Chapter 32 That’s My Hand

Even though Huo Changzheng didn’t know much about women’s matters, he finally understood this time. After thinking for a moment, he asked Doubao, “Why don’t you sleep with me tonight so Mom can rest, okay?”

“Okay!” Doubao nodded seriously in agreement.

Huo Changzheng told Doubao to go to the big bedroom first, then went to the small bedroom to get his pillow. Lin Suisui was curled up like a shrimp, her lower abdomen aching. When she heard movement at the door, she opened her eyes and saw Huo Changzheng. The next second, she tried to sit up.

“You don’t need to get up,” Huo Changzheng said, frowning slightly. “You’re not feeling well, just stay in bed. Doubao will sleep with me tonight.”

“Won’t Doubao be uncomfortable with that?” Lin Suisui asked worriedly.

“He’ll get used to it. He’s four years old now, and a boy—he should have been sleeping on his own a long time ago.” Huo Changzheng said matter-of-factly. But the way he spoke gave Lin Suisui the strange feeling that he was gritting his teeth a bit.

Still, she was too uncomfortable to argue, so she handed him Doubao’s pillow.

He took the pillow and left the room. After Doubao had laid down, he asked, “Are you scared to sleep alone? I’m thinking of going out to get some brown sugar.”

“No problem, Dad, go ahead,” Doubao replied, closing his eyes immediately, with no hint of wanting his dad to stay.

Seeing his son so unfazed by the dark, Huo Changzheng’s eyes flashed with pride—maybe it was time to give him his own room soon.

After turning off the lights, he headed out. But he wasn’t sure where to go. The people he usually interacted with were all men—they wouldn’t have brown sugar. As for the military wives in the compound, he barely spoke with them. It wasn’t that he was aloof; it was just that people always tried to set him up, which was annoying.

After thinking it over, he decided to go to the clinic to find Dr. Zhang. He wasn’t sure if Dr. Zhang had brown sugar, but he figured the doctor would at least know how to help with Lin Suisui’s situation.

At this hour, Dr. Zhang had already finished work, but he lived behind the clinic. A knock at the door would do.

“Changzheng? What brings you here all of a sudden?” Dr. Zhang was surprised to see him. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No.” Huo Changzheng stepped into the courtyard without beating around the bush. “Suisui’s on her period and has stomach pain. I heard brown sugar water helps. Do you have any?”

Dr. Zhang was stunned—not because of the topic, but because of how calmly Huo Changzheng talked about it. Clearly, the recent rumors about how well he treated his wife weren’t just gossip.

“I’ve got some. Come in, I’ll get it for you,” Dr. Zhang said and walked inside. Huo Changzheng followed closely behind.

“This is all I’ve got—it should be enough for three servings. You can also try using a hot water bottle on her lower belly. Once the blood circulates, she’ll feel better,” Dr. Zhang instructed.

“Got it. Thanks, Dr. Zhang,” Huo Changzheng said, handing him two yuan before leaving.

Realizing afterward that it was too much, Dr. Zhang called after him, “That’s too much! Brown sugar isn’t worth that much! Changzheng—come back…” But no matter how loudly he shouted, Huo Changzheng didn’t look back.

When he got home, the first thing he did was make a cup of brown sugar water and bring it to Lin Suisui.

“Suisui, wake up and drink this,” he said gently, shaking her lightly.

She opened her eyes, her face pale from the pain, and shook her head. “I don’t want anything.”

“It’s brown sugar water. It’ll help your stomach feel better,” he coaxed.

Only then did she realize what it was. Her face instantly turned pink. “How did you know I…”

Seeing her struggle to speak, he quickly changed the subject back. “Come on, drink it. The sooner, the better.”

“…Okay.” She took the cup from him.

“It’s still a little hot—drink it slowly,” he reminded her.

“Mm.” Lin Suisui sipped it carefully. Meanwhile, Huo Changzheng was looking around her room.

She was puzzled. “What are you looking for?”

“Do you have a hot water bottle?”

“A hot water bottle? No. Why?”

“Dr. Zhang said it’ll help to warm your belly.”

Her face turned red again. Was this period talk not going to end?

Flustered, she said, “No need. Once I finish the sugar water, I’ll feel better.”

Not waiting for more questions, she drank the water quickly, despite how hot it was. Once the cup was empty, she lay back down. “I’m fine now. You go get some sleep.”

She turned her back to him, not knowing what his expression was. But the room light turned off soon after, and she shut her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep.

Gradually, the heaviness in her abdomen faded, and she finally drifted off.

She thought she’d sleep soundly until morning, but in the middle of the night, the pain returned, waking her with low groans. She curled tighter, trying to lull herself back to sleep—only by sleeping could she escape the pain.

She was half-asleep when suddenly she felt her shirt being lifted and something warm being placed on her lower belly. The warmth eased her discomfort, and finally, she fell into a deep sleep until morning.

Her belly had clearly relaxed, and with that, she felt herself relax too. She got up to look for Doubao, only to find the house empty. On the dining table, however, there was a note pressed under a bowl:

“I took Doubao to school. There’s porridge and eggs in the pot—don’t forget to eat.”

Although it wasn’t signed, she recognized his handwriting instantly.

She had barely eaten anything for dinner the night before, and now she was truly starving. After washing up, she headed to the kitchen to serve herself some porridge. It was just plain white porridge, but it had been simmered until creamy and soft. One bite, and warmth spread through her whole body.

The pain from last night had felt unbearable, but today she clearly felt much better.

She didn’t stay idle all morning either—finally, she finished altering Doubao’s winter clothes.

Time flew, and before she knew it, it was mealtime. She hadn’t gone out to buy meat today, thinking she was the only one eating, so she just cooked a simple pot of sweet potato rice. But just as the rice was done, Huo Changzheng came back.

“You’re back already?” Lin Suisui asked curiously. Seeing he was holding two lunchboxes, she figured he must’ve picked up food from the canteen and said, “I already cooked something myself.”

Huo Changzheng glanced at the plain sweet potato rice in her hand, and his brows furrowed. “Don’t you know your body is still weak? And you’re eating just this?”

“…It’s not that bad,” Lin Suisui mumbled. “I just figured since it’s only me, I’d keep it simple.”

She didn’t know why he was upset, but his presence was a little intimidating. She quickly changed the subject and asked, “Oh right, did you put a hot water bottle on me last night? Where did you put it?”

“There wasn’t a hot water bottle,” he replied, giving her a glance.

“There wasn’t? But I clearly felt warmth on my lower abdomen last night… I didn’t imagine it, did I?” Lin Suisui was confused.

“That was my hand.”

“…”