Rice Pot Next Door: Chapters 74 & 75

Dear readers, how have you been?  The past few weeks have been a passing blur so I hope you are having a much better time than me. If not, never fear, because today’s chapters are both sexy and funny which should cheer you up considerably, although the last bit of today’s post may not exactly be suitable for young readers.

We are zooming along towards the end of the story nicely, and although Qiao Feng and Lan Shan are both Chinese, China is a very big country and our couple have some major distances and differences to overcome.   The grassland is where Lan Shan grows up and it is where Qiao Feng has to overcome its challenges to win his lady, or in this case, her family’s, heart.  Qiao Feng, jia you!

 

Chapter 74: Grassland

 

Qiao Feng did not manage to persuade Lan Shan to spend the night. Ha, what a joke! if she stays, her father and mother will know everything and what that happens, where is she going to hide her face?

At her insistence, Qiao Feng can only send her home. When he returns to the hotel, he sees many birthday greetings from his family in his phone and an equal number of requests to report his progress with Lan Shan.

He replies every answer with a smiley face until Wu Wen suspects that someone could have hacked his brother’s account. He decides to test his “brother” and ask if he needs to borrow any money, but Madam Qiao is the one who answers: Who is so tired of living to attempt to steal Qiao Feng’s ID?

Qiao Feng: 

Wu Wen: You are right.

Qiao Feng: 

Big Wu: Whenever I’m talking to our elder son, I often get this feeling of mental superiority.

Qiao Feng: 

Xiao Qiao: Qiao Feng, if you continue like this, I can only assume Lan Shan has bedded you.

When Qiao Feng did not reply­, the chat group explodes into a flurry of conversation

********

The next day, Lan Shan is unable to meet Qiao Feng as she needs to accompany her mother for her checkup at the hospital. Without her company, Qiao Feng decides to spend the day reading research in his room. When he scan the room between pages, spots a small red patch on the bedsheet, it gets him all emotional. Ay, he is thinking of her again….

Someone knocks on the door and it is a young lady from housekeeping to clean the room. She is very talkative and Qiao Feng learns that she is currently a junior high student who is making use of the school holidays to earn extra pocket money at her relative’s hotel. He is not really interested to talk and reply her many questions with short answers, until she falls silent as she stares at the red stain on the bedsheet.

She looks at him as if he has just opened a door to a new dimension. Qiao Feng is too embarrassed to look at her and pretends to look out of the window. The young maid finishes her cleaning quickly and beat a hasty retreat from the room. Soon after she leaves, Qiao Feng decides to go for a walk and spots the young maid at one end of the corridor. She is back-facing him and is speaking rapidly into her phone. “Sister! That handsome guest in room 802 is having his period! Really! I saw it with my own eyes. My god, you are right, men are really capable of giving birth!”

Qiao Feng has no patience for her nonsense, but her words did spark his imagination as he walks towards the lift. Pregnancy is physically tough and if it is possible, he rather be the one to suffer instead of Lan Shan. If he can really give birth…. looking up at the sky, Qiao Feng gives himself a mental shake of condolence at the crumbling of his once-sane universe.

At the hospital, the doctor gives Shang Pingping a clean bill of health although he advises her not to engage in any strenuous exercise in the near future. After the visit to the doctor, Shang Pingping and Lan Tian decides to visit Grandpa Lan the next day and asks Lan Shan to invite Qiao Feng to join them as well.

Grandpa Lan stays at Huiteng grassland northeast of City H. He is a nomad in his younger days, and now operates a homestay together with his eldest son. Besides his eldest son, he has a second son, which is Lan Shan’s father, and one more daughter who stays in the city. He is very happy to see his family, especially when he finds out that his granddaughter is bringing a young man to meet him, and he turns his appraising eye to Qiao Feng.

First impression: disappointing.

The young chap is too fair, too skinny. He does not drink and take dainty bites at his food instead of eating like a man. How can such a man be fit for his granddaughter? Although he is not the kind who would interfere in his granddaughter’s marriage, he is a straight-forward man who does not mask his emotions or mince his words. If he does not like someone, it shows.

Qiao Feng feels a little blue although his disappointment dissipates a little when Lan Shan takes him horse riding. They shared a horse and beneath the brilliant blue sky, their horse cut across the great grassland that sparkles like an emerald under the sun. The air is crisp and fresh and when Lan Shan takes a deep breath, she can almost feel as if her lungs are having a cleansing.

Feeling the breeze on his face and hearing the echo of matouqin in the distance, Qiao Feng hugs her closer and rubs his chin gently against her shoulder. Lan Shan pulls the horse to a slow walk and turns back to smile at him. “Are you still afraid?”

“No.”

“Then why are you holding on to me so tightly?”

He smiles and hugs her even tighter. He has a board, warm chest which makes a nice cushion for her, and she kicks the horse to make it gallop again. When they stop at a small valley full of small yellow flowers in full bloom, he gently tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “So beautiful.” He buries his face in the nook of her neck and plants a line of kisses on her shoulder.

“Hey, hey, hey! Can you please pay attention to the scenery? And may I remind you that we are in a public place?”

“If we are not in a public area, I would not be merely doing what I am doing.”

“This is enough. What happened to my innocent baby?”

Qiao Feng zooms in on one keyword. “You still think I am a baby?”

Thinking that he is making fun of her, she pinches him hard at the waist and the two starts to banter until a rider approaches. When he gets near enough for Lan Shan to recognize him, she greets out: “Hi Chao Lu, we have not met for a long time!”

Chao Lu is a Mongolian youth in his twenties. He has very sharp features, and is very muscular although it is hidden somewhat by his loose clothing. He gaze is sharp like an eagle but it softens when he recognizes Lan Shan – only to turn sharp again when he sees Qiao Feng.

Who says that only women have sixth sense? Qiao Feng thinks that he too, possesses sixth sense as he detects the newcomer’s interest in Lan Shan. Many of the younger Mongolians are able to speak Mandarin and Chao Lu is no exception as he replies Lan Shan fluently. “Lan Shan! So you finally came back. Who is he and how come he does not know how to ride a horse?”

Qiao Feng tightens his hold on her waist in a show of ownership as she pats his hand and smiles. “He is my boyfriend, Qiao Feng.”

Chao Feng is obviously unhappy at her introduction. “Lan Shan, why did you choose such a man? He looks weak like a sick little lamb.”

Her smile broadens. “I am a mama wolf who loves to gobble sick little lambs.”

Qiao Feng is still thinking if he should rebuff Chao Lu, but her words cheer him up immensely and he plants a loud smooch on her cheek. Wounded by their display of affection, Chao Lu says that he has something on and makes a move.

After he left, Lan Shan continues riding but Qiao Feng keeps calling her “Mama wolf” and asking when she wants another bite of his little lamb. When Lan Shan has enough of his pestering, she grab one of his hands and bites down on it – hard – before he finally shuts up.

That night, Grandpa Lan builds a bonfire and many friendly villagers drop by to chat or share a drink under the open sky. Having watch Lan Shan grew up, they of course know who she is and is aware that the unfamiliar-looking young man is her boyfriend. When they offer him a toast, Qiao Feng is sorely tempted, but he turns them all down in the end. When it comes to drinking, he is not worried about embarrassing himself, but he does not want Lan Shan to be embarrassed because of him. Lan Shan too, does not want him to drink, and graciously drinks all the wine which came their way. All is going well, until Chao Lu decides to stir the nest.

 

 

Chapter 75: Night at the Grassland

 

Chao Lu has known Lan Shan since childhood. When they are younger, he has even professed his love for her although she has turned him down. With the passage of time and her moving to another city, they have grown apart but the distance is apparently not enough for him to accept Qiao Feng.

After a few jugs of wine, Chao Lu and a group of young man starts a wrestling match. Chao Lu is very strong and defeats all his opponents easily. When he has defeated all the young men, he looks scornful at Qiao Feng and gestures for him to compete with him.

Lan Shan is upset with Chao Lu. Earlier that night, he has made fun of Qiao Feng for not drinking, and his provocative behavior now is totally unbecoming and she worries that Qiao Feng would think badly of her hometown.

Mistakening her anger, Qiao Feng assumes that she is mad at him since it is not unreasonable for a woman to want her boyfriend to defend her. Maybe a show of strength is needed so that she will not lose face among her hometown folks, so he picks up a bowl of milk wine in front of Lan Shan and finish it in several gulps.

Lan Shan has not expected his reaction and grabs his hand when he stands after finishing the wine. “What are you doing? Are you alright?”

He shakes his head and waits for the rush of adrenaline brought about by the wine, before walking towards Chao Lu. Lan Shan figures what he is up to and gives his hand an assuring pat. “Be careful when you are sparring. There is no shame in losing but the most important thing is to keep safe.”

He nods and tries to assure her with a smile. However, the alcohol in his blood is starting to act up and his smile turns a little sinister as a result.

Although Qiao Feng is slim-built and does not have rippling muscles like Chao Lu, he is still a healthy young man who works out regularly. Having observed how Chao Lu wrestles, he actually has an advantage over his opponent who has no idea of his moves in comparison. So while Chao Lu has the advantage of strength, Qiao Feng has the advantage of knowledge and agility, and manages to hold his own after repeated attacks.

When Qiao Feng becomes the longest-standing contestant in the ring, the crowd starts to take more interest in their combat as they look at the city boy in a new light. Right now, Qiao Feng and Chao Lu are stuck in close combat, legs entangling, each trying to push their opponent down. Lan Shan too, gets caught up in the excitement and pumps her fist in the air. “Come on Qiao Feng! Keep going! Finish him off darling!”

Qiao Feng hears her encouragement and feels a fresh surge of strength. Turning his body slightly sideways, he hooks Chao Lu under his arms, bends… and toss him over his shoulder. The crowd erupts in an excited roar and several young men quickly came forward to toast their new hero. Qiao Feng toss back one bow of wine and taking one last look at a slightly bewildered-looking Chao Lu, he strides an equally bewildered-looking Lan Shan.

Lan Shan has good reason to be surprised. Although she knows that Qiao Feng can fight mean after the influence of alcohol, Chao Lu is no ordinary opponent – he has won medals in wrestling meets for goodness sake! – and Qiao Feng suddenly seems to have grown and head and a half higher in her mind’s eye. Mistaking her expression, he frowns. “You are the one who ask me to finish him off.”

Lan Shan knows that he is struggling to control himself and tries to help by praising his bravery, his dashing, his victory. Many villagers also come up to offer him more wine and he accepts each and every cup this time despite Lan Shan’s attempt to stop him. His expression gets more and more sinister but thankfully the flickering light from the bonfire makes his abnormalty hard to detect, especially when the villagers are also getting tipsy.

Grandpa Lan finally breaks out in happy laughter and nods approvingly at Qiao Feng.

Lan Sha knows that Qiao Feng is a walking minefield and drags him away at the first opportunity. Earlier that day, Qiao Feng has helped her erect two tents and she tries to lead him to his private tent to ward off the effects of the wine. But Qiao Feng seems to have a mind of his own and beelines towards her private tent. “Wrong direction, wrong direction!” huffs Lan Shan but Qiao Feng is frightfully strong and he ends up in her tent, on her bed, before she finally breaks free of his hold.

She pours a cup of warm water for him, but he did not drink it and puts the cup on a small table beside the bed. He fist his hands on the table and slants his eyes to study his surroundings. The tent is very small and is only suitable for one person to stay. Its exterior is white and blue, but everything inside the tent appears pink as the ceiling is lined with a red chiffon cloth. When light from the electric bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling passes through the cloth, everything becomes bathed in pink.

The tent also has a woven mat in red and brown pattern, some simple furniture and reminds Qiao Feng of a honeymoon suite. The thought sends a course of heat sizzling though him and he can literally hear the roar of blood in his ears. He narrows his eyes and takes in his beautiful girlfriend in front of him. Her cheeks appear even more rosy than normal due to the lighting, and her eyes are like stars that beckon to him. Thinking on their entanglement 2 days back, he flushes and looks at her steadily.

A little nervous, Lan Shan tries to make some conversation. “Ummm….. that, are you drunk?”

He tilts his chin. “What do you think, my little she-wolf?”

She gives a strangled cough and observes him closely. Although he is no longer so sinister-looking, there is a deep burrow between his brows that looks very uncomfortable. She knows he is trying to repress his internal turmoil and aches a bit for him. “Why not you rest here for tonight? You will feel better once you wake up tomorrow.”

“I can’t sleep,” he looks at her while pointing to the front of his pants. “and neither can he.”

Ay, can he be less desperate? Lan Shan’s face turns as red as a tomato as she looks away. “Stop playing. Do you know that there are people outside who can hear?”

His voice lowers. “Come over.” When she remains where she is, he takes a deep breath and says a little morosely. “Lan Shan, that chap hit me just now and it hurts.”

Lan Shan knows that Chao Lu is strong opponent and regrets not stopping Qiao Feng earlier. Getting hurt is inevitable when sparring and what is the meaning even if he wins in the end? She looks at Qiao Feng, who looks very uncomfortable. ”My back hurts.”

Lan Shan helps him remove his shirt but did not find any injuries at his back. Worried that he may have internal injuries that she cannot see, she makes him lie on his stomach and presses on several spots. Burying his face between his arms, he continues. “You can press a little harder… and move a little lower…”

She slaps his waist. “You are obviously fine!”

“Lan Shan, my leg hurts.”

This time, she has to roll up his pants and discovers some small bruises on his calf. Running a gentle hand over the bruise, she wonders if he has other injuries. “Where else do you hurt?”

“My thigh hurts too.”

Lan Shan can only help him remove his pants to check and Qiao Feng is especially co-operative. Finding no other injury besides the bruise at his calf, Lan Shan thinks that she will ask her grandfather for some medicated oil when he points to his last remaining piece of clothing. “Lan Shan, my butt hurts too.”

Lan Shan does not know whether to laugh or cry. Chao Lu is a wrestler, how can he have hit Qiao Feng’s butt? so she smacks it for good measure. “There, does it still hurt?”

Qiao Feng turns to look at her. His furrow has disappeared and he looks very sensual. “Please continue.”

Embarrassed, Lan Shan decides she has enough and starts to move away. Qiao Feng suddenly sits up and grabs her hand. He gives a tug until she falls on the bed and he quickly turns to pin her to the bed as he leans in close to whisper in her ears. “Do you think you can take off my clothes, smack my butt, and then leave me in the lurch?”

Looks who’s talking!? “Hey! Can you be more reasonable!”

“Fine, I will be reasonable. Let me take off your clothes, smack your butt, and we then will be even.”

Lan Shan struggles against his hold, but dares not create a din for fear of alerting others to her tent. Having defeated a wrestler that night, what are her struggles to Qiao Feng? He quickly removes her clothes and even manages to slap her butt playfully for good measure. Throughout the struggle, his hands are like fire, as they light a trail of heat across her back and legs when they roam over her. His lips are not idle in the meantime, as he kisses her here and there.

“Qiao Eeng…. are you…. really a virgin?” How can he become so skilled at his second time? He is obviously miles ahead of her in terms of technique! He lifts his head from her chest and tasted the corner of his lips with his tongue. “You must have more faith in science.”

What has science got to do with this?

At her puzzled look, he explains. “Once you have gotten a hold on the method, all you need is some “hardware” and then I can make you reach peak after peak.” He catches hold of one of her hand and presses it against him. “Can you tell if it is hard enough?”

He removes the last bit of their remaining clothing and tumbles the bedsheet with her like 2 little fishes playing catch in a pond. Having found an outlet, Qiao Feng’s onslaught is quick and merciless and Lan Shan can only follow his lead. Several times, she can feel herself coming but she has to bite her lips to keep from crying out, for fear that someone outside her tent may hear them. When it hurts too much to bite on her own lips, she turns her face to bite on his shoulder instead, and her action makes him even wilder as he drives himself into her.

When they are finally spent, he gathers her close and plants several soothing kisses on her back. Worried that he will get himself excited again, she pushes at him feebly which makes him laugh silently although she fails to see what is so funny.

I will never let him drink again, she thinks.

I can finally start drinking again, he thinks.