Su Mu had just settled into her seat and hadn’t ordered anything to drink when soone walked in through the door. She didn’t pay much attention, since this was the bustling CBD, until she was overshadowed by a figure and looked up to see who it was, then she slightly smiled:
"I thought you hadn’t gotten off work yet?"
"Hmm, I have now."
They were right below the Fu Corporation building, and there was every chance that the other patrons could be employees of Fu Corporation. Su Mu didn’t want to be recognized, so she got up, ready to leave. Fu Shinian noticed her actions and spoke indifferently:
"What’s the rush?"
"This is Fu Corporation. I might be recognized by soone."
"Am I that shaful to be seen with?"
Su Mu was taken aback. She had thought that Fu Shinian wanted to keep their marriage a secret, but from the way he spoke, it seed like he was the one being hidden, as if very aggrieved. Su Mu gave a faint smile:
"No, I’m just afraid I might tarnish your reputation."
Fu Shinian let out a light snort: "At least you have so self-awareness."
But in the end, Su Mu and Fu Shinian left the coffee shop without ordering anything. Su Mu had a good reason; she wanted to go back to the old mansion with Fu Shinian to keep Grandma company, especially since they hadn’t visited since Su Shiyue left.
On the way, Fu Shinian drove while Su Mu called the old mansion, telling Auntie Wang that they would return for dinner and to rember their share. Just as she got through, she heard Fu Shinian remind her on the side:
"Tell Auntie Wang we’re having hot pot tonight."
Su Mu glanced at him: "Isn’t it too late to ask Auntie Wang to prepare hot pot now?"
"No problem, we’ll buy and bring it back."
Su Mu didn’t understand why he was insistent on hot pot that day, but since he wanted it, she had no objections, since she herself enjoyed it too.
When the car arrived at the supermarket, Su Mu unbuckled her seatbelt:
"I’ll be quick, just wait for ."
But at that mont, Fu Shinian also unbuckled his belt: "I’ll go with you."
"Huh?" Su Mu looked at Fu Shinian as if she had heard a ghost, her eyes reflecting the shock as if him accompanying her to the supermarket was the most horrifying thing.
"What? Don’t want to?"
Su Mu shook her head:
"It’s not that, I just didn’t expect you would go."
"It’s faster with two people, I don’t want Grandma to be hungry."
Su Mu nodded, accepting the reason. After all, in the two years they had been married, he had never once accompanied her out, let alone do sothing as dostic as shopping for groceries. If it weren’t for Grandma, he probably wouldn’t have been so accommodating to go with her.
Partly because she really was worried Grandma might be hungry, and partly because she was concerned that Fu Shinian might grow impatient, Su Mu moved swiftly as if she had wheels of wind and fire under her feet. She quickly picked out everything needed for the hot pot and then sneaked a glance at Fu Shinian, realizing that he hadn’t shown any sign of impatience, she heaved a long sigh of relief:
"I’ve got everything, let’s go."
Fu Shinian looked at her as if she were ntally challenged:
"Do you always shop like you’re going to battle?"
Su Mu blinked, not daring to say that it was because she was afraid he would get impatient, and smiled slightly: "We’re pressed for ti today."
As they were checking out, Su Mu stood in front of Fu Shinian, placing items onto the checkout counter for the cashier. As the shopping cart gradually emptied, she noticed an item that she had no recollection of picking out. Just as she was about to pick it up and ask Fu Shinian if it was his, she saw the words ’ultra-thin’ and ’lubricated’ on the packaging and her face turned crimson.
Fu Shinian noticed her change:
"What’s wrong?"
Su Mu shook her head and handed the contraceptive to the cashier.
He never used contraception, but he also never thought about having children, so contraception was always sothing Su Mu took care of. Fortunately, the dications were specially selected by Qiao Yu, and they weren’t too harmful to the body. Su Mu never imagined that one day Fu Shinian would take the initiative to use contraception.
Even after the two of them got into the car, Su Mu was still engrossed in shock and couldn’t break free from it.
Su Mu was always a woman of few words in front of Fu Shinian. At first, he didn’t think much of it but, glancing at her inadvertently, he noticed her deeply furrowed brows and that she seed lost in thought. Only then did Fu Shinian speak up:
"What are you thinking about?"
Upon hearing his voice, Su Mu turned her head to look at him, "Nothing."
"Still thinking about that box of contraceptives?"
Su Mu: "..."
"Are you unhappy that I’m taking contraception, or do you prefer taking those drugs?"
"No," Su Mu hurriedly explained, "I just didn’t expect it."
Fu Shinian gave a light snort and offered no further explanation.
When they returned to the old mansion, Su Mu could see from a distance the old lady standing under the eaves, looking out expectantly. The sight made her heart suddenly filled with an inexplicable feeling:
"Grandma seems much lonelier than we thought."
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be standing here waiting for them.
Upon hearing this, Fu Shinian glanced at the old lady and then back at Su Mu who was looking quite sentintal at that mont. He remained silent.
It was November, and the night was chilly. As soon as Su Mu got out of the car, she hurried over to the old lady, leaving Fu Shinian to carry the things. She took the old lady’s hand, feeling its coolness, and said with concern:
"Grandma, why are you waiting at the door? It’s so chilly; you could get sick."
The old lady caressed her small face, "Grandma just wanted to see you both a bit sooner. Co on, let’s go inside."
Fu Shinian followed behind the two won, watching from a distance as Su Mu carefully supported the old lady. A certain place in his heart felt very full. He didn’t ask for much in his life, just wishing for Grandma to live a worry-free hundred years.
Apparently, Fu Shinian had forgotten that he had bought personal items. After entering, he handed all the shopping bags to Auntie Wang and joined Su Mu in keeping the old lady company in the living room until Auntie Wang served dinner and called them over to the dining room.
The steaming hot pot always gave off a lively, warm atmosphere. Fu Shinian also invited Auntie Wang to sit down, which left her slightly flustered:
"This doesn’t seem appropriate. You all eat; I’ll go tidy up the kitchen."
"There’s no rush," Fu Shinian said. "It’s just you and Grandma at the old house on ordinary days; we’re not so formal. After all these years, in the eyes of and Grandma, you and Auntie Lin are already no different from family."
Su Mu looked at Fu Shinian and felt he was unusually humane today.
The old lady also smiled:
"Co sit down. We eat together on normal days; we can’t make you leave just because they’ve co back."
Auntie Wang smiled and happily agreed, "Okay."
Just before they sat down, Auntie Wang seed to rember sothing. She went to the kitchen, grabbed sothing, and handed it to Fu Shinian:
"This doesn’t seem to belong in the kitchen. Could it be a mistaken purchase?"
Hearing this, Su Mu looked up, and upon seeing the packaging, her face instantly turned red. Even though Auntie Wang was older and her vision not sharp enough to recognize it, Su Mu still felt quite embarrassed. She gestured for Fu Shinian to put it away quickly. He, on the other hand, appeared nonchalant and thanked her before pocketing it casually.
The old lady offered a faint smile:
"Not planning on having children yet?"
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