Chapter 355: Actually, I Know, But I Want to Hear You Say It

Chapter 355: Actually, I Know, But I Want to Hear You Say It

Fu Zhengtu and the others stood in line forever, but each person could only get four apples in the end.

Apples couldn’t be grown in the south; they were all transported from the north, and the supply was limited. Each family was restricted to four apples, and they stamped your ration book to track it, just to prevent anyone from exploiting loopholes.

Fu Zhengtu hadn’t expected buying four apples would take up so much of his time.

His job’s holiday bonuses were actually pretty good—they had also handed out a few apples and pears. If he had known how hard they were to buy, he would have traded with coworkers heading home for the holidays.

Fortunately, locally grown fruits like oranges, tangerines, and bananas weren’t subject to purchase limits, so he bought a few more varieties.

The men first carried their haul to the car before heading to the state-owned diner to meet up with the women.

Su Taotao and the others had already ordered and were waiting for the men.

The diner opened at 11 a.m., and people had already started queuing early. Luckily, Auntie Zhong was smart to get there early and secure a spot—otherwise, they might not have known how long they’d have to wait to eat.

With such a large group, the waiter could only offer them the biggest table available, which sat eight at most. Chenchen and Pangpang had to sit in their dads’ laps for the entire meal.

Whether it was the chefs having an off day or the restaurant simply not being very good, even kids who’ll eat anything like Pangpang and Uncle Mu found the food unappetizing. Everyone just ate enough to get by before preparing to head back.

After leaving the diner, Li Shouwang said awkwardly, “I’d like to buy Pangpang some new clothes. You guys go on without me—”

“It’s fine,” Su Taotao shook her head. “I’ve never checked out the downtown mall either, and it’s still early. I’d like to take a look too.”

She turned to the two children. “Chenchen and Pangpang, you two shouldn’t go—it’s too crowded inside, and you could get squished flat! Stay in the car and rest, okay?”

Both children were used to napping and were already feeling drowsy after the meal. Of course, they didn’t argue.

“I won’t go…”

“I won’t go…”

Auntie Zhong and Zhou Linglan, each holding a child, spoke almost simultaneously.

Auntie Zhong said, “Neither of us wants to go. We’ll stay in the car and watch the children.”

Dong Shengping added, “I won’t go either—it’s too crowded.”

They’d stocked up on kids’ stuff months ago, and Hu Weiling’s things were almost ready too. His house was already set.

Su Taotao herself didn’t really want to go but had just said it to help Li Shouwang save face. “Brother Li, you go ahead first. Even if we all went in together, we’d just get split up anyway. Once you’re done shopping, just come back here to wait.”

Li Shouwang nodded without saying anything and headed into the store first.

Su Taotao then reminded Fu Yuanhang and Uncle Mu not to wander off. She and Fu Zhengtu automatically reached for each other’s hands as they walked forward.

Auntie Zhong watched their backs as they walked off and smiled. “They really have such a good relationship—a match made in heaven.”

Zhou Linglan was also relieved. Before coming, she had been a little worried—after all, her eldest son treated work as his life and wasn’t chatty or good with words.

She had genuinely been concerned that Su Taotao might not be able to put up with him.

Now, she wasn’t worried at all.

Both of them were easygoing and got along great. They never even argued—heck, they never seemed to disagree.

Private moments truly belonging to Su Taotao and Fu Zhengtu were actually very, very rare.

Not to mention Chenchen, the little tagalong—usually either he was busy or she was busy. For them to just walk hand-in-hand like this was a luxury.

Su Taotao sometimes wondered what exactly liking someone meant, and what love really was.

Right then, she suddenly realized that liking someone meant being able to feel their heartbeat just by holding their hand, even in the midst of a noisy crowd.

No matter how many people there were, no matter how loud the surroundings, her eyes would find only him.

Su Taotao suddenly tickled Fu Zhengtu’s palm and looked up at him.

Fu Zhengtu glanced down at her, his brow furrowed, then pulled her in front of him. “You just keep walking. I’ll be right behind you.”

In the jostling sea of people, Fu Zhengtu used his arms to create a protective bubble just for her.

Su Taotao stopped. “We're not really shopping for anything, so let’s just go back.”

Fu Zhengtu didn’t ask any questions. He simply said, “Alright,” and changed direction to lead her out the other way.

The couple finally broke free from the crowd.

Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Su Taotao suddenly asked softly, “Fu Zhengtu, I realize I've never asked you—do you like me?”

Before, she hadn’t thought it mattered. She’d even tried just getting by, writing off their relationship. But with the year ending, her feelings were all over the place, and today, she suddenly wanted an answer.

Fu Zhengtu held Su Taotao’s gaze for a long moment before answering seriously, “I thought you wouldn’t need to ask that question.”

Their connection far exceeded his expectations. That kind of harmony—physical, emotional, and spiritual—went beyond words.

Su Taotao said, “I know, really. But today, I want to hear you say it.”

Fu Zhengtu looked at her intently, then led her toward a more secluded spot.

“Taotao, 'like' doesn't even come close. You are my love, my family, an indispensable part of my life.

I only wish I could be with you more.”

But in truth, compared to before she came to the base, this was already his lightest workload. No matter how busy he was, he made sure to come home every day, to see their child, and to hold her as they slept.

Once, his life had consisted solely of work. His dormitory had been optional—he often slept in the lab.

The break room in the lab stored his toiletries and spare clothes, and it was common for him to go ten days or even half a month without returning to his dorm.

Now, he found that impossible. She and their family mattered just as much to him as his work.

“It’s enough,” Su Taotao said, looking at him. “You’re so busy with work, but aside from business trips, I see you every day. I eat the breakfast you buy every morning. You still find time to help with laundry and chores, to make so many things for the house and for Chenchen. You’re there for every step of Chenchen’s growth.

You’re a good husband, and an even better father.”

The other women at the base were jealous, and just as the kids all admired Chenchen, that alone showed how successful he was in both roles.

Husband and wife gazed at each other. Were they not in public, Fu Zhengtu would have hugged her.

Su Taotao felt the same, but the setting really wasn’t right.

“Since we’re out, let’s pick a New Year’s gift. It’s our first New Year together.”

Su Taotao shook her head and squeezed Fu Zhengtu’s hand. “I already got the best gift I could ask for.”

The best gift was hearing him say that 'like' doesn't even come close—that she was his love, his family, an indispensable part of his life.