After eating, there was no need to wash the dishes, so Jiang Ling happily returned to the room.

Shen Yan followed behind her. His gaze swept across the freshly changed bedding on the bed, and his throat rolled unconsciously.

He had been too immersed in last night and forgot to tell her something important.

“This sewing machine is newly bought. It’s part of your bride price.”

“There’s also a watch, a radio, and a bicycle. I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”

As for the watch and radio, those could be bought later in the county’s department store. But bicycles required a purchase ticket.

Even with money and tickets, popular models often required long queues.

Shen Yan had already asked Lu Cheng and Qian Zheng to help keep an eye out. If they could get one, he didn’t mind paying extra.

Jiang Ling hadn’t expected to receive such a generous bride price.

In her previous life, when she married Zhou Qianming, she had received nothing—only love sustained her.

“Shen Yan, thank you,” she said sincerely.

He met her clear eyes, then glanced down at her rose-colored lips.

Only he knew how soft those lips were.

His thoughts drifted back to last night, and heat surged through him. He quickly averted his gaze as if burned.

“We’re husband and wife. There’s no need to thank me,” he said stiffly.

He didn’t like her being so distant. He was serious about spending his life with her.

Jiang Ling noticed his tense jaw and the fact that he wasn’t looking at her at all, and she pouted slightly.

Right—they had just gotten married. What feelings could there be?

It was midsummer, and Shen Yan had been sweating in the fields all afternoon. Even though a cool breeze came through the window at night, he still felt unbearably hot.

“I’m going to the river to take a bath,” he said.

He couldn’t stay alone in the room with her anymore. The marks on her body hadn’t faded yet, and he needed cold water to calm himself.

He grabbed two pieces of clothing and walked out.

Jiang Ling quickly reached out to stop him.

“Wait—”

But before she could finish, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“Mm—!”

Shen Yan had already been burning with heat, and her small gesture completely pushed him over the edge.

But he didn’t kiss her for long—just a brief, restrained touch.

His rough fingertips brushed her slightly swollen lips as he rasped, “I’ll go wash in the river first. I’ll come back and heat water for you.”

Jiang Ling’s face was warm. “Okay.”

She was still a little dazed, not even remembering what she originally wanted to say, only vaguely aware of his reaction.

But tonight, she really didn’t want to continue. She needed a break.

On his way to the river, Shen Yan ran into Jiang Yujiao and Zhou Qianming.

Jiang Yujiao looked at Shen Yan’s tall, imposing figure—the strong arms exposed under his shirt—and felt like one punch from him could knock her out.

She instinctively leaned closer to Zhou Qianming.

Zhou Qianming’s protective instincts flared. He stepped forward and confronted Shen Yan.

“Shen Yan, why are you staring at my wife?”

Shen Yan’s dark eyes swept over them coldly. He said nothing and walked straight past them toward the river.

His gaze alone made Jiang Yujiao flinch. It reminded her of the way he had looked at her in her previous life after he discovered her affair.

She didn’t want to think about it anymore.

She clung to Zhou Qianming’s arm, acting sweet.

“Brother Qianming, let’s go back.”

“Alright,” he said, tightening his arm around her waist. “Let’s go back and take care of business.”

It was late at night and the road was empty. He held her close, already thinking about how she exhausted him every night.