Chapter 45: Housewarming

Tang Xiaorou and Yao Bingcheng shared the good news.

Qin Xueqiong, overjoyed, said to Grandma Yao, “Grandma, we got the house back! You and Bingcheng can move in.”

Grandma Yao was happy but remembered it was Tang Xiaorou’s doing.  She gave Tang Xiaorou a ruby necklace. “I wore this when I got married. I’ve kept it all these years. I don’t have a daughter, so I’m giving it to you.”

Tang Xiaorou refused.

“Grandma Yao, you’ve already given me enough. You don’t need to give me anything else.”

Grandma Yao insisted, but Tang Xiaorou was firm.  The necklace wasn’t given.  “This girl! Most women would be thrilled with jewelry, but she’s not interested.”

Tang Xiaorou worked for a while at the guesthouse and finally finished the pills.

“Grandma Yao, take one pill before bed each night to nourish your body.”

Grandma Yao took the bottle, smiling. “Okay, I will.”

Tang Xiaorou gave Qin Xueqiong pills and face cream. “Mom, take one pill morning and night. Use the cream after washing your face.”

“Okay, I will.”

Qin Xueqiong treasured the gifts from her daughter.

Yao Bingcheng looked at Tang Xiaorou. “Sister, don’t I get any?”

“You don’t need them.”

Xiaoyan also looked at Tang Xiaorou.  When she learned she didn’t have any, she pouted, on the verge of tears. Xiaoliang touched his sister’s face. “It’s medicine. It’s bitter.”

Xiaoyan frowned. “Ew… no.” She shook her head.

Everyone laughed.

After dinner at the guesthouse, Tang Xiaorou took the children to the family quarters.

“Sister-in-law, you’re back! I saw Commander Shen is home. Go quickly!” Bai Zhen greeted Tang Xiaorou.

Tang Xiaorou was surprised.  Shen Huaixu had been busy the previous days.  He was home tonight.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

Bai Zhen hadn’t seen Tang Xiaorou for days.  “Sister-in-law, what have you been doing? I haven’t seen you.”

“I’ve been busy. I’ll visit you when I’m free.”

“Okay.”

Bai Zhen didn’t have many friends in the family quarters. She liked Tang Xiaorou and thought they would get along.  “We’ll meet then.”

“Okay.”

Tang Xiaorou took the children home.

“You’re back! I was going to get you from the guesthouse,” Shen Huaixu said, smiling.

Tang Xiaorou said, “We came after dinner. Did you eat?”

“No.”

“Should I make you noodles?” They had bought rice, noodles, oil, seasonings, and vegetables, so she could cook.

Shen Huaixu hadn’t tasted Tang Xiaorou’s cooking. He nodded.

“Okay, you play with the children. I’ll make noodles.”

Tang Xiaorou was clumsy in the kitchen. Shen Huaixu chuckled, seeing her usually composed self being so cute.

“Let me do it. Go sit down.”

Tang Xiaorou didn’t insist and let Shen Huaixu cook. The children ate a small bowl of noodles.  Tang Xiaorou washed the dishes.

After finishing, she found Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan asleep.

“I’ll put them to bed.”

“Okay.”

Putting the children to bed, Tang Xiaorou hesitated. Would she sleep with Shen Huaixu?

“Xiaorou, what are you thinking? Come to bed.”

Seeing Shen Huaixu’s calm demeanor, she relaxed.  Shen Huaixu wasn’t nervous, why should she be? Besides, he was handsome and had a great figure.

“Xiaorou, I asked everyone, and they’re free the day after tomorrow. Let’s have our housewarming party then.”

“Okay.”

Tang Xiaorou agreed.

Shen Huaixu then mentioned his family. “I got a call from home. My parents can’t come, so we’ll go to Beijing when I’m free.”

“Okay, no problem.”

Tang Xiaorou had already considered this, so she readily agreed.

Seeing her agreement, Shen Huaixu smiled, “Okay, that’s settled then. Let’s take the children.”

“Everyone’s coming Mom, Grandma Yao, everyone.”

“Okay, I’ll show you around Beijing.”

Under the dim light, Shen Huaixu continued talking, mentioning Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan’s schooling.  “Xiaoliang can start school next Monday, but Xiaoyan might have to go to a kindergarten in town.”

“Okay, I’ll check on kindergartens tomorrow. I…”

Tang Xiaorou had expected insomnia, but she fell asleep.

“Xiaorou…”

Shen Huaixu didn’t finish his sentence.  He saw Tang Xiaorou fast asleep and chuckled, “She must be exhausted.”

Shen Huaixu lay down. A faint fragrance came from Tang Xiaorou. He shifted slightly, but the bed wasn’t large, so they were still close.

Tang Xiaorou slept soundly, but Shen Huaixu was awake for a long time.

The next morning, Tang Xiaorou woke up to find Shen Huaixu gone, but breakfast was ready, and the children had brushed their teeth.

“Xiaoliang, Xiaoyan, let’s eat.”

“Okay”

After breakfast, Tang Xiaorou took the children to the guesthouse. After leaving them with her mother, she went to town to inquire about kindergartens. There was only one, and she could enroll Xiaoyan.

After learning it was a good kindergarten, she decided to enroll Xiaoyan.

“Mom, I found a kindergarten for Xiaoyan. I’ll take her to school every day.”

“Okay, children should play with other children.”

Tang Xiaorou agreed. She mentioned the housewarming party. “Mom, Grandma Yao, come to the party.”

Qin Xueqiong started planning the menu with Tang Xiaorou.

“Mom, don’t be too formal. Just a few good dishes.”

Qin Xueqiong glared at her daughter. “No, we need to prepare well.”

“Okay, whatever you say. I’ll help.”

On the day of the housewarming party, Qian Manzhu and some military wives came to help. “Xiaorou, do you need help?”

“Auntie, no. We can manage. Just relax.  Dinner will be ready soon.”

Shen Huaixu arrived with a group of people.

Pang Yunli had been busy and hadn’t come before. This was his second time meeting Tang Xiaorou.  He said, “Sister-in-law, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

He’d initially thought she was a thin, haggard country girl, except for her bright eyes.  But now, she looked better, healthier, her features more defined, and her skin clearer. She looked brighter.

Tang Xiaorou touched her face.

“Really? Do I look better?”

Pang Yunli hesitated.  He hadn’t expected her directness but nodded, “Yes, Sister-in-law, you look better.” He quickly pulled Shen Huaixu inside. It wasn’t appropriate to discuss someone’s appearance.

Others saw Tang Xiaorou for the first time and thought she was pretty, poised, and well-suited to Shen Huaixu.

When everyone arrived, the food was ready.

“Thank you for coming to our housewarming party.  Eat plenty!” Tang Xiaorou greeted the women, while Shen Huaixu greeted the men.

Everyone praised the food.

Qin Xueqiong was embarrassed.  Seeing the pastries, Qian Manzhu said to Qin Xueqiong, “Sister, did you make these? You’re a great cook!”

The other military wives were also impressed by the delicious and plentiful food. They no longer saw Tang Xiaorou’s mother as a burden but were envious.

“Sister-in-law, you’re so lucky to have such delicious food every day.”

The meal was a success.