Despite saying that, He Huiqin still indulgently ladled half a bowl of soup, pouted, and gently blew on it until the steam dissipated, then carefully handed it to her son.
"Drink slowly, if you burn your tongue you’ll be crying."
"Mom, Xiui, you guys co over and have so too."
Zhou Yongnian then turned to look at Zhou Li and Zhou Xiui.
Zhou Li shook her head and smiled, saying,
"I’m not used to the sll of these herbs, you drink more yourself. After staying up late, you need to replenish your energy, or you’ll be left with ailnts as you age."
Zhou Xiui’s clear voice ca from the bedroom:
"No thanks, Dad, I’m already full. I have to rush for the bus to class later."
Zhou Yongnian sighed softly, his hand with the soup spoon paused at the edge of the bowl.
Ever since getting a promotion and a raise, he had beco the focus of the whole family’s attention.
Even his wife, who used to criticize him for "not being ho," had beco gentle and understanding.
This feeling of being pampered left him a bit uncomfortable for a while.
Quickly finishing off the remaining soup, Zhou Yongnian stood up swiftly and said to his wife,
"There is a eting at the police station this morning, I have to get there early."
With that, he stepped towards the sofa, picked up his briefcase, and was ready to leave.
"Hey, wait a minute!"
He Huiqin imdiately put down her bowl and chopsticks, grabbed the neatly ironed police uniform from the back of the chair, and quickly walked over to him from behind to help him put it on.
"Now that you’ve just been promoted, if you’re not out on a case, wear the formal uniform more often. It gives a better impression in front of the leaders. You ntioned last night that the cuff button was a bit loose, I sewed it tight for you, see if it fits."
She advised carefully, her fingertips lightly brushing over the newly replaced shoulder patches.
Suddenly rembering sothing, she quickly turned and took out a thermal container from the kitchen:
"There’s so black chicken soup left; I packed it for you. Heat it in the microwave at noon."
"Don’t bother, there’s a canteen at the police station."
Zhou Yongnian frowned, refusing, but his gaze accidentally fell on the scald mark on his wife’s wrist, and his voice softened.
Yet He Huiqin acted as if she didn’t hear, packed the soup, shoved the thermal container into his hands, and tidied his collar:
"Team leader Zhang ntioned your low blood pressure during the last check-up, this soup is good for your blood and energy, be good, make sure you finish it."
Watching his wife’s bustling figure, Zhou Yongnian suddenly recalled the ti right after they got married, when she nded his police uniform in their rented room.
Back then, her hands were still tender, and the stitches were crooked. She would often prick her fingertips with the needle but loved to polish his police badge and epaulettes brightly.
Thinking of this, as he reached for the thermal container and brushed against his wife’s hand, Zhou Yongnian felt his ears turn slightly red and responded softly,
"Got it."
He Huiqin looked up at him and noticed the faint red on his tanned face, a quiet smile lifting her lips.
Outside the tubular building, the sound of morning rush hour traffic could be faintly heard as she opened the door for him.
In the morning light, he stood tall, the shoulder patches on his navy blue police uniform shining faintly, looking just like his handso self the first ti he wore a police uniform.
"Be careful on the road,"
she said softly too, reminiscent of the first ti she sent her husband off to work, with a faint sparkle in her eyes.
As Zhou Yongnian stepped over the threshold, he couldn’t help but glance back at his wife.
Just as the two shared a tender gaze, eyes lingering, about to stage a romantic mont.
An untily voice suddenly echoed in the hallway.
"Uncle Zhou, Aunt He, what are you two..."
The two of them jolted awake, instantly pulling their close bodies apart, and then, simultaneously, they followed the voice.
They saw a young man with a sporty hoodie, looking handso, standing not far away, looking at them with a slightly stunned expression.
Then, the corners of his mouth lifted with a teasing smile:
"Uncle Zhou, you look really handso in your police uniform. Aunt He had such a good eye back in the day, no wonder she’s always asking when Uncle Zhou will be ho."
He Huiqin’s ears turned red as she hurriedly adjusted Zhou Yongnian’s uniform hem, feigning calmness:
"Of course, your Aunt He never lacked judgnt, you youngsters should learn more, lest you choose the wrong person."
Zhou Yongnian cleared his throat, raised his watch as if to show authority, and glanced at it;
"Ah Cheng, it’s almost nine o’clock, let’s go, don’t be late for work."
Before he could finish, they saw Zhou Xiui rush out from the house wearing a pink knit sweater and carrying a backpack, sowhat urgently calling out,
"Brother Cheng! Wait for , I’ll take the bus with you to Jiangdong District!"
He Huiqin, seeing her daughter’s unfinished makeup, quickly stuffed the grooming kit into Xiui’s hand:
"You’re a big girl now; your hair looks like a bird’s nest. Make yourself presentable on the way, before entering the classroom."
The three of them went downstairs together, arriving at the entrance.
Zhou Yongnian looked at Fang Cheng and Xiui both carrying heavy bags and suddenly said.
"Let give you guys a ride."
"No need, Uncle Zhou, it’s more convenient for Xiui and to take a cab later."
Fang Cheng politely declined, subtly stepping aside.
He knew that Zhou Yongnian always valued police station discipline and personal image.
Even though he needed to drive ho often because of his work, he never used a public vehicle to pick up his family.
Even when Xiui had a fever of over 39 degrees as a child, Zhou Yongnian insisted his wife took a cab to the hospital.
Hearing this, Zhou Yongnian shifted his gaze between the two, giving Fang Cheng a aningful look:
"It’s good for young folks to have respect, but sotis, you can wait for the next bus, reschedule a al, but if you miss the right person, it’s a lifeti..."
Zhou Xiui’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red, and she couldn’t help but stomp her foot:
"Dad, that’s not it, it’s not what you think..."
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