After their daughter had played herself out, Li Xiu cleaned her up, changed her diaper, and carefully handed her to Zhou Lian. Zhou Lian smiled as she took the baby into her arms. Once she was fed, Li Xiu took her back to burp her. His movements were practiced, and he quickly coaxed the child to sleep. He laid their sleeping daughter on the kang, and the two of them exchanged a smile.
After blowing out the lamp, Li Xiu held Zhou Lian as they lay on the kang and spoke quietly about what had happened that afternoon. "My uncles are no fools. Everything's out in the open now, so their side of the family won't have anything to complain about. This matter is settled for good."
Bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, Zhou Lian could dimly make out the roguish charm on Li Xiu's indistinct face. She couldn't help but ask, "Do you still dwell on things like that?"
