Chapter 36 Next Time, Be More Careful

Chapter 36 Next Time, Be More Careful

"Let me handle it." Gu Heng took off his shirt and handed it to Su Zhaozhao, then started tidying up in a tank top.

Seeing Su Zhaozhao standing still with the clothes, he glanced at her, "Do you still want to take a shower tonight?"

Su Zhaozhao nodded, "Yes," she was covered in the smell of cooking oil.

"Then go heat up some water."

His gaze seemed to say, what are you standing there for? Are you a lamppost?

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Su Zhaozhao touched her face and went inside to put the clothes away.

What a wimp.

It's just a handsome man who offered to do housework, so what!

Gu Xiang and Gu Nian were originally reading their new textbooks in the room. Seeing the guests leave, they put down their books and went out to help clear the table.

Gu Heng told them to wash up first, "School starts tomorrow, you need to get up early."

Gu Xiang carried a stack of bowls to the kitchen, "I'll go after I finish."

There was hot water in the iron pot on the large stove, warmed by the residual fire, specifically for washing dishes.

After the dishes were brought in, Gu Heng stood by the stove washing them, while Gu Xiang dried and put them away in the cabinet, and Gu Nian wiped the table with a cloth.

Su Zhaozhao placed a full kettle of water on the coal stove, seeing the three of them working well together, she leaned against the door, watching with folded arms.

"Do you want to help?" she asked insincerely.

Gu Nian: "Mom, you rest. You've been busy in the kitchen all afternoon."

What a considerate little boy.

The leather jacket was also considerate, "Mom, sit down, your feet must be tired from standing."

"Okay!" Su Zhaozhao happily agreed and moved a stool to sit by the door.

The yard originally had no lights, but before dinner, they pulled a light from the hall and hung it under the eaves, providing some illumination.

Sitting by the door, Su Zhaozhao lifted her head, gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky, listening to the croaking frogs, feeling a sense of peace.

Gu Heng looked at her several times.

Apart from the stars and the moon, the sky was pitch black; he wondered what she found so interesting to look at.

"The water is ready."

Su Zhaozhao snapped back to reality, stood up, and went to the kitchen. The kitchen was already spotless, with a large iron basin on the ground, and Gu Heng was pouring water into it.

"You're really capable!" she praised him instinctively.

Gu Heng glanced at her, "Not as capable as you. I'll go get another kettle of water to mix in." He then left.

Was she just complimented by the male lead?

By the time Su Zhaozhao finished washing up, it was quite late. Gu Xiang and Gu Nian had already gone to bed, only the light in the east room was still on.

Gu Heng was sitting at the desk reading a book. Seeing her come in, he closed the book, "Get some rest early."

They lay down on opposite sides of the bed, turned off the light, and that was it...

The next morning, Su Zhaozhao woke up very early.

She got up before dawn, thinking she was the earliest riser, but Gu Heng was even earlier, not in bed.

Stepping outside, she saw him washing himself by the water basin, bare-chested.

"Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

It was already September, and although it was warm during the day, the mornings and evenings were cool, especially in the morning when wearing short sleeves was no longer appropriate.

He was still washing himself bare-chested.

"No problem, I used to take cold showers often." Gu Heng picked up the tank top hanging on the washstand and put it on.

Su Zhaozhao was surprised, "You still use cold water? There's hot water in the kettle!"

The fire in the stove had never gone out, and a large kettle of water was always kept warm, perfect for morning washes.

She thought he would use the hot water from the stove.

Gu Heng was used to cold water, especially in the morning. Cold water on his face made him feel more alert.

"It's fine, it's still warm, and I'm used to cold water."

"What do you mean 'it's fine'?" Su Zhaozhao disapproved, "Do you think you're still living alone? If you get sick, Gu Xiang and Gu Nian will worry!"

Gu Heng felt a warmth in his heart; he hadn't heard such words in a long time.

"Alright, I'll be more careful next time."

"Not just careful, but definitely." She extended her arm to show him, "Look at this temperature, my skin is covered in goosebumps, and you're still warm? What are you warm about?"

"Go put on more clothes."

He didn't pay attention to himself but knew how to scold her. Su Zhaozhao said deliberately, "It's cool in the morning, but I'm used to it. I'll be more careful next time."

Gu Heng: "..." She really has changed. In the past, she never had such a mouth for arguing.

In his memory, she always kept her head down, and every time he came back, she would secretly glance at him. The moment he looked over, she would hide.

Father and Mother always said she was good, beautiful, and virtuous, and that she would definitely take good care of him and the family in the future.

He also thought she was good; everyone has to get married and have children, so it would be her. But fate played a cruel trick, and when they met again, ten years had passed.

She brought two children to him, both unfamiliar and familiar.

She had changed, still stealing glances at him, but these glances were now bold and confident.

She didn't go in, so Gu Heng entered the room himself, opened the wardrobe, and frowned at the clothes inside.

Su Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow at the clothes handed to her, "Why are you giving me your clothes?"

Gu Heng extended his hand, "Just put it on for now. Haven't the tailor-made clothes been finished yet?"

Su Zhaozhao took the clothes and put them on. His shirt was too big for her, making her look like a child wearing an adult's clothes.

Su Zhaozhao had some romantic thoughts, imagining herself in a man's oversized shirt, just like in novels or movies, how sexy it would be!

But as soon as she saw her claw-like hands, all those thoughts vanished.

Completely shattered!

Her voice was listless, "Not yet, I think they'll be ready tomorrow. Gu Xiang's clothes are already done, and they can wear them to school today."

Gu Heng was puzzled by her sudden lack of energy.

"Are you feeling dizzy?" He reached out to support her, afraid she might fall over again like before.

"No, no." Su Zhaozhao waved her hand. She couldn't tell him that she found herself unattractive. Actually, she was quite pretty, just with some skin issues that needed time to improve.

"Does my appearance embarrass you?" This was the second time he mentioned the clothes.

"It's not that." Gu Heng hadn't thought about it that way. "I'm just worried you're being frugal and want you to live comfortably."

This answer was perfect!

Su Zhaozhao smiled, "I'm not being frugal. I'm just afraid you'll think I spend too much in the future."

She would save where she could, but under suitable conditions, she would create a comfortable living environment for herself and enjoy life. On this point, she wouldn't be frugal.

Gu Heng also smiled, "I won't. Men earn money to spend on their wives and children."

Both of them were orphans, and Gu Heng didn't have to worry about his wife secretly sending money to her family, even if she had a brother who lived far away and with whom they had a poor relationship. So whatever they spent was for their own family.

If Su Zhaozhao heard this now, she would be 99.9% skeptical, and the remaining 0.1% would only believe it if something miraculous happened.

But this was the 1950s, and with the protagonist's character backing him up, she believed 100% that what Gu Heng said was true.

Handing over the bankbook and still not believing him, what kind of person would that make her?