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An Huan’s small face was puffed up in anger, her cheeks tinged with a flush, her watery eyes glaring at him with a deep, resentful look.
For a moment, Xiao Zheng almost began to doubt if it was he who had changed his feelings.
An Huan was not done yet.
“From pregnancy to childbirth to raising the child, I’ve done it all on my own. Other than sending money back, have you helped even a little bit? Have you ever looked after the child for a day? Have you ever cared for me? Do you have any idea how hard it’s been for me to do all of this alone?!”
In reality, with her maternal family’s support, it wasn’t that difficult. The original person had actually been willing to avoid living with the male lead.
But An Huan had inherited a mess.
Let’s ask, after a man finds out that his wife has been unfaithful, how can he continue living with her without any resentment?
An Huan could only suppress her conscience and take the initiative.
Sure enough, after hearing these words, Xiao Zheng’s breath shortened.
As a soldier, he had always been neglectful towards his family.
An Huan carefully observed his expression, then cleared her throat softly. “But that’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it. I’ve come to find you because I want us to live together properly now. Let’s just… forget what’s happened, alright?”
A strange expression appeared on Xiao Zheng’s face.
An Huan always presented herself as noble and calm in front of him, never showing any emotional fluctuation, even when he did something she disliked. She would remain silent, just looking at him with disdain.
Xiao Zheng had never seen An Huan behave in such a stubborn, emotional way.
For some reason, Xiao Zheng’s firm resolve to divorce began to waver.
Since she was willing to turn back, perhaps he should give her a chance?
“Have you made up your mind? Not divorcing?” He scrutinized her.
“I’ve come all the way here with Dongdong. I really don’t want a divorce anymore,” An Huan said seriously. Then she added, “And about this matter, let’s end it here. From now on, let’s not mention the word ‘divorce’ again. It’s not good for the child to hear it.”
Who started all this mess? Wasn’t it her?
Xiao Zheng remained silent for a long time, so long that An Huan began to feel uneasy, thinking that this might not pass. Finally, he spoke in a deep voice, “Alright, you two can stay for now.”
This man looked fierce, but actually, he was quite easy to handle.
An Huan let out a sigh of relief.
The two of them walked out of the room one after the other.
Dongdong was outside, his little face tense with nervousness, glancing from his father to his mother.
An Huan smiled and said, “Mommy and Dad just discussed it. We’re going to make a bunk bed for Dongdong. From now on, you’ll be able to climb up and down and play.”
Dongdong’s eyes immediately brightened, “Really?”
An Huan nudged Xiao Zheng.
Xiao Zheng nodded, “Really. Dad will make it. I learned carpentry when I was younger.”
An Huan, surprised, said, “You can make furniture too? That’s impressive!”
Xiao Zheng didn’t think it was anything special… Besides, shouldn’t she find it old-fashioned? A rural carpenter.
Dongdong mimicked his mother and said, “Dad is amazing!”
Both father and son looked at him with admiration.
Xiao Zheng awkwardly coughed.
Next, An Huan asked where the cleaning tools were, and Xiao Zheng went to the backyard to bring over a broom and dustpan.
An Huan tried to take them, but he dodged, took off his military jacket and tossed it aside, silently beginning to clean.
The man, who was once used to the clang of weapons and battlefields, was now bending down to sweep the floor, moving with such familiarity.
A man who actively helps with housework—extra points!
An Huan’s gaze swept over his exposed arms, the curve of his waist, and his thighs.
He was really solid and strong, with that kind of raw, masculine energy that made her think of a leopard running across the grasslands or a tiger stalking prey in the jungle…
An Huan had dated a few boyfriends before, of all types, but none like… this kind of rugged man. If he stood by her as a protector, she thought she might feel a real sense of security…
An Huan joined in the cleaning efforts.
“Where’s the basin? How do we get water?”
Xiao Zheng found the basin and led her to the water pipe in the courtyard.
“Do we have a cloth?”
Xiao Zheng found a cloth and handed it to her.
Xiao Zheng worked quickly and efficiently. An Huan thought it would be a big project, but under Xiao Zheng’s guidance, it was soon finished.
An Huan’s luggage mainly consisted of clothes and personal items, but there were still many things missing that the house needed.
She said, “Let’s go to the service station and pick up some things.”
Xiao Zheng gave her a curious glance. Was she really not leaving?
“Dongdong, let’s go buy some things.”
Dongdong, who had been observing ants in the yard, immediately stood up and ran over to his parents, stretching out both hands.
Xiao Zheng was puzzled by what he was doing.
An Huan explained, “The child wants you to hold his hands. One of us can hold one side, right, Dongdong?”
“Mom is smart!” Winter nodded vigorously.
Xiao Zheng took his son’s hand. His usually stern face softened slightly. He wanted to smile, but after years of not using his facial muscles much, he couldn’t quite manage it.
With Mom holding one side and Dad holding the other, Dongdong bounced happily in the middle.
He used to watch other kids with envy when they had both their parents holding hands like this, and now, finally, he had both Mom and Dad holding his hands too!
Dongdong’s personality was a bit quiet and introverted, but seeing his father now, his joy was evident, and he was noticeably more energetic than usual.
An Huan couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
Xiao Zheng turned his head and glanced over.
The scene in front of him felt somewhat unreal.
When they had first gotten married, Xiao Zheng was still studying in the provincial capital. In total, they had only been living together for a year.
It was during that year that all their incompatibilities came to light.
An Huan had grown to deeply resent him, and he, in turn, couldn’t quite handle her bourgeois lifestyle.
At the time of their arranged marriage, An Huan’s beauty and refined demeanor were a huge attraction to men, especially for someone like Xiao Zheng, a rural-born military officer. Marrying a university-educated city woman was considered a great honor and a way to bring glory to his family.
But once they started living together, he realized it wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
However, it couldn’t really be called regret—he made his choice, and the consequences of that choice were something he had to bear.
As for his deep longing for a warm home with a wife and child, that was something he had buried deep inside.
“Yo, Xiao Zheng, spending time with your wife and child, huh?”
On the road, someone greeted Xiao Zheng, but their gaze was focused on An Huan.
The news had already spread in the family quarters: the fierce Xiao Zheng had married a beautiful woman, and everyone was talking about it.
An Huan smiled gracefully, maintaining a poised demeanor as she allowed others to observe her. Occasionally, she would engage in brief conversations with people.
In the past, An Huan wouldn’t even spare a glance for anyone she didn’t know, let alone engage in small talk. If someone didn’t meet her standards, she wouldn’t even bother acknowledging them.
Xiao Zheng was suspicious.
A person couldn’t change completely, and it was unlikely that An Huan had entirely abandoned her previous nature.
She… she really did seem like a different person!
The store sold basic items for daily life, and An Huan bought a face basin, a foot basin, towels, toilet paper, and other necessities. Remembering that the house had two stove burners, she also ordered two iron pots.
Xiao Zheng, surprised, asked, “Are you going to cook?”
An Huan had always been the type who never touched household chores.
Xiao Zheng added, “You don’t need to force yourself; we can just eat in the cafeteria.”
An Huan shook her head, “Aren’t you tired of eating in the cafeteria every day? It’s better to cook for ourselves.” Then, with a little pride, she continued, “These past couple of years, I’ve learned how to cook from my mom. My cooking skills are pretty good. Wait and see, I’ll make you something delicious.”
But Xiao Zheng didn’t seem to react much.
How could she possibly cook for him? She was just joking with him.
The store’s salesperson secretly observed the two of them.
One was a delicate beauty, the other a cold-faced beast.
Had the Deputy Division Commander saved his wife’s life or something?