Chapter 135: Making Breakfast for the Gu family
Gu Tingxiao had specifically advised her to stick to fifty cents, as that had always been the standard within the family. Giving anything more would only make her stand out in a way that might ruffle the feathers of the eldest sister-in-law or the fourth brother’s wife. Besides, in this day and age, a fifty-cent red envelope was quite a generous treat for a child. The kids practically sprinted out the door, eager to spend their new wealth on candied corn cakes.
When the time came to prepare dinner, Mother Gu gathered Liang Nazhen and Wang Chunmei to help out in the kitchen. Wanyan offered to pitch in as well, but Mother Gu immediately waved her off.
“You just sit tight and relax. There’s no need to rush into chores on your very first day.”
Mother Gu was cut from a progressive cloth; she wasn’t the kind of overbearing mother-in-law who took pleasure in breaking in a new daughter-in-law by putting her to work the second she married into the family.
“Exactly, Third Sister-in-law,” Liang Nazhen chimed in with a warm smile. “Just sit and make yourself comfortable. It was the exact same for me when I first wed. You deserve a proper rest today.”
“Thank you, Mom, Sister-in-law, and Fourth Sister-in-law,” Wanyan replied gratefully.
She stayed in the living room to chat with the rest of the family. Gu Tingxiao soon brought her a warm cup of malted milk and placed a plate of pastries right in front of her.
“Wanyan must be hungry. Have a few cakes to tide you over until dinner,” Grandma Gu said, pushing the platter even closer, worried the girl might be too shy to reach for them herself.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Wanyan really wasn’t one to get painfully shy over such things. Now that she was officially married into the household, she saw no point in maintaining a fragile, overly polite facade. It was much better to just be herself; constantly performing a character just to maintain “face” was far too exhausting.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, you handle washing the vegetables,” Mother Gu instructed as she took charge of the kitchen. “Youngest daughter-in-law, you slice the meat.”
With the tasks distributed, Mother Gu went to wash the rice to get the fire started, while Aunt Lin focused on deep-cleaning the counters. Up on the second floor, Gu Tingxiao had already discreetly stripped the sheets from the bridal bed and tucked them away, knowing his little wife was far too self-conscious to risk anyone else seeing them.
In the kitchen, Wang Chunmei brought the heavy cleaver down on the pork, her eyes occasionally darting out toward the lively living room.
“Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law really struck gold,” she muttered, a hint of envy creeping into her voice. “Just look at how incredibly doting and attentive Third Brother is. When I first married in, Tinghao never once thought to serve me a cup of malted milk.”
Liang Nazhen glanced outside and offered a gentle smile. Gu Tingxiao was currently leaning down to adjust the hem of Wanyan’s crimson skirt, making sure she wouldn’t trip or expose too much when she stood up. The third brother always carried a fiercely cold aura, but beneath that iron exterior, he was remarkably protective.
“Third Brother has always been deeply attentive in his own way,” Liang Nazhen replied smoothly. “Once they head back to the military base, the two of them will live a wonderfully sweet life together.”
Hearing that Wanyan would be living independently with her husband at a distant regiment rather than sharing compound drama, Wang Chunmei’s jealousy flared a bit higher. “Must be nice, chatting and laughing out there while we’re stuck doing all the heavy lifting in here.”
Liang Nazhen’s brow furrowed slightly. The fourth brother’s wife was falling into her old patterns of picking petty grievances again. “Fourth Sister-in-law, if memory serves, neither of us had to lift a finger in the kitchen on our first day of marriage either. Have you forgotten?”
Wang Chunmei’s smile turned instantly awkward. She privately fumed, wondering why her eldest sister-in-law was always so thoroughly unyielding and refused to grant her an ounce of face.
“Sister-in-law, I was just making conversation,” she muttered, trying to laugh it off. “You know how clumsy I am with my words.”
Liang Nazhen looked at her, her expression perfectly serene yet entirely unreadable. “I’m simply stating the facts, Fourth Sister-in-law. I trust you won’t take it to heart.”
The fragile smile vanished from Wang Chunmei’s face entirely. The moment she saw Mother Gu walk back into the kitchen, she tightly clamped her mouth shut.
The banquet proceeded beautifully, with the extended family enjoying the feast in total harmony, completely oblivious to the minor friction that had simmered over the cutting board.
Gu Tingxiao’s remaining leave was brief; he was scheduled to return to his regiment in only a week. According to custom, they would visit the bride’s parents’ temporary quarters after three days, stay for a short duration, and then spend the final remaining days finalizing their move.
Once the family dinner concluded, Gu Tingxiao promptly escorted a thoroughly exhausted Wanyan back upstairs to rest. The moment her head hit the pillow after a warm bath, she drifted into a deep sleep. When Gu Tingxiao returned from his own shower and saw her out cold, he felt a wave of tenderness, knowing he had pushed her far too hard the night before. He slid under the quilt, pulling her into his arms. Looking down at her peaceful, sleeping face, a profound sense of contentment washed over him.
In the middle of the night, however, Wanyan grew far too warm under his heavy embrace. Groaning in her sleep, she forcefully shoved him away, rolled over to the edge of the bed, and continued snoring softly.
Gu Tingxiao opened his eyes in the dark, staring at his heartless little wife until a helpless, amused chuckle escaped him. She truly treated him like a tool—utilizing him when needed and tossing him aside the second she wanted her space. She could be remarkably ruthless when she chose to be.
What an absolute little ancestor, he thought fondly.
Without his constant hovering, Wanyan slept magnificently well. By the time her eyes fluttered open at six the next morning, she felt completely refreshed. But the literal second she stirred, Gu Tingxiao woke up as well, his powerful arms instantly tightening to drag her right back into his chest. He buried his jaw in the curve of her neck, his morning voice thick and raspy.
“It’s far too early…” he muttered. “Just let me hold you for a bit longer.”
Wanyan tolerated the embrace for a few minutes, but when she noticed he had zero intention of letting go, she began to squirm. “I need to get up…” She extended a foot under the covers, pushing against his solid chest and giving his leg a firm kick.
Gu Tingxiao sharply sucked in a breath, his grip freezing. “Don’t move. And definitely don’t kick.”
Wanyan instantly froze, her face flushing crimson as she felt a sudden, unmistakable tension pressing against her thigh. She finally understood the hidden agenda behind his sluggish, lingering behavior this morning.
“You… move back,” she stammered, trying to shrink away from him. But his arms were like locked iron bands; no matter how hard she shoved against his chest, she couldn’t cede an inch. She felt a wave of profound helplessness—marrying a highly trained soldier came with distinct physical disadvantages.
“Stop moving,” Gu Tingxiao warned, his voice straining slightly. “Unless you want to ensure neither of us leaves this bed today.”
Wanyan immediately went rigid, remaining as still as a statue within his embrace. It took Gu Tingxiao a full ten minutes of deep, disciplined breathing to entirely master himself. Sensing the danger had passed, Wanyan hurriedly urged him to get dressed so they could head down to the kitchen and prepare breakfast before the rest of the household woke up.
When the newlyweds stepped into the kitchen, Aunt Lin was already getting the morning prep started. She paused, surprised to see them down so early. “Third Young Master, Third Young Madam.”
Wanyan offered a bright smile, stating her purpose clearly. “Auntie Lin, please let me handle breakfast this morning.”
Aunt Lin immediately understood the cultural etiquette of a new bride wanting to show her respect, and with a knowing nod, she gracefully exited to grant the young couple their privacy.
Wanyan surveyed the ingredients Aunt Lin had sourced from the early morning markets: a beautiful two-pound cut of lean pork, an assortment of fresh greens, and a basket of twenty fresh eggs. She decided to prepare a classic pork and egg porridge—simple, deeply comforting, and highly nutritious. Paired with a quick stir-fry of the fresh greens, it would make a perfect morning spread.
Gu Tingxiao naturally assumed the role of her assistant, measuring out the rice and diligently washing the vegetables at the sink while Wanyan focused on dicing the pork and beating the eggs. Once the prep was completed, she heated a splash of oil in the heavy wok, tossed in a handful of minced garlic, and extended her hand backward without looking.
“Pass me the greens.”
Gu Tingxiao handed the basket over smoothly. Wanyan tossed the vegetables into the sizzling wok, flipping them expertly. Because her long hair kept sliding over her shoulder and getting in her way as she worked, Gu Tingxiao silently stepped up behind her, carefully gathering her dark tresses in his large hand to keep them clear of the stove.
When Father and Mother Gu finally walked downstairs a short while later, they were greeted by the rich, comforting scent of hot porridge and freshly cooked vegetables.
“Why are you up so early, Wanyan?” Mother Gu asked, her eyes lighting up. Then, her gaze swung to her son, her expression instantly darkening. “You stubborn brat! You truly have no idea how to cherish your own wife, do you?”
Without warning, Mother Gu delivered a sharp, echoing slap right across Gu Tingxiao’s broad back. He didn’t even flinch; after all, when his mother decided he deserved a scolding, she didn’t require a logical breakdown. Besides, if he dared to mount a defense, his father was standing right by the door, watching him with a dangerously focused eye.
“Mom, please don’t blame him,” Wanyan interjected quickly, instinctively stepping between them to shield her husband. “Tingxiao was up with me the entire time helping with the prep. I’m not tired at all.”
Seeing her new daughter-in-law rush to defend the boy, Mother Gu’s irritation dissolved into a soft, glowing smile. “Alright, alright, since Wanyan is pleading for you, I’ll let it slide. But heed my words, child—the very next time this third brother of yours steps out of line or treats you poorly, you come straight to me. I’ll ensure his father handles him properly.”
