At the Western-style dining table, Fu Weicheng sat on one side, while Song Yuntang and the two children sat on the other. Niannian and An’an clung to Song Yuntang, keeping a clear boundary with Fu Weicheng.
Niannian and An’an were boy-girl twins, and their emotions often mirrored each other.
An’an didn’t understand Niannian’s complicated thoughts, but she knew he didn’t like this uncle, so she didn’t either—even though this uncle had looked impressive when catching bad guys before.
And… was this person really her father?
An’an had never had a father, so she didn’t know what one would be like.
But as soon as Fu Weicheng opened the lunch boxes, An’an’s mental image of a father became very concrete: it was a plate of fragrant braised pork belly!
The food placed before Song Yuntang and her children wasn’t just something casually grabbed from the military canteen. Fu Weicheng had arranged for a local restaurant to cook a special meal, spending money to get delicious dishes.
From the moment he brought Song Yuntang and the children back from the train station, he had no thought of letting them leave.
There was a plate of braised pork belly, stir-fried green beans with potatoes and ribs, stir-fried yam with greens, kelp and winter melon soup, and a plate of silky steamed egg custard.
It smelled wonderful!
If the atmosphere weren’t so quiet, An’an might have shouted out in excitement. She had never seen so much delicious food at once—it smelled so good, even better than freshly washed hands with soap.
Fu Weicheng didn’t pick up his chopsticks. His deep, dark eyes focused on Song Yuntang, while Niannian and An’an looked at her with wide eyes, waiting for her to give the signal.
Song Yuntang spoke, “Why are you just staring at me? Eat! Food tastes best when it’s hot. If you don’t eat now, it will get cold.”
She picked up her chopsticks first, taking a piece of braised pork belly for each of the children, and one for herself.
“This one is for An’an, this one is for Niannian, and this one is Mommy’s.”
Song Yuntang started eating heartily. Fu Weicheng made a small movement, as if to pass a dish, but Song Yuntang didn’t even glance at him, focusing on eating. A meal, after all, was a serious business, not to be interrupted.
Since she still intended to divorce him, she kept a distance in her interactions with this man.
Fu Weicheng’s hand fell empty; he reluctantly put it down.
He pushed the egg custard toward An’an. From her eyes, he could tell she liked it.
In a gentle voice, he said, “If you like it, eat more.”
An’an timidly looked up, stole a careful glance at Fu Weicheng, thinking Song Yuntang hadn’t noticed. She smiled shyly, quickly lowered her head, and focused seriously on eating.
Mommy said you’d have to see for yourself whether Daddy was good or bad.
She thought he didn’t seem bad, because he had noticed that she wanted the egg custard.
Next, Fu Weicheng tried to offer Niannian some food, but the little boy was wary. Unlike the little girl, he didn’t accept the gesture.
Fu Weicheng didn’t feel discouraged; he thought that with time, he would get closer to the children.
Perhaps he could even get closer to her… a little.
He glanced at Song Yuntang, then calmly lowered his head and continued eating.
The exquisite dishes were truly delicious. Song Yuntang and the children ate heartily. The braised pork belly, with its rich sauce, was mixed with rice—so tasty that Song Yuntang momentarily forgot to remind the children to pace themselves. Soon, their little stomachs were round and full.
She quickly gave them some water from Lingquan Creek to help them feel comfortable.
Fu Weicheng ate as well. At first, he ate slowly, but once the mother and children had nearly finished, he devoured the remaining food in a flash, leaving the table spotless.
Song Yuntang was surprised; she hadn’t expected him to be so considerate.
His fast and hearty eating style seemed to have been cultivated in the army.
Song Yuntang took the opportunity to teach the children. “Niannian, An’an, when we eat, we should chew slowly and eat at a moderate pace. Eating too fast is bad for your stomach. You’ll feel uncomfortable if you rush. Understand?”
Before the children could reply, a low cough sounded beside them.
“Cough, cough!”
Fu Weicheng had choked slightly on Song Yuntang’s words. Was this her way of subtly scolding him?
He wasn’t embarrassed, but when Niannian and An’an’s dark, bright eyes looked at him, his face flushed slightly.
“Cough… I just choked a little,” he explained awkwardly, putting down his chopsticks and standing up. “Have you finished eating? I’ll clear the dishes.”
The three of them—Song Yuntang and the children—watched Fu Weicheng. They saw this refined man moving efficiently, clearing dishes and wiping the table, surprisingly capable.
…
After the meal, it was already dark outside, which brought a new issue.
Song Yuntang, not one to worry unnecessarily, asked calmly, “Fu Weicheng, where will you sleep tonight?”
Fu Weicheng paused while tidying the lunch boxes. “There’s a late meeting at the military office. I’ll make do in the office tonight.”
Song Yuntang nodded, appreciating that he understood boundaries and didn’t overstep.
People planning a divorce shouldn’t expect to share a bed.
From Song Yuntang’s expression, Fu Weicheng guessed what she was thinking. His next words carried a hint of helplessness.
“Don’t worry. Unless you agree, I won’t cross any boundaries. This is a military family compound; it’s very safe at night. You can stay here with the children without worry.”
Her thoughts had been read—and spoken aloud. Song Yuntang blinked and pretended not to understand.
Afterward, as promised, Fu Weicheng dressed neatly in his uniform, put on his hat, prepared hot water for them, and left.
Song Yuntang quickly took Niannian and An’an to bathe. She placed the children in a large red rubber basin filled with steaming hot water, washing every inch of their soft skin.
She was satisfied with the children in every way, though they were a bit thin. Feeling their slender arms, her heart ached.
“You need to put on a little more flesh,” she sighed.
An’an cheerfully patted her full little belly. “Mommy, I already grew a bit of meat here. Feel, it’s plump.”
Song Yuntang followed the little girl’s hand, rubbed her soft belly, and said, “Wow… it really grew.”
“Ha ha ha…”
An’an laughed, the sound mingling with the warm steam in the bathroom.
After the children were clean, they were quickly tucked into bed.
A spacious bed, soft blankets, a house that kept out wind and rain, warm and fragrant bodies, and Mommy by their side.
Niannian and An’an cuddled against Song Yuntang, whispering, “Mommy, can we really live here? It feels like a dream…”
When they fell asleep, their rosy little faces were still smiling.
After attending to the children, Song Yuntang returned to the bathroom.
After a long train journey, she felt grimy. Although she could have washed in the Lingbao space, nothing compared to washing in real hot water.
There was plenty of hot water left. She spent nearly an hour in the bathroom, washing her hair and body, feeling refreshed. She put on a cotton floral nightgown, her long hair wet, wrapped a towel around her, and walked out while drying her hair.
She had taken only a few steps when she suddenly heard a click—the sound of a door opening.
Fu Weicheng had just assured her that the Family Quarters were safe, yet someone dared to enter in the dark. She didn’t know whether it was a thief, but they were audacious.
Song Yuntang didn’t feel afraid. She grabbed a broomstick, tiptoed toward the noise, and reached to turn on the light.
In the instant the lights came on, she would strike accurately with the stick, aiming for a head injury to teach the intruder a lesson. A widow with children wasn’t easy prey.
In the darkness, the two confronted each other.
Song Yuntang quickly switched on the light, and both were startled by the sudden illumination.
“It’s me,”
Fu Weicheng spoke at the same time to reassure her.