Chapter 184: Chapter 182: A Mother’s Worry for a Child Afar

Mrs. Wang took the bracelet, studying it in her hand as her eyes grew a little moist. "It’s beautiful, beautiful. You’re both so thoughtful." She knew this silver bracelet wasn’t cheap, and her heart felt both touched and a little pained by the expense.

Chen Zhengnian said from the side, "Mom, please accept it. It’s just a small token of our appreciation."

Mrs. Wang nodded, carefully putting the bracelet away before pulling Chen Zhengnian aside to ask him about this and that.

Chen Zhengnian patiently answered every question, his attitude both respectful and warm.

At the dinner table, Mrs. Wang kept putting food on Chen Zhengnian’s plate, muttering, "Zhengnian, eat more. You look like you’ve lost weight recently. From now on, living with Xinxin, you two must be considerate and take care of each other."

Chen Zhengnian agreed while placing a piece of her favorite braised pork onto Wang Xinxin’s plate. "Mom, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Xinxin."

Watching this heartwarming scene, Wang Xinxin felt a warmth spread through her heart.

She felt she had chosen the right person. Chen Zhengnian wasn’t just good to her; he was so considerate of her family as well.

After dinner, Wang Xinxin helped Su Tang clear the dishes, while Chen Zhengnian played chess with Mr. Lu and Mr. Su in the courtyard.

Mrs. Su, Mrs. Lu, and Mrs. Wang were all gathered around Cheng’an.

As she washed the dishes, Wang Xinxin asked, "My cousin has been gone for so long, and we haven’t heard anything from him."

Hearing Wang Xinxin say this, Su Tang finished wiping a bowl and set it aside.

"Your cousin is on a confidential assignment. He’s not allowed to talk about it. I figured before he left that it would be about half a year."

Lu Xiao had been promoted quickly over the past two years. There was no longer a position for him here in the Northwest.

Besides, he himself was more inclined to go to Beijing.

There are more opportunities there. As a regiment commander, he might be able to land a better position in the future.

Most importantly, Lu Xiao felt he should get out and see more of the world.

Regardless of whether he could get promoted or not, he couldn’t pass up this opportunity to learn.

Wang Xinxin’s hands paused. A drop of water trickled down the rim of the bowl and fell into the sink, sending up a tiny splash.

"I know it’s for official business, but I can’t help but worry about him."

She raised a hand to wipe the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead. From outside the kitchen came Lu Cheng’an’s giggles, mixed with the soft murmurs of the mothers cooing at the child.

Wang Xinxin peeked out and saw Mrs. Lu amusing the little one with a pellet drum.

"My cousin is a capable man. He’s sure to make a name for himself in Beijing this time."

She turned back and ladled some clean water into the pot.

"When he gets back, we’ll have to give him a proper welcome home party."

Su Tang smiled, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes filled with tenderness. "Isn’t that the truth? Before he left, he was muttering about how Cheng’an was still too little, afraid the boy wouldn’t even recognize him as his father when he got back."

She paused, then pressed a freshly steamed rice cake into Wang Xinxin’s hand.

"Don’t you worry about me, either. Zhengnian is good to you, and your home life is stable. That’s better than anything."

Wang Xinxin took a bite of the rice cake. A sweet fragrance mixed with the aroma of rice spread across her tongue.

"I know,"

"It’s just that I feel like a family is only a family when they’re always thinking of each other."

The sound of chess pieces on the board drifted in from the courtyard, accompanied by Mr. Lu’s hearty laugh. "Zhengnian, your playing style is quite aggressive! When Cheng’an gets older, he’ll have to learn a thing or two from you."

Chen Zhengnian’s gentle voice replied, "You flatter me, Uncle. Your last few moves were the truly impressive ones."

"Look at those guys, playing a game of chess like they’re going to war."

Wang Xinxin shook her head with a smile. "Later, let’s have Zhengnian show off a bit. The braised pork he makes is more fragrant than anything from a restaurant."

Su Tang didn’t say much, just smiled.

’How could she not be worried about Lu Xiao?’ They were so far apart, and she had no idea how he was doing now.

That evening, Wang Xinxin wanted to stay over at the Lu Family’s small courtyard, and naturally, Chen Zhengnian didn’t object.

On just the third day of their marriage, Chen Zhengnian was abandoned by Wang Xinxin, who went to sleep with her mother.

The mother and daughter lay together, sharing heartfelt secrets.

Mrs. Wang scooted closer to her daughter. "These past three days since you got married have felt like three months to me. I’m always afraid Zhengnian won’t treat you well."

The lamp cast the silhouette of the mother and daughter snuggling together on the papered window. Wang Xinxin leaned against Mrs. Wang as she spoke, "Don’t worry, Mom. He’s very good to me."

"That boy is an honest soul."

"You have a quick temper, and he’s always patient with you. That’s good."

Mrs. Wang suddenly lowered her voice. "When are you two planning to have children? I saw you staring when Su Tang was holding Cheng’an."

A blush instantly crept up to the tips of Wang Xinxin’s ears. "Mom!"

She squeezed her mother’s hand and shook it gently.

"We’re not in a hurry. Let me get used to things first."

’She had only just gotten married; having a baby really wasn’t something to rush into.’

"If you say you’re not in a hurry, then you’re not in a hurry."

"I’m planning to stay a few more days and then head back. If I don’t go back soon, all the vegetables in my garden will die."

With her daughter’s marriage settled, Mrs. Wang couldn’t stay here forever.

She had to go back to Shanghai.

Wang Xinxin’s heart tightened, and her fingers twisted the corner of the blanket. "Won’t you stay a little longer? The roses in the courtyard just budded. They’ll be beautiful when they bloom."

Mrs. Wang smiled and patted the back of her hand. "You can’t eat beauty. I have to go back eventually."

Despite her words, she looked at her daughter and said, "The old house in Shanghai is damp. I’ll have to air out all the bedding when I get back."

"Then I’ll have Zhengnian take you to the station."

She snuggled closer to her mother.

"Don’t trouble the boy. I’ve already arranged it with your uncle. He’ll take me."

Mrs. Wang tucked in the corner of the blanket. "You two just focus on your life together. Don’t always be worrying about me."

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Xinxin got up to fry an egg for her mother.

When Chen Zhengnian came in wearing an apron, he saw her staring blankly at the wok, the egg white bubbling up and forming a golden-brown edge in the hot oil.

"Let me."

He took the spatula and, with a flick of his wrist, deftly flipped the egg in the wok.

"Mom likes them runny."

Wang Xinxin leaned against the doorframe and smiled. "How do you know everything?"

"I’ve heard you mention it three times."

Chen Zhengnian placed the fried egg onto a white porcelain plate. "I’ll go buy some Shanghai osmanthus cakes later. Mom said she likes the flavor."

By the time Su Tang got up to change Lu Cheng’an’s diaper, the table was already laden with breakfast.

"And which master chef’s handiwork is this?"

Hearing this, Wang Xinxin raised her hand, but pointed at Chen Zhengnian.

"We’re putting you to work, getting to eat something made by our Chen Lü."

Su Tang sat down and smiled as she burped Lu Cheng’an.

After the family had breakfast together, Mrs. Wang announced that she would be leaving.

All good things must come to an end. Mrs. Wang had to leave eventually.

Although Wang Xinxin was reluctant to see her go, there was nothing she could do.

’She was staying in the Northwest; she couldn’t very well ask her mom to stay here too, could she?’ 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Oh, right. I made a few things for you two. Take them with you later."

She had been idle during her stay, so she had knitted quite a few things with wool yarn.

Sweaters, woolen trousers, wool slippers, and knitted vests.

Most importantly, hidden among that pile of things was the money Mrs. Wang wanted to give to Wang Xinxin.

She knew that if she gave it to her openly, Wang Xinxin would definitely refuse it, so she had hidden it, planning to give it to her secretly.

A mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles. No matter how far her children go, a mother will always worry.