Wu Sicheng, dressed in his officer's uniform, stood outside An Moxue's classroom, glanced at his watch, and then looked at a corner of the classroom.
He stood discreetly, but was still spotted by a student who was daydreaming in the classroom. The student was drawn to the focused tenderness on his face and unconsciously followed his gaze, which was in the direction of An Moxue. Although he had some doubts, he couldn't be sure.
After class, his gaze followed Wu Sicheng's figure, and he saw An Moxue come out. Wu Sicheng went up to her and said, "Moxue."
An Moxue was slightly surprised to see him there at this time, but she didn't ask him on the spot. Instead, she said, "Let's go! School's over."
The two of them got their bicycles. Wu Sicheng rode one while An Moxue sat on the back. She couldn't help but laugh at how he looked, with his long legs and long feet, struggling to ride. She said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, my long-legged brother. Why don't we walk back?"
Wu Sicheng sighed and said, "Let's go! Laugh if you want to. It's just that the seat is a bit low, but it's not like you can't ride it."
He was afraid of bumping into An Moxue, so he didn't ride very fast.
An Moxue, sitting in the back seat, asked, "Why are you here at this hour? Is something the matter?"
"I came to see you because I was worried you were in a bad mood." Actually, he was also afraid she would take her anger out on him, so he had to come and comfort her as soon as possible. He had taken leave to come over as soon as he heard the news.
An Moxue didn't care much. "You mean that little white flower? Her combat power is too weak. There's no challenge. It's boring. At most, it's a waste of my precious time. It's a bit of a pity."
Wu Sicheng chuckled. "I had prepared a whole bunch of apologies, but it seems I was overthinking it. I was on tenterhooks the whole time I heard the news."
An Moxue teased, "What have you prepared? Tell me, and see if I'm satisfied?"
Wu Sicheng froze on the spot and asked weakly, "Can I not say?"
An Moxue sat in the back seat, pretended to think for a moment, and said slyly, "That's fine, but shouldn't you show some sincerity?"
"Yes! Absolutely! I've prepared everything, but I don't know if Comrade An will have the time to deign to come?"
The bicycle bypassed the main road and turned into the alley. An Moxue could see the car parked at the entrance from a distance.
Did you drive here?
"Yeah, I also bought some groceries. I'll cook for you. How about coming to my place?"
"Okay, I'll go in and tell Aunt Ma."
An Moxue pushed her bicycle in and out of the yard, and when she came out, she was carrying a bottle of red wine.
She held up the bottle of wine in her hand to him, then got into the car. Wu Sicheng took the bottle, glanced at it, and asked, "How many bottles of wine did you bring back? Is it enough? Do you need me to get some more?"
"No need. I study every night now, so I drink very little. Once I open a bottle, it lasts me a long time. What dishes would go well with my wine?"
Wu Sicheng smiled indulgently, "I'll definitely make it! Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
An Moxue looked at him and tentatively asked, "Crispy spare ribs?"
"What a coincidence, we happen to have spare ribs."
Then she ordered more food, "Pan-fried beef?"
"It's possible."
An Moxue blinked her big eyes and said, "It would be great if there was some seafood too!"
Wu Sicheng said casually, "Garlic vermicelli scallops? I don't know if that will work?"
An Moxue was a little surprised, "Wow, that's amazing! Wu Sicheng, how did you grasp my thoughts so accurately? Have you bought all the groceries?"
Looking at her expression and her excitement, Wu Sicheng knew that she really hadn't cared about what happened today, and that he had overreacted. "I bought it from the school cafeteria, and I also have a piece of pig liver. How about I make some stir-fried liver tips and a couple of side dishes?"
"OK."
Wu Sicheng drove An Moxue back to his courtyard. An Moxue carried the wine, and Wu Sicheng carried the groceries. The two of them went into the kitchen.
Wu Sicheng asked, "Are you hungry?"
"No, it's been a long time since I've had your cooking. I wonder if it's improved? I'm really craving some."
Wu Sicheng was preparing the meat, while An Moxue was peeling scallions and garlic and tidying up the vegetables.
She picked at the scallions in her hand and said, "These are all so fresh! Are they from the school's vegetable garden?"
"Yes, I paid for it. I recently learned how to make stir-fried liver tips; I'll make it in a bit and see if you like it."
“Have you noticed in our yard? Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma planted some vegetables. They said it would be convenient to eat them, so I let them do whatever they wanted. They planted a lot of scallions at the new house.”
"We've come to keep you company. In this unfamiliar environment, the two of us old folks can't stay idle. Growing something to pass the time is a good idea."
"You're wrong. They're very busy. I'm in class during the day, and the old couple sometimes drive out. They come back to cook when it's time. Otherwise, where do you think all those abundant ingredients come from? They're all from the old couple's shopping around. They even went to the Liuzhuang market. Aunt Ma even wants Uncle Ma to drive her to Jinan Wharf to buy seafood! She says the seafood there is fresh, but you have to leave late at night to catch the early morning ferry back to port to buy fresh seafood."
"Hearing you say that, it seems like this elderly couple is living a very fulfilling life!"
"That's right, it was agreed that I would accompany them to Shanghai during the holidays. The old couple had already planned where to go. Aunt Ma specifically mentioned that we should have dinner and stay at the International Hotel."
Now Wu Sicheng was even more curious about the old couple. Their way of thinking and spending was definitely not what an old farmer should have, even though Old Ma was a famous old revolutionary.
"Mo Xue, there are very few people like Aunt Ma. She is open-minded and has excellent cooking skills, which are unmatched by many master chefs in restaurants. Even young people are not as good as her."
"Of course! I promised to take care of them in their old age. You don't have any objections, do you?"
Wu Sicheng was quite surprised. Wasn't taking care of one's parents in old age the responsibility of the son? However, he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he asked, "As far as I know, Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma have several sons and daughters. Would they agree to this?"
An Moxue replied matter-of-factly, "The old couple have already agreed, so it shouldn't be a problem. I still want to keep eating Aunt Ma's cooking!"
Wu Sicheng tentatively asked, "Mo Xue, I feel like you and Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma have a very close relationship. I don't mean anything by it, but if you want to talk about it, just tell me. If you don't want to, I won't ask anymore."
"It's nothing, just that once you know, don't tell anyone, including your family. They are my mother's elders, and although we are not related by blood, they are like family to me. This cannot be made public; it is a secret and must be kept confidential! Even Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma's children don't know."
"Mo Xue, have I found out something incredible? You didn't just go to the countryside randomly, did you?"
"No, I specifically chose the township below Anle Village. I went there to escape the disaster. I just didn't know about Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma before I went. We only recognized each other later."
"Did they know from the beginning that there was danger around you?"
"Yes, I know."
"Why would you think of going to Anle Village as part of the rural work program? Logically speaking, you don't need to go to the countryside."
“My father left me a will, in which he said that Kyoto was dangerous and that I should go to Anle Village to avoid trouble. Besides, you also know what happened before I went to the countryside.”
"Um, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up."
"It's okay, time will heal many things, including your feelings."
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