Chapter 29: What If Something Happened to You—How Would I Explain It to Your Parents?

When Rong Jingchen saw Ye Muqi appear in the distance, he visibly relaxed. Fortunately, she hadn’t gotten lost, and she even remembered the way back. It seemed she hadn’t encountered any danger either.

“Where did you go?” Rong Jingchen quickly walked up to her, his expression stern.

“…”

Being stared at like that by Rong Jingchen, Ye Muqi suddenly felt like a rebellious daughter being scolded by a strict father. Instinctively, she shrank her neck.

His gaze was fierce, laced with hidden anger. Ye Muqi swallowed nervously. Just moments ago she had been thinking, “My man is so handsome”, and now it was, “This guy is seriously scary!”

“I went to town for a bit,” she said in a small voice. “Bought some things.”

“You went alone?” Rong Jingchen glanced at the bags she was carrying. “You just got here. You’re unfamiliar with the place. Don’t wander around on your own.”

Although his face still looked harsh and serious, his tone softened slightly.

It was clear he was truly worried.

“What if something had happened to you…” Rong Jingchen trailed off, his voice lowering. “How would I explain that to your parents?”

Ye Muqi peeked at him. Though she’d just been scolded, that strange “strict father lectures wayward daughter” vibe lingered.

She also noticed that his expression looked a little awkward.

In this unfamiliar world—even if Rong Jingchen was only acting out of obligation to her parents—it still meant something that someone cared enough to wait at the gate for her.

Besides, this person happened to be really handsome. Looking at his face, she simply couldn’t stay mad.

Even though Ye Muqi wanted to say she wasn’t a child anymore and could handle going out alone—after all, she could ask for directions—when she saw the genuine concern in his eyes and glanced back at the family housing compound, she held her tongue.

She almost forgot—this was the 1980s. There were no mobile phones, no calls, no WeChat. No way to stay in constant contact.

She’d gone to town without informing Rong Jingchen. Imagining his panic upon discovering she was missing made her feel a twinge of guilt.

“Sorry, I’ll tell you in advance next time I go out,” Ye Muqi apologized straightforwardly, adopting a “own up when you’re wrong” attitude.

When she saw Rong Jingchen still about to speak, she stepped forward, trying to pacify him.

“I bought a lot of groceries today in town. I’ll make you a delicious meal when we get back,” she said with a smile, lifting her bulging bags toward him.

Her hands were full—some things were bought in town, others had been discreetly taken out from her dimensional space after getting off the bus. Carrying them home like this was less suspicious.

Seeing that the little wife was making an effort to be gentle, Rong Jingchen had no choice but to let it go. He naturally reached out and took the heavy bags from her.

Inside the plastic bags were all kinds of food—meat and vegetables, even a fish. Just looking at the ingredients, one could tell how rich the meal would be.

“Let’s go home,” Ye Muqi said, now empty-handed and feeling quite pleased.

The bags weren’t that heavy, but after walking so far and shopping so long, it was tiring.

“Mm.” Rong Jingchen turned to glance at her. She was so fair-skinned that under the dim light, her smile seemed to glow with a soft filter-like beauty.

“Was town fun?” Rong Jingchen didn’t know what he was feeling, but his emotions suddenly calmed.

“It was great!” Ye Muqi nodded enthusiastically, face still lit with excitement. She openly shared with him, “There were so many people, so many vendors—it’s totally different from our hometown. I even saw street stalls!”

As she chatted, Rong Jingchen quietly listened beside her, holding the groceries she bought. To any onlooker, the two would appear to be a loving couple.

“Really?”

So the little wife actually knew how to find her own fun.

…

Back home, Ye Muqi carried the groceries into the kitchen. On the table, there was a small bag that didn’t look like food.

Rong Jingchen glanced at it and saw it contained girly accessories—clearly the kind girls loved. He looked at the bag, then at Ye Muqi, who was busy in the kitchen, and decided to watch her cook.

But he was quickly kicked out.

Rong Jingchen: “…”

He could feel the hostility!

Ye Muqi cooked quickly. In no time, several dishes were laid out on the table—meat and veggies, all beautifully presented and delicious-smelling.

“Dinner’s ready!” she called out. Rong Jingchen came in carrying two bowls of rice, followed by Ye Muqi with chopsticks.

As he ate, Rong Jingchen nodded inwardly. His taste buds had not failed him—Ye Muqi’s cooking was far superior to anything in the army mess hall.

“I just realized—I never asked what kind of dishes you like.” Ye Muqi looked at him curiously.

She’d asked Yin Lan about it back at the Rong household, but now that they were living under the same roof, she figured she should learn his preferences firsthand.

“I’m not picky.” Rong Jingchen thought for a moment, then shook his head.

In the military, he was used to eating whatever was available. He didn’t have any strong preferences—it was all the same, as long as it filled him up.

“Oh.” So he’s not picky!

Ye Muqi nodded. That made things easier. She could just cook whatever she liked from now on.

Yes, very convenient!

“Oh right, I met an old lady in town today who runs a breakfast shop. I agreed to help out at her place—starting work tomorrow morning.” Ye Muqi figured she should mention this.

She’d be going into town daily now and wasn’t sure when she’d return each day. After what happened today, she decided it was best to keep Rong Jingchen informed. It’s not like she planned to hide it in the first place.

Cough! Rong Jingchen choked on his rice. “You’re starting work tomorrow?”

He was a little shocked. She had only just arrived, and she’d already landed herself a job—in a completely unfamiliar city, no less.

Ye Muqi clearly wasn’t as helpless as he had assumed.

Thinking back on the worries he’d had earlier at the base, Rong Jingchen now felt it was probably a good thing she had something to do. Staying in the housing compound all day with no one to talk to would’ve been boring anyway.

Most importantly, he wouldn’t have to worry about her causing trouble at home.

“Do you still have money?” he asked, getting up to grab some for her.

He earned over 80 yuan a month. Every month he’d send 50 to Yin Lan and 20 to the Ye family, keeping just 10 yuan for himself. Since meals and lodging were covered in the army, and he had no bad habits, that was enough. But his salary hadn’t come in yet, and he didn’t have much cash on hand.

Still, whatever he had, he planned to give it to Ye Muqi. She was now the lady of the house—it was only right to hand over his pay.

“I have some. I haven’t even spent what you’ve been sending me every month,” Ye Muqi quickly said, pulling him back.

She really wasn’t short on money. She could earn her own, and what Rong Jingchen had given her was more than enough. She didn’t intend to take more.

After all, she was a modern, independent woman. She wasn’t going to rely on her husband to support her.

In fact, she could support him if she wanted to!