Chapter 97: From Now On, I Won't Speak to You Anymore

Inside Li Sheng's and Tang Xin's room, everything was still quietly tranquil.

For once, Li Sheng, who had woken up, did not get out of bed. Uncharacteristically, he lingered, reluctant to leave the warmth and softness beside him. Watching his wife sleeping soundly in his arms, he didn’t want to disturb her, nor could he bear to move away from her gentle embrace.

Although last night’s indulgence lasted a good while, he still felt unsatisfied. He was young and full of vigor, never tiring of intimacy, wishing he could spend all his boundless energy on his wife.

Caught up in his affection, he accidentally became a bit too enthusiastic, causing Tang Xin to wake.

“Are you hungry?” Li Sheng asked, utterly unabashed, his hands continuing their mischievous ways.

Tang Xin felt it was unfair. Clearly, this was a two-person activity, and he was the one exerting all the energy. They’d gone to bed so late, yet now he looked refreshed and lively, while she felt as though her whole body had fallen apart.

Her eyes shimmered, as if tears might spill, and her voice was sweet and sticky. “You’re so bad. I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Li Sheng knew his wife was prone to morning grumpiness, especially when she was woken before she’d slept enough.

So he wasn’t upset at all; instead, he replied gently, “Then I’ll talk to you, sweetheart.”

They whispered softly, wrapped up in each other’s presence, sweet and intimate.

Even Li Sheng himself was surprised; he’d never been so talkative with anyone before. But now, when they finally got out of bed, the house was empty—everyone had gone out, even Fang had joined her old friends for a stroll.

In the kitchen, there was millet porridge and boiled eggs, left especially for Tang Xin, still warm.

Tang Xin ate happily, and halfway through, she fed Li Sheng a peeled egg, though it was a bit battered from her clumsy hands.

The two of them were playful and affectionate. Just then, the courtyard gate opened; the Li family had returned for lunch.

Fang brought the youngest two children to the kitchen to help—they couldn’t do much, but they were good at picking vegetables and tending the fire.

Li’s father and Li Kai went to fetch water, while Li Xiyue peered into the room at the couple sitting together, her expression full of disdain. “It’s the first day of the New Year and you only get up at noon? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Tang Xin calmly ate her egg and porridge, pausing before replying, “You’re all so impressive; staying up late and still rising early. I just can’t do it.”

“We’re all born to toil, so of course we can’t compare to you.” On ordinary days, Li Xiyue would be wary of her elder brother, but now, seeing him become idle after marrying his wife, she felt he’d fallen from grace. The once-unattainable idol had stepped off his pedestal, and she no longer spoke to him as respectfully as before.

From the kitchen, Fang called out, “Xiyue, come help.”

Really, this little girl had no sense; it was rare for the eldest son to have a few days of leisure for the New Year. Fang wished he’d spend more time with his wife, that they’d sleep in and enjoy themselves.

She used to long for her eldest son to marry quickly; now, with such a wonderful daughter-in-law, all she wanted was to soon hold a grandchild.

Certainly, she wouldn’t let her inconsiderate youngest daughter disturb them. After all, during the New Year, there was little to do, and Fang would be delighted if her son and daughter-in-law stayed in their room all day.

Li Xiyue, disgruntled, grumbled, “A whole family idle, and I’m the one who has to pick vegetables?”

Despite her complaints, she obediently headed toward the kitchen.

At that moment, Li Xihua entered from outside, spotting her sister-in-law still eating porridge. She couldn’t help but remark, “Why are you eating at this hour? Mother’s cooking in the kitchen, why aren’t you helping?”

Seeing her elder sister return, everyone greeted her, and Fang asked, “Why are you home so early on the first day? Isn’t your family busy?”

And once again, she’d come alone.

When her eldest son married, her daughter had come home alone, with her son-in-law nowhere to be seen. Now, during the New Year, her daughter returned alone again, and Fang couldn’t help but wonder.

Li Xihua glanced at her family, whose complexion was noticeably better than before, feeling happy inside, but she said, “Mother, honestly, now that you have a daughter-in-law, are you unhappy when your daughter comes home?”

Fang rolled her eyes, laughing as she scolded, “What nonsense! I’m just full and bored, that’s all. It’s good to come home and pay respects on the first day.”

Then she went back to the kitchen.

Li Xihua took in the scene—her sister-in-law wasn’t just eating, she was having breakfast. Only now getting up?

She looked at Tang Xin, then at her relaxed younger brother. Still, Li Xihua swallowed her complaints and handed over the cloth bag she carried. Li Sheng opened it—inside were homegrown greens and beans.

He knew well about his eldest sister’s in-laws, and that her mother-in-law was always harsh. No one expected her to bring anything special home.

Yet Li Xihua always felt embarrassed, and whenever she came home, she’d find some vegetables to bring. Even though her own mother repeatedly said she didn’t care and her mother-in-law often scolded her for it, Li Xihua never changed.

She was the type who, once she set her mind to something, would stubbornly carry it through—never turning back until she hit a dead end.

Tang Xin could only sigh at her sister-in-law’s personality. Even if she wanted to help her escape her hardships, it was her own life, and Tang Xin couldn’t change it at will. If her sister-in-law didn’t stand up for herself, no matter how others wished to help, they could do nothing.

So, even knowing that her sister-in-law’s expression was mocking, Tang Xin felt no guilt. She’d slept late—so what? Was it a crime?

It was the New Year; why couldn’t she sleep in?

Her mother-in-law and husband had no complaints, so if others wanted to fuss, it was truly unnecessary meddling.

Li Xihua couldn’t sit still. No sooner had she returned than she rolled up her sleeves and headed into the kitchen to help.

Fang urged her eldest daughter to rest in the room, but Li Xihua refused, instead chasing out the younger helpers.

Fang sighed inwardly again.

She wondered who her eldest daughter took after—why couldn’t she see what was right in front of her? Didn’t she notice her eldest son and daughter-in-law sitting together in the room? Why not join them and strengthen their bond?

Once a woman married, her family became her strongest support. Fang knew she and her husband weren’t reliable, so when troubles came, wouldn’t Xihua need her brother and sister-in-law?

When everyone had returned, even Old Gu came with Gu Nan, and they sat down to eat.

No one was particularly formal—Old Gu joined their reunion meal, and Li Zhirong declared that until the Lantern Festival, father and son should dine with them.

Old Gu had no objection. He was always eager to help whenever he visited, and all the special treats saved for the New Year were brought out for everyone.