Chapter 150 - 147: Li Xiu Returns Home
The matter of the Zhang Family was set aside for the moment. It was a delicate situation that could go either way, and it would have to wait for a face-to-face talk when Wang Song was next on leave. The bond between the two families was strong, and Zhang Hongying herself had said she could endure hardship and loneliness. But it all depended on whether Wang Song was a man who would shoulder his responsibilities. Fortunately, the wedding was still a ways off. Zhang Hongying was only a freshman, with several years to go before graduation, so there was still time for things to change.
His heart set on returning, Li Xiu finally made it back to the Capital City. He had all the goods he brought with him packed and delivered to Wang Dongfang’s little courtyard home, telling the three of them to rest for now. They would discuss what to do with the merchandise tomorrow. With that, he rushed home.
Wang Dongfang and the other two men stared at the goods covering the floor, then at the already-closed gate, and shook their heads in resignation. This brother of theirs... he had the guts, he had the courage. By all rights, he was a man destined for greatness. And yet, he was completely smitten with his wife. From the moment he’d left the Capital City, all he’d talked about was his wife and daughter—though mentioning his daughter was clearly just an afterthought.
He strode home, but unfortunately, Zhou Lian wasn’t there; she was still at the university for classes. At home, Sister Fang was helping Nuonuo practice walking. The moment she saw Li Xiu, Nuonuo shouted excitedly, "Daddy, Daddy!" and stumbled toward him. Dropping his bag, Li Xiu swept his fair, tender little girl into his arms and kissed her small face with his stubbly one, making Nuonuo erupt in endless giggles.
After the father and daughter cuddled for a while, Li Xiu handed Nuonuo over to Sister Fang. He grabbed a change of clothes and went to take a shower, timing it just right so he could go pick up his wife from school afterward. Watching him hurry about, Sister Fang smiled and shook her head, sighing softly, ’Ah, to be young!’
Once he was all cleaned up and looking sharp, Li Xiu asked Sister Fang to start dinner, then left with his daughter in his arms to pick up Zhou Lian from school. He listened to his daughter’s babbling as they went, taking in the familiar roads with a sigh of relief. ’This is the kind of life I like,’ he thought. ’All that running around on the road just isn’t for me. In the future, I’ll leave this kind of work to Wang Dongfang and the guys. They’re all single, after all. Keeping busy on the road is perfect for them; it’ll keep them from getting lost in pointless thoughts!’
The three men back in Wang Dongfang’s courtyard had no idea that Li Xiu had basically just scheduled the rest of their lives. They would earn a lot of money, and they would enjoy the respect and envy of others, but they would also have absolutely no free time!
The guard at the university gate, an older man, recognized Li Xiu and greeted him with a smile. Li Xiu smiled and greeted people in return as he walked to Zhou Lian’s classroom. Class wasn’t out yet, but a glance at his watch told him it would be soon. So he stood there, holding his daughter, and waited.
A short while later, the professor walked out, followed by students in twos and threes. They all smiled in acknowledgment at the sight of the father and daughter. When Zhou Lian and Zhang Hongying came out together, she found Li Xiu waiting for her with a smile.
"You’re back," Zhou Lian said with a soft smile, walking to Li Xiu’s side and gently touching their daughter’s rosy cheeks.
"Mm, I’m back," Li Xiu said gently, stroking Zhou Lian’s hair. He had to use all his willpower to resist the urge to pull his wife into his arms. ’Wait until we get home,’ he told himself. ’I’ll wait until we get home.’
"Li Xiu, let me introduce you to my good friend," Zhou Lian said with a smile, introducing the two. "Yingzi, this is my husband, Li Xiu. And Li Xiu, this is my best friend, Zhang Hongying."
Li Xiu’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly before he smiled and greeted Zhang Hongying. The group started walking home together. The whole way, Zhou Lian and Zhang Hongying were whispering back and forth, while Li Xiu trailed behind them with his daughter in his arms, a gentle smile on his face.
’This Zhang Hongying seems to be fated to be connected to our family,’ Li Xiu thought. ’It’s not just the way my wife stressed the word ’best,’ but also that vaguely familiar name. My daughter-in-law has mentioned her great-aunt named Zhang Hongying to my son more than once. Whether or not this is the same Zhang Hongying, for my wife’s sake, I have to get someone to look into her. I can’t just leave a ticking time bomb next to my wife.’
After parting ways with Zhang Hongying at the mouth of the alley, the family of three continued home at a slow pace. Li Xiu asked nonchalantly, "Bao’er, is she the classmate you mentioned before the New Year? The one you said was a kindred spirit?"
"Mm-hm. She’s wonderful. A few days ago, I was a guest at her home. Her family is nice, too. It’s just... I don’t really like her fiancé," Zhou Lian said absently, kicking at a small stone at her feet. ’How can I tell Li Xiu that Yingzi is the same great-aunt our daughter-in-law mentioned—the one who left her home and family for love?’
"What happened? Was he disrespectful to you?" Li Xiu’s entire demeanor shifted, but he asked the question gently, his eyes soft as he looked at Zhou Lian.
"No, nothing like that. But you can tell just by looking at him that Wang Song is ambitious. And Yingzi is so naive... she’s the type who would still be helping count the money after being sold!" Zhou Lian said, frustrated. As much as she disliked Wang Song, she couldn’t just go around making false accusations.
"Wang Song? Your friend’s fiancé?" Li Xiu asked, suppressing the shock he felt and feigning curiosity.
"Mm-hm. He’s a soldier from one of the big compounds. He and Yingzi were childhood sweethearts," Zhou Lian said softly, looking at Li Xiu. "Li Xiu, I’m afraid Wang Song isn’t the right man for Yingzi!"
"Bao’er, everyone has their own path to walk, and no one can walk it for them. Since you’re good friends, all you can do is your best and leave the rest to fate. The outcome is up to heaven’s arrangement. Bao’er, you need to understand that you should live in the present. More importantly, you can’t let other people’s issues ruin your own mood, your own life!" Seeing that they were almost at their front door, Li Xiu gently pulled Zhou Lian into a light embrace, consoling her warmly. ’She’s too kindhearted, my Bao’er,’ he thought. ’She must have realized Zhang Hongying’s identity.’
"Mm, I know. I’ll adjust my mindset. I’m just worried about Yingzi; I don’t want her to get hurt." Zhou Lian let out a deep sigh as she pushed the door open, speaking softly. ’Li Xiu is right,’ she thought. ’And Yingzi already passed my words on to Mrs. Zhang. I trust that woman—she seems gentle, but she’s incredibly smart. She won’t let her daughter end up in the same helpless and lonely state as she did in her last life.’
"As long as you understand, Bao’er, that’s all that matters. By the way, Bao’er... did you miss me while I was gone?" As Zhou Lian turned to close the door, Li Xiu seized the opportunity to lean close and whisper in her ear.
She closed the door and turned to look at Li Xiu’s gentle smile. Even though he looked clean and fresh, she could clearly see the exhaustion deep within the eyes that gazed at her so tenderly. Her heart couldn’t help but soften. "I did," she said softly. "Li Xiu, I missed you."
Li Xiu’s heart jolted at her words, and he reached out a hand...
"You’re back! Quick, come inside, wash your hands, and eat." Sister Fang had heard the front door from the kitchen and knew it was them. After waiting a moment and seeing no one come in, she opened the kitchen door and called out from the doorway.