Zhan Jingchun finally woke up.
The room was so dark she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. She didn't know if it was day or night, sunny or rainy. All she could hear was a stream of curses.
Aunt Peng was in the kitchen making dinner, scolding her son for being useless as she cooked.
"You should be like Wang Kang, beat her soundly, and then lock her up to starve for a few days!"
"The daughters-in-law from outside are all ungrateful white-eyed wolves. You treat her with sincerity, does she appreciate it? When will you ever learn? Huh?"
"Look at the village, what man doesn't subdue his wife like this? Only you are soft-hearted!"
"Useless! The whole village is laughing at you now. If you don't act, I'll have no face to show anyone! Don't expect me to do it for you!"
Peng Fei said nothing. It wasn't until his mother spoke these words that his low growl was heard.
"Don't you dare touch her!"
"You..."
"I said don't touch her, and you won't. If you dare lay a finger on her, don't expect me to turn my back on you."
The sound of things crashing to the ground echoed from the courtyard, followed by Aunt Peng's wailing.
"What kind of life do I have, to raise such a thing as you? Your father died early, and I worked hard to raise you three children. I thought I'd finally have a few days of peace, but what bad karma have I accumulated!"
"You'd turn against me for that woman? What's the point of me being alive? Oh, father of my children..."
That evening, Peng Fei didn't bring Zhan Jingchun food, nor did he sleep in her room.
She lay down and got up again in a daze, hungry and thirsty, with no one paying her any mind.
This was fine too.
She feared she might never find a better chance to escape. Living a pathetic existence here for the rest of her life held no meaning. Dying was for the best.
She lay there in a stupor, waking up to stare blankly, then falling back asleep, her mind set on death. Two days passed.
For two days, Peng Fei had secretly peered at her from the doorway countless times, wanting to push the door open just as often. But her words that day, that heartless look, had truly wounded him. He was determined to make her suffer a little.
But she refused to yield, and in the end, Peng Fei softened first.
After two agonizing days, he sent Fangfang to check on her.
There was no light in the room, and it was pitch black. Fangfang tiptoed to the bedside and felt her. She still had a temperature, but the basin for her needs was empty.
For two days, she hadn't even used the toilet.
Fangfang went to report to her brother. Her innocent eyes were filled with worry. Peng Fei sat blankly behind the stove for a long time before he couldn't help but cook a bowl of noodles and bring it to her.
Finally, a sliver of light appeared in the room. Zhan Jingchun knew someone had entered, and that there was food.
It was just that, now, even the noodles with egg couldn't tempt her.
She remained silent, her eyes closed. Peng Fei brought the noodles to her lips, but she wouldn't open her mouth.
What did this mean? Did she not want to live? Was she planning to starve herself to death?
Peng Fei was furious, and he had finally seen clearly.
This woman's heart was as hard as stone. It wouldn't do to show her no consequences!
"Don't think this means I can't do anything to you, or that I'll let you go. Impossible. Once I've set my sights on you, for this life, you are mine in life and mine in death."
Zhan Jingchun still said nothing, thinking sadly in her heart.
Since you like me so much, then let me be your dead woman.
She thought she could just refuse to open her mouth, but Peng Fei had plenty of ideas.
He put down the bowl, lifted her up, and leaned her against the wall. Without a word, he pried open her mouth.
When she tried to dodge, he used his mouth to block hers, forcing her to swallow the noodles.
The meal was consumed by the two of them in a way that took on a different meaning.
After eating, Zhan Jingchun thought he would leave. To her surprise, after blowing out the light, he lay down beside her again.
"What are you doing?"
Peng Fei's reply was righteous: "Having a child. Will you only behave after giving birth? Then let's have one."
It was truly laughable.
Zhan Jingchun couldn't even be bothered to laugh at him. "Isn't Zhang Wei living proof? She gave birth to Wang Kang's child, but what good did it do?"
Peng Fei simply started to act. "I don't care about all that. If one isn't enough, then two. If two aren't enough, then three. In any case, I won't let you go."
Zhan Jingchun felt a genuine disgust for him.
"You've read books, haven't you? How can you say such shameless words with such conviction? If I stay and have children for you, you'll be happy. What about my parents? Losing their daughter in middle age, have you considered their feelings?"
Peng Fei couldn't think about it, nor did he dare. After all, every family in the village had gone through this.
If everyone overthought things, they wouldn't be able to continue.
He began his actions, again and again.
Zhan Jingchun only realized today that such torture existed in the world.
Unable to live, unable to die, neither phrase could describe her current predicament.
As if anticipating her suicidal thoughts, he stopped getting out of bed altogether and instead stayed in the room to watch her every day.
Zhan Jingchun's tears were almost all dried up, yet Peng Fei only had one sentence.
"Until you are pregnant, I will not leave your side for half a step."
They lived like this for four days, and Zhan Jingchun finally couldn't bear it.
After another "activity," she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, she was in the courtyard.
A makeshift shelter covered her head, and the main gate was locked. She was covered with a thin sheet, bathing in the long-lost sunlight, an IV drip in her arm.
Peng Fei and his mother were cooking in the kitchen. Fangfang was lying in front of her, doing her homework. Seeing her wake up, she excitedly first called out "Sister-in-law," then immediately ran to the kitchen door.
"Brother, Sister-in-law is awake!"
Peng Fei dropped the fire poker and rushed out immediately.
Although Zhan Jingchun had closed her eyes again, he could still see her eyelashes trembling, and his heart finally felt relieved.
"Keep an eye on your sister-in-law. I'm going to cook. Shout when the water is finished."
She hadn't eaten properly for four days. Even though she had no will to live, her body's instinctual reactions were beyond her control.
She didn't know what they were cooking, but it smelled so good, making her stomach rumble with hunger.
Fangfang had written a few words. Hearing her stomach growl, she quickly looked up and said.
"Sister-in-law, are you hungry? Wait a little longer. Mom and the others are stewing chicken soup. It'll be ready soon."
Stewing chicken soup again?
To make her stay and have children for them, they were really willing to go to great lengths.
She was so hungry she felt dizzy, her breathing weak. She closed her eyes, lay there for a few more minutes, and the aroma reached her.
She knew without opening her eyes that Peng Fei had brought her chicken soup.
Indeed, Fangfang's departure was soon heard. Peng Fei reached out and gently brushed her cheek.
"Stop pretending. I know you're awake. You must be starving. Let me feed you."
"Don't say you don't want to eat. Even if I have to force-feed you today, you have to eat it. You're pregnant. You must eat properly every day from now on."
Zhan Jingchun felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The world spun for a moment, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"What did you say?"
Peng Fei, with his back to the sunlight, his features stern and resolute, repeated.
"Doctor Li said you're pregnant. You're already a month along."