"Heh."
Li Yuemin heard this, but kept his eyes closed and said nothing, continuing to feign sleep.
Little did Li Guolin know that everything he was doing right now was exactly what Li Yuemin wanted. Song Mengyao was a loose woman, a scheming, filthy creature he wouldn't even deign to touch. As for Zhang Chuntao, she was the one who had occupied his heart his entire life. Since heaven had granted him the chance to be reborn, he was determined to find a way to make up for the regrets of his past life. With his own two hands, he would ensure that the lonely and helpless Zhang Chuntao lived a life of prestige and comfort. He would never again let her suffer and commit suicide in despair as she had in his previous life.
"Son, have you made up your mind?"
Li Guolin’s father, Old Man Li, glanced at the soundly sleeping Li Yuemin on the bed and lowered his voice. "Son, if you send your cousin to Zhang Chuntao's bridal chamber now, you'll have to marry that city girl, Song Mengyao. It’s not too late to change your mind."
"Father, I have no regrets!" Li Guolin said, his face full of determination. "Song Mengyao is going to be my wife from this day on. Just wait and see the good life I'm going to have!"
Old Man Li nodded after hearing this. He and Li Guolin each grabbed one of Li Yuemin’s arms and carried him into Zhang Chuntao’s room.
"Chuntao, we’ve brought the groom to you! Yuemin had a bit too much to drink, so please look after him!"
"Thank you, cousin, thank you, Second Uncle."
"Don't mention it! You two just focus on living a good life together!"
Under the dim, yellowish light, Zhang Chuntao looked slender and fair-skinned, dressed in a bright red padded jacket. Her dark, braided hair was neatly coiled behind her head with a red ribbon. Her eyes were large and bright, and her clear gaze revealed a stubborn, unyielding spirit.
Having been carried onto the kang, Li Yuemin listened vigilantly to their pleasantries. Only when he was sure the others had walked away did he spring up and pull Zhang Chuntao tightly into his arms.
Taken aback by this sudden movement, Zhang Chuntao gently pushed at his chest and asked in a low voice, "Brother Yuemin, what... what’s wrong? Do you want me to brew you some hangover soup?"
Hearing her long-lost voice, Li Yuemin didn't let go; instead, he held her tighter, his voice thick with emotion. "Chuntao, I finally... I finally see you again."
Zhang Chuntao was even more confused by his words. She looked up at him and noticed his eyes were red. She had never seen him so distraught, and her heart sank as she asked softly, "Brother Yuemin, you must be really drunk to be talking such nonsense. Didn't we see each other just yesterday?"
Li Yuemin shook his head and took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself. He knew he couldn't act too strangely, or he would frighten her. He loosened his grip slightly and said with a gentle tone, "Chuntao, I'm not drunk. It’s just... I just feel that being able to marry you is the greatest blessing of my life."
Hearing this, Zhang Chuntao lowered her head shyly, her voice barely a whisper. "I, I feel the same way."
Seeing her shy expression, Li Yuemin’s heart softened. He couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her soft lips. His kiss was gentle and lingering, filled with an indescribable sense of cherishment. Zhang Chuntao had never experienced such intimacy before; she became completely immersed in his presence, as if they were the only two people left in the world.
Unexpectedly, a roar from Li Guolin in the next room shattered the romantic atmosphere.
"You slut! How dare you cheat on me!"
Zhang Chuntao trembled in fear. Li Yuemin gently patted her back to soothe her. "Don't be afraid, Chuntao. I'm here."
No sooner had he spoken than Song Mengyao’s shrill voice rang out: "Li Guolin, stop slandering me! I, Song Mengyao, am pure and innocent. How dare you accuse me?"
"Pure and innocent? Bah! You think I don't know? If you were really pure, why wasn't there any blood on the sheets?!" Li Guolin’s voice was filled with rage. "Tell me, which pretty boy took your virginity?!"
Song Mengyao was shaking with fury, almost screaming, "Li Guolin! Shut your mouth! You filthy degenerate, what do you know? You think everyone is as foul-minded as you? I'm telling you, I’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. I won't let you insult me!"
Li Guolin’s volume spiked, laced with brutality. "Song Mengyao! How dare you call me filthy? Do you think I won't beat you to death, you whore?"
Song Mengyao did not back down, her voice resolute. "Go ahead and hit me! If you have the guts, do it! Beat me to death. I'm telling you, Li Guolin, I’m not afraid of you! If you dare lay a finger on me, once my parents are rehabilitated, I will make you regret this for the rest of your life!"
"Don't you dare threaten me with that crap. Your parents' rehabilitation is years away. If you make me unhappy right now, I'm going to break your spirit."
The argument in the next room grew louder, accompanied by the piercing shrieks of Song Mengyao, which soon drowned out Li Guolin’s curses. Zhang Chuntao tugged at Li Yuemin’s arm. "Brother Yuemin, should we go over and check? Brother Guolin seems to be hitting Sister Mengyao. Something bad might happen if this continues."
Li Yuemin shook his head, his tone calm. "Chuntao, leave them be. This is a private matter between a husband and wife; it wouldn't be right for us to interfere."
Zhang Chuntao hesitated but lay back down, though a trace of worry lingered on her face. Li Yuemin looked toward Li Guolin’s room and couldn't help but sneer inwardly. In his past life, Song Mengyao had lied about being a virgin, causing him to be a cuckold for over twenty years. Now that Li Guolin had married her, it had saved him a great deal of trouble. Li Guolin would never be able to handle a scheming woman like her; sooner or later, their lives would be in total shambles.
Thinking of this, Li Yuemin felt a surge of pleasure. He looked at Zhang Chuntao’s slightly anxious face and said softly, "Chuntao, don't let their mess ruin our mood. It’s time for us to attend to our own business."
Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms and reached out to undo her blouse. Being reborn and seeing his first love, who had once been separated from him by death, he couldn't control his desire for her. Thinking of the moment Zhang Chuntao had died in such lonely despair, his eyes grew wet. Tears slid from the corners of his eyes and fell onto her smooth, snow-white neck.
Zhang Chuntao felt a warm drop on her skin and her body trembled. Just as she was about to look up, her eyes were covered by his long, broad palms. Li Yuemin kissed her neck as if she were a precious treasure, whispering gently in her ear: "Chuntao, don't worry. I will be good to you for the rest of my life."
Hearing this, her heart pounded like a startled deer. Although he had said these words when they were first dating, for some reason, they sounded profoundly sincere this time. Li Yuemin, looming over her, had a tall, muscular frame, seemingly possessed of endless strength. His vigor made the bed creak rhythmically, as if it were about to fall apart at any moment.
"Chuntao, Chuntao, my dear wife, don't ever leave me. I will be good to you forever."
Li Yuemin repeated these words over and over. Zhang Chuntao’s cheeks flushed a deep red. With no thought left for the argument next door, she reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and surrendered to him.