Chapter Fifty-Five: My Husband Is Frail, Let Me Do It

Gu Xiaoyao, lying pressed down on the kang, opened her eyes wide to look at him, her long lashes trembling slightly before she began to move as well.

“Husband, you should be careful with your health—let me handle such rough work!”

With these words, she flipped over and pinned Chu Chengjin beneath her on the kang. Her small face drew near as if she intended to kiss him.

Despite his usual composure, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Chu Chengjin’s lips as he watched her lean over. He loosened his grip ever so slightly.

“My wife is truly considerate of me. Since you believe this matter should fall to you, I have no choice but to agree.”

He said this because he thought Gu Xiaoyao wouldn’t really go through with it. Yet, he underestimated her. After all those years surviving the apocalypse, what was there to fear about this bridal chamber night? It was nothing compared to the world she’d already faced.

“Husband, don’t be afraid—I’ll be gentle…”

Gu Xiaoyao felt that something was off after saying this, though she wasn’t sure what.

Outside, Li Shi, eavesdropping by the wall, couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of her mouth. She had never realized her daughter could be so forward. Wasn’t it supposed to be the man who took the initiative and the woman who yielded? How did her own daughter end up taking the lead in this?

“I trust you’ll be gentle, my dear,” Chu Chengjin replied. “But I’m still not fully recovered. I hope you’ll make it quick.”

The two exchanged witty banter for a while, with Gu Xiaoyao now straddling Chu Chengjin’s waist.

She studied his belt in detail, then reached out to undo it. Chu Chengjin pressed his hand down, preventing her from tugging it loose. Gu Xiaoyao applied a bit of force and simply tore it apart.

Beneath the fluttering quilt, the two of them were covered up—not entwined tenderly, but instead, their limbs at odds with each other, Gu Xiaoyao’s hands locked with Chu Chengjin’s.

“Husband, if you’re shy, you can close your eyes.”

Chu Chengjin smiled at her, but didn’t loosen his hold. His palm held her hand in place as it tried to move.

“You jest, my dear. Surely it’s you who should be shy.”

Under the covers, they exchanged move after move, neither gaining the upper hand. The space was too cramped to maneuver freely. Besides, with someone eavesdropping outside, it wouldn’t do to make too much noise.

Chu Chengjin was still injured, and Gu Xiaoyao had expended much of her energy that day. Their strength was evenly matched, and by the end, both were slightly out of breath, their efforts waning.

With a soft thud, their tussle came to an end. Gu Xiaoyao, beads of sweat on her brow, emerged from beneath the quilt.

Now, their positions overlapped, with Gu Xiaoyao on top. Suddenly, she declared, “If you move again, I’ll kiss you.”

Of course, Chu Chengjin paid no mind to such threats. He tilted his head slightly, his pale lips moving faintly.

“My dear, you’re welcome to try.”

His long, slender fingers traced her delicate chin. The intimate contact of skin on skin sent a strange shiver through them both.

Outside, Li Shi, who’d squatted by the door and heard the commotion within, could no longer remain there. As she left, her face was still tinged with confusion. She’d never have expected her daughter to be so bold in such matters.

“Let me check your wound. If it’s serious, I’ll take you down the mountain to see a doctor tomorrow,” Gu Xiaoyao said, sensing that Li Shi had departed. She rolled off him and lay on the other side.

“It’s nothing—just a few minor injuries. I’ll recover with some rest. If you really want to take a look, then I shall let you,” replied Chu Chengjin.

He slowly undid his robe, graceful fingers peeling away the outer garment. Gu Xiaoyao, who had already lain down to sleep, sat up beside him.