Chapter 46 He Apologized

“I was a little impulsive at noon, tearing your clothes. I apologize.”

Wen Yanyan’s eyes reddened. She hadn’t expected him to apologize.

She didn’t speak.

He spoke again.

“Tomorrow I’m taking the troops for field training. Take care of yourself at home. I’ve already spoken to Coach Xu about the art troupe. You’ll be notified to interview. Be prepared.”

“You’re going out again?”

This news was rather sudden, even more sudden than the apology.

Wen Yanyan felt gloomy. He’d only been home for a few days, why was he leaving again?

“Mm.”

Nan Fangjue returned to his taciturn state.

Ah?

He was really leaving again.

Wen Yanyan’s mood plummeted. He went on business trips too frequently, didn’t he?

She referred to Nan Fangjue’s missions as business trips; the meaning was roughly the same—he wasn’t home.

“How long will you be gone this time?”

Wen Yanyan concealed her dejection.

“I’m not sure.”

Nan Fangjue didn’t utter a single unnecessary word.

“Oh.”

Wen Yanyan seemed infected by him, responding with a single syllable before falling silent, eating quietly.

Despite her bad mood, she still did her chores.

After dinner, she made a batch of white flour noodles. She used pure wheat flour to show her gratitude.

Usually, they ate noodles made with a mixture of wheat and other flours. There was no other way; resources were scarce in this era, and food coupons were limited.

Wen Yanyan placed the mixed dough near the stove; the residual heat would help it rise faster.

Yeast powder wasn’t available in this era; she used leftover starter.

It would take about twelve hours to fully rise.

Then, Wen Yanyan started chopping the filling, wielding two cleavers with a loud whoosh.

She chopped two pounds of celery, one pound of pork, and some scallions and ginger.

Then she mixed the filling, put it away, and saved it for making buns the next morning.

After finishing her work, Wen Yanyan returned to the room without speaking, leaning against her luggage and reading…

Nan Fangjue was also reading.

But Xiaogiuqiu seemed afraid of Nan Fangjue. Whenever he was home, it stayed in its nest.

However, it kept staring at Wen Yanyan, watching her every move.

The room was quiet.

…

But at night, Wen Yanyan tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, making the wooden bed creak.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

He was also affected.

“No, I just can’t sleep.”

Wen Yanyan felt a little irritated.

“Don’t think about anything messy; you’ll fall asleep soon.”

Nan Fangjue offered advice.

“I’m not thinking about anything messy, I just can’t sleep.”

Wen Yanyan’s words didn’t match her thoughts. Her mind was indeed filled with messy thoughts.

Nan Fangjue didn’t speak.

She stared at the dark ceiling with wide eyes, more alert than an owl, completely sleepless. She, who usually slept soundly, was suffering from insomnia.

…

Wen Yanyan glanced at the man lying beside her in the moonlight and sighed inwardly.

Sigh!

She wanted to hug him so badly, but she dared not, afraid of scaring him away.

It was all because of the original owner’s bad image that made her hesitant.

But if she didn’t hug him, he would be leaving on a business trip tomorrow, and she didn’t know when he would return.

Wen Yanyan turned over, pretending to be accidental, her hand touching his back.

No reaction.

So, she became bolder, turning over again with a larger movement, deliberately bumping him on the buttocks with her elbow.

Still no reaction.

Wen Yanyan’s heart beat faster, feeling she could try again.

This time, she didn’t turn over but slowly placed her arm around his waist.

There was one thing she particularly disliked about the 1970s: they slept under single blankets, each in their own bed.

In the new century, couples used double blankets, allowing her to truly hold her husband’s waist instead of scratching an itch through a blanket.

It was a bit of a pity.

But even so, she was satisfied. Nan Fangjue didn’t push her arm away. He must not have been asleep because he had been talking just now. Perhaps, he was trying to accept her.

It was a bit of a two-way journey.

Wen Yanyan took a deep breath. Take it slow, no need to rush. What could she do, really force herself on him?

No, because their strength was too disparate.

Unless—drug him.

Whoa!

Wen Yanyan startled herself. How could she even have such a thought?

What was the difference between thinking like this and Zhang Meimei?

A hug would suffice. There would be more opportunities for benefits later. She couldn’t rush; she would scare him away. The thoughts that had plagued her all night finally came to fruition.

Wen Yanyan relaxed and quickly fell asleep.

After hearing her even breathing, Nan Fangjue took her arm from his waist, placed it in the gap between their pillows, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

…

Because she had slept late, Wen Yanyan woke up to find it was already bright. She was shocked to see the time.

How did she sleep until past nine?

Looking beside her, the bed was empty, and the house was quiet.

Huh?

He was already gone?

He wasn’t coming back tonight?

Wen Yanyan felt a sudden sense of loss, not having seen him one last time.

Xiaogiuqiu, seeing her awake, immediately ran out of its nest, resting its front paws on the edge of the bed, wagging its tail.

It had grown much bigger recently; standing, it was taller than the bed.

Wen Yanyan smiled, stroking its round head.

“Qiuqiu, are you hungry? I’ll make you some food later.”

“Woof～”

Xiaogiuqiu barked, sat on its hind legs, yawned, and then obediently waited for her.

Wen Yanyan looked at the ceiling, quietly pondering her thoughts.

Lately, she had been wasting a lot of time on this man, washing his clothes and cooking for him.