CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 210: EQUAL SHARE FOR ALL

"Alright, I’ll pick one."

Zhu Lihong took the lead and grabbed the handkerchief with a small butterfly. "I want this butterfly, it’s beautiful."

The pattern wasn’t big, but the butterfly’s wings were dazzlingly colorful, reaching the pinnacle of beauty.

All these years, she had never seen such a beautiful butterfly.

Then, Ji Jian and the others each selected a handkerchief, their faces beaming with joy.

"So pretty."

If only they could embroider such beautiful patterns on clothes, it would be even more beautiful.

What a pity!

"When will you come next time?"

"I could come in winter."

After the autumn harvest, winter almost begins, and then the long time of hunkering down for winter starts. With or without her, it makes no difference.

She could even bring Wen’s mother along then.

Thinking of this, Yi Chichi decided to discuss it with Wen Shi once Ji Jian and the others left.

As soon as she brought it up, Wen Shi looked at her apologetically and said, "Sorry, honey, that timing might not work out."

"Why?"

Just as Yi Chichi was about to eat an oyster omelet, she paused and looked over.

In that moment of eye contact, she saw the helplessness in Wen Shi’s eyes.

Helplessness...

"Going out to sea?"

"Yeah."

"??? But it’s only September, and your schedule is set through the end of the year?"

"Going out to sea isn’t something that wraps up in a few days."

Implying: the return date is uncertain.

"However, you can still come, but you and Mom might have to stay by yourselves."

Then what’s the point of her coming?

She’d come all that way just to enjoy a brief period of separation as sweet as a honeymoon.

If he goes on a mission, then she...

Thinking it over, she said, "We’ll decide later, depending on whether Mom misses you."

If she does, they’ll come; if not, they won’t.

Wen Shi suddenly felt that the food at the table lost its flavor, and even his wife seemed less charming.

With a blank face, he asked like an emotionless robot, "You won’t miss me?"

"Of course I will."

"Then why does Mom’s missing me determine whether you visit?"

That struck a nerve.

Yi Chichi felt a bit helpless, "I can endure missing you, but if Mom misses you, it can’t be endured; a visit is necessary."

Wen Shi couldn’t understand why Yi Chichi could endure missing him, wanted to ask, but remembered his mother’s advice: never reason with young girls; often, it’s easier to just let your wife have her way in non-critical situations.

So, he swallowed back the words he was about to say, "I was planning to hold the wedding at the end of the year."

To invite the old folks and announce he was no longer the single Wen Shi, but one who had married an excellent wife.

And warn anyone who might have been interested in her.

Yi Chichi laughed, "The wedding can happen anytime, we’re not in a rush."

"We should decide the date soon, though, because there are two ceremonies."

"??? You’re planning one back home and another one here?"

That sounds like such a hassle.

Just thinking about it was overwhelming.

"We can do it together with Old He."

"Are you sure Old He would want to do it with you?"

She nibbled on a piece of cucumber, enjoying its crisp and refreshing taste.

Wen Shi was confident, "Don’t worry, he’ll definitely agree. After all, I’m like family to him."

Yi Chichi was speechless; it seemed so reasonable.

In some ways, Wen Shi really could be considered He Yunsong’s family.

She teased, "Good thing Old He’s not here. If he were, he might start a fight with you."

Just as He Yunsong reached the doorway, he heard this and asked in surprise, "Why would we fight?"

Without waiting for them to respond, he strolled in carrying two cans, looking at Wen Shi aggressively, "Spill it, were you talking bad about me in front of Ms. Yi again?"

"In your dreams, I’d have nothing better to do than badmouth you to my wife."

He wasn’t the kind of generous person who’d let his wife’s attention stray to other men.

Not even if that man was a friend.

Handing over utensils and signaling for him to sit and eat, Wen Shi asked, "Why are you back early?"

"A couple of young soldiers from Company Three were injured during training, so I came back early."

Wen Shi turned serious, "Is it serious?"

"It’s not too bad."

Knowing what worried him, He Yunsong smiled, "Don’t worry, they’ve seen a doctor. They just need to rest in bed for a few days and skip training."

"Health is important. They can rejoin the team once they’re better."

"Yeah."

He nodded, finally able to turn his attention to the table. Then, he exclaimed, "You two are eating so lavishly?"

Yi Chichi, "??? This is lavish?"

How is this lavish? Just three dishes and a soup.

The oysters and conchs were free; she and Ji Jian gathered them from the sea.

The eggs were bought earlier, used four for the oyster omelet.

Then there was the smashed cucumber, a friendly gift from Madam Zhu next door.

The only dish that cost money was the fish soup; they didn’t gather any fish from the sea.

But the black bream was cheap, not to mention seafood prices were generally low now, remarkably affordable.

When she thought about going back home and not having such fresh fish soup, she lamented, "I wish I could bring fresh black bream home."

She wished she had a space, even if it lacked a Spiritual Spring for farming, just to keep things fresh would satisfy her.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have that.

It was quite disappointing.

Noticing her sudden drop in mood, Wen Shi assumed she was upset about missing out on black bream soup at home, and he casually pushed the soup bowl towards her, "It’s all yours."

He Yunsong focused on something else, "Ms. Yi, are you going back home?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"For the autumn harvest."

He, thinking it was something major, blurted out, "You don’t need work points to eat; Old Wen’s stipend is enough for you and Auntie."

Their living expenses were covered; they rarely needed money.

Yi Chichi’s lips twitched, "Just because I got the marriage certificate doesn’t mean my household registration moved. It’s still in Kao Shan Village."

Implying, she’s still a member of the production team in Kao Shan Village and has to go back.

"That is indeed a matter."

He Yunsong nodded, handing his bowl to Wen Shi, "Get me some rice, an empty bowl won’t do."

"Eat the dishes; after you’re done, I’ll cook you some noodles."

Wen Shi simply pushed his bowl across, "Or you could eat my rice."

His wife was picky, not liking leftovers, and she even restricted how much he could cook.

He Yunsong wasn’t interested in his rice, "Then go cook me a bowl of noodles."

As soon as he said it, he realized something was off, "Wait, you learned how to cook?"

"Ahem..."

Wen Shi cleared his throat, proudly pointing to the dishes on the table, "I made all of these, give them a try."

"I should, indeed."

He grabbed some chopsticks and began tasting everything, taking a bit of each dish and soup, ensuring a balanced sampling.

During the tasting, he kept a blank expression, making Wen Shi, who was watching him eagerly, feel a bit nervous.

Was it delicious or not?

Why did it seem like he was wearing a mask, giving nothing away?

Yi Chichi, however, could tell but kept it to herself, instead watching Wen Shi, waiting for him to speak, "Is it good or not?"

He Yunsong turned his head towards him and gave a long sigh.