Cheng Su stayed in the office until closing time before she returned home, and by the time she entered, she already smelled the fragrance of the meal.
"You’re back? I’ve made dinner. Would you like to wash your face before eating, or would you prefer to eat first and then wash?" Qi Taiguo asked as he stood up from the couch.
Cheng Su looked at the dining table where they usually ate together. Dishes were set, but covered with plates, obscuring their contents.
"Let’s eat first." Cheng Su set down her bag, washed her hands, and sat at the table.
Qi Taiguo opened the thermos first, ladling out a bowl of soup for her and said, "It’s chicken soup. I’ve skimmed off the fat after removing the skin. Drink it while it’s hot!"
Cheng Su looked at the soup that exuded a hint of angelica aroma without much oil; after taking a sip, the corners of her mouth curved slightly: "Thank you."
Seeing her smile, Qi Taiguo seemed encouraged and exhaled deeply before uncovering the dishes and said, "You don’t like salty food, so I used less salt."
Steamed ribs, a few fried eggs, and a pile of stir-fried greens.
"You’ve gone to a lot of trouble!" Cheng Su’s heart felt indescribably mixed as she looked at the dishes.
"We’re husband and wife, no need for such formalities. You make meals for me often, don’t you? It’s not a great merit for me to cook a meal for you occasionally. It’s just that I can’t make it as tasty as you do," Qi Taiguo said hesitantly.
Cheng Su hummed in acknowledgement, served herself some rice, took a bite, and then said, "In a couple of days, I need to go on a business trip to Sichuan to see how the apples there taste. Our company is planning to make a new sauce."
Just as Ying Xiaoya had predicted, the moment Cheng Su brought up the business trip, Qi Taiguo’s smiling face instantly changed, and without thinking, he said it wasn’t possible.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at Cheng Su: "Sichuan is too far away, the travel is strenuous, involving both trains and buses, and too roundabout. Your body can’t withstand such a bumpy journey right now. When you’re well, you can go wherever you want, and I won’t stop you. But now, no."
It was almost exactly as Xiao Ya had said.
Cheng Su also put down her chopsticks and said calmly, "I’m not made of glass that will shatter at the slightest touch. After resting all these days, my body has already recovered."
"No," Qi Taiguo looked into her eyes and said, "I know your business trip is just an excuse. In fact, you just want to avoid me."
Cheng Su’s hand, which was picking up chopsticks, paused as she said, "Actually, that’s not the main reason. I think it might be good to cool off separately. I’m afraid if things continue like this, I might actually end up leaving you."
Qi Taiguo trembled slightly, his complexion turning pale.
"Furthermore, when I’m at home, my mind wanders. If I have something to do, I can divert my attention, and not keep thinking about..." She touched her lower abdomen and pursed her lips.
Qi Taiguo’s gaze darkened and he said, "If you really don’t want to see me, then how about I stay in the barracks for a few days? You can rest well at home, and it’s too tiring to travel about."
Cheng Su lowered her head and silently picked up a spoonful of greens, chewing gently, she said, "I want to get out and have a walk."
Qi Taiguo watched her quietly for a while then asked, "How many days will you go for?"
"At least three or five days, maybe seven or eight," Cheng Su replied casually.
"I see," he said as he picked up his chopsticks again.
Cheng Su looked at him unexpectedly; she thought he would persist in not allowing her to go, but now he seemed nonchalant, as if he had compromised.
For some reason, Cheng Su felt a strange sensation in her heart and a vague sense of loss.
...