Chapter 17: Disappearance

Su Wanshu exhaled in relief; it was good that he had no such intention.

Just now, she had run through every possible plan in her mind—if he really got forceful, what would she do?

Fortunately, it didn’t come to that.

After receiving his affirmative reply, Su Wanshu said goodnight to Qin Yi.

She closed her eyes while Qin Yi continued to massage her slowly and steadily.

She suffered from menstrual pain every month, feeling as though she had fallen gravely ill, with severe cramps that sometimes made her nauseous and wanting to vomit. All she wanted was to sleep and regain strength. Yet this time, she felt nothing amiss!

Originally expecting to have difficulty falling asleep, Su Wanshu soon found her breathing steady and even.

Qin Yi watched his wife close her eyes. Gently turning over, he found himself unable to sleep. He took deep breaths, trying to dispel the restlessness within.

Beside him, Su Wanshu was already fast asleep. He stared at her for a long while, his mind filled with the scenes from earlier. He wanted to light a cigarette to ease his nerves, but glancing at her peaceful face, he abandoned the thought.

The night deepened, and the moon slipped behind the clouds.

Perhaps because her stomach was still uncomfortable, Su Wanshu furrowed her brows. Qin Yi warmed his palms and placed them on her lower abdomen.

In her sleep, Su Wanshu unceremoniously pressed her leg against Qin Yi, causing him to stiffen once again just as he had begun to relax.

That night, Su Wanshu slept soundly, dreaming that her belly was enveloped in a warm glow.

Early the next morning, well-rested, Su Wanshu opened her eyes feeling refreshed. Qin Yi was awake too. Their eyes met.

She noticed the dark bruises under his eyes and smiled teasingly.

“Didn’t sleep well?”

Sensing the mockery in her tone, Qin Yi gritted his teeth and pulled her closer.

“You little heartless one.”

All he could do now was hurl a few sharp words; there was nothing else he could manage.

Su Wanshu recalled the warmth that had lingered on her abdomen. Qin Yi’s thoughtfulness and patience surprised her—it starkly contrasted with his usual tough-guy persona. She couldn’t help but smile, gently pinching his cheek to soothe him.

Qin Yi blushed from her bold teasing. This little girl was truly... to his liking.

“All right, I’ll make breakfast. Do you want to sleep a bit more?”

“No need, I’m getting up too.”

The young couple rose sweetly together. Su Wanshu tidied her hair in front of the mirror and then stepped out.

By the time she rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen, Granny Qin had already prepared breakfast. Seeing Su Wanshu arrive, she beckoned her over.

“Come, Wanshu, drink this first.”

“How did you know...” Su Wanshu asked, surprised.

Granny Qin had thoughtfully brewed brown sugar ginger tea for her.

“When you’re older, sleep is lighter. I happened to see it when I went to the bathroom and made this for you. Drink it while it’s warm.”

“Thank you, Granny.”

Granny Qin’s heart swelled with joy. Her grandson and his wife were growing closer; it made her truly happy.

Since Su Wanshu’s arrival, Qin Yi’s irritable temper had softened. In her old age, seeing the younger generation living harmoniously brought her great pleasure.

Su Wanshu carried the breakfast Granny Qin had prepared to the table and called Qin Yi to eat.

“Qin Yi, time to eat.”

“All right.”

As Su Wanshu pushed his wheelchair, Qin Yi lifted his hand to grasp hers, sneaking a touch. Su Wanshu playfully glared at him.

“Granny’s here.”

“She’d be even happier to see us like this.”

The two of them, acting like lovers in the throes of romance, sat down to eat steaming buns and piping-hot porridge—symbols of a warm family.

After the meal, as usual, Su Wanshu poured Qin Yi some water and urged him to take his medicine, though he was reluctant.

She fixed him with a disapproving look, her tone a blend of threat and coaxing.

“Are you going to take it or not?”

“Do you think I’d dare not?” Qin Yi muttered softly, taking the medicine obediently. Then, holding Su Wanshu’s hand, he pointed to his mouth.

“Bitter.”

Su Wanshu...

“Just like a child.”

She rolled her eyes while peeling a candy and placing it in his mouth, then turned to wipe the room.

“No need to clean; it’s already very tidy.”

“It’s almost New Year. We have to keep it neat.”

Qin Yi wheeled himself over and grabbed her hand.

“Not today. Go change your clothes. We’re going out shortly.”

“Where to?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

Su Wanshu put down the cloth, retrieved her cotton-padded jacket from their wedding, changed into it, and combed her hair.

Just as she finished, Lin Changchun’s loud voice echoed into the room.

“Old Qin, are you ready yet?”

Qin Yi replied with a grunt. Su Wanshu pushed him out the door.

Lin Changchun looked at Su Wanshu.

“Hello, sister-in-law.”

“Hello.”

Lin Changchun helped Qin Yi into the car. Without thinking, he tried to put Qin Yi in the front passenger seat, but Qin Yi shot him a sharp look.

“I’m sitting in the back.”

Lin Changchun noticed the bruises under Qin Yi’s eyes and suppressed a laugh.

“Old Qin, be more careful.”

Qin Yi gave him a warning glare. Lin Changchun obediently fell silent as he drove toward the city, but soon his chatter resumed, unable to hold back.

“Old Qin, why do you have to go downtown?”

“Because you talk too much. Just drive.”

Lin Changchun, the driver, watched Qin Yi holding his wife’s hand in the back and gritted his teeth in frustration.

‘This Old Qin is just bullying me for having no wife! Hmph!’

The car stopped at a bustling department store. Su Wanshu, pushing Qin Yi, looked around, puzzled.

“Why are we here?”

“Let’s go.”

Su Wanshu wheeled Qin Yi inside. A young man wearing a hat accidentally bumped into Qin Yi’s wheelchair and quickly apologized. Qin Yi narrowed his eyes, and the young man hurried away.

They entered a shop where the owner warmly greeted them.

“Please get me a box of Snowflake Cream.”

“Sure thing.”

The owner cheerfully brought over a box to Qin Yi.

“Take a look around; if you need anything else, buy it all at once.”

The shopkeeper’s wife, a shrewd businesswoman, noticed the newlywed couple, especially Qin Yi’s disability and the lovely face of his young wife. Tsk tsk—she had to treat them well.

She smiled brightly and turned to Su Wanshu.

“Girl, you’ve come to the right place. Our Snowflake Cream is made by a major factory. It makes your face so smooth.”

As she spoke, she scooped some cream and rubbed it on Su Wanshu’s hand, praising it.

“All right, I’ll take this one.”

Su Wanshu looked at Qin Yi.

“No other needs for now. We’ll buy more when we think of them.”

“Great.”

Qin Yi paid, and as they strolled, Su Wanshu pushed him while he picked out two new outfits for her.

She looked at him.

“Are you trying to win me over?”

“Yes, it’s only right to pamper my wife.”

Lin Changchun looked at Qin Yi’s shameless behavior with disdain.

They shopped for quite a while. When it was time for lunch, Lin Changchun suggested eating out. Qin Yi agreed. After Su Wanshu bought some sanitary pads and felt awkward carrying them, she told Qin Yi,

“I’ll go put these in the car first.”

Lin Changchun eagerly volunteered to help, but Qin Yi stopped him.

They waited for half an hour with no sign of Su Wanshu returning. Suddenly, Qin Yi’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

“Changchun, hurry, check by the car.”

When they reached the vehicle, there was no trace of Su Wanshu. Her purchases were scattered all over the ground.