The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

Xu Xiufang, this delicate and considerate wife, always seemed to anticipate his needs.

Before Xie Yi returned home, she had already made the house warm and comfortable. The kettle on the stove was bubbling with steam. It was the bath water prepared for him to relieve the fatigue of the journey.

The dinner was simple but nutritious, with dishes carefully prepared by her, and every bite tasted like home.

After Xie Yi finished bathing and changing his clothes, he walked into the bedroom, only to see Xu Xiufang already lying on the kang covered with a hand-woven mat with a gentle smile on her face. Xiaoyun, their lovely child, was curled up in her little bed decorated with cartoon patterns, breathing evenly, and had obviously fallen into a sweet dream.

The summer heat makes Xiaoyun choose to enjoy her little bed alone, instead of snuggling up to her parents for warmth like in winter, enjoying her own little world.

Xu Xiufang was lying on her side, holding a half-opened book in her hand. The cover shone softly under the dim light.

Sensing Xie Yi's presence, she gently moved her body to make room for him, her eyes full of tender invitation.

Xie Yi lay down as he was told and took Xu Xiufang into his arms, feeling each other's warmth. An indescribable peace instantly enveloped him.

Xu Xiufang took out a steam eye mask from her small handbag and gently covered his eyes with it, as if casting a spell to help him sleep. Then, her lips gently touched his brow, leaving a warm whisper: "Sleep peacefully!"

Xie Yi's voice was unclear due to fatigue, but that "hmm" was full of trust and gratitude.

As his eyelids grew heavy, he was soon swallowed up by a deep sleep. All his fatigue seemed to be dissolved by this simple hug and gentle words.

The afternoon sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting patches of light into the courtyard. Sanbao had already set out for school, carrying his schoolbag and full of thirst for knowledge.

Xu Xiufang and Xiaoyun were playing with the loyal dog named Xiaole in the yard, creating a harmonious and beautiful picture.

This small courtyard was once deserted, but under Xu Xiufang's skillful hands and after several years of careful care, it has now become a paradise full of vitality and love.

Under the big tree in the southeast corner, the swing sways gently, as if telling the laughter of childhood.

The stone table and stone benches were built by Xie Yi himself according to Xu Xiufang's design. They are not only a good place to cool off in the summer, but also a cozy corner for family members to share reading time.

Occasionally, a hint of the sweetness of watermelon wafts through the pages of the book spread out on the stone table. It is the fruit grown in their own fields, carefully cut into pieces, and stuck on bamboo sticks, waiting for the family to taste it.

Xu Xiufang sat on a soft cushion, sometimes immersed in the pages of a book, and sometimes looking up at Xiaoyun who was playing with Xiaole, her eyes full of the radiance of maternal love.

A breeze blew by, gently lifting the hair beside her ears, revealing her gentle and beautiful profile, as beautiful as an exquisite painting.

Xie Yi stood at the door, looking at all this, with an indescribable emotion surging in his heart.

She, a woman who understands and loves life, seems to not belong to this ordinary world, but an elf who has strayed into the mortal world.

"Brother Yi?"

Xu Xiufang noticed her husband standing in a daze at the door, and with a gentle smile on her face, she waved and said, "Are you confused in your sleep and can't find your way home?"

"Nope."

Xie Yi responded with a smile and walked towards her briskly.

"Then you have to say something to prove you are sober!"

Xu Xiufang asked playfully, with a teasing gleam in her eyes.

"I am your support!"

Xie Yi's answer was firm and affectionate.

Xu Xiufang didn't know how to respond for a moment, so she slapped his arm in pretending to be angry and said coquettishly, "You are the only one who talks nonsense!"

Xie Yi smiled and sat down next to her, his head naturally resting on her shoulder, and called out indistinctly: "Wife!"

Xu Xiufang handed him a piece of watermelon. He opened his mouth to take it. The sweetness seemed to penetrate directly into his heart.

"Is it sweet?"

Xu Xiufang asked with concern.

"Sweet, very sweet."

Xie Yi answered with satisfaction that this sweetness is not only the taste of watermelon, but also the taste of home.

"How can something grown from seeds in space not be sweet?"

Xu Xiufang also tasted a piece and recalled the days when these watermelons were planted. The joy of Dongling and the happiness shared among neighbors still make her feel warm.

"Tell me, what's on your mind?"

While eating watermelon, Xu Xiufang glanced at Xie Yi beside her, her eyes full of understanding and encouragement.

Xie Yi raised his head and his eyes met his wife's. "Did you figure it out?"

"I am your wife, how can I not understand your thoughts?"

Xu Xiufang imitated his tone, with a hint of playfulness in her words.

Xie Yi chuckled, then said seriously: "It is indeed something."

"Well, tell me about it?"

Xu Xiufang adjusted her sitting position and prepared to listen face to face.

"Recently, many teachers have started to return to the city," Xie Yi locked his eyes with his wife, "Have you ever thought about whether we should go back too?"

This question is actually his deep inner struggle.

Xu Xiufang glanced at Xie Yi, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and then she deliberately pretended to be lost, "How can I not miss you, but haven't we already settled down here? I can't go back, and I don't want to go back."

Xie Yi did not answer immediately, but suddenly stretched out his hand, wanting to hug her tightly, as if this could isolate all the uncertainties and worries.

"What are you doing?"

Xu Xiufang was startled and instinctively wanted to break free, with shyness and nervousness on her face, "It's broad daylight, Xiaoyun is watching us, don't make trouble!"

Xie Yi was amused by her reaction, and his laughter was a little doting, "I just want to hug you!"

"It's broad daylight," Xu Xiufang said, pretending to be serious, "I'm so embarrassed!"

"I don't care!"

Xie Yi childishly said, "Anyway, there is no one else here except us."

"No one else, Xiaoyun is still here!"

Xu Xiufang reminded him, her tone containing both blame and doting. The two smiled at each other, and the air was filled with warmth and happiness.

Xiaoyun is still young and has no idea about the complicated world of adults. Her clear eyes are full of curiosity and exploration about the surroundings.

Xie Yi took the initiative to pick her up gently and placed her on his broad thighs, his movements filled with unquestionable tenderness and determination.

"cold?"

When Xiaoyun heard her own name, she seemed to be pulled back from her distant thoughts. She raised her head in confusion, her round eyes moving back and forth between her father and mother, and finally fixed on Xie Yi's face. Her childish voice was filled with inquiry, "Dad?"

"It's okay, baby, just keep playing."

Xie Yi's words were full of doting, as if nothing could disturb Xiaoyun's happy time.

"Oh."

When Xiaoyun heard this, her little head tilted, and then she immersed herself in the toy in her hand, her carefree laughter jumping in the air.