“Lean on me and take a short nap; it should help a lot.”
During this time together, as her husband patiently taught her to write each day, He Xuezhus’ deepest trust had shifted entirely to him. Now, feeling relaxed, she obediently rested her head on the shoulder of the man beside her.
Lin Shiheng was particularly clean, and she could catch a whiff of soap from his neck. Although He Xuezhu had not felt well during her pregnancy, her heart was now a hundred times more at peace than before.
Previously, her interactions with Shiheng made her feel as if they were strangers who had merely obtained a marriage certificate. The life after marriage revolved mostly around living with her mother-in-law. In her heart, she would secretly comfort herself, believing that Shiheng refrained from taking her to the army simply out of concern for his mother being alone at home. In reality, he did love her as his wife; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent half of his allowance home each month.
Despite thinking this way, deep down, she always felt a faint sense of inferiority and fear.
She was afraid that as Shiheng climbed higher, he would suddenly realize how worthless his wife was and that she would ultimately end up abandoned.
He Xuezhu was not afraid of hardship, scolding, or even being hit; she just wanted to stay in this family.
Her husband’s indifferent attitude and her mother-in-law’s words of disdain made her anxious. Each morning, she’d wake up determined to work hard, hoping to express that she was useful.
If she were to be truly abandoned, He Xuezhu had nowhere to go.
But now, resting against her husband’s broad shoulders, her nose filled with the familiar scent of soap, she closed her eyes. Her hand lightly rested on her slightly protruding belly, her lips curling into a faint smile of reassurance as she sank into a deep sleep amidst the clamor.
When He Xiaobao first boarded the train, he was filled with excitement. However, after hours surrounded by people and unpleasant odors, back sore and stomach growling, that initial thrill was long forgotten.
Before his sister Xiangzhu fell asleep, he could boast endlessly to her and his brother-in-law about how he won at cards in the village. But once she was asleep, Lin Shiheng would not allow him to speak.
He wanted to go home, eat his mother’s cooking, and lie down on the warm quilt that his wife always took outside to sunbathe each time the sun shined.
After holding his feelings for several hours, growing increasingly suffocated, he couldn’t help but speak up, “Brother-in-law…”
“Shh.”
The handsome man in military attire, who still sat upright after hours, quickly responded, “Keep your voice down; don’t wake your sister.”
Why would waking her be a problem?
Didn’t their mother say that sisters were all pampered girls who should cater to their brother?
Filled with resentment, He Xiaobao couldn’t help but watch how his competent brother-in-law treated his third sister with such care. He dared not disregard He Xuezhu’s feelings like he did at home, so he lowered his voice and said, “Brother-in-law, I’m hungry.”
“There’s food in the bag.”
Lin Shiheng freed one hand, tossing the bag towards He Xiaobao. “Take out two steamed buns to eat.”
He Xiaobao opened it to see indeed there were buns. His stomach growled loudly as he prepared to take one out, but then he suddenly noticed two apples at the bottom. His eyes lit up immediately.
Though he was spoiled, his family was still poor; he had only eaten such good things like apples once in his life.
Without asking for permission, he simply grabbed one to stuff into his mouth. Just as he was about to do so, Lin Shiheng reached out and snatched it away.
He Xiaobao gaped, mouth open in disbelief, “Brother-in-law?”
Hadn’t he been particularly caring since they planned to go to the army together?
“This is for your sister.”
Lin Shiheng reclaimed the bag, put the apple back, and tossed two steamed buns to He Xiaobao.
He Xiaobao was stunned, hugging the buns in shock.
“Brother-in-law, how can you treat me like this? I’m your brother! Why give such good apples to my sister?”
His stance was entirely justified; after all, his mother had always taught him that girls had to eat poorly, while he, as a boy, deserved the best.
“小宝啊。”
Lin Shiheng placed the bag on his knees, his long hands gently massaging his wife’s head to ensure she slept more soundly. He locked eyes with his wife’s younger brother and asked,
“Isn’t the money for your bride given to you by your brother-in-law?”
He Xiaobao thought for a moment and nodded, “Yeah.”
Although the first two brothers-in-law contributed, the third one gave the most; otherwise, his mother wouldn’t ignore the first and second husbands and visit the third one every day.
“Every time you come home, don’t I treat you well?”
He Xiaobao grinned, “Brother-in-law, you do treat me well. I know that.”
Even though Aunt Li often shot him harsh looks, he still benefited could from his brother-in-law when he came home.
Seeing him smile smugly, Lin Shiheng continued gently, “So do you know why I treat you so well?”
He Xiaobao was at a loss for words; after stammering for a while, he cautiously asked, “Is it because we have a good connection?”
Shiheng shook his head with a smile, his voice still gentle, so soft that only they could hear: “Xiaobao, look at you, a grown man without responsibility, lacking courage, and never doing work.”
“All you do is play cards and expect your sister, who just gave birth, to take care of you, not being loyal to your friends, unfilial to your mother, and neglecting the child. Though you may not be sneaky, you still talk a lot in the village. Honestly, I’m surprised you have lived this long without getting beaten up.”
He Xiaobao stared blankly at the kind, smiling man before him, “Brother-in-law…”
Lin Shiheng laughed and freed one hand, gently patting He Xiaobao’s head like a caring older brother: “I treat you well because you are Xuezhu’s brother.”