It was already afternoon when they returned home. Rong Zheng first set the sweets and pastries on the dining table and called Ye Chen over to eat.
Ye Chen ran over happily, saying, "Thank you, Brother Rong." Looking at the assortment of pastries and sweets, he hesitated over which to eat first before finally picking up a piece of osmanthus cake and nibbling it with delight.
"You mustn't eat too many sweets each day. They'll rot your teeth," Rong Zheng cautioned, worried he would eat too much.
Ye Chen nodded obediently. In the past, he had never even had enough to eat. Since coming to Brother Rong's home, he could eat his fill and have meat every day, and now there were so many sweets and pastries too. From the bottom of his heart, Ye Chen felt that Brother Rong was wonderful.
Seeing that Ye Chen was less reserved around him and looked much livelier, Rong Zheng was happy too. The child had been suppressed by his elders for so long that his deep-seated sense of inferiority made him timid. Rong Zheng was trying hard to draw Ye Chen out of his shell.
The next step was to find him playmates. A child couldn't stay cooped up indoors all the time; he needed to go out and play more to build his confidence.
Just then, Ye Yun came out of the kitchen and saw the bundles of food on the table.
"Why did you buy so much?"
"We can keep them and eat them a little at a time. Xiao Chen likes them. A-Yun, try some too. Lots of people buy these pastries. They taste quite good." Rong Zheng held a piece of water chestnut cake to Ye Yun's lips.
The water chestnut cake was a translucent amber-yellow, looking very tempting.
Startled by Rong Zheng's sudden gesture, Ye Yun then grew shy and chided, "Xiao Chen is right here."
"We're all family. Go on, eat. Look, even Xiao Chen is laughing at you," Rong Zheng said casually.
His face slightly flushed, Ye Yun opened his mouth to eat. As the pink tip of his tongue curled around the cake, it brushed Rong Zheng's finger.
The soft touch made Rong Zheng's breath catch. He remembered their wedding night, when he and Ye Yun had kissed. As their tongues entwined, they had been just as soft, and unforgettable.
The water chestnut cake was smooth and springy, refreshing and pleasantly chewy, with a wonderfully sweet flavor. Ye Yun ate with a look of satisfaction, not even noticing Rong Zheng's suddenly odd expression.
Rong Zheng coughed, banishing the dirty thoughts from his mind, and dragged his gaze away from Ye Yun's face with difficulty. "The house construction is settled. Building it will cost around a hundred taels."
"That expensive?" Ye Yun's eyes widened as his voice rose. That was five or six years' income for an ordinary farming household. He knew the house was large and would probably cost a fair amount, but he hadn't expected so much!!!
Even Ye Chen, who had been eating intently, forgot to chew. He stared blankly at Rong Zheng, his mouth hanging open in shock. He and his older brother had secretly dug up medicinal herbs for over two years and earned only five taels of silver, yet this new house would cost a hundred taels. His little head couldn't comprehend it.
Seeing their shocked faces, Rong Zheng explained, "It's a big house, and I've added fireplaces and heated kang beds. Our boundary walls will be high too. The price is quite reasonable."
"But we don't have enough money."
"We have plenty. I earned ninety taels on this trip to town..."
Rong Zheng gave a rough account of the income from selling his game and the money from selling the plans.
This house had to be built properly, so that Ye Yun would not only eat well but live well too.
As Ye Yun listened, he couldn't help marveling at Rong Zheng's ability to earn money. So that sheet of house plans was worth that much too. It seemed having an education really did make a difference. Remembering that his husband had said he would teach him to read and write, he grew even happier. Reading was very useful; he would be sure to study hard.
Unaware that his darling husband had resolved to study hard, Rong Zheng called him into their room and handed him the remaining sixty taels.
Taking the heavy money pouch, Ye Yun, who had never held so much money before, couldn't resist counting it. Excluding the thirty-tael construction deposit they had paid, their household savings now came to nearly a hundred taels. It was truly unbelievable.
Rong Zheng couldn't help chuckling at his husband's money-loving ways. After watching him finish counting and carefully put the money pouch in the wardrobe, covering it with clothes, he took the exquisite aqua-blue hair ribbon out of his pocket and said tenderly:
"A-Yun, this is for you."
"It must have been expensive?" Ye Yun could tell at a glance that the hair ribbon was costly. The silk felt smooth, and the embroidery was simple and elegant. Holding it in his hand, he could hardly bear to tie it on. This was the first time in his life he had received such a precious gift.
Rong Zheng didn't answer. Smiling, he took the ribbon and led him to the mirror, then carefully tied it around his black hair. His husband was so lovely; naturally, he was happy to oblige.
So this was what they called the pleasures of the boudoir!
Seeing Rong Zheng's focused expression in the mirror, Ye Yun couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his lips. While he was still enjoying the moment, he felt a burning gaze roaming over him through the mirror.
After tying the ribbon, Rong Zheng had become transfixed by his smiling husband in the mirror, his eyes and brows full of expression. Having a beautiful husband at home really tested a man's self-control!
Ye Yun was too shy to meet Rong Zheng's gaze. His face flushed despite himself, and he wanted to turn away.
But Rong Zheng had already moved. He swiftly pulled Ye Yun up, wrapped him in his arms, and kissed him fiercely.
"B-but it's still broad daylight." Ye Yun tried to dodge, but Rong Zheng held him so tightly that he couldn't get away.
"It's fine. The door is shut. No one will know," he coaxed hoarsely. His husband was utterly enticing right now, and as he nipped those vivid red lips, he refused to let go.
Dizzy from the kisses, Ye Yun soon let him do as he pleased.
Their breaths mingled, and intimate sounds flowed between them.
...A long while later...
Before they left the room, Ye Yun shyly called Rong Zheng back, pressed the pure white handkerchief he had been embroidering lately into his arms, and hurried away.
Rong Zheng grinned, holding the handkerchief, then gave a wicked smile. Looks like I'll have to buy another hair ribbon next time!