Hearing his words, Feng Ge’er couldn’t hold back his tears. His husband had never spoken kindly to him before. Every time they met, he was either cold or dismissive. Now, Gu Linchen gently wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, his gaze soft and warm as he looked at him. Overcome with emotion, Feng Ge’er threw himself into Gu Linchen’s arms, hugging him tightly.

Feng Ge’er felt his husband had truly changed—so much that he almost didn’t recognize him anymore. But the way he treated him and Xige’er now was so kind, so genuine. No matter why Gu Linchen had changed so drastically, Feng Ge’er didn’t want to question it. He loved the way things were now and feared it might all vanish. He wanted to hold on tightly to this version of his husband.

“Dad! Mom! I want a hug too!”

Xige’er ran over, hugging both of their legs.

Feng Ge’er had been so emotional he had completely forgotten their son was still nearby watching. Embarrassed, his face flushed red as he quickly let go of Gu Linchen.

“Alright! Dad will hug you!”

Gu Linchen bent down, lifting Xige’er into his arms. “You little clingy one!” he teased, planting a kiss on his son’s cheek. Xige’er giggled, wrapping his arms around his father’s neck, his laughter echoing throughout the house.

Feng Ge’er returned to the stove to tend the fire, occasionally glancing back at the heartwarming interaction between father and son. His heart felt full and content.

Not long after, Gu Linchen’s Mother returned home. As she entered, the cheerful laughter of Xige’er and the sounds of chatting filled the air, making her smile. ‘This feels like a real home,‘ she thought.

“Mother, you’re back!”

Feng Ge’er noticed his mother in law entering, carrying a basket that seemed heavier than when she left. She looked tired, so he quickly got up to help her.

“Mother,” Gu Linchen also greeted her when he heard Feng Ge’er speak.

“Grandma!” Xige’er called sweetly.

“Mother, what’s in your basket?” Gu Linchen asked, peering into it with curiosity. “Where did this huge pumpkin come from?”

“Oh, just now Lili and Yue’er went to the fields and found a few. Your third aunt gave them to me.”

Tired, His mother set down the basket and drank a bowl of water. Seeing how thirsty she was, Gu Linchen poured her another bowl.

Lili and Yue’er were his third uncle’s two eldest daughters. They often helped with household chores and took care of the vegetable garden.

“Mother, go rest in your room. Feng Ge’er and I will finish preparing lunch and call you when it’s ready,” Gu Linchen said, noticing how exhausted she looked.

His mother responded and went back to her room. She could tell her son was trying to bond with Feng Ge’er, so she didn’t want to be in the way. However, she forgot that there was still someone else watching closely.

The rice finished steaming quickly. Gu Linchen set it on the table and started cooking. The pork liver needed to be stir-fried over high heat, so he asked Feng Ge’er to add more firewood to the stove. Once the wok was hot, Gu Linchen scooped three large spoonfuls of pork lard into it. Seeing this, Feng Ge’er’s eyes widened in surprise. He asked if that much oil was really necessary since it seemed like enough for several days.

Patiently, Gu Linchen explained step by step how to properly cook pork liver. “First, you need to clean the blood thoroughly. Marinate it with some wine and ginger to remove the gamey smell. Ginger and alcohol help with that. If you have cooking wine, that’s even better. You also need to use plenty of oil and cook over high heat, stirring quickly. Add salt, sugar, and spices… Look, when it turns this color, it means it’s cooked. You must take it out immediately.”

He demonstrated while explaining to Feng Ge’er. Then he added, “Next, add the vegetables. Once they’re cooked, mix everything together for a quick stir-fry.” After finishing, he plated the dish and sprinkled chopped green onions on top.

The aroma of the pork liver filled the room, making Feng Ge’er’s stomach growl with hunger. Gu Linchen brought the dish to the table, and little Xige’er stared at it, swallowing hard.

“You little foodie! The food will be ready soon. Go wash your hands first,” Gu Linchen teased as he hurried to finish the stir-fried cabbage.

Feng Ge’er set the table and went to call his mother in law for the meal.

“Mother, please sit down and try the pork liver I made,” Gu Linchen said, placing a piece on her plate.

“Aye! Chen’er, you should sit down and eat too,” His mother replied.

“Yes, Mother,” Gu Linchen agreed, sitting down. He served Feng Ge’er a piece of pork liver as well, then gave Xige’er a slice along with a spoonful of steamed egg custard. Only then did he pick up a piece for himself.

Before he could take a bite, both his mother and Feng Ge’er started praising the dish, saying how delicious and tender the pork liver was, perfectly seasoned and flavorful.

Gu Linchen was satisfied with his work—this dish had turned out quite well.

Feng Ge’er was fully convinced. ‘So it really can taste this good!‘ His husband was truly skilled. Without realizing it, he kept gazing at Gu Linchen. When their eyes met, instead of scolding him, Gu Linchen gently scooped some egg custard onto his plate, urging him to eat before the food got cold.

The entire family ate heartily, completely satisfied.

“If only we could eat like this every day!” His mother sighed, feeling as though she was in a dream. At her age, these past two meals were the best she’d ever had.

“You will, Mother. Don’t worry. Things will get better for us,” Gu Linchen reassured her confidently. Since he couldn’t repay his parents in his past life, he was determined to do his best for this family now.

Hearing this, His mother felt deeply comforted, repeatedly praising her son for being responsible and capable.

After the meal, Gu Linchen helped Feng Ge’er clean up the dishes. At first, Feng Ge’er insisted he could handle it alone, but Gu Linchen ignored his protests and continued helping. Eventually, Feng Ge’er gave in. Meanwhile, Gu Linchen told Xige’er to take a nap.

Xige’er climbed onto the bed by himself, pulled the blanket over, and closed his eyes. However, he wasn’t actually asleep. His heart was filled with happiness. Today, he had delicious food, his father played with him, praised him, and even kissed him. ‘So this is what it feels like to be loved by a father!’

In the past, his father used to beat him so badly that his whole body ached. He even called him worthless and never shared good food with him or his mother. Xige’er remembered how his mother would often hold him at night and quietly wipe away tears.

But ever since his father recovered from his last illness, he had become completely different. Now, he cooked lots of delicious food, liked to touch his head, hug him, and play with him. He was even kind to his mother, speaking gently to her. His mother hadn’t cried in secret for a while now. Xige’er liked this version of his father and wanted to get closer to him…

Thinking these sweet thoughts, Xige’er drifted off to sleep, a smile lingering on his face as he dreamt.

Meanwhile, Feng Ge’er noticed that they were running low on firewood, so he prepared to go to the mountain to collect some. Carrying a basket on his back, he was about to leave when Gu Linchen noticed and said he would go along too.

Dongling Mountain was vast, with several large mountains connected behind it and a smaller hillside to the right. Feng Ge’er usually gathered firewood on the smaller hillside, which, despite being called “small,” still covered hundreds of acres.

He led the way with the basket on his back while Gu Linchen followed behind. It wasn’t long before they reached the base of the hill.

Gu Linchen took the basket from Feng Ge’er’s back and said, “Let me carry it. The mountain path doesn’t look easy to walk on.”

Feng Ge’er shook his head slightly and replied, “It’s fine, Lao Gong. I’m used to coming here often.” He used to bring Xige’er along when collecting firewood.

“You come here often?” Gu Linchen asked, now carrying the basket himself.

“Mm, I don’t dare go deep into the mountains alone, so I only gather firewood here,” Feng Ge’er replied shyly.