Late at night.
The lamplight glowed softly, illuminating two figures.
Lian Youming sat beneath the lamp with a basin of hot water, gently kneading and massaging Yan Lingyun's feet with Soft Jin.
Wrapped in a blanket, Yan Lingyun looked at the bruises on his arms and muttered indignantly, "Honestly, Master! Look how badly he beat you." Lian Youming made a shushing gesture, then said nervously, "Careful. Master has very sharp ears. He can hear things from a long way away. Watch out, or he might stop cooking for you."
Yan Lingyun's little face tightened, but when she saw the smile he was holding back, she caught on. "Hmph, you little bastard, tricking me again. Master would never get angry with me."
Only when he had nearly finished massaging her feet did Lian Youming say, "Honey, go to sleep first. I'll get a basin of hot water for Mom and Dad's room too." Even though they were already married, hearing him suddenly call her that still made Yan Lingyun blush and her heart race. Like a young girl in love, she murmured an "Mm" with misty eyes, then burrowed into the already-warm bedding.
"Go on."
Lian Youming went out and emptied the foot-washing water, refilled the basin with hot water, and tested its temperature before entering his parents' bedroom.
"It's the middle of the night. Why aren't you cuddling your new bride? What are you doing in here?"
Father Lian sat on the bed, propped against a pillow, reading by lamplight.
No, to be precise, he was learning characters.
He really had enrolled in a Literacy Remedial Class.
Zhao Lanxiang was busy too, wearing a thimble as she mended Lian Lei's clothes.
"You're both really straining your eyes like this."
Lian Youming walked to the bedside and sat on a small