The journey took four day and four nights. They were dropped off at Linghe County and would walk home. Since they were very tired, they unanimously decided to stay for a day before continuing their journey back home. They stayed in an inexpensive inn, ate some gruel and then make way for the village. From Linghe County to it would take them a full day walk they, so they planned to start from the break of dawn.

After everybody settled and went to sleep. Jinhai pulled some of his last remaining jerky and started eating it with Le Ke. It's not that he didn't like his comrades, he actually fed them a lot during the journey from the battlefield to the county but right now his rations sent by his wife were almost finished so he kept it between him and Le Ke. The villagers were understanding people and did not find any problems in that.

The break of dawn came quickly and so they started making their way to the village. They alternated between walking and taking a bull cart when they arrived it was the hour of the monkey (3pm-5pm). They were not high achieving soldier so there were no big announcements of their arrival. It was village chief's wife that saw them and started screaming that they were back.

Sun Baohai sat in the house, tears streaming down his face, his heart a chaotic mix of emotions. Just moments ago, Xiao Yu had spoken his first words. This morning, Baohai had woken with a heavy heart, the worry pressing down on him like an unseen weight. According to the letter, Jinhai was supposed to return last week. Yet now, well into the following week, there was still no news.

All day, the unease gnawed at him. By lunch, he was barely present, his chopsticks hovering aimlessly over his plate. The twins exchanged glances, but no one said anything. But, the baby, who was usually content to babble and giggle to himself, suddenly reached out, patting Baohai's cheek with tiny, warm fingers. Then, with a bright, innocent smile, he said, "Ma."

That single word broke him. Tears welled up instantly and spilled over as his chest tightened. Xiao Yu's expression seemed to say, Don't be sad, Ma, and in that moment, Baohai felt both comforted and overwhelmed. The system in his mind chimed, reporting that Xiao Yu's affection levels had surged beyond the average, but Baohai barely registered it. All he could do was hold his child close, his tears falling onto the baby's soft hair. That was his first word. Ma. To him. The thought made him sob profusely.

Before he could gather himself, Aunt Lin burst into the room, breathless and excited. "Jinhai is back!" she announced, her voice practically shaking with joy.

Baohai froze. He blinked at her as if he hadn't heard correctly. "What?"

"Jinhai is at the gate!" Aunt Lin repeated.

For a moment, Baohai couldn't move, the news hitting him like a sudden gust of wind. Then, before he could react, Yingtai shot up from her seat and bolted out the door, her excitement overflowing. Baohai hesitated, his chest tightening for an entirely different reason now. He didn't know this husband well—they were practically strangers—but he couldn't just sit there. Taking a steady breath, he stood, gathered the children, and led them outside to meet their father.

The twins were practically bouncing as they walked, their excitement infectious. Though they were young and barely remembered Jinhai, they clung to the memory of the man who had once shown them kindness when the world around them had been cold. Xiao Yan, the middle child, didn't remember Jinhai at all, while Xiao Yu, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, was simply delighted to be going outside.

When they reached the gate, Baohai's breath caught. Jinhai was standing there, a tall figure framed by the setting sun. His skin was tanned from years under the harsh sun, and his height—towering at six feet five—made him an imposing presence. His features were striking: strong, straight eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and full lips that softened his otherwise sharp appearance. Despite his ruggedness, there was a warmth in his gaze, a quiet strength that made him hard to look away from.

Yingtai was already talking to him, her words spilling out in rapid excitement. Baohai hesitated again before stepping forward, his steps careful and deliberate.

"Hello," he said, his voice awkward and unsure.

Jinhai turned to him, his expression shifting slightly. "Hello," he replied, equally reserved. His gaze lingered on Baohai for a moment, taking him in. Though Jinhai considered himself a practical man, he couldn't deny that his new spouse was... striking. Not in an overwhelming, dazzling way, but in a subtle, enduring one. It was the kind of beauty that stayed with you, growing more comforting and familiar the longer you looked.

"Let's go home," Baohai said, breaking the silence. He shifted Xiao Yu in his arms and added, "I'll prepare something for you to eat."

"Uh, yes," Jinhai said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile, his gaze darting away.

The meal Baohai prepared was simple: shrimp fried rice, steamed buns, shrimp dumplings, and cabbage stir-fry. He hadn't known Jinhai would arrive today, and these were just the ingredients he had on hand. To Baohai, it was nothing special, but when Jinhai sat down and saw the spread, his expression softened. After years of surviving on bland rations at the cold, unforgiving border, even a modest meal like this felt like a luxury.

Jinhai arrived at mid-day. Despite his unexpected return, life in the household didn't stop. There were still chores to be done, and when he offered to help, Sun Baohai hesitated before awkwardly agreeing. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the gesture, he just wasn't sure how to navigate having a husband he barely knew.

The two of them worked side by side quietly. Jinhai swept the courtyard with ease, while Baohai busied himself peeling vegetables for dinner. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but Baohai quickly looked away each time, his heart racing for reasons he didn't fully understand. Why the hell was this tall man not scaring him like usual?

After spending the whole afternoon catching up with her brother, Yingtai finally left, giving the couple a chance to speak. "Don't worry," she said with a sly smile on her way out, "I'll check on the kids so you two can... get acquainted."

Baohai flushed at her words. Once she was gone, the silence between them deepened. Baohai, too shy to initiate conversation, focused on his work with exaggerated intensity, while Jinhai seemed content to give him space.

After a while, Jinhai broke the silence, his voice low and sincere. "Thank you for taking care of the kids."

Baohai froze, the peeling knife still in his hand. When he looked up, Jinhai's almond-shaped eyes met his, steady and warm. There was no judgment in them, only gratitude.

"I..." Baohai started, but the words caught in his throat. The intensity of Jinhai's gaze made him feel as though he were drowning, his usual defenses crumbling under the weight of such quiet sincerity.

"You've done more than I could've asked for," Jinhai continued, his tone gentle but firm, showing his sincerity.

Baohai finally looked away, his hands trembling slightly. "It's nothing," he said quickly, though his voice came out softer than he intended. 'What the hell?' Baohai thought, 'Why do I sound like a docile cat?'

Jinhai tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's not nothing to me."

For a moment, Baohai was silent, his cheeks flushing as he focused back on the vegetables. His heart was pounding, but he forced himself to keep his hands steady. 'You just met him, you just met him' he repeated in his head over and over again.

"You're different from what I expected," Baohai muttered, almost to himself. He seemed like a tease, nothing like the gentle provider in the letter he sent

Jinhai raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorway. "Different good or different bad?"

Baohai's lips twitched despite himself. "I'll let you figure that out," he said with sharp glance, looking like a fierce kitty.

Jinhai chuckled softly at the look, the sound settling between them like a tentative bridge. It wasn't much, but it was enough.



Question of day

How's life?