Chapter 171: Past the Time
Qin Wenhao arrived early, worried his wife might get off work ahead of schedule.
The weather was frigid, and he couldn’t let his wife wait outside.
So he arrived at 8:30.
He expected her to come out at nine, but he didn’t see her.
But he wasn’t in a hurry. He figured she was just held up by work and waited patiently.
He ended up waiting all the way until twelve o’clock.
Finally, he got out of the car and walked to the security office at the main gate.
"Hello, excuse me, is Fu Mingxue still working overtime? Could you please check for me?"
"Fu Mingxue? Who are you?" the security guard asked directly.
Qin Wenhao introduced himself. "I’m Fu Mingxue’s husband. My name is Qin Wenhao. I’m here to pick her up from work."
Since he was wearing his military uniform, the security office didn’t scrutinize his identity too strictly.
"Alright, wait a moment. I’ll check the attendance records first."
The security officer went to check.
He was gone for a little while.
"Found it. She hasn’t clocked out yet. I’ll go over there and take a look for you."
There were two guards on duty in the security office, so it wasn’t a problem for one to step away.
Besides, they had to take turns patrolling the factory grounds anyway.
Qin Wenhao immediately said, "Thank you!"
Half an hour later, the security officer returned. "Group Leader Fu is in the workshop working with Master Yang. I didn’t want to disturb them. They should be finishing up soon, so just wait a little longer."
Qin Wenhao was just relieved to know that his wife was still in the workshop.
"Thank you, I understand. I’ll wait a bit longer, then—"
He returned to his car.
He waited again, and at around one o’clock, he saw his wife hurrying out.
Qin Wenhao had been keeping a close eye on the factory gate. The moment he saw her come out, he quickly got out of the car.
"Honey!"
Fu Mingxue looked apologetic. "Sorry, I lost track of time. You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you?"
Qin Wenhao immediately said, "It’s fine. I just took a little nap in the car."
In reality, he hadn’t closed his eyes at all.
’How could I possibly sleep when my wife is still working so late?’
"Come on, let’s get in the car and go home."
Fu Mingxue nodded. "Okay."
Qin Wenhao opened the car door, and Fu Mingxue quickly got in.
After the car started, Fu Mingxue spoke up again. "I was in the workshop with one of the masters, watching him make a component part. It was really important, so I ended up staying late."
"If I’m this late next time, just have the security guard come get me."
To be honest, she hadn’t given Qin Wenhao a single thought.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left him waiting outside like that.
Qin Wenhao said at once, "It’s fine. Your work is important. It’s no trouble for me to wait in the car."
He was seeing firsthand just how demanding his wife’s job really was.
She was so late last night, and so late again tonight.
’How can her body take this?’
"Honey, you should get some sleep. I’ll wake you up when we get home."
Fu Mingxue shook her head. "It’s okay, I’m not sleepy. By the way, did you pick up all the packages from town today?"
"Mhm, I got them," Qin Wenhao said, focusing on his driving.
He didn’t try to start a conversation this time.
Sure enough, once he stopped talking, his wife closed her eyes and fell asleep in no time.
Even though he drove as smoothly as he could, the car still swayed a bit. After all, the road conditions were what they were.
When they reached their house, he stopped the car and gently nudged Fu Mingxue. "Honey, we’re home."
Fu Mingxue’s eyes snapped open. "—Okay."
Then she opened the car door and got out.
Qin Wenhao followed behind her. "I’ll go to the kitchen and make you something to eat."
Fu Mingxue was genuinely sleepy now.
She waved her hand. "No, it’s fine. I’m just going to take a shower and go to bed."
’No studying tonight. I have to save my own skin.’