Chapter 43: A Done Deal

Tang Xiaorou smiled. “We got married in a hurry. No wedding, just a marriage certificate.  Others might not know.”

Yue Yuan nodded.  Remembering recent news, he warned Tang Xiaorou.

“The Shen family might not know their youngest son is married. Ask your husband.”

Tang Xiaorou raised an eyebrow. Yue Yuan wouldn’t say this without reason.  “Thank you, Uncle Yue. I’ll ask Shen Huaixu.”

Tang Xiaorou left a prescription and instructions before leaving.

Yue Yuan looked at the prescription and had someone get the medicine. He trusted Tang Xiaorou’s skills. He needed to take better care of himself.

After Secretary Xiao Zhao brought the medicine, he said, “Leader, the doctor kept asking if the prescription was for sale. He said it was excellent, precise to the extreme.  Leader, when did you see a doctor?”

He hadn’t seen the leader go to the hospital and was curious about the prescription’s origin.

Yue Yuan smiled. “A skilled doctor wrote it. Have someone prepare the medicine.”

“Yes, Leader.”

Meanwhile, Tang Xiaorou and Yao Bingcheng went to a pharmacy, buying herbs and supplies, before returning to the guesthouse.

“Xiaorou, you’re finally back! Why did it take so long?” Qin Xueqiong was relieved.  She was worried in an unfamiliar place.

Grandma Yao said, “I told you not to worry!  Xiaorou can handle anything. But I understand a mother’s feelings. What did you buy?”

Yao Bingcheng said, “Grandma, we went to see your house.”

Grandma Yao was curious. “How is it? Is it livable?”

“It’s great! Someone’s moving in!” Yao Bingcheng recounted the events. “Uncle Yue will help us get the house back.”

Grandma Yao hadn’t met Yue Yuan. “He’s so kind to help?”

“It’s thanks for saving the old man on the train. They know each other. He’s returning the favor,” Tang Xiaorou said, curious about the old man’s identity. He was wearing patched clothes but received Yue Yuan’s personal care, suggesting he was influential.

“I see.”

Grandma Yao nodded. But this was Tang Xiaorou’s favor, and she didn’t want to accept it without reciprocating. “Xiaorou, let’s treat Comrade Yue to dinner and thank him properly.”

Qin Xueqiong agreed. “Yes, we should thank him.”

“Okay, but he might not come.”

Qin Xueqiong said, “Whether he comes or not, we should still invite him.”

“Okay.”

Tang Xiaorou started making medicine. Grandma Yao needed health pills. She and her mother needed medicine for their skin. She planned to make medicine for Shen Huaixu for his missions. The children didn’t need any.

“Mom, let’s move to the family quarters tomorrow. Not today.”

Qin Xueqiong agreed. “Okay, let’s go tomorrow.”

At dinner time, Shen Huaixu arrived.

“Grandma Yao, Mom, I brought dinner.”

Qin Xueqiong smiled. “Huaixu, thank you. If you’re busy, you don’t have to bring us food. Xiaorou can get it.”

“It’s fine, Mom. I have time.”

Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan, who were playing with Yao Bingcheng, ran to hug Shen Huaixu’s legs. “Dad”

Shen Huaixu smiled. “What did you do today?”

“We read and wrote,” Xiaoliang said brightly. “Great-Grandma Yao taught us many characters.”

Xiaoyan had been reading with her brother but didn’t know what they read.  “Book read”

Grandma Yao remembered teaching them.

“How do children go to school here? Xiaoliang is old enough. He’s smart and shouldn’t miss school.”

Shen Huaixu had considered this. “There’s an elementary school for family members’ children. Xiaoliang can go there.”

“That’s good. Enroll Xiaoliang. He’s six and can go to first grade.”

Xiaoliang, though small, was six.

Shen Huaixu noted this. “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Tang Xiaorou asked, “Is there a kindergarten? Xiaoyan can go to kindergarten.”

“No kindergarten here, only in town.”

“I’ll look into it.”

Tang Xiaorou called everyone to eat. After dinner, she talked to Shen Huaixu.

“Does your family know you’re married?”

Shen Huaixu said, “I didn’t tell them initially, unsure if the blind date would work. Then I went on a mission. I only told them after returning.”

Tang Xiaorou said, “You did it without telling them! Weren’t you afraid they’d set you up with someone else?”

“I contacted them. They won’t set me up anymore.”

He asked, “Did you hear something?”

“Yes, that your family doesn’t know you’re married.”

Shen Huaixu was curious. “Where did you hear that?”

“Uncle Yue Yuan.”

Shen Huaixu was surprised. “Yue Yuan is your uncle?”