Chapter 39: A Tough Man’s Gentle Side  

Fu Wenjing had an undeniably good physique. Even with clothes on, it was clear that he had an impressive build.  

Once the clothes were off, it was an outright visual feast.  

His long, slender arms and legs, broad shoulders, and narrow waist, along with the sharply defined eight-pack abs, made Su Ruanruan’s face flush and her heart race. She quickly averted her gaze.  

Turning away did clear her vision, but it did nothing to calm the turmoil in her heart.  

Maybe… just another glance?  

After all, he was her man. She could look as much as she wanted, openly and rightfully so.  

With this thought, Su Ruanruan slowly turned her head back toward Fu Wenjing.  

However, the moment she turned, her gaze met his.  

Su Ruanruan: “!!!”  

How could it be so coincidental?  

She forced a stiff smile, tugging at the corners of her lips. “I… I was just checking if you needed any help…”  

Before she could even finish her sentence, she clamped her mouth shut.  

Fu Wenjing was taking a bath. What help could he possibly need?  

Just as she was mentally scolding herself for speaking before thinking, she heard Fu Wenjing respond with a chuckle: “No need to help. Wife, you should go lie down and rest. We need to leave before dawn tomorrow.”  

Hearing this, Su Ruanruan let out a small sigh of relief.  

But before she could exhale completely, Fu Wenjing added: “Once we settle down over there, then I’ll let you help me.”  

He spoke with utmost seriousness, his tone completely sincere.  

Yet, upon hearing these words, Su Ruanruan’s ears burned with heat.  

She dared not look at Fu Wenjing again. Instead, she turned swiftly, lay down on the heated brick bed, and shut her eyes.  

At first, she had only intended to pretend to sleep, using it as an escape from her embarrassment.  

But perhaps she was truly exhausted from the day, because the moment her eyes closed, she unknowingly drifted off into sleep.  

She was awakened by Fu Wenjing’s gentle nudge.  

His movements were soft, and in her drowsy state, she slowly opened her eyes, only to hear him say: “Wife, wake up. It’s time for us to go.”

Su Ruanruan, still somewhat drowsy, instantly became fully awake the moment she heard those words. She hurriedly got up.  

Fortunately, the clothes she needed to wear today had already been prepared the night before. They were placed at the end of the heated brick bed, ready to be put on immediately.  

Aside from their clothing, all their luggage had been packed and neatly stacked in one corner of the bed.  

By the time Su Ruanruan finished dressing, Fu Wenjing had already folded their sleepwear and tucked it into a bag designated for clothing.  

Just as the two of them finished tidying up, a knock sounded at the door. Immediately after, Wang Maoni’s voice came from outside. “Seventh, are you two ready? Your father has already harnessed the ox cart. I made breakfast—eat something before you leave.”  

Su Ruanruan quickly ran to the door and opened it. “Mother, we’re ready. We’re coming now.”  

“Then hurry and eat while it’s still hot. This will be the last meal you’ll have at home for a while…”  

As Wang Maoni spoke, her voice gradually lowered, carrying a slight tremble.  

Seeing her mother-in-law’s sorrowful expression, Su Ruanruan didn’t know what to say at this moment. Fortunately, Fu Wenjing arrived just then, allowing her to naturally step back and give him space.  

The three of them quickly walked to the kitchen. There, the square table used for food preparation was now filled with steaming dishes.  

Although it was breakfast, the meal was even more elaborate than their usual lunch.  

Su Ruanruan’s eyes landed on a pot of stewed chicken.  

Only one wild chicken from their previous hunt remained, and Wang Maoni had cooked it.  

Unlike the previous braised version, this time, she had made a clear stew, adding a generous amount of mushrooms harvested from the mountains.  

The golden broth shimmered with oil, emitting an irresistible fragrance.  

Wang Maoni picked up a bowl and began ladling soup. “I started stewing this last night, simmering it over a low fire until the chicken became tender and fall-apart soft. It’s easy to digest, even in the morning. Eat plenty of it.  

“And these white flour pancakes—I made them myself, soft and fluffy. I baked a lot, so eat your fill first. I’ll pack the rest for you to take on the road.  

“I’ve heard that the food on the train is expensive and not even good. We’ll bring our own! Your journey isn’t too long, so even in this hot weather, the food should be fine. I also boiled some eggs for you—take them with you, and don’t hesitate to eat when you’re hungry…”  

Wang Maoni kept talking, saying whatever came to mind. At times, her words seemed somewhat scattered, but Su Ruanruan understood—this was because Wang Maoni couldn’t bear to part with Fu Wenjing.  

Her youngest son was leaving home again. Who knew how long he would be gone this time? Who knew when he would return? How could Wang Maoni not worry?

With every sentence Wang Maoni spoke, Fu Wenjing responded patiently, without the slightest hint of irritation.  

Su Ruanruan also listened attentively, replying clearly whenever she needed to speak.  

---

Since they were pressed for time, they ate breakfast quickly.  

Once they finished eating, it was truly time to depart.  

Although they had quite a few belongings, everything had already been packed, so all they had to do was carry them onto the ox cart.  

By then, the rest of the Fu family had also woken up. Everyone gathered at the main gate, forming a dense crowd.  

No wonder the older generations disliked dividing the family—just looking at this scene made it clear that this was a thriving household.  

With so many people in the Fu family, those who had to work still needed to go about their duties and couldn’t all accompany them to the station.  

Fu Chunshan had originally wanted to go, but as the brigade leader of the production team, he had responsibilities to tend to, so he stayed behind.  

The ones escorting Su Ruanruan and Fu Wenjing to the station were Eldest Son Fu and Second Son Fu.  

The two of them were older, experienced in driving the ox cart, and more steady in nature.  

As the ox cart rolled forward, already some distance away, Su Ruanruan turned her head back. She could still see the Fu family members standing at the gate.  

Wang Maoni was wiping her eyes—it was obvious she had been crying.  

Liu Xiue and the other sisters-in-law, who had been making trouble over the past few days, were now completely silent, their expressions somewhat complicated.  

It was the younger ones whose faces clearly showed reluctance.  

With Fu Wenjing at home, they had been able to eat meat regularly, living even better than during the New Year. Naturally, they couldn’t bear to see him leave.  

The youngest, Fu Liuya, was still waving her little hands, her tiny mouth opening and closing as if calling out to them.  

However, the distance was already too great, and Su Ruanruan couldn’t hear what she was saying.  

As the ox cart turned a corner, the figures of the Fu family disappeared from view.  

Only then did Su Ruanruan retract her gaze.  

The moment she turned her head, she saw Fu Wenjing’s eyes slightly reddened.  

No matter how tough he was, such a farewell was bound to stir emotions.  

It wasn’t until the ox cart reached the main road, swaying gently toward Xiancheng, that Fu Wenjing’s expression gradually returned to normal.  

They had set off early, while it was still dark.  

By the time they arrived at the train station, it was just past seven in the morning.