"What happened? Is it serious?"
Lin Wanwan's worried look made Xie Sui's heart swell with joy. Indeed, women were all hard on the outside and soft on the inside. His wife still cared about him.
Otherwise, why would she be so anxious?
His self-destructive habit flared up again. Leaning weakly against her, he said, "Wife, I'm dizzy. Do you know? I almost didn't get to see you again."
"While fighting the criminals, I kept thinking that I couldn't die. My wife and children are still waiting for me at home. I promised them we would have a good life. I must live."
"It was this belief that supported me and allowed me to defeat the criminals. These injuries are nothing. A man's medals are stained with blood."
"Wife, do you know? You are my spiritual pillar. Without you, my world would collapse."
Huang Tianliang rubbed goosebumps off his arms. It was truly sickening.
But this kid had such eloquent ways of flattering people. He had learned something.
No wonder he could marry such a beautiful wife.
"Brother Xie, I'll be leaving now. There's still something at the station. We'll have a drink later."
Xie Sui waved his hand. "Alright, Brother Huang, take care."
Go, go, don't disturb me and my wife's bonding.
Lin Wanwan's face flushed with embarrassment. There was still someone here. He was shameless, but she wasn't.
She pinched his soft flesh hard on his waist, making him wince in pain. "Wife, are you trying to murder your husband!"
"Sorry, you had to see that."
She smiled at Huang Tianliang, then scolded Xie Sui, "Shut up!"
"Wife, I'm dizzy!"
"Then stay dizzy. What did the doctor say? Is it serious? If not, let's go to the county hospital. The brain is no small matter. If it's damaged, you'll be paralyzed."
Lin Wanwan touched it and felt it wasn't blood. "Why does it smell like disinfectant?"
"It's for disinfection, of course, it's disinfectant. Wife, let's go home. The doctor said it's not serious, just rest more, don't worry. Your man is very capable, capturing the criminal all by himself. Even the police officers can't compare to me..."
Huang Tianliang shook his head, "Keep boasting!"
He touched his stomach. He hadn't eaten much, but he felt a little full. Although it was sickening, he had to admit that the couple had a good relationship. Should he find a wife too?
Seeing that he was not seriously injured, Lin Wanwan sat down under the shade of a tree to rest. She had been looking for him for a long time and was exhausted.
"Wife, wait for me for a moment."
When he returned, he was holding a bottle of soda, which was chilled. Water droplets hung on the glass bottle, making it look refreshing.
"Why are you wasting money like this? It's fifty cents a bottle. Quick, return it. I can just drink some plain water."
Lin Wanwan felt heartbroken. Their children had never even drunk such expensive soda, and she couldn't bear to buy it.
"We'll buy it for the children next time. You've worked hard, wife. This will quench your thirst. The cap is already open, so we can't return it. We can still get a dime back for the bottle. Drink it quickly."
Lin Wanwan had no choice but to take a sip. The sweet and sour, icy taste exploded in her mouth, with tiny bubbles rising. The heat all over her body instantly dissipated.
She had drunk soda before, but this time it tasted exceptionally good.
"You have a sip too."
"Ah, thank you, wife."
Xie Sui, the shameless fellow, directly drank from Lin Wanwan's straw. Lin Wanwan's face turned as red as a sunset cloud. "You, you're not going to get another straw? Or you can drink directly from the bottle. What's the meaning of using mine?"
"Straws cost one cent each. We have to spend wisely."
Lin Wanwan: "..."
They drank a fifty-cent soda, and now they were worried about one cent?
Was he treating her like a three-year-old child?
Lin Wanwan gave him a glare. She drank from the bottle herself, and Xie Sui's plan was foiled.
But he was still happy. There was plenty of time. One day, he would achieve his dream of sharing a straw with his wife.
After finishing the soda, Xie Sui returned the bottle. "Let's go eat."
"Let's eat at home. The children are still being looked after by Tie Zhu."
Lin Wanwan didn't want to go. Eating would cost money again.
"I'm dizzy and have lost a lot of blood. I'm afraid I can't walk home. Wife, please pity me. Let's eat first before we go, okay?"
Lin Wanwan couldn't refuse him. At the state-run restaurant, she ordered two bowls of shredded pork noodles, which was her limit.
Xie Sui wanted braised pork and rice, but Lin Wanwan cruelly refused. He had just earned some money and was already getting carried away, thinking this town was too small for him.
Shredded pork noodles it is. Xie Sui picked out the shredded pork for her and ate his noodles heartily.
Lin Wanwan wanted to return the pork, but Xie Sui covered it, preventing her. "If you try to give me the pork, I'll order braised pork."
Lin Wanwan finally started eating. This feeling of being cared for and looked after was truly wonderful.
"You two have such a good relationship. Are you newly married?"
It was after lunchtime, so there weren't many people in the restaurant. The waitress was eating sunflower seeds and looked at them with envy.
"Exactly. My wife is shy. Sister, don't laugh at her."
Lin Wanwan was speechless. Where did the two children come from? They were already an old couple, why were they pretending to be young?
"Don't listen to his nonsense. The more he talks, the more energetic he gets. It's not true; the children are already five years old."
"That's even more impressive. After so many years of marriage, he's still so good to you. That's even more enviable."
Women never tired of discussing this topic. The waitress was not married yet and envied couples with good relationships the most, filling her with aspirations for her own marriage.
The two bowls of noodles cost one yuan and sixty cents. Xie Sui paid the bill, and they were finally going home.
Lin Wanwan was worried about the children, while Xie Sui walked slowly. It was rare to have peace without the two little hindrances. He wanted to enjoy the rare time alone with his wife for as long as possible.
Using his injury as an excuse, he was being incredibly dramatic, constantly pushing Lin Wanwan's limits.
"Oh my, Xie Sui, why are you injured? Did you get into a fight?"
As they entered the village, the villagers they met were all surprised. Xie Sui was usually involved in petty theft and brawls, but this was the first time he was so badly injured.
"Uncle Zhang, I wasn't fighting. I was acting heroically. I'm telling you, I encountered human traffickers in town today. Fortunately, I was brave and invincible, and I rescued so many children. This injury is a symbol of a hero."
Lin Wanwan couldn't listen anymore. She said, "Uncle, don't listen to his boasting. It was the public security comrades who caught the criminals. He just happened to be there and helped a little. It's not as exaggerated as he says."
"I knew it, you wouldn't have that ability. By the way, are you still collecting peaches? My father-in-law has a tree. Shall I pick them for you?"
"Yes, we'll take as many as you have. Just send them over."
Xie Sui boasted about his heroic deeds to everyone he met. Lin Wanwan didn't want to be embarrassed with him and went home first to check on the children.
"Wanwan, you're back. Where's Xiao Sui? Is he alright?"
Aunt Wang had cooked egg noodles for the children, who were eating them with gusto. Lin Wanwan said sarcastically, "He's fine. He has the energy to boast to others. Nothing will happen to him."