Chapter 115: Stars and the Sea

Chapter 115: Stars and the Sea

The delicious lobster feast left the entire family, including Chenchen, completely full.

Fu Zhengtu had cut the meat into just the right size for Chenchen, who ate piece by piece, unknowingly getting full.

"Let's go for a walk," Su Taotao suggested.

Chenchen was the first to agree: "Yes, yes~~ Bai Bai is coming too~~"

Now that Bai Bai had a "ride" (a pet carrier or stroller), Chenchen wanted to take him everywhere.

Fu Zhengtu still had some work to do, but since arriving on the island, the whole family had never taken a walk together after dinner, so he agreed.

The family of four, plus their dog, went out for a walk.

Bai Bai could already walk and run, but after a while, when Chenchen got tired, he would carry Bai Bai back to the basket for his uncle to carry for a bit, while he himself would be carried by his dad for a while.

The two, one human and one dog, had a very regular routine.

The island's night wasn't particularly lively, with no trace of nightlife. If it weren't for the streetlights along the coastal road, it would be similar to the village, where people gathered under the banyan tree (a large, shady tree common in southern China) to chat, snack on melon seeds, and enjoy the cool breeze. Here, apart from the family of four and their dog, they hadn't seen anyone else.

The waves crashed against the shore, and the sea breeze blew gently. Su Taotao loved it.

"I have to work overtime tomorrow, so Xiao Lu will take you to Mr. Tang's place," Fu Zhengtu said. In the past, he would have been in the lab, working through the night to meet deadlines. It was only after Su Taotao and the others arrived that he realized how much he truly cherished being at home.

Every day, he would find ways to spend time with his family. If he could, he wouldn't even want to go to work tomorrow, but there was no choice. For them, national affairs always came before family matters—it was both a duty and a belief.

Su Taotao didn't mind: "It's fine, I can manage alone. I'll take Yuanhang and Chenchen to Mr. Tang's place first, then go sign up for a driver's license."

Fu Zhengtu shook his head: "No, I'm not comfortable with you going alone."

Su Taotao stopped, and the others followed.

Su Taotao looked at Fu Zhengtu intently: "Fu Zhengtu, I'll let you know if I can't handle something. Did I ever tell you I know martial arts? Three or five men like you usually can't get close to me."

Fu Zhengtu: "..." Did she forget he also knew martial arts?

Su Taotao blinked at him twice: "And did you forget I'm from G City? The traffic and road conditions there are far more complicated than here, and the public safety is worse too. But since middle school, I've been going to and from school alone and hanging out with friends.

Are you worried I'll get lost, or that I'll be kidnapped?"

Fu Zhengtu looked back at Su Taotao's clear, bright eyes, filled with a hint of amusement, and for a moment, he was lost in thought.

She truly wasn't a delicate flower, nor was she inexperienced. Most women wouldn't have the courage to both run a factory and learn to drive. She was well-traveled and knowledgeable, and no matter what she did, she always found a way to make you believe she could do it well.

Fu Zhengtu looked at her, still silent.

"Ask Yuanhang, I'm really good at fighting," Su Taotao added.

Fu Yuanhang, who had been petting Bai Bai, stopped and said, "Brother, sister-in-law is really strong."

Fu Zhengtu asked, "You've fought before?"

Su Taotao smiled: "Fu Zhengtu, that's not the point. The point is, you can focus on your research work with peace of mind. You're already doing great when you're at home during your free time."

Su Taotao pinched Chenchen's small, chubby hand: "You take good care of Chenchen when you're home, don't you, Chenchen?"

"Mhm~~" Chenchen, being very perceptive, hugged his dad's neck and nuzzled against him, "Love daddy~~"

Fu Zhengtu's heart softened, and he gently rubbed Chenchen's head.

Su Taotao said, "Fu Zhengtu, we're not here to hold you back. You focus on your research, Chenchen is busy growing up, Yuanhang is busy studying, and I'm busy running the factory. We each have our own responsibilities, pursuing our own dreams and goals. During the day, we each have our own tasks, and at night, we gather together for dinner, then take a walk along the seaside, looking at the stars and the ocean. Is there a better life than this?"

Fu Zhengtu didn't know how to describe his feelings at this moment. When he married her, he hadn't imagined such a moment.

She usually takes good care of herself and the children, but she doesn't overdo it. When she needs his help, she calls him immediately.

Su Taotao is not just a wife; she is more like his soulmate, perfectly matched in every way.

Yes, there is no better life than pursuing our dreams while busy, and spending leisure time with them watching the stars and the ocean.

Fu Zhengtu took Su Taotao's hand and squeezed it, saying nothing more.

The streetlights stretched the shadows of Su Taotao's family very long. Ahead of them was the vast ocean, and looking up, they could see the entire expanse of stars.

The next morning, the family of four all wore white shirts and black pants, neatly dressed and ready to go out.

Yuanhang's white shirt was perfectly ironed, without a single wrinkle.

Before leaving, Fu Zhengtu handed Yuanhang a piece of high-quality pork he had queued up early at the co-op: "Ah Hang, once a teacher, always a teacher. Learning a craft starts with learning how to be a person. Mr. Tang doesn't charge tuition, nor does he require the six traditional gifts, but the basic etiquette of presenting tea is still necessary. Go and learn well."

Yuanhang, with red eyes, accepted it: "Brother, I know. I will learn well."

Fu Zhengtu patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

Su Taotao said, "Don't worry, I also brought a bag of coconut candies. We can buy a pound of White Rabbit candies when we get to town. If the gift is too heavy, Mr. Tang might not accept it. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Fu Zhengtu nodded. Respecting teachers and valuing education isn't just for a day; it's for life. There will be plenty of opportunities to show respect.

Fu Zhengtu didn't have time to return home at noon. Su Taotao first took the dog to Xia Zhiqiu's house, entrusting her to take care of it for the day. Coincidentally, Auntie Zhong was also there, bringing Da Hei for Xia Zhiqiu to take care of.

Dongdong, who had been eager to go to town with Chenchen, was now thrilled.

Auntie Zhong smiled and said, "It's good that they are one male and one female. Otherwise, with both being black puppies, it would be hard to tell them apart."

After carefully examining the dog, she exclaimed, "Oh no, your dog looks better. How did you raise it? Bai Bai is actually a whole size bigger than Da Hei, and its fur is much shinier."

Su Taotao said, "Chenchen treats it like a younger brother, often sharing his own food with it."

Su Taotao didn't dare to say that she occasionally feeds the dog milk and malted milk. Raising a dog so meticulously these days would invite criticism.

Auntie Zhong understood, "No wonder, I thought so. It looks so good. My dog mostly eats rice water."

Su Taotao didn't continue on this topic and instead told Auntie Zhong about Dong's willingness to work as a guard at the factory.

Auntie Zhong didn't expect it to go so smoothly; she thought it would take multiple visits.

Auntie Zhong nodded, "He's a good guy. It's a real blessing for our factory that he's willing to come."

Mu Mu took the opportunity to bring up the topic of allowance with Auntie Zhong, "Auntie Zhong, Su Taotao gives Yuanhang one yuan of allowance every month. I'm your own son; surely I'm worth at least fifty cents?"

Su Taotao couldn't help but laugh. Mu Mu was really funny; she wondered who he took after.

The stingy Auntie Zhong gritted her teeth and raised her hand but didn't actually hit him, "I think you deserve five slaps. Want them?"

Mu Mu howled and quickly ran over to hug his good buddy Yuanhang, "Yuanhang, let's switch, okay? I'll be Su Taotao's nephew, and you can be Auntie Zhong's son."

Yuanhang chuckled, "No deal."

Auntie Zhong raised her hand again, this time really hitting him, "You little rascal, if you keep talking nonsense..."