Chapter 70

Early the next day, Han Cheng didn’t want to wake up Su Xiaoxiao, so he got up, cooked some sweet potato porridge, and ate some pickles before heading to the train station. 

As soon as he got up, Su Xiaoxiao woke up too. She lazily reached out her hand in a half-dreamy state, asking him to hug her.

Han Cheng didn’t have the habit of wearing a shirt while sleeping. So, when Su Xiaoxiao clung to him like an octopus, he could feel her little head rubbing against his neck, expressing her affectionate and playful nature.

Su Xiaoxiao is usually very coquettish and clingy, but she has never been as coquettish as she is today.

Han Cheng held her in his arms, using a posture similar to carrying a child, and walked around the room. He tilted his head and gently kissed her ear, asking, “What’s the matter?”

Han Cheng’s voice, still hoarse and slightly deep in the early morning, sounded particularly seductive in Su Xiaoxiao’s ear.

“Han Cheng, what should I do if I already miss you before you’ve even left?” she said.

Su Xiaoxiao has a soft temper and a sweet and waxy voice. She usually speaks very softly, even when she’s not being coquettish. Now, with a hint of a playful tone, she matches her soft nature. Han Cheng held her buttocks up, lifting her slightly, feeling his heart melt away. He wished he could merge her into his very being and take her with him.

He raised his hand and gently rubbed Su Xiaoxiao’s head, giving her another kiss: “This is a military district, relatively safe, but when I’m not home, remember to lock the doors and windows before going to bed at night. Don’t go out. If anything happens, remember to reach out to Zhao Xianfeng. He will come over on time every morning to pick up Fantuan and Zhuzi for morning exercises. You can tell him anything, may it be a big or small matter, and he will help you solve it.

On the side of the Propaganda Team, your current position is that of a non-staff member, and you are directly under the Propaganda Department. They will assign you tasks related to paperwork in the future, and they won’t arrange any fieldwork for you. If Xu Damu approaches you for any reason, you must refuse, as it is no longer within your scope of work.

Don’t tire yourself. If there’s a day when you don’t feel like cooking, tell Zhao Xianfeng when he comes to pick up the children in the morning, and he will have the security personnel deliver the meals to you. Don’t think you’re a bother; you’re not. I’m not worried about the children; I know you will take good care of them. What I hope is that you take care of yourself. If all goes well, I’ll be back in a week. If not, it may take up to ten days, but I’ll return as soon as possible.”

After Han Cheng finished speaking, he already felt his shoulders were damp and sticky. His heart was like soaking in hot spring water, both sour and sweet.

Su Xiaoxiao nodded and wiped away her tears. She didn’t know why, but Han Cheng, who usually didn’t talk much, now, chattered nonstop. Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but say: “I know, I will miss you, too. Take care while you’re away.”

All the necessary words were spoken in the room. At this time, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries between men and women, and it is not appropriate to hug and embrace each other at the train station, nor is it appropriate in front of the children.
The couple cuddled with each other for a while before finally letting go.

Su Xiaoxiao insisted on making breakfast for Han Cheng and asked him to double-check if anything was missing.

Last night, they decided not to go for morning exercises today. However, the children had already developed the habit of waking up early, and now everyone was up except for Xiao Doubao, who was still sound asleep.

Zhuzi was tidying up the yard, and Fantuan had initially planned to help Su Xiaoxiao start the fire. However, Su Xiaoxiao insisted on using a coal stove, so Fantuan sat nearby, watching Su Xiaoxiao cook their breakfast.

Su Xiaoxiao boiled the noodles until they were soft, then scooped them out and rinsed them with cold water. She directly added the fish head and tail that had been fried last night to the boiling water until the soup turned white. Then she added tomatoes and a bit of sugar for seasoning. Once the soup had reached the desired concentration, she removed any residue from the ingredients and put the noodles back in. She added salt for seasoning and brought the soup to a boil again. It was now ready to be eaten.

Fantuan on the side had already started drooling. In the past, when cooking with a large pot, he couldn’t see everything clearly. But now, with a small pot, he could observe the entire cooking process, which was truly eye-opening.

Xiao Fantuan said, “Mom, your cooking looks so good and tastes delicious. I want to learn cooking from you when I grow up.”

“Great! When our Fantuan grows a little older, Mom will teach him how to cook,” Su Xiaoxiao replied.

As soon as Han Cheng entered the kitchen, he heard Fantuan say, “When I grow up, I want to find a beautiful wife who can cook like Mom!”

Han Cheng lightly tapped his eldest son’s buttocks and said, “Go outside and wait for food. Don’t hinder my wife from cooking here.”

Fantuan covered his buttocks and looked at him with disgust: “Just go on your business trip already! Once you’re away, I’ll watch your wife cook however I want.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Fantuan, your dad will be away for at least a week. Won’t you miss him?”

Fantuan shook his little head like a rattle: “What do I miss about him? It’s not Mom who is going on a business trip. If you are going on a business trip for a week, I must go with you, or else I’d go hungry at home.”

“Is cooking the only thing Mom is useful for?” Su Xiaoxiao teased.

Fantuan shook his head again. “Of course not! But in any case, Dad can be away from home, Mom can’t, Zhuzi says Mom can’t, and even Xiao Doubao will say Mom can’t!”

Han Cheng regrets not hitting his buttocks a bit harder just now.

Su Xiaoxiao handed the bowl of noodles to Han Cheng. “Even Dad can’t be away. Mom will miss Dad very much.”

Fantuan pondered seriously for a moment. “Well, then, I’ll reluctantly try to think about Dad too.”

Han Cheng didn’t want to hear his son’s words. “Come out and eat the noodles.”

Su Xiaoxiao asked Han Cheng to take out the rest of the noodles while she went to wake up Xiao Doubao.

During breakfast, Han Cheng spoke to the three children again. “While I’m not at home, you three young men need to behave and protect the only lady in the house. Can you do that?”

“I will!” Fantuan slurped up a mouthful of noodles and was the first to raise his hand. “Dad, you can rest assured. I have a sturdy stance now, and I will protect your wife very well!”

Han Cheng: “…” Why does that sound off?

Zhuzi also said: “Don’t worry, Uncle Han. I will also protect Aunt Su.”

Xiao Doubao understood as well, blinking his big eyes and nodding earnestly. “Protect, Mama!”

Han Cheng and Xiao Doubao exchanged gazes, wondering why he felt so uneasy.

Su Xiaoxiao’s small dimple showed as she raised the corner of her lips. She playfully tousled the heads of the cubs.

Su Xiaoxiao planned to accompany the children to the train station to see Han Cheng off, but he insisted otherwise. On the doorstep, the whole family bid farewell to Han Cheng. Su Xiaoxiao repeatedly reminded him to be careful and to remember to eat on time. Han Cheng couldn’t help but hug Su Xiaoxiao and the children at the door before finally shouldering his light luggage and heading towards the train station, as it was getting close to his departure time.

Su Xiaoxiao reluctantly watched Han Cheng’s figure until she couldn’t see his shadow any longer.

Xiao Fantuan tugged at Su Xiaoxiao’s clothes and said, “Mom, don’t be afraid. We’re here with you at home.”

Su Xiaoxiao withdrew her gaze and reached out to rub the head of the cub, saying, “Yes, Mom has three young men accompanying her at home. Mom is not afraid.”

Today, there was no need to go to school, and the children didn’t clamor to go out and play. They were all staying at home with Su Xiaoxiao.

In the morning, Su Xiaoxiao helped the children complete their learning tasks, had lunch at the usual time, and then the children went for their nap. Su Xiaoxiao planned to unravel an old sweater that Han Cheng couldn’t wear and make a scarf for him.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how to knit a sweater, but she could manage a simple scarf.

She closed her eyes in the yard to relax and planned to sunbathe for a while before starting her work. However, just as she closed her eyes, she heard someone calling her from outside the yard.

“Comrade Su, is Comrade Su Xiaoxiao at home?”

Rarely having a stolen moment of leisure, upon hearing this voice, Su Xiaoxiao really wanted to reply, “She’s not here.” She sighed. It seemed she was destined to have a busy life. Couldn’t she even slack off for a while? ‘?