The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 90 - 89: Snatching His Benefits

Ruanruan was a little girl who didn’t cry much. Aside from when her diaper was wet or when she was hungry, she barely ever cried, which saved Xue Yue a lot of trouble.

"Third Aunt, I don’t want to go to school anymore, but my dad won’t agree."

He Ziqing said softly, a worried look on her face.

Xue Yue looked at her. "What’s wrong? Don’t you like school?"

He Ziqing shook her head, her gaze lowered. "It’s not that. It’s just... I want to stay home to take care of my little brother and help with the chores."

Xue Yue understood where He Ziqing was coming from. Her parents had suddenly divorced, and Tuanzi was still so little. It was natural for her to want to stay home and help.

"Your grandma will help look after Tuanzi, and your dad is still at home!"

He Ziqing mumbled, "School costs money, and it’s not very useful these days anyway. I see a lot of people who graduate high school but don’t get assigned a job. Even if I finish high school, I’ll still just end up back at home."

With the college entrance exams canceled, many people had lost interest in their studies. High school graduates couldn’t find jobs, just like Yang Xiaoxia, who had returned home right after graduation.

"Ziqing, even though you can’t go to college now, I still envy you for being able to study. I didn’t get many years of schooling myself, but I know that education helps you understand the world and become wiser. But that’s just my opinion. You should think it over carefully. If you really don’t want to continue, you can have a proper talk with your dad."

He Ziqing nodded, then asked Xue Yue, "Third Aunt, if you were me, what would you do?"

Xue Yue thought for a moment. "If it were me, I might feel the same way you do."

He Ziqing looked at her in surprise.

Xue Yue was speaking from the heart. Everyone has people they care about deeply. For example, Xue Yue had once been willing to risk her own marriage to save her brother, and now, she would sacrifice anything for Ruanruan and He Lang.

Everyone makes different choices in life. As the saying goes, you can’t know the joy of a fish if you aren’t one.

Whether it seems selfless or selfish is just how others see it. All that matters is that you feel it’s worth it.

In the end, He Ziqing went back to school. Not only was He Nan against her quitting, but Mr. and Mrs. He also disapproved.

"What would a young girl like you do at home instead of school? You don’t even know how to cook. Your little brother has his grandparents and your dad. You don’t need to worry about him. You just focus on your studies."

Those were Mrs. He’s words.

Xue Yue was happy for her when she found out.

「February 20th was Yang Xiaoxia and He Zhendong’s wedding day.」

Xue Yue’s baby was only about twenty days old, and she was still in her postpartum confinement period. Mrs. He wouldn’t let her leave the house.

"A woman’s postpartum confinement is a serious matter. You have to rest for the full duration, or you’ll have problems later on. Look at me. After I had my eldest, I was back on my feet in three days, touching cold water. My head was exposed to the wind, and I’ve had this chronic headache ever since. Sometimes the pain is just killer."

He Lang added from the side, "Just listen to Mom. Besides, Xiao Xia will be part of the family from now on. You’ll be able to see her every day, so missing this one day doesn’t matter."

Xue Yue pouted. "How is that the same thing?"

Mrs. He said, "It’s exactly the same."

No matter what was said, the answer was still that Xue Yue couldn’t go.

So, Xue Yue had no choice but to stay home, but she still asked He Lang to pass on her apologies to Yang Xiaoxia.

He Lang nodded. "Don’t worry about that. Everyone knows your situation. Besides, if you go, what will happen when my daughter gets hungry?"

Xue Yue tilted her head and shot him a sidelong glance. "You’re just afraid your daughter will go hungry, aren’t you?"

He Lang cleared his throat. "I’m mainly worried about you being exposed to the wind. My second worry is that my daughter might starve."

"Hmph! As if I’d believe that." Xue Yue plopped Ruanruan into his arms.

"Here, you hold your daughter. I’m done."

He Lang chuckled, looking down at Ruanruan in his arms. "Look at your mommy. She’s getting jealous of you."

"Who’s jealous?" Xue Yue would never admit to it.

"Ah... goo..." Ruanruan stuck a finger in her mouth, drool trickling out.

"Oh dear." He Lang quickly grabbed a small towel to wipe away the drool.

"My dear daughter, are you hungry? You can’t eat your little hands even if you are. Let’s go find your mommy."

He Lang carried Ruanruan over to Xue Yue. "See? I think Ruanruan’s hungry. She’s sucking on her hand."

Xue Yue pursed her lips but took the baby. As soon as Ruanruan was in her arms, she started rooting around for her food.

He Lang clicked his tongue. ’Somehow, it feels like this little imp has stolen my perks.’

Today was He Zhendong’s wedding, so after making breakfast for Xue Yue, Mrs. He had hurried over to Uncle He’s house to help.

In the end, Xue Yue didn’t go, but He Lang brought her lunch from the celebration.

Uncle He’s house was lively all day, while back at home, Xue Yue and Ruanruan were a little bored.

Ruanruan just ate and slept, and slept and ate. Xue Yue wanted to read, but Mrs. He had forbidden it, saying it would strain her eyes. She would have to wait until her confinement was over.

All Xue Yue could do was stare blankly at the ceiling.

He Lang came back in the afternoon, smelling strongly of alcohol. He insisted on getting close to Xue Yue.

"Go wash up! How much did you drink?"

He Lang shook his head. "Not that much. Smell me if you don’t believe it."

He Lang leaned in, bringing his face right up to Xue Yue’s.

Xue Yue pushed him away with a look of disgust.

"Get away from me. You reek."

He Lang sniffed. "What do you mean, I reek? You’re disgusted by me?" He even put on a hurt expression.

Xue Yue nodded. "Yes, I am. Now get lost."

"Not gonna." As he spoke, He Lang moved even closer.

"Stay aw—"

Before she could finish, his lips covered hers.

Xue Yue’s eyes were wide open as she stared at He Lang, whose eyes were also open. Slowly, he deepened the kiss.

Ever since Xue Yue got pregnant, He Lang had been restraining himself. They had shared pitifully few kisses.

It wasn’t for any other reason than that He Lang knew how much of a temptation Xue Yue was to him, and he knew he couldn’t give in.

But now, with alcohol in his system, his restraint was gone.

They didn’t stop until they were both breathless.

Their hearts were pounding, just like when they were newlyweds.

"Yue’er, I feel... terrible," He Lang said, his voice hoarse and laced with uncontrollable desire.

Xue Yue looked up at him. "Maybe we could—"

He Lang shook his head, taking a moment to calm down. "We still can’t. I was just talking. Don’t mind me."

Xue Yue bit her lip and slowly reached out her hand.

Little Ruanruan was sleeping soundly. From time to time, a muffled, stifled groan could be heard in the room.

A long time later, He Lang emerged looking refreshed and invigorated. He fetched a basin of water and went back inside.

Xue Yue’s face was bright red. She kept her head down, avoiding He Lang’s gaze.

A hint of a smile played in He Lang’s eyes as he carefully washed her hands for her.

「The next afternoon, Yang Xiaoxia came to visit.」

She was carrying half a jin of brown sugar and half a jin of pastries.

"Here. My mom specifically told me to bring this for you. She knows you’re still in your confinement, and she’s always telling me I should learn from you about how to get along with my in-laws." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Xue Yue smiled and asked, "How come you’re here alone? Didn’t Zhen Dong come with you?"

Yang Xiaoxia’s face flushed red when she met Xue Yue’s teasing smile.

"He had something to do, so I came by myself."

"So, how’s married life?" Xue Yue asked, wiggling her eyebrows at her.