Hualing sat down huffily, kicking away the stool Chen Shouwang usually sat on. From the doorway, the laughing voices of Cheng Su and Taiguo passed by, grating on her ears.
When other couples argued and then reconciled, their affection seemed even greater, as if they were newlyweds after a brief separation. But what about her own home?
After an argument with Chen Shouwang, there was no talk of reconciling; not a day had passed peacefully before they started quarreling over some trivial matter again.
These last few days had been even more infuriating; that dead man had intentionally taken night shifts to avoid her, disappearing for days on end.
Hualing was so angry she clawed at her hair, feeling that life had become unbearable.
From the door came the sound of a key turning, and Hualing’s face darkened.
Chen Shouwang entered, saw her, and lowered his eyelids before hanging the keys on the door.
"Oh, you still know your way back? I thought you might have set up another home out there for all I knew, but you still remember this place is home, don’t you!" Hualing couldn’t help but make a sarcastic comment upon seeing him.
Chen Shouwang’s heart skipped a beat, and he frowned, saying, "Don’t speak so unpleasantly. What’s this about having another home? Why does everything you say have to be so confrontational?"
He hadn’t seen her for a few days and had been thinking they should sit down for a proper talk, but the moment he returned, he was met with such cold remarks, and his desire to talk evaporated instantly.
"What’s so unpleasant about it? Did I say anything wrong? You’re gone for days and nights; do you think this place is a hotel or something?" Hualing felt wronged.
"Wasn’t I on night duty?" Chen Shouwang said.
"Night duty? Are you on duty twenty-four hours a day now? Since when did Platoon Leader Chen become so dedicated and diligent?" Hualing scoffed.
"You..." Chen Shouwang took a deep breath, saying, "I’ve just come back, and you want to argue, is that it?"
"What’s wrong, are you angry because I’ve hit a nerve? Chen Shouwang, don’t think I underestimate you, but with the way you are, unable to even coax your wife, what great things can you achieve?"
Listen to that sarcasm, like a cold knife stabbing straight into the heart.
Chen Shouwang glared at her coldly, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. He threw his clothes forcefully to the ground and went into the room.
Hualing jumped, startled by his gaze, which was as cold as if he wanted to devour someone.
When Chen Shouwang came out again, he had changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed for the door.
"Where are you going now?" Hualing asked in a shrill voice, grabbing him.
Chen Shouwang turned back with a cold laugh, "I’m just an eyesore to you here, so why should I stick around and annoy you? It doesn’t concern you where I go, as long as I’m out of your sight."
With those words, he shook off Hualing’s hand forcefully, grabbed his keys, and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Hualing stumbled from the force of his action, and by the time she steadied herself, Chen Shouwang had already vanished. Furious, she chased to the door and yelled, "Chen Shouwang, if you have the guts, never come back!"
She slammed the door and then burst into loud sobs.
Hualing’s shouting disturbed the neighbors. Upon hearing it, Chunhua said to Liang Shurong, "Listen, they’re at it again. With her terrible temper, she’ll blow up this family sooner or later!" And she had just been letting off steam at him a moment ago!
Liang Shurong said, "Don’t talk nonsense. It’s common for spouses to argue, don’t meddle in others’ business!"
Chunhua pouted and kept quiet.
Cheng Su also heard the commotion, turning to Taiguo, "Shall we go and see?"
"Better not, we just got back ourselves, and we don’t know the full story. Let’s not get involved," Taiguo said, shaking his head.
Cheng Su hummed in acknowledgment, sliced the apple, and said, "I’ll make some caramelized apples for you. Can you get the maltose jar for me?"
"Sure!"