Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 747 - 10: Ai1xin’s Cozy Nest

Chapter 747: Chapter 10: Ai1xin’s Cozy Nest

"It’s snowing and the roads are slippery, let me do the shopping." Chu Baichuan’s gaze drifted through the window to the blanket of white outside, worried about Ai Yixin stumbling, he put on his coat, volunteering to do the housework, "Stop wiping now, it’s clean enough. Take a break, don’t strain yourself with the pregnancy."

Ai Yixin was holding a cloth and kneeling in the living room, cleaning the tea table and the old color TV. It was the third time she had done this today.

"Tang Zheng is coming over, it can’t be too dirty, right?" Ai Yixin gave her husband a look. Seeing him lunging to snatch the cloth, she surrendered, "Alright, I won’t clean anymore."

Ai Yixin looked around the small yet cozy room, taking in a satisfied breath.

The apartment was not large, two rooms and one hall, with combined common space, it was just under 60 square meters. But it was arranged methodically by Ai Yixin. Even though the family was strained financially in the past, they still managed to buy white paint each year before the Chinese New Year. She and Chu Baichuan would paint over the kitchen and living room walls blackened from soot. Now it looked tidy.

Their wedding photo rested on the headboard of the bedroom with two bright red Chinese knots hanging on both sides. The floor, old as it was, under the frequent sweeps by Ai Yixin, emitted a clean aroma, with not a trace of stain or dust in sight, even in the corners.

"You clean the house every day, I eat a peanut under your supervision, afraid of dropping the shells. How could it be dirty?" Chu Baichuan knew that as soon as he left, Yixin would definitely continue. Thus, he pulled her up and seated her on the sofa, "This TV should have been replaced a long time ago. Once the snow melts, let’s buy a 55-inch LCD TV."

"Such a waste. As long as it works, we should save the money for our son." Ai Yixin caressed her belly, a hint of smile on her face. With hopeful eyes, she looked forward to their baby’s arrival in a little over a month.

"Honestly, we should buy a larger house. It’s more comfortable and it’s not like we don’t have the money." Chu Baichuan had brought back some gold bars and diamonds from Trojan World. Selling them at a gold store would fetch a substantial sum, "As Conquerors, living in a small 60-square meter apartment is too embarrassing."

"You can move if you want, I find it comfortable here." Ai Yixin feeling the warmth of the cushion beneath her, gave her husband an annoyed glance, "Are you planning on replacing your wife too?"

"I wouldn’t! I just want you to live comfortably. You haven’t lived a comfortable life before, from now on, I should make up for it." Chu Baichuan took Ai Yixin’s hand. Truly, he felt that he owed his wife a great deal. He was expelled from high school after two years because of fighting. Without a steady job and a rather impulsive and rough personality, Ai Yixin had suffered much after marrying him. "Honey, what did you see in me?"

Chu Baichuan had asked this question more than a hundred times, but each time Ai Yixin would only laugh. If she didn’t deflect the conversation, she would refuse to answer.

"Hmm, have you learned sweet talking now? Are you practicing on me again, ready to go out and deceive little girls?" Ai Yixin pinched Chu Baichuan, as expected, the single-minded Chu Baichuan immediately forgot about the topic and surrendered.

"Hurry up and buy groceries, it’s getting late." Ai Yixin gave Chu Baichuan a push, ready to clean up the kitchen.

"Don’t move, I’ll handle everything. Just wait for me, I’ll be back in ten minutes." Chu Baichuan held Ai Yixin’s shoulder, jumped up and rushed into the kitchen, grabbing the vegetable basket and running out.

"You forgot the money."

Ai Yixin just finished shouting when the anti-theft door that had closed with a bang opened again. Chu Baichuan ran in with a grin, took the money, and ran out again quickly.

Looking at the closed anti-theft door, a smile escaped from the corner of Ai Yixin’s mouth. She was very content with her current life. Having a husband who loves her is more important than anything. Ever since she got pregnant, Chu Baichuan practically treated her like a princess, snatching up any task to do, fearing that she might get hurt.

"I’ve gained weight!" Ai Yixin pinched her waist, moaned softly, then surveyed the room. Once she was sure there was nothing to clean up, she went into the kitchen to peel onions.

Ai Yixin was a virtuous wife, exuding timeless oriental beauty, a kind smile, and an understanding nature, which made one feel blessed being with her. It was indeed a healing experience.

Following the address given by Chu Baichuan, Tang Zheng arrived at this fifty-year-old residential area. After parking the car, he picked up the gifts and the bouquet of lilies. But before he could enter the building, he was stopped by several middle-aged women passing by.

"Young man, what are you here for?" One of the women might have been a part of the neighborhood committee, highly alert at the sight of Tang Zheng’s unfamiliar face, she asked for an explanation.

"Hello, auntie, I’m Chu Baichuan’s friend." Tang Zheng revealed eight pearly-white teeth, presenting the most affable smile.

"That rascal, hmph." As soon as the middle-aged woman heard Tang Zheng mention Chu Baichuan’s name, her attitude cooled down immediately. Another woman glanced at the ONE-77, then shifted her gaze to the bouquet in Tang Zheng’s hand, "Men have to bear flowers too? Let me warn you, don’t bother Yixin."

The woman’s remark quickly alerted the other women, their maternal instincts making them guard against Tang Zheng.

"Yixin is a good woman, you can’t harm her."

"Exactly, although Chu Baichuan is a bit of a rascal, making Yixin worry all the time, their feelings for each other are very strong, so you better not stir trouble."

"Well, I always said, a good woman like Yixin, there will always be men who see her worth. Chu Baichuan is not worthy of her at all. It’s better if they divorce, so she doesn’t have to suffer with him."

"So, you’re simply hoping for Yixin to divorce her husband and marry your son, right? Don’t dream about it, your son isn’t worthy of her."

"But Chu Baichuan, that bastard, is? What on earth does Yixin see in him?"

A group of middle-aged women started discussing this question that had perplexed them for several years.

Tang Zheng couldn’t argue with a group of middle-aged women. Silently, he walked away; however, warnings from those women followed him, showing their sincere affection for Ai Yixin, who was well-known as a good person in their residential area.

Seeing Ai Yixin, clad in her home clothes, open the door, Tang Zheng handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"Wishing you good health always!"

"Thank you, this is the first time I’ve received flowers." Ai Yixin took a whiff, her face flashing with delight. She stepped aside to let Tang Zheng into the house saying, "I’m sorry for troubling you."

"Sit quickly, no need for formalities." Tang Zheng made no move to help Ai Yixin, considering it impolite. Once inside, he closed the door, "Where’s Baichuan?"

"He’s out shopping for groceries. We only have water, I hope you won’t mind." Ai Yixin moved to pour the water.

"That’s not necessary." Tang Zheng’s persuasion was futile. Yixin was considerate and impeccable as a wife, leaving no room for complaint.

Setting down his gift, Tang Zheng sat solemnly. Without the man of the house, he couldn’t act carelessly. Despite its simplicity, Yixin’s home was extremely tidy.

"Thank you for taking care of us all this time." Ai Yixin placed a cup of water on the tea table in front of Tang Zheng. Her face turned serious as she thanked him earnestly, "I know Baichuan has done many things that annoyed people, I appreciate your patience with him."

"I do have my selfish reasons. Baichuan is a formidable fighter!" Tang Zheng spoke truthfully. When talking to an intelligent woman like Yixin, lies could easily be detected.

"You’re too modest. What combat power do I have as a pregnant woman? In the initial few battles, we barely had the ability to protect ourselves. It was you who helped us despite the pressure." Ai Yixin was genuinely touched by everything Tang Zheng had done for them. Of course, as a wife, she did not mind showering him with praises, as men love compliments.

"I’m here as a guest, not to hear your gratitude. Otherwise, I might just leave." Tang Zheng wasn’t used to Yixin’s attitude and changed the subject, "How many years have you two been married?"

"Four years." Ai Yixin did not hide anything. She turned on the television and began to explain, "Our life was quite difficult before. We didn’t think about having children because it would put too much pressure on Baichuan. But I knew he desired a child, so I thought we could manage with hard work and decided to have a baby. Unexpectedly, on the way to the supermarket after dinner one day, I got hit by a car. Baichuan, brandishing his watermelon knife, rushed to confront the perpetrator and got hit too. That’s when we got sucked into the Trojan Room."

Yixin’s expression was calm. When she first returned to reality from the Trojan Room, the terrifying experience made her cry until she almost fainted. She then felt that God was too harsh on them. However, being strong, she persevered which was the first and the last time she cried.

"Is this why you don’t want to abort this baby?" Tang Zheng, as a young man, didn’t understand the mindset of a parent, but their love for the child was undeniably profound.

"Four years, Baichuan has been longing for this child for four years!" As Ai Yixin touched her bulging belly, feeling the movement of the baby, a joyous smile appeared on her face, "No matter how difficult it is, I want to have this baby. I know our chances of survival are slim, but we will try hard. Even if we die, we will die together as a family."

Tang Zheng remained silent.

"I know that Baichuan would never abandon me. Therefore, he will likely die before me. When that happens I’ll accompany him." Ai Yixin spoke calmly, but Tang Zheng sensed her resolute determination. He knew she was serious.

"How did you two meet?" Tang Zheng diverted the conversation again; death was far too heavy a subject.

"Are you asking why I married him?" Ai Yixin laughed, "The neighbourhood aunts always pester me about it. I never answer because the answer is too simple to bother explaining."

Tang Zheng would have been surprised if he wasn’t curious. No matter how you looked at it, Chu Baichuan didn’t seem deserving of Ai Yixin. Even Chu Baichuan admitted this truth. He felt that marrying Ai Yixin was the most brag-worthy accomplishment of his life.

"We’ve known each other since childhood. I know what’s good about Baichuan. He might be reckless at times, but when it comes to friendship, he’s sincere." Ai Yixin got lost in sweet memories, "He dropped out of school in his second year of high school because I was being bullied. He went to teach those bullies a lesson. If it weren’t for me, he could have excelled at a prestigious university and led a different life."

......

P.S. I revised this Chapter several times because I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to portray the warmth in Ai Yixin’s marriage so that even in winter, hearts can be warm! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian.com and vote for it. Your support is my greatest motivation.)