Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 220 - 216: How Long is a Lifetime?

Chapter 220: Chapter 216: How Long is a Lifetime?

He took out his keys and opened the door. The living room and bedroom lights were on, and He Fang leaned against the headboard, engrossed in a book.

When Qin Guanglin entered and put down his bag, she set the book aside, got up from the bed, and prepared to fetch water to help him wash.

"You’re back so late. Are you tired?"

"Of course, I’m tired," said Qin Guanglin as he gently embraced He Fang and buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply, "but seeing you makes me feel not tired—I’ll shower by myself. I’ll be fine as long as I’m careful."

"Let me see your wound."

He Fang wriggled out of Qin Guanglin’s arms, pressed down on his shoulder to make him sit on a chair, and gently lifted the gauze on his head to examine his injury closely.

"Looks good, it didn’t get wet."

"Of course, I was very careful with the umbrella," he replied.

Qin Guanglin stood up from the chair, took out fresh clothes from the wardrobe, and, holding them, went to the bathroom, "The journey of recuperation starts again. You continue reading your novel."

"Just don’t get it wet...maybe you should wear a hat while you shower. I’ll buy some shower caps tomorrow, but for now, wear this one," He Fang suggested as she picked up a baseball cap from the table and carefully placed it on his head.

"How about you help me?" Qin Guanglin, holding the showerhead, looked at He Fang with a somewhat mischievous gaze.

"Umm..." He Fang truly worried that he might accidentally wet his head, nodded her agreement, and said, "Don’t make trouble."

"I can, I can."

Qin Guanglin, pleased to prepare for his shower, then paused, "Didn’t you already shower?"

"Clothes will get wet."

"..."

...

Being injured wasn’t very painful, but the consequences of the injury made Qin Guanglin feel miserable.

Lying in his pajamas on the bed, he looked at the shapely silhouette of He Fang beside him and felt even worse.

"Has your company not disbanded?" He Fang, with her legs crossed, leaned against the headboard with the book resting on her knees, asking as she read.

"It’s not that easy. We’ll be busy for a few months... probably until New Year’s Day," he answered.

Although Chen Rui said it would be tough for two months, Qin Guanglin estimated it would take longer to recover, perhaps three or four months.

"Don’t talk," said Qin Guanglin, seeing He Fang looking up. He put his index finger to her lips and continued, "Even if I quit, it would be after we rebound or if the company can’t keep going. I can’t leave right now. Besides, my efforts aren’t for nothing—I’m not working overtime for free."

"I haven’t even said anything; how do you know I was going to advise you to quit?" He Fang swatted away his hand and rolled her eyes at him.

"So, what were you going to say?"

"Like you said, if it’s still like this by New Year’s Day, you have to promise to quit for me. We don’t need to be this exhausted," she said.

"We’ll talk about it later," Qin Guanglin shook his head. "Isn’t this still about making me quit?"

He always couldn’t understand where He Fang’s dissatisfaction with the company came from, which had been the case both in the past and now.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to become a big muscle hunk? Now you don’t even have time to run, let alone go to the gym," she pointed out.

"Plans can’t keep up with changes... Let’s not talk about work at home. Come on, give me a hug." Qin Guanglin edged closer, moved her book from her knees to the side, and with one swoop, scooped her up in his arms, hugging her waist and pulling her whole body close, "If we’re lucky, we can earn back that two hundred thousand we lost in He City before New Year’s Day."

Two hundred thousand, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t moved.

For someone with his skills, two hundred thousand seemed far, yet also close; the key was not having a proper platform. He had no idea how long it would take to save up enough from his own drawing. His current savings weren’t even close to that amount.

But now, an opportunity had arisen, which was part of the reason he made this decision.

One person earning three times the salary, although it meant working late into the night. But when was making money ever easy? When an opportunity comes, you have to seize it.

Sun Wen’s departure wasn’t just about him seeking opportunities; it also created opportunities for others.

Quitting his job now was out of the question.

Unless the company went under, or next month’s payslip didn’t show the numbers he anticipated.

Just thinking about a six-figure savings made Qin Guanglin’s heart race. He looked down at He Fang, only to see her expression was calm, her clear eyes quietly staring back at him; as if she hadn’t heard him mention the two hundred thousand.

"What’s wrong?" Qin Guanglin, caught under her gaze, suddenly felt a twinge of discomfort, and his excitement faded slightly. Puzzled, he asked.

This wasn’t the reaction a girl just out of college should have upon hearing about two hundred thousand.

Even though she hadn’t seemed too excited back in He City, now was different. This was money earned through his hard work, by a man she had chosen, who had made it with his own hands. No matter how indifferent she was, she should have shown some reaction, right?

"Do you not believe me? Let me do the math for you. Last month, with all the various bonuses and commissions, I made fourteen thousand. And that was just from one comic. Now I’m responsible for three. Even if the boss doesn’t give me a larger share for helping out during a critical time, just going by the original agreement, then..."

His voice trailed off, as He Fang was still watching him quietly, not saying a word.

"Do you remember what I told you?" she finally said after he had not spoken further.

"Which time?" Qin Guanglin asked. They had said too much to each other over time.

"The first time we went running, we talked about it on that bench in the small plaza," He Fang prompted.

Seeing Qin Guanglin lift his eyes in thought, she continued, "Spend more when you have more, and less when you have less. Isn’t fourteen thousand enough? If not, we have mine too. Although not much, it’s enough to cover everyday expenses. You can save all your money. What I want is to see you as soon as I get off work, not to sit alone in a lit room waiting for you until midnight..."

"Yours, your money." Realizing something was amiss, Qin Guanglin quickly interjected, "What’s mine to keep is yours as well, right? I’m saving for you—I’m just trying to make your life better, aren’t I? Two hundred thousand... pssh, let’s not talk that much, even a hundred thousand. With a hundred thousand in hand and a bit more added by me, we could buy a car. I could take you to school and back, and we wouldn’t have to squeeze onto the bus. Wouldn’t that be better?"

"Sure," He Fang nodded, "Compared to not having to squeeze onto a bus, what’s better? Going home after work to shop, cook, take a walk, watch a movie, or stroll in the park together?"

"Uh..."

Qin Guanglin paused for a moment, his brows furrowed in thought. He hugged her a bit tighter and then shook his head, "That’s not quite right. This isn’t a choice between two options. It’s only busy for a few months. With money, we can enjoy life more freely. You’re thinking too much..." he paused, then insisted seriously: "We will have enough money, and we will have time, Teacher He, you have to believe me."

"It’s indeed not multiple choice, but desire is endless. Once we get used to a lifestyle of two hundred thousand, wouldn’t you want a four hundred thousand lifestyle?"

"No, I won’t. Trust me. While I’m still young, I should strive for it. Once we have everything, I’ll slow down," Qin Guanglin sat up and leaned forward, continuing, "And it’s just for these few months. After things settle down, we’ll get back to how it was before... You’re overthinking it, really, don’t worry about that. I’m not a workaholic, how could I possibly leave you alone every night..." He chuckled, playfully touching He Fang’s lips, "Hm? Would I have the heart to?"

"I already waited alone tonight."

"Then let me make it up to you..."

"Get off." He Fang pushed his mischievous hand away, paused, and then asked, "Have you ever calculated how long a lifetime is?"

"..."

"One year has three hundred and sixty-five days, ten years is three thousand six hundred and fifty days. Assuming we live to eighty, that’s less than thirty thousand days. According to our age, that leaves us with roughly twenty thousand days left."

"We lose a day for every day that passes; we should cherish them."