Episode Six

11
Meixiu returned home and was writing a letter in her bedroom when her father Wuxiong came to knock on the door.
Wuxiong asked, “What did the doctor’s wife want to talk to you about?”
Meixiu said, “Xintai’s father said that when Xintai finishes his studies and returns, he will let us marry.”
Wuxiong said with emotion, “At last, you’ve waited through the clouds to see the bright moon; these past years of waiting were not in vain. I’ll quickly tell your mother this good news, especially your eldest brother, so he won’t keep scheming against you.”
Meixiu thought, “The matter of Xintai taking a secondary wife, I’d better not let my family know for now, to avoid unnecessary complications.”

12
Nishikawa Shō received a reply from his daughter Riko. He first discussed it with his wife Michiko.
Shō said, “Riko said she has already persuaded Tetsuya’s girlfriend in his hometown in Taiwan to agree to Tetsuya taking Yasuko as a secondary wife.”
Michiko said, “I think it would be better to let Tetsuya and Yasuko marry first, without sending out wedding invitations. That way they can consummate the marriage first, and we can wait to hold our grandchildren.”
Shō said, “Is that alright? Won’t Yasuko feel wronged?”
Michiko said, “If Yasuko has no complaints, what’s the problem? Besides, there is still time before Tetsuya completes his studies. I don’t want things to change later.”
Shō said, “Your concern is not without reason. Once Tetsuya finishes his studies and returns to Taiwan, it will be like a bird flying out of its cage; indeed, there is uncertainty. While the Hongren family is all here, you bring them and Yasuko together.”
Michiko said, “Alright, I’ll go call them.”
The Hongren couple and Yasuko all came over.
Michiko said, “Our idea is to let Tetsuya and Yasuko marry first, without sending out wedding invitations.”
Reiko said, “This is unfair to Yasuko!”
Shō explained the concerns of both parties.
Hongren asked, “Yasuko, what do you think yourself?”
Yasuko blushed, lowered her head, and said softly, “I am willing.”
Reiko said helplessly, “Yasuko, for the sake of your cousin, you actually humble yourself like this! Hong-san really doesn’t know what to say!”
Hongren said, “Since Yasuko agrees, let’s handle it according to the elders’ wishes.”
Shō said, “After Tetsuya finishes the final exams and submits his reports, we’ll let the young couple marry.”
Michiko said, “Should we notify our daughter’s side first?”
Shō said, “Yes, just notify them.”

13
When Tetsuya was riding his bicycle leaving school, suddenly a heavy rain started, and he got soaked on the way home. There was no one at home. Tetsuya changed out of his wet clothes and dried his hair, feeling exhausted, and took a short nap.
Yasuko brought in a plate of cut fruit, placed it on the desk, and then left.
When night fell and dinner was ready, Yasuko went into the room to call Tetsuya and found he was still asleep, with the fruit plate untouched. She went to shake him awake, but Tetsuya still could not be roused. Yasuko touched Tetsuya’s forehead, found it frighteningly hot, and immediately rushed out of the room shouting, “Not good! Not good! Tetsuya is unconscious!”
The whole family, hearing Yasuko’s cries, put down what they were doing and rushed over.
“What’s the matter? Let me see Tetsuya!” Shō touched Tetsuya’s forehead with one hand and placed the other on Tetsuya’s philtrum: “Tetsuya is unconscious from a high fever. Huizi, fetch a basin of well water; Hongren, stop a taxi at the alley entrance; my wife and Reiko, prepare Tetsuya’s clothes and necessities for hospitalization; Yasuko, you first wipe Tetsuya’s body with cold water, then come with me to take him to the hospital.”
Each family member acted according to Shō’s orders.
Shō quickly stripped Tetsuya down to just his underwear.
Shō looked at Yasuko, who was blushing beside him, and said, “Yasuko, Tetsuya will be your husband from now on, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed at this time.”
Yasuko nodded and said, “Grandfather, I’ll help my cousin wipe his body.”

14
Lying in the hospital bed, Tetsuya had already regained consciousness, with an IV needle in his wrist.
The whole family was gathered around the bedside.
Huizi said, “Cousin, the whole family was terrified because of you!”
Michiko said, “Luckily, Yasuko discovered it in time.”
Shō said, “Tetsuya has often stayed up late lately and not rested enough, so his body’s resistance weakened. That’s why he caught acute pneumonia. Let him rest more, and he will gradually get better.”
Yasuko said, “Then what about Tetsuya’s schoolwork?”
Shō said, “I’ll tell the department head; health comes first.”
Michiko said, “Shall we go home first? Later I and Huizi will come to take over.”
Yasuko said, “Grandmother, I can take care of him.”
Reiko asked, “Don’t you have work tomorrow?”
Yasuko said, “I called and asked a colleague to cover my leave.”
Huizi said, “Sister, I’ll bring a change of clothes for you.”
Yasuko said, “Thank you!”

15
On the hospital bed, Tetsuya was asleep. Huizi carried in a basket of fruit.
Huizi said, “Sister, the fruit you asked for, I specially went to the market to buy it.”
Yasuko said, “Thank you, little sister.”
Huizi said, “These days, seeing you so devoted in taking care of Cousin, when he marries you in the future, he really ought to cherish you.”
At this moment, Tetsuya had woken up but had not opened his eyes. Hearing the sisters talking, he decided to remain silent for the time being.
Yasuko said, “Sister, the time I have with Cousin may only be these few years. In the future, he will still return to Taiwan.”
Huizi said, “Speaking of this, I feel wronged for you. Why must you only be his little wife?”
Yasuko said, “I do this willingly. As long as I can be his wife, even if it’s just for a little over a year, I will cherish it.”
Huizi said, “Since the elders are making the decision, you should actively fight for it, and in the future go to Taiwan with Cousin.”
Yasuko said, “That would also require Cousin’s agreement, right?”
Huizi said, “Sister, you’re really too weak! Once Cousin marries you, he should take you with him.”
Yasuko said, “Sister, things may not be as simple as you think. Grandfather and grandmother require that the children born from me and Cousin must stay in the Nishikawa family. I must remain at home to raise the children. It’s unlikely I can go to Taiwan with Cousin.”
Huizi said, “There must be a way to resolve this satisfactorily…”
Tetsuya listened and felt very distressed in his heart. He did not want Meixiu to be wronged, but he also did not want Yasuko to be bound by her children in the future. Yasuko should have a man who cherishes her…

16
Under Yasuko’s attentive care, Tetsuya’s body gradually improved.
Yasuko wanted to feed Tetsuya pork rib porridge. Tetsuya said, “Let me do it myself.”
Tetsuya took the bowl, ate a mouthful, and said, “The pork rib porridge you cook is increasingly like my father’s.”
Yasuko smiled with satisfaction and said, “That is all because of the lessons you taught me over and over again!”
Tetsuya said, “In the past, I often stayed in the kitchen, watching my father cook. When he saw I enjoyed cooking, he taught me step by step, even though they were just ordinary home dishes.”
Yasuko said, “That is already not simple. Among Japanese men, except professional chefs, very few would voluntarily cook, let alone enjoy cooking.”
Tetsuya said, “Thank you for these past days, taking such careful care of me.”
Yasuko said, “Being able to see your health gradually recover makes me really happy.”
Tetsuya said, “Yasuko, I do not deserve you to take such trouble for me.”
Yasuko said, “What foolish words are you saying? As long as I can be with you, even if there is only one or two years of fate left, I am content.”
Tetsuya said, “You should have a man who loves you and cherishes you. I don’t want you to sacrifice your happiness for me…”
Yasuko said, “I do this willingly. Alright! Consider it something I owe you from a past life.”
Tetsuya said, “Why do you have to say that?”
Yasuko said, “Cousin, I want to have our child, not purely to fulfill grandfather and grandmother’s wishes. The main reason is that you are the man I love most.”
Tetsuya said, “But having a child will burden you in the future.”
Yasuko said, “That is not a burden, but a sweet load, because I love you, and I love our child.”
Tetsuya said, “You really won’t regret it?”
Yasuko said firmly, “I will not!”
Tetsuya said, “I wonder if it is a blessing I earned from a past life? That you treat me like this. Sigh! Ask the world, what is love? It teaches one to pledge life and death to another.”
Yasuko said, “Ask the world, what is love? It teaches one to pledge life and death to another. I have heard these two lines read by my classical Chinese teacher.”
Tetsuya said, “Alright! After I am discharged and return, I will tell grandfather and grandmother to let you move into the room next to mine.”
Yasuko asked in surprise, “You mean, Cousin…”
Tetsuya said, “Let’s get married?”

17
After Tetsuya was discharged and returned home, he took the initiative to mention it to the elders.
Tetsuya said, “During my hospitalization, Yasuko, my cousin, devoted herself to taking care of me and accompanying me. This sincere affection moved me deeply.”
Nishikawa Shō had already noticed the sign, so he deliberately asked, “And then? How should you show your feelings to Yasuko?”
Tetsuya said, “I am willing to give Yasuko a home and become her husband.”
Shō said, “Tetsuya, you are moved by Yasuko’s kind heart.”
Michiko said, “This child really has it tough. Yasuko considers everything for you.”
Tetsuya said, “Yasuko herself told me she does not regret following me, even though I cannot give her the status of a principal wife.”
Yasuko, beside him, said, “Yes, I deeply love Cousin, I will not regret it. As long as I can become Cousin’s wife, I don’t care about being a concubine.”
Reiko said, “Since my Yasuko says this, I cannot say anything more…”
Hongren said, “That’s good. We can have grandchildren sooner. Wife, you should think positively, right?”
Tetsuya said, “In order not to embarrass my parents in Taiwan and Meixiu, I request grandfather and grandmother not to let relatives and friends in Taiwan know about this for now. When the time is right, I will tell them myself.”
Michiko said, “As long as you are willing to accept Yasuko, we will cooperate however you wish.”

18
After a simple ceremony, witnessed by Matsushita Daisuke, Tetsuya and Yasuko became husband and wife.
Reiko held Yasuko’s hand and placed it on Tetsuya’s hand: “Please cherish my daughter wholeheartedly!”
Tetsuya corrected himself and said, “Mother-in-law, I will.”
Matsushita patted Tetsuya on the shoulder and said, “Good boy! So quickly you captured a beauty’s heart, impressive!”
A faint bitter smile passed Tetsuya’s face: “Teacher, I feel the burden on my shoulders will only get heavier…”
“Don’t worry! You can bear it, child.” Matsushita continued, “Tonight I look forward to tasting the Taiwanese home dishes you two have cooked!”
Matsushita pushed Tetsuya and said, “Go, go, go, take your bride to the kitchen. My stomach is starting to growl!”
The Nishikawa family all laughed.

19
Yasuko moved into the room next to Tetsuya. At night, the two slept together.
Yasuko hugged Tetsuya and said, “Your body is like a warming stove, so warm! Husband.”
Tetsuya said, “It’s the first time I’ve slept with a woman who isn’t my father’s wife. It feels a bit unfamiliar…”
Yasuko asked, “Oh? You never slept with Meixiu before?”
Tetsuya said, “Of course not. I follow propriety strictly.”
Yasuko asked again, “Then have you kissed Meixiu?”
Tetsuya said, “Yes.”
Yasuko said, “I’ll count you as honest. I want you to kiss me too.”
Tetsuya said, “Your mouth still smells of garlic…”
Yasuko said, “Really? I brushed my teeth.”
Tetsuya said, “Did you like the garlic chicken soup I cooked?”
Yasuko said, “It’s super delicious. You are even more skillful than me!”
That night, the two became physically intimate.

20
That summer vacation, Yasuko became pregnant. The Nishikawa family joyfully awaited the arrival of the newborn.
Matsushita Daisuke brought a basket of fruit and a can of milk powder.
Matsushita smiled and said, “I’ve come again to be a guest at your home, Tetsuya.”
Tetsuya said, “You’re always welcome, Teacher.”
Matsushita said, “I’ve found that I already like the Taiwanese home dishes cooked by you two. A few days without them makes me crave them, so I had to sneak over to your house again.”
Nishikawa Shō said, “Daisuke! You are Tetsuya’s instructor, so you have the privilege to taste the Taiwanese dishes cooked by them!”
Matsushita said, “Indeed! Since retiring, I don’t like being disturbed by former colleagues or students. Only I have the honor to be a guest at the Nishikawa family.”
Matsushita entered the kitchen. Huizi was arranging ingredients in the corner; Yasuko was cooking.
Matsushita smelled the aroma and said, “Mmm, it smells so good! Yasuko, what are tonight’s main dish and soup?”
Yasuko said, “Teacher, tonight’s soup is definitely something you haven’t tasted before. You go to the living room first to chat and play chess with my grandfather!”
Matsushita said, “Alright, alright! I’ll go to the living room first.”
After some time, the main dishes and soup were served one after another. The elders and Matsushita all sat down.
Matsushita said, “Tonight’s dishes truly broaden my horizons again!”
Nishikawa Shō said, “Knowing you were coming, Yasuko and Huizi went to the market in the morning to prepare the ingredients.”
Matsushita said, “Thank you to the Nishikawa daughters-in-law. How can I feel at ease?”
Yasuko said, “Tonight’s table is all Taiwanese dishes. You will definitely eat until full.”
Matsushita said, “I like eating until full. Taiwanese dishes are delicious, varied, and generous. I really envy the Taiwanese—they never shortchange their stomachs in terms of food.”
Tetsuya said, “My family in Taiwan knows how to eat. Not only should it be delicious, but also satisfying. However, most ordinary people just eat to fill their stomachs. They don’t have the economic conditions like my family, so the ingredients are rougher.”
Reiko said, “Tetsuya, your Yasuko hasn’t been making the Japanese dishes I taught her recently.”
Yasuko said, “Everyone, don’t just talk. Eat the soup and dishes while they are hot.”
Michiko said, “The head chef has spoken, shall we start?”
Yasuko pointed at Tetsuya and said, “The head chef is my husband, I am his assistant.”
Huizi said, “Tonight’s soup has a pineapple bitter gourd chicken. The pineapple came from Taiwan. I picked it at the market.”
Matsushita said, “Then I have to drink an extra bowl!”
Yasuko said, “There will be enough. Teacher, you can drink as much as you like.”