Chapter 81: Let's Go on a Date

Li Sheng took a bite and said, “You eat the rest.”
Tang Xin shook her head. “No, apples are too big. I’m full after eating half.”
She watched with a smile as Li Sheng finished the apple, then slipped her arm through his and said, “Let’s go on a date.”
“A date?”
Oh, only then did Tang Xin realize that the term “date” wasn’t fashionable at this time.
She quickly changed her explanation, “I mean, spend time together as a couple.”
“But we’re already married. We can’t be just dating anymore,” Li Sheng replied seriously, as if stating a solemn fact.
“What do you mean we can’t? It’s romantic and wonderful for young couples to date. And once you’re married, it’s even more appropriate and legitimate to do so. Why not?”
When it came to stubborn arguments, Li Sheng was no match for Tang Xin.
And so, he was easily persuaded by his wife, “Alright, let’s go on a date.”
Tang Xin was already quite happy, and later that evening at dinner, she heard even better news.
“Your eldest brother's room doesn’t even have a wardrobe. Your sister-in-law brought so many things, they’re all piled up in boxes, and it looks messy. Many clothes have nowhere to go. Luckily, there’s a sturdy tree in the yard; let’s cut it down and have your father make a wardrobe for them.”
Father Li chimed in cheerfully, “I think the bed needs to be replaced, too. It’s still Li Sheng’s old bed—too uncomfortable in winter.”
Li Xiyue immediately protested, “Dad, Mom, wasn’t that bed meant to be kept as my dowry?”
Afraid her own protest lacked weight, she added, “And when Li Kai, Li Jiang, and Li Hai get married, they’ll need it too!”
Mother Fang, however, responded, “You’re determined to marry a city boy, aren’t you? If you’re marrying into the city, you won’t need to take a dowry. Besides, city folks have better living conditions—they won’t care for a few pieces of wood.”
Outdoors, Fang was gentle, especially with her children—indulgent, even.
But at home, she’d always been the matriarch, and after spending time with her daughters-in-law, she’d learned a thing or two.
So now, she naturally replied to her daughter with a retort.
“City people just buy furniture. When your brothers get married, I’ll plant more trees for them.”
…
No one else spoke up; only Li Xiyue, who exploded first.
“Mom, you’re playing favorites way too obviously!”

“Xiyue, it’s not favoritism. You mustn’t forget where you came from. It’s your sister-in-law who taught you to read, who gave you opportunities—only then do you have a chance to marry a city boy.”
Tang Xin felt awkward. That was just a carrot she dangled in front of her sister-in-law to encourage Xiyue to study hard.
Now, hearing her mother-in-law say this, she felt bewildered.
If her sister-in-law failed to marry into the city, would she be blamed for it?
Still, the Li children were all filial; since the idea was originally put forward by Father Li, and Mother Li supported it completely, Xiyue only grumbled a bit, and in the end, Li Sheng and Li Kai wrapped things up.
“I’ll chop down the tree soon.”
“I’ll help big brother.”
Li Kai didn’t mind—he wasn’t getting married any time soon.
He already knew his sister-in-law was formidable; following her would teach him much, and it’d be even better to earn his own money for marriage instead of relying on the family.
In truth, since Father Li had proposed it, that was pretty much final; asking the children was just a formality.
Father Li was skilled with his hands, and with his sons helping, a wardrobe could be built within ten days or so.
Then Tang Xin could store all her and Li Sheng’s clothes and bedding inside, making the whole room brighter and tidier.
With the daughter-in-law and son living there, happiness would fill the home, which would please Fang as well.
For now, Tang Xin didn’t know all this; she only knew she’d soon have a new wardrobe, and felt content.
A wardrobe meant little to her, but the family’s attitude made her feel there was no better place to live than here.
When her brothers- and sisters-in-law were gathered in their rooms studying under the supervision of her parents-in-law, Tang Xin slipped her arm through her husband’s and went for a walk outside.
She called it: a date!
Of course, with their current circumstances, they couldn’t enjoy elegant activities like shopping, going to the movies, or sipping coffee as couples did in later times.
But walking hand in hand through the countryside was possible; the air was fresh, the landscape beautiful, and there was a unique charm to it.
Night had fallen, and without streetlights, even a married couple holding hands outside might be seen as improper.
Yet, thanks to the cover of darkness, such a simple act felt incredibly romantic to Tang Xin.
She clasped Li Sheng’s large hand, skipping and laughing, then turned to smile sweetly at him.

And then—Li Sheng felt as if he might die.
No wonder his little sister called his wife a siren—how could she not be?
It was such a simple gesture, not at all deliberate, yet it nearly undid Li Sheng.
In truth, Tang Xin hadn’t done much—just, even as she held his hand, her fingers traced circles in his palm playfully.
Li Sheng felt an itch in his hand, and—
They hadn’t walked far, not even around the whole village, before Li Sheng could no longer bear it.
This mischievous little siren! He’d see how she’d pay for this once they got home!
Suddenly, Li Sheng scooped Tang Xin up in his arms and strode swiftly toward home.
The abrupt loss of balance startled Tang Xin.
But then she realized she was being carried, and she giggled as she wrapped her arms around Li Sheng’s neck.
Together, laughing, they returned home.
The house was quiet, and they slipped easily into their own room.
Li Sheng and Tang Xin assumed everyone was already in bed and they had simply come back late. Little did they know, once they’d returned to their room, a group of little rascals gathered in the corridor.
Chattering away:
“Ah, Mom was right!”
“Sure enough, as soon as they come home, they rush to their room.”
“Sister-in-law is so shy—such a grown-up, but still needs big brother to carry her home.”
Before they could finish, a heavy cough rang out from the parents’ room.
If it had been Mother’s voice, they might have bargained for a discount or something—Mother was annoying, always talking about wanting grandchildren and urging them not to disturb big brother and sister-in-law.
But it was Father’s voice, and that could not be defied.
So the little rascals obediently returned to their rooms, while in the master bedroom, Fang smiled in satisfaction.