bowl, I’ll toast you!”

“Let’s all do well in this year’s exam — hopefully even get into university! Cheers!”

With rich food and intoxicating fragrance, everyone started chatting excitedly.

Liu Yiliang said, “Life’s getting better and better. I might fail this year, but at least the college entrance exam is restored — I’ll register again next year!”

He laughed heartily, showing his white teeth.

Zhou Tingting said, “Don’t say that. I actually think we have a real chance. We started reviewing a month earlier than others — that alone gives us an edge.”

Shen Weimin said, “I’m not afraid of being laughed at — I handed in a blank paper for the physics test!”

As soon as he said it, laughter broke out all around.

People kept toasting Xie Tingyu. He was happy, so he simply let himself drink freely, one cup after another. The clear liquor glowed invitingly under the light.

He drank as if it were water, Adam’s apple bobbing with each gulp.

Ye Qingshui only watched in silence, not stopping him.

Shen Weimin wiped his face, unable to bear looking anymore.

He wondered if he should sneak in a warning to Brother Yu…

But since Xie Tingyu stayed glued to his wife’s side, there was no chance to talk to him.

The meal went on until the sky darkened. Finally, Xie Tingyu’s eyes showed genuine drunkenness. “Can’t drink anymore, really can’t.”

He glanced outside and said, “It’s getting late — we’d better catch the last bus back to Ye Family Village.”

Everyone packed up the leftover food neatly, not leaving a single grain of rice in the bowls.

They managed to catch the last bus. Full and content, the educated youths sang happily on the way.

“The red flowers of the mountain bloom bright and fair—

Steaming rice cakes on the table, ah hey—

Rolling rice wine for my dear ones to drink—”

Xie Tingyu sat next to his wife, leaning his head against her shoulder.

Shen Weimin saw this and swallowed his words.

Brother Yu seemed to be enjoying being “taken care of.” Better not disturb him.

As the bus drove through the dark mountain road, Shen Weimin happened to see Xie Tingyu, taking advantage of his “drunkenness,” steal a kiss from his wife.

Blushing furiously, Shen Weimin turned his head away, his heart pounding. It was the first time he had seen his buddy so shameless…

With this kind of boldness, how had he gone a whole year without “warming the bed” with his wife?

After a three-hour ride, the bus reached near Ye Family Village. When they got off, Xie Tingyu’s face was flushed red, looking exactly like a man dead drunk — he would’ve fallen flat on the ground if not supported.

Even Shen Weimin began to wonder whether his friend had developed some sort of “country sickness.”

In the end, Shen Weimin resigned himself to supporting his swaying brother all the way back to the Ye home.

Mother Ye warmly handed Shen Weimin a bowl of water. “Don’t rush, have some water and rest before you go. Thank you so much this time! How did little Xie drink this much? Just how much did he have?”

She sniffed disdainfully.

The son-in-law who had looked so sharp and tidy during the day — his slicked-back hair shining — was now sprawled weakly on the bed, face flushed and silent. That sight made her heart soften despite herself.

She sighed. “Shui’er, why didn’t you stop him? Get a towel and wipe him down… I’ll go make some hangover soup.”

“You two already ate outside — don’t wake him, let him sleep.”

Ye Qingshui nodded.

After drinking the water, Shen Weimin prepared to leave. Before going, he thought of how hard things had been for his friend. Gritting his teeth, he almost went to give him a word of warning.

But when his sister-in-law fixed him with that cold stare for a few seconds, he hesitated and silently left.

Brother Yu, you’re on your own.

When Ye Qingshui returned after her bath, she saw Xie Tingyu had opened his eyes. He mumbled, “Shui’er, I’m thirsty…”

He lay on the bed under the bright incandescent light; even the faint pink tint at the corners of his eyes from alcohol could be clearly seen.

He had taken off his jacket, revealing a dark blue argyle sweater over a white cotton shirt now slightly wrinkled.

Ye Qingshui ignored him completely.

He opened his mouth again, but after a while realized his wife wasn’t responding.

She sat by the window, hair damp, absently toweling it dry.

A warm fire glowed in the stove. The new house had thick walls that sealed out the cold. Outside, the north wind howled through the freezing night, but inside it was cozy and fragrant.

“I want to bathe too,” said Xie Tingyu weakly from the bed.

He lay on his back.

After a long silence, the room remained quiet. Getting no response, he got up dejectedly and went to the bathroom himself.

When he left, Ye Qingshui threw the towel hard onto the table.

Let’s see how long you can keep up your act without my cooperation.

Half an hour later, just when she thought he’d passed out in there, he came back — damp and steaming, wearing only an open jacket in midwinter. As he passed her, the water dripping from his hands splashed onto her.

Frowning, she wiped it off.

His voice was hazy, carrying that rough-edged huskiness of drunkenness that somehow tickled the ear.

“The exam’s over — stop reading for so long.”

He gently took away the book in front of her and shut it with a soft snap . The gesture was both tender and stubborn.

He moved behind her. “Your hair’s too wet — you’ll catch cold.”

Ye Qingshui lifted her head, about to see how far he meant to take this “drunken act,” but Xie Tingyu had already grabbed a dry towel and began gently drying her hair.

Neither spoke. His movements were slow and gentle, his fingers brushing warmth and care through her damp strands, passing it straight to her heart.

After about half an hour, her hair finally dried.

He turned off the light and lay down.

Ye Qingshui wondered if he was really going to sleep peacefully — no drunken nonsense tonight?

Of course, that was too naïve. After a moment, in the dark, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Holding her close, his voice rasped softly: “Don’t move — just let me hold you.”

After a long time, he suddenly released her, got up, and ran to the bathroom again.

By the time he returned, she was half-asleep.

A gust of cold wind blew in from outside, and the man shivered, teeth chattering.

Ye Qingshui couldn’t help but laugh quietly in the dark — part of her satisfied, part of her feeling that maybe she’d been too hard on him for too long.

But when he lay down again, damp with steam, she realized something was wrong.

“Shui’er, what are you doing?”

His hands were burning hot as he held hers, and in the dark, his eyes glowed bright as fire.

“Let go — let me see.”

She pried his hand open and quickly unbuttoned his shirt.

Switching on the light, she found his shirt was soaked and his skin warm and damp. When she touched his palm, it was burning.

Frowning, she asked, “It’s freezing outside — and you sleep like this?”

His nasal voice was thick as he kissed her cheek. “I’m fine. Let’s just sleep.”

He even reached out to stroke her hair.

“Go change,” she said, pushing him away in disgust.

He looked helpless. “This feels cooler.”

Then, seriously, “Shui’er, I’m a man too.”

He paused, gazing down at her with deep black eyes full of feeling.

“I know you still have your worries — can’t accept me yet. I’m willing to wait…”

“Change clothes!” she cut him off.

She threw a clean shirt at him. “You’ll make yourself sick like this. You might as well sleep on the floor.”

He froze, looking aggrieved, muttering softly:

“Might as well kill me.”

“I just want to be with you.”

He couldn’t stand being apart — the closer, the better.

His low, husky words were like tender whispers in the night, bursting in her ears like fireworks.

As he stripped off his shirt, Ye Qingshui wiped away the dripping water with a towel.

If this was another one of his “poor-me tricks,” she’d let it slide this time.

Once he changed, she asked with a faint smile, “You’re not drunk, are you?”

He shook his head, perfectly sober. “No. Slept a bit, now I’m fine.”

“Not planning to fake drunkenness again?” she asked.

Under the soft light, the white of his shirt gleamed faintly. He sat straight, hands on his knees, looking thoughtful.

After a long moment, he said, “No.”

His ears turned red. “But… if it could make you like me a little more, pretending wouldn’t matter.”

Ye Qingshui couldn’t help laughing. She leaned over and kissed him, stopping his words.

“Don’t ever lie to me again.”

After a while, she released him, gasping lightly.

Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “I’m willing to accept you now.”

Then she hugged him tightly.

This man belonged to her — in both lifetimes.

Xie Tingyu had thought it was just another fleeting kiss like before. He had endured long enough, but when she didn’t let go, clutching his shirt nervously, his patience broke.

He turned off the light. “Shui’er, do you know what you’re doing?”

“Don’t talk…”

For a few seconds, he thought he’d misheard her. Then joy flooded him from within, a smile breaking wider and wider until he laughed aloud. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, murmuring,

“Thank you, Shui’er.”

Outside, the cold northern wind howled, shaking the old trees. A brittle branch snapped off with a soft crack , making the silent night seem even quieter.

The wind kept blowing—

In the nearby Wang family’s house, they woke in the cold and added two more logs to the fire before sleeping again.

Next door, Uncle Ye carried an armful of firewood, smiling at his wife, then glancing fondly at their baby girl in the cradle.

He said contentedly, “Such cold weather! Heavy snow this year — next year’s harvest will be good. Lucky our new house is sturdy and warm. Shui’er’s place must be cold — maybe I’ll go add some firewood for them.”

Aunt Ye pulled him back, laughing. “Don’t. The young couple’s asleep — don’t disturb them.”

As for Ye Qingshui’s house—

At that moment, it was filled with warmth and tender spring air.

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