"When He Zhilan chose to major in English, it was because she was deeply interested in and passionate about the language. After graduation, being able to work in a job related to her major was something she eagerly looked forward to.
He Zhilan went to the market to buy some groceries first, so she asked He Teng to drive to the market to pick her up. Seeing He Zhilan’s beaming smile, He Teng thought to himself that it seemed there was no trouble back in the capital.
"Brother, I have some good news. I’ve got a job arranged through a professor’s introduction, at a translation agency that her old friend just opened. Moreover, the job is really easy. I can stay home, and only go to the translation agency when Lin calls me," He Zhilan dumped everything to He Teng. The weather had cooled down so the groceries wouldn’t spoil, and she had bought quite a lot. Carrying them around had tired her out for quite some time.
He Teng grunted in acknowledgment and asked, "What about your living arrangement? When do you plan to move your things?"
He Zhilan, who was walking ahead cheerfully, came to a sudden stop and quickly turned to face He Teng, "Not found yet! What, you want to kick me out and leave me homeless in the streets? I don’t know anyone in this city. What if I encounter bad people living alone?"
After glaring at the silent He Teng, He Zhilan murmured softly, "Isn’t the military supposed to arrange transportation for the families of those who commute to work and school? You are so stingy, not even willing to share one bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment!"
Finishing her words, He Zhilan came back to her senses and started walking forward briskly, "Never mind then. I don’t care! I’ll find my own place. If I run into bad people and get killed, it won’t have anything to do with you."
He Teng, walking behind He Zhilan, just shook his head repeatedly. He had only asked one question, but Zhilan had hundreds of responses.
Once they were in the car, He Teng started driving back to the military base, occasionally glancing at the sullen-faced He Zhilan, knowing that she was upset. Indeed, his question was meant to suggest that she should move out of the military base.
Even though they were once married and now divorced, maintaining a sibling relationship but living under the same roof was ultimately not ideal.
Most importantly, He Zhilan was not someone who could sit still; especially late at night, she always disturbed him, and He Teng feared that one day he would lose his patience and do something regrettable, rendering their divorce pointless.
He Zhilan might be angry, but she would never give He Teng the cold shoulder; she knew him too well. If she did, He Teng would likely just naturally distance himself from her.
Once home, He Zhilan had cooled down. After all, He Teng had always been this way, and this was not the first time he had pushed her away.
"Brother, bring the stuff to the kitchen. I’m going to check on those little plants!" As soon as she entered the door, He Zhilan started talking to He Teng, but immediately dashed towards the windowsill after dropping the statement.
He Teng responded with an "Okay" and conscientiously played the role of He Zhilan’s porter, carrying everything as instructed. Noticing a small bag of yarn among the groceries, He Teng casually asked, "What did you buy these for?"
"The weather is starting to cool down. I bought them to knit sweaters for you, dad, and He Da! Things are operating well in the capital, and the work here is relaxing. I figured I’d knit sweaters for you in this weather so you can wear them when it gets cold!" He Zhilan turned and smiled at He Teng, "I’m saying, I’ll knit a sweater for you every year."