Fu Mu wanted to open a restaurant, and Fu Wenwen and Lu Chengsen, without a second thought, started planning for her. Fresh vegetables were readily available from their own supply, and transportation was not an issue. Then came the various types of meat.
Fu Jing watched Fu Wenwen begin her calculations and pursed his lips.
He had originally only intended to open a small eatery.
"With your calculations, how are your mother and I supposed to manage? I was thinking of working alongside your mother..."
Fu Jing looked at Fu Wenwen, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Fu Wenwen and Lu Chengsen paused, while Fu Mu chuckled softly.
"Your father understands me best."
Fu Jing's eyes lit up. With his wife's support, his confidence grew.
"It doesn't need to be so complicated. Your father has already found a location, right across from the train station. Your mother can make noodles and dumplings. Quick dishes, so people rushing for trains can even sneak away if they can't finish."
Fu Jing spoke his plan with gusto. Fu Wenwen watched him, then glanced at Fu Mu.
Every sentence Fu Jing spoke was met with a nod from Fu Mu.
It was true what they say about decades of marriage; they understood each other's needs perfectly.
Fu Jing knew exactly the kind of restaurant Fu Mu envisioned, and his words captivated her, making her eager to get started immediately.
Finally, Fu Jing took the excited and happy Fu Mu home.
Late at night, Fu Wenwen lay beside Lu Chengsen, still reflecting on the matter with emotion.
"After all, they've been married for decades! My father perfectly captured what my mother wanted. Even what we said, all our suggestions, couldn't compare to a few words from Dad that truly touched Mom's heart."
"No matter how much we planned for Mom, it wasn't the kind of effect she desired."
Lu Chengsen held Fu Wenwen, kissed her forehead, and played with her silky hair, which wound around his fingers.
"The relationship between your parents can truly be described as enduring hardship together, a simple and happy life," Lu Chengsen said with a smile.
The atmosphere in Fu Wenwen's home was unlike anything he had witnessed before—the most ordinary, harmonious, and relaxed. There were no arguments, no cold wars. Even Fu Wenxuan and Fu Wenwen had grown up in happiness.
"Mmm," Fu Wenwen agreed wholeheartedly. The love between Fu Jing and Fu Mu was the kind of love she yearned for.
"We will have that too," Lu Chengsen promised.
"I'll be watching your performance!" Fu Wenwen teased.
The couple now possessed considerable wealth. While they had never struggled financially, their relationship would not change simply because they became richer.
On the contrary, when Lu Chengsen was busy, he never forgot Fu Wenwen.
He would find time to express his longing for her whenever he could.
One day, Fu Wenwen received a call from Honghe Village, asking her to return. Zhu Wende had requested her presence.
Lu Ze'an had gone to school, and Lu Chengsen was also out on business, leaving only Lu Xiyue and Fu Wenwen at home. After some thought, Fu Wenwen decided to drive back to Honghe Village with Lu Xiyue.
Honghe Village had changed drastically. The once narrow village road was now wide and smooth, paved with cement all the way to the village.
As Fu Wenwen drove into the village, she was met with enthusiastic greetings from the villagers.
"Fu Zhiqing, you're back."
Hearing the familiar address, after so many years, still carried the same sentiment.
Fu Wenwen did not correct them. For years, she had let them continue calling her that.
Fu Wenwen smiled and replied, "Aunties, I'm back with Yueyue."
"Oh my! My precious darling is back?" Zhang Cuihua's distinct loud voice boomed. Fu Wenwen smiled as she got out of the car with Lu Xiyue.
Lu Xiyue looked at Zhang Cuihua and gave a sweet smile. "Auntie Cuihua, Yueyue missed you so much."
"Oh, such a sweet talker! Auntie Cuihua's heart is melting." Zhang Cuihua happily picked up Lu Xiyue.
"Hehe~" Lu Xiyue giggled.
"Why the urgent call for me to come back? Is something the matter?" Fu Wenwen asked Zhang Cuihua curiously. Zhang Cuihua led Fu Wenwen to Zhu Wende's house.
"Village Chief, Wenwen is back," Zhang Cuihua called out towards the house.
"My girl is back? Come in!" Zhu Wende's voice came from inside. Fu Wenwen glanced at Zhang Cuihua, who seemed unsure how to explain, suggesting Fu Wenwen go in and see for herself.
"Yueyue, Auntie Cuihua will take you to play in the village?" Zhang Cuihua picked up Lu Xiyue. Lu Xiyue looked at Fu Wenwen.
Fu Wenwen nodded gently, and only then did Lu Xiyue agree.
"Okay."
Lu Xiyue's obedient demeanor made Zhang Cuihua wish she could have another daughter.
Thinking of her own daughter, after having a son, her daughter had been neglected. Even with her favoritism, her daughter couldn't return to the way she was when she was younger and relied on her.
She knew her daughter felt her attention had been stolen by her son. After the son was born, Zhang Cuihua had indeed focused more on her youngest, as a newborn naturally required more attention.
Every time her daughter visited, Zhang Cuihua was busy with her son, and her daughter changed, no longer seeking her out for help.
By the time Zhang Cuihua realized it, her daughter was no longer close to her.
Taking Lu Xiyue home, her son was about the same age as Lu Xiyue, only two or three months older.
Seeing Lu Xiyue in Zhang Cuihua's arms, her son immediately rushed over, intending to hit Lu Xiyue.
"Hit you."
"Hey!" Zhang Cuihua was startled. She had never seen her son act this way.
"Liu Zhi! What are you doing!" Zhang Cuihua scolded sternly.
"This is my mommy!" Her son hugged Zhang Cuihua's leg, demanding she put Lu Xiyue down.
"I'm not taking your mommy," Lu Xiyue said, looking at Liu Zhi and snorting lightly.
"No?" Liu Zhi looked at Lu Xiyue, and his aggressive demeanor immediately vanished.
He reverted to the well-behaved son Zhang Cuihua was accustomed to.
"Why were you acting like that just now?" Lu Xiyue stepped forward, grabbing Liu Zhi, her little face serious as she asked.
"Grandma said, Sister is an outsider, and told me not to let her get close to Mommy. She's going to get married, and her dowry will be used to buy me a bigger house!" Liu Zhi said naively, repeating what the adults had told him.
Zhang Cuihua's face instantly darkened.
"Liu Qiang!" Zhang Cuihua stormed into the room and began beating Liu Qiang, who was lying in bed.
"Wife, what's wrong!" Liu Qiang woke up to the blows. Seeing it was Zhang Cuihua, he quickly withdrew his hands.
"You are absolutely not to let your aunt come to our house again! I was wondering why my daughter has been ignoring me lately. It turns out your aunt has been poisoning my son's mind against my daughter, telling him not to let her near me, and saying that when my daughter gets married, her dowry will be used to buy a bigger house for my son! Your son just told me himself!"
Zhang Cuihua was furious. She pinched Liu Qiang mercilessly.
Liu Qiang yelped in pain, but upon hearing Zhang Cuihua's words, he immediately became emboldened.
"Wife, don't be angry. I'll go to my aunt's house right now!" Liu Qiang was also angry. Although he wanted a son, he loved his daughter dearly and had never considered using his daughter's dowry for his son's benefit in such a way.
"Hurry up and go!" Zhang Cuihua said angrily.
Liu Qiang quickly put on his clothes and ran out...