The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 737 - 706: Going Home, Happy_1

Chapter 737: Chapter 706: Going Home, Happy_1

It’s not easy to end up together after enduring hardships.

Thinking back, Huo Yingjie realized that his own journey with He Tiantian had also been full of twists and turns, overcoming numerous difficulties before they could be together.

Although it was tough, it made their love all the more precious.

"Lovers eventually become family," Huo Yingjie said with a smile, "It’s just that having to go on a mission over the New Year, leaving my sister-in-law alone at home, makes me feel somewhat guilty."

"Well, since it’s a mission, it needs to be done well," Zhang Aijun chuckled, "When I get back, I’ll have a few days off and I can spend some quality time with her."

The three men chatted and laughed, arriving in Nan City in less than three hours.

Huo Yingjie hadn’t told his family in advance and directly called for two tricycles, with him and Li Yunzhong sharing one, and Zhang Aijun taking another. They split this way because Zhang Aijun was more robust, while Huo Yingjie and Li Yunzhong were somewhat slender.

Once the tricycle drivers got the address and their passengers settled, they pedaled off swiftly.

There wouldn’t be taxis available for at least another decade or so.

But the absence of cars wasn’t all bad – at least the rickshaw drivers could earn money to support their families, which was a form of employment after all!

The ride to the entrance of Dayu Tree Alley took over half an hour.

Huo Yingjie paid two bucks and fifty to each tricycle driver and told them to split it between the two of them.

Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong, carrying their own and Huo Yingjie’s belongings, walked together into the alley.

Because it was evening, and darkness fell early, He Tiantian would be busy in the shop for a while, tallying the accounts, before returning home.

Today, Dad and Grandma Wang took care of the kids, while He Tiantian cooked, and Jiang Lifang had not yet come home!

He Tiantian, thinking it was her mother-in-law Jiang Lifang returning, took the chance to open the door.

Upon opening the door, she saw the three men standing at the entrance.

"Ah?" He Tiantian was slightly taken aback, "You... you’ve come back..."

"Big sister, I am Li Yunzhong!" Li Yunzhong introduced himself, saying, "I’m delighted to see you again!"

He Tiantian, regaining her composure at the sound of Li Yunzhong’s voice, said, "I’m so happy too, Brother Zhang, Li Yunzhong, Brother Yingjie, please come in."

He Tiantian had a thousand words in her heart but didn’t know where to start. Luckily, having guests over lightened the atmosphere.

Suddenly, He Tiantian smelled something burning and hurriedly said, "Brother Yingjie, please entertain Brother Zhang and Li Yunzhong, I need to attend to the cooking!"

"Sure!" Huo Yingjie laughed, though what he really wanted to do was hold He Tiantian tightly and kiss her fervently.

But with others around, such actions were not appropriate.

Alas, he would have to wait until nighttime.

Huo Zhekun, hearing the noise outside, came out to see his returning son, and was extremely happy. "Yingjie, come in, it’s warm inside."

The two children, peeking from behind their grandfather, especially perked up at seeing Huo Yingjie in front, and ran forward, cheerfully shouting, "Dad’s back, Dad’s back..."

Huo Yingjie, hearing the voices of his children, felt his hardened heart soften.

He squatted down and, one hand for each child, took them into his arms, giving kisses to one and then the other.

"Dad, Dad..."

The sweet calling of the children surrounded Huo Yingjie’s ears.

"Yingjie, come inside quickly, it’s cold out, and the kids aren’t dressed warmly. They might catch a cold, and that wouldn’t be good," Huo Zhekun cautioned, as it was really cold outside and a child’s cold is not easily cured.

Huo Yingjie brought the children inside, with Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong following.

Huo Zhekun still remembered Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong and invited them to sit down inside.

Seizing a moment, He Tiantian steeped some tea and brought it into the room.

"Mom, Dad’s back!" Huo Ruimin reminded her mother He Tiantian, eager to share the good news.

"Good, Mom saw it. Dad must be tired from the trip. Help Mom take good care of Dad, okay?" He Tiantian said with a smile, needing to make a couple more dishes since the meal she had prepared seemed insufficient with the addition of three more people.

"Okay!" The two children replied in unison.

"You’re both so wonderful," He Tiantian praised, then smiling at everyone, she went back to preparation.

Huo Yingjie took a toy he had made for the children from his bag, resembling something like a Transformer but mostly made of wood, which could shift into various shapes.

While his father, Zhang Aijun, and Li Yunzhong conversed, and the children played with the toy, Huo Yingjie left the main room for the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the smell of grease was not heavy, and warmth lingered in the air.

He Tiantian’s brow was damp with sweat from the effort.

Wiping her forehead with a handkerchief, Huo Yingjie whispered, "You’ve worked hard."

Feeling her nose tingle, He Tiantian replied in a low voice, "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Huo Yingjie responded, "so much that I couldn’t sleep at night."

He Tiantian, blushing and flustered, whimpered softly, "But I still have to cook!"

"Ha!" Huo Yingjie chuckled, understanding what He Tiantian meant, "Then let me help..."

"The kids missed you a lot; you go play with them," He Tiantian whispered back. Her heart had been racing since Huo Yingjie appeared in the kitchen. It felt as if the air turned electric wherever Huo Yingjie was, making it seem different from before.

"The kids are happy playing with their toys; I’ll keep you company," Huo Yingjie said with a smile, pinching He Tiantian’s cheek, "I know it’s not just the kids who missed me—you did too!"

He Tiantian’s cheeks grew even redder from Huo Yingjie’s touch and, pushing him out of the kitchen, she said, "If you keep staying here, dinner will probably just be those four dishes."

The arrival of Huo Yingjie and the other two men meant those four dishes would not be enough to feed everyone.

"Alright." Huo Yingjie embraced He Tiantian, "I’ll go back to the living room, you take your time!"

He Tiantian laughed, giving Huo Yingjie a peck, "Go back to the room."

Just then, Jiang Lifang’s voice came from outside, exclaiming in surprise, "Yingjie, have you come home?"

"Mom, you’re off work. Go rest inside first, stay with Mom, Yingjie. I’ll finish cooking soon," He Tiantian urged Huo Yingjie out of the kitchen, hoping that her husband and mother-in-law would relax in the main room, leaving her alone in the kitchen.