A tentative attempt at seduction was rejected by Cheng Su. Even though the light had been put out, they both knew that neither of them was asleep.
Cheng Su turned her head to glance at Qi Taiguo, who was facing away from her, and scoffed softly. What was he angry about? Wasn’t this sort of thing supposed to happen only when both parties were willing?
She had no feelings for him, so how could she sleep with him? Even if they were husband and wife, what did that matter? This wasn’t ancient times, where she was obliged to fulfill the duties of a wife under pressure.
Besides, wasn’t it the same for him? He had no feelings for her either, did he?
Thinking this, Cheng Su also turned her back to him and said, "The so-called joy of union requires mutual affection and willingness. Otherwise, it’s just like animals releasing their instincts. Qi Taiguo, do you have feelings for me?"
Qi Taiguo opened his eyes but remained silent. However, in the darkness, his eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
Before long, he heard her speak again in a low murmur, as if whispering, "Let’s wait until we both have feelings for each other."
His gaze was heavy, and soon enough, he heard her breathing evenly. He couldn’t quite identify the taste in his heart, filled with gloom.
Outside the door, Mother Qi tiptoed away, returning to her own room.
She sat on the edge of the bed, irritated, and nudged her old man, muttering, "I think our hopes for a grandson are dashed. There’s no sign of any activity from Taiguo’s side. How long will we have to wait before we can hold a grandchild?"
Father Qi, roused twice by her nudging and already in a mood, heard this and sprang up from the bed, glaring at her, "What’s gotten into you, eavesdropping on your son and daughter-in-law’s bedroom at your age?"
Eavesdropping!
Mother Qi’s face reddened, and she spat at him, "It’s not like what you say, eavesdropping. I was just asking whether Taiguo is going to see Sister Feng tomorrow."
She wouldn’t admit that she wanted to eavesdrop. Regrettably, there was not the slightest noise from Taiguo’s room.
It really was strange. Taiguo was of an age full of youthful vigor. The two of them were newlyweds, after all. How could they restrain themselves?
"What time is it now? Still going to ask? Aren’t you just making trouble for nothing? Our son isn’t going anywhere; we can talk about it early tomorrow, can’t we?" Father Qi was exasperated, "You always have to make a fuss over nothing; you don’t even care that our son just got back from traveling. I don’t think you’re worried about him at all."
He was genuinely speechless. This old woman had no shame, even listening by the corner of her son and daughter-in-law’s bedroom wall. He couldn’t believe she would do such a thing.
"You old fart, are you sick of me or what? I haven’t even gotten sick of you yet," Mother Qi, feeling a tightness in her chest from his words, reached out to pinch him, "If it weren’t for your insistence on arranging this marriage with the Cheng family, Taiguo would have found someone he liked and gotten married by now. We’d have a grandson old enough to fetch soy sauce. Now look at this, he obviously doesn’t like his wife!"
Father Qi dodged a couple of times and then lay back down, saying, "Alright, alright, keep dragging on old matters. Go to sleep now. I still have to go to the fields tomorrow!"
Mother Qi turned off the light and listened carefully again. In the deep of the night, the surroundings were silent except for the sounds of insects and frogs. She sighed and lay down sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Qi Taiguo had no idea that his mother had been there. He listened to the breathing behind him and turned over.
At some point, she had also changed her position. Now, with one hand beneath her head, she lay on her side facing him. Outside the window, moonlight poured in, and Qi Taiguo could see her clearly.
Wait until they both had feelings for each other?
What was her plan? Was she saying that without a heartfelt connection, he couldn’t touch her?
Considering herself so high and mighty, he snorted and turned away to sleep, thinking let’s see who could be more stubborn.