Chapter 52

Today, Cheng Jingmo and Xiao Jie ate a simple meal he got from the cafeteria.

Xiao Jie, eating a bowl of rice soaked in vegetable soup with no trace of oil, asked, “Uncle, when is Aunt coming back?”

She had only been away for one night, and already Xiao Jie was asking about her return.

Cheng Jingmo picked a tiny piece of meat from the zucchini stir-fry and put it into Xiao Jie’s bowl, “She said she’ll come back when her foot is healed.”

“Can we pick her up on Sunday?”

“Her foot might not be healed by then.”

“But the loquats at school will all be gone by then.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Cheng Jingmo turned to look.

Wu Xiaomin stood at the door, holding a bag of pastries. She smiled brightly and said, “Deputy Commander Cheng, I heard Comrade Yu sprained her foot, so I came to see her.”

Cheng Jingmo’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He stood up and walked to the door, “Thank you for your concern, but she’s not home. You should leave.”

“Oh? That’s unfortunate.” She handed the bag of pastries to Cheng Jingmo, “These pastries are for Xiao Jie.”

Cheng Jingmo didn’t take them. “We have plenty at home. You should take them back.”

“Since I brought them, it’s not right to take them back. Besides, I’m already here. Aren’t you going to let me sit down for a bit?”

Cheng Jingmo hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside to let Wu Xiaomin in. He pushed the two doors wide open.

Wu Xiaomin immediately noticed the food on the table. It was all vegetables, not a trace of meat.

“Deputy Commander Cheng, your meals…” she started, then said, “Xiao Jie needs meat for his growth.”

Xiao Jie, unhappy with her comment, pointed to a dish, “This is zucchini stir-fried with meat!”

Wu Xiaomin: “…” She couldn’t even see the meat.

Cheng Jingmo pressed his lips together. This meal was indeed a bit lacking. He didn’t mind, but there was Xiao Jie to consider. He didn’t know why, but today he felt distracted, even at work.

It must be because he didn’t sleep well last night.

Thinking about last night, Cheng Jingmo’s lips curled slightly.

That soft, fragrant presence leaning against him, holding him… It was a nice feeling, but too warm!

Wu Xiaomin didn’t notice Cheng Jingmo’s unusual behavior. She was thinking of ways to spend more time with him.

Her eyes lit up, and she said as she walked toward the kitchen, “Deputy Commander Cheng, do you have any eggs? I can make you some egg custard. It won’t take long.”

“No need. We’re already full.” Cheng Jingmo followed her.

Wu Xiaomin’s presumptuousness, acting as if she belonged in his home, made Cheng Jingmo uncomfortable.

“Comrade Wu, if you have nothing else, please leave.” Cheng Jingmo blocked her from the stove.

Wu Xiaomin tilted her head up, gazing at him with a look of deep affection.

She had applied some rouge and lipstick, wearing a new light blue dress and black shoes, thinking she looked beautiful. But Cheng Jingmo seemed not to notice.

His face was cold. “Comrade Wu, please leave.”

She softened her voice, “Deputy Commander Cheng, I’m just concerned about Xiao Jie’s health. I have no other intentions.”

“Deputy Commander Cheng!” a loud voice rang out. Liu Zhen walked in quickly, her eyes widening in exaggerated surprise, “Oh my, Comrade Wu, what are you doing here?”

Wu Xiaomin’s smile faltered before she quickly recovered, “I heard Comrade Yu sprained her foot, so I came to see her. I didn’t realize she wasn’t home.”

“To see Comrade Yu!” Liu Zhen said as if suddenly understanding, “I thought you were here to see Deputy Commander Cheng!”

Liu Zhen turned to Cheng Jingmo, “Deputy Commander Cheng, Old Xiao sent me to check if you’re home. He has something to discuss with you.”

Wu Xiaomin clenched her fists in frustration.

If you’re going to make up a reason, at least make it believable!

The two families lived next to each other. If there was something to discuss, they would come over directly. Why would they need to send someone to check first?

Cheng Jingmo quickly caught on to Liu Zhen’s intention. “Just ask him to come over now.”

“Alright!” Liu Zhen said, looking at Wu Xiaomin, who still hadn’t left. “Dr. Wu, why don’t you come sit at my place?”

Wu Xiaomin gave an awkward smile, “No, it’s alright. Since Comrade Yu isn’t home, I’ll leave and come back another day.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Liu Zhen stood her ground, waiting for Wu Xiaomin to leave together.

Liu Zhen walked Wu Xiaomin to the courtyard playground, feigning politeness. “Take care, Comrade Wu. You’re welcome to visit my home anytime.”

Wu Xiaomin forced a smile, “Thank you, Sister Liu.”

On her way back, Liu Zhen met up with Wang Hongxiang.

“Did you get rid of her?” Wang Hongxiang asked.

“Yes, she’s gone!” Liu Zhen grumbled, “What kind of person is she? Trying to take advantage of Comrade Yu’s absence to cozy up to Deputy Commander Cheng. I won’t allow it!”

“What were they doing when you went in?”

“They were in the kitchen together. Who knows what they were talking about! And look at her face, all painted up like a monkey’s behind. She looks suspicious!”

Wang Hongxiang chuckled, “With Comrade Yu away these few days, we must help her guard this house. We can’t let Dr. Wu sneak in.”

Liu Zhen nodded firmly in agreement.

That evening, Cheng Jingmo took a bath and then started washing clothes.

As he scrubbed the clothes of two men, he felt something was missing. He looked at the closed door of the room inside the house and walked in.

He rarely entered this room before.

The room had a faint fragrance. The bed was unmade, with the quilt in a messy heap. Yu Xiangnian’s pajamas were carelessly thrown on top of it, and the desk was cluttered.

Cheng Jingmo recalled their wedding day.

He had brought Yu Xiangnian to the room door, and she had snapped, “This room is mine. You’re not allowed in!”

He had never intended to go in.

He knew Yu Xiangnian didn’t like him, and she had only married him under parental pressure. He had no intention of forcing her into anything.

He looked around the room, feeling an inexplicable emptiness.

Finally, he decided to strip the bed of its covers, sheets, and pillowcases, along with Yu Xiangnian’s pajamas, and took everything outside to wash.

The next day was Saturday.

Yu Xiangyang arrived at the logistics office promptly at 2 PM.

Yu Xiangnian, the night she went back home, had entrusted this task to him.

Everyone at the logistics office had been eagerly waiting, anticipating a spectacle.

They hadn’t seen Bai Mei bring a new bicycle, so some sneaked to check behind the warehouse, only to find the old one there.

Though they hadn’t seen Yu Xiangnian, Yu Xiangyang’s presence was as good as seeing her.

Someone volunteered to guide Yu Xiangyang to Bai Mei’s office.

When Bai Mei saw Yu Xiangyang, followed by a crowd of curious onlookers, she panicked. She sat at her desk, pale and nervously twisting her hands.

Yu Xiangyang took out twenty neatly prepared ten-yuan notes and placed them on Bai Mei’s desk. “Comrade Bai Mei, my sister sprained her ankle and can’t come. She asked me to return these two hundred yuan to you. Please count it.”