Chapter 22: Oh, then why don’t you find someone else to have your child?
In the west room, Bai Yan had originally wanted to eat, but when she picked up a small radish, she suddenly wrinkled her nose and sniffed it. The scent was not Jiang Chengyan’s. Realizing this, she immediately tossed the radish aside.
“It wasn’t me just now. Unless it’s me, don’t pay attention to anyone else, understand?” As she threw the radish to the side, a relieved sigh from a man sounded outside the window.
“I know. I can tell by the smell,” Bai Yan nodded.
There were a lot of noodles; she ate until she was full and felt sleepy.
Jiang Chengyan didn’t hear any more movement from inside the room and finally turned to get back to his work.
…
Even though Jiang Chengyan wasn’t the most personable man, thanks to his looks, many people came to the banquet. Madam Wang quietly tugged at Madam Zhao’s sleeve and whispered, “A-Cheng really spared no expense this time. I wonder what kind of heavenly beauty his bride must be.”
“She’s nothing special,” Madam Zhao replied indifferently.
Madam Wang didn’t press the issue and quickly lowered her head to eat. Such a lavish feast—it had been ages since she’d eaten anything like it. Just look at all this wild game.
“A-Cheng, why do you only use wild boar? Rabbit meat is so cheap and easy to get,” Village Chief Jiang asked, stroking his little mustache, puzzled.
“We don’t eat rabbit,” Jiang Chengyan replied with a smile.
Father Jiang nodded in agreement, “That’s true. In our family, we absolutely don’t eat rabbit, not wherever Madam Zhao is present.”
“I see—A-Cheng’s mother must be born in the Year of the Rabbit?” Madam Wang said with a laugh; it was the only explanation.
…
“She’s not. A-Cheng’s mother is born in the Year of the Pig; she loves pork,” Father Jiang explained honestly to Madam Wang.
Madam Wang was left speechless.
The banquet remained lively until late afternoon.
When everything was finally tidied up, Madam Zhao, who hadn’t spoken a word to Jiang Chengyan since she arrived, suddenly broke her silence, “You got married today. Shouldn’t we meet your new wife?”
Jiang Chengyan thought for a moment and didn’t refuse.
“Come with me,” he said, letting them in and closing the door behind them, then opening the door to the west room.
“Little darling, are you awake?” The room was dim, and Jiang Chengyan immediately saw Bai Yan sprawled out on the bed.
Hearing his voice, Bai Yan sleepily rubbed her eyes and sat up from beneath the quilt, still dressed in her wedding attire.
She moved to the edge of the kang and stretched out her arms to Jiang Chengyan. He lit a candle and carried her on his back.
She yawned, draping herself over his shoulders, and her dazed gaze noticed Father Jiang and Madam Zhao standing outside the room.
Madam Zhao unconsciously tightened her grip on Father Jiang’s arm; though he felt pain, he dared not utter a sound.
“Who are they?” Bai Yan asked curiously.
“My father and mother,” Jiang Chengyan explained simply.
“Father, mother,” Bai Yan mumbled.
Father Jiang nodded excitedly, while Madam Zhao glanced at the red rash on Bai Yan’s face and asked Jiang Chengyan, “What happened to her face?”
“An allergic reaction to pork,” Jiang Chengyan replied.
…
The conversation between mother and son sounded more like an exchange between strangers.
“Now that you’re married, to avoid gossip, come to our house for dinner tomorrow night,” Madam Zhao said, pulling Father Jiang away as she spoke.
Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.
“Husband.”
“Mm.”
“Now that we’re married, can we have bunny babies?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because spots will appear on your face.”
Bai Yan, curious as ever, pressed on, “Will you get them, or will I?”
Jiang Chengyan smiled, “You will.”
“Oh,” Bai Yan murmured softly. “Then you should find someone else to have them with!”