Hualing sat down huffily, kicking away the stool Chen Shouwang usually sat on. From the doorway, the laughing voices of Cheng Su and Taiguo passed by, grating on her ears.
When other couples argued and then reconciled, their affection seemed even greater, as if they were newlyweds after a brief separation. But what about her own home?
After an argument with Chen Shouwang, there was no talk of reconciling; not a day had passed peacefully before they started quarreling over some trivial matter again.
These last few days had been even more infuriating; that dead man had intentionally taken night shifts to avoid her, disappearing for days on end.
Hualing was so angry she clawed at her hair, feeling that life had become unbearable.
From the door came the sound of a key turning, and Hualingâs face darkened.
Chen Shouwang entered, saw her, and lowered his eyelids before hanging the keys on the door.
"Oh, you still know your way back? I thought you might have set up another home out there for all I knew, but you still remember this place is home, donât you!" Hualing couldnât help but make a sarcastic comment upon seeing him.
Chen Shouwangâs heart skipped a beat, and he frowned, saying, "Donât speak so unpleasantly. Whatâs this about having another home? Why does everything you say have to be so confrontational?"
He hadnât seen her for a few days and had been thinking they should sit down for a proper talk, but the moment he returned, he was met with such cold remarks, and his desire to talk evaporated instantly.
"Whatâs so unpleasant about it? Did I say anything wrong? Youâre gone for days and nights; do you think this place is a hotel or something?" Hualing felt wronged.
"Wasnât I on night duty?" Chen Shouwang said.
"Night duty? Are you on duty twenty-four hours a day now? Since when did Platoon Leader Chen become so dedicated and diligent?" Hualing scoffed.
"You..." Chen Shouwang took a deep breath, saying, "Iâve just come back, and you want to argue, is that it?"
"Whatâs wrong, are you angry because Iâve hit a nerve? Chen Shouwang, donât think I underestimate you, but with the way you are, unable to even coax your wife, what great things can you achieve?"
Listen to that sarcasm, like a cold knife stabbing straight into the heart.
Chen Shouwang glared at her coldly, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. He threw his clothes forcefully to the ground and went into the room.
Hualing jumped, startled by his gaze, which was as cold as if he wanted to devour someone.
When Chen Shouwang came out again, he had changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed for the door.
"Where are you going now?" Hualing asked in a shrill voice, grabbing him.
Chen Shouwang turned back with a cold laugh, "Iâm just an eyesore to you here, so why should I stick around and annoy you? It doesnât concern you where I go, as long as Iâm out of your sight."
With those words, he shook off Hualingâs hand forcefully, grabbed his keys, and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Hualing stumbled from the force of his action, and by the time she steadied herself, Chen Shouwang had already vanished. Furious, she chased to the door and yelled, "Chen Shouwang, if you have the guts, never come back!"
She slammed the door and then burst into loud sobs.
Hualingâs shouting disturbed the neighbors. Upon hearing it, Chunhua said to Liang Shurong, "Listen, theyâre at it again. With her terrible temper, sheâll blow up this family sooner or later!" And she had just been letting off steam at him a moment ago!
Liang Shurong said, "Donât talk nonsense. Itâs common for spouses to argue, donât meddle in othersâ business!"
Chunhua pouted and kept quiet.
Cheng Su also heard the commotion, turning to Taiguo, "Shall we go and see?"
"Better not, we just got back ourselves, and we donât know the full story. Letâs not get involved," Taiguo said, shaking his head.
Cheng Su hummed in acknowledgment, sliced the apple, and said, "Iâll make some caramelized apples for you. Can you get the maltose jar for me?"
"Sure!"