Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 158 Don't know him well

Zhou Yueshen stood by the bed, noticing that the light was still on. He had thought Si Nian was still awake, but she was already sound asleep, half lying on the bed. With both children sleeping in the same room these days, it wasn't convenient.

He took off his damp vest, having just washed up at the pigsty nearby for convenience. Every time he returned, he was covered in moisture. Walking over to the bed, he glanced down at Si Nian's sleeping face. After watching her for a moment, he was about to pull the blanket over her when he noticed some books that had fallen to the floor.

He picked them up and took a look. It was a high school exercise book. Flipping it open, he instinctively checked the answers. Every blank was filled in correctly. The handwriting was beautiful and delicate, the strokes round and strong, reflecting her gentle and graceful nature.

Thinking about Si Nian preparing for the college entrance examination, Zhou Yueshen fell silent for a moment. He closed the book and then casually noticed a small notebook still on the table. Inside were scribbled letters, all jumbled up. The handwriting was crooked and twisted, but adorable.

His eyebrows lifted slightly, and a smile curved his lips. It was clear at a glance that it was Xiao Lao'er's handwriting.

Zhou Yueshen gazed tenderly at the peacefully sleeping Si Nian, who had always been mischievous but was now unexpectedly earnest. It was truly surprising. Setting aside the books, he pulled back the blanket and lay down beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist from behind.

His mind wandered back to the day at school when she had called out that particular name. It had struck him as odd then because she hadn't used that term again in these past few days.

Lowering his eyes, his expression unreadable, he felt Si Nian sensing his proximity. She turned over groggily, her arm winding around his neck, her head nestled against his neck, and her lips brushing his skin as she breathed evenly.

Zhou Yueshen's dark eyes tightened slightly, his voice low, "Did I wake you?"

His large hand rested on her soft waist, feeling its smoothness. Si Nian, still half asleep, had been thinking of telling Zhou Yueshen about their plans for going out. But after opening her mouth for a while, she ended up snuggling closer into his embrace and drifting back to sleep.

Normally, she would kick off the covers in her sleep, but since sharing a room with Zhou Yueshen, this happened less often. Even if she did kick them off, she didn't feel cold because there was always a warm embrace behind her, his hands on her waist, preventing her from moving around too much.

Wherever Si Nian felt cold, she would press closer to him. Nowadays, without an alarm clock, they woke up naturally. Thinking about going to the market with her family early, Si Nian had gone to bed early the night before.

At five o'clock, the rooster next door at Auntie Zhang's house crowed right on time. Its calls rang out several times, waking up Si Nian, who felt the strong figure lying across her waist and instinctively pushed it away, only to be pulled back by the man's large hand embracing her waist again a moment later.

Fully awake now, she opened her eyes to moonlight streaming through the window, the sky still dark. Behind her was the familiar warmth and steady breathing of the man. Today, he hadn't left yet.

Normally, he would only return after she had fallen asleep, and by the time she woke up, he would already be gone. Their time together was limited.

In the early days of their marriage, Si Nian didn't dare say she loved him to the ends of the earth, but she definitely felt something. That sense of emotional gap only remained when she was alone at night.

Last night, waiting for him to return for a long time had made her a bit restless. But soon after, she had fallen asleep. As she recalled it now, in her drowsy state last night, she seemed to hear his voice asking her something. She was too tired to remember if she had mentioned helping her family today, but she did recall the stubble on his chin rubbing against her forehead, feeling prickly and itchy.

Si Nian turned her head to look at the man.

Under the bright moonlight, Zhou Yueshen lay on his side with eyes tightly closed. His sharp eyebrows and eyes relaxed somewhat at this moment, losing some of their sharpness. His nose was high and straight, a prominent Roman nose, with thin lips pressed tightly together and a cold, firm jawline, his features distinct.

She watched him for a few seconds. Although she had been with Zhou Yueshen for a long time, every time she carefully studied his face, she couldn't help but feel amazed. Mature and steady, quiet and reserved, yet not simple and honest in character. Instead, he seemed indifferent to everything. But when he slept, he appeared much gentler than usual, more approachable.

Si Nian's feelings towards Zhou Yueshen were actually quite strange. Although they were intimate and he treated her well, never mistreating her in any aspect, whether physically, emotionally, or materially, she still felt that she didn't quite understand this man. It seemed like she hadn't fully entered his world.

In the past, she wouldn't have cared at all. After all, they could be together or not, and it wouldn't matter. But now, a sense of curiosity was creeping in. She wanted to see what he would look like when he lost control because of her.

After watching for a while, Si Nian withdrew her gaze. She got up to prepare some breakfast. Zhou Yueshen hadn't left yet, so she made a bit more, packed it for him to take to the pig farm, where he could heat it up for lunch.

Her movements disturbed him. Zhou Yueshen opened his eyes and looked at her. Despite just waking up, there was no trace of sleepiness in his dark eyes. He met Si Nian's gaze as she glanced over at him.

She propped herself up with both hands, her long black hair disheveled and cascading in front of her. The moonlight illuminated her flawless and radiant face even more.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

Si Nian jumped in surprise. His awakening demeanor was too calm, devoid of any laziness on his face. His black eyes appeared even deeper under the moonlight.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "You're awake."

"Yeah," his voice was deep and husky.

Finally, she detected a trace of just-woken-up appearance. Otherwise, Si Nian would have suspected that this man hadn't slept at all.

Not knowing what else to say, Si Nian decided to get up abruptly, saying, "I'll go make breakfast. You can sleep a little longer."

Before she could leave, however, Zhou Yueshen raised his hand and pressed it against her neck, gently guiding her down onto his solid chest. His lips captured hers.

His jaw was firm, his thin lips pressed against hers without deepening the kiss. It was gentle, delicate, and yet persistent, entwining with hers in a lingering kiss.

Having tasted the allure of desire, Si Nian couldn't resist responding.

The next moment, he released her.

She blinked in confusion, her eyes fluttering open.

Unfathomably, Zhou Yueshen's slender fingertips traced her brow and eyes, his voice low, "Time to get up."

Si Nian was at a loss for words.

Before she could fully comprehend, he had already risen and was dressing.

Zhou Yueshen stood tall by the bedside like a mountain.

Glancing back at Si Nian, who still looked incredulous, he chuckled softly, a resonant sound that seemed to echo from his chest, "What's wrong?"

Si Nian snapped out of her daze, feeling an inexplicable pang of disappointment. What was she thinking, hoping for him to continue?

When did she become so indiscriminate?

She quickly patted her face, ignoring the strange feelings in her heart, and got up, "It's nothing. I'll get up now."

"You can sleep a little longer; it's still early," Zhou Yueshen's voice remained low and deep.

Si Nian shook her head, not looking at him, and bent down to put on her shoes, "I'm not going to sleep anymore."