Chapter 5: Nicknamed Manman

At that time, Zhen Mier did not yet know that one day she would sit closely beside him, arm touching arm, even sharing the same bed. The thought made her breath catch, and her cheeks flushed deeply as she twirled her fingers more vigorously.

After waiting for a long while with no sign of Gu Tingzhi lifting the veil, she guessed he must not know how. Swallowing her shyness, she gently reminded him, “H-Husband, could you please lift the veil for me...?”

As soon as the words fell, the obstruction vanished from her sight. Before her stood a man with a face as refined as jade, tall and upright like a pine, clad in a bright red wedding robe, exuding warmth and gentleness.

He gazed quietly at her, and when she met his eyes, the smile on his face broadened as he softly repeated, “Man, Man...”

Zhen Mier was startled. “How do you know my nickname?”

Her nickname was known to very few. It was given by her grandmother because she had been chubby as a child and looked endearing. Grandmother doted on her, often secretly slipping her steamed buns to eat, thus the nickname “Manman.”

But not long after, her grandmother fell ill. Her aunt refused to provide money for treatment, and soon, grandmother passed away.

After that, no one called her by that name anymore. Her mother always called her Ami.

Gu Tingzhi did not answer, and so Zhen Mier did not press further. She looked at the face she had etched into her heart thousands of times and, summoning courage, took his hand in hers.

“Are you hungry?”

Gu Tingzhi shook his head. Zhen Mier took the veil from his hand and set it aside, then softly asked, “Do you know your own name?”

His hands clenched into fists resting on his knees. He was motionless for a long while before slowly replying, “Foolish Gu Tingzhi.”

Her expression froze, a pang of pain tightening her heart, her eyes filled with pity.

“Do you know who I am?”

Gu Tingzhi stared at her face intently, then nodded happily. “Manman.”

Zhen Mier loved hearing him call her that. Boldly, she cupped his cheeks and drew her face closer, looking into his deep, dark eyes. With deliberate care, she said, “You’re not a fool. You are my husband, and I am your wife.”

Gu Tingzhi seemed enchanted by her words and nodded dazedly.

Because Tingzhi had suffered brain damage, Lady Zhou worried he might not understand anything and be despised by the new bride. She had been eavesdropping outside for some time, and hearing her daughter-in-law’s words filled her heart with joy!

Thank heavens, the new bride was a good woman. As long as she treated her third son well, she and her husband would protect them both in their lifetime. Later, when he could walk again, having such a wife to care for Tingzhi would bring her peace.

Lady Zhou’s affection for Zhen Mier deepened. She fetched some dishes from the kitchen prepared for the wedding feast and soon brought them to the room.

“Third son’s wife, you must be hungry. Eat something to fill your stomach.”

Villagers rarely ate meat throughout the year. Even at a grand wedding feast, there might be only two or three dishes, with very little meat.

Their usual meals were porridge with two vegetable dishes, occasionally adding steamed buns or pancakes during busy farming seasons. Lady Zhou brought in chicken, stewed cabbage with vermicelli, and two corn cakes—generous portions by any measure. For Zhen Mier, this was quite a treat; even their family wasn’t guaranteed such fare at New Year.

Zhen Mier hurriedly thanked her. “Mother... thank you, but I can’t eat this much.”

Lady Zhou thought the new bride was just being modest about her appetite. “Eat as much as you want. There’s more in the kitchen.”

Zhen Mier didn’t know what else to say. The rumors outside exaggerated things greatly. Her appetite was no different from most girls; her plumpness was natural, not due to overeating. Between her and Gu Tingzhi, they only finished about half of the food.

Fortunately, she knew she couldn’t finish it all and set aside a clean bowl of leftovers to save for the next day.

After the meal, Gu Tingzhi sat there dumbly silent. Zhen Mier cleaned up the dishes and brought a basin of warm water to wash his face and feet.

Gu Tingzhi obeyed every instruction, performing each action quietly and obediently.

“Do you know? I’ve liked you for a very long time. When I was little, I was chubby, and no one wanted to play with me. They often bullied me together, except you. Not only did you say I was cute, but you also stood up to those children for me. You were good-looking and smart, and everyone said you’d have a bright future, so the other children listened to you and stopped bullying me. I thought then, you’re so kind. I wish I could be with you forever.”

Gu Tingzhi was silent, as if he didn’t quite understand, but when he saw her smile with two dimples, he smiled back, his eyes curving like crescent moons.

Zhen Mier’s heart melted utterly, and she silently vowed to care for him no matter what—whether he recovered or not, she would be good to him.

She took his hand again and continued, “When I heard you and Yang Xiuqing were betrothed, I was so heartbroken, crying for a long time because I thought I couldn’t like you anymore. Later, when I heard you broke off the engagement, though I knew I shouldn’t, I secretly laughed under my quilt. After much thought, I couldn’t bear to entrust you to another, so I begged Mother to find a matchmaker to propose to the Gu family. Thankfully, you agreed. From now on, I’ll stay by your side and take care of you, okay?”

Gu Tingzhi pretended to think for a moment, then nodded.

Zhen Mier smiled, eyes shining. “Once I pour out the water, we’ll go to sleep, alright?”

She stepped outside to pour out the water and caught Lady Zhou eavesdropping.

Actually, Lady Zhou had come just to listen for any sounds from inside, curious if her son would consummate the marriage. Hearing the tender confession from the new bride, she awkwardly rubbed her nose, pretending to come for the broom under the eaves, then quietly left.

With Tingzhi’s current condition, consummation wasn’t urgent. Tomorrow she would instruct the eldest two brothers to take time to teach their younger brother. Even if he was mentally impaired, he should be able to manage such things.

After Zhen Mier tidied up, she lay down to sleep. She initially planned to sleep on the outer side to better care for him if he needed to get up at night, but Gu Tingzhi insisted on the outer side, so she gave in.

The bed wasn’t very wide, and with her larger frame, they lay very close together. Gu Tingzhi turned to look at her, thinking this way she wouldn’t fall off, feeling pleased with his decision.

As a young woman in bed, Zhen Mier was a little shy under his gaze, but because it was him beside her, she suddenly felt nothing could be more natural.