Shrimp, clams, and razor clams were evenly arranged around the plate, with stir-fried pasta placed in the center. The prepared sauce coated each strand of pasta evenly. Wen Chongyue squeezed a bit of tomato sauce on top for decoration and sprinkled some tender basil leaves. Surrounding the dish were delicate, translucent pearl onions and halved cherry tomatoes.

Xia Jiao exclaimed, “Your cooking skills are so good that you could open a restaurant!”

Wen Chongyue tapped her nose lightly with the clean end of his chopsticks. “You have such a sweet mouth.”

Xia Jiao eagerly praised his culinary skills. “I’m telling the truth. The food you cook is really delicious and looks really good… I want to post it on WeChat Moments.”

Wen Chongyue set down his chopsticks. “Posting pictures on WeChat Moments? Thank you for your affirmation of me.”

Xia Jiao was already starving, so she quickly brought the salad and yogurt to the table, waiting for food from Teacher Wen.

For breakfast, Wen Chongyue still needed to eat boiled eggs. He placed great importance on maintaining his physique and health.

Xia Jiao, on the other hand, was less particular about her diet. She preferred fried eggs, so her small white porcelain dish held a perfect fried egg, with crispy golden edges and a yolk that was just set, sprinkled with crushed sesame and black pepper.

Xia Jiao didn’t eat slowly. She liked to share things she enjoyed at the table, such as how the daffodil in the office finally bloomed. Otherwise, her colleagues might think it was garlic sold by a flower vendor. She also mentioned how the forsythia in her neighborhood was beginning to bud, although the buds were tiny, and you had to lean in closely to see them.

Wen Chongyue did not have as strong a desire to share as she did. He did not like to share his daily life and just listened to Xia Jiao with a smile.

He was gradually getting to know his wife better.

At first, Wen Chongyue saw Xia Jiao as gentle and calm but also timid.

Her timidity might not be a strength, but it didn’t mean she was weak. She simply wasn’t used to interacting with strangers and wasn’t adept at handling social relationships.

Xia Jiao was also generous with her compliments for others. Once they became familiar, she happily shared things she liked with Wen Chongyue.

Wen Chongyue didn’t have grand expectations for his future married life. After all, he hadn’t considered marriage before, and part of the reason was due to circumstances. He was acutely aware that he was putting Xia Jiao in a difficult position, which made him feel guilty. However, she seemed to think this was not a bad thing.

Unfortunately, his work plans had changed.

One of them would need to make a compromise, or they would both have to reach an agreement.

Wen Chongyue hadn’t yet figured out how to discuss this matter with Xia Jiao.

After a week away, everything in the house still looked the same as it had before Wen Chongyue left. Xia Jiao wasn’t very good at housework, but she was making an effort to maintain every part of the house.

When Wen Chongyue noticed a few branches of snow willow arranged crookedly on a shelf, he realized he hadn’t seen them while he was busy caring for a little drunkard last night. Today, he saw that these snow willows, which had been dry and bare when he first bought them, had now blossomed with mist-like white flowers, clustered together like snow drifting from willow branches under Xia Jiao’s care.

As he turned, he saw Xia Jiao on the balcony, spraying mist on a small landscape stone arrangement in the corner.

This was a small moss plant, one of the gifts Wen Chongyue received before the New Year. Strangely, this type of moss, which was easily found in the woods, became incredibly delicate once transplanted into a pot. It wilted quickly, turning yellow and sickly within days.

When Wen Chongyue approached, Xia Jiao had just set down the spray bottle. She clapped her hands, casting a shadow over the flowers and plants she was caring for.

In a place that didn’t receive sunlight, the little moss was coming back to life, sprouting fresh green shoots.

Wen Chongyue said, “I didn’t expect you to care for moss. I thought you only liked flowers.”

“Moss is a type of flower too,” Xia Jiao said enthusiastically. “Have you heard the poem? ‘The moss flower is as small as rice, yet it learns to bloom like a peony.’ Even though its flowers are tiny, they are still beautiful.”

As she spoke, she bent down to carefully examine a shadowy corner, telling Wen Chongyue, “Caring for moss requires patience; you can’t rush it. I love moss; it’s unobtrusive and grows slowly in the shadows.”

She spoke with joy, but Wen Chongyue’s attention drifted elsewhere.

As Xia Jiao leaned over to touch the edge of the pot, her slender fingers, with a bit of soil on the tips, tried to relocate some moss that was about to grow out of the pot. She was much younger than Wen Chongyue—normally, he wouldn’t consider marrying someone with such a significant age gap. The difference in age could lead to a generational gap, and his only criterion for a partner was that they could have meaningful conversations.

Although Xia Jiao was younger and had less experience, and their growing environments were different, talking to her still fascinated Wen Chongyue. She had many peculiar and imaginative ideas that he had never encountered before.

The taste was delightful, like fresh bamboo shoots in spring—tender and crisp. Unfortunately, it didn’t hold up well. If you weren’t careful, tears would fall like March rain, making one feel a bit distressed yet more eager to pluck branches and leaves.

“I actually think that moss paired with conifers or ferns is beautiful, just like a velvet dress.” Xia Jiao said excitedly, turning around. “Teacher Wen, are you listening?”

Wen Chongyue nodded. “Your idea is wonderful.”

In the afternoon, the two finally went to look at wedding dresses and rings.

The wedding date was set for around May, which was a bit rushed, and they still needed all the essential items. Wen Chongyue didn’t have many thoughts about the rings; he was following Xia Jiao’s preferences.

Xia Jiao had done her homework in advance and went straight to the store to try on rings.

While trying on the rings, Wen Chongyue’s phone rang several times.

He ended the first two calls directly. When the third call came, he told Xia Jiao and quickly removed the ring, placing it in the tray before stepping outside to answer.

Xia Jiao looked down, wanting to remove the ring from her finger, but the size fit perfectly, even catching on her knuckle. She tried twice but couldn’t get it off, so the staff member, wearing gloves, smiled as she helped Xia Jiao gently squeeze her fingers to ease the ring off, little by little.

“You and your husband are a great match,” the staff member said as she took the ring off Xia Jiao’s ring finger, her tone soft. “You make a lovely couple.”

Xia Jiao smiled and said, “Thank you.”

Just then, Wen Chongyue walked over, and Xia Jiao tilted her head to ask, “What do you think of this pair?”

Wen Chongyue replied, “It’s up to you.”

Xia Jiao turned to the salesperson and said, “I’ll take this pair. Thank you.”

However, the rings were not in stock and needed to be ordered. She had to pay in advance, and the staff would notify her when they arrived.

The stool was a bit high, and as Xia Jiao got down, Wen Chongyue subtly helped her, smoothing the hem of her slightly lifted skirt.

Once they left the store, Xia Jiao asked, “Who called just now?”

Wen Chongyue calmly replied, “Just a work call. Nothing to worry about.”

Xia Jiao nodded.

That evening, they had a reservation at the restaurant Wen Chongyue chose, located on the 79th floor with a window view overlooking the Forbidden City.

When they arrived, the sunset was still casting its glow. Wen Chongyue had called ahead to confirm, and their table was decorated with rose petals.

Wen Chongyue smiled at Xia Jiao and said, “The food here isn’t the best, but the night view is great. I’ll be driving later, so I can’t drink. Would you like some red wine?”

Xia Jiao shook her head in refusal.

In such a romantic atmosphere, it felt like a good time to enjoy a drink, but after having too much to drink the previous day, she didn’t feel up to it.

Wen Chongyue didn’t push her. He ordered the dishes after considering her preferences: Australian Wagyu sirloin steak, lobster bisque, pan-seared foie gras, smoked salmon salad, and oysters. The dessert was a Basque cheesecake, which was Xia Jiao’s favorite due to its rich cheese flavor.

Xia Jiao felt that the ambiance called for conversation.

Wen Chongyue seemed to have something on his mind.

After a brief wait, as she expected, he asked, “Do you want to leave here?”

Xia Jiao suddenly looked up at him.

“There are some changes at work,” Wen Chongyue said, looking into her eyes. “In the next three years, my focus may shift to Suzhou.”

Xia Jiao understood. “Does that mean you’ll be away for a long time?”

“No,” Wen Chongyue shook his head. “I was wondering if it would be too harsh to ask you to come with me.”

Xia Jiao didn’t respond immediately.

Although Beijing was not her hometown, she had friends and classmates here.

And she had her job.

Suzhou was an unfamiliar city to her. She had only visited once and remembered the rice dumplings filled with salted egg yolk the most.

Wen Chongyue added, “Or I could come back to Beijing every weekend to see you.”

Xia Jiao asked, “Can I order a cup of hot red wine now?”

Of course, she could.

The waiter brought the hot red wine. She took small sips while gazing outside at the dazzling night view, which looked like a sky full of fireworks, a steel forest shining brightly like a fallen galaxy.

She almost felt like she had finally found a light in her life.

Xia Jiao asked, “Do you really have to go?”

“I know this might put you in a difficult position,” Wen Chongyue said thoughtfully. “But I don’t want to pass up this opportunity.”

Xia Jiao looked down. She hadn’t finished her cake, but it didn’t taste as good anymore, as if time had diluted the sweetness of the cheesecake. She felt a bit disappointed and poked at the cake with her fork.

“It’s quite a distance,” Xia Jiao said softly. “Suzhou doesn’t even have an airport, and it takes five hours to get there by high-speed train.”

“I understand,” Wen Chongyue said, looking into her eyes. “You can fly into Wuxi.”

The restaurant’s music played softly as Xia Jiao continued to think seriously.

Wen Chongyue said, “This came up suddenly, and I’m sorry to discuss it with you now. After the wedding, I might have to go.”

His voice softened as he reassured her, “I know you don’t like the idea of being apart so often. But this situation can’t be changed. Xia Jiao, if I offer you some compensation, would you be able to bear it?”

Xia Jiao looked up, “What kind of compensation?”

“Every month, I’ll transfer my salary to your bank account,” Wen Chongyue said. “You can use this pocket money to buy clothes or shoes or enjoy some nice food.”

Xia Jiao finished her hot red wine.

Wen Chongyue added, “Don’t worry about housework; I’ll hire a reliable cleaning service. If you feel lonely, we can contact a cat shelter right now and book a kitten as soon as possible to keep you company.”

Xia Jiao’s eyes lit up.

— A little—kitten—!!!

A soft little kitten that could snuggle and purr on her lap!

“As for our married life,” Wen Chongyue continued, I’ll come over at least three times a month and accompany you, okay?”

Xia Jiao replied cautiously, “Okay, but if you’re busy, you don’t have to come back.”