Cen Zhengnian continued, “Actually, I washed the sheets and pillowcases just a week ago.”

He was very particular about cleanliness, so even if he returned late at night, he would bathe and wash his clothes.

When he had extra time, he would also wash the bedding.

Ye Xingxu had commented a few times, saying he was too meticulous and should sleep more to be more energetic for research the next day.

Cen Zhengnian ignored him, considering it a personal hygiene habit.

Even if he went to bed at midnight, it didn’t affect his energy levels the next day.

Chuxia felt a bit sore in her arm and thought she shouldn’t have washed the bedding.

However, she said, “In the future, you can take the used bedding home to wash. How late can you stay up washing them at night?”

“It’s fine.”

Cen Zhengnian paused and added, “If I happen to go home, I’ll take it with me.”

After the meal, Cen Zhengnian, who had to get back to work, was stopped by Chuxia, who asked him to take the watermelon to the research institute.

Cen Zhengnian looked at the watermelon but didn’t pick it up. “You and An’an eat it yourselves.”

Chuxia forced the netted bag with the watermelon into his hand. “Take it. We can eat it at home, and there are also peaches. Take it; I don’t know if one watermelon will be enough for your colleagues.”

The watermelon Chuxia specially selected was heavy, and they couldn’t carry another one along with the other things.

Cen Zhengnian carried the watermelon. “Just cut it into smaller pieces. They’re lucky to get any.”

The watermelon was very sweet-looking, and his colleagues were already excited about it.

However, Cen Zhengnian wasn’t the type to be polite.

He simply nodded at anyone who greeted him and continued walking to the research lab, not mentioning anything about sharing the watermelon.

As soon as Ye Xingxu entered the research room, his eyes fell on the large watermelon Cen Zhengnian was carrying.

He immediately put down the pencil he was using for calculations and rushed over in excitement, “Is this from your wife? Is it for everyone in our research room?”

He asked the question while already hugging the watermelon, “Come, come! Let’s have some watermelon!”

The researchers in the room instantly turned their attention to the watermelon, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Eating watermelon after a meal in the hot summer was a perfect treat.

“Where did this watermelon come from?”

“It’s so big and the skin looks so good. It must be very sweet!”

One of the researchers tapped the watermelon’s rind, making a dull “thud” sound.

“Ahem!”

Yan Hemin cleared his throat, and the group of researchers quickly made way, “Professor Yan, look, a big watermelon!”

Yan Hemin saw it and turned to Cen Zhengnian, who was still standing by the door, with a smile on his face, “Zhengnian, did your wife bring this?”

Cen Zhengnian replied, “Yes, my wife said she brought it for everyone to share.”

As the researchers thanked him, Cen Zhengnian slowly added, “She only brought this one.”

Yan Hemin was taken aback, “Did your wife and son not eat any?”

Cen Zhengnian replied, “They didn’t eat any. Professor, please distribute it.”

Yan Hemin waved his hands repeatedly, “No, no, your wife brought this. If she and your son didn’t eat any, we can’t eat it either.”

Cen Zhengnian glanced at the watermelon, “Professor, this is for you all. If you don’t eat it, I’ll have a hard time explaining.”

Upon hearing this, the researchers were deeply touched and expressed their gratitude to Chuxia even more.

“Sister-in-law is so kind to us!”

“If there’s anything your wife needs, just let us know!”

“Yes, we’ll help with whatever we can, and even try to help with what we can’t!”

Cen Zhengnian looked at everyone and smiled slightly, “Alright.”

The researchers, absorbed in their gratitude and the upcoming enjoyment of the watermelon, didn’t notice his fleeting smile.

When it came time to cut the watermelon, they couldn’t find a knife, but it didn’t matter. They had plenty of sharp tools in the room, and soon, the watermelon was cut into pieces.

As Cen Zhengnian had said, with many people, the watermelon was cut into smaller pieces, but everyone still enjoyed it immensely, and there were even leftovers.

“So sweet!”

“This is the sweetest watermelon I’ve ever had this summer, or even in all my summers!”

“Me too.”

“It’s so delicious.”

The researchers commented excitedly, not slowing down their eating speed. They finished the first pieces quickly, eagerly waiting to eat more.

Before they could start fighting over the leftovers, the door of the research room was pushed open, and researchers from the adjacent room streamed in.

“Hey, you’re hogging all the watermelon!”

“You didn’t even invite us to share the watermelon. How unkind!”

“There’s still so much left. It’s such a waste to throw it away.”

Then, amidst the murderous glares from Cen Zhengnian’s research room members, the researchers from the adjacent room ate the remaining watermelon.

“You bunch of scoundrels!”

“Bandits!”

“Who said we couldn’t finish it? You’re so shameless!”

The members of the adjacent research room, savoring the watermelon, didn’t care about the angry shouts.

“This watermelon is so sweet.”

“There’s so much juice.”

“It’s really good.”

“I want another piece.”

Cen Zhengnian’s research room members looked at their neighbors’ intentionally provocative expressions and wished they could kill them with their glares.

After finishing the watermelon, the neighboring researchers wanted to leave but were stopped by Ye Xingxu and his colleagues.

They had to clean up the watermelon rinds and the juice on the table and floor before they could leave.

“You ate our watermelon and now you want to leave? No way!”

“Yes, get to work quickly, or you can stay here.”

Yan Hemin and the leader of the neighboring research room watched with smiles, not concerned with the commotion.

After all, it was just a bit of fun. The research was dull, and this was a good way to relax.

Cen Zhengnian didn’t get involved in the commotion; he had already gotten what he wanted.

Chuxia was unaware of the commotion caused by the watermelon. In the afternoon, she felt drowsy, and Huai’an was nodding off at the table.

It was nap time, and the sheets and duvet cover outside weren’t completely dry yet.

Chuxia brought in the bedding that was almost dry and replaced it with the ones from Cen Zhengnian’s box.

She and Cen Huai’an rested on his bed.

Even though it was summer and Cen Zhengnian’s duvet was already quite thin, it was still hot.

Chuxia woke up from the heat and looked at the sky outside, then at Cen Huai’an, who was sweating and frowning.

She pulled the duvet off him, leaving it only on his stomach, and took out the paper fan she had made in the morning.

She fanned them while also looking through the medical manual Cen Zhengnian had given her.

Since she and Huai’an were staying the night, they would have more time together. Huai’an would be able to spend more time with his father.

Cen Zhengnian came back earlier than usual, bringing work with him. After dinner, he wouldn’t be going back to the research institute.

“How was the watermelon?”

Chuxia stood next to Cen Zhengnian, watching him wash his hands in the basin, lathering with soap, and then rinsing.

She looked at him with a hint of admiration.

“It was good.” Cen Zhengnian cleaned his hands, took a towel, and dried them. “They asked me to thank you.”

Cen Zhengnian relayed some of the researchers’ praises of Chuxia, making her laugh with sparkling eyes, “Your colleagues are so interesting.”

Cen Zhengnian, however, didn’t have much feeling for them, “They benefited from your kindness.”

Chuxia replied, “That’s fine too. At least they remember my kindness, which is better than some people who forget after receiving something.”

Cen Zhengnian walked to the table and looked at the chess game Huai’an had set up, saying, “They won’t forget.”

He wouldn’t let his colleagues eat Chuxia’s watermelon without expressing their gratitude.

At dinner, Cen Zhengnian also made mung bean soup. After Cen Huai’an took a sip, he said, “It’s not as good as Mom’s.”

Cen Zhengnian had never had Chuxia’s mung bean soup in summer because he hadn’t been home.

Hearing Cen Huai’an’s comment, he glanced at Chuxia with a smile and then looked at Cen Huai’an. “I haven’t tried your mom’s yet.”

Cen Huai’an looked up at Cen Zhengnian and blinked.

Cen Zhengnian continued, “An’an, can you tell Dad what Mom’s mung bean soup tastes like?”

Cen Huai’an thought for a moment and said, “It’s sweet, with a grainy texture from the mung beans, and there’s a flavor I can’t quite describe. It’s not like this soup, which is a bit bitter and not sweet, and there are fewer beans.”

Cen Zhengnian said, “Now you’ve made me want to try it even more.”

He glanced at Chuxia with a smile. If she didn’t understand his hint, she’d have to be pretty dense.

But Chuxia didn’t play along and said, “When you get home, you’ll naturally get to taste it.”

Cen Zhengnian’s brows furrowed slightly, and his smile faded as he sighed, “I hope I can find the time to go home.”

He looked pitiful, which made Chuxia’s heart soften, even though she knew he was putting on an act.

“After a while, I’ll bring some mung bean soup for you when I bring An’an to the research institute.”

Cen Zhengnian guessed that Chuxia would soften, but hearing her words made his heart flutter.

He could almost feel his heart blooming with sweetness as he looked at Chuxia with soft eyes, emotions swirling in his gaze.

“Chuxia…”

Chuxia quickly shoved a bun into his mouth, saying, “Eat your meal.”

She didn’t want to say anything more.

Although she felt his gaze, their son was right there, watching them with eager eyes.

She didn’t want to say anything that might give the wrong impression.

Cen Huai’an didn’t understand much, but he felt that the atmosphere between his parents was strange yet happy, and he couldn’t help but smile.

After dinner, Cen Zhengnian continued to work on some calculations at the table while Cen Huai’an took out the chessboard and played Go with Chuxia.

Chuxia wanted to relax for a bit and not focus too much on studying.

However, she soon realized that playing chess also required brainpower, especially against Cen Huai’an, who was quite skilled.

But now that they had started, she had to keep going.

She kept an eye on the time and said after half an hour, “Alright, let your dad join you. I’m going to freshen up.”

If she continued, she’d lose.

Cen Huai’an was too good now, and both she and Cen Zhengnian were no match for him!