As the night deepened, the sound of typing on the keyboard became so clear in the darkness, carrying an air of loneliness.
Their story, under her fingertips, became words, filled with laughter and tender moments. Sometimes, she would laugh as she wrote, recalling the happy times; other times, she would silently weep, the words she typed through tear-blurred eyes resonating more deeply, moving others and wounding herself in the process…
Zhuang Yuqi slightly pushed the door open a crack, pried open the door, and saw her crying. After a long, long time, he quietly lay back down on the bed. He pulled his phone from the bedside table and began dialing his superior's number.
"Commander, Mom is crying," the child said in a muffled voice.
"..."
The commander said that Mom has a deep wound in her heart that will take a long time to heal. So, he wants her to laugh more. He believes that as she laughs, the pain will subside.
Zhuang Yuqi made a gesture of encouragement and slowly closed his eyes.
Even in his dreams, he was filled with jokes he had found online.
...
Because of her strong inspiration, Ling Ruoke ended up writing until after 2 a.m. Adding to her troubles, she cried while writing, and her eyes became severely swollen.
When I got up and washed up this morning, I looked in the mirror and was shocked by what I saw. Luckily, it's the weekend and I don't have to go to class, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to face anyone. However, I'm also a little dizzy, so maybe I can sleep a little longer after breakfast.
Ling Ruoke rented a duplex apartment with one living room and two bedrooms. The upstairs room was the bedroom, and the downstairs room was the living room and kitchen. She covered her mouth and yawned as she walked down the stairs. When she saw the person sitting on the sofa, she was stunned for a while.
"If possible, good morning." Zhuang Yicheng looked up at her and smiled slightly.
"Mr. Zhuang?" Ling Ruoke's eyes widened. What was he doing here? And how did he get in? "How did you get in?"
Zhuang Yicheng raised his hand and pointed to the small floor-to-ceiling window next to him. There are usually no safety railings outside the floor-to-ceiling window, so as long as you can climb up, you can naturally come in.
"Climbed up here?" Ling Ruoke's eyes widened even more. This was the eighth floor! Then, she understood. She had almost forgotten that he wasn't just a high-ranking official, but also a former soldier, and certainly not an ordinary one.
Ling Ruoke rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "Do all soldiers prefer climbing through windows instead of using the door? Also, why do I feel like my house isn't actually that safe?"
There are quite a few people serving in the military in this country, and some of them will definitely become "bad" members after their discharge. If they happen to become thieves, can we still talk about the safety of residents whose homes have doors and windows that can be entered?
Zhuang Yicheng smiled slightly, offering no explanation.
"No, I need to have someone install a security grille." Ling Ruoke muttered. Although a security grille on a floor-to-ceiling window looks a bit unsightly, it makes her feel safe!
Zhuang Yicheng finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. "If you install security bars, it's impossible to stop someone like me. If you're trying to stop ordinary thieves, then this is enough."
Ling Ruoke knew he was telling the truth, but she still felt uneasy. "Anyway, you should use the front door from now on. Otherwise, I'll have nightmares."
"Okay," Zhuang Yicheng agreed with a smile. In fact, he didn't want to show off, but Zhuang Yuqi's phone wasn't on, and he didn't want to bother her, so he had no choice but to resort to this tactic.
"Please sit down first, I'll make breakfast." Ling Ruoke quickly walked into the kitchen. As soon as she closed the kitchen door, she pressed herself against it and looked up at the ceiling.
Qingfeng was the same way, always climbing in through the window. But back then, she wasn't afraid because Qingfeng was always by her side. Now, things were different. Another woman enjoyed the surprise and excitement that followed the startle of him climbing in at night, while she was all alone. Deep down, she was grateful to Zhuang Yuqi for insisting on getting involved in her life; it made her feel less lonely.
Ling Ruoke took a deep breath, controlled her emotions, and began to make breakfast.
The kitchen door was a glass sliding door, and Zhuang Yicheng naturally didn't miss her movements. Oh no, he climbed in through the window, triggering her memories. Having a special forces lover, climbing into the house through windows was a common occurrence; she was probably thinking about the past again.
Through the door, I could see her busy figure in the kitchen.
Zhuang Yicheng felt calm; all other thoughts were automatically pushed out of his mind, allowing him to simply enjoy this moment of leisure. Perhaps, this was why he wanted her.
Men tire more easily than women, so they crave a home, provided there's a woman in that home who brings them peace of mind. That might sound a bit sour, but it reflects the truth of the matter.
Ling Ruoke is clearly such a woman. You wouldn't say she's exceptionally outstanding, but she possesses a gentle aura, like her smile, as warm as a spring breeze. With her around, you naturally feel at peace; where she is, you naturally feel at home.
Life is always full of trivialities. Many men don't want to go home because there are too many trivial matters, leading to a lot of nagging from women. After a busy day at work, coming home to a barrage of complaints—who would want to go back?
He and Ling Ruoke rarely interacted on a daily basis, but from the few times they did, one could already tell a lot about them. When she did housework, she wouldn't have a stern face; she would smile and talk to you while she was busy. You might even feel that she enjoyed the process of being busy.
Zhuang Yicheng could imagine that if he were her man, he would be treated as follows:
Back home, taking off his coat felt like shedding a heavy burden. She'd offer him a cup of tea, perhaps with some fruit and snacks. Then she'd continue working, not asking for his help, but chatting with him as she worked, about things he liked. Her gentle smile and tender eyes filled the room with warmth. Gradually, he'd be unable to resist hugging her, or joining in under the guise of helping, but actually just causing trouble…
This kind of life is what most men dream of.
When Zhuang Yuqi came downstairs in his slippers, he saw the person on the sofa, his eyes widened, and he rushed down. "Commander, what brings you here?"
Before Zhuang Yicheng could answer, he leaned close to his ear again and said slyly, "I know. The commander is worried that your wife will be stolen away, so he came over to show himself."
Zhuang Yicheng gave him a flick on the forehead. "Kids shouldn't imitate those rude and inappropriate ways. Have you been behaving well lately?"
"Of course I am. With Mom watching over me, how could I dare not behave well?" Zhuang Yuqi sat down next to him, swinging his legs, a rare occurrence for him.
Zhuang Yicheng noticed that this posture was clearly not proper for a soldier, but he didn't stop him. After all, he was just a child under seven years old, and he didn't expect him to be outstanding; he only hoped that he would grow up safely and live happily. He himself was already burdened by fame, fortune, and power, and naturally didn't want his child to follow the same path. That's why, despite his family's objections, he insisted on sending him to ordinary schools to be an ordinary child.
The little boy said slyly, "Sir, a lot of male teachers at school are interested in Mommy, you'd better step up your efforts!"
Zhuang Yicheng smiled and ruffled his hair.
Just then, the kitchen door was flung open. A moment later, Ling Ruoke came out carrying a large bowl of soup. "Wash your hands and have breakfast."
"Yay, breakfast time!" Little Zhuang Yuqi hopped into the kitchen, grabbed three sets of bowls and chopsticks, and excitedly peeked out from behind his mother who was carrying a bowl of noodles.
Ling Ruoke served noodles to the three of them and poured on some rich broth. It was fish broth, extremely delicious, perfect for making noodles. "Alright, eat up, or the noodles will get soggy."
She smiled faintly, lowered her head, and ate her noodles earnestly. After taking just one bite, she looked up at the father and son and asked, "Is it salty enough?" She ate lightly, and Zhuang Yuqi should be used to it by now; only Mr. Zhuang was left.
Zhuang Yicheng smiled slightly and gave a thumbs up. "Just right, it's delicious." He was telling the truth; he liked this kind of home-style breakfast. The soup was rich and fragrant, made with care.
Ling Ruoke smiled, stopped talking, and focused on eating her noodles.
When the father and son finished eating and started refilling their plates, she would look up and smile, but wouldn't rush to help. This subtly conveyed that you weren't a guest and could relax as you pleased.
Zhuang Yicheng thoroughly enjoyed this feeling. His nerves were always on edge, and it was rare for him to feel so relaxed.
The three of them finished eating. Little Zhuang Yuqi volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes, and Ling Ruoke let him do it.
"Zhuang Yuqi, take down the clothes you changed into yesterday."
"Oh." Zhuang Yuqi washed her hands and hurriedly ran upstairs to bring down the dirty clothes. "Hey, Mom."
The washing machine was on the balcony outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ling Ruoke carefully checked every pocket and locked all the zippers to prevent the clothes from getting damaged.
Zhuang Yicheng didn't go out; he just sat on the sofa and watched quietly. He felt a sudden wave of laziness wash over him, and he just wanted to stay put.
"Mom, I'm done washing!" Little Zhuang Yuqi ran out to show off as soon as he finished washing the dishes.
Ling Ruoke smiled and ruffled his hair. "Good boy."
Zhuang Yuqi leaned over the washing machine, watching her movements. The two whispered something, and Zhuang Yuqi grinned happily.
Zhuang Yicheng couldn't help but stand up, walk to the French windows and lean against them, asking with a smile, "What are you two whispering about?"
"Reporting to the commander, we're discussing where to go today. Mom says she wants to stay home, but I say the sun is so nice, we should go out. Commander, whose side are you on?"
Zhuang Yicheng glanced at the dark shadows in Ling Ruoke's eyes, knowing that even if she lay in bed, she might not be able to fall asleep. "How about a picnic?"
"Long live the commander! Mom, let's go on a picnic, let's go, let's go..."
"..."
In the end, Ling Ruoke was pushed back to her room to take a nap.
The father and son went to the supermarket and market to prepare for their picnic.
Ling Ruoke lay in bed, tossing and turning with her eyes closed. Her eyes were terribly dry, but she couldn't fall asleep at all. She finally got up and typed on the computer for a while until she heard the sound of a door opening downstairs before turning off the computer.
A picnic is not a cooking feast, so you have to cook your food before taking it out.
The father and son had prepared quite a lot of things, and it took the three of them nearly two hours to get everything ready for the picnic. After putting everything in the trunk, the three of them got into Zhuang Yicheng's Audi and set off.
At first, the atmosphere was a bit somber. Because the two adults weren't a couple, there was a slight awkward silence.
In the end, Zhuang Yuqi was the most clever; he racked his brains and sang all the songs from his own venue.
Ling Ruoke started by clapping, then joined in humming, and eventually the three of them were singing in the car. Occasionally, someone would sing off-key, and everyone would burst into laughter, all very happy.
Once in the wild, little Zhuang Yuqi darted around, giving the two adults some private space.
"Thank you." Zhuang Yicheng handed her a can of milk.
Ling Ruoke was watching Zhuang Yuqi struggle when she heard him thank her, and she turned her head in confusion.
"Thank you for taking care of him and showing him concern, which finally allowed him to act like a child again." Zhuang Yicheng leaned back slightly, supporting his weight with both hands.
Ling Ruoke smiled. "Actually, I should thank him. He brought me a lot of joy."
Zhuang Yicheng smiled slightly and looked at her seriously, saying, "Would you like to reconsider my suggestion from last time?"
Ling Ruoke stood up and said softly, "I'm sorry, my heart was too full."
After saying that, she walked towards Zhuang Yuqi, and the two of them struggled together.
Zhuang Yicheng watched from afar, slowly narrowing his eyes.
Is your heart too full? Then just empty it out.
...
Huo Qingfeng pushed open the door, looked at the empty room, stood at the door for a while, and then slowly walked in.
The house, which was once spotless, is now covered in a layer of dust again. The dirt feels like it's on my own body, and it's incredibly uncomfortable.
Huo Qingfeng put down his luggage, went into the bathroom to fetch water, and began to clean the furniture and mop the floor. Only after he finished did he sit down, grab a drink, and take a sip of water.
Looking at my home, now bright and clean again, I felt an even greater emptiness inside.
Having completed the mission admirably, he disregarded any military merit and simply asked the organization for three days' leave. Upon receiving approval, he immediately rushed home.
Huo Qingfeng took a deep breath, looked up at the ceiling, and exhaled forcefully. He couldn't resist taking out another cigarette, lighting it, and putting it to his lips.
Looking towards the balcony, DouDou's little figure was no longer there. It had been taken back to City B with FuAn because they had no mother to take care of them.
There was no slender figure, no gentle smile, no clear voice, no delicious food, no careful instructions... nothing at all!
Without Ruoke, it felt as if his entire world had been hollowed out. Even the sense of conquest from completing a mission brought him no joy. The medals seemed to have lost all meaning for him.
I slowly closed my eyes, feeling a sharp, astringent sensation, and a slight burning sensation.
They were tough soldiers, not educated youth sent to the countryside, but their tenderness was no less than anyone else's. It's just that they weren't used to uttering those three-character curses all the time.
At this moment, Huo Qingfeng had to admit that, like those other young educated youth, he loved his wife to the point of obsession. He suddenly realized that he had never said those three words to her.
When my wife comes back, I must tell her!
Huo Qingfeng went to the supermarket and bought a carton of cigarettes and several cases of alcohol.
He smoked and drank like that, and before he knew it, it was dark. The house was pitch black, with only the faint red glow of the cigarette in his mouth flickering on and off, which was somewhat eerie.
As the night deepened, the ashtray overflowed, and empty bottles rolled around on the floor, littering the entire room. Every movement produced a clattering sound of the bottles colliding.
After he'd had his fill of smoking and drinking, he kicked the bottle away with a whoosh. He flopped down in the empty space and fell asleep. The coolness of the floor seeped through the blanket onto his body; it was slightly chilly, but that was exactly what he wanted.
His head was throbbing, and he felt terrible, but he drifted off to sleep. In his dream, there was a gentle, kind woman, smiling and warm, her hand caressing his face.
That feeling was so real!
Huo Qingfeng held her tightly, not even considering opening his eyes, afraid that if he did, she would disappear. He used all his strength to hold her close, kissing her. Their limbs intertwined, their bodies pressed together…
"Mmm..." The person beneath him was aroused by his teasing and finally couldn't help but let out a moan.
His tall body trembled.
...
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