Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 240 - 236: Picking Someone Up or Paying a New Year Visit

Chapter 240: Chapter 236: Picking Someone Up or Paying a New Year Visit

Thankfully, there was a room available, so Qin Guanglin avoided the trouble of having to live with his father-in-law again, sparing himself the worry of tossing and turning or talking in his sleep—he absolutely could not let his father-in-law see his lascivious nature.

Though he might have seen it already.

"Driving all day, you must be exhausted."

Qin Guanglin’s weariness was evident on his face, He Fang noticed he hadn’t slept well the night before. He just let her lean on him in bed, neither of them making any extra moves, their heads together, rejoicing in the warmth after more than ten days apart.

"It’s okay, mainly because you weren’t there. I couldn’t sleep well."

"Me neither."

"So, we’re not going back tonight?" Qin Guanglin joked.

"Wishful thinking."

He Fang knew he was joking and after her response, she fell silent again; the room quieted down, each lost in their own thoughts.

Dragging the time until past ten at night, Qin Guanglin called his mom to check in, saying he had arrived in He City, then drove He Fang back to her apartment building. He watched her, wrapped in a thick down jacket, slowly climb the stairs, and when she waved from the second-floor window, he finally drove back to the hotel.

After barely resting for two days and one night and having driven a long journey, Qin Guanglin, utterly exhausted by the time he met He Fang, couldn’t hold up any longer. He collapsed into bed and fell deep asleep without even taking a shower.

The night was dim.

He Fang, wrapped in her clothes, sat by the window staring at the chilly lights outside, motionless for a long time.

She missed their life after getting married, going for walks after dinner, loitering around, then curling up on the sofa to watch TV until late; sleeping in on weekends until noon, then getting up to cook, followed by a stroll in the park, watching flowers and swinging Anya; occasionally, when a movie they liked was released, they would leave Anya with the grandmother, dine, shop, and watch a movie together, enjoying a lovely date night.

Sometimes, anger flared over helping Anya with homework, or she’d grumble quietly about Qin Guanglin coming home covered in paint, or jump at him for pouring leftover tea into the flowerpot...

Those bits and pieces often appeared in her dreams, and each time she woke up, she’d feel an urgent desire for time to move faster, to return everything to the way it had been.

Yet at the same time, she wished time would slow, wanting to relish in the life they had now.

Yearning for the charm of the present, yet eager for the life to come.

These conflicting sentiments tangled relentlessly, with a touch of worry for the future—everything was changing imperceptibly, and although she seemed to have things under control, unexpected issues still arose.

Her heart was heavy with so much, so varied, that she couldn’t help but feel a desire to confide, yet there was no one to talk to.

Too shocking to share.

This was her biggest secret, which could only be sealed in a coffin with her, to be closed off forever in a century.

Deep into the night, the outdoor lights thinned.

She was sleepless once again.

...

Early in the morning.

Qin Guanglin woke up with high spirits, took a shower, groomed himself well, grabbed his keys, and drove around He City looking for shops to prepare house-warming gifts.

The first visit was about getting acquainted and sizing each other up; the second visit felt different.

A closer relationship.

During the National Day holiday, not having a car, Qin Guanglin and He Fang couldn’t carry much; this time, aided by the car and with it being a major festival, he thoroughly swept through the stores. By around ten, he was back at He Fang’s apartment, calling her.

"Come downstairs to meet me."

In just a minute, He Fang ran down, sighing at the sight of all the gift boxes in his trunk.

"You must be really making money now, huh?"

"What does this have to do with money... Why do you look a bit off?"

Qin Guanglin was now exceptionally concerned about He Fang’s mental state, noticing even the slightest inconsistency instantly.

"Last night, you suddenly came over, and I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep half the night."

"Were you that excited?"

"Of course."

As they talked, the two brought the items upstairs. He Fang entered the door, put down the box in his hands, and shouted inside, "Dad, Guanglin is here."

"Eh? If he’s here, he’s here, why bring anything..."

"I haven’t finished grabbing everything, I’ll go get more." Qin Guanglin put down the things in his hands and quickly ran downstairs again.

He’s Daddy glanced at the gift boxes on the floor, then at the smiling He Fang, and asked, "How much stuff did this lad bring?"

"What’s this ’this lad, that lad’? His name is Qin Guanglin, my boyfriend." He Fang huffed discontentedly and turned to go downstairs to continue helping with the fetching.

He Shan came out to see, saw He’s Daddy standing there sucking his teeth, and shook his head with a smile, "I’ll go see if there’s any help needed."

Coming downstairs, Qin Guanglin was bent over, pulling fruit out of the trunk. He Shan walked around the car and couldn’t resist asking, "Guang... Guanglin, did you drive here?"

This kid looked a bit sluggish; unexpectedly, he seems to have some substance.

It couldn’t be borrowed, right?

Otherwise, there’s no reason he didn’t drive here last time—visiting his girlfriend’s family should be done as impressively as possible, and even if he was too lazy to drive and came by train last time, why isn’t he lazy this time?

Was he deliberately testing the waters last time?

That would be a bit too sly.

In just a short moment, He Shan’s mind had raced through several thoughts.

"Ah, yes." Qin Guanglin chuckled foolishly, "It’s the Spring Festival travel rush, too crowded, so I drove here instead of... cough, taking the train. It’s more convenient this way."

It had to be said, he felt utterly content and comfortable at heart. Although the car was just around 200,000 yuan and wouldn’t count for much in Luo City, it was a family car, and for someone his age to have earned it himself, he could definitely boast a bit. It was prestigious.

And it wasn’t just about his own face; he didn’t care much about how he appeared. The key was that it gave He Fang face.

A good eye.

Didn’t choose the wrong person.

Grinding tirelessly for months so that He Fang could stand tall at home and say: This is my boyfriend, the one I chose.

It was worth it.

"This is considered a long drive... Tired? Let me carry some; you go upstairs and rest a bit."

"No worries, no worries, I can handle it..."

Eventually, Qin Guanglin and He Shan filled their arms, while He Fang carried just one bag of fruit, getting everything upstairs in one trip.

Coming unannounced during the New Year felt a bit sudden, but it was good that He Fang had mentioned at breakfast that Qin Guanglin would be coming over, so they were somewhat prepared.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, it was past eleven. Zhao Qing went into the kitchen to clean up and prepare to cook. He Fang, feeling a bit unwell, went back to his room to rest. This left Qin Guanglin alone in the living room, chatting with He’s Daddy.

He’s Daddy felt somewhat pleased that Qin Guanglin had come over today. In his view, it was only a few days after the New Year, and now on only the seventh day, this lad had run over from Luo City to give New Year’s greetings, which showed he was considerate and committed.

But at the same time, there was inevitably some irritation.

Seeing the situation, it was clear he planned to take He Fang back to Luo City right after the New Year’s visit.

He hadn’t even married her yet, and it was as if she was already considered part of his family?