"I’ll go get you something to eat." Lin Xinlan quickly stood up, but Rong Shaoze suddenly reached out and hooked his hand around her waist, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes, "No need... eating you will be enough."
"..." Lin Xinlan’s cheeks turned slightly red, and as he lowered his head to lick a little bit of cream off the corner of her mouth, her face got even redder.
"Very sweet, tastes like strawberries," he said with a smile.
Blushing, Lin Xinlan stammered, "Well, it is a strawberry cherry cake, of course it tastes like strawberries."
"And the taste of cherries? I’ll have to try that," he said, and kissed her lips.
After a flight of more than ten hours, she finally arrived in B City.
Smelling the air of B City, Lin Xinlan found it very familiar, very comforting.
It’s nice, she was back.
As the car drove into the old house, no sooner had Lin Xinlan stepped out than a small figure rushed toward her.
She immediately crouched down to catch him and hugged him tightly in her arms.
"Mommy," Xiaocong also wrapped his arms tightly around her neck, burying his face in her shoulder, and called out to her in a muffled voice.
"Mhm." He called her over and over without getting bored, and she responded to him patiently.
Once Xiaocong was sure his mommy was really back, he loosened his grip somewhat, looked at her face, and said happily, "Mommy, welcome home."
Then he planted a big kiss on her face.
Lin Xinlan smiled slightly, tears glittering in her eyes. In just over two months, her son had not only grown a bit sturdier but also taller.
"Xiaocong, let Mommy hold you to see if you’ve gotten heavier," Lin Xinlan said, lifting him with effort, only to feel suddenly dizzy.
Rong Shaoze reacted quickly, steadying her, "What’s wrong?"
"Mommy, what’s wrong? Is Xiaocong too heavy? Put me down quickly," Xiaocong struggled anxiously.
Lin Xinlan laughed, "It’s nothing, I probably got up too suddenly, and my blood isn’t flowing smoothly. Little guy, where have you gotten heavy? Mommy thinks you’re lighter than before. Look at you, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight."
Seeing that she was really alright, Xiaocong laughed and said, "Master says I’m becoming more spirited and more manly by the day!"
Lin Xinlan laughed heartily, "You, manly? I think it’ll be another ten years before you’re anything but a little kid!"
Leaning against her, Xiaocong chuckled, "Don’t underestimate Xiaocong, Mommy. I know martial arts now, and in a few more years, after I defeat my master, I’ll be able to protect Mommy."
"Really? How about you show Mommy a couple of moves tomorrow?"
Rong’s mother stood at the living room door, smiling and waving them in, "Come inside quick, it’s cold outside."
Lin Xinlan approached her with a smile, "Madam, I’m back."
Rong’s mother nodded with satisfaction, "Good to have you back, good to have you back."
Lin Xinlan was back, and everyone was happy.
That night, they sat in the living room and talked for a long time before they each went back to their rooms to rest.
Rong Shaoze didn’t touch her that night, he just held her as they slept. Because of the jet lag, Lin Xinlan was in and out of sleep until three in the morning, not quite able to fall completely asleep.
When she finally did fall asleep, she had some bizarre dreams.
The clearest dream among them was one where she dreamed she became an incredibly ugly freak.
Scared by her own reflection in the mirror, she woke up.