Gazing at the beauty beneath me, I leaned down and k!ssed her deeply. He Lulu responded at once, and soon we were lost in a fervent embrace.
Compared to last night’s fierce passion, tonight He Lulu and I shared only tender affection, allowing time to pass gently.
After more than half an hour, I held He Lulu close and lit a cigarette.
“Brother Nan, I’m planning to go try my luck in Shanghai after a while,” He Lulu said softly.
“Shanghai?” I frowned.
“Yes. I want to fight for a future there, just like you, Brother Nan,” He Lulu continued.
“What kind of work will you do?” I asked quickly.
“Print modeling. I’m already doing some now,” He Lulu replied eagerly.
Hearing this, I nodded slightly. He Lulu was still young; after graduating university, it was indeed right for her to seek opportunities in a big city. Having dreams was a good thing.
“If you come, remember to tell me. I’ll help you find a place to live,” I said with a small nod.
“Mm.” He Lulu pressed a light k!ss to my forehead.
It was getting late. If I did not return home soon, my parents would worry, so I reluctantly bid He Lulu farewell.
“Brother Nan, drive safely,” He Lulu said, walking me to the door.
Seeing her alluring figure in that nightgown, I smiled warmly. “Tomorrow I’ll take you to the train station.”
“See you tomorrow, then.” He Lulu nodded and waved.
After leaving the hotel, I drove home. My parents were still awake; they had clearly heard about the unpleasant incident at Cousin’s wedding banquet. Seeing me return safely eased their minds, and they told me to rest early.
I slept soundly until morning. While driving to the hotel to pick up He Lulu, my phone rang—it was Cousin, evidently sober now.
“Hello, Cousin,” I answered quickly.
“Little Nan, I was wrong last night. I really was too drunk and blacked out. I had to get a lot of earfulls from Dad,” Cousin said, deeply embarrassed as he apologized.
“Cousin, we’re family. It’s already past,” I reassured him.
“How can I let it go so easily? What are your plans today?” Cousin continued.
“I’m on my way to take Sister-in-law’s best friend to the train station. She came all this way; it’s only proper to see her off,” I explained.
“D*mn, I completely forgot! Sister-in-law and I are coming right now. Since it’s a send-off, the host has to be there,” Cousin declared at once.
“Alright, let’s meet at the station exit.”
After hanging up, I arrived at the hotel. He Lulu was already waiting at the entrance with her suitcase and waved happily when she saw me.
I parked, then placed her suitcase in the trunk.
“Fangfang isn’t here yet?” He Lulu pouted.
“Sister-in-law and Cousin are coming straight to the station. I told them to meet us there,” I explained.
“That works.” He Lulu grinned.
We reached the train station and checked the time; He Lulu’s train would arrive around nine, and it was only half past seven—plenty of time.
Soon after, Cousin and Fangfang appeared. Cousin was driving a brand-new Mercedes—evidently Uncle’s wedding gift. Fangfang smiled at me as the two of them walked toward us.
“Lulu, I’m truly sorry for the poor hospitality yesterday,” Cousin said with a faint smile.
“It’s fine. As long as the groom doesn’t drink today,” He Lulu replied calmly.
At those words, Cousin’s face instantly filled with awkwardness. Fangfang quickly took He Lulu’s hand, and the two began talking as though they had endless things to say.
While they chatted, I looked at Cousin. He offered me a cigarette and clapped my shoulder. “Little Nan, I owe you one for last night. I heard you took a beating—are you alright?”
“I’m fine. With Uncle holding the situation, it didn’t blow up,” I said with a laugh.
“Those b*stards really are scum. Have I ever made them pay when we go out? Yet they dared cause trouble on my turf!” Cousin fumed.
“Cousin, you shouldn’t hang around those fair-weather friends anymore. Uncle was furious yesterday. You’re married now—rein it in a little,” I reminded him.
“I know. Don’t worry,” Cousin answered with a light smile.
About half an hour later, Fangfang and He Lulu hugged once more, took a few photos together, and finally said their goodbyes.
“Fangfang, groom, Brother Nan—goodbye!” He Lulu waved enthusiastically.
“Travel safely.”
“Goodbye!”
After seeing He Lulu off, I turned and met Fangfang’s eyes for a moment. She gave me a shy smile, then took Cousin’s arm.
Watching her link arms with him, I forced a smile. “Cousin, you two should head back soon.”
“Why don’t you come to our place for lunch today?” Cousin suggested lightly.
“Yes, Little Nan, come eat with us,” Fangfang said, blinking her big eyes at me.
“No need, Cousin, Sister-in-law. I want to spend these National Day holidays with my parents. I won’t disturb your newlywed time,” I politely declined.
“Alright then.” Cousin nodded, then led Fangfang into the car.
As I watched them drive away, I let out a long breath and looked up at the sky. Only then did I truly understand that Fangfang now belonged entirely to Cousin.
I got into my car and, lost in memories of Fangfang, felt as though everything between us had been a dream. Yet when I arrived home, several photos from Fangfang appeared on my phone.
In the pictures, Fangfang’s full, pale b00bs were half-exposed, marred by dark bruises on her chest, thighs, and arms.
My heart lurched. I immediately asked what had happened.
“Little Nan, last night your cousin hit me. He’s abusive,” Fangfang replied.
“W-what?” I was stunned.
I had never heard that Cousin was capable of domestic violence. None of his previous wives had ever mentioned it, even after their divorces.
“My dad wanted the red envelopes from last night’s guests and came looking for me while drunk. Your cousin walked in on it,” Fangfang continued.
“So Cousin hit you?” I asked urgently.
“He hit my dad. I tried to break it up and got hit too,” Fangfang explained.
“And Uncle?” I pressed.
“It was the middle of the night; my father-in-law and the others were asleep,” she said.
How could this happen?
Fury surged through me. Even if Cousin struck Fangfang’s father, hitting Fangfang was unforgivable—beating his wife on their wedding night? Because of money? That was beyond contemptible.
“Little Nan, I’m so scared… truly terrified he’ll hit me again,” Fangfang continued.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid. I will definitely help you with this!” I promised at once, already thinking how to make Cousin change.
“Little Nan, there was another reason he hit me last night: I wouldn’t let him touch me. My period started yesterday,” Fangfang added quietly.