Wen Qing was lost in thought.

Ji Yanjun put down his spoon, strode over, took Wen Qing's hand, and asked worriedly, "Qingqing, what's wrong?"

Wen Qing's gaze was unfocused.

"Qingqing, Qingqing," Ji Yanjun called out.

Wen Qing gradually came to her senses, her gaze returning to focus as she looked at Ji Yanjun.

"Qingqing, what's wrong?" Ji Yanjun reached out and touched Wen Qing's face.

Wen Qing paused for a moment, then said, "I think I just saw it, I saw it..."

"What did you see?" Ji Yanjun asked anxiously.

Wen Qing frowned and said, "I...I don't remember, but I just felt sadness, heartache, and despair..."

sad?

Heartache?

And despair...

Wen Qing...

Ji Yanjun's heart skipped a beat, and a sharp pain instantly spread through his chest. He immediately reached out and pulled Wen Qing into his arms, saying, "From now on, I will never be sad, never feel heartache, and never despair. Never."

"Mmm..." Wen Qing responded, nestled in Ji Yanjun's arms. She was also startled by the sudden sensation just now, and now she stayed quietly in Ji Yanjun's arms.

Ji Yanjun held Wen Qing tightly, refusing to let go.

The two gradually calmed down.

After a long while, a loud "bang" suddenly came from the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" Wen Qing asked, looking up.

Ji Yanjun said, "The pot lid fell to the ground."

"I'll go pick it up." Wen Qing broke free from Ji Yanjun and went into the kitchen.

Ji Yanjun grabbed her, cupped her face, and kissed her: "I'll go pick it up, you just wait here to eat."

Wen Qing had recovered and was laughing, "Yan Jun, you're so good to me!"

Ji Yanjun patted her head. He wasn't nice to her at all... otherwise, why would she have been so sad, so heartbroken, so desperate just now?

He was actually not good to her at all.

Ji Yanjun went back into the kitchen, the pain in his heart lingering.

"Can we eat now?" Wen Qing poked her head out and asked with a big smile on her face.

Ji Yanjun turned his head and gave a faint smile: "Alright."

"Then I'll get the bowls." Wen Qing went into the kitchen.

"Mm." Ji Yanjun nodded.

Ji Yanjun cooked stir-fried green beans, shredded pork and potato slices, and a pork rib and winter melon soup, all very light and simple.

Wen Qing sat opposite Ji Yanjun, eating with relish.

Ji Yanjun stared at her intently.

Wen Qing stopped and asked, "Yanjun, you eat too." She picked up her chopsticks and handed them to Ji Yanjun. Ji Yanjun smiled and said, "Qingqing, eat a little slower next time."

Wen Qing nodded: "Okay." She then slowed down and chewed slowly.

Ji Yanjun smiled and said, "Qingqing, let's go to the hospital tomorrow."

Wen Qing was taken aback: "The hospital? What are we going to the hospital for?"

"Physical examination."

Are you feeling unwell?

"It's not me who's getting a medical checkup, it's you."

"I'm perfectly healthy." Wen Qing breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There's nothing wrong with you at all. Why do you need a physical exam? I'm not going."

Ji Yanjun took her hand, looked at her quietly, and said, "Go get checked out. I'll only feel at ease after you get checked out. I don't want you to get sick."

"But I'm not sick."

“I’m afraid you’ll get sick,” Ji Yanjun said gently.

Wen Qing looked at him quietly. Because of his gentle words, she couldn't refuse and immediately nodded, "Okay then."

"Okay, let's eat first." Ji Yanjun smiled and served food to Wen Qing.

Wen Qing lowered her head and began to eat.

After the meal, Wen Qing insisted on washing the dishes, but Ji Yanjun wouldn't let her. Wen Qing could only stand at the door and watch the tall and upright man washing the dishes in front of the stove, and then she told him about what happened at Aunt Xiao's tailor shop.

Ji Yanjun listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.

Wen Qing then told Ji Yanjun everything.

Ji Yanjun asked, "What are your plans regarding clothing after school starts?"

Wen Qing thought for a moment: "I want to buy a sewing machine so I can make clothes after school and sell them to Aunt Xiao. That way I can keep earning money." Before, she didn't have any way to make money. Her family background made her even more self-conscious, especially given her bad temper. But since Ji Yanjun treated her with extreme gentleness and care, and she earned money through her own efforts, she became much more docile and gained confidence. Things she didn't dare to think about or do before, she's now willing to try. After all, she has never lacked energy.

Ji Yanjun nodded after listening, and then asked, "Have you ever thought about opening a factory? Let others make money for you."

"I've thought about it," Wen Qing said with a smile, "but I don't have the ability."

"Believe in yourself." Ji Yanjun turned to look at her, his gaze warm and firm: "I believe in you."

Wen Qing was greatly encouraged and smiled happily. She jumped forward and put her arms around Ji Yanjun's neck: "Yanjun, thank you."

Ji Yanjun turned his head and kissed her lips. She giggled and tried to dodge. Ji Yanjun stretched out his arms and pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on her neck. He washed the dishes and pots while holding her close.

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Yanjun, the food you cooked is delicious."

"real?"

"real."

"We're married now, and I'll cook for you every day."

"Aren't you going to drive the sports car?" Wen Qing asked.

“If you open a factory, I’ll work for you,” Ji Yanjun said.

“Okay, then I’ll do my best. When I become a boss, I’ll ask you to be my driver,” Wen Qing said, her voice filled with joy, making her exceptionally lively and energetic.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you to ask me to be your driver,” Ji Yanjun said.

"Okay, Yanjun, hurry up and wash. Once you're done, let's go out. I'll go buy school supplies for Liangliang and Pengpeng," Wen Qing urged.

"Okay." Ji Yanjun sped up.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Ji Yanjun drove Wen Qing to buy school supplies for Wen Liang and Wen Peng, and then drove directly to Shuiwan Village.

Before this, Ji Yousheng and Ji Yanjun had gotten engaged at the Wen family. After the engagement, Ji Yanjun would come to Shuiwan Village to see Wen Qing every few days. He often helped Yao Shiling with farm work, and also helped Wen Liang and Wen Peng cut grass and feed cattle. He even climbed up to Wen Qing's house to repair the roof. As a result, the villagers of Shuiwan Village changed their opinion of Wen Qing and felt that Wen Qing must have been very lucky in his previous life to have met such a good man as Ji Yanjun in this life.

Yao Shiling treated Ji Yanjun differently. Seeing Ji Yanjun drive Wen Qing back, she spoke for the first time, "Stay for dinner." After all, they were getting married in half a month.

Ji Yanjun was flattered and overwhelmed.

"Mom wants you to stay for dinner," Wen Qing repeated from the side.

Ji Yanjun was very excited and hurriedly replied, "Okay, okay, thank you, thank you Auntie."

That evening, Ji Yanjun ate alone at Wen Qing's house for the first time. The last time he came was with Ji Yousheng to finalize the marriage. At that time, Yao Shiling only had to follow etiquette. This time, however, it was Yao Shiling's genuine invitation.

Ji Yanjun would occasionally go into the kitchen to help, but Yao Shiling would always coax him out.

During the meal, Ji Yanjun did not forget to correct Wen Qing's bad eating habits, and he did not allow Wen Qing to eat dishes that were too spicy, too cold, or too stimulating.

Yao Shiling saw all this and her attitude towards Ji Yanjun softened a bit.

As night fell, Ji Yanjun was about to return to the county town.

Seeing that Wen Qing wasn't around, Yao Shiling said, "I hope your family can also put aside their prejudices and treat Wen Qing well."

Ji Yanjun paused for a moment, then said directly, "After we get married, Wen Qing and I will go to live in Nanzhou."

"Are you planning to split up the family?" Yao Shiling asked.

Ji Yanjun nodded and told Yao Shiling without hiding anything, "My mother's prejudice is hard to change in a short time. If we live together, Wen Qing will suffer."

"Does this mean Wen Qing and your mother never see each other again?" Yao Shiling asked.

"I will be there every time they meet from now on."

"A lifetime is so long."

“Auntie, I will be with Wen Qing every day of my life. I may not be able to change my mother’s prejudices, but I will try my best to reconcile them. No matter what I do, I will never hurt Wen Qing,” Ji Yanjun said firmly.

Because of his steadfastness, his sincerity, and his protection, Yao Shiling was slightly moved. She had once tried every means to prevent Wen Qing from marrying into the Ji family, but now she no longer had that stubbornness.

Yao Shiling sighed and said, "Wen Qing is spoiled by her second uncle. Although she has a bad temper, she's like a mule that's easily swayed. If you go along with her first, she'll listen to reason. If you contradict her right away, she'll become more and more stubborn and her fiery temper will come out. You'll have to be more tolerant of her in the future."

Ji Yanjun nodded: "Yes, Auntie." In the first life, he had rejected her too many times, which made her so angry. He knew that now.

Before the two could finish speaking, Wen Qing ran out of the room, pulled Ji Yanjun aside, and said, "Yanjun, let's go."

"Wen Qing, watch your behavior," Yao Shiling said.

Wen Qing quickly released Ji Yanjun.

Ji Yanjun then looked at Yao Shiling and said, "Auntie, I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road."

"Um."

Wen Qing got into Ji Yanjun's car, and when they arrived at the dirt road, she took out a white short-sleeved shirt and handed it to Ji Yanjun.

"This is for you!" Wen Qing said with a smile. "Do you like it?"

Jing Yanjun stared blankly at Wen Qing.

Wen Qing paused, then asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

Ji Yanjun shook his head, put his arm around her and said, "I like it very much." She was still so proactive, always so eager to be good to him.

"I'm glad you like it." Wen Qing smiled, then opened the car door and said, "Then I'm going home."

“Okay.” Ji Yanjun held the white short-sleeved shirt and watched Wen Qing return to Shuiwan Village. He felt extremely warm inside, and then drove back to the Ji family home in the county town.

Upon arriving at the Ji family home, Liang Wenhua and Ji Ningzhi started making a fuss again, saying that they already had a basin stand and a chest of drawers, so why did they need to buy more, as it was a waste of money.

Ji Yanjun said he was getting married, so naturally he needed to buy a new one.

Liang Wenhua persisted, saying the washbasin stand was only six months old, the chest of drawers only a year old, and any item in their house was newer than the latest items in the Wen family's home. Liang Wenhua's words were clearly filled with disdain for the Wen family.

Ji Yanjun said with a serious expression, "Mom, I earned the money."

Liang Wenhua was startled. Ji Yanjun's meaning was clear: he earned the money, and he could spend it however he wanted; he could give it to Wen Qinghua as he pleased. However, Liang Wenhua was unwilling to accept this, and started arguing and making a scene, disrupting the entire family's peace.

Zhang Fangfang, who was making a scene, also came to persuade them.

Ji Yanjun said, "Mom, Wen Qing and I are getting married in half a month. If you keep making a fuss like this, on the wedding day, we won't leave home; we'll go straight to Nanzhou."

Upon hearing this, Liang Wenhua immediately fell silent. If his son didn't bring his bride home for one night after getting married and went straight to the bridal chamber, wouldn't that be tantamount to saying that his son didn't respect his parents? If word got out, neither his son nor his parents would look good, and Liang Wenhua certainly wouldn't want that.

Zhang Fangfang looked at Ji Yanjun: "Yanjun, don't talk like that, that's not what Auntie meant..."

"This is a family matter of the Ji family," Ji Yanjun said coldly, shutting Zhang Fangfang down with a single sentence, clearly telling her not to meddle.

Zhang Fangfang's face paled slightly. She and Ji Yanjun had always treated each other politely. In fact, because of her beauty and sensible nature, Ji Yanjun always treated her differently. Especially when compared with Wen Qing, she felt a sense of superiority and always felt that Ji Yanjun was interested in her. She never expected him to say such heartless words to her.

After Ji Yanjun finished speaking, he returned to his room and began preparing for the wedding, which was to take place in half a month. In fact, he had been preparing for a long time, but he was still very nervous.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, he drove to pick up Wen Qing and took her to the First People's Hospital of Nanzhou City for a checkup. Relieved to find she was healthy, he asked the doctor about ways to prevent stomach problems. Besides good eating habits, he learned to avoid staying up late and maintain a positive mood. Ji Yanjun wrote these down, planning to bring her back for another checkup in a while.

After sending Wen Qing to Aunt Xiao's tailor shop, Ji Yanjun continued to busy himself with wedding preparations.

He was always uneasy, always thinking about marrying Wen Qing. He could only feel at ease when he saw Wen Qing every day, from the moment he opened his eyes to the moment he closed them. It wasn't until the day of their wedding, when Wen Qing sat on his bed in a bright red bridal gown, that the heavy weight on his heart was finally lifted.

He was afraid that Yao Shiling would suddenly change her mind and not let Wen Qing marry him.

He was afraid that Liang Wenhua and Ji Ningzhi would cause a scene at the wedding.

He feared that some other factor might prevent them from getting married.

He was even more afraid that Wen Qing would suddenly say she wouldn't marry him.

He kept worrying and worrying... Fortunately, none of these things happened. At this moment, Wen Qing was sitting on his bed, and he was standing at the door.

With a "thump," Gangzi and his group were the first to push open the half-closed wooden door, calling out with grins, "Sister-in-law!"

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

Wen Qing blushed instantly.

Gangzi and his gang all rushed in, ready to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber.

Ji Yanjun tried to push the others out, but he couldn't overcome Gangzi's gang's superior numbers. They held Ji Yanjun back and forced him to kiss Wen Qing in public. After a little commotion, Ji Yanjun said, "If you don't leave, each of you will have five yuan deducted from your wages."

"Look how anxious Old Ji is."

"Is the bed sturdy?"

"Old Ji is usually very strong, and your wife is so thin, so you should take it easy."

"Yes. Take it easy."

"Old Ji, your second son can't be too fierce."

"..." The young men who loved reading erotic novels were getting more and more outrageous. Ji Yanjun started to say, "Three, two..." Before he could even count to one, Gangzi and the others disappeared in a flash, leaving only Ji Yanjun and Wen Qing in the room.

Ji Yanjun closed the door and bolted it.

Wen Qing sat on the bed somewhat nervously, glancing up at Ji Yanjun. Wen Qing was already beautiful, with delicate eyes, nose, and mouth, which looked even better together. Now, with her light makeup, she had a unique charm.

Ji Yanjun felt a burning sensation in his stomach as he looked at it.

Wen Qing looked out the window and, seeing no one, abandoned all restraint. She took off her coat, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Oh, Yanjun, I'm exhausted and starving. Getting married is so tiring! Since this morning, my mom has only let me eat one red egg, saying it's for good luck."

"Haven't you eaten yet?" Ji Yanjun asked.

"Um."

"Do you feel any stomach discomfort? Are you dizzy? Are you feeling sad?" Ji Yanjun asked a series of questions. He was even more nervous about Wen Qing's wedding than the first time he married her, and he even forgot to eat. Wen Qing has always had a bad stomach.

After asking, Ji Yanjun's face turned slightly pale, which startled Wen Qing, who asked in a daze, "Yanjun, what's wrong?"

"How are you feeling right now? Are you very tired? Do you feel nauseous?" Ji Yanjun asked.

"I feel great, I'm not tired or nauseous, I'm just very hungry."

"Can you eat anything?"

Wen Qing nodded.

"Wait here, I'll go get you some food," Ji Yanjun said.

Wen Qing tried to call out but couldn't stop him. She was secretly wondering about Ji Yanjun's behavior just now. She had only not eaten for a day. Was Ji Yanjun worrying too much?

A moment later, Wen Qing seemed somewhat dazed.

Ji Yanjun was indeed overthinking it. Both of Wen Qing's previous lives had died of stomach cancer, and he was terrified of the disease and of Wen Qing's passing. Therefore, he was extremely sensitive to anything related to the stomach. At this moment, he was filled with regret. How could he have forgotten to feed Wen Qing because of his anxiety?

Fortunately, she has no adverse reactions now, but he is still worried and will take her to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow. No, medical care in this area should be more advanced abroad. He will think of a way to take Wen Qing abroad. Yes, to take Wen Qing abroad for preventative care.

Thinking this, Ji Yanjun went to the kitchen. The dishes in the kitchen were all heavily seasoned, which was not suitable for Wen Qing to eat. So he turned on the stove again and cooked a bowl of light egg and vegetable noodles. He carried it into the new house and was seen by the guests who had not yet left. They all praised Ji Yanjun for knowing how to love his wife.

"Look, the groom knows how to care for his bride. Knowing that she hadn't eaten all day, he quickly cooked a bowl of noodles and brought it to her."

"Exactly, what a good man."

Everyone praised him, but Liang Wenhua suddenly said, "Yanjun cooks noodles for himself."

The scene fell silent instantly, with no one responding. Liang Wenhua then realized the awkwardness, but she forced herself not to think that she was a poisonous old woman.

Meanwhile, Ji Yanjun had already entered the bridal chamber with a bowl of noodles.

"It smells so good," Wen Qing said.

Ji Yanjun handed her the chopsticks and said, "Eat."

Wen Qing smiled, took the chopsticks, and asked, "Do you want some?"

"No, I've already had some wine."

"Then have an egg." Wen Qing picked up a round and plump hard-boiled egg and put it to Ji Yanjun's lips. Ji Yanjun took a bite, and then she smiled and ate her noodles. After finishing the bowl of noodles, she put down her chopsticks and said, "Ah, it's so good to be full. I want to sleep."

However, Ji Yanjun did not let her go to sleep immediately. Instead, he took her hand and walked around the room to help her digest. The two of them walked through the room many times. When Ji Yanjun felt that it was about time, he let Wen Qing take a bath and then go to sleep.

Then Ji Yanjun also took a shower, wearing only a pair of shorts. He had broad shoulders and narrow hips, with firm muscles and beautiful lines. After Wen Qing glanced at him, she quickly covered her eyes and burrowed into the blanket.

Ji Yanjun laughed as he climbed onto the bed and embraced Wen Qing naked.

Ji Ningzhi's voice came through: "Brother, Mom is calling you."

"What is it?" Ji Yanjun asked, frowning.

"I don't know, but I'm sending you anyway," Ji Ningzhi said.

“I’m not going.” Ji Yanjun hugged Wen Qing.

Wen Qing urged him, "Go take a look."

"I'm not going."

As a result, Ji Ningzhi started banging on the door from the outside.

"Let's go take a look," Wen Qing said.

Ji Yanjun had no choice but to get out of bed, put on his clothes, and go out.

Wen Qing lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She had married him, and then married him again. Heaven had given her two chances, and in the end, she was still entangled with him.

Why are they tangled together again?

Because his fingers were wrapped around her hair, in front of her tombstone, exposed to the wind and snow, and even as his body gradually lost its warmth, he still clung tightly to her tombstone, wanting to follow her in death?

Because she has a place in her heart, and she can't let go of anyone else but him?

Wen Qing lay peacefully on the bed, sleeping soundly more peacefully than ever before.

Meanwhile, Ji Yanjun stood in Ji Yousheng's room, receiving persuasion from his uncle and others, who urged him not to divide the family property, asking why he should, since Liang Wenhua only had one son, and so on.

Ji Yanjun said, "Wen Qing will start school in a couple of days, and Wen Qing and I will go to Nanzhou tomorrow to prepare."

As soon as Ji Yanjun finished speaking, everyone else knew that Ji Yanjun was determined to separate the family.

Liang Wenhua's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

The relatives tried to persuade him.

Ji Yanjun politely greeted his relatives, telling them to go back to their rooms and sleep, before returning to his own room, gently closing the door, and calling out, "Qingqing."

No one answered.

He took off his clothes as he went forward, until he was only wearing shorts. When he reached the bedside, he found that Wen Qing was really asleep. He quietly got into bed and hugged Wen Qing in his arms.

"Qingqing".

Wen Qing did not respond.

"Qingqing..."

Wen Qing was still asleep.

So he stopped calling out. Looking at Wen Qing's fair face, red lips, and exposed white skin, he felt a surge of heat. As he held her, his body became uncontrollable. He would kiss Wen Qing's forehead, then her nose, then lick her lips, wanting to wake her up so they could have a wedding night together. But then he thought about how tired she was today and that she couldn't stay up all night, so he forced himself to stop and held Wen Qing close to his eyes.