Chapter 57

“Mom, why did you come here?” Xie Zhen shielded Su Xi as they reached the exit, looking at the beaming Tang Siyun.

Su Xi smiled warmly as she greeted her, “Mom!”

Tang Siyun’s usually cool and distant face was now glowing with happiness. Ignoring her son entirely, she pulled Su Xi’s small hand into her own with a bright smile. “Ah, Xi Xi! Are you tired? I called Wu Qiong and found out your train schedule, so I came to pick you up. I’m so glad you’re here! These next few days, Mom’s going to show you around and make sure you have a great time. J City has a lot of fun places to explore. Come on, come on! And Xing Xing, keep up! You little one, so bold…”

Although Su Xi was surprised that her mother-in-law had come all this way just to pick her up, she was delighted.

After all, they had gotten along very well since last year. She didn’t hesitate to take Tang Siyun’s offered arm, happily linking arms with her while Pang Xing joined on her other side.

The three walked out together, cheerful and lively.

This left the two men standing behind, burdened with bags and packages.

Tong Yun muttered, “Brother, I could swear Aunt Tang acted like she didn’t even see us back there.”

Xie Zhen took long strides to catch up, scoffing, “You’re mistaken. She just didn’t see *you*.”

Tong Yun was speechless.

For those she cared about, Tang Siyun was nothing but gentle and attentive.

Once they exited the train station, Tang Siyun had them hop right into a military jeep she’d arranged. No one even had to ask, and soon they were off, heading to the nearest hostel.

After Su Xi and the others finally had a chance to wash up, freshen their hair, and change clothes, they emerged as refreshed, spirited young men and women, just in time for lunch.

Without delay, they headed to a state-owned restaurant for a hearty meal before continuing to the military compound.

The compound was quite far from the train station; it took the jeep over an hour to get there.

As the only unfamiliar face in the group, Su Xi, accompanied by Xie Zhen, had to register her identity at the entrance before she was allowed entry.

The car first dropped Tong Yun and his companion at their home before continuing on to the Xie family’s small house.

Xie Bo held a high-ranking position, so he was allocated a two-story Western-style home, complete with a spacious courtyard of over 100 square meters. Usually, during this season, the courtyard would be filled with vibrant, fragrant flowers that Tang Siyun had carefully cultivated. This was common for most families in the compound.

However, since the start of the year, a strict shift had swept through the compound. Every household had dug up their flowers and replaced them with leafy green vegetables, rejecting any signs of “capitalist indulgence.”

With her son-in-law deemed to have a “questionable background,” Tang Siyun, despite her reluctance, had to follow suit. She uprooted most of her flowers, leaving only a few modest pots tucked away in the corners of the yard.

The group crossed the courtyard and entered the small villa.

Su Xi took a quick look around, surprised yet unsurprised. What surprised her was the stark simplicity of the decor, which was unlike the home of a high-ranking official. What didn’t surprise her was that, in this era, even if someone did possess something valuable, they wouldn’t dare display it openly.

After seating Su Xi on the wooden sofa, Tang Siyun called to her son, “Xiao Zhen, you can set the luggage down later. Go to the kitchen and make a cup of malted milk for Xi Xi. Sister Li went back to her hometown, so whatever you need, find it yourself.”

Once she finished, Tang Siyun turned back to Su Xi, her face alight with warmth. “Xi Xi, you must be exhausted after so many days on the train. Drink some malted milk and then take a nap. I’ve already tidied the room for you. We’ll have a proper celebration tonight when Old Xie gets home.”

Su Xi agreed obediently. Although she wasn’t especially sleepy, she did feel fatigued from sitting for so long, and a good nap would help her refresh.

—o—o—o—

*Four o’clock in the afternoon.*

In a room adorned with rich red decorations, on a spacious wedding bed, a strikingly handsome man lay beside his wife.

Xie Zhen’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and then he slowly opened his eyes. Glancing at the time on his watch, he looked down at his wife, who lay half-asleep in his arms.

The curtains weren’t fully drawn, allowing a gentle breeze and bright rays of sunlight to fill the room.

Watching Su Xi’s cheeks, rosy with sleep, Xie Zhen’s gaze softened. He leaned down slightly and placed a tender kiss on her pink, delicate lips.

Slowly, he moved the small hands that had been wrapped around his waist aside, trying not to disturb her.

But, even with that gentle movement, the woman in his arms awoke. Su Xi blinked her sleepy eyes, murmuring, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Zhen felt a bit annoyed with himself for waking her. He patted her gently, as if soothing a child back to sleep, and said, “Did I wake you? It’s nothing; go back to sleep. I’m just going downstairs to help Mom prepare dinner.”

Su Xi, still a little slow to react, sat up and yawned softly, “Dinner?”

Xie Zhen wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her close. “Yes, since there’s no housekeeper at home now, I need to go down and help with the cooking.”

Su Xi asked, “What time is it?”

Xie Zhen kissed the top of her head and said softly, “It’s four o’clock.”

Su Xi sat up a little straighter, “Then I’ll go down with you. My cooking skills aren’t the best, but I can help out.”

Xie Zhen reached over to smooth down the strands of hair sticking up from Su Xi’s sleep. “You don’t want to sleep a bit longer?”

By then, Su Xi had already scooted to the edge of the bed and was putting on her shoes. “No, if I sleep any longer, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Besides, this is my first time visiting as a daughter-in-law; I can’t just sit around waiting to be served.”

Xie Zhen also got out of bed. “What’s the big deal? Just because you married me doesn’t mean you have to do any housework.”

With a smile that curved her eyes, Su Xi took his handsome face in her hands, leaning in to give him a sweet kiss. Before she could pull away, he tightened his hold on her, shifting from being a passive recipient to holding her close, savoring the kiss deeply.

When they finally pulled apart, Xie Zhen pressed his forehead against hers, his breathing heavy as he warned, “Don’t tempt me now… wait until tonight.”

Su Xi shivered at his words.

As they entered the kitchen, Tang Siyun looked up from her cooking preparations and, noticing her son and daughter-in-law, asked, “Why are you two down here already? Didn’t you rest well?”

Su Xi reached over, picking up the green beans Tang Siyun was working on, and stood by her side, snapping them as she spoke. “We’ve slept enough. Any more, and we won’t be able to fall asleep tonight. Plus, it’s the perfect time to come down and help with dinner.”

Tang Siyun looked a bit embarrassed and said, “I’m not that great in the kitchen; I just handle the prep work. Usually, I wait for your father to come home and cook.”

Su Xi laughed heartily, “Well, isn’t that funny, Mom! I’m not much of a cook either; Xie Zhen’s the one who usually takes care of it. Looks like Xie Zhen inherited Dad’s cooking skills.”

Tang Siyun waved her hand dismissively, “Oh, not really. Old Xie’s cooking is just a bit better than mine. He’s busy most of the time, so I usually just make do with something simple, or the guards bring me meals from the base. I thought, since it’s your first day back, eating out wouldn’t be as comfortable as a meal at home. But I had no idea that this rascal, Xiao Zhen, actually learned to cook! Impressive—he’s turned into quite the reliable husband.”

The way she said it made it sound like Xie Zhen was the one who married into the family.

Amused, Su Xi looked over Tang Siyun, noticing she’d slimmed down a bit. “No wonder I thought you looked a little thinner. You can’t keep going with just simple meals. Why not find someone who can cook for you?”

Xie Zhen furrowed his brows in agreement. “Mom, listen to Xixi. You’re at an age where you really should have someone around.”

Tang Siyun was initially touched by her daughter-in-law’s thoughtfulness, but when she heard her son’s comment, she immediately protested, “You little brat! Who are you calling old? I’ll have you know, I don’t look my age at all. Who’d ever say I look old when I go out?”

It was true. Even though she’d aged a bit over the past few months, worrying about her daughter and son-in-law, she’d been drinking the peach wine Su Xi sent over and even used it as a face mask. Now, even in her simple clothes, Tang Siyun looked younger than she had the previous year.

Xie Zhen kept chopping ribs, but he couldn’t resist poking further, “No matter how young you look, you’re still in your fifties.”

Tang Siyun, thoroughly annoyed, raised her hand to smack him.

Su Xi intervened, laughing, “Mom, don’t mind him; he just doesn’t know how to talk.”

Tang Siyun rolled her eyes, “Oh, he knows—he just enjoys annoying me.”

There was something about this mother and son; no matter how few words passed between them, they’d end up sparring. Xie Zhen, usually so steady and reserved, would get remarkably sharp-tongued around his mother.

Deciding it was best not to stoke the fire, Su Xi quickly shifted the conversation, “But really, Mom, you should think about having someone around to cook for you. It’s not healthy to eat poorly all the time.”

Tang Siyun, feeling comfortable enough to vent with her son and daughter-in-law, sighed, “I’d love to, but it’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Nowadays, who even dares to hire housekeepers? I’ve spent my whole life without having to lift a finger in the kitchen; I never thought I’d reach this age and need to learn cooking, washing, and cleaning.

Old Xie, bless him, can’t bear to see me do all that. He even gets up an hour earlier each day to cook for me, and the two young guards help with cleaning. I feel guilty about it sometimes… But then, Old Xie isn’t so young either, and he’s busy every day. I feel for him too, so I try to do as much as I can myself.”

Su Xi suggested, “Just say it’s a relative, Mom—not a housekeeper. You could say it’s someone whose family isn’t around anymore and has come to stay with you. As long as you find someone reliable, there’s nothing to worry about. Nobody outside would know you’re actually paying them.”

Tang Siyun was surprised for a moment, then laughed, “No wonder I’ve noticed a few new faces around the compound lately. When I asked, everyone just said they were relatives visiting. So that’s what’s really going on!”

Xie Zhen added, “Since many others have already set the trend, you and Dad should also look for someone reliable.”

Tang Siyun nodded. “Alright, I’ll bring it up with Old Xie tonight when he gets home. You know, I never thought this house was that big, but cleaning it all on my own now—it’s really exhausting.”

As they chatted and laughed together, dinner was soon ready.

Just as the final dish was about to be brought out, Xie Bo came home from work, followed by two guards, striding in from the entrance.

As he entered, the rich aroma of the food caught him by surprise, and he raised an eyebrow, intrigued, making his way straight to the dining room.

At that moment, Tang Siyun and Su Xi were seated at the dining table, chatting. Hearing the door open, they knew it was Xie Bo returning.

With a smile, Tang Siyun looked toward the doorway. “Old Xie, you’re home?”

Su Xi quickly stood up, turned toward him, and greeted him with a smile, “Dad!”

Last year, she’d heard her mother-in-law mention that Xie Zhen resembled his father, but she hadn’t expected just how much. They were at least 80% alike.

Though Xie Bo was now 56, he looked remarkably youthful. Likely due to years of consistent physical training, he didn’t have the weathered look Su Xi expected for someone his age; instead, he seemed full of vitality.

He gave Su Xi a rare, soft smile and said, “Sit down, no need to be so formal. This is your home, too.”

Tang Siyun gently pulled Su Xi back into her seat, playfully chiding, “Exactly, no need to be so polite.”

Su Xi smiled bashfully and took her seat.

Just then, Xie Zhen emerged from the kitchen with the final dish.

By now, it was close to six o’clock, but the military compound had long been equipped with electricity, and the house was brightly lit. The family sat around the dining table and began their meal.

After dinner, the two guards volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes, then retreated to their rooms, leaving the living room empty for the family.

“Are you planning to visit Grandpa tomorrow morning?” Xie Bo leaned back in his chair, relaxing beside Tang Siyun. One hand held a teacup while the other rested casually on the back of her chair.

Xie Zhen nodded. “Yes, we’ll head over right after breakfast and probably won’t be back until evening.”

After a brief pause, Xie Bo suggested, “Let Siyun go with you. I’ll come by after work in the evening to pick you all up.”

Xie Bo looked over at Su Xi, asking, “Do you and Xie Zhen have any thoughts about hosting a wedding banquet?” His tone was warm and welcoming.

Both he and Tang Siyun, as well as Old Master Xie, were very fond of their daughter-in-law.

At first, they’d been simply satisfied with her background and character, but last year, when his daughter needed a place to stay, Su Xi had taken her in without hesitation. Since then, she’d become more than just family; they genuinely cherished her.

Despite her young age, Su Xi was an exceptional person. She knew how to navigate challenging situations and, most importantly, valued family. Xie Zhen was lucky to have married such a thoughtful wife, and the entire Xie family felt fortunate because of it.

Su Xi exchanged a quick glance with Xie Zhen, then smiled and replied, “Dad, Xie Zhen and I were thinking of hosting just a few tables with close family and friends. Given the current situation, it’s better to keep things low-key.”

Xie Bo’s expression softened with approval. “You both have a good head on your shoulders, so your mom and I won’t add any more suggestions. How about holding the banquet on the 19th? I checked the calendar, and it seems to be a good day.”

Su Xi and Xie Zhen agreed without hesitation.

It was already the 16th, so the 19th wasn’t far off. Considering that they could only stay in J City for about ten days before heading to Hongjun Island, the timing seemed perfect.

—o—o—o—

The next morning, after Xie Bo had gone to work, Guard Xiao Liu drove over to pick up Xie Zhen and Su Xi, taking them to see Old Master Xie.

Xie Grandpa, whose name was Xie Jiashu, had retired due to health issues. His health had been declining for some time, and though his sons wanted him to live with them, he found it too disruptive to move between their homes. So, he’d chosen to stay in a retirement home, where it was easier for him to see doctors as needed.

The retirement community was exclusively for senior retired officials, allowing him to enjoy a comfortable life among old friends, playing chess and fishing.

Ever since he’d received the call from his grandson the previous night, saying that he’d be bringing his new granddaughter-in-law to visit, Old Master Xie had been in great spirits. After breakfast that morning, instead of joining his friends outside, he decided to stay in his room, wearing his reading glasses and passing the time with a book.

Just then, a group of elderly men around his age entered, arm-in-arm. Seeing him relaxed and healthy, one of them—a rotund man with a bit of a temper—grumbled, “Old Xie, what’s going on? Didn’t we agree yesterday that we’d all go fishing today?”

Old Master Xie removed his reading glasses and slipped them into his pocket. He chuckled leisurely, “My grandson and his wife are visiting today. I don’t have time to waste on fishing with you old rascals.”

“Hah! You old dog, Xie,” scoffed the grumpy, round-faced man, his eyebrows bristling. “If you weren’t coming, you could have at least told us! We were worried sick, thinking something had happened to you!”

Old Master Xie, in his cheerful mood, just smiled and kept his composure, calmly pouring tea for each of them.

The most refined of the group, a gentleman with an air of sophistication, sipped his tea and asked, “Old Xie, which grandson is coming to see you today?”

The rotund man interrupted, “Hey, don’t you know him by now? It’s obviously that boy Xie Zhen. When else have you ever seen Old Xie this happy over any of his other grandkids?”

Old Master Xie had three sons in total; Xie Bo was the eldest, followed by two younger brothers who, though both in non-combat roles, had also done quite well in their military careers.

Between them, they had seven or eight grandchildren, but Xie Zhen was the only one who had joined the military.

This lack of military inclination among his other grandkids had been a source of disappointment for the old revolutionary, Xie Jiashu.

No wonder Xie Zhen was his favorite—he was the eldest grandson, and not only that, he was an exceptional soldier. The old man always beamed with pride whenever he mentioned him.

“What? Xie Zhen got married? When did this happen?” another elderly gentleman, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly interjected, clearly displeased. “Old Xie, you’ve really done me wrong here. I’ve been telling you for years that I wanted to pair my Yunyun with your Xie Zhen. And now you tell me he’s married? Yunyun herself mentioned that she was planning to come see you later today!”

The comment wasn’t particularly polite, and Old Master Xie frowned as he set his teacup down on the table, his tone turning cool. “Old Fang, what do you mean by that? I told you a while back that Xie Zhen had no interest in Yunyun that way. And I even mentioned to you last year that he was seeing someone. I’m very satisfied with his choice of partner, remember?”

The rotund man nodded, backing up Old Master Xie. “That’s right, Old Fang. We all know about this, so you’re out of line with that comment.”

Old Fang, clearly frustrated, retorted, “How was I supposed to know you were serious? Knowing Xie Zhen’s icy nature, I thought you were just trying to get Yunyun to give up. I never thought he’d actually find someone.”

The rotund man chuckled, fanning the flames, “Well, Old Fang’s got a point there. Xie Zhen, with his iceberg demeanor, actually managed to find a wife? Who would’ve thought? Ha!”

Ignoring the rotund man, Old Master Xie replied, “You should go back and have a talk with that Yunyun of yours. Xie Zhen really is married; they’re even legally registered. They’re back now on family leave to host a small banquet and introduce my granddaughter-in-law to the rest of the family and friends.”

Though Old Fang still looked upset, he knew he didn’t have much of a case. He was frustrated, having lost the chance to secure such a fine grandson-in-law, and his face betrayed his disappointment. “Yunyun will be coming over in a bit. Let her see for herself; otherwise, she won’t give up.”

Old Master Xie wasn’t pleased at the prospect. This was his granddaughter-in-law’s first time visiting, and it wouldn’t do to have another young woman here, stirring up awkwardness. Just as he was about to refuse, the rotund man suddenly called out, “Hey, look, Xie Zhen’s here!”

Old Master Xie quickly turned his head to look out the window and, sure enough, saw his grandson holding the hand of a beautiful girl, walking towards him behind his daughter-in-law.

Forgetting everything else, he got up to greet them. By the time he reached the doorway, the group had already arrived.

“Dad, what are you doing out here? Is your leg feeling better?” Tang Siyun hurried over to support Old Master Xie’s arm, helping him walk.

The old man had trouble with his legs; he had been injured in an explosion years ago, leaving many fragments of shrapnel that current medical technology couldn’t remove. So, he usually sat in a wheelchair. He could walk, but it was very painful.

Having grown up beside Old Master Xie, Tang Siyun was as close to him as she was to her own daughter. He smiled, “I’m fine. The medicinal wine my granddaughter-in-law sent last year has really helped. My legs are much better now.”

This was the truth. He didn’t know where his granddaughter-in-law got the recipe, but the wine was not only tasty but also had excellent medicinal properties. After drinking it for a year, he felt that his long-standing ailments had improved significantly.

Su Xi and Xie Zhen placed the gifts they had brought to the side before Xie Zhen took Su Xi to the elder. “Grandpa, this is my wife, Su Xi.”

Su Xi slightly bent at the waist and smiled brightly, “Grandpa, hello!”

“Good, good, good! All good! Come in and sit down,” Old Master Xie said enthusiastically.

He was very pleased with Su Xi. He had been satisfied before, but now he was even more so. He had never imagined that his grandson would find such a lovely granddaughter-in-law.

Thinking about their future great-grandchild, he envisioned a child as adorable as a traditional New Year’s doll, and just that thought made him exceedingly happy.

Reflecting on this, he patted his spirited grandson with satisfaction. Looking at him standing straight with sharp features, his heart swelled with joy. In every respect, his eldest grandson was exceptional, and he had good taste in choosing a wife. The Xie family boys had an eye for quality.

“Wow! Little Zhen’s wife is really beautiful! What does the girl do?” As they entered the living room, the rotund man exclaimed loudly.

Xie Zhen led Su Xi to greet the elderly men before guiding her to a seat, saying proudly, “Xi Xi is a military doctor!”

The old men nodded in agreement. It was a respectable profession. Even Old Fang, who often looked for faults, had to admit that this girl was indeed impressive—good-looking and with a good career.

Old Fang, surprised that such a delicate-looking girl was a military doctor, asked curiously, “You look quite young, and you’re already a doctor?”

Su Xi did look youthful; after all, she was only twenty.

Before she could respond, Old Master Xie began to boast, “Of course! My granddaughter-in-law passed the fourth-level exam when she was in school. She graduated as a graduate student from the First Military Medical University, and she did it with flying colors, graduating at the top of her class. She started working last year when she was just nineteen.”

Hearing this, the old men were genuinely impressed. A prestigious university and graduating first in her class—it seemed that Su Xi was indeed a perfect match for Xie Zhen.

Old Fang felt a twinge of discomfort. He had thought that his own family, while not as high-ranking as the Xie family, was still quite respectable. His granddaughter worked in the art troupe, which was also a decent job—she was pretty and dignified.

But now, seeing that Xie Zhen had found such an outstanding partner after all these years of being single, he found himself at a loss for words.

And observing Xie Zhen’s attentive demeanor as he catered to his wife’s needs made Old Fang feel even worse. It was evident that he had taken great care of her; if his stubborn granddaughter found out, he could only imagine the scene that would unfold.

As fate would have it, just as Old Fang was thinking about his granddaughter, she walked in carrying a plate of pastries. Upon entering, she spotted Xie Zhen and rushed over, her face lighting up with excitement. “Xie Zhen, when did you come back?”