Chapter 305: Chapter 306: After the Wedding

The wedding shifts from noise to silence, subtracting elements from the crowd one by one.

Relatives, friends, and parents all gradually leave, until only the two of them remain.

In the noisy courtyard, Gao Zhonghua, supporting a tipsy Shen Que, sheepishly called out to Jiang Cheng, "Sister-in-law."

"The boss drank a lot; I’m sorry, sister-in-law."

Jiang Cheng took over from Shen Que, the reduced weight on her shoulder bringing a smile to her eyes. She said to Gao Zhonghua, "It’s fine, everyone is celebrating for us. I thank everyone."

After helping Jiang Cheng lay Shen Que down on the bed, Gao Zhonghua quickly ran out as if something was chasing him.

Jiang Cheng closed the door behind him, locked it, and leisurely looked at Shen Que lying on the big red wedding quilt.

"Looks like he really drank a lot?"

Jiang Cheng deliberately spoke as she walked to the bedside and sat down, tracing Shen Que’s brows and eyes with her finger.

"A night of spring can be worth a thousand gold; seems I’ll have to—ah—"

Shen Que’s arm suddenly wrapped around her, and in an instant, the world spun; he was on top, and Jiang Cheng was beneath.

His eyes were full of intensity, the faint scent of alcohol nuzzling around Jiang Cheng’s neck, as he playfully murmured,

"I want."

"What do you want?"

Shen Que’s arm tightened, his slightly bristly stubble scratching Jiang Cheng’s chin, and the next moment, a slight sting came from there.

"You bit me!"

Jiang Cheng pushed at Shen Que, who chuckled hoarsely.

"Didn’t bite... I want to eat you up."

Shen Que lifted his head, the corners of his eyes tinged with red.

Jiang Cheng wrapped her arms around Shen Que’s neck, enchanting.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

An invitation veiled in words—what man could resist?

Shen Que precisely captured those red lips that haunted his dreams. A night of spring is worth a thousand gold; it must not be missed.

Shooting stars traced across the dark night, the gentle breeze stirring the willows outside the window, swaying, undulating.

The enchanting night, irresistible.

*

The next morning, Jiang Cheng woke up feeling contented, with her first thought being somewhat improper.

The novels always said women would rise with sore hips, but why was she fine?

Was it the novels that lied, or was Shen Que... no, she mustn’t think that, because Shen Que was quite good.

"What are you thinking?"

Shen Que had awakened.

He scooped Jiang Cheng closer with a slightly marked arm, taking a deep breath, wholly satisfied.

"Thinking of you."

Jiang Cheng spoke sweet words effortlessly, yet next to her, Shen Que was utterly convinced.

"I’m thinking of you too."

Shen Que snuggled closer, Jiang Cheng bemused yet slightly exasperated said, "It’s hot..."

"Are you rejecting me?"

Shen Que’s accusing tone made Jiang Cheng feel like she was a heartless rake, abandoning him after the night.

She pinched Shen Que’s nose, applying slight force, "Don’t start, get up."

Shen Que, like a large plush animal, seemed unwilling to rise until he had nuzzled Jiang Cheng thoroughly.

Jiang Cheng, watching Shen Que get dressed: a man who’s been with you really does feel different.

Finally, they got up, washed, and left the house.

No one was in the main room. Last night, Grandma Shen took Shen Xing and Shen Yue to stay in Jiang Cheng’s small courtyard next door.

As to why, it goes without saying.

Glancing at each other, neither felt embarrassed; instead, they were grateful they had gone.

After all, the two of them had been quite "rowdy."

Shen Que even directly said, "Why don’t we go live next door; after all, there are two walls."

"Aren’t you afraid people will say you’re a live-in son-in-law?"

"Why care what others say? It’s our life, and they’ll be envious that I’m Ms. Jiang Cheng’s live-in son-in-law."

The two exchanged a smile and decided just like that. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

As for Shen Que’s place at the machinery factory, they considered it.

But it was convenient for Shen Xing and Shen Yue to attend school here, and Grandma Shen had lived here for a long time, familiar with the neighbors.

Besides, Jiang Cheng liked being with them, so moving to the machinery factory didn’t really matter.

In the end, the whole family voted, and Shen Que would just commute back and forth.

After reaching an agreement, Shen Que opened the door. Today he had a half-day off; he’d start working in the afternoon.

There was no such thing as marriage leave now.

Soon, Grandma Shen came over from next door, while Shen Yue and Shen Xing had already gone to school.

Shen Que and Jiang Cheng had a somewhat late breakfast, strolled outside for a bit, and then Shen Que went to work.

Jiang Cheng spent some time with Grandma Shen in the courtyard, then they slowly moved some of Shen Que’s easily transferable items to the small courtyard.

Working steadily and organizing little by little, by the time Shen Que returned from work, things were pretty much in order.

That evening, Shen Que and Jiang Cheng began their little life together in the small courtyard.

Life settled into a relatively calm period after their marriage.

Relatively calm because Jiang Cheng hadn’t been running around everywhere; she could return home on time every day, yet she remained busy.

After the wedding, Jiang Cheng was first invited to the textile factory, collaborating with designers on new patterns or products.

Following the textile factory, food factories, ceramics factories, shoe factories, and clothing factories all approached Jiang Cheng for help.

Some for aiding in translating new production lines, others for assisting with design.

In short, it was a different factory manager waiting outside the courtyard every morning.

To save Jiang Cheng time, these managers took turns picking her up for work each morning.

Most of the time, Shen Que would pick her up after work, but when he couldn’t, the managers stepped in.

Time quietly moved forward; in September, the brewery where Simon worked produced a new wine, more aligned with foreign tastes, aiming for the October trade fair.

This time, Jiang Cheng didn’t plan to attend the fair or take on the role of chief planner again.

But the new planner came to consult her in person, learning a lot, and Jiang Cheng generously offered her full assistance.

The fair’s organization had matured, from planning to translation, product to promotion.

Jiang Cheng felt her contributions had yielded a different kind of reward; it was time to exit with perfect results and tackle another field.

October 21st, a morning both serene and restless.

That day, Jiang Cheng thought she wouldn’t feel anything, but in reality, she felt a bit restless from the moment she woke up.

Turns out, she was anticipating it after all.

Shen Que keenly noticed Jiang Cheng’s restlessness, suspecting something.

In past days, others had hinted something would happen, even mailing him sets of science and math books.

It wasn’t explicitly stated, but sometimes people need to understand the unspoken implications.

Clearly, Shen Que understood, as did Jiang Cheng.

Because more people had given Jiang Cheng reminders.

The teachers from the translation special training class had almost called her every day in the previous month.

Early in the morning, before seven, an urgent shout came from the entrance of the courtyard.

A man in his thirties, holding a newspaper, eyes brimming with excited tears, shouted, "The college entrance exam is reinstated!"