She didn’t need to finish the sentence; everyone understood her meaning.

They nodded with a knowing expression and walked away without asking further.

When Cen Huai’an’s crying gradually quieted, Chu Xia finally pushed open the door and entered.

She saw at a glance that Cen Huai’an was lying on Cen Zhengnian’s back, his face covered with tear stains, hiccupping uncontrollably.

Cen Zhengnian’s shirt bore not only tear stains but also two clear bite marks, where the fabric had been bitten through.

Cen Huaian hadn’t noticed while he was crying, but once he was done, he felt incredibly embarrassed.

Especially when his mother walked in and saw him, he immediately jumped out of Cen Zhengnian’s embrace, hastily wiped his face, and quickly ran into the inner room.

Cen Zhengnian was left standing there, his arms still extended in the motion of holding him, completely stunned by his son’s reaction.

Chu Xia cleared her throat lightly, and Cen Zhengnian, realizing he was still standing awkwardly, lowered his arms.

There wasn’t a trace of embarrassment on his face as he naturally stood up and asked, “Why did An’an do that?”

Just moments ago, his son had seemed to let down his guard a little, but as soon as Chu Xia entered, he bolted away, leaving Cen Zhengnian unsure of what to make of it.

“He was embarrassed because I saw him crying,” Chu Xia said, without much surprise. “If he knew it wasn’t just me who heard him, he’d probably regret crying even more.”

Cen Zhengnian sighed. “I’m to blame for his hurt. It’s good that he let it out by crying.”

Chu Xia glanced toward the inner room and nodded, “I was worried too, with all his emotions bottled up. Now that he’s cried, I’m not afraid he’ll make himself sick from holding it in. But how did you manage to console him? Letting him bite you a few times?” She pointed to the bite marks on his shoulder, her curiosity evident.

Cen Zhengnian shook his head without explaining, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. “That’s a secret between father and son. I can’t tell you.”

Chu Xia raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further.

Instead, she pointed to the wound on his shoulder. “Do you need to treat that?”

“It’s nothing, doesn’t hurt. He didn’t bite that hard,” Cen Zhengnian replied dismissively.

Chu Xia had noticed the small bloodstain seeping through his shirt.

Though not much, it was clear it must have hurt.

No wonder Cen Huaian could endure so much—it was clearly inherited from his father.

They truly were father and son.

Initially, Chu Xia intended to leave it be, but as she turned around, she felt a bit sorry for Cen Zhengnian.

After all, they relied on his monthly remittances, so she couldn’t be too heartless.

She turned back, took out some red medicinal liquid from the drawer under the television, and handed it to Cen Zhengnian. “Put some medicine on it to prevent infection.”

Cen Zhengnian took the medicine and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Soon, he had it undone, revealing a beautifully toned abdomen, even with a visible V-line!

Chu Xia’s eyes widened as she stared at his abs. “What… what are you doing?”

Cen Zhengnian replied, “Applying the medicine.”

“Why are you taking off your shirt to apply medicine?” Chu Xia frowned.

She realized Cen Zhengnian was in much better shape than she’d expected.

The kind of lean physique that only revealed its muscularity when the shirt came off—he could be used as a perfect model in a medical class.

She had assumed scientists spent all their time in the lab and would look pale and weak, but Cen Zhengnian was anything but frail.

Cen Zhengnian chuckled, noticing his wife’s flustered and somewhat shy expression. “The wound is underneath. I can’t apply the medicine without taking off my shirt.”

As he spoke, he removed his shirt entirely, exposing his well-built back for all to see.

Without hesitation, he began applying the medicine to his shoulder.

After a few moments, Cen Zhengnian turned to look at Chu Xia, who was still staring at his abs, and asked with a smile, “I can’t see the wound. Can you check if I’ve applied the medicine correctly?”

Chu Xia snapped out of her daze and glanced quickly, vaguely replying, “It’s fine.”

With that, she hurriedly turned and walked toward the inner room, trying to sound composed as she said, “Put your shirt back on and bring the food in. I’ll check on An’an.”

Cen Zhengnian chuckled softly to himself, noticing that his wife had indeed changed a lot since his return.

Her personality was no longer as subdued and gentle as before.

In the past, his wife hardly spoke to him, and their time together was brief.

He realized now that he hadn’t known her well enough.

Chu Xia entered the inner room, and all her earlier discomfort vanished the moment she saw Cen Huaian.

At this moment, Cen Huai’an was leaning against the window, his eyes fixed on the mint plant on the windowsill, his small fingers pointing at the mint leaves, counting them one by one.

Hearing footsteps, his body stiffened for a moment.

When he turned his head and saw it was Chu Xia, his body relaxed again, and he called out softly, “Mom.”

Chu Xia looked at his face.

There were no visible signs of tears anymore, his tear stains had been completely wiped away.

If not for the redness in his eyes, it would have been impossible to tell he had been crying.

Chu Xia walked over and patted his head, just about to say something when Cen Huai’an suddenly said, “Mom, there are four mint leaves missing.”

Chu Xia looked at the pot of mint.

There were so many leaves that she couldn’t tell a few were missing. “How could you tell?” she asked, puzzled.

“I count them every day,” Cen Huai’an replied, not thinking it was difficult at all.

Caught in the act, Chu Xia casually brushed her hand over the mint leaves, and without feeling any guilt, said, “I plucked them to make tea. It tasted quite good. Would you like some?”

Cen Huai’an hesitated for three seconds before nodding firmly, “Yes!”

During dinner, the table was very quiet.

Normally, Chu Xia would ask him about his day at school while they ate.

If she didn’t ask, he wouldn’t speak.

Now, with Chu Xia remaining silent, Cen Huai’an was fully focused on enjoying the shrimp and didn’t speak either.

After a full morning of classes, he was already quite hungry, and the crying had drained his energy even more, so he ate without raising his head.

A mouthful of shrimp, a bite of rice soaked in sauce — it was enough to make anyone’s appetite increase just by watching.

Cen Zhengnian was also very hungry, but instead of eating right away, he washed his hands and started peeling shrimp for both An An and Chu Xia.

His hands, with their defined knuckles, moved quickly as he peeled, yet there was nothing rough in his actions.

He placed the peeled shrimp into An An’s and Chu Xia’s bowls until each bowl had a small pile.

“All done.”

Chu Xia glanced at her bowl and Cen Huai’an’s.

She decided it was enough and motioned for Cen Zhengnian to eat.

Cen Zhengnian looked over at Cen Huai’an, who didn’t say a word.

Instead, he picked up a shrimp with his chopsticks, bit off the shell, and ate the meat, making it clear with his actions that he didn’t need any help.

Only then did Cen Zhengnian wash his hands and sit down to eat.

As soon as he took a bite, he was surprised by Chu Xia’s cooking skills and sincerely praised, “This is delicious.”

Cen Huai’an snorted, “Of course, Mom’s cooking is always delicious.”

Cen Zhengnian smiled and looked at Chu Xia.

Chu Xia felt her face inexplicably warm up.

She cleared her throat lightly, “Eat properly. You two are in charge of washing the dishes later.”

In the afternoon, Chu Xia had an exam.

Cen Zhengnian offered to take her, but she refused outright.

“No need. It’s just an exam; I can go by myself. You should take An An.”

Chu Xia thought that, compared to her, An An would probably prefer going to school with Cen Zhengnian.

“I don’t need it either.”

Though Cen Huai’an said this, when he was packing his bag to go to school, his movements were noticeably slower than usual.

He kept glancing at Cen Zhengnian from the corner of his eye.

Seeing that Cen Zhengnian didn’t mention taking him, Cen Huai’an suddenly felt a surge of frustration.

He stuffed the remaining things into his bag haphazardly and mumbled, “Mom, I’m going to school.”

He didn’t acknowledge Cen Zhengnian at all, not even sparing him a glance.

Cen Zhengnian didn’t mind.

As soon as Cen Huai’an walked out the door, he followed him.

Cen Huai’an glanced at him, his lips still pressed tightly together, “I don’t need you to take me.”

“I want to take you. Is that okay?”

Cen Huai’an pursed his lips. “If you want to, then go ahead.”

His tone sounded reluctant, but his steps became lighter.

Cen Zhengnian didn’t expose An An’s awkwardness; he just smiled softly, watching him.

Then he reached out and took the backpack and water bottle An An was carrying.