Two "coming back," different times, one two years, the other twenty years.
But in front of a couple who had gone through trials and tribulations to fall in love again, it was completely irrelevant.
The next morning, Jiang Xue woke from a deep dream to the sight of her bedside table. She stared blankly for a moment before remembering this was her home. Turning her head, she found the bed beside her empty and couldn't help feeling a touch of loss.
Getting up and going outside, Jiang Yonghan was reading the newspaper. Seeing her, he gestured for her to come over and asked softly, "Has Xiao Ming always been the one cooking?"
"Ever since I got pregnant, it's basically been him. He says that pregnant women can't stand the smell of cooking oil. Whenever he has time, he also makes soup and delivers it to my company, which is such a hassle. I always feel like he's making too much out of it."
Jiang Xue's tone was complaining, but her heart was sweet.
"You used to be so sensible as a child, but you've become so unreasonable after getting married. He's so good to you, and still, you're not satisfied? How high-maintenance can you be?
Let me tell you, a man's enthusiasm is hard to sustain. You need to encourage him appropriately, occasionally giving him some sweetness. That's the only way he'll stay motivated. You can't take everything for granted.
Marriage is about mutual support, you understand?"
As he tapped his daughter's forehead, Jiang Yonghan looked toward the kitchen door and sighed, "Your mother's words really cannot be taken seriously.
When I first met him, I felt that aside from not being very grounded, this young man had no real problems; he was quite good.
But all these years, with your mother's nagging in my ear, I also thought he had become worthless, and I worried a lot on your behalf.
Fortunately, it doesn't matter whether a man can achieve great things. As long as he knows how to cherish his wife, he's a good man.
Oh, by the way, he's not gambling anymore, is he?"
Her father's rambling made Jiang Xue feel like she was back sitting on the rear seat of his bicycle during her childhood, the happiest time in her memories. She couldn't help but lean gently on Jiang Yonghan's shoulder.
"He's not gambling anymore. He swore to me, and these days, he's been treating me better and better. Dad, you can rest assured."
During their talk, Xiao Ming came out with a tray.
"I didn't expect Dad to come over. The fridge just happened to be empty yesterday, so I bought breakfast from outside, just made some porridge and fried an egg.
Dad, you'll have to make do with this for now. When you come back tonight, I'll cook up some good dishes, and you and I can have a drink."
Jiang Yonghan sat down at the dining table, first looked at the obviously purchased buns and twisted crullers, then took a spoonful of porridge, and his eyebrows shot up immediately.
The rice grains were completely softened, the porridge was thick and fragrant, the shredded meat was incredibly smooth without any hint of gamey taste, and the seasoning was just perfect, intimate and stomach-warming.
Jiang Yonghan could cook himself, so he knew to make the porridge this creamy required constant stirring—not difficult, but demanding patience.
Is it an intentional show because I came? Or is it always like this?
After pondering, he nodded and said, "This porridge is expertly done. If it's made like this every day, Xiao Ming must be very tired, isn't he?"
"Huh?" Jiang Xue bit into her bun, looking puzzled, "Is it hard to make this porridge? I feel it's just slightly better than what my mom makes. How difficult can it be?"
"It's not hard. Dad might just be really hungry; I'm just lucky."
Xiao Ming laughed and picked up another twisted cruller for her, "Eat slowly, there's still time before work. It's quick to take a taxi; no need to rush."
"All you think about is taking taxis. Do you think money is that easy to earn..."
Watching the couple bicker naturally, Jiang Yonghan finally let go of his worries.
Cooking can be faked, but these kinds of spousal interactions cannot be feigned.
No matter the past, at least now his daughter's happiness was real.
After breakfast, Jiang Xue ultimately was still coaxed by Xiao Ming into taking a taxi to work, even though Jiang Yonghan had been using public transport for half his life and couldn't be persuaded otherwise.
"Dad, what kind of car do your leaders drive?" Xiao Ming casually asked while waiting for the bus.
"Our leaders aren't at a very high level, they just drive a Passat," Jiang Yonghan replied.
"Just a Passat?"
"What, you look down on that? That's a car worth two or three hundred thousand," Jiang Yonghan said with slight displeasure. "Ming, you're a good kid, but you lack one thing, and that's being down-to-earth.
To run far, you first have to run steadily. It's no good to have your head in the clouds and your feet off the ground, understand?"
Xiao Ming gave a bitter smile, thinking to himself that it wasn't that he looked down on the Passat, but he wanted to buy a better car for his father. However, with so many rules in government agencies, he was worried if his father's car was better than the leaders', it might invite petty actions against him.
Still, the older generation always liked to educate, and as the younger one, it was just as well to listen. It wasn't as if it would cost him a piece of flesh, and only a fool would talk back.
Jiang Yonghan felt Xiao Ming's respect, and just as the bus arrived, he patted Xiao Ming's shoulder with satisfaction and left on the bus.
Pulling out his phone, Xiao Ming dialed Shen Siyi's number.
"Do you have any friends or brothers who sell cars? I want to find a car for your sister-in-law to get around with."
"The car I won from Wet Crotch has been gathering dust at home; you take it for your sister-in-law to use."
"No way. That car is too big, not convenient, and also looks old-fashioned, driving it feels like being a chauffeur."
"Oh right, then find Jun. His family owns a car dealership that specializes in top-of-the-line luxury cars. They've just received a batch of supercars at the port, perfect timing to get one for your sister-in-law."
"Are you out of your mind?" Xiao Ming laughed and scolded. "You want your pregnant sister-in-law to drive such a stiff car?
Forget it, just give me Jun's number; I'll talk to him directly."
"Alright, I'll send it to you right away. Speaking of which, the company has recruited a few executives, and Yu wants you to find some time to meet them. Also, she especially emphasized that you must wear formal attire, no slouching around in casual clothes again."
Xiao Ming was speechless and glanced at his watch before saying, "I'm going to Jun's place soon, I'll be at the company by two-thirty."
After ending the call, he went home to change into a suit and, having called Jun, took a ride to Maika Car Dealership located in the city center.
The so-called "Maika" is a transliteration of "My Car," which is a play on words.
As soon as he walked in, a young salesperson approached him respectfully and said, "Good morning, sir! May I help you with anything?"
Since he had worked through the owner, naturally he felt it unreasonable to waste the salesperson's time for no reason, so Xiao Ming asked, "May I just look around first?"
"Of course, that's no problem at all," the salesperson stepped back immediately, the polite attitude unchanged. "Feel free to look around, and if you need anything, just let me know."
Jun's staff training wasn't bad at all!
Xiao Ming nodded and started to wander around the dealership.
The car dealership was large, with two stories, which covered an area of at least a thousand square meters. The first floor showroom was mainly supercars, colorful and flashy, which didn't meet his needs, so he headed straight for the second floor.
The second-floor showroom had even more cars on display—Phantoms, Mulsannes, Cayennes, and other luxury vehicles lined up side by side, the scent of money wafting in the air.
Sports cars weren't suitable for pregnant women, sedans were too business-like, and SUVs were just too greasy. Xiao Ming walked around for quite a while without finding a suitable car, and couldn't help worrying. He thought: Maybe I should bring my wife over at noon and let her choose for herself?
While he was indecisive, a flash of blue caught his eye from the corner. Just as he was about to walk over, a woman's voice came from behind him.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! You're supposed to be selling things, but you left your customer alone for so long. What kind of service is this?"
Xiao Ming turned back in surprise and, upon seeing the woman's face, was first taken aback, then his expression quickly darkened, and a surge of murderous intent roiled within him.