A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 45

“Niuniu, stop playing now. Let’s wash our faces, brush our teeth, and go to bed…” Shen Sisi had already prepared the iron basin and towels, pouring out the hot water.

The little one was busy building blocks; hearing her mother, she let out a few whimpering sounds, stubbornly refusing to budge from her spot.

Hearing them getting ready to wash up, Xu Hongying suddenly cracked her door open a sliver, peeking out with one eye.

Shen Sisi noticed this but acted as if she hadn’t. Once she finally managed to get Niuniu into the bathroom, she heard faint footsteps moving from Xu Hongying’s room toward her own bedroom next door.

What is Xu Hongying doing sneaking into my room?

Shen Sisi quickly finished washing Niuniu and crept out quietly. Just as she reached the doorway, she saw the wardrobe doors flung wide. Xu Hongying was halfway buried inside, rummaging through something.

“Auntie, what are you doing?” Shen Sisi’s sudden voice nearly scared the soul out of the older woman.

Xu Hongying jerked violently as if struck by lightning. Clutching her chest, she barked, “Are you a ghost? Walking without making a sound!”

Shen Sisi wasn’t angry; instead, she leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, watching the show. “I called you several times, but you were just too focused on your search… It’s late; what exactly are you looking for in my room?”

“I’m looking for a blanket, alright?” Xu Hongying shouted, her voice loud to mask her lack of a valid excuse.

Shen Sisi pointed to the large, conspicuous “Dragon and Phoenix” wedding quilt right in front of her. “Are you sure… you were looking for a blanket?”

Xu Hongying’s face turned several shades of red and purple, a clear sign she was lying. “Of course I saw it! I don’t need your reminders!”

She reached out, grabbed the brand-new wedding quilt, and glared at Shen Sisi as she brushed past, blaming her for ruining her plan.

Once she was gone, Shen Sisi immediately pulled out the iron box from the corner of the wardrobe. The gold jewelry, the passbook, the cash, and the ration coupons—everything was still there.

What on earth was she looking for?

Shen Sisi found it strange. Her intuition told her this had something to do with Yang Qiuxia. Could it be… she was looking for that apology letter?

At the thought of the letter, Shen Sisi glanced back at the poster calendar hanging on the wall. The apology letter was taped right behind the calendar. As she pondered, she leaned down and lifted Niuniu onto the bed. Niuniu had played herself out today; she was already yawning incessantly. Before the story could even reach its end, her long, curled lashes fluttered and slowly closed.

Shen Sisi leaned down to kiss Niuniu’s sleeping face and pulled the quilt up.

Just then, the door opened. Gu Chengfeng entered, carrying the chill of the night with him.

A small lamp was left on in the room, and the stove was still simmering. His enamel cup sat nearby, with steam rising from the hot water inside. His footsteps paused as the frost on his shoulders melted into the warmth of the room.

So, this is what home feels like.

“You’re back,” Shen Sisi said, huddling into her coat against the cold.

Seeing this, Gu Chengfeng shed his military overcoat. A second later, the warm garment was draped over Shen Sisi’s shoulders. “Why are you up? Go back to bed quickly before you catch a cold.”

Wrapped in his lingering body heat, Shen Sisi didn’t feel quite so cold anymore. “I’m fine, I have a strong constitution. You, on the other hand, should drink this hot water quickly to warm up…”

Gu Chengfeng, having just walked back, was actually breaking a sweat. He frowned at the steaming cup, but seeing the earnest look in Shen Sisi’s eyes, he braced himself and drank it down. Now, he felt even hotter.

“Is everything finished?” Shen Sisi asked with concern.

“Mmh, all done.”

“There’s hot water on the stove. Don’t go washing with cold water all the time,” she nagged gently. “Wash up and get some rest early; you have to be up early tomorrow.”

Gu Chengfeng didn’t rush to wash up. He stood straight, his voice heavy. “I’m sorry. I let you suffer today.”

“What suffering is this?” Shen Sisi gave a bitter smile. “I built up a thick skin long ago. You’re the one caught in the middle; it must be difficult for you.”

Gu Chengfeng’s eyelids flickered. If she didn’t consider this “suffering,” what kind of miserable life had she lived before? As for himself… he had long since grown used to his mother. “I’ve arranged everything. She’ll be heading back soon.”

“When I’m not home, take Niuniu out to play. Go shopping, see a movie, or have tea at a teahouse… Just don’t stay in the house with her.”

Shen Sisi saw all his worry and protection. “You can hide for a while, but not forever. I can tell the old lady is determined to stay. She’s your mother; if you just drive her away, people will criticize you behind your back…”

“Don’t worry, I can handle it.”

Gu Chengfeng knew she was stubborn, and since she had spoken up, she likely already had a plan.

“Alright then. Just… don’t let yourself be bullied.” Gu Chengfeng estimated that in a few days, the “helper” he had sent for would arrive in Jiangcheng. By then, his mother would probably be buying a standing-room-only train ticket back to Kyoto overnight.

Having finished the conversation, Shen Sisi felt a wave of drowsiness and let out a long yawn. “Gu Chengfeng, get some rest after you wash up…”

As soon as she said it, she snapped wide awake.

There were only two rooms. Xu Hongying had taken Gu Chengfeng’s room—so where was he supposed to sleep?

Gu Chengfeng clearly realized this at the same time. Seeing Shen Sisi’s troubled and hesitant expression, his lips thinned into a pained line. “I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight.”

He strode into the room with his long legs, but the moment he opened the wardrobe, he froze. The Dragon and Phoenix quilt… was gone!

Shen Sisi’s face flushed. Xu Hongying had just taken the blanket. By now, the old lady had already turned off the lights and laid down.

The two of them stood side-by-side in front of the wardrobe, completely stumped. The room fell silent.

“How about… you head back to the barracks?”

Gu Chengfeng’s face was solemn, his eyes dark. “Lights-out has already passed.”

“Oh… I see.”

Outside the window, the north wind howled, rattling the glass. It looked like it might snow. In this weather, sleeping on the sofa without a blanket for a night would surely lead to illness.

Shen Sisi bit her lower lip, struggling with the thought. “How about… we just make do here for one night? Niuniu and I will sleep at one end, and you sleep at the other.”

Truthfully, she felt extremely awkward. In all her years, other than sleeping with her parents as a child, she had never shared a bed with a man. She wasn’t worried about Gu Chengfeng doing anything to her; it was just pure embarrassment.

A faint, fleeting curve touched the corner of Gu Chengfeng’s mouth. Not giving Shen Sisi a chance to take it back, he grabbed a pillow and placed it at the foot of the bed on the outer side. “You go to sleep first. I’ll be there soon.”

Those words… almost sounded like he was looking forward to it?

His good mood was nearly impossible to hide as he lightheartedly grabbed his towel and soap to go bathe.

Shen Sisi had no idea what was going on in his head. Her heart was hammering like a drum as she dove under the covers, her body as stiff as a board.

When Gu Chengfeng returned, he carried the faint, clean scent of soap. On the bed, Shen Sisi had her back to him, pressing close to Niuniu and leaning as far toward the wall as possible, leaving plenty of space for him.

The thick quilt rose in a winding curve over her body. Suddenly, he remembered that night—the sight of her with bare legs in a shirt, drying her hair.

His tan face flushed slightly, the heat reaching all the way to the tips of his ears.