Volume 1, Chapter 27: Heartwarming Daily Life

Xu Mi spent the day at home alone, save for Auntie Zhou, who came by to prepare breakfast and lunch. Although her health had improved significantly and she could manage to walk a short distance, she found herself bored and began counting down the minutes until Lin Chen would return from work.

His company did not require overtime, and the commute—from clocking out to taking the subway—usually took about forty minutes. When an hour had passed and he still wasn't home, she couldn't help but call him.

When Lin Chen answered, he felt like he was floating on air. After a long day at the office, the feeling of someone waiting for him at home was wonderful. Better yet, the person waiting was his sweet, fragrant, and precious wife. He felt truly blessed.

"Wife, I'm on my way," Lin Chen said, his voice softening. "I'm only three stops away. Be a good girl and wait for me! I bought a cake!" He added, "After we have dinner, how about we eat the cake and watch a movie?"

Around him, several people shot him looks of envy and jealousy. What is it that the weary, overworked souls of the city look forward to most? Isn't it just a light left on at home and someone waiting there for them? Flaunting his happiness on the subway like that was simply infuriating!

Lin Chen, however, didn't notice a thing. He continued, "I could have been home sooner, but it's rush hour. The subway was so crowded that I had to wait for four trains before I could squeeze in."

Xu Mi paused, her brow furrowing. How could she have overlooked that? If only they had rented a place closer to his office! But then again, she risked being recognized by his colleagues, which would be another kind of trouble.

"Wife, there are too many people on the subway, so I’ll stop talking now. We'll talk when I get home!"

"Oh, okay. I'll be waiting for you."

After hanging up, Xu Mi pondered for a moment before picking up her phone to call Li Xiulan.

Soon, Lin Chen arrived at the apartment complex. He instinctively looked up to search for their home. Seeing the warm light glowing from the window, he couldn't help but smile and quicken his pace.

"Wife, I'm home!"

As soon as Lin Chen opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of steaming food and Xu Mi, who was lounging at the table playing on her phone.

Hearing his voice, she looked up, her pretty face full of pleasant surprise. "You're back? Auntie Zhou just left. Everything is ready—go wash your hands and let's eat!"

Earlier that day, she had asked Auntie Zhou to help her bathe. Now, wearing pink cotton pajamas, her hair loose, and her skin glowing, she looked particularly petite and endearing as she sat in her wheelchair. Lin Chen’s heart melted. He couldn't help but say, "Wife, you are so beautiful!"

Xu Mi’s face turned pink, and she shot him a playful look. "What are you saying!"

That single look was enough to make Lin Chen’s heart race; he nearly pounced on her like a starving wolf. Fortunately, reason prevailed. He took a deep breath and hurried toward the kitchen, flustered, saying, "I... I'm going to wash my hands!"

Xu Mi watched his back and smiled to herself. He was such a goofball!

After dinner, Lin Chen cleaned the dishes. Seeing it was still early, he suggested they take a walk in the park. Xu Mi hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed. Then, looking down at her pajamas, she felt a bit troubled. "But I'm wearing pajamas..."

"You look beautiful in pajamas, too!" The words escaped Lin Chen before he realized his mistake. He quickly corrected himself: "If you don't want to go out in them, just change! Tell me what you want to wear, and I'll find it for you."

Xu Mi tilted her head, thinking. "Why don't you pick out an outfit for me?"

After Ye Yun had rented the place for her, she had intended to buy some clothes, but time was tight, so she had only brought a few simple garments and necessities from home. Currently, they barely filled half the closet.

When Lin Chen opened the cabinet, he frowned. "Wife, you have so few clothes!" He figured that after such a long time in the hospital, she must have spent all her money, and since she had lost so much weight, her old clothes no longer fit. He was glad he hadn't accepted the 900,000 yuan from Li Xiulan. It seemed he would have to work even harder to earn money.

Xu Mi shook her head. "I've never really cared much about clothes. As long as I have something to wear, it's enough."

"That won't do. What girl doesn't like buying pretty clothes?" Lin Chen said as he sifted through the hangers. "Just wait. Once I get my paycheck, I'll take you shopping. My wife deserves to be dressed beautifully!"

After much deliberation, he finally selected a T-shirt and a skirt. "Wife, will you be okay changing on your own?" He asked, full of worry. He was afraid that because she was so frail, she might faint while dressing.

Xu Mi was caught between laughter and tears. "I'm not a patient in a vegetative state, and I'm not as weak as you think!"

"But you tripped yesterday when you walked those few steps!"

"That was just because I accidentally bumped into a chair!"

"I know, I know. Go change, and I'll clean up the living room!"

By the time Xu Mi came out, the living room had been completely transformed. The table had been moved against the wall, and all the chairs had been tucked away. The room, which had seemed a bit cluttered since they moved in, was now incredibly tidy.

"What are you doing?"

"This way, you won't trip anymore!" Lin Chen said, beaming with pride.

Xu Mi burst into laughter, feeling a wave of sweetness wash over her. "Alright, let's go to the park!"

...

Jinshazhou was right by the river, and the Riverside Park was only a five-minute walk from their complex. It was just past eight in the evening, and the area was bustling with people jogging, kicking shuttlecocks, and dancing in the square.

Lin Chen pushed the wheelchair slowly. Before she was hospitalized, Xu Mi had always been incredibly busy. Her days were spent entirely between the office and home. Even on the rare occasion she visited a temple to burn incense, she was always in such a rush that she could never find a moment of peace.

A walk like this, after dinner, was a first in her life. Before now, it felt as though her time had never truly belonged to her.

Now, sitting in the wheelchair, feeling the evening breeze and listening to the laughter around her, she felt as if time had slowed down. Her heart, too, had finally settled. This sense of peace and tranquility was something she had never experienced before.

Is this what a normal life feels like?

Xu Mi watched an elderly couple passing by. Their hair was white; the grandmother was walking with a limp, her back hunched. Yet, instead of showing impatience, the grandfather slowed his pace to match hers, walking step by step by her side. They shared a laugh, though she didn't know what it was about.

A sense of longing stirred in Xu Mi’s heart. Would she and Lin Chen be like them when they grew old?

"Wife, would you like a candied hawthorn stick?"

Lin Chen’s voice pulled her back to reality. Xu Mi looked up and saw a man carrying a rack of candied hawthorns nearby. She couldn't remember ever eating such a street snack. When she was a child, her family couldn't afford it, and when she grew up, she was always too busy and thought such things were childish.

But in this moment, she suddenly wanted to know what they tasted like.

"I want one!"