My Beloved Super Fierce Wife
Chapter 505: In the end, he bore it all alone.

Chapter 505: In the end, he bore it all alone.

Gu Yingzhou watched her leave, then casually cleaned himself up in the courtyard before heading to the kitchen.

Seeing there weren’t many vegetables inside, he took a basket and picked some from the courtyard.

Thinking of Tangtang’s poor appetite during the hot summer days, Gu Yingzhou prepared sour and spicy potato balls, a colorful mixed vegetable dish, smashed cucumber, and a plate of egg-fried Mo bread slices, and cooked some porridge; soon the meal was ready.

By the time he had finished cooking, Lin Tang returned with her things.

Seeing the lively kitchen, she curved her lips into a sweet smile.

"Thank you for the hard work!!"

Gu Yingzhou shook his head and pulled her to sit down.

"You must be hungry, eat up."

Lin Tang, who initially felt no appetite, saw the dishes on the table looking especially appealing and immediately felt hungry.

Especially the potato balls dotted with coriander, looking more exquisite than those from a restaurant, would make anyone want to eat at first glance.

"They look delicious," she complimented.

Gu Yingzhou kept her dearly in his heart; he caught every reaction of the young girl.

Noticing Lin Tang’s gaze lingering on the sour and spicy potato balls for a few seconds longer, he promptly served her one.

"Try this first. If you like it, I’ll make it for you again."

Lin Tang took a bite without any reservations. Soft and tender, with a refreshing and slightly sour taste, the seasoning was just right.

Two words: Delicious!

Her eyes lit up slightly, "This is really good."

Honestly, her culinary skills were something to be proud of, relying on a complete cookbook from the system and her willingness to use quality ingredients.

But when it came to cooking alone, she could not compare to Zhouzhou.

Gu Yingzhou saw the young girl’s eyes curved into crescents and knew she genuinely enjoyed it; the smile in his eyes deepened.

"I’m glad you like it."

Lin Tang was eating and found it hard to speak, so she picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks and offered them to the man.

She gestured for him to hurry up and eat as well.

Gu Yingzhou chuckled, then started his meal.

Both were hungry and quickly finished the food on the table.

After they ate, it was getting late.

Gu Yingzhou cleaned up the kitchen, then took out a box of ointment from his pocket and handed it to Lin Tang.

"You exercised for the first time today; you must be uncomfortable. Apply this to your arms and legs before you sleep, and you’ll feel better tomorrow."

He had prepared the ointment in advance as soon as Tangtang mentioned she wanted to play basketball, just for this moment.

Lin Tang already had some ointment that she had prepared for her family to relieve muscle soreness, but she still accepted her partner’s care with a smile.

"I’ll use it tonight!"

Gu Yingzhou caught the fleeting look of surprise on her face and smiled as he pinched the tip of Lin Tang’s nose.

"I know you have better medicine, but this is my way of showing I care. Just use it as you see fit; don’t feel awkward about it."

This ointment was convenient since it could be applied directly.

Lin Tang touched her nose and changed the subject, "Do you still have the medicine I mixed for you last time?"

Gu Yingzhou replied, "I do."

"If you run out, just tell me. Don’t be formal with me."

She lacked nothing, especially all sorts of good medicine.

Gu Yingzhou listened to the young girl’s extravagant words and chuckled.

But he agreed, "Okay, I won’t be formal with you."

Seeing it was getting late, he reminded Lin Tang to lock the door and rode his bicycle home.

Lin Tang really couldn’t be bothered with a foot soak after the tiring day. She used the ointment her partner had given her, tucked herself under the covers... and fell asleep in seconds.

-

Ling Lei finished the work at the factory and didn’t get home until after eight o’clock.

As soon as she opened the door, she heard a repressed coughing sound from the bedroom, causing her heart to clench.

She quickly put down her things and ran towards the source of the sound.

"Wen Chang, are you okay..."

As she spoke, she poured a cup of water and helped the frail man sitting on the bed.

Seeing his wife’s face turn pale with worry, Wen Chang patted her hand and suppressed the urge to cough that rose to his throat.

"I’m fine, just got a bit anxious when I heard the door."

Ling Lei breathed a sigh of relief and reproached, "It’s good you’re okay, it’s good. Your health isn’t the best, don’t be so anxious, I’m not going anywhere."

Wen Chang smiled good-naturedly, "It is my fault, making you worry."

The response he received was a glare from the woman.

"You’re saying that kind of thing again." Ling Lei said angrily.

Knowing her husband felt deeply guilty for not being able to take on family responsibilities, she was afraid he might dwell on it but felt it was not appropriate to say more.

She got up planning to clean up the dirty clothes around the house but couldn’t find any after searching for a while.

Turning her head towards Wen Chang, she asked, "Did you wash the clothes?"

Her expression was very grim.

The fact was, Wen Chang had inhaled harmful gases while conducting research and had developed a lung condition.

It was difficult for him to even stand up, much less do chores.

Wen Chang lowered his head, remaining silent.

He couldn’t bear being bedridden all day like a useless person.

Ling Lei understood her husband, but she was genuinely angry at his disregard for his own health.

Watching his stubbornness, her tears fell.

All the bitterness in her heart came to the surface.

Without saying a word, she went to the outside kitchen.

Their family lived in a house provided by the factory; it wasn’t big, and cooking was done in the corridor alongside several other families.

Wen Chang looked at his wife’s departing figure, his palm clenched into a fist.

He moved his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

The veins on the back of his hand revealed his inner turmoil.

Ling Lei had brought back some vegetables today, quickly cooked some porridge, and warmed up a few pieces of black bread. That was their family’s dinner.

She carried the meal back home, and her two children Wen Jing and Wen Xue had just returned from school.

Ling Lei said, "Call your dad to eat."

Wen Jing and Wen Xue felt something was amiss; the siblings exchanged glances, feeling something was off with their mother and not daring to speak for a moment.

...Had there been a fight?

Wen Jing gave his sister a look that said you talk, then ran off to wash his hands.

Wen Xue glared at the back of her brother, then stepped forward and hugged Ling Lei’s arm.

"Mom, what’s wrong? Why do I feel you’re unhappy?"

Though Wen Jing was washing his hands, his ears were perked up, secretly listening to the conversation.

Ling Lei didn’t want to burden her children with her troubles and forced a smile, "Nothing, I was just thinking about something at the factory."

Wen Xue, sheltered by her family, had a naive nature.

Hearing her mother’s words, she believed them.

"Oh, stop thinking about work once you’re home. If you’re not happy, dad, my brother, and I won’t be happy either."

Wen Jing was moved to tears by his sister’s simplicity, smacking his forehead.

She believed such an obvious lie?

At that moment, Ling Lei gave her son a stern look, signaling him not to talk nonsense.

Wen Jing: "..."

In the end, I alone bear it all.

"I’ll call dad to eat."

With that, he quickly slipped into the bedroom.

Wen Chang was half-lying down with his eyes closed, but upon hearing familiar footsteps, he opened them.

"Why are you here, not hungry yet?"

Just as he asked, the teenager’s stomach made a rumbling noise.

Wen Jing scratched his head awkwardly.

After patting his rebellious stomach, demanding food, he pulled a stool over to sit down.

"Dad, did you and mom have a fight?" Wen Jing asked in a low voice.

Wen Chang was taken aback and shook his head, "No."

Having become incapacitated, he relied on his wife for everything; he didn’t have the time to feel heartache, let alone argue with her.

Today’s incident didn’t count as a fight.

Wen Jing looked incredulous and snorted.

"Dad, don’t treat me like the nitwit Wen Xue, okay? I see it clearly. Mom’s eyes were red; if it wasn’t a fight with you then what was it?"

After speaking, he stared at Wen Chang like a calf defending its mother, his face full of accusation.