Chapter 295: The Feeling of Home

Su Zhaozhao listened to Xie Huaizheng’s teasing words, a flicker of desire in his eyes.

But Su Zhaozhao could also sense the exhaustion radiating from him.

She hugged him again. "Go take a shower, then get some good sleep."

Of course, she believed him. They were husband and wife; if he were truly injured, he wouldn’t be able to hide it from her.

Xie Huaizheng nodded.

He let go of Su Zhaozhao, dropped his luggage, and went to take a shower.

Su Zhaozhao, meanwhile, helped unpack Xie Huaizheng’s luggage. She took out the clothes that needed washing and put them in the washing machine, then tidied up his other belongings.

Su Zhaozhao saw that a good portion of the gauze and hemostatic medicine she had packed for him had been used. It might not have been for him, but her heart still tightened.

In her previous life, she had mostly interacted with people like criminal investigators, and she knew their missions could be dangerous at times.

But she hadn’t understood the details back then. Now, with Xie Huaizheng as her husband, she watched him go on mission after mission, and each time, either he or his comrades came back injured.

The feeling was completely different now.

When Xie Huaizheng came out of the shower, he was only wearing a pair of pajama pants, his upper body bare.

The man’s build was strong and upright, his bronze skin covered in all sorts of scars.

But aside from two very minor wounds, the rest of him was completely unharmed.

After examining him, Su Zhaozhao let out a sigh of relief.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness Xie Huaizheng isn’t badly hurt.’

But even these two shallow wounds made her heart ache.

"Should I put some medicine on them?" Su Zhaozhao asked, her hand gently touching the skin next to a wound.

Xie Huaizheng caught her hand and smiled, his lips curling. "No need. They’ll heal quickly."

He really didn’t mind injuries like these.

Su Zhaozhao looked up at Xie Huaizheng. "Alright, go get some sleep then. I imagine you’ll be out for a while. I’ll see you at dinner."

It was only ten in the morning. Luckily, it was the weekend, so she didn’t have classes.

"Okay."

Xie Huaizheng cupped Su Zhaozhao’s face, gave her a kiss, and then went back to the room to sleep.

Su Zhaozhao could see how utterly exhausted Xie Huaizheng was. After he went to bed, she started thinking about what to make for dinner.

’His missions must be incredibly tough, with nothing good to eat.’

So she decided to stew some chicken soup tonight and make some extra meat dishes.

’Braised pork belly, braised pork ribs, chicken soup, some green vegetables, and a scallion omelet should do it.’

It was a pity they were so far inland, with no access to things like seafood.

The thought made Su Zhaozhao feel a twinge of regret.

Otherwise, she could have had all the fresh shrimp and fish she wanted.

But now, besides the occasional bit of fish, there was nothing.

’It would be great if my space could produce fish, too.’

’Space, oh space, did you hear my wish?’

Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but call out in her mind a few times.

’Logically, the space should have received my request. I hope it works!’

Su Zhaozhao went grocery shopping first, then casually made herself a bowl of noodles to eat.

At one point, Su Zhaozhao peeked into the room at Xie Huaizheng. The man lay on the bed, his breathing steady. She could tell he was truly exhausted.

’It makes sense. During missions in those places, he surely couldn’t eat or sleep well, and he’d have to be on high alert constantly.’

He was a bit thinner than before. Su Zhaozhao sighed and closed the door.

Then, she headed out to the market to buy groceries.

The weather had turned cold, so there were far fewer fresh vegetables and fruits available, mostly just easily-stored things like napa cabbage.

But she had plenty of those vegetables in her space.

The ones at the market looked like they’d been stored in a cellar and weren’t nearly as fresh as what she had in her space.

So, Su Zhaozhao simply found a deserted corner and took out vegetables and meat from her space.

The vegetables were so fresh they looked as if they had just been picked from the garden.

Suddenly, Su Zhaozhao had an idea. ’I could make a lamb stew, too.’

There were a few butchers selling lamb at the market; after all, the region was known for it.

Su Zhaozhao bought a rack of lamb to take home.

After finishing her shopping, Su Zhaozhao ran into Li Lianxin on her way home.

Li Lianxin had specifically brought some cured meat for Su Zhaozhao.

"Zhaozhao, I heard your husband is back. Take this cured meat and stir-fry it. It’s delicious when you flash-fry it with garlic."

"Thanks, sis."

Su Zhaozhao said to Li Lianxin with a smile.

"Don’t mention it, don’t mention it." Li Lianxin waved her hand. "Yanyan has been studying so much harder lately. Honestly, I’m the one who should be thanking you."

Although Li Lianxin had already paid Su Zhaozhao a fee for her help, she felt that the amount was insignificant compared to the incredible feat of getting Zhou Yanyan to turn herself around.

She had originally wanted to give more, but Su Zhaozhao wouldn’t accept it.

Thinking of this, Li Lianxin couldn’t help but sigh.

’Looks like I’ll always be in Su Zhaozhao’s debt!’

If it hadn’t been for Su Zhaozhao’s guidance, Zhou Yanyan would probably still be obsessed with novels and refusing to go to school.

Now, she was actually telling her mother that she had to study hard, get into a good university, and become a truly great writer in the future.

These words had moved Li Lianxin to the brink of tears.

She had originally thought that if Zhou Yanyan continued down that path, she probably wouldn’t even manage to get a high school diploma.

But she never imagined that with Su Zhaozhao’s help, Zhou Yanyan would turn things around.

How could Li Lianxin not be moved?

She was so moved she was about to cry.

’She didn’t just save a child; she saved a whole family.’

Su Zhaozhao didn’t refuse the gift and accepted it.

She knew that she had to accept some things, or else the other person would continue to feel indebted.

Back at home, Su Zhaozhao began preparing the meal.

She started with the chicken soup, which took the longest, then the lamb ribs. The stir-fried dishes would come last.

And for the base of the chicken soup, Su Zhaozhao used the spiritual spring water.

That way, it would be very beneficial for Xie Huaizheng’s body.

It was the same for her; thanks to the nourishment of the spiritual spring water, she felt her own health had improved considerably.

It was the fragrant aroma of food that woke Xie Huaizheng.

He had slept deeply, so deeply that he hadn’t even dreamed.

It was probably because he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in so long. Going several days without sleep was normal during a mission.

On the way back to the city, he had only managed a short nap on the train.

But sleeping on a train, of course, was nothing like sleeping here.

The bed at home was comfortable, the sheets were incredibly soft, and they carried the light, elegant scent of jasmine from Su Zhaozhao.

Xie Huaizheng had fallen asleep the moment he lay down. Now, waking up to the smell of cooking from outside, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

’It smells amazing!’

He rolled out of bed and threw on a heavy coat.

He pushed open the door and went out.

This feeling of being home... it was so comforting.