Chapter 84: Scheming

Chapter 84: Thoughts

"He returned to the town," Zai Zai replied.

"Ah, Grandma said she's going to send me to preschool soon. I don’t wanna go to school," Zhuang Zhuang said sadly.

"If you study hard, you can get a good job like my dad and work in the city," Zai Zai said seriously.

"Huh? But stayin’ in the village’s nice too," Zhuang Zhuang said, confused.

"Do you like farming?" Zai Zai asked, posing a direct question.

Zhuang Zhuang immediately shook his head—he didn’t like farming. It was too hard and tiring.

"Then you gotta study hard so you can land a good job later."

Zhuang Zhuang nodded uncertainly.

Su He didn’t know that her arrival had changed not just Zai Zai and Niu Niu’s lives but also the lives of everyone in the Fu family.

On the way home, Fu Tinghua carried Zai Zai while Su He held Niu Niu, strolling leisurely home.

In the pitch-dark night, the only light came from the bright moon overhead.

It hung in the night sky like a giant silver platter, casting a soft and warm glow that illuminated the entire village.

Even without streetlights, the moonlight was enough to light their way.

In this quiet rural night, the moon was their only light.

The country moon looked especially big and full, surrounded by countless glittering stars.

These stars were like gems studding the night sky, adorning the black expanse with their sparkling radiance.

Under the dark canopy, the stars seemed to dance joyfully, their faint glimmers forming a stunning starry canvas.

In such an environment, both Su He and Fu Tinghua could feel the magic and beauty of nature.

Though the rural night lacked the hustle and bustle of the city, it possessed its own unique tranquility and charm.

Here, Fu Tinghua, for a change, could escape the chaos of the world and enjoy a moment of peace and comfort.

"I have to leave early tomorrow morning," Fu Tinghua suddenly spoke, cutting through the quiet.

"Oh? So early?" Su He asked.

"Yes, I have an afternoon surgery scheduled."

After saying this, he turned to look at Su He walking beside him. "I... see you next week?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his ears turned red with embarrassment—fortunately, it was too dark for anyone to notice.

"Sure," Su He replied with a smile.

Sometimes happiness seemed so simple. Even though it was just a simple exchange, Fu Tinghua’s heart raced.

After returning home, they gave the kids a bath together before taking their own showers.

Fu Tinghua naturally went to sleep in another room, which Su He was relieved about.

Fu Tinghua is genuinely a great guy—totally dependable!

The next day, Su He woke up at the crack of dawn to prepare breakfast for Fu Tinghua.

She thought she had risen early enough, but unexpectedly, Fu Tinghua was also up, and they ran into each other heading to the kitchen.

"Why not sleep a little longer?" Fu Tinghua asked with a frown.

"I got up to make breakfast for you," Su He replied naturally.

"You should’ve slept in. I’ll eat whatever."

"Not a chance. You should eat well so your surgery this afternoon goes smoothly," Su He said with a smile.

Her boundless optimism and cheerfulness, her radiant smile like sunshine, and her crystal-clear eyes—how could Fu Tinghua’s heart not melt?

He gazed at Su He quietly, a surge of emotion he couldn’t name rising inside him.

Su He’s smile could’ve chased away any gloom, lighting up the whole world.

The innocence and kindness shining in her bright eyes made you want to lean in closer, to feel that warmth and beauty.

"Alright, I’ll help you."

Fu Tinghua couldn’t bring himself to look at her anymore—he was afraid he’d never want to leave. After speaking, he quickly entered the kitchen.

By the time the two children woke up, Fu Tinghua had already finished breakfast.

He went to the room he had been staying in and took out the toys he’d promised them, handing them over.

Zai Zai and Niu Niu had completely forgotten about asking their dad for toys, and upon receiving the gifts, they shrieked with joy.

Su He’s eyebrows shot up at the sight of Niu Niu’s Barbie doll and Zai Zai’s toy car.

In this era, these didn’t come cheap.

"Daddy, hug!" Little Niu Niu, having received her adorable Barbie doll, instantly changed her tune and demanded a hug from her father.

Fu Tinghua smiled, picked her up, and kissed her forehead. "Daddy needs to head back to the city. You and Mommy will come to see me on Thursday, okay?"

"No! Daddy can’t leave! Daddy can’t leave!" Niu Niu dug her heels in.

These last two days had been pure happiness, with both parents by her side. She wanted it to stay this way forever.

"Niu Niu, Daddy’s not gone forever. He’s just going to work for a few days, and then we’ll see him again," Su He cut in.

"I want Mommy and Daddy together," Niu Niu pouted unhappily.

"Okay, Mommy and Daddy are already together," Su He said with a hint of exasperation.

"No! I want Daddy!"

Niu Niu just latched onto Fu Tinghua’s neck and clung to him.

Su He: "..."

Since when was Niu Niu this clingy? This was new behavior.

"What about playing with Brother Chuan at the market?" Su He’s words gave Niu Niu pause.

"Daddy, don't go." Niu Niu looked at Fu Tinghua and started to plead cutely.

"No, Daddy has to go to work. If Daddy doesn't go, people who are sick won’t get help, and that would be very sad, wouldn't it?"

Sweet little Niu Niu immediately stopped making a fuss upon hearing Su He's words.

This was the first time Niu Niu had acted "unreasonably," but Su He thought kids should have a little attitude—it made them more like real kids.

Before this, both children had been too obedient, and she had worried that if they were too repressed, they might turn into little troublemakers.

The two guys at home were at a loss for words when they saw Niu Niu switch sides again.

When Niu Niu was throwing her little fit earlier, why didn’t Fu Tinghua say anything to persuade her?

He had wanted to use this opportunity to convince Su He to go back to the city with him today.

But clearly, his daughter wasn’t pulling her weight.

As for why Niu Niu had acted up, Zai Zai had put her up to it.

He had told Niu Niu that if Daddy left, their parents' relationship would grow distant again, and that Mommy should just take them back to the city with Daddy.

So gullible Niu Niu fell for her sly big brother’s trick, thinking that if she threw a fit to keep Daddy from leaving, Mommy would give in.

Who knew that as soon as Su He mentioned Ji Liangchuan, the little traitor changed her tune?

Niu Niu still remembered—Ji Liangchuan had told them to come visit him before he left yesterday.

She was a kid who keeps her promises and couldn’t go back on her word.