Jiang Shufen said with a smile, "We're just two families, so we're not outsiders. Come on, let me help you with it."

"Alright then, thank you for your trouble, Auntie..."

Jiang Shufen went to help He Cuiping with her work.

Commissar Wang and Gu Chen stared at each other, and Wang, who was only in his thirties and not yet forty, was definitely hoping for both a son and a daughter. Seeing that Gu Chen had children, he himself became envious.

The two families combined made up just enough for one table, and neither of them were the type to join in the fun.

"Want some wine?" Political Commissar Wang took a bottle of wine from the cabinet and handed it to him.

Gu Chen shook his head. "My wife is pregnant. I won't drink. I need to take care of her."

Political Commissar Wang had no choice but to give up and eventually replaced all the alcohol with soft drinks, since it wouldn't be fun for him to drink alone.

Before long, the food was ready. Political Commissar Wang helped set the table, but he was forced to. In the past, he would just sit down at the table and wait to eat, then sit down again and take a shower after finishing his meal. He Cuiping would wash the leftovers and dishes all by herself.

He Cuiping read the book, which included a section about men helping women with chores.

Since he learned to read, he hasn't dared to say anything sarcastic, for fear of stepping on her sore spot.

After finishing their meal, Lin Yuxi and her family went home.

He Cuiping tidied up briefly and then said, "Go wash the dishes quickly, I still need to collect the laundry."

“Didn’t I do some work for you? Didn’t I set the table for your meals? It’s not like I didn’t do anything.” Political Commissar Wang said confidently, afraid that others would see him doing the work and laugh at him.

He Cuiping wasn't buying it. "I wash your clothes and cook for you every day, so what's wrong with you washing a dish? I take care of your parents in the countryside and look after your bedridden grandmother. But when I come here, you're not even willing to wash a dish. They say that men and women working together makes the work easier, but you've made all the work done by women. What are you doing?"

Political Commissar Wang couldn't argue with her and knew he was in the wrong, so he could only bury his head in washing the dishes.

He Cuiping couldn't help but feel smug as she watched Political Commissar Wang turn around and go to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

...

When Lin Yuxi returned home, Gu Chen boiled water for her to soak her feet.

She was sitting on the bed when Gu Chen brought over a small stool, rolled up her trouser legs, and put them in a foot bath to soak. He also massaged the soles of her feet.

"Are you comfortable?" Gu Chen asked in a low voice.

Lin Yuxi nodded, scratching his palm with her toes. "Pretty good, you'll get a reward."

She sat up straight and gently touched the corner of his lips.

Gu Chen leaned forward, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "Just for a moment?"

He kissed her on the lips again, then sat back down on the small stool, satisfied, and began to massage her.

"When the weather gets warmer, I'll take you to buy some more clothes. I'll fill your wardrobe to the brim, and I'll also buy clothes for the kids and other necessities," Gu Chen suddenly said.

"I'll cook at home tomorrow. What would you like to eat? I'll go out to buy groceries in the morning." Gu Chen rubbed her leg as he spoke.

Lin Yuxi casually mentioned a few dishes. Since there were only a few people eating, a table full of dishes was easily served.

Before dawn the next day, Gu Chen had already ridden his bicycle to go shopping. With the New Year approaching, goods at the supply and marketing cooperatives and department stores were in short supply, so he had to go very early in the morning to pick out some good quality meat.

As spring gradually returns and the roads are no longer icy, Lin Yuxi plans to sneak off to the library to study after the New Year. After all, she's already more than five months pregnant and the fetus is fully formed, so going out for a stroll will help her prepare for the college entrance examination.