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 perceive was a stream of curses.
Peng Ma was cooking dinner in the kitchen, scolding her son as she worked, calling him useless.
"You should be like Wang Kang, beat her soundly, and then lock her up to starve for a few days!"
"Wives who come from outside are ungrateful vipers. Do you think she'll be grateful if you're kind to her? When will you ever learn? Huh?"
"Look around the village, what man doesn't subdue his wife like this? You're too soft-hearted!"
"Useless thing, the whole village is laughing at you now. If you don't act, I won't be able to show my face! Don't expect me to do it for you!"
Peng Fei said nothing. Only when his mother uttered this did his low growl come.
"You're not allowed to touch her!"
"You..."
"I said no touching, and no touching. If you dare lay a single finger on her, don't expect me to be civil with you."
The sound of things being smashed to the ground echoed from the courtyard, followed by Peng Ma's wailing.
"What kind of fate is this, to raise such a thing? Your father left early, and I worked hard to raise you three children. I was hoping to enjoy some peace in my old age, but what sins have I committed!"
"You're going to turn against me for that thing? What's the point of me living? Your father..."
That night, Peng Fei didn't bring Zhan Jingchun food, nor did he sleep in her room.
She lay there numbly, hungry and thirsty, with no one paying her any mind.
This was for the best.
She was afraid she wouldn't find a better opportunity to escape. Living a miserable life here was meaningless; death would be a relief.
Lying there in a daze, waking up to stare blankly, then falling back asleep, consumed by a desire to die, two days passed.
For two days, Peng Fei had secretly peeked at her door countless times, wanting to push it open. But her words that day, that heartless look, had truly hurt 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 days of torment, he sent Fangfang to check on her.
The room was unlit, and nothing could be seen. Fangfang crept to the bedside and felt her. She still had a temperature, but the basin for her needs was empty.
She hadn't used the toilet in two days.
Fangfang went to report to her brother, her innocent eyes filled with worry. Peng Fei sat foolishly behind the stove for a long time, then couldn't help but cook a bowl of noodles and bring it to her.
Finally, a little light appeared in the room. Zhan Jingchun knew someone had entered, and there was food.
It was a pity that, now, even the noodles with egg couldn't tempt her.
She didn't speak, nor did she open her eyes. Peng Fei brought the noodles to her mouth, but she wouldn't open hers.
What did this mean? Did she not want to live? Was she planning to starve herself to death?
Peng Fei was furious, and in a way, he had finally understood.
This woman was truly hard-hearted. It wouldn't do to not show her a thing or two!
"Don't think that this will make me let you go. That's impossible. I've decided on you. This life, you are mine in life, and mine in death."
Zhan Jingchun remained silent, thinking sadly.
Since you like me so much, then let me be your dead woman.
She thought not opening her mouth would be enough, 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 the light was blown out, he lay down beside her again.
"What are you doing?"
Peng Fei said righteously, "Having a child. Will you only behave after having a child? Then let's have one."
How ridiculous.
Zhan Jingchun couldn't even be bothered to laugh at him. "Isn't Zhang Wei a living example? She had a child for Wang Kang, but what good did it do?"
Peng Fei just went ahead with his actions. "I don't care about all that. If one isn't enough, then two. If two aren't enough, then three. I'm not letting you go anyway."
Zhan Jingchun felt a genuine disgust for him.
"You've at least read some books. How can you say such shameless and self-righteous things? If I stay and have children for you, you'll be happy. What about my parents? Losing a daughter in their middle age, have you considered their feelings?"
Peng Fei couldn't or didn't dare to think about such things. After all, every family in the village had gone through this.
If everyone thought so much, they wouldn't be able to continue.
He began his actions, again and again.
Zhan Jingchun realized today that such torture existed in the world.
"Unable to live, unable to die" couldn't even describe her current predicament.
As if anticipating she might attempt suicide, he stopped getting out of bed altogether and stayed in the room to watch her every day.
Zhan Jingchun's tears were almost all dried up, yet Peng Fei had only one thing to say.
"Until you are pregnant, I will not leave your side."
They continued like this until the fourth day, when Zhan Jingchun finally couldn't take it anymore.
After another "activity," she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, she was in the courtyard.
A canopy covered her head, the main gate was locked, she was covered with a thin sheet, bathed in the long-lost sunlight, and an IV drip was attached.
Peng Fei and his mother were cooking in the kitchen, and Fangfang was doing her homework by her side. 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 threw down the firewood and rushed out immediately.
Although Zhan Jingchun had closed her eyes again, he could still see her eyelashes trembling, and his heart finally relaxed.
"Keep a close eye on your sister-in-law. I'm going to cook. Call me when the water runs out."
She hadn't eaten properly for four days. Even though she had no will to live, her body's instinctive 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, and upon hearing her stomach growl, she quickly looked up and said.
"Sister-in-law, are you hungry? Please 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 their child, they were truly willing to go to great lengths.
She was so hungry she felt dizzy, her breathing weak. She closed her eyes and lay there for a few more minutes. The aroma reached her.
She knew without opening her eyes that Peng Fei was bringing her chicken soup.
Indeed, soon she heard Fangfang leave. Peng Fei reached out and gently stroked her cheek.
"Stop pretending. I know you're awake. You must be starving, right? 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. You're pregnant, and you must eat well every day from now on."
Zhan Jingchun felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her head spun for a moment, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"What did you say?"
Peng Fei, with his back to the sun, his features stern and resolute, repeated himself.
"Doctor Li said you're pregnant. You're a month along."