The kang (heated brick bed) for left-behind women

Night fell completely dark, and an oil lamp was lit in the cave dwelling, casting a dim, yellowish glow that cast swaying shadows on the earthen walls.

Dinner was eaten in silence, each of the four people preoccupied with their own thoughts. Even Lin Xilei was unusually quiet, only occasionally stealing glances at Sun Taohua and then at Li Ruoxue.

After the meal, Li Ruoxue quietly cleared away the dishes, while Lin Xilei helped wipe the table.

Sun Taohua sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), twisting the hem of her clothes in her hands, her head down and silent.

"Uncle Dachun, is there anything I can do?" Sun Taohua asked.

"What are you shouting for?" Li Ruoxue asked immediately.

"Uncle Dachun."

"Think about it again," Li Ruoxue reminded her.

Sun Taohua's mind raced for a moment, her face flushed, and she said, "Husband."

"what?"

This startled Lin Dachun as well.

"I'll give you two a bridal chamber tonight," Li Ruoxue said while busy with the stove.

"what?"

"what?"

Lin Dachun and Sun Taohua were both stunned for a moment.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lin Dachun reminded him.

"Three hundred yuan! That's three hundred yuan! You can't just spend it for nothing, can you? Or let Lin Liang get away with it for nothing?" Li Ruoxue said indignantly.

Lin Dachun didn't react at first.

Is Li Ruoxue upset because she spent money? Or because she married Sun Taohua?

"Sister Ruoxue is right, I am now Dachun's woman." Sun Taohua said shyly, her head lowered.

Sun Taohua used to be with Lin Liang, so how did she become Lin Dachun's woman now?

These traditional customs still exist.

Since the bride price was paid to the Sun family, Sun Taohua naturally became Da Chun's woman.

"Haha, that's great, it's a happy occasion, they'll consummate their marriage tonight." Lin Xilei was also eager to see some drama.

"You guys are all making fun of me."

Lin Dachun squatted at the doorway, smoked a pipe, and then got up and walked outside.

"Are you still embarrassed? You've already married a woman, why are you still embarrassed on your wedding night?" Li Ruoxue mocked.

"I'm going to take a shower," Lin Dachun said, his voice muffled.

It was still hot outside, and the moonlight shone softly down in the courtyard, casting a hazy silvery-gray hue over everything.

Lin Dachun took off his coat, leaving only a pair of old shorts, scooped a basin of cold water from the vat, and poured it over his head.

The water was cold, making him shiver, but it also eased some of his agitation.

As I was washing, I suddenly heard soft footsteps behind me.

He turned around and saw Sun Taohua standing in the moonlight, holding a clean cloth in her hand.

"Husband..." she called softly, her voice delicate, as if afraid of disturbing something, "I... I'll give you a back rub."

Lin Dachun was stunned for a moment, and almost dropped the water ladle in his hand.

He wiped the water from his face, his voice a little dry: "No need, I can do it myself."

But Sun Taohua had already walked over.

The moonlight shone on her young face, where the finger marks from the daytime beating were still faintly visible. Her eyes were red, but her gaze was unusually firm.

She walked behind him, soaked a cloth in a basin, wrung it out, and then gently placed it on his back.

Lin Dachun froze.

"I married into this family to serve you."

Sun Taohua's hands were very light and gentle as she held the cloth and wiped his back gently.

The rough cloth rubbed against her skin, carrying a cool dampness and the warmth of her palm.

The movements were very serious and meticulous, as if he were making up for all the debts he had owed him over the years by scrubbing his back.

"How can I let you serve me? Our marriage is temporary. You understand?"