Soon, she reached Han Fei's house. A lot of people had already gathered.
The atmosphere was lively and festive.
"That's the bride!" some children shouted. Mother Han and Father Han came forward to greet her.
Bo Xi entered the house, where Han Fei stood waiting. He was wearing the new clothes she had given him, looking nervous yet expectant.
Seeing him made Bo Xi even more nervous.
They shared a cup of wine together.
Then, both of them bowed to Mother Han and Father Han.
The ceremony was extremely simple.
Usually, after the ceremony, the bride would return to her parents' home, but Bo Xi had no elders, so that part was omitted.
They ate in the room while people teased them playfully.
After eating and resting for a while, they waited for the guests to finish their meals and distributed sweets.
By the time everything was done, it was already evening. Bo Xi felt her mouth grow stiff from smiling and greeting everyone all day.
It was time to leave.
Bo Xi effortlessly carried Han Fei onto the carriage.
"Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, I'll take Han Fei home," Bo Xi said.
"Don't bully Han Fei just because you think we won't do anything," Mother Han warned, while Father Han quietly wiped his tears as he looked at Han Fei.
"Don't worry, Mother-in-law. I'll take good care of him," Bo Xi replied seriously.
She rode the carriage back to her house, which looked a little lonely in the evening light.
She helped Han Fei down from the carriage and showed him around the room and the kitchen.
"This… is for me?" Han Fei asked softly, his voice trembling as he traced the wardrobe and the dressing table with his fingers.
"Yes," Bo Xi said. "Let me get you some water." She hurried into the kitchen before Han Fei could stop her.
Han Fei opened the wardrobe and saw the clothes inside, both his and Bo Xi's. He touched them gently, one by one.
Then he sat in front of the bronze mirror. When he opened the drawer, he found a small box inside.
He unlocked it.
A silver hairpin and a pair of silver bracelets lay quietly within.
"I wanted to buy more, but I didn't know what you liked…" Bo Xi said as she returned with the hot water.
Then she noticed the tears in Han Fei's eyes.
"Well, if you don't like them, I… we can buy different ones," she said hurriedly, unsure how to comfort him.
"No, I like them," Han Fei said. "I just feel… happy. So happy." He was smiling and crying at the same time.
Bo Xi wiped his tears with her handkerchief and held his hand. Han Fei's face turned red.
Silence fell between them, heavy with shyness.
Bo Xi gathered her courage.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, then his forehead, his nose, and finally his lips.
Han Fei froze, blushing deeply, before slowly leaning toward her in return.
Seeing him take the initiative, Bo Xi lifted him up and carried him to the bed.
That night passed quietly, wrapped in warmth and awkward tenderness.
The next morning, sunlight slipped in through the window.
Bo Xi was the first to wake up.
For a moment, she forgot everything. Then she felt a warm weight beside her.
Han Fei.
He was sleeping quietly, his lashes long, his hair slightly messy. The blanket had slipped down, and he was holding onto the corner of her sleeve like he was afraid she would disappear.
Bo Xi's heart softened.
So… this is my husband now, she thought.
She carefully tried to move her arm, but Han Fei stirred.
His eyes slowly opened.
Their gazes met.
Han Fei froze.
His face turned red almost instantly.
"G–Good morning…" he said softly.
Bo Xi suddenly felt shy too. "Good morning."
An awkward silence fell.
Neither of them knew what to do next.
Han Fei quickly sat up, clutching the blanket. "I–I'll make breakfast!"
He tried to stand, but his foot got tangled in the blanket, and he almost fell.
Bo Xi grabbed his hand instinctively. "Careful."
Their hands touched.
Both of them stiffened again.
Han Fei looked down at their hands, his ears burning red.
Bo Xi coughed lightly and let go. "I'll… I'll go wash up first."
In the small courtyard, Bo Xi splashed cold water on her face.
Married… I'm really married now.
Inside the room, Han Fei sat on the bed, holding his chest.
My heart is beating too fast…
They both came out a moment later, pretending nothing had happened.
Breakfast ended up being simple porridge and fried eggs.
They sat across from each other, occasionally sneaking glances, then quickly looking away.
It felt strangely peaceful.
For the first time, Bo Xi realized,
She was no longer alone in this world.
After breakfast, Bo Xi handed ten taels to Han Fei.
"With this, you can buy whatever you want," she said.
Bo Xi had only a vague sense of money in this world. She didn't know that most villagers lived on two taels a year to support their entire family.
"It's too much," Han Fei said, trying to return it.
"No, take it," Bo Xi insisted, even turning her face away.
With no other choice, Han Fei carefully put the money back into the box.
"We'll go to the city tomorrow," Bo Xi said. "To buy things before we visit your parents. Have you ever been to the city?"
Han Fei shook his head.
"Then I'll show you around," Bo Xi said, studying him carefully.
Han Fei had sunken cheeks. He was extremely thin and clearly malnourished. His hair was dry and dull.
She knew about his past and his family situation.
Feeling a pang of pity, she silently made a resolve to pamper him properly.
"Go rest. I'll be in the study room, studying," Bo Xi said.
"Can I stay with you? I won't disturb you," Han Fei asked, lightly holding her sleeve.
"Of course you can," Bo Xi said, taking his hand.
In the study room, Han Fei sat quietly, occasionally glancing at Bo Xi.
"Are you bored?" Bo Xi asked with a smile.
Han Fei quickly shook his head.
"Then I'll teach you how to write," Bo Xi said, taking out a beginner's book, paper, and brush.
"No need," Han Fei said, shaking his head even harder.
Bo Xi ignored him and showed him how to hold the brush and write simple characters.
Seeing him practice so seriously, Bo Xi smiled and returned to her own studies.
Han Fei secretly peeked at her again.
Everything felt like a dream.
So different from his past life,that nightmare, that hell.