Elder Sister had returned, so the store had an extra pair of hands. Cheng Su didnât stay long and took her study materials back home.
As she opened the door, Cheng Su saw a military duffel bag on the floor and paused, then a burst of joy followed.
From the bathroom, the sound of running water could be heard.
Cheng Su hung up her purse and walked to the bathroom door. She knocked and asked, "Taiguo, is that you?"
The bathroom door opened, and Qi Taiguo emerged with his head covered in foam, giving her a smile, "Yes, itâs me. Youâre back?"
Cheng Su smiled too, "Mhm, you came back pretty quickly. You finish up; Iâm going out to buy some ingredients to cook."
"Okay, donât fuss too much, just a simple fish dish will do!"
Cheng Su went back to get her keys, and behind her came Qi Taiguoâs voice.
Cheng Suâs heart couldnât help but feel uplifted.
A simple meal, a cozy chat between the couple while dining, was very heartwarming.
After eating and cleaning up together, and then getting ready for bed, they finally sat down on the sofa to talk.
Cheng Su rested her head on his thigh, saying, "I thought you wouldnât be back for another couple of days. How did it go? The mission was a success?"
Qi Taiguo was stroking her hair. Hearing this question, his hand hesitated, "It went well enough, no significant losses."
Cheng Su tilted her head up slightly, "Any hitches?"
"There was a bit of a mess, but no one got hurt." Qi Taiguo chuckled and changed the subject, "What about you, where did you go? I thought Iâd see you when I got back. Didnât you say you were going to hole up with your books?"
Cheng Su sighed.
"Whatâs wrong?"
"You hadnât been gone for two days when Elder Sisterâs Baobao ran a high fever. Elder Sister rushed back to take care of her, leaving the store unattended, so I went to look after it for a few days. Elder Sister only got back today!" Cheng Su explained.
Qi Taiguo frowned, "Is Baobao fully recovered?"
"She must be, or else she wouldnât have come back!" Cheng Su stated, "These past days, Elder Sister must have been exhausted with worry. She looked so distressed."
"What about Zhang Jisheng?" Qi Taiguoâs face darkened, "Didnât he go back?"
"After Elder Sister went back, he didnât." Cheng Suâs voice carried a hint of displeasure when she mentioned Zhang Jisheng, "Heâs not the caring type. Elder Sister really drew the short straw marrying into the Zhang family."
She spoke with discontent, and Qi Taiguo picked up on it immediately, raising an eyebrow to ask, "Did he upset you?"
Cheng Su sat up straight and said, "You donât know him; I think heâs taking my store for his own. He invited his work buddies over for food and drinks. If I hadnât been there, he probably wouldnât have paid!"
"Really? He wouldnât dare to do such a thing, would he?" Qi Taiguoâs impression of Zhang Jisheng was that he was very timid and cowardly.
Cheng Su scoffed, "Dare? He might not have the nerve in front of you and me, but in front of Elder Sister or others, thatâs another story! You have no idea, he..."
Cheng Su stopped mid-sentence, hesitating.
Qi Taiguo had a temper. If she told him that Zhang Jisheng, influenced by the nightlife, might have gotten some bad ideas, would Taiguo fly off the handle and give him a beating?
Moreover, whether Zhang Jisheng had solicited prostitutes was uncertain. If she said something and it turned out to be false, accusing her of causing trouble, what then?
But not saying it also made her uncomfortable. They were a couple, after all; how stifling would it be if they couldnât even talk about such things?
"Whatâs the matter? Why stop talking halfway?" Qi Taiguo asked, a trace of suspicion in his eyes.
Cheng Su chuckled awkwardly, to tell or not to tell?