Chapter 128 - 125: Winter Warmth
Once December began, the temperature in the Capital City plummeted. The dry, cold wind felt like knives against the skin. Zhou Lian had finished all her final exams, giving her a winter break of a month and a half. Meanwhile, Li Xiu had already bought his train ticket to head south.
The north wind howled through the night, but the east wing of their small courtyard home was as warm as spring. Gazing at the soundly sleeping Nuonuo, the couple exchanged a smile. After tucking their daughter’s blankets in, Li Xiu sighed, pulling Zhou Lian into his arms. He kissed her gently and said, "Bao’er, will you and Nuonuo be scared at home at night?"
Rolling her eyes at him, Zhou Lian said softly, "What’s there to be afraid of? Our house is so close to the local administration office, and they have people on duty at night. Besides, there’s a police station at the end of the alley. Who would be foolish enough to cause trouble around here?"
"I know," Li Xiu said with a sigh. "I just can’t help but worry about you and our daughter. I’m not concerned about the security around here; I just can’t bear to leave you two."
"You need to be careful on the road, too," Zhou Lian said, unable to hide her worry. "Even though the general situation is better these days, you know how things still are. Be careful about everything. It’s fine if you don’t make any money; what’s most important is that you’re safe." She knew Li Xiu was smart and dependable, but no one knew what things were really like in the south.
"It’s fine, don’t worry," Li Xiu said, carefully instructing her. "The cellar is fully stocked. If you want to eat something, just go down and get it. Also, if a bad guy ever shows up, don’t think about anything else—just grab Nuonuo and hide in the cellar. You know I built two exits. One is in the side alley, and the other is right here by the end of the kang bed."
"Okay. If anything happens, I’ll do as you say," Zhou Lian agreed softly. Then, she asked in a low voice, "But have you figured out what you’re going to do in the south?" He still hadn’t told her exactly what he was planning.
"Look, living standards are improving, but people have money and no ration tickets, so they can’t buy what they want. And think about the department stores. Many high-demand items, like watches and radios, disappear the moment they’re stocked. These are essentials for young couples getting married now, but they have the money and nowhere to buy them. If I brought some of those things back, don’t you think they’d sell in a flash?"
Li Xiu’s eyes lit up as he explained, "I’ve already done my research. In the south, things like watches and radios are only a third of the price here. I can sell them for the local price, but without ration tickets. You think people will buy them? Besides, I don’t plan to do the selling myself. I’ll find some reliable people and give them the goods at a fixed price. Whatever extra they make is theirs. It’s the best of both worlds."
Pondering her husband’s words, Zhou Lian nodded glumly. ’I’ve lived a whole extra life, yet I’m no match for Li Xiu, who’s only in his twenties. That’s a real sore spot!’
Seeing his wife’s glum expression, Li Xiu asked curiously, "What’s wrong, Bao’er? Why are you unhappy?"
Zhou Lian shook her head and said softly, "Why couldn’t I think of these things? I don’t think I’m that stupid."
"Bao’er, you’re not stupid," Li Xiu said softly, holding back a laugh. "It’s just that we see things from different perspectives. You’re more sentimental, after all. As a man, I tend to think more rationally. It’s perfectly normal!" His wife was becoming more and more sensitive, especially around him, and it brought him a great sense of satisfaction.
Considering her own field of study, Zhou Lian decided not to dwell on it. ’I haven’t had a head for business in either of my two lives, so I’d better just drop it. If I keep fixating on this, I’ll just make myself miserable.’
"You handle these things as you see fit. I don’t have the mind for it, so I won’t get involved. The last thing I want is to be an amateur telling an expert what to do and leaving you all confused!" Zhou Lian knew herself well. ’Given how much he pampers me, he’d have the makings of a foolish emperor in another era. I’d better keep my mouth shut, lest he really lose his head and do everything I say.’
"Okay, my Bao’er won’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything. But, Bao’er, you must eat well while you’re at home. If I come back and find you’ve gotten thinner... Bao’er, you know I’ll have to teach you a lesson you won’t forget. Remember?"
Looking at the wicked glint in his eyes, Zhou Lian nodded helplessly. ’Honestly, this man... He uses the same threat every time. Can’t he try something new for once?’ She didn’t consider whether any other method would make her remember the lesson. Besides, this was Li Xiu’s favorite form of "punishment"—there was no way he’d change it.
「The early morning wind was bone-chilling.」
Li Xiu slipped out quietly, carrying a large bag. He left a meal for his wife and child warming in the pot and placed a note for her on the kang bed. His train departed at seven o’clock. Since his wife was finally on her winter break, he couldn’t bear to make her wake up so early just to see him off.
When Zhou Lian woke up, it was already past seven. She glanced at her watch and sighed. ’I knew this would happen.’ Spotting the note by her pillow, she quickly picked it up and read it carefully. It said: "My dearest Bao’er, By the time you wake up and see this, I’ll already be gone. Take good care of yourself, and take good care of our daughter. I’ll be back very soon. You must remember my words—eat well. Don’t worry about me; I’ll take good care of myself, too. Your husband, Li Xiu."
It felt strange to wake up and not see him there. Zhou Lian pulled the blanket over her head and sighed. ’What has he gotten me used to? I’ve really been spoiled rotten by Li Xiu...’
"Papa, Papa..."
Hearing her daughter calling, Zhou Lian threw back the covers. She saw Nuonuo sitting up, rubbing her eyes and calling out for her papa. "Nuonuo, what’s wrong? Mama’s here," she asked hurriedly.
"Papa, pee-pee, pee-pee."
Zhou Lian scrambled out of bed and carried her daughter to the outer room, where Nuonuo had her own little chamber pot.
After carrying her daughter back and placing her on the kang bed, she quickly got her dressed. Then she mixed some water to wash Nuonuo’s face and hands before quickly washing up herself. "Nuonuo, are you hungry?" she asked gently.
"Mama, Papa, Papa..." Nuonuo ignored her, her little head turning from side to side as she looked for her father. Li Xiu usually took care of their daughter, and Nuonuo was accustomed to his care. With the sudden switch to Zhou Lian, it wasn’t just Nuonuo who felt unsettled; Zhou Lian herself was flustered and clumsy. She had rarely taken care of the child alone. Not counting her previous life, in this one, Li Xiu had basically been the one looking after their daughter since she was born. Even the two times Li Xiu had come to the Capital City by himself, Mrs. Zhou had been there to help. What’s more, the second time he came alone, he had sent mother and daughter to Zhou Family Village, where Zhou Lian wasn’t needed at all. The Zhou family members, particularly Zhou Cui and Zhou Ying, doted on Nuonuo so much that Zhou Lian hardly ever got to hold her during the day.
"Be a good girl, Nuonuo. Papa had to go out for something important, but Mama is here with you!" Zhou Lian soothed gently.
"Papa?" Nuonuo tilted her little head to look at her, her small face filled with confusion.
"That’s right, Papa went out. How about Nuonuo plays with Mama?" Zhou Lian said, smiling at her daughter’s adorable expression.
"Okay, play, Mama," Nuonuo said, clapping her small hands. She was very fond of her mama, too.