DXXZL - 79

Making such hypothetical scenarios on their wedding night was really not a good idea. Zhu Xingyao clearly felt that she had provoked Jiang Tu, and the consequences were, of course, dire.

The next afternoon, someone gently pinched her cheeks, then rubbed them, causing her to groggily open her eyes. Jiang Tu leaned over the bed, looking down at her, and softly said, “Xingxing, it’s time to get up.”

“Where are we going? I’m so tired, you…” She mumbled, still half-asleep.

“I know, I went too far again,” Jiang Tu chuckled softly. He reminded her, “It’s New Year’s Eve today. We need to go to my mom’s place later.”

Zhu Xingyao made a sound of acknowledgment, suddenly waking up completely. She was married now! Tonight, they would have dinner at Jiang Tu’s house and meet his mother… From now on, she and Jiang Tu would have their own little family—it was completely different from before.

Jiang Tu pulled her up and smiled faintly. “Still not used to your new identity?”

Zhu Xingyao knelt on the bed and looked up at him. “It’s not that I’m not used to it, I just haven’t fully processed it yet.” She paused for a moment, then exclaimed, “Tu Ge, we didn’t buy any New Year goods!”

Not a single thing!

They hadn’t even been to the supermarket!

Jiang Tu was taken aback. For several years, he had been alone. In America, there was no concept of Spring Festival holidays—he hadn’t experienced the festive atmosphere in many years. Zhu Xingyao had been busy writing songs and composing music for the proposal; she hadn’t expected Jiang Tu to take her to register their marriage so quickly. Jiang Tu had also been busy at the end of the year and overlooked this detail. “I’m sorry, I forgot too. It’s been a long time since I celebrated the New Year…”

Realizing this, Zhu Xingyao hugged his neck, her gaze soft. “Tu Ge, from now on, I’ll celebrate every New Year with you.”

Jiang Tu looked down at her, squinting slightly as if he wanted to remind her of something.

In the end, he said nothing, ruffling her hair. “Alright.”

At noon, after eating something, Zhu Xingyao suggested going to the supermarket. She put on her scarf and said, “We still need to buy some things. We can’t skip the ritual. And on the first day of the Lunar New Year, we need to visit my grandparents. We should bring something, but we haven’t prepared anything…”

This marriage happened without any preparation.

Jiang Tu picked up the car keys and said helplessly, “Let’s go. It’s my oversight.”

Zhu Xingyao blinked. “No, it’s my fault. I suddenly proposed…”

“That’s not a mistake; it’s a surprise,” he corrected her, taking her hand and leading her out.

As they reached the door, Zhu Xingyao called out again, frowning anxiously. “Tu Ge, should I prepare a gift for your mom?”

“Who are you talking about?” Jiang Tu looked down at her.

Zhu Xingyao: “...”

She felt a bit embarrassed and whispered softly, “Mom... My mother-in-law.”

Jiang Tu’s lips curved into a smile as he led her out. “No need. It’s your first time visiting home—she will give you a red envelope.”

Is that so?

Zhu Xingyao had no experience at all.

The lights in the emergency staircase lit up as they walked through. Although Zhu Xingyao’s steps were still slow, they were light and quick. She was almost accustomed to it now—no more difficulty breathing or weak legs.

There was a large supermarket nearby. Even on New Year’s Eve, it was still bustling with people. Jiang Tu pushed a shopping cart and glanced back at Zhu Xingyao, frowning slightly. Even though she tried to cover half of her face, she still attracted attention. Zhu Xingyao clung to his arm and whispered, “Tu Ge, I feel like many people are looking at you...”

Jiang Tu remained calm. “They’re looking at you.”

Zhu Xingyao followed him into the supermarket and muttered, “It’s clearly you they’re looking at.”

The buzz from the concert hadn’t faded yet. Even in the supermarket, some people recognized them. However, Jiang Tu maintained an expressionless demeanor throughout. People who noticed them just stole a few extra glances, whispered comments behind their backs, or secretly took a couple of photos.

Zhu Xingyao noticed someone secretly taking pictures and turned to look at Jiang Tu, whispering, “Maybe I should have prepared a mask for you.”

Jiang Tu frowned and looked down at her. “Do we still need to buy anything?”

Neither of them had much concept of the New Year celebrations. They bought items based on memory, filling the cart.

Zhu Xingyao picked up a box of jelly and said, “That’s enough. Let’s go.”

When the car entered the neighborhood, Zhu Xingyao, the newlywed wife, suddenly remembered something and turned to Jiang Tu. “Tu Ge, I don’t know how to cook…”

Jiang Tu didn’t understand why she was so nervous.

Zhu Xingyao added, “And I’m not very good at housework either.”

Jiang Tu kept his eyes on the road, casually saying, “So what?”

So what difference did it make?

He parked the car. Only then did Zhu Xingyao start reflecting on herself. Maybe she wasn’t going to be a very good wife. She didn’t want children, didn’t know how to cook, and wasn’t good at housework…

Jiang Tu took the groceries out of the trunk and noticed that she seemed lost in thought. He pulled her close and looked down at her. “When I fell in love with you, you couldn’t cook or do housework. I married you not because I expect you to do things for me, but because I love you, and I want to give you everything.”

Zhu Xingyao was deeply moved by his words. Whenever he spoke, he always meant it sincerely, without any doubt.

But...

She muttered, “If you say that, I feel like a vase beside you, useless in every way…”

Jiang Tu looked down at her and smiled. “You can warm the bed.”

Zhu Xingyao: “...”

She was stunned, looking at him incredulously. Jiang Tu chuckled, closed the trunk, and turned back to her. “Let’s go. Stop overthinking.”

It was 4:30 PM. Shu Xian had been preparing dinner since lunchtime. Seeing her nervous demeanor, Jiang Lu couldn’t help but tease, “The way you’re acting, one might think you’re the bride!”

Shu Xian glared at him. “What nonsense! Your brother has had it tough all these years. I never expected him and your sister-in-law to get married so quickly—I had no time to prepare. The two families haven’t even met for a meal yet. Sure, her family’s conditions may be better than ours, but that’s not the main issue…” Having lived life with more clarity over the years, she continued chopping meat while saying, “The main point is that your brother loves her so much and treats her so well. I must treat her kindly too. Otherwise, it might affect their relationship…”

Jiang Lu shrugged. “Alright, do you need help?”

Shu Xian dismissed him. “No, you’d just cause trouble. Call your brother and ask when they’ll arrive.”

Just as she finished speaking, the door opened.

Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao walked in. Jiang Lu tilted his head and grinned brightly. “Brother, sister-in-law, welcome back.”

Shu Xian quickly wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out of the kitchen, smiling warmly at Zhu Xingyao. “You’re here.”

Zhu Xingyao felt a bit shy. She still had some impression of Shu Xian and could tell that she had been living well in recent years. She pursed her lips and managed to call out softly, “Mom…”

“Ai!” Shu Xian responded excitedly. Watching Jiang Tu put down the things he brought, she added, “Why bring things when coming home? Don’t bring anything next time—there’s everything here.”

Zhu Xingyao smiled. “We didn’t buy much, just some snacks.”

Shu Xian said, “Sit down and watch some TV. I’ll go put the soup on to simmer. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Zhu Xingyao wondered whether she should go help, but Jiang Lu came over and said, “Let’s play games. Forget about helping—even if I went in, I’d be chased out. Mom likes to stay in the kitchen by herself.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate?” Zhu Xingyao looked up at Jiang Tu.

Jiang Tu pulled her to sit on the sofa and whispered, “No, if you go in, she might feel uncomfortable.”

Zhu Xingyao listened to Jiang Tu. She hadn’t played games in a long time. Jiang Lu invited Lin Jiayu to join. With Jiang Tu, the four of them started a game. With voice chat on, Lin Jiayu said cheerfully, “Xingxing, getting married so early, be careful—you might get pressured into having kids soon.”

She still didn’t know what happened to Zhu Xingyao back then.

Jiang Tu coldly interrupted, “We’re not having children.”

Lin Jiayu exclaimed, surprised. “Why? Are you choosing the DINK lifestyle?”

Even Jiang Lu was startled. He looked up at them.

Zhu Xingyao bit her lip absentmindedly, and her Xiao Qiao character nearly died. Fortunately, Jiang Tu came to save her. His voice was deep and indifferent. “I don’t like children—they’re troublesome.”

Lin Jiayu gasped again and muttered, “But I remember Xingxing liking kids…”

“I don’t like them,” Jiang Tu cut her off smoothly, subtly changing the subject. “Lin Jiayu, what nonsense did you write about me in your novel yesterday?”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

She choked, realizing Jiang Tu didn’t want to continue the topic, and quickly shut up.

In the kitchen, Shu Xian heard this as well. She paused, her expression complex. She had been thinking that since they got married so young, maybe they could have children early. She could become a grandmother and even help raise the kids…

During dinner, Shu Xian didn’t bring up the topic, nor did she ask Zhu Xingyao much. She simply urged her to eat more. “You’re too thin. Eat more.”

Zhu Xingyao smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

After dinner, Jiang Tu asked softly, “Do you want to go home?”

Thinking of how Jiang Tu hadn’t spent New Year’s at home for years, Zhu Xingyao shook her head. “Let’s stay and watch the Spring Festival Gala with Mom.”

Messages kept pinging in the class group chat. Someone called Xu Xiangyang to organize this year’s reunion, usually held on the evening of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. Zhu Xingyao told Li Xixi, “On the sixth day of the New Year, our parents are meeting. We won’t have time.”

Li Xixi had an event on the sixth day of the New Year, and Xu Xiangyang would accompany her. With the main characters not attending, what was the point of gathering?

At around eleven o’clock, before the gala ended, Jiang Tu took Zhu Xingyao home. As expected, Shu Xian gave Zhu Xingyao a thick red envelope.

Back home, past midnight, they stood by the floor-to-ceiling window on the fifteenth floor, watching the dazzling fireworks in the sky.

Zhu Xingyao leaned against him and looked up, saying, “Tu Ge, Happy New Year.”

Jiang Tu looked down at her.

Zhu Xingyao felt uneasy under his gaze and whispered, “What is it?”

“Xingxing…” Jiang Tu paused and smiled.

Distracted by the distant fireworks, Zhu Xingyao didn’t catch his signal. Excitedly, she said, “Jiangcheng’s ban on fireworks is strict, but Grandma’s place allows them. Let’s set off fireworks tomorrow night.”

Jiang Tu bent down and kissed the small mole on her nose. “Alright.”

________________________________________

The next afternoon, after driving for three hours to a neighboring city, Jiang Tu arrived. Several of Zhu Xingyao’s cousins were already married with children. One of her sister-in-laws was five months pregnant with her second child. Not everyone knew about Zhu Xingyao’s condition. When she was in high school and college, she enjoyed playing with her nieces and nephews, but now she stayed away. To the children, she seemed a bit aloof.

This was the eldest cousin’s five-year-old son, who quietly told Jiang Tu, “Auntie buys us toys, tells us stories, sings to us, and plays games with us. But she rarely holds us. She says she can’t lift us… She’s so weak! My little sister is only one year old, and she can’t even hold her!”

Jiang Tu realized that the situation might be more serious than he thought.

Zhu Xingyao’s fear of staircases had almost healed.

Her fear of pregnant women, however, was the greatest.

The eldest cousin, holding his one-year-old daughter, walked over to Jiang Tu, ruffled his son’s hair, and frowned. “You’re just a kid. What do you know?”

The little boy huffed. “I know! Auntie is like a fairy—she’s a bit aloof.”

Jiang Tu looked down at him and asked, “Do you think she likes you?”

The little boy tilted his head thoughtfully, then nodded. “She does. When she performs abroad, she often sends us gifts.”

The eldest cousin stood close by. Suddenly, the one-year-old girl twisted her body and lunged forward. The eldest cousin quickly exclaimed, “Hey, hey, my little baby, what are you doing?” Frightened, he tightened his grip on his daughter, who babbled a few sounds of “want.”

No one knew what she wanted.

The eldest cousin looked at Jiang Tu and tentatively asked, “Do you want to hold her? She likes handsome people—maybe she wants you to hold her.”

Jiang Tu was startled. He had never held a child before.

After a while, Zhu Xingyao walked out of the yard and saw Jiang Tu holding the eldest cousin’s precious daughter. The little girl laughed excitedly, waving her tiny hands. Suddenly, she grabbed Jiang Tu’s glasses.

Jiang Tu turned his head and saw Zhu Xingyao standing not far away. Squinting, he called out, “Xingxing, come help?”