Chapter 16

After Huo Xiao left, Lin Ting couldn’t sleep. Thinking of the remaining fish soup, she put on an apron and started kneading dough.

Lin Ting—and her predecessor ^[1]referring to her past self or an original body owner in reincarnation stories.—rarely cooked.

However, she had observed enough to learn and now managed simple dishes. As the dough became smooth and round, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

This was her first time kneading dough. If her mother-in-law were home, she would have received some praise.

Thinking of her mother-in-law, Lin Ting went to the bedroom to check her watch. More than half an hour had passed. Where was Huo Xiao?

Outside, the snowy night was bright. With clear visibility, Huo Xiao ran most of the way.

While Lin Ting was wondering about his whereabouts, he had already reached the entrance of Shengli Brigade.

A dog at the first house barked at the unfamiliar presence.

Moments later, a man’s voice scolded from inside a mud-and-thatch house.

Seeing the house was awake, Huo Xiao abandoned his plan to search door-to-door. He approached the rough wooden fence and called out, “Excuse me, which family had a baby today?”

Silence followed for a few seconds before someone pushed open a window, flashlight in hand.

Upon seeing Huo Xiao’s military uniform, the man responded, “Chen Sannian’s family. Keep going east for two to three hundred meters.”

“Thank you.”

“Who was it?” the man’s wife asked, pulling the quilt over herself.

“Looked like a soldier… Hey, do you think Sannian finally had a son?” The man climbed back into bed. “That guy’s too weak—he already has six daughters. If it’s another girl, that’ll make seven.”

His wife, uninterested, turned over. “What does it matter? Boy or girl, it’s not our problem. Sleep, we have work tomorrow.”

“Tch, you heartless woman…”

Meanwhile, Huo Xiao continued east.

Fifty meters later, he spotted a familiar figure. Even at a distance, he recognized her as his mother.

At first, he was delighted, but his expression soon darkened. He quickened his pace.

“When will you be home? Are you tired? Hungry? You just traveled for days—why did you come out to meet me?” Hu Xiu, exhausted and hungry, momentarily forgot her fatigue upon seeing her son. Her eyes were filled with emotion.

She wiped her tears. “You’ve lost weight. Have you not been eating well?”

“I’m not thin, just tall, so I don’t look fat.” Huo Xiao took her tool bag and carried it on his back.

However, as he looked at her, he noticed she had lost weight—her face was thinner, and her temples had strands of white hair.

Thinking about everything his mother had done for him, Huo Xiao’s lips tightened.

As a soldier, he was loyal to his country, his duty, and his ambitions. But as a son, husband, and father, he felt guilty.

This time, he only learned about his mission while on his way to complete it. Yet, knowing this didn’t lessen the burden he placed on his family.

“Alright, who are you sulking for? You’re a soldier. It’s your duty to protect the country, and both Tingting and I are proud of you. Oh, by the way—Tingting! Look at my memory! You saw her, right? What do you think? I have good taste!” Hu Xiu, knowing her son well, immediately saw through his guilt. After scolding him lightly, she suddenly remembered something and slapped her forehead.

Huo Xiao remained silent, but the memory of his first meeting with his wife resurfaced.

When she opened the door, she must have been asleep. Her long hair was loose, cascading down in waves. He wasn’t sure how she styled it—curled yet natural. Huo Xiao, who had never paid much attention to women, couldn’t describe it, but he found her beauty captivating.

Still, being a reserved man, he didn’t voice his thoughts and instead changed the topic awkwardly: “Was Chen Sanni’s baby a boy or a girl?”

Hu Xiu let it slide and corrected him: “His name is Chen Yaozu.”

Then, recalling the delivery, her expression darkened. “Forget it, let’s just call him Chen Sanni. His mother wasn’t in good health and thought the baby was a girl, so she didn’t take proper care of herself. During labor, she didn’t even have a bowl of brown sugar water ^[2]a traditional remedy used to replenish energy after childbirth.. If not for the candies and biscuits Tingting gave me, who knows what would have happened?”

The baby was weak due to the mother’s poor health. Seeing the Chen family’s mixed emotions—joy for a boy, regret over his condition—Hu Xiu sighed. “If they had taken better care of her, the child wouldn’t be so frail. I just hope they listen and let the baby have breast milk so she can recover too.”

Huo Xiao frowned. “Why didn’t the Chen family arrange for someone to bring you back? It’s so late. What if something happened?”

It was past 1 AM, and the temperature had dropped to -30 or -40°C. His mother had been sick recently and had been working hard all night. She probably hadn’t eaten.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“I have,” she replied. But all she had was a bowl of sweet potato porridge, with hardly any rice in it.

Huo Xiao didn’t believe her and pulled out some biscuits. “Eat these first.”

Hu Xiu took them, feeling her hunger. “Did Tingting give you these too?”

A rare smile appeared in Huo Xiao’s eyes. “She… was worried I’d be hungry.”

_

At around 2 AM, Lin Ting, who hadn’t slept all day, finally heard the door unlock. She rushed forward but was still a step too slow.

By the time she reached the door, it had already been pushed open.

After exchanging a glance with Huo Xiao, he stepped aside, revealing Hu Xiu behind him.

Seeing them safe, Lin Ting smiled. “Mom, you’re finally back!”

Hu Xiu, as usual, cleaned her shoes before entering. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Lin Ting took her coat and hung it up. “I wasn’t sleepy. I figured I might as well wait for you.”

Hu Xiu sat down and massaged her sore legs. “Of course, you’re sleepy! Go to bed.”

Lin Ting, touched by her mother-in-law’s care, smiled. “I can sleep in tomorrow. But you look pale. I’ll make some noodles while you wash up. There’s hot water in the teapot and cold water in the basin—just mix them. By the time you finish soaking your feet, the noodles will be ready.”

She picked up a winnowing basket from the table.

Hu Xiu was moved by her thoughtfulness. “Where did you get the noodles?”

Lin Ting uncovered the neatly cut noodles inside the basket, looking pleased. “I made them! What do you think?”

Hu Xiu beamed. “Amazing! You learned so fast!”

Realizing that Huo Xiao was still standing in the room, Lin Ting blushed and urged, “Go soak your feet. I’ll cook the noodles.”

Hu Xiu stood up. “I’ll help.”

Lin Ting gently refused. “Aren’t you tired?”

Before Hu Xiu could reply, she quickly headed to the kitchen.

_

Huo Xiao, who had been silent, finally hung his military coat.

Seeing this, Hu Xiu rolled her eyes. “What? Were you waiting for Tingting to hang it up for you? We don’t have that rule here.”

Huo Xiao touched his nose awkwardly. “I’ll go help with the noodles.”

Without waiting for a reply, he strode toward the kitchen. He hadn’t actually expected his wife to hang his coat—he had simply enjoyed watching her and his mother’s natural closeness. But she hadn’t even looked his way.

That’s when he realized his wife’s concern for him didn’t compare to her concern for his mother.

Recalling how he had proudly given his mother the biscuits, Huo Xiao felt slightly embarrassed. He quickly followed Lin Ting.

_

In the kitchen, Lin Ting was preparing the fire when the door opened.

Seeing the tall man step inside, she paused and looked up. “Why are you here?”

Huo Xiao walked straight toward her. “I’ll light the fire.”

Lin Ting was a little surprised but said, “Next time? You’re tired enough today.”

Huo Xiao shook his head. “Not bad.”

Seeing he was unwilling to leave, Lin Ting didn’t persuade him further and simply stood up to give him space.

She thought it would be nice to have some time alone and not feel uncomfortable all the time.

Ever since encountering the rebels in the commune, Lin Ting had been adjusting her mindset for survival in the next ten years.

Since leaving wasn’t the best option, she needed to manage the marriage. Of course, only if Huo Xiao was worth it.

Thinking this, Lin Ting scooped a small piece of lard from the oil tank with the spatula’s corner and threw it into the heated iron pot, followed by some chopped green onions.

As the aroma filled the air, she poured in two pre-mixed eggs. Once they expanded into fluffy egg flowers, she spoke again, “Last time, you said the new unit is only four days’ drive from home. Where exactly?”

“Tianjin.”

“A good place. Is it a lateral transfer or a promotion?” she asked. It was good except for the lack of a heated kang.

“A promotion. I’m now a full regiment commander.”

Huo Xiao secretly observed his wife’s expression. She wasn’t thrilled about Tianjin but didn’t reject it either. His tense heartstrings slowly relaxed.

After a couple of days… ahem… when she’s in a good mood, he could bring up joining the army, and things should go smoothly.

A 28-year-old captain was already an achievement, even in this era of rapid promotions. Lin Ting never hesitated to praise him and sincerely said, “Very good!”

Huo Xiao, who had never been this happy even at commendation meetings, pursed his lips. “…Thank you.”

The noodles weren’t complicated. Besides the eggs, she added only some cabbage leaves.

When she served the meal, Lin Ting also got a small bowl. As she picked up a handful of noodles, an egg piece appeared in her bowl.

She turned to Huo Xiao in confusion.

Thinking she minded, Huo Xiao explained, “I haven’t started eating yet.” The dishes and chopsticks were clean.

That wasn’t her concern. Lin Ting glanced at her mother-in-law, who had a teasing expression. Her ears burned, and she whispered, “I have eggs in my bowl too.”

Huo Xiao buried his head in his food. “I don’t like eggs.”

Who believes that?

But Lin Ting didn’t press further. She felt a bit happy inside.

She wasn’t easily moved by small gestures, but Huo Xiao’s efforts to manage their marriage were obvious.

Hu Xiu, sitting opposite, watched the couple and felt pleased with her own judgment.

Look how well-matched these two are!

If they had a grandson or granddaughter soon, wouldn’t she be thrilled?

Thinking this, Hu Xiu looked at her daughter-in-law. “Guoguo and Miaomiao are in my room.”

You’re too fast… Lin Ting’s neck turned red.

Seeing her daughter-in-law’s shyness, Hu Xiu decided not to tease further. She turned to her son, who looked calm but whose ears were red, and said, “Xiao, take a bath before bed. Oh, and Tingting made you a set of clothes. She even picked the fabric herself. Try them on after your bath.”

Lin Ting: “…Cough cough cough.”