After the house was built, Julie started her farming journey.
Previously, Julie bought five acres of good farmland and three acres of wasteland.
Before planting seeds, she carefully prepared the soil. She broke up the clumps of dirt, removed roots and weeds, and loosened the ground so the wheat could grow better.
She followed every step properly.
In her fields, she planted millet, beans, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Most people in the village planted similar crops, mainly grains and beans.
In the large backyard area, Julie planted sunflowers, cabbages, and radishes.
During this time, she also moved a wild grapevine from the mountain and planted it in the courtyard.
The fence around the yard had already been built earlier.
The wild chicken she caught before didn't lay eggs very often—it only laid one egg every few days.
So, later, Julie went to the town and bought a few chicks, both male and female.
Lorrie was very happy and said he would take good care of them.
Seeing how excited he was, Julie didn't discourage him.
She just wondered if, when the chickens grew fat and were ready to eat, he would still find them "cute" or just delicious...
One day, when Julie was feeling bored, she stepped out of her room to walk around the courtyard.
She found three men huddled together in the main hall, whispering.
She found it strange. Why huddle so close just to talk?
Were they gossiping about her?
Quietly, she moved closer to listen.
"Big Brother, do you think the wife has a health problem?" Lorrie asked curiously.
Bailee looked confused. "Why would you say that? Is she sick? I should go check on her," he said, worried.
Lorrie quickly grabbed him. "No, no, keep your voice down! I'm just wondering... It's been so long, and she hasn't touched us. Doesn't she have needs?"
He sometimes heard other young husbands complain that their wives would ask for it several times a night, leaving them exhausted.
Bailee didn't know how to answer.
It was true—their wife hadn't needed them for a while now.
Bailee felt a bit sad. Was their wife tired of them already?
In the past, he didn't want children, fearing he couldn't protect them.
But now, after the wife changed and became good to them, he actually wanted to have children with her—one, two, even three. Whether boys or girls, he didn't care. He just hoped they would look like their mother, who was so beautiful.
Lorrie realized he said something wrong and pouted, playing with his fingers out of boredom.
But he didn't think he was wrong.
Their wife looked like she was about to become a monk—calm and emotionless every day.
Even when they dressed up handsomely, she barely even glanced at them. Hmph, no appreciation for beauty!
Julie raised an eyebrow.
Was it because their bellies were full that they were now thinking of such things?
Haven turned around and saw Julie standing behind them. He quickly stood up. "Wife!"
Lorrie turned awkwardly and met Julie's half-smiling eyes. Feeling guilty and embarrassed, he lowered his head.
Julie looked at Bailee. There was no emotion in her eyes, but she thought to herself, Maybe tonight, we can have some fun.
She walked up to Bailee, lifted his chin gently so he could meet her gaze, and softly whispered in his ear, "You want a child?"
Bailee nodded, his cheeks pink like he was lightly wearing blush, making him look sweet and attractive.
For the first time, Bailee bravely expressed his feelings. He wanted this—not for his brothers' sake, but for his own happiness.
Julie simply nodded in response.
Bailee's eyes showed a flash of disappointment but he quickly hid it.
After dinner, Julie put down her bowl but didn't leave the table right away.
She looked at Bailee and said, "I'll come to your room tonight." Then she got up and went back to her own room.
Bailee's eyes lit up with joy.
Haven and Lorrie were happy for their brother too.
In their hearts, they were also hoping maybe it would be their turn next.
At the hour of Hai (around 9-11 PM), Julie arrived at Bailee's room as promised.
Bailee was only wearing a thin inner garment. His face and ears were red, clearly showing how nervous he was.
Julie was extra gentle with Bailee.
As the official husband, he always took care of her daily needs with great attention.
As a big brother, he also looked after his younger brothers patiently.
She had no complaints about him.
Knowing he was nervous, she gently picked him up and placed him on the bed.
She soothed his emotions with tenderness, slowly moving closer and being careful with him.
As he relaxed, things got a little more passionate and rough.
After they made love twice, Bailee, exhausted, fell asleep.
Before falling asleep, he hugged Julie around the neck and whispered, "Wife, I want to give you a baby. Maybe even two."
"Alright," she replied. If she got pregnant, she would have the baby. After all, she could afford to raise them.
Julie didn't reject the idea of having children.
In her past life, she was all alone without any children.
In this life, having her own bloodline sounded nice.
Julie looked at the sleeping Bailee, then glanced down at herself and sighed in her heart. Now she finally understood why a woman would marry several men.
Because one man's stamina was just not enough.
Julie stayed tense until early morning before finally leaving Bailee's room.
She went to the well, drew a few buckets of cold water, and carried them back to her room.
After soaking in the bathtub for a while, she finally calmed down.
When she finished bathing, changed into clean clothes, and opened the door to pour out the water, she saw Haven standing at her door.
Julie's eyes showed a bit of confusion. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Haven felt a little awkward inside.
It was very strange for the wife to take a bath early in the morning, and with cold water too.
Wouldn't she get sick?
Thinking about something, his face turned a bit red.
He had just gone to check on his big brother, and Bailee was still sleeping.
Normally at this time, Bailee would already be up and busy in the kitchen.
But today, he was still in bed, and his body... was covered in marks.
Their wife must have been really holding herself back.
Otherwise, why would she be taking a cold bath so early?
Julie saw Haven staring at her without saying anything, with different emotions flashing across his face.
What was he doing, standing there so early in the morning?
Since he wasn't saying anything, Julie didn't bother him.
She carried the water out, one bucket in each hand, and poured it away.
She couldn't just keep standing there, staring at him. That would be silly.
Haven felt a little upset that the wife didn't seem to care for them gently. But at the same time, he started looking forward to tonight.
Julie, however, didn't think much of it.
She had needs, but her desire wasn't that strong.
A little fun once in a while was fine. Too much would be bad for the body.
She planned to wait a few more days before doing anything again.
Since Bailee was still asleep in his room, Haven made lunch.
During lunch, Haven kept secretly glancing at Julie, wanting to advise her to be more careful and not overdo it—there was plenty of time ahead.
But after thinking about it, he kept quiet.
Haven had always known his place and never crossed any lines.
Julie lowered her head and ate.
She noticed Haven's glances but didn't say anything.
After all, it's not like she was out of control.
Bailee was exhausted and sleeping, and she hadn't forced anything further.
Haven was very reserved.
Lorrie, however, was much more direct.
"Where's big brother? Why isn't he here for lunch? Is he sick?" he asked.
Haven glared at Lorrie. Why bring that up now?
Lorrie felt wronged. What's wrong with asking?
Why did he feel like he had become the lowest one in the family now?
The more he thought about it, the sadder he felt. He decided to go call Bailee for lunch.
As Lorrie got up and ran toward Bailee's room, Haven quickly told Julie and chased after him, worried that Lorrie might say something inappropriate.
Lorrie came back soon after.
His face was a little red.
He had seen the marks and bruises on Bailee's neck and legs.
He secretly glared at Julie.
When he sat back at the table, he didn't say anything and just lowered his head to eat.
In his heart, he thought: Bailee seemed to be frowning even while sleeping.
So... was it uncomfortable?
Julie finished eating soon after.
She put down her bowl and went back to her room.
After about the time it takes to burn one incense stick, she came back out and went to Bailee's room.
She touched his forehead—no fever.
She took a tube of ointment from her sleeve and gently applied it to Bailee's body.
Last night, it had been too dark to notice.
Julie sighed helplessly in her heart.
Were men in this era made of water?
She had already been very careful, but still...