Chapter 13: The Egg

Fu Wei followed Lin Xuexia upstairs and entered the room. The living room had already been tidied up; the space, only a few square meters, was bare and empty, lacking even a table—only a simple bench remained.

Earlier, while Lin Xuexia was busy in the kitchen, Fu Wei quietly peeked into her bedroom. There was no bed, not even a mattress—just a wooden plank covered with a straw mat. However, the woolen blanket and quilt on top were neatly folded.

He felt a pang of discomfort in his heart.

Fu Wei was accustomed to simplicity himself; he had few possessions in the army, and after leaving, he didn’t deprive himself—his furniture was complete. It was only when he planned to sell his house that he emptied the rooms.

Yet here was Lin Xuexia, a woman he considered delicate and with whom he had shared intimate moments, sleeping in such a humble place. The thought made his chest tight.

At this moment, Fu Wei’s desire to earn money surged more fiercely than ever before. He didn’t want his woman to suffer; he wanted her to live well.

He began to regret buying the new suit and the new bicycle, and postponed plans to purchase a motorcycle.

Currently, money was tight, and he didn’t have much to spare, but he wanted to buy something for Lin Xuexia.

Lin Xuexia washed her hands in the kitchen and boiled water. She realized the home was too bare—after all, they had just moved in a day ago, with no belongings or items to entertain guests.

She took out two ceramic bowls and scooped a spoonful of white sugar. At this time, sugar was a precious commodity—salt cost one-tenth of a yuan per jin, but sugar was twelve times that. Sweetened water was indeed a luxury.

Lin Xuexia stirred with chopsticks until the sugar dissolved. She carried two boiled eggs in her pocket and brought out two cups of warm sugar water.

“Sit here,” Lin Xuexia smiled. “This bench was brought over from Aunt Chunyan’s place.” She had eaten clam noodles before and was feeling a bit hungry now.

Fu Wei nodded.

They sat on the bench, close but not too close, with the two cups of sugar water between them. Lin Xuexia handed him one of the still-warm boiled eggs.

Fu Wei held the small, deep brown, oval-shaped country egg in his hand. The shell seemed to carry the warmth of her palm. He didn’t dare eat it.

This was the first thing Lin Xuexia had ever willingly given him.

Lin Xuexia, without hesitation, tapped the egg against the bench, crushed the shell with her hand, peeled it open casually, revealing a smooth, pure white egg inside. She bit into it, the yolk a deep orange-red.

Eating only the egg was a bit dry, so she drank the sugar water as she finished the small country egg, then sipped the warm drink slowly.

“Xuexia,” Fu Wei called her name, the egg still clutched in his palm.

Lin Xuexia responded with a puzzled “Hmm?”

She was at a loss about what to say to Fu Wei now. Previously, he was always the one to initiate their interactions; she couldn’t escape even if she tried, then she stopped trying, and eventually got used to it.

Now, she no longer resisted, and Fu Wei had become a civilized man.

Looking into her especially beautiful apricot-shaped eyes, Fu Wei was moved and sincerely promised, “When you marry me, I’ll treat you well. You won’t have to work so hard anymore.”

“I’ll work hard to earn money for you, to give you a good life.”

Fu Wei looked straight at her, his gaze deep and serious.

Lin Xuexia felt warmth rise to her cheeks. Being looked at like this and hearing such words was undeniably pleasing, but it wouldn’t change her resolve.

“Fu Wei, I need to be clear with you first,” Lin Xuexia said, setting down her cup of sugar water. “I will earn money on my own. I like the feeling of making my own living. I will work hard to support myself, and I am confident I can live well.”

“Right now, I’m selling snacks on the street, and I plan to open a shop later. In this matter, I hope you won’t interfere. If you don’t agree, then I won’t marry you.”

Fu Wei agreed: “Okay, I promise you.”

“You have your career; I have mine,” Lin Xuexia smiled. “Today I earned over forty yuan—a good start. Don’t underestimate me. Later, I can also earn money to support you.”

“Just like when you had debts before—once we’re married, the money I earn can help you pay them off!” Lin Xuexia looked at him confidently. She had grown younger, healthier, full of energy, and with a foresight ten years longer than most. She believed she could run her business successfully.

Fu Wei was stunned. He blinked and chuckled, “You’ll help me pay off my debts?”

Lin Xuexia merely nodded faintly.

Fu Wei suppressed his laughter, thinking that if she knew how much debt he had before, she might not dare marry him. It was only a few cents and yuan—pure fantasy.

But looking into her lively, spirited eyes, he felt immense happiness.

This was only their second meeting, and she was already willing to share risks and hardships with him. It moved him deeply. He was used to bearing everything alone.

---

This straightforward, earnest, and fiery girl!

Fu Wei stared at the woman beside him without blinking. His heart raced. They sat together on the bench under the glow of the incandescent bulb, which illuminated her delicate, smooth skin, moist apricot eyes, straight and dainty nose, and the fine fuzz on her cheeks. He wanted to kiss her.

Lin Xuexia sensed him inching closer, an unmistakable mischievous intent in his eyes. She thought to herself, “Old habits die hard.”

She immediately straightened up and took the initiative: “Fu Wei, we’ve only met twice. Now we’re talking about dating and marriage, but I hope we can take it slow.”

Fu Wei asked, “Slow?”

“Let’s date for a month first, then discuss marriage—step by step.” Marriage wasn’t something to rush. Besides, she needed to go back to her hometown to transfer her household registration. She couldn’t just bring Fu Wei back right away; they needed time to become familiar.

It was late October now. Dating through November and marrying around December sounded perfect.

Fu Wei agreed, “Alright, as you say. Let’s date first.”

“Mm,” Lin Xuexia smiled. She thought of their month of dating: week one holding hands, week two hugging, week three kissing—gradually progressing.

“What happened that night—let’s wait until after marriage. We’re not that familiar yet. Let’s start with holding hands.”

With that, Lin Xuexia took Fu Wei’s hand. Usually, he was the one who initiated kisses and teasing; this time, she wanted to take the lead.

She wrapped both hands around his left hand. His palm was large; hers was slender and long. She squeezed his palm gently and intertwined her right fingers with his left.

Their palms pressed together.

Lin Xuexia pulled Fu Wei to his feet, happily saying, “Let’s hold hands and take walks for a week.”

Fu Wei’s whole body stiffened. The gentle pressure of her fingers on his palm felt like a pinch on his heart’s tip. His heart raced wildly, pumping blood, sending a fiery rush through his limbs. He was barely able to contain his excitement.

Their hands were tightly clasped; her soft, delicate fingers entwined in his. Even the slightest squeeze from her palm was unmistakable.

Fu Wei was overjoyed. Seeing Lin Xuexia tilt her head up at him with a radiant smile, he could no longer hold back. He leaned down, enveloping her in his arms, and kissed her rosy lips.

Lin Xuexia was stunned. This was not how she had planned it—week one holding hands, week two hugging, week three kissing!

Fu Wei’s grip on her hand was like an iron clamp, firmly restraining her right hand. She raised her left hand to push him away but was powerless. No matter the suit, he was steel to the core.

Lin Xuexia could only helplessly surrender to his domineering kiss.

Fu Wei’s kissing was utterly unrefined—he simply didn’t know how to kiss!

Dizzy and disoriented, Lin Xuexia felt like a fluffy little hamster being licked by a big dog, rolling around as her fur matted and dampened.

She was suffocating.

Only when the “silly dog” was done licking her, did he release her. Lin Xuexia collapsed into his arms, enveloped by his intense masculine scent, her heart burning with frustration.

That dog had just done the work of three weeks all at once.

One week holding hands, two weeks hugging, three weeks kissing... hah.

Flushing, gritting her teeth, Lin Xuexia said sharply, “Didn’t we agree to start with holding hands?”

Fu Wei smiled triumphantly, wiggling their still-intertwined fingers, proudly saying, “We are holding hands.”

Lin Xuexia gave him a cold glare and said sourly, “You should leave now.”

Such terrible kissing skills and still so confident—where did this man get his self-assurance?

“Honey, are you mad?” Fu Wei tightened his grip but did not let go. He loved this feeling of holding hands, and even more, he loved seeing Lin Xuexia blush.

Lin Xuexia almost bit her tongue. This was really pushing her limits. Now he was calling her “honey.” Sure enough, Fu Wei was still the same old Fu Wei.

She scowled, “If you go any further, I really will be angry.”

“Alright, alright. Holding hands, we’ll start with holding hands. Every time, we start with holding hands,” Fu Wei said, shaking their tightly bound hands with a mischievous grin.

His neatly dressed gentleman’s suit was entirely wasted on him.

---

Lin Xuexia tugged his tie crooked, stepped on his foot to vent, and looked at the white footprints on his black shoes. She suppressed a smile and gave his shoulder a push. “You should go now.”

Fu Wei adjusted his collar. “Xuexia, tomorrow I’ll have someone bring some furniture over for you.”

Lin Xuexia met his gaze, pursed her lips, and did not refuse his kindness. There was no need to keep things so distant between them, especially since she did need furniture.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “Then please get me some used furniture—simple wooden bed and table and chairs will do. I can’t bear the smell of fresh paint; it’s too strong and bad for my health.”

“Okay,” Fu Wei agreed. Turning his head, he looked at Lin Xuexia lingeringly, reluctant to leave. The woman before him had beautiful, large, moist apricot eyes that shone even in the dark, like stars in the night sky.

A few days ago, he had heard many women’s names and their likes and dislikes from Zhong Xiangdong, but Lin Xuexia didn’t fit any of those types. She was unique.

He could feel that she had endured much suffering, yet her face bore no trace of hardship. There was an indomitable vitality about her, like a seed that could sprout anywhere.

Fu Wei was deeply grateful that fate had let him meet such a good girl that night.

“Xuexia,” Fu Wei called hoarsely, his voice low and magnetic.

Lin Xuexia was helpless. The old Fu Wei hadn’t been this clingy—kissed her, hugged her... “It’s late. See you tomorrow.”

No matter how persistent Fu Wei was tonight, she wouldn’t let him stay.

Fu Wei didn’t want to leave—thousand times, ten thousand times—but he knew there was no other way. “I’m going.”

Lin Xuexia smiled sweetly, “I’ll see you out.”

Fu Wei was speechless at this cold-hearted woman who showed no reluctance at all.

Lin Xuexia walked him to the door. She had planned to accompany him to the iron gate on the first floor, but Fu Wei wouldn’t allow it, saying she only needed to see him to the room door. He grasped the door handle and reminded her, “Lock the door immediately after I leave. Don’t go out alone at night—even to the shop downstairs, have Auntie next door accompany you. If I’m free in the evening, I’ll come pick you up and keep you company.”

“Mm.” Lin Xuexia nodded. She had wanted to find fault with Fu Wei’s nagging, but the concern in his eyes was like the warm sugar water she had just drunk—both warming and sweetening her heart.

After Fu Wei left and locked the door as he had reminded her, Lin Xuexia stood by the window, watching him ride his bike farther and farther away.

She turned to look at the empty room and sighed. When someone is present, you might not notice; when they leave, the feeling of loss is profound.

* * *

Fu Wei rode back to his own house. No one lived on the first floor. He went upstairs, not planning to sell the house anymore. He lived in the east room, while Zhong Xiangdong and Xue Xiaoshan lived in the west.

Originally, Zhong Xiangdong stayed at a guesthouse, but now that money was tight, he had to downgrade from the luxury hotel he once stayed in. Fu Wei told him to save trouble and move in as his tenant.

“Old Wei, why are you only back now?”

Fu Wei opened the door. “I have things to do every evening.” He went to the construction site during the day, accompanied Lin Xuexia in the evening, or went out for social engagements. At night, he would come back and read.

“Things every evening? What are you doing? Have you found a way to make money—”

Fu Wei shut the door, blocking Zhong Xiangdong’s curious face outside.

His own place was as bare as Lin Xuexia’s—still needing furnishings. But Fu Wei wasn’t anxious.

He knew that when they married, the new home would be decorated according to the wife’s wishes.

He surveyed his house. Back in the army, he liked borrowing books. Here, he bought books and had a library card to read many books on architecture and civil engineering.

He chose to live on the second floor for convenience. Actually, the third floor was more private and quieter, but the second floor room was where he had his first encounter with his wife. He was reluctant to move upstairs. If someone else moved in later, he would be even more upset.

Fu Wei had a plan.

He would change the layout, connecting the two floors—bedroom upstairs, living room downstairs.

With this in mind, he picked up paper and pen and quickly sketched.

After finishing the rough draft, he examined it carefully while pulling a small egg from his pocket, rolling it in his palm like a treasured walnut.

This was a precious egg—not to be eaten.