Chapter 137 : Going Back

Han Zhenyu and his team delivered the farm’s grain to the designated location.  

By the time all the food was stored, it was already past seven in the evening.  

The drivers discussed with their team members and decided to stay in the city overnight, planning to drive back to the farm early the next morning.  

Han Zhenyu, however, pulled Li Shaohua aside and said, “Shaohua, I have to go back home tonight. I won’t stay in the city. I’ll head directly to the farm from Nanping County tomorrow morning.”  

“What’s the rush to get back?” Li Shaohua asked, noticing Zhenyu’s ill-fitting clothes. Lowering his voice, he continued, “What happened at the farm? And where are your clothes?”  

“When I went to get boiled water, I accidentally dropped my clothes into the farm’s water storage tank,” Han Zhenyu explained, pulling at his sleeves with a wry smile. “The clothes I’m wearing belong to Director Chen. I need to return them. Since we’ll pass through Nanping County on the way back, I thought I’d leave early tonight to go home and change.”  

“Then I’ll go with you. I don’t feel comfortable letting you drive at night alone,” Li Shaohua offered.  

Han Zhenyu thought for a moment before agreeing. “Alright. I’ll inform the drivers to use someone else’s car tomorrow.”  

The drive to Nanping County was about three hours. By the time they arrived at the county seat, it was nearly 11 p.m.  

After coordinating a meeting time for the following morning, Li Shaohua returned to the factory while Han Zhenyu drove straight home.  

Not wanting to startle Su Xieqiu and the children, he didn’t knock but called from outside, “Su Xieqiu, open the door. I’m back.”  

Inside, everyone was already asleep. Upon hearing his voice, they grabbed the flashlight by the pillow. Su Xieqiu opened the living room door and asked, “Is that you, Han Zhenyu?”  

“It’s me,” he confirmed.  

She walked to the main door, double-checked, and then opened it.  

“Why didn’t you stay at the factory for the night? It’s dangerous to come back so late,” she scolded lightly.  

“I came back to change clothes. I have to leave early tomorrow morning,” he replied with a smile.  

The two went to the main room. Su Xieqiu lit a candle and noticed his outfit. “What’s with these clothes?” she asked.  

Han Zhenyu shut the door and recounted his encounter with Jiang Shaoting at the Wuhua County farm.  

“What a coincidence!” Su Xieqiu exclaimed in surprise.  

Han Zhenyu nodded solemnly. “I was shocked to see him. He’s changed so much. He used to be so full of spirit, but now he’s in such a dire state.”  

Su Xieqiu sighed but refrained from commenting further, it wasn’t her place to meddle.  

“Do you want to help them?” she asked.  

Han Zhenyu sighed again. “I don’t think I can help much. The most I can do is send them some food and daily necessities. I have a family now, and I need to prioritize you and the kids.”  

‘He knows his responsibilities well,’ Su Xieqiu thought to herself.  

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Since Director Chen knows he’s your savior, you should occasionally send them some food and necessities in the future. But don’t send anything too good, being too conspicuous might raise suspicion, considering they’re working on the farm.”  

She added, “If Director Chen isn’t too greedy, it’s better to let him handle the deliveries. Give a bit extra each time and let him take the lion’s share. That way, it’ll seem more natural.”  

“Got it,” Han Zhenyu replied.  

Looking at her, he smiled warmly, thinking how fortunate he was to have married such a thoughtful and intelligent wife.  

Feeling his gaze, Su Xieqiu blushed and stood up abruptly. “I’ll make you something to eat. There’s hot water in the kettle, go wash up,” she said.  

“I’m not hungry. I had dinner in the city before coming back,” Han Zhenyu said, holding her hand. “Stop fussing and get some rest.”  

Su Xieqiu, seeing that Han Zhenyu had already eaten, brought him some snacks and asked, “What time are you leaving tomorrow morning?”  

“The other drivers need to come over from the city, so there’s no rush. I’ll leave from home around 8 o’clock. You don’t need to wake up so early. I’ll cook tomorrow,” Han Zhenyu replied.  

He felt guilty about being away so often for work, leaving his wife to handle the house and two children on her own. Whenever he was home, he tried to take on as much of the household work as possible.  

“Alright, but you should go to bed early too,” said Su Xieqiu, a bit tired herself. She nodded and went back to her room.  

As he watched her close the door, Han Zhenyu stood still for a moment, lost in thought, calculating how long it would be until the two months they had agreed upon were over.  

‘About a month left,’ he sighed inwardly, wondering why time seemed to drag on so slowly.  

—

The next morning, Su Xieqiu woke up early to the sound of movement in the backyard. She went to check and found Han Zhenyu in the firewood shed, chopping larger pieces of wood and neatly stacking them for future use.  

“Aren’t you leaving at eight o’clock? Why did you get up so early? Aren’t you tired?” she asked, her tone filled with a mix of blame and concern.  

Driving a truck was already exhausting, and he couldn’t seem to rest even when he was home.  

“I couldn’t sleep,” he said with a smile. “It’s still early, why don’t you go back to bed?”  

She shot him a glare but didn’t argue. Instead, she returned to the front yard to start cooking.  

‘How can I go back to sleep when you’re already up working?’ she thought to herself.  

A while later, Han Zhenyu joined her in the front yard. He sat near the stove, chatting with her while tending the fire.  

Knowing he had a long drive ahead, Su Xieqiu decided not to burden him with the events of the past few days. She planned to share the details later when he had time to rest and wouldn’t be worrying while away.  

“A few days ago, I took apart and washed our old quilts. Why don’t you take them to Comrade Jiang? I’ll fry some salty cornmeal later, it’s easy to carry and can be eaten with water,” she suggested.  

“Okay,” Han Zhenyu agreed with a smile. After a pause, he added, “We should also ask Director Chen if there’s anything else they might need. If there isn’t, I’ll stop in the city later to buy something.”  

“Good idea. I’ll prepare everything after breakfast,” she replied.  

For breakfast, Su Xieqiu made a pot of rice porridge and two side dishes. She also baked several fried cakes and boiled six or seven eggs for Han Zhenyu to eat on the road.  

The cooler weather meant the food would stay fresh in the car for a couple of days, essential for long trips when meal stops were uncertain.  

As she was finishing up, little Chenchen walked in, rubbing his eyes.  

Seeing Han Zhenyu by the stove, he exclaimed in surprise, “Uncle Han, you’re back?”  

Han Zhenyu smiled warmly and nodded, lifting the boy into his arms. “Chenchen, why are you up so early?”  

“I got up to help Aunt Su cook,” Chenchen said with a grin, hugging his arm tightly.  

Han Zhenyu chuckled, pinched Chenchen’s cheek, and praised him. “Chenchen is such a good boy.”  

Smiling, Su Xieqiu shook her head. “This little guy is too diligent. I told him to sleep longer, but he just wouldn’t listen.”  

She knew Chenchen often felt insecure and wanted to be helpful around the house. Though she wished he’d rest more, she could only make sure he went to bed early at night and took naps during the day.  

“Chenchen, you’re still young. You need to sleep more, eat more, and not worry about work so much, or you won’t grow tall,” Han Zhenyu teased, tapping the boy’s nose. “When you’re older, then you can help Aunt Su with the chores.”  

“I understand, Uncle Han,” Chenchen replied with a giggle.