Chapter 39 Room 39... good soundproofing...
When they returned home from the mountain, Xie Kun was fiddling with his fishing gear. He said to Chu Song, "Grab your things and come with me."
After saying that, the old man walked away quickly with his hands behind his back, while the nameless goat stuck behind him and nibbled at the hem of his clothes.
Chu Song glanced at Xie Tang, then picked up his fishing gear and followed behind him.
Xie Tang wanted to follow, but was stopped by her grandmother Yuan Aochun: "Let them go, let's pick vegetables."
In the vegetable garden, Grandma's fingertips brushed against the green peppers: "Your mother married into the Qin family against all odds back then, but unfortunately, she didn't meet a good man..."
She suddenly stared at Xie Tang, "Ah Song, could he be someone like your maternal grandfather?"
Xie Tang looked down at the vegetables in the yard, the twilight washing over her lowered eyelashes.
She didn't know.
But she knew this warmth was destined to be short-lived, and the present fulfillment was enough to comfort her for the rest of her life.
At the fishpond, Xie Kun cast his line into the water: "A-Tang likes to eat fish, but she's picky. She won't eat fish with many bones, and she thinks small ones are too fishy."
Chu Song nodded and sat down: "Alright."
The first fish to take the bait was a crucian carp. The old man glanced at it and said, "Release it. It has fine spines and barbs. Ah Tang got stuck in one before."
The second tilapia, about the size of a palm, was also rejected.
Only after the grass carp, weighing nearly ten pounds, was pulled from the water did Xie Kun pick up the fish basket and say, "Let's go."
He turned around and saw that the goat had gnawed through the back of his shirt.
An old man chased after a sheep, his angry shouts startling the birds in the forest.
Chu Song glanced at his ripped clothes and chuckled softly, suddenly feeling that the warmth of everyday life shone brighter than the crystal chandelier of the Chu residence.
Dinner was cooked by Xie Tang.
Chu Song wanted to help out, but seeing the huge stove, he couldn't get involved and just leaned against the side, watching quietly.
Her stir-frying movements were skillful and efficient, which surprised Chu Song: "Who taught you?"
“With my maternal grandfather.” Xie Tang pointed to the old-fashioned stove in the corner, a smile appearing in her eyes. “They were teachers before they retired, and they would come back to stay here during winter and summer vacations. Back then, I was only a little taller than the stove, and I started helping him out, doing everything from lighting the fire to picking vegetables and washing them.”
She still remembers her grandfather's "truths": learning to cook is not for becoming a good wife and mother, but a survival skill and the starting point for independence.
Xie Tang thought to herself: Back then, Grandpa probably said so much just to shirk his responsibilities and push the work onto her, this little one.
After dinner, a little lively scene unfolded in the living room.
Yuan Aochun wanted to watch traditional opera, while Xie Kun wanted to watch the CCTV Evening News.
Before they could exchange more than a few words, Xie Kun waved his hand and tossed the remote control aside: "Fine, fine, you can watch your show!"
He turned around and strolled into the yard to cool off, play with the dogs, and fight the sheep.
Night fell.
The two lay close together on the narrow, old wooden bed.
Xie Tang turned to the side, barely daring to move, afraid that even the slightest movement would disturb the balance in this small space.
Chu Song lay stiffly as well, only the rise and fall of his chest betraying the undercurrent beneath the calm.
Her soft hair brushed against his arm unintentionally, instantly igniting a burning heat like a spark hitting a haystack.
Without further hesitation, he wrapped his arm around her waist and, with a slight effort, pulled her soft, fragrant body completely into his embrace.
Xie Tang took a slight breath, sensing that he truly enjoyed using her as a pillow, embedding her in front of him.
His breath was close, and his deep, husky voice asked, warmly penetrating her ear: "Is the room... well soundproofed?"
"I don't know, but it should be okay." Xie Tang's heart suddenly started beating erratically, making her chest ache.
She turned around and met the undisguised longing surging in his eyes.
Even if it's not good—she's determined to bury every word between her teeth.
This tacit consent ignited the last vestige of restraint.
Chu Song lowered his head and precisely captured her lips, no longer with tentative tenderness, but with an urgent desire to conquer.
Xie Tang hooked her arms around his neck, her fingertips digging into his slightly damp hair, responding passionately.
Their lips and tongues intertwined, their breaths mingled, and in the quiet night, only their rapid panting and the occasional soft creaking of the bed under their weight could be heard.
His burning kisses slid down his jaw to the side of his neck, his teeth leaving a jolt of electricity on that delicate skin.
Xie Tang looked up uncontrollably, her rapid breathing turning into a broken sob that she couldn't suppress, which she swallowed back down her throat, turning into a deeper trembling of her body.
"Don't hold back..." Chu Song gasped, his wet kisses carrying sparks of passion, landing heavily on her sensitive collarbone. "A-Tang, make a sound."
Xie Tang bit her lower lip, but suddenly let go when his calloused fingertips brushed her waist. A short gasp escaped her lips, and she hurriedly buried her face in his shoulder, as if that would hide all her shyness.
Chu Song chuckled softly, his chest heaving, his voice filled with doting affection and a deeper allure.
He kissed the top of her head, tightening his arms around her.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on the floor and projecting intertwined shadows onto the mottled wall, swaying with each breath and melting into the silent yet scorching night.
The next morning, Chu Song woke up early as usual.
He glanced sideways at Xie Tang, who was still sleeping soundly. He wanted to wake her up, but then he noticed the dark circles under her eyes and remembered the madness of last night. He had tormented her terribly.
A pang of regret rose within him, and he abandoned the idea of waking her.
After washing up and stepping out of the room, I saw Yuan Aochun cooking porridge in the kitchen, the aroma filling the air.
He called out, "Grandma."
Yuan Aochun replied with a beaming smile, "We'll be able to eat right away!"
The country dog named Ping An was sunbathing in the yard. When it saw him come out, it immediately got up and affectionately rubbed against his feet and lay down.
Chu Song rubbed its head and suddenly felt that the yard was unusually quiet—the clingy and noisy sheep had disappeared.
Before long, Xie Kun returned from outside, but Chu Song still hadn't seen the ever-present "dog skin plaster".
When it was time to eat, Yuan Aochun went to wake Xie Tang.
Chu Song stopped her, saying without batting an eye, "Grandma, she didn't sleep well last night, let her sleep a little longer."
Yuan Aochun shook his head with a smile: "This child, how old is he, still sleeping in."
When Xie Tang woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Sunlight, carried by a gentle breeze, filters through the gaps in the leaves, scattering golden dapples across the ground.
Chu Song sat in a rocking chair, leisurely playing with Ping An.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, Xie Tang felt a surge of tenderness in her heart.
Chu Song looked up and saw that the dark circles under her eyes had faded a bit. She said, "Grandpa and Grandma went to the back mountain to pick grapes."
"Hmm." Xie Tang glanced at the time; it was almost lunchtime.
There was still some porridge left in the pot, but she didn't have much of an appetite. She grabbed a bag of potato chips and sat down on another chair to eat them.
Not long after, Xie Kun and Yuan Aochun returned carrying two heavy boxes of rose grapes.
Chu Song hurriedly went to meet him and took the box.
The gate closed, and Xie Tang looked around but didn't see any sheep. She asked in surprise, "Where are the sheep?"
Xie Kun replied calmly, "I gave it away."
"Give it away? Why?" Xie Tang was even more surprised.
Yuan Aochun held her hand and said gently, "A-Tang, we thought about it all night and decided to go back with you."
Looking at the photos of her daughter, who looked haggard and thin, and thinking of her illness, she realized that no amount of reluctance could overcome the bond between her and her flesh and blood.
Xie Tang's face lit up with surprise upon hearing this.
She expected them to come to their senses, but she didn't expect them to agree so readily.
However, after the initial joy, a heavy sense of bitterness welled up in her heart—if it weren't for her bringing news of Xie Shuang's serious illness, her grandparents would have been enjoying their twilight years in their beloved homeland.
They loved it here, even though the village was deserted and desolate.
At that moment, for the first time, she began to doubt whether her decision was entirely correct.
She lowered her eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry..."
Yuan Aochun patted the back of her hand, her smile gentle yet firm: "Silly child, it's none of your business. This is our own decision. It's just... you've had a tough time all these years."
Xie Tang shook his head.
Yuan Aochun asked for her opinion: "We're thinking of setting off after lunch, what do you think?"
"So soon?" Xie Tang asked with some concern. "Shouldn't you stay a few more days to pack and tidy up..."
Yuan Aochun smiled and shook his head: "The sooner you get there, the sooner you can see your mother, the more at ease you'll feel. I packed most of my things last night. I'll go cook now."
"Let me help you." Xie Tang hurriedly followed him into the kitchen.
Xie Kun looked at Chu Song, his gaze hesitant: "In the city... is it possible to keep a mongrel like Ping An?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ping An seemed to understand. He immediately raised his head and looked at Chu Song expectantly, his tail wagging gently.
“My old buddy has been with me for five years,” Xie Kun sighed, his eyes filled with reluctance. “I really can’t bear to part with it. Can I take it with me?”
“Yes.” Chu Song glanced at Ping An, then thought of Xie Tang’s intention in driving back. “The yard is big enough, just right.”
He thought that Xie Tang probably drove back to his hometown with the intention of taking Ping An with him.
After lunch, Chu Song drove the group back to Shenzhen.
The journey was smooth, and four hours later, the car came to a steady stop in front of the villa.
The Xie couple stood in front of the door, gazing at the magnificent building that had stood the test of time, somewhat lost in thought.
Xie Tang casually made up a lie: "This was left to me by my grandfather."
The two elders, unsuspecting, settled down and stayed.
Ping An seemed very satisfied with his spacious new home. The first time he entered the yard, he ran around the huge lawn several times with great joy.
As Chu Song was about to leave, he asked Xie Tang, "If I give you one more day, can you handle your family matters properly?"
The implication is that the rest of the holiday itinerary is already set.
"able."
"Okay. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and take you back to the old house." After giving his instructions, Chu Song said goodbye to the two elders and then drove away in Xie Tang's car.
After settling her grandparents in, Xie Tang immediately rushed to the hospital.
The attending physician informed Xie Shuang that her recovery was excellent, there was no rejection reaction in the new spinal cord, and she could be discharged from the hospital.
She immediately completed the discharge procedures.
As I approached the VIP ward, I heard Xie Shuang's cheerful laughter coming from inside.
Pushing open the door, Xie Shuang saw Gu Chang and Yin Xi talking by the bedside, chatting about something amusing that made Xie Shuang smile broadly.
Upon seeing Xie Tang, the three of them laughed.
Xie Shuang looked at her: "Why are you back so soon? How are your grandparents?"
"Everything's fine." Xie Tang waved the discharge slip in her hand. "The doctor said you can be discharged now. I've come to pick you up and take you home."
"That's wonderful." Xie Shuang's eyes shone with joy.
Xie Tang turned to Gu Chang and Yin Xi: "You came without saying a word?"
“They’ve been coming to see me a lot these past few days,” Xie Shuang said, pointing to the mountain of flowers and fruit baskets piled on the table, her voice both helpless and touched. “Xiao Wu and Chu Yi are the same; they keep bringing flowers and food…”
"Thank you." Xie Tang looked at Yin Xi and saw that she looked natural, as if she had already emerged from the shadow of heartbreak, which put her at ease. "Are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner?"
Yin Xi readily agreed.
Gu Chang chuckled and added, "Are you cooking? If it's not you who's cooking, I'm not going to cook!"
Xie Shuang smiled and said, "I'm treating everyone, so don't forget to invite Xiao Wu and Chu Yi."
"good!"
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