Setting three rules? What on earth is she up to now, how come I never noticed before that she had so many ideas?
But Qi Taiguo liked this kind of negotiating tone. Hmm, just like that, it doesn’t feel bad.
"Let’s hear it," Qi Taiguo said with an aura of authority.
A sly glint flickered in Cheng Su’s eyes as she said, "In this day and age, there should be gender equality. Men can earn a living for the household, and women can also hold up half the sky. While you’re striving in the military, I, well, will not just stay at home in the future and devote myself to supporting my husband and educating our children."
Qi Taiguo raised an eyebrow. So, was she planning on being restless?
"Before coming here, I planned to work and pursue a career in Qing City. I won’t neglect our home, but a household is maintained by both parties. So I hope, when you have time, you could also lend a hand with what you can."
Qi Taiguo’s brow furrowed: "It’s only natural for women to take care of household chores!"
Cheng Su retorted with scorn, "But it’s no longer the Manchu Qing era. For a woman to be a housewife is normal, but if I also want to pursue a career, it’s inevitable that I won’t be able to manage both perfectly. I hope you can understand that!"
Qi Taiguo hit back with sarcasm, "I had no idea you were so ambitious." Deep down, he felt a bit contemptuous. All this talk about pursuing a career, but what great enterprise could she possibly build? Wasn’t she just going to find a job at a factory or somewhere else?
"There’s a lot you don’t know. This is just as well, since you don’t understand me, and I feel the same about you. Now that we’re living together, let’s put aside our past prejudices and get to know each other anew!" Cheng Su said, looking at him.
Listening to her, Qi Taiguo felt that she was even crazier. What did she mean by not understanding him? For years, she had always said that he was the young husband she bought. So what was the point of saying all this now, as if she was meeting him for the first time?
"What do you think?"
Qi Taiguo touched his nose: "Continue."
"Fine. To outsiders, we are husband and wife, united as one. As the saying goes, ’one’s honor is the other’s, and one’s loss is the other’s.’ Your reputation is my reputation, and vice versa. Therefore, in front of outsiders, I will do my best to uphold your dignity, and I hope you will do the same," Cheng Su continued.
These words struck a chord in Qi Taiguo’s heart; they did sound rather appealing.
"Don’t mention that being husband and wife requires understanding, trust, and tolerance—friendship is the same. Trust is the most fundamental. Without trust, nothing can be sustained. We’re just starting out, and it’s necessary to gradually adjust to each other. Trust, which may be hard to establish in a short time, but I hope you can be a bit more patient, as will I."
Qi Taiguo looked at her intently, silent as if trying to see through her, and his eyes sparkled with interest. He didn’t know she was so articulate, and upon closer examination, everything she said carried significant meaning.
"Anything else?"
Cheng Su hummed affirmatively, scratched the back of her ear as if she was finding it hard to speak, and after a long pause, she finally said, "That thing I mentioned before, about only when... um, that. Maybe we should take some time to get to know each other better and confirm our feelings... there are two rooms at home. During the time we live together, shouldn’t we also consider sleeping in separate rooms, sort of like a trial marriage?"
Qi Taiguo scoffed. So in the end, that was her real goal, wasn’t it?
She just didn’t want to sleep with him. So why on earth did she insist on marrying him in the first place?
Unable to suppress his irritation, Qi Taiguo blurted out, "If you don’t want to sleep with me, why did you marry me?"
Cheng Su’s face heated up, and she abruptly looked up, their eyes clashing, sparks flying.