The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 268. Mr. Fu, who is very concerned about age

Chapter 268: 268. Mr. Fu, who is very concerned about age

Old Sir Fu was up and about in the courtyard from early morning, occasionally glancing outside the gate. Fu Jingtong, amused, couldn’t help but say, "Daddy, please come inside. Hengyi and Qinglan will be back soon. You can wait for them in the living room just the same."

Old Sir Fu glared, "Who said I’m waiting for them? I’m out for a walk."

"Sure, sure. You’re taking a walk," Fu Jingtong agreed. Just as she spoke, Fu Hengyi and Shen Qinglan returned.

"Qinglan girl, you’re not feeling uncomfortable anywhere now, are you?" The moment Shen Qinglan got out of the car, Old Sir Fu approached her, asking with concern. He had already learned about Shen Qinglan’s morning sickness from Old Sir Shen.

"Grandpa, I’m fine," Shen Qinglan said. It was just that she had felt a bit unwell in the morning.

Old Sir Fu was still somewhat worried and glared intensely at his grandson, "Look at you. Qinglan girl is pregnant, and you had her eat such greasy food early in the morning. Pregnancy is very hard for a woman, and as a husband, you should be more considerate of your wife. It is one thing for you not to be at home on regular days, but now that you are home, how can you not take good care of your own wife?"

Old Sir Fu chastised Fu Hengyi, who listened silently with an innocent look in his eyes. This was his first time becoming a father; how was he supposed to know what a pregnant woman could or couldn’t eat?

Seeing this, Shen Qinglan quickly stepped forward and supported the old man, "Grandpa, I didn’t even know I would throw up, so how can we blame Hengyi? And what we ate this morning wasn’t greasy at all. Grandpa, I haven’t played chess with you for a long time. Let’s go play some chess."

Old Sir Fu was a chess enthusiast. At the mention of chess, he immediately forgot about lecturing his grandson and cheerfully went to play chess with Shen Qinglan.

Fu Jingtong stood to the side, finding the whole scene very amusing, and reassured Fu Hengyi, "Your grandpa is just too anxious about the child in Qinglan’s belly."

Fu Hengyi’s eyes were tender, "Mhm, I know. I truly haven’t been attentive enough. Auntie, what else should women pay attention to during pregnancy?" Fu Hengyi’s face showed a sincere eagerness to learn.

His look made Fu Jingtong’s eyes flicker in momentary reverie. She smiled and began, "Right now Qinglan is in the early stages. Aside from morning sickness, there probably won’t be any significant reactions. Later in the pregnancy..." Fu Jingtong shared with Fu Hengyi the issues encountered during pregnancy, and he listened very intently.

"Don’t worry. You still have your grandpa and auntie at home. We will take good care of Qinglan. When your leave ends, let’s have Qinglan move back to the compound, which will make it convenient for us to look after her," Fu Jingtong said with a smile, seeing the serious look on Fu Hengyi’s face.

Fu Hengyi nodded, "Hmm, I’ll have to trouble Auntie when I’m not here. Qinglan is tough and likes to shoulder things on her own. If she feels unwell, please do keep an eye on her."

Fu Jingtong laughed, "Alright, alright, your auntie knows. I will take good care of your precious wife."

Fu Hengyi seemed a bit embarrassed.

"Now that you’ve come back for such a long time, are you just planning to stay at home with Qinglan?" Fu Jingtong asked.

"Let’s wait a couple of days. If Qinglan’s morning sickness isn’t serious in the next two days, I want to drive her to the surrounding towns to stay for a few days. The scenery there is nice, and the air is good."

As he said these words, Fu Hengyi’s eyes radiated a gentle sweetness. Seeing her nephew like this, Fu Jingtong felt a boundless joy and emotion in her heart. If her brother and sister-in-law could see this scene, they would be very comforted.

"Hengyi, now you’re going to be a father soon too. Your auntie feels reassured."

"Auntie, about you and Uncle..." Fu Hengyi didn’t finish his sentence but Fu Jingtong understood what he meant. At the wedding, Gu Bowen had clearly come, but he didn’t huddle up to Fu Jingtong as before. Instead, he sat on the side, and throughout the whole day, he didn’t speak a word to Fu Jingtong.

Fu Jingtong’s gaze dimmed, "He and I are just like this in this lifetime."

Fu Hengyi didn’t continue. The matter between Fu Jingtong and Gu Bowen wasn’t something that could be clearly explained in a short while. But just as the aunt and nephew were discussing the man in question, the sound of an engine approached from outside. Gu Yang got out of the car, and before he even reached the door, his voice carried ahead of him, "Grandpa, Mom, Dad and I are here."

Fu Jingtong turned to look just in time to see Gu Yang burst in energetically, followed by Gu Bowen who still had the same warm smile as before. Holding several bags in his hand, he caught sight of Fu Hengyi and smiled more broadly, "Hengyi, you’re here too."

Fu Hengyi greeted with a "Uncle" as his gaze fell on Gu Yang. Gu Yang immediately stood to attention and gave Fu Hengyi a military salute. "Greetings, sir."

Fu Hengyi gave him a cool look. Gu Yang dropped his hand and chuckled, "Brother, I’m here to visit Grandpa today. My dad has come to say goodbye."

After Gu Yang finished speaking, he specifically glanced at Fu Jingtong and felt a twinge of disappointment when he saw that she had no particular reaction.

On hearing this, Fu Hengyi’s brows twitched slightly, "Goodbye? Where is Uncle going?"

Gu Bowen smiled, "To country F. The company plans to expand our business there, so I’m going over first to scout the environment. If possible, I might make it my permanent base."

Fu Jingtong’s eyes flickered, and Fu Hengyi looked at his aunt before asking, "Does Uncle plan to emigrate?"

"We’re just going to take a look for now, but we’re not ruling out that possibility. Gu Yang has grown up, and I don’t have anything to worry about. It’s time I thought about myself."

As Gu Bowen said this, his attention remained on Fu Jingtong. Seeing that she showed no sign of response, his heart, which had been wavering, dropped instantly. Since there was no longer anyone here to hold onto, he might as well let go.

Gu Bowen didn’t speak to Fu Jingtong; he bypassed her and walked into the house. Gu Yang glanced at his mother, "Mom, Dad is leaving, and this time it’s for real. He might never come back. Won’t you ask him to stay? If you asked him, he would definitely agree."

Fu Jingtong’s face was expressionless. "My relationship with your father has always been what it is. Whether he stays or leaves, it’s his freedom."

Gu Yang looked at Fu Jingtong with frustration, "Mom, you’re just being stubborn. If Dad really finds a stepmother for me one day, you won’t even have a place to cry."

Fu Jingtong remained silent. Overwhelmed, Gu Yang said bitterly, "Mom, do you really not want Dad? No wonder he’s so heartbroken he doesn’t even want to stay in the country. From now on, I won’t interfere in your affairs. Do whatever you want." With these words, he turned and entered the house. He was shattered over his parents’ matter, but if they didn’t care themselves, why should he bother?

Fu Jingtong stared at a corner of the courtyard for a long time without speaking. Just as Fu Hengyi was about to speak, Fu Jingtong beat him to it, "Hengyi, go inside first. Your aunt wants to be alone for a while."

Fu Hengyi pursed his lips, "Okay."

After taking a few steps, Fu Hengyi stopped but didn’t turn around, "Aunt, some things should be let go when it’s time to let go. Don’t torture yourself and others at the same time. Whatever mistakes Uncle made in the past, he has waited for you for more than twenty years. That’s enough. Life is short, and what should be cherished must be cherished."

Fu Jingtong’s body trembled slightly, and in the corner unseen by Fu Hengyi, tears fell like rain.

**

In a high-end residential area of Beijing, Ding Minghui sat on the sofa sulking, having just had an argument with Liu Hui over his parents’ issue.

After dealing with work matters, Liu Hui came out of the study and saw Ding Minghui still fuming. She scoffed, "Ding Minghui, there’s no room for negotiation on this matter. Send your parents back to your hometown tomorrow; otherwise, I won’t contribute a penny to their living expenses."

Ding Minghui sprang up from the sofa, "Liu Hui, those are my parents, the ones who raised me. Now that I finally have a good job and good living conditions, you want me to enjoy the good life in Beijing while sending my parents back to the countryside to live a hard life. Doesn’t it bother your conscience to say such things?"

Liu Hui’s face darkened as she coldly looked at Ding Minghui, "Ding Minghui, you call me heartless, but have you ever touched your own conscience to ask who is really the heartless one here? Out of kindness, I bought them a place to live in Beijing. Yes, it’s a bit small, but it’s still more than enough for just the two of them, isn’t it? I buy them good food, nice clothes, but how do they repay me?"

Speaking of this matter filled Liu Hui with grievance. She believed she had treated Ding Minghui’s parents well enough, but those two went behind her back to Ding Minghui, calling her a hen that can’t lay eggs and saying she was old and not pretty enough for him. They even accused her of despising them and not letting them live with her.

Liu Hui happened to bring them some food once, only to overhear those words, which made her so angry she smashed the food on the spot. Later, she returned to her parents’ home only to be scolded by them as well.

Liu Hui felt her mother was right in one thing – she should never have been so nice to them from the start. They were just taking advantage of her kindness.

Ding Minghui retorted, "It was just a casual comment from my parents—why are you holding a grudge against two old people? Every time you visit, didn’t my mother always cook something delicious to welcome you? And in front of relatives and friends, she always praises you for being filial. Isn’t that enough? Liu Hui, you can’t be too unreasonable."

Liu Hui sneered, "Ding Minghui, why I don’t have children – are you really not clear on that?" Since their relationship began, Ding Minghui always took precautions; it would be a miracle if she could get pregnant.

"Don’t treat me like a fool. You think I don’t know what you’re plotting in your heart? Using me to climb up the social ladder, then planning to kick me away once you’re done? Ding Minghui, I’ll tell you the truth – you’d better give up that thought right now. Just as I can lift you up, I can also pull you down. You can try and see if I have the ability to do that. And tell your parents, if they want to live a good life, they’d better keep their mouths shut and stop acting all high and mighty. I, Liu Hui, am not some soft persimmon they can squeeze whenever they like."

Ding Minghui’s face turned iron blue, pointing at Liu Hui, "Liu Hui, are you pushing me towards divorce, is that it?"

"Divorce? No, I won’t divorce you. Is it because you want to go to Fang Tong, hm? Keep dreaming."

Ding Minghui left the house with a face as dark as thunder, but Liu Hui didn’t care where he went. After all, even if Ding Minghui had the guts, he wouldn’t dare do anything significant to her – at most, he would run to his parents.

Upon leaving the house, Ding Minghui was actually planning to visit his parents, but the cold wind quickly cleared his head. After thinking it over, he took a taxi to a bar and then phoned an old classmate.

In the bar, Ding Minghui sat at the counter, nursing his drink gloomily. Chen Haicheng walked in and found Ding Minghui, "Ding Minghui, what brought on the drinking invite today?"

Ding Minghui set a drink before Chen Haicheng, "Enough with the nonsense, just drink with me."

Seeing Ding Minghui’s ugly expression, Chen Haicheng chuckled and didn’t say a word, taking a sip from his glass. Ding Minghui had called him over but didn’t pay him any attention, just focused on his own drinking.

After watching him knock back three or four glasses, Chen Haicheng, worried about him getting drunk, snatched the glass from his hand, "Alright already, drink less. Don’t you have to work tomorrow?"

"If you consider yourself a brother, give me back the glass. I’m feeling terrible; what’s wrong with letting me drink?" Ding Minghui was displeased.

Chen Haicheng thought he was upset because he knew about Fang Tong and patted Ding Minghui’s shoulder, "Ding Minghui, when did you find out Fang Tong is Mayor Fang Chengzhi’s daughter?"

Ding Minghui, who was about to snatch back his glass, paused and looked at Chen Haicheng, "What did you just say? Who’s daughter is Fang Tong?"

When Chen Haicheng heard this, he immediately realized his slip; he hadn’t planned to tell Ding Minghui after finding out at Shen Qinglan’s wedding reception that Fang Tong was the daughter of Fang Chengzhi. After all, Ding Minghui was already married, and talking about it now was pointless.

"It’s nothing, you heard wrong," Chen Haicheng denied.

Ding Minghui grabbed Chen Haicheng’s shoulder firmly, staring intently at him, "If you still consider me a friend, then clarify what you just said – who’s daughter is Fang Tong?"

Because of the alcohol, Ding Minghui’s face was somewhat red. Chen Haicheng, after a moment’s thought, decided to tell him everything he knew.

Ding Minghui’s face grew uglier as he listened, and when he was finished, he hung his head, and who knows what he was thinking.

Chen Haicheng patted his shoulder understandingly, "Minghui, I understand how you feel." This was a classic case of throwing away the melon to pick up a sesame seed.

Ding Minghui’s expression changed unpredictably, and he stood up, "I have something to take care of today, let’s meet some other day. Today counts as a debt I owe you, sorry about that."

Chen Haicheng smiled understandingly, "Go on then, there’s always another chance to drink."

Ding Minghui left the bar and took a taxi straight to the residential area where Fang Tong lived. He called her, but Fang Tong didn’t answer and hung up directly; when he called again, it was unreachable.

Ding Minghui, not giving up, sent Fang Tong a text message.

[I’m outside your residential area. If you don’t come out to see me, I’ll just wait here, wait until you come out.]

When Fang Tong saw the message, her face darkened. She picked up her jacket, put it on, and walked out. Fu Fanghua saw her leaving and called out, "Tongtong, where are you going in the middle of the night?"

Fang Tong replied, "I’m going to the convenience store outside the residential area to buy something. I’ll be right back."

Hearing this, Fu Fanghua muttered, "This child, what’s the need to buy things in the middle of the night? Can’t you buy them tomorrow?"

Just as Fang Tong stepped out of the residential area, she saw Ding Minghui waiting nearby. When Ding Minghui saw her, his eyes brightened, and his gaze landed on Fang Tong’s face, reluctant to leave.

Fang Tong frowned, "Ding Minghui, why did you call me out here?"

Ding Minghui looked at Fang Tong, and in the depths of his eyes was profound longing. It had been over a month since he last saw Fang Tong. He hadn’t felt it while being with Fang Tong, but now that they had broken up, especially after marrying Liu Hui, seeing Liu Hui’s attitude towards his parents, he missed Fang Tong’s goodness even more. If it were Fang Tong, she would have definitely treated his parents well, as if they were her own.

"Tongtong, I just missed you, so I wanted to see you," Ding Minghui said affectionately.

If Fang Tong had heard these words before, she would have been moved, but now, she just felt disgusted.

She looked coldly at Ding Minghui, "Ding Minghui, don’t make me lose respect for you."

"Tongtong, I..."

Fang Tong interrupted him, "Don’t say it, Ding Minghui, let’s preserve the last bit of good memories between us." She turned to leave, but Ding Minghui wouldn’t let her.

"Tongtong, why didn’t you tell me?"

Fang Tong looked at him, puzzled. Ding Minghui continued, "The fact that your father is Mayor Fang, why didn’t you tell me?"

Fang Tong’s eyes were filled with icy coldness, "So you came to me today to settle scores? Ding Minghui, who my father is, does it have anything to do with our being together? If because my father is Fang Chengzhi, you wouldn’t have betrayed me and stayed with me, then I’d really like to ask you, is it me you liked, or my family?"

"Of course, it’s you I loved, Tongtong. Don’t you understand my feelings?"

"Ding Minghui, don’t talk like this; it disgusts me and makes me regret ever meeting you even more."

Ding Minghui looked at Fang Tong in disbelief, "Tongtong."

"Don’t call me that; we’re not close, Ding Minghui. I hope this is the last time we meet alone. Even if we run into each other at the company, please pretend you don’t know me."

Ding Minghui grabbed Fang Tong’s arm, "Fang Tong, I came here today to find out one thing. Why didn’t you ever tell me about your family during all those years we were together?"

Fang Tong paused before looking at Ding Minghui, "So you knew about this and came specifically to confront me. Ding Minghui, what do you want to say? Are you trying to imply that if you had known earlier that my father is Fang Chengzhi, you wouldn’t have cheated on me and married an older woman?"

Ding Minghui was at a loss for words; that was exactly what he had been thinking. If only Fang Tong had told him earlier, then...

Fang Tong let out a cold laugh, "Ding Minghui, stop making excuses for your despicable behavior. My parents were right; you and I are not cut from the same cloth."

After saying this, Fang Tong shook off Ding Minghui’s hand and walked away. From behind, Ding Minghui called out, "Fang Tong, you never really trusted me, did you?"

Fang Tong’s steps faltered slightly before she responded, "If that’s what you think, then yes."

"Fang Tong, you never truly loved me, did you?"

A trace of sorrow flickered in Fang Tong’s eyes as she replied indifferently, "If you think so, then let it be. Ding Minghui, for the last time, don’t come looking for me anymore. There’s nothing between us."

When Fang Tong got home, her heart felt heavy. Fu Fanghua was watching TV; noticing Fang Tong’s empty hands, she asked, "Tongtong, weren’t you supposed to go shopping? Why did you come back empty-handed?"

Fang Tong forced a smile, "I couldn’t find what I needed; the convenience store didn’t have it. I’ll go to the supermarket tomorrow. It’s getting late; I’m going to sleep now. Mom, you should go to bed soon too."

"Okay, go ahead. I’ll finish this episode and head to bed as well."

Fang Tong entered her room, lay on the bed, and buried her head in the blankets. It was a long while before she sat up, pulled a diary from her desk drawer—a diary she had begun when she started dating Ding Minghui, written on and off for four years. Without a second glance, she tossed it into the trash. Then, after a moment’s thought, she picked it up, found a pair of scissors, and cut the diary into a heap of scraps before putting it back in the trash.

**

At the Fu Family’s residence, Old Sir Fu had invited Gu Bowen and Gu Yang over for dinner. Gu Bowen, who would typically stay, unexpectedly declined this time, "Dad, I have other plans tonight, and I’ll have to leave now. I’ll come to visit you another time; let Gu Yang keep you company."

Old Sir Fu looked at Gu Bowen, "What could be so important this evening that you can’t stay for dinner first?"

"Dad, I’m truly sorry, I have a dinner engagement tonight with some old friends that I can’t miss."

Hearing this, Old Sir Fu didn’t press the issue any further; he just made a brief remark, "Well, alright then. You go ahead. Drive carefully."

Gu Bowen gave Old Sir Fu an apologetic look before leaving. Shen Qinglan saw that Gu Bowen didn’t intend to say goodbye to Fu Jingtong. She raised an eyebrow and looked at Fu Hengyi.

Fu Hengyi returned her look with a clueless expression. It was Gu Yang who spoke up, but his words were a blow to his own father’s pretense, "Grandpa, don’t believe my dad’s nonsense. He doesn’t have a dinner party tonight. It’s because he’s going abroad tomorrow and needs to pack tonight."

"Going abroad?" Old Sir Fu asked.

"Yep, my dad was talking about wanting to go to Country F to explore the company’s prospects there, but really, he just wants to settle abroad. He doesn’t have anything left here that makes him want to stay, so he wants to leave this place of heartache behind," Gu Yang lay on the sofa, saying this while occasionally glancing at Fu Jingtong, as his words were meant for his mother’s ears.

As soon as Old Sir Fu heard this, he became anxious, "Your dad wants to settle abroad? What about your mom?"

Gu Yang shrugged, "What about her? As you see, my dad has waited for my mom for so many years, but she just refuses to come back. My dad can’t possibly wait for my mom forever, can he?"

Upon hearing this, Old Sir Fu sighed deeply. Gu Yang continued, "Actually, I think my dad still has feelings for my mom, but it’s not the same for her. Now, when my mom sees my dad, she acts like he’s a stranger. Who could stand that? I think it’s better for my dad to leave. Out of sight, out of mind, right, Mom?"

Fu Jingtong seemed not to have heard Gu Yang’s words. Her gaze was lowered, lost in thought. After a while, she stood up, "Dad, I’m going to check on Aunt Zhao’s dinner preparations."

After Fu Jingtong left, Gu Yang’s casual demeanor gradually changed to helplessness, "Grandpa, I’m really out of options. As much as I said, my mom remains indifferent. If I were my dad, I’d be heartbroken too."

Old Sir Fu felt helpless as well, "Let it be, we can’t handle their issues. Just let it go."

Shen Qinglan pursed her lips and spoke softly, "Grandfather, I have a method that might be worth trying."

Everyone present turned to look at Shen Qinglan, "Sister-in-law, if you have a solution, please speak quickly."

Shen Qinglan’s lips curved slightly, "The method is quite simple, ’adversity reveals true feelings.’"

Gu Yang looked at her, puzzled, not quite understanding the meaning of her words. Shen Qinglan thought for a moment, then whispered a few sentences to the others.

After hearing her out, Gu Yang was skeptical, "Sister-in-law, will this method work?"

Fu Hengyi pondered for a while before speaking slowly, "It should work. Anyone clear-eyed can see there are feelings between uncle and aunt, but there must be a reason why aunt refuses to turn back. No matter the reason, in the face of life, it all seems fragile. Grandfather, I think Qinglan’s idea is good, and we should try it. What do you think?"

Old Sir Fu paced with his hands behind his back, shaking his head, "I’m old now, I don’t interfere with these matters. I’d rather go look at my flowers."

That was an implicit agreement. Gu Yang chuckled and moved closer to Shen Qinglan, "Sister-in-law, how should we proceed with this matter?"

Shen Qinglan had just come up with the idea on the spot, without any concrete plan, and shook her head, "I don’t have a detailed plan yet, but we need uncle’s cooperation. You’d better go back and persuade your father first."

Gu Yang thumped his chest, "Guaranteed no problem. As long as it’s something that could bring my mom back, my dad will agree to it."

"What are you chatting about so happily?" Fu Jingtong walked over with a smile, "It’s time for dinner."

Gu Yang clapped his hands, "Nothing much, just talking about my experiences in the military with sister-in-law and big brother. Grandpa, let me help you to dinner."

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi exchanged a glance, a flicker of amusement passing through their eyes.

After dinner, Fu Hengyi took Shen Qinglan for a walk in the courtyard. Holding her hand, he spoke gently, "How come you suddenly thought to help uncle?" Shen Qinglan was not someone who tended to meddle in others’ affairs, and the problems between uncle and aunt were not new; previously, Shen Qinglan had never interfered.

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly, "I just feel that all lovers should end up together." She looked down at her hand clasped with Fu Hengyi’s and couldn’t help but smile. Jin Enxi had said that she had changed since she got married, and now, thinking about it, that seemed to be true.

Fu Hengyi smiled. He knew Shen Qinglan’s changes best and was most pleased to see them, "Qinglan, we will always be happy."

Shen Qinglan lifted her gaze to look into his earnest eyes and nodded slightly, "Mm, we will be happy."

In the following two days, Shen Qinglan did not have any morning sickness, which probably really was as she said: the baby in her belly just wanted to remind its parents of its existence.

Seeing that Shen Qinglan had no discomfort whatsoever, Fu Hengyi greeted both families and then took Shen Qinglan off to play in the small town.

The small town was not far from Beijing, but unlike Beijing’s grandeur, the town was very quaint and classic, with pavilions, terraces, and towers. It even had some of the charm of Jiangnan. It was said that the town was originally built by a wealthy businessman from Jiangnan. Many businessmen who came to the north to trade had settled here. However, as time went by, the town’s population dwindled, and the traders who had once lived in this beautiful but inconveniently located town left.

Shen Qinglan fell in love with the town as soon as she arrived at the entrance, with its atmosphere of tranquility everywhere.

Walking on the town’s stone-paved roads, Shen Qinglan looked around while asking Fu Hengyi, "How did you find this place?"

Fu Hengyi smiled, "I heard about it from a comrade-in-arms before." Since that comrade was from here, Fu Hengyi had asked a lot about the place, thinking to bring Shen Qinglan here one day.

"There are many B&Bs in this small town. We will stay here tonight. There’s a hot spring nearby that’s said to be particularly good for women, especially when pregnant. We’ll go soak in the hot spring tomorrow."

Fu Hengyi told Shen Qinglan about his plans, and she listened quietly with a smile on her lips, tilting her head to look at him. Fu Hengyi turned to look at her, "What is it?"

Shen Qinglan chuckled softly, "Fu Hengyi, don’t we look just like an ordinary couple?"

Fu Hengyi raised an eyebrow, "Aren’t we?"

"Mm, we are," Shen Qinglan nodded affirmatively.

The town was peaceful. Even at noon, there was no rush or bustle. Upon completing their walk around town, the hostess of the B&B had already prepared a meal.

"You’re back just in time, I was about to send my boy to call you for lunch," said the hostess with a smile; she was a friendly-looking woman in her forties.

"Sister Xu, thank you for preparing such a rich meal," Shen Qinglan said warmly while looking at the table filled with appetizing dishes.

The woman referred to as Sister Xu chuckled, "This is just simple home cooking. I’m glad you don’t mind it. Go ahead and eat, I’ll take the food to my husband," said Sister Xu, whose household also spanned a few acres of paddy fields growing rice. Now was the harvest season, and her husband and eldest son had gone to the fields early in the morning.

Sister Xu went back into the kitchen and came out holding several large food containers wrapped in bags, with a few steamed buns on top. She called upstairs, "Erwa, come down."

Footsteps were heard from upstairs promptly, and soon a small figure appeared in Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi’s view — an eight or nine-year-old boy. "Mom, what’s up?"

Sister Xu handed the containers to her younger son, "Take this to your dad and brother, hurry up, and don’t play around on the way, you hear?"

Erwa nodded his head, took the lunchbox from Sister Xu’s hand, and ran off. Sister Xu, feeling slightly embarrassed, smiled at Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi and explained, "My Erwa is mischievous and loves to play. If I don’t remind him, he’d definitely dawdle on the way."

Shen Qinglan smiled gently, "Sister, it’s wonderful you have two kids at home." Looking into Sister Xu’s eyes, Shen Qinglan knew that this woman must be happy because there was a light in her eyes.

Speaking of her two children, Sister Xu also smiled, "Both my kids are good. Especially the older one—he’s actually started working this year, but he knew the rice harvest was good and took two days off to come help us gather the harvest, saying he didn’t want his dad to work so hard."

Sister Xu talked about the little things in her life, and Shen Qinglan patiently listened, without a trace of impatience.

After a while, seeing that the two hadn’t eaten much, Sister Xu, feeling a bit awkward, smiled and said, "I talk too much and have interrupted your meal, haven’t I?"

Fu Hengyi shook his head, "Not at all, Sister Xu. After dinner, could we go and have a look at your fields?"

"Hey, there’s no trouble in that. If you want to go, just go. It’s not far. In a little while, I’ll have my younger son take you."

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi had finished their meal and were led out by Sister Xu’s younger son.

Erwa was a seven- or eight-year-old kid, just started second grade in primary school, and was at a lively age. He hopped and skipped as he walked, occasionally peering into the grass beside the road, which explained why Sister Xu had to remind him not to play too much when sending lunch at noon.

It wasn’t the tourist season now, and there were very few visitors. Walking on the road, only a handful of people looked like tourists; most were locals.

"Uncle, did you also come from Beijing?" Erwa hopped along as he asked curiously.

Fu Hengyi nodded. "Have you been to Beijing?"

Erwa shook his head. "I haven’t been, but I’ve seen Tian’anmen on TV and the computer, and it’s really beautiful. My mom promised me that if I get first place in my final exams, my brother will take me to see the flag-raising at Tian’anmen." As he spoke about this, Erwa’s eyes squinted happily, "Uncle, is Tian’anmen really grand?"

"Yes, it’s very grand."

"All the classmates who have visited said it’s beautiful. I’ll definitely get first place this final, and then I’ll go see Tian’anmen. Uncle, I want to tell you, we have guests from Beijing who stay at our place, but this sister is the prettiest I’ve ever seen." Erwa stole glances at Shen Qinglan, his cheeks turning slightly red as he spoke.

A flicker of a smile passed through Shen Qinglan’s eyes. She took out some chocolates from her pocket, which Fu Hengyi had placed there this morning, saying it was for her to satisfy a craving.

"This is for you."

Erwa waved his hand, "Sister, my mom said not to take things from strangers." His eyes stealthily looked at the chocolates in Shen Qinglan’s hand, clearly yearning for them but still not reaching out to take them, showing that Sister Xu was good at teaching her child.

Shen Qinglan chuckled and stuffed the chocolates into Erwa’s pocket, "Take it. Your uncle and sister are staying at your house now, so we’re not strangers; your mom won’t scold you."

There was a struggle in Erwa’s eyes, but he finally accepted the chocolates, "Thank you, Sister."

Shen Qinglan patted his hair, realizing that ever since she had become pregnant, she seemed to like children more and more.

Fu Hengyi watched her with amusement but frowned upon hearing her refer to herself. He squatted down, looked at Erwa, and said, "This sister is your uncle’s wife, so you should call her Auntie, understand?"