CITM - 8

Ye Yun woke up in the morning and lay still for a while, not daring to move. Wenbin was sleeping on his side behind her, close enough that she could feel the distinct shape of his body against her back. She had never been so acutely aware of a man’s physical presence before. Her body stiffened as she stared at the ceiling until Wenbin turned over, allowing her to finally slip out of bed.

After breakfast, Wenbin used his last day off to take Ye Yun to the dock. It was her first time seeing such a massive cargo ship, and her eyes darted everywhere, trying to take it all in. The rumbling roar of the freighter sliced through the air, its grandeur resonating deep within Ye Yun’s heart, stirring emotions she couldn’t quite describe.

The sea breeze gently caressed Ye Yun’s porcelain-like cheeks. Her clear eyes reflected the azure waters, and the floral print of her dress swayed like shimmering waves, catching Wenbin’s gaze. Since last night, he hadn’t been able to tear his eyes away from her. With just a change of clothes, her youthful beauty became impossible to conceal—every smile, every delicate movement of her arms, her supple waist, and smooth skin captivated him entirely. Even before leaving home, he already felt consumed by thoughts of her.

Wenbin also introduced Ye Yun to his colleagues from the ship. They teased him for being so unassuming while managing to find such a beautiful bride.

Men have their pride, and the envious looks from his coworkers made Wenbin cherish Ye Yun even more.

Peng Liang, who was the same age as Wenbin, shared a similar tall and slim build. They had joined the company together and were close friends. As everyone joked about Wenbin, Peng Liang chimed in: “You’re going to be gone for months. How can you leave your wife alone at home? If my wife were this pretty, I wouldn’t dare.”

Laughter erupted around them, and Wenbin joined in. Though Peng Liang’s words were meant in jest, they lingered in Wenbin’s mind, stirring something uneasy within him.

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To see Wenbin off, Bai Wenfu bought meat and brought it home. Tong Mingfang cut the meat into chunks and dropped it into the hot oil, filling the entire corridor with an irresistible aroma.

Meat tickets were scarce, and unless it was a holiday, eating meat signaled something important. Before long, news of Wenbin’s departure spread among the neighbors.

When Ye Yun went to the washroom, Lü Ping spotted her downstairs in the hallway and hurried up to ask, “Is your husband going aboard the ship?”

Ye Yun nodded. “He’s leaving early tomorrow morning.”

“For how long?”

“About five months.”

Seeing Lü Ping reminded Ye Yun of the gossip she’d overheard in the public bath. Those harsh words lingered in her mind, making her anxious, but she didn’t feel comfortable asking Tong Mingfang or Wenbin about them.

Encountering Lü Ping presented an opportunity. In a hushed tone, Ye Yun asked, “Last time in the bathhouse, why did people say no one would give their daughter to the Bai family?”

At these words, a flicker of stiffness crossed Lü Ping’s face, but she quickly masked it with a casual expression. “Your husband earns well, but he’s away for most of the year. Couples separated like that must overcome challenges.”

Noticing Ye Yun lost in thought, Lü Ping leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “But Wenbin is a good man—you don’t need to worry. You two just started, and now he has to leave for so long. These past couple of days must’ve been busy for you two… in that aspect.”

At first, Ye Yun didn’t understand what Lü Ping meant. But seeing her barely suppressed grin, realization dawned. A blush crept onto Ye Yun’s cheeks as she lowered her head.

Lü Ping glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then whispered into Ye Yun’s ear, “My neighbor’s husband makes quite a racket whenever he returns after working consecutive shifts—it’s crystal clear. They call it ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ Your husband Wenbin must be even more energetic.”

Though unmarried herself, Lü Ping spoke freely about marital matters without a hint of embarrassment, leaving Ye Yun flustered. This exchange diverted attention from Bai Wenfu, brushing aside Ye Yun’s lingering questions.

During dinner that evening, Ye Yun kept her head bowed, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush. Lü Ping’s words echoed in her mind like an intrusive melody, and the sensations from earlier that morning refused to fade.

Adding to her unease, Wenbin kept stealing glances at her and said, “Let’s turn in early tonight.”

Hearing this, Ye Yun’s face flushed even redder.

Bai Wenfu lifted his chopsticks, casting a glance at the two before returning his focus to his meal.

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Before moving to the city, Ye Yun had lived in the simple environment of Qingxi Village, where traces of innocence still lingered in her eyes. Being six years younger than Wenbin, he didn’t want to scare her and exercised patience, deciding to take things slowly. Once he returned from this trip, they would officially become husband and wife and take the next step.

However, on their final night before parting, restraint eluded him. Especially after Peng Liang’s teasing remarks, Wenbin felt unsettled, increasingly driven by possessiveness. It seemed the only way to claim her fully was through intimacy—a thought clouding his judgment.

Though they had agreed to sleep early, they barely rested. Ye Yun was still menstruating, so Wenbin couldn’t fully consummate their relationship, but neither did he hold back.

Vague shapes took form; breathless sounds filled the quiet night, echoing endlessly between the thin walls.

A hollow yet burning sensation overwhelmed Ye Yun, leaving her confused and unable to find relief. Her body burned with desire, and the vague longing of a girl transitioning into a woman surfaced in her consciousness.

As dawn broke, Tong Mingfang prepared breakfast. Having seen Wenbin depart many times before, she simply gave him some parting advice. After the meal, Bai Wenfu carried Wenbin’s luggage to see him off to the ship, while Ye Yun accompanied them to the street.

The warmth of the previous night lingered, and having tasted sweetness, letting go of comfort proved difficult. Wenbin’s steps felt heavy, turning back three times to look at Ye Yun standing by the roadside. Reluctantly stopping, he told Bai Wenfu, “Big Brother, let me say a few more words to Ye Yun.”

Bai Wenfu paused, lighting a cigarette as he waited.

Wenbin strode back to Ye Yun, cupping her pale face in his hand. “Get some rest when you get home. Don’t tire yourself out.”

Ye Yun’s eyes brimmed with tears, her pitiful appearance tugging at Wenbin’s heartstrings.

He added, “If anything happens, tell Mom. She’ll support you. Don’t suffer in silence.”

Ye Yun lowered her lashes, her eyes already wet.

By now, the corridor buzzed with activity as neighbors set up pots for cooking. The newspaper kiosk had opened, and people began gathering. Early risers stepped out into the morning light, heading to work across town.

Despite all this, Wenbin ignored the curious gazes and pulled Ye Yun into his embrace. “Wait for me at home,” he murmured.

Bai Wenfu half-closed his eyes, smoke swirling around his fingers, the crimson glow silently consuming the tip of the cigarette.

The brothers parted ways at the dock. As he boarded the ship, Wenbin entrusted his brother: “Ye Yun hasn’t been here long. I’m afraid she might struggle without guidance. While I’m away, please keep an eye on her—and Mom too.”

“All right.” Bai Wenfu handed over the luggage and watched as Wenbin boarded the ship.

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In the tube building, water had to be fetched from the pump room, inconvenient for frequent trips. Typically, residents carried two buckets of water back home to use as needed.

Upon returning home, Tong Mingfang instructed Ye Yun to fetch two buckets of water.

Having grown up in poverty, Ye Yun was accustomed to using cold water even in winter. Her health suffered, leading to chronic coldness and excruciating menstrual pain. Coupled with last night’s lack of rest, her complexion was deathly pale, and her head spun dizzily as she picked up the buckets and headed toward the pump room.

After filling the buckets, darkness clouded Ye Yun’s vision. Clenching her teeth, she struggled to lift the heavy load. Her wrist gave out, spilling half a bucket of cold water onto her pants and jolting her awake.

Back home, Tong Mingfang saw her disheveled state and frowned but refrained from commenting directly.

Ye Yun retreated to her room to change out of her wet clothes. Just then, the door opened, and Bai Wenfu returned.

Tong Mingfang asked, “Did Wenbin board the ship?”

“Yes, he’s gone.” Bai Wenfu replied.

Then, hearing another question, “Where is she?”

“In the room changing. She went to fetch water and ended up soaking herself. What else can we expect from her?”

Bai Wenfu’s voice carried a relaxed tone. “Even so, you can’t stop expecting things from her.”

Tong Mingfang glared at her eldest son, exasperated. “Am I supposed to worship her like a deity?”

With that, Bai Wenfu changed the subject, and the voices outside gradually faded.

Ye Yun’s eyelashes quivered slightly as she smoothed the bedsheet. On the morning Wenbin left, subtle changes began unfolding in Ye Yun’s life at the Bai household.