Chapter 1130: Chapter 1130: Extra - Retirement Arc
Nian Shutong stood on the riverbank dam, the distant wind blowing over and scattering a strand of hair.
"Sister, want to add a Light Computer?"
Nian Shutong looked at a teenager riding a bicycle, very trendy. She suddenly laughed and said, "If you call me grandma, that might be more appropriate."
The teenager’s mouth slightly opened, disbelief in his eyes.
"I think calling you sister is already too much."
"Thank you for the compliment, but my husband is back."
Nian Shutong pointed to one side, where Fu Yunhe, his face hidden by a beard, was staring at the teenager. Seeing the bike-riding teen, he more or less figured out what was happening. Whenever they went out together like this, Nian Shutong would easily attract people trying to chat her up whenever she was alone.
The boy glanced at the scruffy-looking Fu Yunhe, turned his head, and with a bit of jest in his expression of sympathy for her, said, "Sister, if you’re kidnapped, just blink."
"Ha Ha — Ha Ha — Thank you, but I just love my bearded man."
With that, Fu Yunhe arrived just in time.
"Your favorite lemon water."
"Thank you."
The atmosphere between the two made the boy somewhat believe that this was true love.
"Alright, sister goodbye, uncle goodbye."
The boy teased playfully, with no ill intent, and with a push of his feet, pedaled away vigorously.
"Little rascal, not likable."
"How so? He called me sister after all."
Nian Shutong playfully sipped her lemon water. The two of them then sat down directly on the ground, watching the sunset in front of them, enjoying the tranquility.
After finishing the lemon water, they got up and slowly headed home together.
Walking, walking, it suddenly began to rain halfway through.
"It’s raining, let’s run."
Nian Shutong grabbed Fu Yunhe and darted off running.
Here, they didn’t use any Spiritual Power, just like everyone else, using one hand to shield their heads while running in big strides.
The rain came down especially hard without any gradual progression. In a few seconds, they were soaked through.
Nian Shutong simply stopped running. Since they were already wet, there was no point in running anymore.
Many people shared her thoughts. In the month rich with rain, the locals were quite accustomed to such downpours, taking getting drenched in stride.
Since they couldn’t outrun it, they relented.
Fu Yunhe wiped the rain off his face, his beard dripping water, actually quite uncomfortable.
Nian Shutong laughed without sympathy upon seeing Fu Yunhe looking more bedraggled than herself.
"You look just like a drowned rat."
Saying that, she ran off, with Fu Yunhe helplessly following, sometimes close, sometimes at a distance, engaging in the most childish play.
Finally, they ran back to their house.
"Change clothes, take a shower."
"Got it!"
They first changed out of their wet clothes, each taking a bathroom for a quick hot shower.
Nian Shutong, towel in hand, emerged from the upstairs bathroom, descended the staircase with a knowing smile—the smell of red date ginger tea.
Barefoot, Nian Shutong carefully made her way down the stairs, sneaked into the kitchen, and suddenly jumped, hugging Fu Yunhe’s back.
"Why weren’t you scared at all?"
"Do you know how fragrant you are? Your hair’s shampoo, your body’s body wash, I’m too familiar with this scent."
Nian Shutong boringly jumped down, standing next to Fu Yunhe, looking at the transparent little pot in front of them, in which dark red tea started to bubble.
"Is it ready yet?"
"Almost, wait a little longer, the taste will be better."
Nian Shutong nodded, opening the fridge beside her to take out a slice of durian mille-feuille, turning face to face with Fu Yunhe’s teasing eyes.
"What are you looking at? I just expended too much Physical Ability."
"Yes, you’re right, it’s definitely not because you’re greedy."
Nian Shutong huffed pridefully at Fu Yunhe, turning to grab another piece of chocolate cake; she wanted to eat two.
By the time Fu Yunhe came out with steaming red date ginger tea, Nian Shutong had already finished a slice of cake and was watching a new variety show, laughing heartily.
He sat beside her, poured her a cup of tea, let it cool for a while, then handed it to Nian Shutong.
"Drink in small sips."
"Got it, make yourself a cup too."
"Got it."
The two nestled on the sofa, each with a cup of tea. Nian Shutong occasionally fed a bite of chocolate cake to Fu Yunhe, as they watched the show on the screen together.
The fireplace indoors still burned with pinewood, emitting a faint pine fragrance, the crackling of burning logs accompanying the sound of raindrops hitting the glass. Though noisy, it brought a quietness.
An inner peace.
This is probably one of the reasons they chose this life here.
Having finished tea and the variety show, the two habitually chatted with their children, then logged onto the Star Network to talk with Lin Mu and others.
It wasn’t anything major, just idle chatter. They were all retired, and though their lifelines were long, they couldn’t spend all their time working. When it’s time to rest, they rest; when it’s time to play, they play.
Currently, Lin Mu enjoyed adventuring, taking Lian Qing along. The two would go wherever there was danger, seeking out thrills.
After mostly finishing their conversation, Nian Shutong prepared to log off the Star Network; others had left, leaving only Fu Yunhe and Ha Ha.
The two sat facing each other, like a pair of misfit brothers, both sporting big beards.
"This time, I’m definitely going to win."
"Ha Ha wins."
This childish dialogue repeated several times, until Nian Shutong grew weary of watching and logged off early.
By the next morning, the rain had finally stopped, and the water level outside had risen significantly.
"Fu Yunhe, get up quickly."
"Let me sleep a bit more."
Fu Yunhe and Ha Ha’s childish antics from the previous night had kept them up late, and they were still not fully awake.
Nian Shutong, putting on a robe, stood by the bed saying, "Someone’s vegetable garden is about to flood."
With a start, Fu Yunhe sat up, rushed to the window to take a look outside, sighed, and quickly put on his clothes, hurrying downstairs.
The vegetables were truly precious.
Nian Shutong was not slow either, anxious about her flower garden.
In the yard, one was rescuing the flower garden, while the other was saving the vegetable patch.
By the early morning, after they were done, both were covered in mud, and their boots were caked with soil, each shoe as heavy as if it were loaded with a lead weight.
"Let’s wash up."
Nian Shutong stood on a concrete slab at the side, holding a hose, beginning to spray off the mud on the shoes, and after Fu Yunhe came over, did the same for him.
Once cleaned up, they took off their dirty outerwear, slipped into slippers, and changed into fresh clothes inside the house.
Fu Yunhe went to make breakfast, simply cooking up a bowl of clear soup noodles.
Crispy fried eggs, three or four greens, and two slices of ham, steaming hot, truly dispelling the morning chill.
