Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Finding a Dad for Mai Sui

Lu Xiao gently stroked the thin fabric on Su Tang’s shoulder with his thumb.

“I know the burden on you at home will be heavier. Your hospital job, and… you might have to move with me. It won’t be easy for you.”

Su Tang lifted her head, looking straight into his deep, candid eyes.

There was no smugness from his promotion, only concern for her feelings and thoughtful plans for their future.

’He was consulting her, telling her that while his career was important, she was more important.’

Su Tang hadn’t been dwelling on it, but his words and the warmth of his palm put her completely at ease.

’She wasn’t an unreasonable woman. Her husband was capable and responsible, and his superiors valued him. She should be happy for him. So what if he’ll be a little farther from home? So what if she has to take on a bit more? What’s a little extra hardship compared to him building a career for them?’

She sniffled, pushing back the bittersweet feeling. She forced a smile, tinged with a hint of playful complaint.

“Don’t talk about it being hard on me. Going to the division headquarters is a good thing. I’m happy for you! It’s just…”

Her voice softened. “I’m just afraid you’ll be so busy you’ll forget to eat and sleep. I don’t want you to run your body into the ground.”

Seeing Su Tang act this way filled Lu Xiao’s heart with warmth, tinged with a slight ache.

He gave her shoulder a firm squeeze and promised, “Don’t worry. I’ll remember what you said. I’ll eat on time no matter where I am and do my best not to stay up all night. But you need to take care of yourself too. Don’t work too hard at the hospital. Rest when you need to rest.”

“I know, you’re being a nag.”

Su Tang gave him a gentle push, a genuine smile finally gracing her face. It was a mix of shyness and pride.

“Come on, let’s eat. The food’s getting cold.”

The atmosphere at the dinner table lightened considerably.

Su Tang placed several helpings of food on Lu Xiao’s plate, chattering on about her day at the hospital.

She mentioned that Lin Qian and Lin Jianqiu were adjusting well to the song and dance troupe, and that Xiao Zhou was slowly getting back on his feet.

Lu Xiao listened quietly, heartily eating the warm meal his wife had made.

’The promotion was a joyous occasion, but as he looked at Su Tang’s gentle face and listened to her daily chatter, he suddenly realized that *this* was the future he most wanted to protect—the one that truly grounded him.’

「A few days later」

The official transfer orders arrived, just as expected.

Lu Xiao was promoted to Deputy Regiment Commander at the division headquarters, effective immediately.

As the news spread, an endless stream of well-wishers came to congratulate him at the camp.

Lu Xiao handled the congratulations with his usual composure, meticulously carrying out the handover of his duties.

The night before he left, Su Tang silently ironed Lu Xiao’s uniforms until they were perfectly crisp. She polished his collar insignia and cap badge until they gleamed, then checked his luggage one last time.

“Send word back once you get there and are settled in.”

Su Tang said softly as she placed the last folded shirt into his bag.

“I know.” Lu Xiao stood behind her, watching her slender but resilient figure.

Su Tang zipped the bag shut, turned, and faced Lu Xiao.

In the dim yellow light, her eyes shone brightly. There were no tears, only complete trust and encouragement.

“Lu Xiao,”

She spoke his name. Her voice was soft, but it carried immense weight.

“Do well. I’ll take care of things at home, so don’t you worry.”

There were no flowery words, no lingering goodbye—just that simple sentence. But it made Lu Xiao’s heart burn with warmth.

He stepped forward and pulled Su Tang into a tight embrace.

“Mm.”

He grunted in acknowledgment, his chin resting on the crown of her head as he inhaled the faint, clean scent of soap from her hair.

All their promises and concerns melted into that silent embrace.

The days flowed by like a river.

Lu Xiao left for the division headquarters and was only able to return every few days. Su Tang’s life continued its usual routine, a straight line between the hospital and home.

After the song and dance troupe’s reorganization, Lin Qian and the others were busier than ever with rehearsals. Lin Jianqiu gradually integrated into the group and smiled more often, while Chang Jia walked with a new swagger in his step.

「One day at noon」

Su Tang had just finished her work and was about to head to the cafeteria for lunch when she ran into Zhang Cui at the doorway.

Zhang Cui was holding Mai Sui by the hand. Her complexion was rosier than usual, and the look of weary sorrow that Wang Jianfeng had ground into her features had faded considerably.

Mai Sui had grown much taller and could now call her “Auntie.”

“Tang!”

Zhang Cui’s eyes lit up when she saw her. She pulled Mai Sui along and quickened her pace.

“Sister-in-law, are you off work?”

Su Tang smiled and patted Mai Sui’s head.

“No, no.”

Zhang Cui waved her hands, then lowered her voice, looking a little embarrassed.

“It’s… It’s Master Li from the cafeteria. You know, Li Haixin, the head cook? He… he saved a bowl of steamed egg for Mai Sui and told me to bring her over to eat…”

Su Tang froze for a second, then realization dawned on her.

After her divorce, Zhang Cui started working in the cafeteria. She was diligent, hardworking, and good-natured, and had slowly found her footing there.

The head cook, Master Li Haixin, was in his early forties. His wife had passed away from an illness years ago, and he had been single ever since. He was a solid, down-to-earth man and a great cook.

Su Tang had noticed the signs for a while now. Master Li always took special care of Zhang Cui. Her portions were always the most generous, and sometimes he would secretly slip some of the better dishes onto her plate.

And as for Zhang Cui, her face would flush red whenever she saw Li Haixin, and she’d become flustered, not knowing what to do with her hands.

“That’s wonderful!” Su Tang was genuinely happy for her. “Master Li is a really solid guy.”

“Wonderful? What’s so wonderful about it!”

Zhang Cui sighed, and the hint of joy on her face was instantly clouded by worry.

“Tang, you have no idea. The… the gossip… I’m sick to death of hearing it. They’re saying I’d barely divorced my husband before I was seducing the head cook. That I’m just looking for a man to support me… And the things they say about Mai Sui are even worse…”

She glanced at her oblivious daughter, unable to bring herself to say the rest. Her eyes, however, were turning red.

“Mai Sui is still little, but children can be sensitive. Yesterday, when she was playing in the courtyard, some thoughtless kids made fun of her. They said her mom found her a ’kitchen dad’…”

Zhang Cui’s voice was choked with emotion.

“I… I can take being wronged, that’s nothing. But I can’t let my child be ashamed because of me! Tang, you tell me, what is wrong with my life? I escaped that fiery pit with Wang Jianfeng, only to jump into a sea of vicious gossip and drown?”

She bit her lip as if steeling her resolve. “So… I’m going today to make things clear with Master Li. I… I appreciate his kindness, I really do, but… we should stop this. It’s not good for anyone.”

Seeing Zhang Cui fighting back tears and Mai Sui’s timid little face, Su Tang’s heart felt heavy.

’In this day and age, it’s so hard for a divorced woman with a child to start over.’

“Sister-in-law Cui, don’t be hasty. This whole thing… sigh. I’ll go to the cafeteria with you.”

Su Tang knew she couldn’t talk her out of it, so she could only go with her.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, the lunch rush was just ending.

Li Haixin, dressed in a faded white chef’s uniform, was cleaning the stove with a large metal spatula.

The moment he saw Zhang Cui and Su Tang enter with Mai Sui, a smile bloomed on his simple, dark-complexioned face, revealing a set of white teeth.

“You’re here! Quick, have a seat!”

He deftly retrieved a bowl of fragrant, golden-yellow steamed egg from the steamer. It was dotted with flecks of green onion and he placed it carefully on a clean little table.

“Mai Sui, hurry and eat it while it’s hot!”

Li Haixin was genuinely fond of Mai Sui, and the feeling was mutual.

This time, however, perhaps because Zhang Cui had prepped her, Mai Sui didn’t even call him “Uncle.”

Sensing that something was amiss, Li Haixin stood up and looked over at Zhang Cui.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep