Chapter 22

The sound of running water from the sink began.

Fu Cheng held Youyi’s hand, dispensed some hand soap, and created a lather of white foam. He guided her hand under the faucet and carefully washed from her palm to her fingertips.

Youyi bent her fingers, wanting to wash herself, but Fu Cheng held onto her hand.

His fingers pressed firmly between her own, causing a tickling and tingling sensation, which drew all her attention to her hand.

“My grandfather is having his birthday this week. Do you want to go with me?” Fu Cheng suddenly asked.

Youyi paused.

No wonder he was on the phone earlier, talking about the birthday celebration.

Fu Cheng’s grandfather was also her maternal grandfather’s old comrade. Youyi had met him a few times.

She vaguely remembered him as a spirited old man.

He was as cold and solemn as Fu Cheng.

Youyi nodded, “Of course, I’ll go.”

Even though she and Fu Cheng were married, it was only a legal registration with no formal ceremony or family dinner, but Fu Cheng’s grandfather was still her grandfather.

She would definitely go for the old man’s birthday.

It was the least she could do.

“I haven’t prepared a gift,” Youyi asked, “Is it today?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning,” Fu Cheng said. “We’ll stay at my place for a night and return the day after tomorrow.”

Just a dinner tomorrow evening and then spending an extra day there.

As for the gift…

Fu Cheng said, “It’s my fault for not telling you in advance.”

With the short time available before they leave, Youyi thought for a moment, then turned to Fu Cheng and said, “I’ll try to prepare something.”

She spoke earnestly about this.

Fu Cheng said, “It’s the thought that counts.”

It’s not about the gift.

After washing Youyi’s hands clean, Fu Cheng dried them carefully with a towel. Youyi hesitated and asked, “Do you and Grandpa often argue?”

From the past and present, what she had heard and seen—

She had this guess.

“He thinks I shouldn’t have retired,” Fu Cheng said openly. “In his eyes, I wasn’t a good person to begin with.”

The old man was stern and single-minded. Fu Cheng had been disciplined by him with a military baton since childhood. Since his retirement, their relationship had become even more strained.

It was a difficult topic, and the old man’s harsh words were still fresh in his mind.

This was the first time they would celebrate his birthday after their conflicts.

Fu Cheng was afraid she would worry, so he said, “He’s always liked you.”

The old man personally arranged the marriage, so he was clearly satisfied with her.

Fu Cheng paused and seriously asked, “If he scolds me, will you speak up for me?”

Youyi took a breath, “He might not necessarily scold you.”

If he did scold him…

Youyi said, “I’ll do my best.”

*

The next morning at eight, Fu Cheng and Youyi set off from home.

Fu Cheng’s family also lived in Shenglin City, a few districts away from where they lived. It took about forty minutes by car.

There was some traffic in the morning, and it took an hour to get there.

Youyi wore a light yellow dress with her hair half pinned up. She sat in the car, looking extremely well-behaved.

“Is it only Grandpa at home?”

“Yes.”

“What about your parents?”

“They’re abroad and rarely come back.”

“Then who else will be at the birthday celebration?”

“Not many people, so you don’t need to be nervous.”

As she asked these questions, Youyi clenched her fingers tightly. She had no experience meeting parents and was naturally anxious.

What kind of family Fu Cheng had, who would be there, and how she should interact with them—

Before today, Youyi knew nothing about these.

Moreover, Fu Cheng had told her that he had a strained relationship with his grandfather.

She even thought about what to do if they had an argument.

It was very uncertain and unknown.

“Fu Cheng, try to be patient,” Youyi said before getting out of the car.

Fu Cheng frowned, “What?”

Youyi, extremely nervous, said seriously, “Actually, I’m not very good at mediating disputes.”

Fu Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then Youyi saw a hint of a smile in his eyes.

It was rare to see Fu Cheng smile.

He said nothing.

Holding the gift Youyi bought, Fu Cheng closed the car door. When he reached Youyi’s side, he took her wrist.

Fu Cheng’s one hand could easily envelop her whole hand. The calluses on his fingers rubbed against her hand’s bones. He adjusted his grip and then held her hand tightly.

Standing beside her, his tall figure was a stark contrast to her. Youyi looked at her hand being held, feeling warmth spread from her hand’s back to her palm. She blinked in surprise.

She had never been held like this before.

Unlike the typical interlocking fingers of other couples, Fu Cheng holding her hand felt more like he was protecting her safely.

With his powerful, unyielding force.

Youyi allowed him to hold her.

Turning the corner, they reached a traditional courtyard house with seasonal greens planted in the yard. The house appeared old-fashioned and traditional.

Fu Cheng pushed open the door and went inside.

Grandpa wasn’t home.

The entire courtyard was empty, enveloped in silence.

Youyi followed Fu Cheng inside. He set down the items and took her to his room.

It was the first room on the left.

Simple and clean, with everything clearly visible.

Youyi looked around and leaned down to press on his bed, saying, “It’s so hard.”

It seemed to have only a wooden board, with no mattress at all.

It would definitely be uncomfortable to sleep on.

She liked soft beds that sink in, like sleeping on a cloud—soft, warm, and very cozy.

Fu Cheng said, “My old man has been into military-style training since he was young. The whole house is furnished with hard beds, just like in the military.”

The room had minimal furniture—a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. There were no other items allowed, and the blankets on the bed were neatly folded into perfect squares.

Fu Cheng had been accustomed to this since childhood.

“Is there anything else in your room besides these things?” Youyi asked, struggling to imagine.

Fu Cheng replied, “Yes, but it’s all been put away.”

He opened the wardrobe, revealing a wooden red box in the lower right corner.

“Not much inside. Before leaving home, I packed everything in there.”

Youyi had no intention of opening the box.

Fu Cheng closed the wardrobe door.

Youyi asked, “Did you grow up here?”

“No,” Fu Cheng said. “Before I was twelve, I lived with my parents. Later, when they moved their business abroad, I moved here.”

Youyi rarely asked about Fu Cheng’s past, and today was the first time she’d asked so many questions.

Her understanding of Fu Cheng was slowly forming a clearer picture in her mind.

His strong and cold demeanor was largely shaped by his experiences, especially his military background, and his grandpa had had a significant influence as well.

“So… are we going to sleep here tonight?”

Youyi glanced back at the bed.

She thought the bed seemed a bit small.

For Fu Cheng, it seemed to be just the right length, fitting his height. He would certainly feel cramped.

And with her there, it would be even more so.

She might end up falling off.

Fu Cheng said, “We can try.”

Try?

Try what?

Youyi looked at him with curious eyes, and Fu Cheng spoke in a deep voice, “Experience the place I’ve been living in for ten years.”

It was a very ordinary statement, but Youyi couldn’t help but think more deeply.

To feel the place he had lain, to sense if there was any of his warmth, his scent, and to touch the past she had never known.

He honestly left it here, hoping she would come and see it willingly.

That night, Youyi discovered that Fu Cheng’s “try” was genuinely about letting her choose whether to stay or not.

There were other rooms in the courtyard, with soft, big beds.

These were prepared specifically for her.

Dinner was at a nearby restaurant, in a private room that could seat fewer than twenty people.

Youyi had a brief introduction with them.

Fu Cheng’s grandpa sat at the head of the table.

She had seen grandpa before. Despite his gray hair, his stern and commanding presence made Youyi feel uneasy. His face, lined with wrinkles, remained indifferent and unsmiling.

Youyi couldn’t help but wonder if Fu Cheng would look like that when he got old.

She was afraid of that demeanor but wasn’t afraid of Fu Cheng.

Instinctively, Youyi moved closer to Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng spoke little to his grandpa. The more he spoke, the more he seemed to offend, so he preferred to avoid provoking him on his birthday.

He was also concerned about scaring Youyi.

“Your grandpa’s birthday is in December, right?” Fu Cheng’s grandpa asked, his deep voice filled with wistful reminiscence.

Youyi nodded and replied, “Yes, December 22.”

Winter solstice day.

Her grandpa’s birthday.

Mentioning her grandpa brought a hint of regret to his eyes.

“This year, I will visit him on his birthday.”

Separated by a tombstone, they were already worlds apart.

He was his best comrade.

Death brings reflection.

Fu Cheng served Youyi a bowl of soup, sitting straight with a darkened expression, and said quietly, “Shrimp is too cold, you should eat less.”

In front of Youyi was a plate of boiled shrimp. Since the table didn’t rotate, she ended up eating a few more.

“I didn’t eat a lot,” Youyi explained.

The doctor had advised her to be cautious throughout the month to avoid a recurrence of her condition.

Fu Cheng remembered the doctor’s advice.

Fu Cheng served her some ribs.

The restaurant’s vinegar-steamed chicken was excellent and a signature dish. An old lady from the opposite table turned her plate around, suggesting that Fu Cheng’s wife should have a drumstick.

They all called her Fu Cheng’s wife.

Initially, Youyi felt awkward, but after hearing it multiple times, she grew accustomed. She smiled and said “Thank you.” Just as she reached for her chopsticks, Fu Cheng had already placed the drumstick in her bowl.

“Thank you,” she said softly to Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng replied, “No need to thank me.”

Even though she was polite and well-behaved, it wasn’t necessary with him.

His expression remained stern, but he squeezed her fingers gently and said softly, “Eat well.”

Returning from the restaurant was past nine in the evening.

Fu Cheng said he needed to meet a friend and would be back later.

Youyi hesitated, then swallowed her words.

“Alright,” she agreed.

Fu Cheng said, “Go to bed early.”

“Call me if you can’t sleep.”