The two got out of the car and saw Xie Sui waiting outside. They were both surprised and delighted. "How come you're here? Perfect, help us with the packages!"
Xie Sui first held Lin Wanwan, not caring about the onlookers. This era was still very conservative, unlike later generations where public displays of affection were commonplace and no one batted an eye.
"Wife, I've missed you so much. I regret it, I'll never let you go on business trips again."
Lin Wanwan blushed, "Let go, it's embarrassing."
Xie Sui said loudly, "I'm hugging my wife, it's not illegal, nor immoral. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"You can hug her as much as you want in your room. This is scandalous, what does it look like!"
An old man with a stern face reprimanded them. He was dressed like a cadre. Xie Sui wanted to speak but was pulled away by Lin Wanwan, who didn't want to be embarrassed with him.
Xie Sui carried the packages, feeling like his life was worse than death. "Second sister, you're truly my sister. You truly love me. Is it worth saving a few hundred yuan? Wouldn't it be better to just be a beautiful little fairy? Why do you have to bring so many clothes back? You're killing me!"
Xie Min said, "I'm a little fairy now too, brother. My love is this heavy, can't you feel it?"
As soon as Xie Sui walked out of the train station, he hired porters for five yuan to carry the luggage home, so he wouldn't have to suffer.
Finally, they arrived home. This was the first time they had visited this rented house. The housekeeper, Aunt Chen, and Aunt Li had already prepared the bathwater, and the meal was almost ready. They were very enthusiastic towards the two mistresses, hoping to make a good impression.
A man's time at home was limited; it was more important to build a good relationship with the mistresses.
It was the first time the two of them had been so served, and they were a bit unaccustomed to it. They were truly being spoon-fed, which in the past, only wealthy landowners could enjoy.
Xie Sui was very satisfied with their care and introduced them, "Aunt Chen is skilled at cooking, and Aunt Li is responsible for picking up and dropping off the children, washing clothes, and doing chores. She takes good care of all four children."
"Thank you."
Lin Wanwan thanked them. Aunt Chen, seeing her polite, beautiful, and delicate demeanor, praised her endlessly, making Lin Wanwan quite shy.
Xie Min knew how to behave. She took out two pairs of jeans to give to them, "Give these to the children at home. They're the most fashionable clothes in the city, and they'll surely look stylish."
"Oh, you shouldn't have."
"It's nothing, just a small token of my appreciation. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
The two accepted them. These kinds of pants would sell for eight yuan at the supply and marketing cooperative. The mistresses were also very friendly and worked with all their might.
Lin Wanwan missed the children and went with Xie Sui to pick them up from kindergarten. They walked hand-in-hand down the street, talking endlessly, like a young couple in love, not at all like parents of two children.
"What are you two doing holding hands? Are you trying to be hooligans!"
A security team member with a red armband yelled at them. These were temporary staff from the police station, experts at making a mountain out of a molehill. In the past, they mainly apprehended speculators; now that the country was opening up for business and legal trade, they acted like urban management officers.
Xie Sui was in a good mood and didn't bother with them. He said, "We're married, we have two children. We're not hooligans."
The man with the red armband looked at them carefully. Xie Sui smiled, showing no guilt. Lin Wanwan was also calm. Xie Sui liked holding hands, hugging, and kissing, and she was used to it.
"They really are a couple. We're going to pick up the children."
Lin Wanwan added. The man with the red armband snorted, "Mind your image. Just because you're married doesn't mean you can be all over each other! Go on, don't do this again next time."
"Yes, we understand."
Xie Sui grabbed Lin Wanwan's hand and ran. This was a case of outwardly obeying but inwardly defying. The man with the red armband was so angry he wanted to chase them, wondering if they had a marriage certificate or if they were lying to him.
Lin Wanwan ran, bewildered. Why were they running?
But it was thrilling, her heart pounding, making her feel dizzy. Seeing Xie Sui's flamboyant and brilliant smile, she felt like she was sixteen again.
The feeling of first love, the scent of youth, Lin Wanwan's cheeks turned redder. This man truly surprised her every time!
"Tired? I'll buy you some soda to drink, wait a moment."
Xie Sui was already running to buy soda, orange-flavored, with not too many additives, and it tasted quite good.
Xie Sui also drank a bottle himself, immersing himself in this era.
The two of them walked to the school gate, drinking soda. Doudou and Dingding had just come out. Seeing their hands, they asked, "Daddy, Mommy, don't we have any soda?"
Xie Sui: "..."
Lin Wanwan: "..."