Rebirth of Bloody Romance

Zhou Xiaobai stood up lightly, and used her hands to carefully smooth out the wrinkles on her clothes, her movements were graceful and skillful. At the same time, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, were fixed on Zhong Yuemin, who was still curled up in the quilt and refused to get up.

Zhou Xiaobai's eyes were bright and moving. Not only did they sparkle with the bright light of spring, but they also contained a hint of imperceptible severity, as if they could penetrate one's soul.

At this moment, the world outside the window is quietly waking up. The morning light is like a golden thread, piercing through the layers of clouds and pouring down, forming patches of mottled and blurred light and shadow.

These lights and shadows are projected on the walls and floors of the room through the windows, just like a natural impressionist painting. As the light gradually increases, people can clearly feel the approaching footsteps of the New Year, and the air is filled with an atmosphere of jubilation and expectation.

Because today happens to be the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month - an important day when according to traditional customs every household is busy sweeping the dust and welcoming the arrival of the New Year.

"Yuemin, open your eyes and take a look! Our house is as messy as a pigsty, but you can still sleep so soundly, just like a dead pig."

Zhou Xiaobai's slightly complaining words floated out of her cherry lips. Although her tone seemed a little coquettish, her words revealed her deep sense of responsibility for her family. After saying this, she walked briskly to the window, stretched out her hand and gently pulled a corner of the curtain, then slowly pulled it to one side. In an instant, more warm and soft sunlight poured into the room like a tide, instantly dispelling the remaining darkness in the house.

Zhong Yuemin, who was lying on the bed, heard Zhou Xiaobai's call, just moved slightly, then turned over lazily and continued to indulge in a sweet dream.

After a while, Zhong Yuemin barely opened one eyelid, and looked at Zhou Xiaobai standing in front of the window with sleepy eyes, and the corners of his mouth inadvertently raised a teasing smile. "Okay, my dear wife, don't be angry. As soon as I get up, I promise to clean our house immediately and make it brand new. Even if I have to turn it upside down, it will be a piece of cake. Is this okay?"

When Zhou Xiaobai heard this, her eyebrows knitted tightly together, and her bright eyes flickered with suspicion and disbelief, because Zhou Xiao knew Zhong Yuemin too well - the famous lazy person who would never stand if he could sit, and would never sit if he could lie down. To let such a person actually work? This was a joke, wasn't it?

However, Zhou Xiaobai was not the kind of woman who would give up easily or be fooled. She took a step forward without hesitation and walked straight to the bed.

When Zhou Xiaobai came to the bedside, she stretched out her fair and slender hand without hesitation, and like a nimble little snake, she quickly and accurately got into the bed. Her fingertips gently touched Zhong Yuemin's warm chest, feeling his steady heartbeat.

Then, Zhou Xiaobai pretended to be casual and began to draw circles slowly on his chest with his fingers. His movements were soft and delicate, with a bit of playfulness and a hint of teasing.

At the same time, Zhou Xiaobai was still not forgiving. "Haha... don't think I don't know what you are thinking. Are you thinking of finding someone else to do it for you? I tell you, don't even mention the door! There is no window! You must clean up this yard yourself today, otherwise... hehe, you will have a hard time tonight!"

Although Zhou Xiaobai's words sounded obviously threatening, a faint blush appeared on her pretty face involuntarily, as beautiful as peach blossoms blooming in spring.

Zhong Yuemin was immersed in his sleep when he was suddenly hit by a biting chill, as if an electric current instantly ran through his body. He shivered involuntarily and sat up in bed like a spring.

Zhong Yuemin was seen rubbing her eyes and yelling at the top of her voice, "Oh my god! Your hands are colder than ice! Are you trying to murder your husband?"

After saying this, Zhong Yuemin folded his arms across his chest in a serious manner, his body trembling constantly, pretending to be extremely cold. However, in his rolling eyes, there was a glimmer of cunning.

Zhou Xiaobai, who was standing beside the bed, couldn't help but burst out laughing when she heard this, but she quickly stopped smiling and said in a serious tone, "Stop talking nonsense. Who is your real mother? Be serious! Don't forget that our warm little family depends on our joint efforts to maintain it. If you dare to be lazy, hum... forget it tonight..."

Before Zhou Xiaobai could finish his words, Zhong Yuemin's originally playful face immediately flashed with an imperceptible sly smile. His eyes became ambiguous and malicious, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he said with a hint of ridicule. "Hehe... Wife, then tell me, how are you going to show me what you are going to do? Are you going to use your legendary 'land of gentleness' to make me so crazy that I can never get out of bed again?"

As Zhong Yuemin said this, he deliberately winked at Zhou Xiaobai. His frivolous look made people both angry and amused.

After hearing this, Zhou Xiaobai blushed and spat. "Bah! You big rascal, all you have in your mind is this. I don't want to bother with you. Remember to clean up. I'm going to work now."

After saying that, Zhou Xiaobai turned and left, leaving behind a room filled with morning sunlight and Zhong Yuemin, who looked helpless.

After washing up, Zhong Yuemin stood in the yard in a refreshed outfit, holding the slightly old broom in his hand, and began his "spring cleaning" task for the day.

He didn't forget to mutter a few words, with a bit of self-mockery and helplessness: "Sometimes, you just have to accept your fate. What your wife says is like an imperial decree. Don't you listen? Hehe... I can't even touch the edge of the bed at night!"

Little Shihua quietly walked to Zhong Yuemin's side without him noticing. Her big eyes twinkled, full of curiosity and expectation. "Dad, let me help you clean. The teacher said that labor is the most glorious!" Her little hands were eager to try and take the broom from Zhong Yuemin's hand.

Zhong Yuemin smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of doting. "Girl, go and play. Dad can handle this job by himself. When you grow up, you can help Dad with the housework, okay?"

After saying that, Zhong Yuemin raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a slightly cunning smile, then turned around gracefully and walked briskly into Xiao Shihua's warm room full of girlish atmosphere.

Zhong Yuemin quickly scanned the entire room with his sharp eyes. Finally, his sight was fixed on Xiao Shihua's neatly arranged desk, and in the middle of the desk was a small and exquisite locked password book.

Looking at this mysterious code book, Zhong Yuemin couldn't help but feel a strong curiosity in his heart. "Hey, what is written in it? It's even locked. Is it a secret?" Zhong Yuemin muttered to himself as he couldn't help but slowly approached the code book.

Just as Zhong Yuemin's fingers were about to touch the edge of the notebook, suddenly, a rapid and crisp shout exploded behind him like thunder. "Dad, please respect my privacy!"

Zhong Yuemin was stunned for a moment when he heard the sudden shout, but he quickly came to his senses and a nonchalant smile appeared on his face. He slowly turned his head and looked at Xiao Shihua, whose face was flushed red, and deliberately teased her, "Oh, privacy? My dear daughter, don't forget that I, your father, witnessed your growth from a small butt!"

After hearing this, Xiao Shihua's face, which had already turned red due to anger, now looked like a ripe apple. She stamped her feet and retorted angrily, "That... that was all when I was a child. I'm grown up now, okay! Of course I have my own privacy! Dad, you can't invade my privacy so casually anymore."

Seeing Xiao Shihua like this, Zhong Yuemin suddenly became nervous.

Zhong Yuemin thought to himself, this little girl wouldn't have a tendency to fall in love too early, right? But isn't this too early? How old is she?

But then I thought again, I’m not sure. After all, when I was this age, wasn’t I also full of curiosity and desire to explore the world?

So, Zhong Yuemin asked tentatively, "Girl, you are so nervous, is there any love letter or something in here? Is there someone pursuing you?" There was a hint of joking in his words, but his eyes revealed a subtle seriousness and worry.

The little girl rolled her eyes after hearing this, and a smug smile appeared on her lips, acting like a little adult. "Yes! There are so many people chasing after me, and I'm still choosing!"

At this moment, Xiao Haichen quietly slipped into the room and heard the conversation between the two. He couldn't help laughing. "Sister, your style is like our family members, specifically like our dad. You are really good at bragging! How can I not know what you wrote in it?"

Before Xiao Haichen finished speaking, Xiao Shihua turned around and glared at him, her eyes flashing with warning. "Do you want to be beaten again?"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Haichen quickly shrank his neck, made a face, and fled out of the room in shame.

Xiao Shihua gently opened her code book and handed it to Zhong Yuemin, with a hint of shyness and expectation in her eyes. "Dad, if you want to see it, you can. But don't tell anyone else."

Zhong Yuemin looked at the serious look of the little girl, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He realized that his previous worries were completely unnecessary. The little girl was not in a premature love relationship, nor was she hiding any unspeakable secrets. He was just too nervous and too worried that his daughter would be hurt.

"No need, girl. Dad respects your privacy." Zhong Yuemin smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of trust and understanding for his daughter. You know, the little girl has grown from a child to a young woman, and has her own little secrets, which is part of growing up.

After listening to Zhong Yuemin's words, Xiao Shihua closed the code book again and put it back on the desk. "Dad, there's nothing in it. It's just a little embarrassing. I'm afraid you'll laugh at me if you see it."

"Girl, Dad believes in you. No matter what is written in it, it is your true feeling. Dad will not laugh at you, but will care about you and support you more. Remember, no matter what difficulties and troubles you encounter, you can share them with Dad. Dad will always be your strongest support."

Xiao Shihua's eyes slightly reddened after hearing Zhong Yuemin's words. She felt her father's deep love and trust, and her heart was filled with gratitude and warmth. She hugged Zhong Yuemin tightly. "Dad, thank you. I will remember your words, study hard, and be a daughter that makes you proud."

"Ok."

In the afternoon, Zheng Tong, Zheng Tiancheng and Yuan Jun came to Zhong Yuemin's house. As soon as they entered the door, they saw Zhong Yuemin patiently teaching Xiao Shihua to read "Gu Wen Guan Zhi".

Little Shihua sat upright, listening carefully to her father's explanation, her face filled with a thirst for knowledge.

Zheng Tiancheng glanced at the page, frowned slightly, and said, "Girls should not read this kind of majestic ancient prose. After all, it was written by a man, and girls can't keep up with the level. There is no point in reading it."

As soon as this was said, Chen Yijun next to him immediately aroused dissatisfaction. She raised her eyebrows and asked back, "Oh! From what you said, what should girls study?"

Zheng Tiancheng answered without hesitation, "Just read some poetry. It's most suitable for a woman to read poetry, which is gentle and elegant."

After hearing this, Chen Yijun shook his head slightly, with a bit of dissatisfaction in his tone. "Your idea is clearly the old saying that 'women without talent are virtuous'. In modern society, men and women are equal, so why do you say that women should not read ancient Chinese? The cultivation of ancient Chinese can benefit both men and women. If you are interested in small poems and paintings, why can't you read them?"

Zheng Tiancheng shook his head slightly, as if he was not surprised by Chen Yijun's rebuttal. "You misunderstood again. In the past, although women read books and knew how to read, they were often limited by the social environment and family roles and often found it difficult to find a stage to display their talents. For them, reading was more often just a pastime rather than a way to pursue progress. Therefore, some women indulged in those obscene words and vulgar language, and their minds were full of romantic stories about talented men and beautiful women, and the gift of handkerchiefs and gold. Such women often walked on the streets with frivolous eyes and inappropriate behavior, which easily attracted the attention of frivolous people and caused a lot of jokes."

Zheng Tiancheng paused and continued, "So, later on, there was the saying 'women without talent are virtuous'. This is not to deny women's talents, but to hope that they can abide by the law and stay out of the spotlight, so as to reduce unnecessary troubles and disputes. Of course, this is just a concept in ancient society, and it is obviously out of date today."

Chen Yijun listened, but still refused to give in. "Isn't that just killing one person with one stick, catching them all in one net? The ancient people were fools, and not all women are like this. If a decent girl is at home or outside, she can behave generously, not laugh lightly, and know how to respect herself. Why can't such a woman go out and show her talents?"