Chapter 300: My Husband Is the Best to Me
“So, where exactly did you buy all those clothes? Zhaozhao, I’ve noticed the styles are much better than what they have at the state-owned stores, and the quality seems a lot better too.”
Take the jacket Su Zhaozhao was wearing, for example. It was a white, cotton-padded coat, but the style was simple and elegant. It felt a little fuzzy and was very soft to the touch.
It was quite different from the purely cotton texture of the clothes at the state-owned stores.
“Um, I was just wandering around the streets and alleys and saw some stalls secretly selling clothes from Hong Kong, so I bought them. They were a little expensive, but I’ve earned some money, right? So it’s okay for me to buy these, isn’t it? You don’t think I’m being wasteful, do you?”
“What are you thinking? Is that the kind of person you think I am?” Xie Huaizheng couldn’t help but reach out and gently tap Su Zhaozhao on the forehead.
He didn’t use any force, not having the heart to hurt Su Zhaozhao. It was just a small warning.
Su Zhaozhao giggled. “I knew it. My husband is the best.”
“My stipend and all my savings are with you. Spend it if you want. If it’s not enough, I can ask my mom to send some money over.”
Xie Huaizheng hadn’t relied on his family for years, but now that he was married, he worried his stipend wouldn’t be enough. He didn’t want Su Zhaozhao to feel like she was missing out. When it came to her, he wished he could pluck the moon from the sky and give it to her.
‘A lovely girl like her should be cherished and pampered, like a delicate flower.’
‘She deserved to be spoiled with the finest things money could buy.’
‘If he didn’t have enough, he’d just ask his family for it. After all, his parents had money.’
“No, no, that’s not necessary.” Su Zhaozhao quickly waved her hands. “These clothes weren’t that expensive, really.”
‘They didn’t cost any money at all!’
‘They were products from her ‘space,’ so of course they were free.’
But Xie Huaizheng didn’t know, and she had no idea how to explain something like the ‘space’ to him.
On the way back, Xie Huaizheng bought a pile of snacks for her—peanuts, sunflower seeds, and some candies and cookies—so Su Zhaozhao would have something to munch on at home to pass the time.
Later that evening, they went to Liu Guiyan’s restaurant for dinner.
They also brought the gifts for them.
When Liu Guiyan saw Su Zhaozhao and Xie Huaizheng carrying bags of all sizes, she said hurriedly, “What is all this?”
“Aunt Liu, Huai Zheng and I brought you some New Year’s gifts,” Su Zhaozhao said with a smile.
Liu Guiyan was immediately surprised. “Oh, my goodness, you two. Why did you bring so many things?”
“It’s not that much. The New Year is almost here, so just think of it as our gift to you.”
“How can we accept this? Huai Zheng, your allowance isn’t that high, and you’ve spent so much on us.”
“Well, actually, I have a job too. I’m a teacher at the military base’s elementary school, so this is really fine,” Su Zhaozhao told Liu Guiyan.
She insisted on taking the gifts into their home.
Liu Guiyan said to them, “Well, since you’re here, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Why don’t you sit down and have a meal?”
“Okay! Huai Zheng and I haven’t eaten yet, and we’ve been missing your cooking.”
“Yes, Aunt Liu. It’s been a while,” Xie Huaizheng added.
He was a man of few words to begin with. Being with Liu Guiyan and her husband always reminded him of the past—that he was alive while their son had been gone for so many years.
An unavoidable weight settled in his heart.
Because of this, he was always careful around them, afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Now that Su Zhaozhao was with him, he spoke even less.
As Su Zhaozhao chatted with Liu Guiyan, she sensed Xie Huaizheng’s mood. She couldn’t help but quietly reach out and take his hand.
She held it and squeezed firmly.
Xie Huaizheng’s body tensed, but he quickly recovered, gripping her hand in return and enveloping it completely in his palm.
The cold, sorrowful emotions that had been building inside him began to feel less overwhelming, all because of Su Zhaozhao.
‘He wasn’t alone anymore. Su Zhaozhao was always with him.’
He was also slowly emerging from the shadow of his past, and it was all thanks to her.
Now, she was even helping him comfort his fallen comrade’s parents. How could Xie Huaizheng not be grateful to her?
She was the best gift heaven had ever sent him.
“It’s cold now, so we’re not making grilled skewers anymore. We’re doing lamb hot pot. Would you like a portion?”
Liu Guiyan said with a smile.
“Sounds great. Aunt Liu, I’m not a picky eater. I’ll eat anything.”
Liu Guiyan chuckled. She found this girl, Su Zhaozhao, to be absolutely adorable.
Every time Zhaozhao came to chat, even if it was just small talk, it made her feel exceptionally happy.
Su Zhaozhao and Xie Huaizheng found a table in the corner and sat down.
Now that the weather was cold, they didn’t have tables outside anymore. Everything had been moved indoors, and although it was a bit crowded, it was warm.
The lamb hot pot arrived quickly. The milky aroma of the lamb wasn’t gamy at all. Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but sniff the air, feeling her mouth start to water.
Xie Huaizheng took the initiative, first ladling a bowl of clear broth made from lamb bones for Su Zhaozhao so she could drink it to warm herself up.
After that, Xie Huaizheng started adding meat to the pot to cook.
Besides lamb, the hot pot also came with some pork, green vegetables, and other things to cook.
A little later, Liu Guiyan also brought out two small side dishes.
She came over with glasses to pour them some wine.
“Zhaozhao, I remember you drank quite a bit of plum wine last time. You must like it, right?”
Xie Huaizheng pressed his thin lips together, remembering the first time he saw Su Zhaozhao drunk.
Back then, their relationship wasn’t as familiar, but that incident—Su Zhaozhao getting drunk—had brought them a little closer.
Since then, he had always tried to make sure she only drank when he was present.
‘Was he about to witness a repeat of that night?’
Just then, Su Zhaozhao glanced at him. Her eyes were filled with a certain eagerness, yet she was worried he wouldn’t approve. She asked cautiously, “Can I just have two glasses?”
Hearing this, Liu Guiyan frowned. “Little Su, why are you listening to him? If you want to drink, then drink! I’ll pour some for you later to take home. A small drink or two is good for you. In this cold weather, a little alcohol will warm you right up.”
Xie Huaizheng smiled at Su Zhaozhao and said, “Yes, Aunt Liu is right. You can have two glasses.”
But since he had driven, he wouldn’t be drinking.
So, Su Zhaozhao drank with Liu Guiyan, and the two of them chatted as they sipped their wine.
Business at the restaurant was slow today, with only two other tables of customers. After finishing his work, Liu Guiyan’s husband came out and sat down beside them.
However, he didn’t speak. He just sat there quietly, watching them.