Chapter 108 : Taking the Blame

Han Zhenyu pushed the bike into the yard.

Su Xieqiu closed the door and asked in surprise, “Didn’t you say this business trip would take five or six days? How come you’re back so soon?”

“The engineering department planned to load four trucks, but they finished loading the last three. So, Shaohua and I didn’t go. Director Li sent us to the provincial capital, and we just got back,” Han Zhenyu explained.

After speaking, he stared at her intently.

Su Xieqiu had been collecting firewood in the backyard that morning, and her coat had gotten dirty. So, she had changed into a light yellow floral jacket and black straight pants. This outfit showcased her figure perfectly.

She had made these clothes herself using fabric from the space. She no longer wore the original owner’s clothes, which were now sitting in the corner of the closet.

Su Xieqiu felt uncomfortable being stared at and her face turned slightly red. She pointed to the small sack on the bicycle and asked, “What’s in it?”

Han Zhenyu retracted his gaze and smiled as he took down the small sack. “It’s Fuqiang flour. It’s hard to find in our county’s supply and marketing cooperative, so I brought some back from the provincial capital this time.”

“We still have a lot at home, so don’t buy any more in the future,” Su Xieqiu said as she opened the sack to check. There were about ten kilograms inside.

She thought to herself, ‘I can’t even finish all the food in my space, and you go out and buy so much, aren’t you causing trouble for me?’

Han Zhenyu glanced at her and said meaningfully, “I’ll buy whatever the family needs in the future. You’re not allowed to go to that kind of place again.”

He always thought that the food and daily necessities at home, as well as the snacks for his grandparents, were all bought by Su Xieqiu on the black market.

“I understand,” Su Xieqiu responded perfunctorily. She couldn’t explain where the things came from, so she just accepted the blame for going to the black market.

‘Anyway, Han Zhenyu isn’t home often, so how could he control me?’ she thought. ‘After he leaves, I’ll take the stuff I brought back to the city and sell it secretly. It’s a little troublesome, but isn’t there another way?’

“Have you eaten? I’ll make something for you,” Su Xieqiu asked him.

Han Zhenyu shook his head. “Just eat something, I’m leaving soon.”

He came back to deliver the flour, but in truth, he was missing his wife and hurried back to see her.

“You just got back. Are you going on a business trip again?” Su Xieqiu said as she hurried to the kitchen.

Han Zhenyu followed her with the flour in his hand and explained with a smile, “The farm in Wuhua County wants to transport grain to the city, but there aren’t enough trucks, so they allocated a few from our factory to help.”

The country’s current industrial resources couldn’t meet the needs of various regions, and the cars in their factory were often borrowed by other units. Every time this happened, the drivers in the factory scrambled to go, because people wouldn’t let them run around for free and would give them a commission. Sometimes, they could even bring back goods to resell.

This time, he was going to help transport food, and they would definitely show some appreciation.

“Then you light the fire, and I’ll roll some noodles for you,” Su Xieqiu said.

Thinking of the hot and sour noodles, instant noodles, and dried noodles in her space, Su Xieqiu felt regretful. ‘It would be great if I could take them out. That way, I wouldn’t have to cook a whole pot just for one person.’

Han Zhenyu said, “No need to roll the noodles. If there are any leftover pancakes at home, I can just eat a few.”

“How can you only eat biscuits?” Su Xieqiu frowned at him. “Do you eat whatever you want when you’re on a business trip?”

“No, sometimes I eat in the cafeteria, and sometimes I go to state-owned restaurants.”

Han Zhenyu noticed her expression wasn’t right and quickly smiled and explained, “Aren’t i in a hurry to leave now?”

He was afraid Su Xieqiu would worry, so he told a little lie. In fact, it was inconvenient to eat outside. If he was traveling long distances, he would buy a big bag of multi-grain steamed buns and some pickles to last him for several days.

Su Xieqiu knew he wasn’t telling the truth. She knew that although long-distance drivers earned a lot, it was also hard work. Decades later, it wasn’t so convenient for long-distance drivers to eat, let alone now.

She didn’t say anything, but she stopped rolling the noodles and began preparing to make some egg pancakes instead.

It would be quicker to make the cakes, and he could take some with him on the road.

“Go to the back and pick some greens so we can make some soup later.”

Han Zhenyu wanted to say no, but he was afraid Su Xieqiu would get angry, so he had to obediently go to the backyard.

The weather was a bit cold now, and the greens weren’t growing much.

He pulled out a small handful and washed it, then he realized that he hadn’t seen the two children since entering the house.

Han Zhenyu asked, “Are Chenchen and An an taking a nap?”

Su Xieqiu smiled and nodded, “We practiced boxing this morning, and the two children were so tired that they fell asleep after dinner and haven’t woken up yet.”

“Are you practicing too?” Han Zhenyu asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Su Xieqiu raised her eyebrows. “I’ve decided to practice well with Chenchen. If anyone dares to provoke me in the future, I’ll beat them up.”

“It’s a good idea. I support you,” Han Zhenyu held back his laughter and gave her a thumbs up.

Su Xieqiu smiled and glared at him, then told him that Su Xieyun had come here.

“Although she’s my cousin, she’s always loved to bully me since I was a child. She even slapped me in the face two years ago. I will not acknowledge her, and you should ignore her, or you’ll never be able to get rid of her in the future.”

“Okay, I understand,” Han Zhenyu’s face darkened.

‘She actually dared to hit my wife? I’ve been kind by not causing trouble for her. How could I possibly care about her?’ he thought darkly. He wasn’t a gentleman, and although he wouldn’t attack first, he would still take advantage of others’ misfortune.

Su Xieqiu baked six egg pancakes and made a bowl of vegetable and egg soup.

“Would you like to eat something together?” Han Zhenyu put the rolled egg pancake next to her mouth and looked at her intently.

His wife was getting more and more beautiful now, with a round oval face, big, watery eyes, and smooth white skin, just like a peeled egg, making him want to take a bite.

Seeing his intense gaze, Su Xieqiu blushed a little, coughed lightly, and said, “We just had lunch. We’re not hungry yet. You should eat quickly.”

She felt that his gaze was too intense, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.

Afraid he would continue staring at her, Su Xieqiu quickly walked to the stove and added a few pieces of firewood.

She made a few more scallion pancakes for Han Zhenyu to take with him on the road.

After a quick meal, Han Zhenyu looked at the time and then remembered the women’s watch in his pocket.

“I went to the provincial capital this time and bought two watches. We’ll each have one. Do you like them?”

Su Xieqiu took it and looked at it. It was a very simple and refreshing women’s watch, without too many patterns, and it was very suitable for the style of this era.

She smiled and praised, “It’s beautiful, I like it very much.”

“I wanted to buy you a better one, but the department store in the provincial capital didn’t have it. I’ll find a way to buy you a better one when we go to a bigger city later.”

Han Zhenyu felt a little guilty. Now his wife was home alone, having to take care of the two children.

He knew all of this was for his sake, to help him repay a favor.

When Su Xieqiu heard him say he wanted to buy a good watch, she quickly waved her hand and refused. “Don’t buy it. This one is good enough. It’s just for telling time. Why do you need such a good watch? You might as well save the money.”

Su Xieqiu thought there was no need to spend so much on consumables.

Save the money and buy a big house after the reform and opening up, or use it as capital for a business. It would be better than buying these things.

Han Zhenyu smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll give you all the money from now on and let you keep it.”