Cheng Su and another hand in hand returned home, coming face to face with Chunhua. Seeing their tightly clasped hands, Chunhua couldn’t help but smile ambiguously while also letting out a sigh of relief.
Yet, Chunhua did know where Cheng Su had gone on her business trip. Thinking of the reports she had seen over the past few days, she couldn’t help asking her if she had been at the epicenter.
Cheng Su didn’t want to talk much about her experiences over those days and didn’t want Chunhua to worry, so she casually mentioned that everything was safe.
Seeing that Cheng Su didn’t want to elaborate and that she was safe, Chunhua knew better than to pry further. Instead, she curiously asked her how she ended up together with Commander Qi.
Cheng Su’s face showed a tender smile as she said, "Oh, him? He became an undercover agent."
"Ah?" Chunhua was completely puzzled.
"Anyway, that’s how it is." Cheng Su pinched Yuer’s little chubby cheek and said, "I should freshen up first; the train ride was tiring."
Chunhua sounded an "Oh" and couldn’t help but wonder to herself—what had happened to Cheng Su that she seemed like a different person after this trip?
When Taiguo returned, he first went to the military base to report back and end his leave. Before leaving the house, he said to Cheng Su, "Let’s wait for me to come home before cooking dinner, you should rest a bit!"
Cheng Su agreed, but as soon as he left, she briskly washed a rag and wiped down everything inside and outside the house, putting things in order and doing the laundry where necessary.
She had also moved Taiguo’s bedding back to the main bedroom and changed to a new set of covers. Looking at the neatly made bed, her heart softened.
As long as they were both alive and by each other’s side, what hurdle couldn’t they overcome?
After tidying up the room, Cheng Su took another look around. There wasn’t much food at home, just eggs, so she took her market basket and went out to buy groceries, leaving a note for him in passing.
The farmers market was as lively as ever, with smiles of contentment on everyone’s faces. Under the same sky, some cry while others laugh.
Indeed, how can one not smile at such a beautiful life?
Cheng Su bought a few of Taiguo’s favorite dishes and a bag of apples before heading home.
Taiguo had already returned. Seeing her come back, he started, "I told you not to busy yourself and to rest, why don’t you listen?"
"I’m not tired. I bought a few groceries and will cook for you in a bit," Cheng Su said. "Let’s celebrate a new beginning."
Taiguo was startled, then smiled and nodded, "Good, I’ll help you!"
The two of them first boiled some water to wash away their fatigue and then went on to clean the soaked bedding. Taiguo hung the bedding up to dry, while Cheng Su started to cook.
After Taiguo had hung the bedding and come back up, he immediately joined her in the kitchen to help with the washing and chopping. The couple chatted and laughed, occasionally exchanging glances, more affectionate than before.
Chunhua stood at the kitchen doorway, marveling at the sight.
Hualing came back from work in a bad mood and, seeing Chunhua sneaking around the kitchen doorway, couldn’t help but ask, "What are you doing here?"
She looked inside, and Cheng Su and the others turned their heads to wave and greet her, then turned back to continue their conversation.
A bit embarrassed, Chunhua pulled Hualing away, saying, "These two went out and came back different somehow, even more loving than before. Tsk, it’s really strange!"
Hualing was currently at odds with Chen Shouwang, and couldn’t stand to hear others speak of loving relationships, so she replied sarcastically, "You could also be lovingly cooking soup with Old Liang! And what’s this lovey-dovey act, they simply made up, that’s all!" Saying that, she stormed back to her home.
Chunhua choked on Hualing’s sharp comment and, fuming, spat towards her door: "Deal with your own quarrels, no need to take it out on me. Really now!"