Chapter 23: Fu Zhengtu’s Reputation Takes a Hit

Su Taotao nervously opened Fu Zhengtu’s letter, her heart pounding with anticipation.

She had hoped that after being apart for over two years, even if he didn’t write a novel, he would at least send a decent update—something heartfelt, explaining where he’d been and how he was doing.

But there were only four characters: “Returning shortly.”

Su Taotao’s almond-shaped eyes bulged in disbelief, as if they could pop out of her head. She examined the letter from every angle, holding it up to the light, shaking it, and even considering burning or soaking it to reveal any hidden messages. But obviously, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, except those four characters!

Su Taotao was both angry and amused, tossing the letter onto the bed. Was this some kind of notification?!

Even she, who was known for being frugal, had sent a seven-character telegram when she needed to communicate something important. His words weren’t charged by the character. A husband, son, father, and brother—all gone for over two years, and yet he only spared a single word for each of them, without even a basic greeting!

Su Taotao felt that taking Chenchen to the photo shoot today was a joke. She didn’t even feel like replying to the letter. Maybe he didn’t care about them at all.

Yes, otherwise, he wouldn’t have disappeared for such a long time without any explanation.

Su Taotao’s faint enthusiasm and small expectations for this never-met, bargain husband were utterly crushed by those four characters.

She pounded the pillow a few times, wishing she could pound herself. What was she expecting? This was a time when marriages were arranged after a single meeting, sometimes without even a face-to-face encounter. How could she have hoped for anything more?

Su Taotao thought she would be too angry to sleep, but she fell asleep in a daze, vaguely thinking before drifting off that, of course, the heavens were fair. They had given her an angelic baby, so how could they also give her a 24-filial husband? She’d just muddle through.

That night, Su Taotao was plagued by nightmares. In one, the cold and distant Fu Zhengtu pursued her relentlessly, wielding a massive, forty-meter-long blade. She ran, but no matter how fast she went, he was always right behind her.

The shrill crowing of a rooster finally jolted her awake, her body drenched in cold sweat. The first thing Su Taotao did was glance at the letter she had thrown aside. Angrily, she picked it up and threw it to the ground, muttering, “Damn Fu Zhengtu, you don’t deserve someone as beautiful and strong as me, or an angel like Chenchen!”

However, after getting herself ready, she returned to the room, picked up the letter, and headed to the kitchen.

Su Taotao knew how eagerly Zhou Linglan and Fu Yuanhang had been waiting for news of Fu Zhengtu’s safety.

After oversleeping because of her nightmare, she found Chenchen quietly enjoying his egg custard, Fu Yuanhang had already prepared the goat milk tea, and Zhou Linglan was just bringing out fresh pancakes.

Seeing Su Taotao, Zhou Linglan smiled with loving kindness. “Taotao, you must have been exhausted from yesterday. Why didn’t you sleep in a bit longer?”

Su Taotao’s expression was complicated. After everyone had sat down and before they started eating, ensuring there would be no dangerous behaviors like spitting out tea or choking at the table, she took out Fu Zhengtu’s letter and placed it on the table, calmly saying, “Mom, Zhengtu wrote back yesterday.”

Zhou Linglan thought she had misheard, “Taotao, what did you say?”

Fu Yuanhang was also nervously watching her.

Only the “informed” Chenchen, with his short legs swinging, looked up from his bowl of egg custard and said calmly, “Daddy… letter…”

Zhou Linglan’s hands trembled as she reached for the letter. “It’s from Zhengtu? Really? Oh, thank heavens…”

Fu Yuanhang quickly leaned over.

Su Taotao suddenly wanted to know if this mother and son would react the same way she did to the four characters.

But after reading those four simple words—

“Thank heavens, it’s Zhengtu’s handwriting…”

Fu Yuanhang rarely smiled so happily. He looked at those four words over and over again, repeating, “It’s elder brother, it’s elder brother’s handwriting, it’s elder brother’s handwriting…”

Su Taotao: “…”

Is checking the handwriting but ignoring the content some kind of Fu family tradition? Why are you just checking the handwriting instead of reading the actual message?

Zhou Linglan held Su Taotao’s hand, her eyes glistening with tears. “I knew it, I knew it. Our Taotao and Chenchen are blessed. Zhengtu will come back, he will definitely come back.”

Only her husband would never return from the borderlands.

Su Taotao finally understood. This must be Fu Zhengtu’s habitual way of writing letters. They probably had already gotten used to his telegram-style letters.

As an “outsider,” she really couldn’t adapt. She finally asked, “Couldn’t you at least tell us when you’re coming back? Big brother, there’s so much blank space, why play guessing games?”

Zhou Linglan put away the letter, her smile never fading, and explained, “Zhengtu’s work is of a special nature. There was once a time when he had already bought his ticket, but a last-minute issue required him to stay a few more days for the organization. We were worried sick, thinking something had happened on the way. Since then, he generally doesn’t give a specific time.”

Zhou Linglan then looked at the postmark and gently touched the top of her grandson’s head. “Chenchen will see his dad in two weeks or a month at most. Aren’t you excited?”

Su Taotao had already educated him about the “dad” family member the day before. Chenchen wrinkled his little nose, thought for a while, and then shook his head. “No~~ Black Charcoal~~ hit~~”

Fu Yuanhang chuckled. With his elder brother about to return, his mood was especially good today, and he spoke more. “Not all dads hit. Shugen hit Black Charcoal because he is naughty. Our Chenchen is so well-behaved. Your dad definitely wouldn’t hit you.”

After speaking to Chenchen, Fu Yuanhang explained to Su Taotao, “Chenchen often sees Shugen chasing Black Charcoal with a rattan stick. He probably has some trauma from that.”

Su Taotao thought, her stepfather, who is strict and doesn’t say much, would likely be a strict father. It wasn’t impossible that he would hit Chenchen.

“If Fu Zhengtu ever lays a hand on Chenchen, I’ll go after him!”

Fu Yuanhang frowned. “How could that be possible? My brother is very kind. He wouldn’t hit anyone.”

Back at the base, Fu Zhengtu had no clue his reputation was taking a hit. He was extremely busy, racing against time to complete the final stages of his work, even rushing to drink water and use the restroom. He could fall asleep standing up. He barely had time to scribble a few words. Being concise was always his style. He had no idea that he had left such a poor impression on Su Taotao.

Zhou Linglan suddenly thought of something and looked at Chenchen, hesitating to speak.

After Fu Yuanhang took Chenchen to class, she deliberately stayed behind. Before leaving, she secretly said to Su Taotao, “Taotao, Zhengtu doesn’t know about Chenchen yet. You should write back to him and let him know.”

Su Taotao pouted, thinking he didn’t deserve to know about Chenchen.

But she still nodded. “On the next market day, I’ll write back and send him the photos I took with Chenchen, so he knows what to expect.”

Zhou Linglan nodded. “You’re always so considerate.”

Su Taotao gritted her teeth, having already planned out the entire reply. Just wait and see. He’s going to get an earful—and more!