The next day at noon, after alighting from the vehicle, the three of them exchanged addresses and contact information before parting ways.
Chen Lishu took the bus back home. As soon as she opened the door, she saw 'Da Wang,' her cat, standing in the entryway and looking at her.
"Meow." The great king of cats clearly hadn't forgotten her. Not only did it meow a greeting, but it also rubbed affectionately against her pant leg as it approached.
Chen Lishu immediately picked it up with affection and kissed it twice. 'Da Wang' narrowed its eyes, looking displeased, but for the sake of the dried fish, it chose to tolerate it.
After letting 'Da Wang' roam freely, Chen Lishu put down her shoulder bag. She walked around each room before starting to clean.
She washed what needed washing and changed what needed changing. She also reorganized the clothes and belongings she had mailed over. Once everything was tidied up, and seeing that the time was about right, she got up to cook.
When Gu Xingdong returned, he immediately noticed that the lights in the house were on, and the clothes, sheets, and duvet covers were hanging on the clothes rack by the window. His eyes flickered, and he quickened his steps into the building, took out his key, and opened the door.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw that the house had clearly been cleaned. The cement floor still had a faint greenish hue from being scrubbed. 'Da Wang's' special cushion had been washed and replaced with a soft cotton mat. Perhaps sensing warmth and comfort, the picky and domineering creature was now sleeping soundly, sprawled on the cotton mat.
The sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen. Gu Xingdong walked over and immediately saw the beautiful figure he had been longing for.
To make work easier, Chen Lishu had put on a set of homemade loungewear: a loose, dark red crewneck sweatshirt on top, black cotton pants on the bottom, and her own handmade cloth slippers. She was currently stir-frying, wearing a plaid apron. The cuffs of her sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing her slender, fair wrists. Her head was slightly tilted, and her eyes were focused on the dish in the wok. A stray strand of her casually tied-up hair dangled playfully by her cheek, making one want to help tuck it behind her ear.
Gu Xingdong did just that.
"Why didn't you say anything in advance? I could have come to the station to pick you up."
As his tall figure approached, a large shadow was cast over her head. Chen Lishu turned her head and smiled, "I came with the sent-down youth from the village. Besides, taking the bus wasn't troublesome at all. You're tired from training, so this saved you an extra trip."
Hearing Chen Lishu's words, Gu Xingdong looked at her with burning eyes. The latter felt genuinely embarrassed by his gaze and turned away to avoid his eyes. "Hurry and wash your hands. Mom gave me several pieces of frozen meat. I'll make braised pork for you tonight."
Gu Xingdong's parents had only used part of the pig killed for Gu Xingye's wedding banquet. After setting aside some for the Lunar New Year, Li Xiulan had given the rest to her.
Upon hearing about the braised pork, Gu Xingdong's eyes lit up. Without needing Chen Lishu to tell him, he turned around and went to wash his hands. Soon after, he set up the table and arranged the bowls and chopsticks.
Since only the two of them were eating, Chen Lishu didn't make much. Besides the braised pork, she also stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar.
After dinner and cleaning up the kitchen, Chen Lishu went into the room and took out the down vest she had made for Gu Xingdong.
"I specifically used duck down. This will keep you warm without being bulky. Try it on to see if it fits. If anything needs adjusting, I can alter it."
To prevent the down from escaping, she had used a sewing machine to create striped patterns, making the vest look particularly neat.
Gu Xingdong put it on as requested and found that it was indeed as Chen Lishu had said, light and warm to wear.
"With one like this, I should be able to get through winter," Gu Xingdong said, taking off the vest. "Didn't you make one for yourself?"
"I did. Mine is a down jacket, even thicker than yours." Chen Lishu smiled as she folded the clothes. "You're a young lad who sleeps in a cool bed relying on your body heat. I can't compare to you."
"Who are you calling a young lad?" Gu Xingdong suddenly raised his hand and playfully spanked her behind. Chen Lishu's face instantly flushed.
Just as she was about to get up, Gu Xingdong suddenly leaned down, his handsome face growing larger in front of her.
The next moment, Chen Lishu felt a soft, warm touch on her lips. Then, her body lightened, and she was quickly placed on the bed.
Looking up into his deep, dark eyes, Chen Lishu suddenly felt her throat grow a little dry and instinctively swallowed.
Gu Xingdong lowered his head and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her unique, sweet fragrance. His breathing grew somewhat heavy.
"The curtains aren't drawn yet," Chen Lishu said, pushing him slightly. Gu Xingdong reluctantly got up, quickly drew the curtains, and then, with a long arm, switched off the room light as well. Chen Lishu's vision immediately went dark...
After a night of intimacy, when the morning bugle sounded the next day, Gu Xingdong went for his morning exercise. Chen Lishu rolled over and went back to sleep.
When she woke up again, the room was dim. She looked up and realized the curtains hadn't been opened. Thinking about what passersby might imagine, she hurried to get up and pull open the curtains.
Glancing at the time, she saw it was almost eight o'clock. She went to the kitchen and made some simple flour ball soup. She first served a portion to 'Da Wang,' who was already waiting impatiently by his food bowl, before sitting down to eat a bowl herself.
After eating and tidying up, Chen Lishu took some peanuts and walnuts, locked the door, and went to Wu Zheng's house across the street.
Lin Xiaoyue opened the door. Seeing her arrive, she happily invited her inside.
"When did you get here? Can you spend the New Year here this time?"
Seeing Chen Lishu nod, she became extremely happy. "Finally, I have someone to talk to and chat with."
Lin Xiaohui had to work every day, and she had nothing interesting to do at home except paste cardboard boxes.
Chen Lishu smiled and handed over the bag in her hand. "These are walnuts I brought from home. Eating them regularly is good for the fetus."
As Chen Lishu spoke, her gaze fell on Lin Xiaoyue's bulging belly. "Are you about six or seven months along?"
Lin Xiaoyue smiled, caressing her stomach, her eyes showing tenderness. "In a few more days, I'll be seven months."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. "Time flies so fast. The last time I was here, you were just showing. Now you're almost due to give birth."
Lin Xiaoyue thought of something and said, "You don't know yet, do you? Wang Yufen is also pregnant. She must be almost five months along now."
"Is that so?" Chen Lishu said with a smile. "I really didn't know that."
She had only just arrived, and Gu Xingdong wouldn't have told her about these things.
Finally having someone to talk to, Lin Xiaoyue became rather talkative. "The wife of the deputy regimental commander of the Second Battalion across the hall, Wang Jianshe, also got pregnant during the holiday break before she left."
Chen Lishu: "..." Suddenly, she felt as if everyone had collectively gotten pregnant.
After speaking, Lin Xiaoyue looked at her and kindly advised, "Sister-in-law, I'm telling you, you must try to get pregnant quickly this time. Once you're a bit older, try to have another one soon after."
Chen Lishu was taken aback. "Why?"