Zhan Jingchun struggled desperately, but the immense power imbalance meant Peng Fei ultimately succeeded.
Afterward, she lay there with a heart turned to ashes, allowing Peng Fei to clean her, tears sliding down silently.
Perhaps Heaven had been too kind to her before she turned twenty-two, bestowing too many good things, which was why she encountered such an ordeal as she approached her twenty-third birthday.
She was no longer clean.
Whether she could return to Nancheng smoothly or not, there was no future for her and her boyfriend.
Recalling their past, her boyfriend’s gentleness and chivalry, her hatred for Peng Fei reached its peak.
After he finished, hearing him promise to treat her well and give her everything she desired, she only wished she could find a needle and sew his mouth shut.
Peng Fei slept soundly that night, but Zhan Jingchun was sleepless.
She lay there with mixed emotions until dawn. Fangfang, having changed into clean clothes, excitedly ran to find her.
“Sister-in-law, can I go with you to the feast? You’ll take me, won’t you?”
She had been looking forward to the feast yesterday, but now she didn’t want to see anyone.
It felt as though people could see what she had gone through through her face; it was so shameful.
Zhan Jingchun couldn’t help but ask Heaven again, why would Heaven treat her like this? Why torment her to the point of wishing she were dead?
Seeing her pale face and her ignoring him, Fangfang, being sensible, went out again.
After making breakfast, Peng Fei also knew he had upset her yesterday. He hesitantly brought breakfast to appease her.
“Don’t be unhappy anymore. Aren’t we all like this? I’ll be gentler in the future…”
“Are you still talking? Get lost!”
“I won’t say any more. Hurry and change your clothes, we need to go. I have to go help early.”
“Who wants to go with you? I’m not going!”
Peng Fei’s expectant gaze dimmed. He stared at her for two seconds, then sighed silently.
“Alright then, if you don’t want to go, forget it. I’ll bring something delicious back for you.”
Zhan Jingchun was so angry she didn’t want to eat breakfast. Wrapped in the blanket, she lay there like a wooden board, lost in thought.
After breakfast, seeing no activity here, Fangfang sneaked over again.
Seeing her breakfast had gone cold and untouched, she couldn’t help but cautiously lean over the bed.
“Sister-in-law, why are you unhappy? Did my brother upset you? He probably didn’t mean to. He’s usually a very good person. Please don’t be angry with him, okay?”
“It’s very lively today. Every household in the village will be going. I really want to go with you. Please get up.”
Zhan Jingchun still ignored her. Fangfang chattered on, saying how other sisters-in-law and aunts would be going, and that everyone would wear their best clothes during such events, calling it a rare village festival.
However, no matter how they dressed up, they wouldn’t be as beautiful as Zhan Jingchun. Everyone knew her brother had married a sister-in-law but hadn’t seen her yet. If the sister-in-law appeared today, she would surely amaze everyone.
Zhan Jingchun didn’t want to amaze anyone. What was the point of competing for beauty with these village women?
However, she gleaned some useful information from Fangfang’s words.
Other families’ daughters-in-law would also be going? They were all around her age, some even younger, which meant she might have a chance to make friends.
She finally perked up a bit and asked Fangfang about the sisters-in-law and aunts from which families they came.
Fangfang wasn’t too clear either, listing a few addresses.
It turned out they were all bought from all over the country.
How were they willing to stay, have children, and live their lives?
Zhan Jingchun didn’t understand. She was curious about what had happened to them. More importantly, after what happened last night, she was afraid of getting pregnant and needed to find some medicine to prevent it.
So, she finally got out of bed.
Fangfang helped her boil water, and she washed her hair in the room.
When Peng Fei returned from outside with a shoulder pole, Zhan Jingchun, having just washed her hair, was drying it in the sun.
The plain pink t-shirt that looked ordinary on others suited her so perfectly, making her look radiant and captivating.
Paired with the slightly loose denim capris and the white sports shoes she had brought herself, she looked as beautiful as a fairy.
Recalling what he had grasped yesterday, her smooth skin, her uncontrollable expressions, in broad daylight, Peng Fei surprisingly…
Sensing someone watching her, Zhan Jingchun turned her head to look and met Peng Fei’s dazed gaze. Enraged, she rolled her eyes again, tossed down the towel, and turned to the other side.
Even the way she threw the towel was so lively and cute; Peng Fei was falling for her.
Her hair was half-dry. Peng Fei had organized his things and called them to go out.
His mother had privately instructed Fangfang to keep an eye on Zhan Jingchun and not let her run away in the chaos.
The sisters-in-law held hands, Peng Fei a step ahead, and the three of them walked quietly to the family hosting the feast.
This was how banquets were held in the countryside; every household contributed labor to help. Wives who didn’t have to bring children also helped pick vegetables and wash dishes.
Although it was still early, many people had already gathered.
They chatted and laughed, coming and going, full of liveliness.
As soon as Peng Fei appeared, a few childhood friends he grew up with, cigarettes in their mouths, came over.
While talking to him, they looked behind him.
Upon seeing Zhan Jingchun, they were all stunned.
“A few days ago, we heard Old Man Li say you married a beautiful wife. We were wondering how beautiful she could be, but we never expected her to be this beautiful. You lucky dog, you’re truly blessed!”
“Yeah, damn, she’s like a movie star. What kind of luck do you have? Where did you find her?”
“So beautiful? She must be difficult to handle, right? Did she put up a big fight? Did you get her? You have a bad temper, you need to take it easy with her. Even scaring her has its limits. Otherwise, with her delicate frame…”
Peng Fei was always tough and spoke little in front of his childhood friends, and they all feared him.
Hearing this, he didn’t speak. He swept them with a cold glance, and everyone immediately straightened up and went about their business.
He turned back and instructed Fangfang, “Take your sister-in-law inside to find seats. She didn’t eat breakfast, find something for her to eat.”
Then he cast a lingering glance at Zhan Jingchun, “I’m going to work. Follow Fangfang. If you need anything, call her to get me.”
Fangfang, familiar with the way, led Zhan Jingchun inside. As they reached a group of female relatives, everyone cast astonished glances their way.
Zhan Jingchun also stared at them.
Each woman held a baby, and some had a toddler beside them.
The children all had rosy cheeks, tanned red and black by the sun, wearing rustic clothes and sandals, eating candy.
Those women, most of them not very old, wore clothes similar to hers, and their complexions were sallow and dark.
But one of them was exceptionally different from the rest.
Tall and slender, with delicate skin, even when pregnant and wearing a man’s oversized t-shirt, she exuded an extraordinary elegance.
Zhan Jingchun’s gaze was unconsciously drawn to her. Their eyes met for a few seconds. She smiled first, and the woman smiled back.
Someone asked Fangfang, “Who is this? Your sister-in-law?”