Shen Heng just finished his work. He wasn't planning on being nominated for any model worker award, especially since he was in a hurry to go home. He wasn't going to do any extra work.

Shen Heng rode his bike especially fast on his way home. When he returned, the people in Shili Village hadn't even finished work yet.

He darted past Zheng Xu, nearly knocking him down, seemingly driven by a personal grudge.

Zheng Xu looked closely and saw it was Shen Heng: "Hey! Why are you back?!"

Zheng Xu called after him, but Shen Heng didn't respond and hurried home.

Bai Jiaojiao was stir-frying pork floss when she heard the door open and was a little surprised: "Why are you back so early?"

"I just missed you, so I flew back as soon as I finished work. Really."

Shen Heng's words were becoming increasingly nonsensical, and Bai Jiaojiao was too lazy to ask any questions: "Then wait a while, the food hasn't been made yet. If you're hungry, grab a steamed bun to tide you over."

Bai Jiaojiao thought Shen Heng would come home late, so she hadn't started cooking yet.

"I'll cook with you." As soon as Shen Heng entered the kitchen, the once spacious room became cramped.

Because the kitchen is connected to their master bedroom, the stove area has a sloping top to avoid blocking the light from the master bedroom window, making it difficult for Chen Heng to stand up straight.

"Heng-ge, get out."

Bai Jiaojiao thought he was in the way, and Shen Heng was pushed out of the kitchen: "Then I'll go to the cellar and dig out two radishes?"

"Okay, then let's stew radishes today. We still have half a plate of shrimp left from the New Year's purchase."

Although the shrimp weren't fresh—it was a dozen or twenty shrimp per pound, frozen together with water into a rectangular plate, so you could thaw as much as you wanted to eat—the flavor was well preserved because they were frozen as soon as they were caught.

A short while later, Shen Heng brought in the shrimp and radish. Bai Jiaojiao finished up the stir-fried pork floss and poured water in to thaw the shrimp.

Shen Heng squatted down to wash radishes, and as he washed them, he said, "When I come back tomorrow, I'll stop by the supply and marketing cooperative. What do you want?"

Bai Jiaojiao thought, "If I go, I'll buy two pounds of pork and a piece of tofu, freeze them outside, and then cook them with cabbage."

"OK."

After Shen Heng finished speaking, he looked hesitant.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Jiaojiao sensed that Shen Heng had something to say, so she asked.

Shen Heng tightened his grip on the radish, saying, "Give me some change."

Bai Jiaojiao chuckled upon hearing this: "What happened? Is your little stash of money empty?"

Shen Heng said, "Where would I get so much money from a secret stash? You haven't given me any money in ages."

Shen Heng's previous secret stash was made by doing odd jobs for others and earning a little money. He didn't usually spend it; he just saved it up. He never asked Bai Jiaojiao for money when he went to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Shen Heng did nothing all winter. After returning from the sea, he stayed at home with Bai Jiaojiao. Where was he going to get money?

"It was my fault." Bai Jiaojiao smiled, her lips pursed. Shen Heng's ears turned red, but he said, "If you know you were wrong, hurry up and correct it. Don't forget to give me five yuan every month from now on."

Shen Heng appeared tough on the surface, but he was actually very nervous inside.

It's shameful for a man without a secret stash of money to have to ask his wife for it.

Bai Jiaojiao nodded repeatedly: "I remember, I'll give you the change right away."

Shen Heng felt that Bai Jiaojiao was making fun of him, so he scrubbed the radish hard, almost polishing the radish skin.

"Let's look for it after we finish eating. It won't take much longer."

What exactly does marriage bring to men?