Chapter 84: Where’s Your Other Half? Are They Worried Too?

Chapter 84: Where's Your Other Half? Are They Worried Too?

Fu Zhengtu got home from work and saw a crowd of people gathered around the parking shed downstairs. He glanced over and realized everyone was admiring Chenchen's "ride."

He thought for a moment, took out a steel pen, and walked over. Right in front of everyone, he picked the most visible spot on Chenchen's ride and scribbled "Fu Zhengtu" on it.

The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances.

Zhang Chuncheng raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.

Someone in the crowd muttered, “Is Fu thinking his name can prevent theft?”

Another person had a sudden realization. “Oh, so this is the little angel's cart? No wonder it looks so cool!”

“Yes, yes, I think I saw Fu’s partner pushing the child to buy groceries earlier. It was too far to see clearly, but now I get why the cart looks like this.”

Someone else asked, “Fu, is this cart from your family? Where’d you get it? Expensive?”

Fu Zhengtu leisurely put his pen away. “I didn’t buy it; I built it myself. There’s only one like it.”

“Whoa…”

Fu was unusually pleasant that day.

But no one dared to ask him how he made it or if he could make one for them too. Even if he showed them, they wouldn’t be able to replicate it. They had never seen such wheels before, so they just treated it as a spectacle.

Zhang Chuncheng had guessed it right.

Fu Zhengtu did this to add a double insurance.

To see who would dare to steal his things.

The little guy at home was head over heels for that handcart. Although the island was full of researchers and their families, if someone bold enough tried to steal it, Chenchen would be heartbroken.

Zhang Chuncheng sighed. “If I could get my hands on those wheels, I’d build one for Dongdong too. He’s getting heavier, and it’s tiring to hold him for long, let alone for the women.”

Fu Zhengtu didn’t respond but deeply empathized.

With her slender frame, Su Taotao wouldn’t be able to carry Chenchen as he grew bigger.

“By the way, I overheard you and the deputy director talking about the Yu Hong Class earlier. What’s that all about? Are we planning to open one at our base?”

Actually, Fu Zhengtu and Zhang Chuncheng weren’t very familiar before. They only became close after saving Dongdong. Before that, Fu Zhengtu had seemed too cold, maybe even a bit heartless.

But after saving Dongdong and seeing how much Fu cared for his wife, Zhang began to change his opinion and even started to appreciate Fu Zhengtu’s character.

A guy who takes care of his wife and child can’t be all bad, right?

Talking less and doing more was far better than those who talked big outside but ordered their wives and kids around at home, acting like they were the masters.

Fu just didn’t talk much, but he was actually very easy to get along with.

Fu Zhengtu said indifferently, “Nothing certain yet, don’t spread rumors.”

Zhang Chuncheng felt reassured. “Got it. I’ll keep it under wraps. My Dongdong’s mother has only been here a few days and is already worried about job opportunities, always asking me if there are any suitable positions.

Look at Auntie Zhong from Mo Gong's family. After following Mo Gong around all these years, she still hasn’t been able to secure a job. I don’t even know how to respond to her.”

"By the way, where's your wife? Is she worried too?"

Fu Zhengtu was silent for a moment. Su Taotao had her own ideas. If there were no job positions available, she would create jobs for herself and even more people, and she hadn’t even asked if the base could help her find a job.

Worried? Not really.

Even when we were in Qinglian Commune, she landed a job at a state-run restaurant on her own merit.

Thinking of this, Fu Zhengtu shook his head. "No worries."

Seeing no one around, Zhang Chuncheng leaned in close to Fu Zhengtu and whispered, "Give it to me straight, Fu. Are you looking for teachers to start the Yu Hong Class? My wife is a high school graduate, always ranked in the top three in her grade. If it weren’t for the cultural... ahem, she would have definitely gone to college. If there are any teaching jobs available, you need to let me know ahead of time, okay? My wife can teach middle and high school students, let alone the Yu Hong Class."

Fu Zhengtu looked at him calmly and finally said, "She’s close with Little Su. If she has the talent, she won’t go unnoticed. Don’t worry."

With that, he strode toward home.

Zhang Chuncheng was left scratching his head. What did that have to do with his wife and Little Su?

The moment Fu Zhengtu walked in, he was greeted by the rich aroma of caramel-scented coconut milk.

Fu Yuanhang had probably just returned as well. Chenchen was stuffing something into his mouth, grinning and asking, "Uncle Shu～～is it yummy～～?"

Fu Yuanhang chewed, barely holding back his drool, and nodded. "Yeah, delicious. Did sister-in-law make it?"

Chenchen nodded with a smile. "Yep～～I watched mommy make it～～candy～～"

Looking at the little guy’s joyful face, you'd think he had made it himself.

Chenchen really wanted to give Bai Bai a taste too, but he was worried it might make him sick.

Hearing the door open, he turned and saw his dad, calling out with a smile, "Daddy～～"

The little chubby hand grabbed a piece of candy, and he ran toward his dad with quick, thumping steps.

Fu Zhengtu grabbed the little guy under his arms and lifted him high before bringing him back down. "What have you been eating? So messy..."

Before he could even finish saying 'messy,' the little guy shoved something into his mouth.

Caramel-scented coconut milk...

It was the coconut candy Su Taotao had planned to create from leftover ingredients.

Fu Zhengtu savored it carefully. It was indeed fragrant and delicious.

He took out a handkerchief and wiped the little guy’s mouth. "Even if it’s delicious, you can’t eat too much. We’re about to have a meal."

Chenchen nodded obediently. "Mommy gave it to me. I only eat when mommy gives it to me～～"

When his dad didn’t give immediate feedback, the little guy was dissatisfied. "Daddy～～say it’s yummy～～"

Fu Zhengtu: "..."

"Mommy did a great job."

Chenchen’s big eyes then curved into little crescent moons.

Fu Zhengtu set down the little guy, allowing him to play with the puppies on his own.

He washed his hands and walked into the kitchen, where Fu Yuanhang was helping to trim the shrimp shells.

"Yuanhang, be careful, don't cut your hand," he said.

Eight-year-old Fu Yuanhang was meticulous and capable. At eight, he had already been helping Zhou Linglan with farming tasks like cutting rice and transplanting seedlings. This task was nothing for him.

Without looking up, he replied, "I'll be careful."

Su Taotao’s saltwater mantis shrimp had their shells trimmed on both sides so that when it was time to eat, they could just peel them open, dip them in saltwater, and enjoy, without having to trim them one by one.

Fu Zhengtu naturally took the spatula from Su Taotao's hand. "The coconut candy is very delicious," he said.

Su Taotao had already moved the electric fan into the kitchen but still ended up sweating profusely.

"Sure, it's delicious and easy to make, but it’s quite labor-intensive. If we mass-produce it, we'll need to hire some male workers," she said.

Female workers handled lighter tasks like peeling, slicing, and packaging. The frying, sugar pressing, and cutting would be more suitable for male workers.

Fu Zhengtu said, "There are fewer male family members coming along, but if we can arrange jobs, some should be willing to come."

Su Taotao nodded. "At first, we'll hire a few strong female workers. Someone like me can’t handle those tasks and is better suited for administrative work."

Fu Zhengtu looked at her, thinking that many men didn't have her quick wit or capability. She was worth ten men, but she didn’t know it herself.

Su Taotao braised the pig trotters over a fire, then blanched them. She added some spices, peanuts, and fermented bean curd to braise. After it came to a boil, she left just a bit of charcoal fire, letting it naturally extinguish. By then, the pig trotters would be well-braised.

Left alone, they would later be transferred to a large pot to reduce the sauce before dinner. They would be tender, flavorful, and ready to eat.

For dinner, she would stir-fry some greens and braise plenty of coarse grains. The sauce alone could easily accompany two bowls of rice. Su Taotao didn’t believe the "bottomless pit brothers" could still be hungry after that.

The mantis shrimp were fresh, with thick meat and rich roe. Little Chenchen ate three but still craved more.

Chenchen's motto was to eat however much his mother gave him. Listening to his mom was always the right move.

After the nap, Su Taotao handed over the prepared coconut candy to Fu Zhengtu.

Examining the packaging, Fu Zhengtu was surprised once more. The handwriting was Su Taotao's, but the drawing didn’t seem to be Yuanhang's work.

He asked in surprise, "Did you draw this yourself?"