CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 305: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

"Mm! Uncle will definitely miss little Cheng Guang," Song Yuanming promised tenderly.

"Mm, if Uncle misses me, then Cheng Guang will miss you too. Otherwise, Cheng Guang won’t miss Uncle anymore," Song Cheng Guang grinned stupidly with satisfaction, and then continued to blurt out charming words.

The child was becoming more and more clever and endearing.

"Alright, get on the train! Don’t miss it." It was often Song Yuanhuan who stood out to be the bad guy and threw cold water on such harmonious moments.

"Then we’re off. Sister-in-law, you all head back home!" Song Yuan Yao and Song Yuanming promptly nodded in understanding. After passing Little Baby and Little Moon to Xu Xiuxiu and Xu Jingjing, they each took their luggage.

"Trains can be very chaotic, so stay alert, alright? Remember to call and let us know you’re safe when you arrive," Xu Xiuxiu took Little Moon into her arms and reminded the siblings, Song Yuan Yao and Song Yuanming. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry on trains which can tend to be messy.

"We understand, sister-in-law, don’t worry!" Song Yuanming said cheerfully, and even helped Song Yuan Yao with the luggage.

Wu wu, the train signal soon sounded. Knowing it was time, Song Yuan Yao and Song Yuanming quickly picked up their luggage and hurried onto the train to find their seats. Then they popped their heads out of the window. Xu Xiuxiu, seeing this, grinned and waved to the siblings.

"Auntie, Uncle, goodbye..." Little Cheng Guang, the little guy, bounced around and waved at the people in the train window, clearly finding this train station farewell quite novel.

Before long, the train started with a whoosh and slowly carried the passengers away.

Having seen off the Song siblings, the house suddenly became much quieter. Everyone seemed somewhat unaccustomed to this, especially since Song Yuanming, that kid, was always chattering away. He could make even the most trivial worksite matter sound incredibly exciting, making meals feel lively.

However, even so, it was time for Song Yuanhuan to go to the military academy. The appointment letter to the academy had already been issued a while ago, and now it was just waiting for Song Yuanhuan to report. With the departure of the Song siblings, the deadline for Song Yuanhuan’s reporting to the academy had come, making the atmosphere in the house even heavier.

Actual fact, the academy started earlier than regular schools, having begun half a month prior due to high-intensity military training. Because of an injury to his leg, Song Yuanhuan hadn’t participated in the training and had spent an extra half a month at home – a stolen moment of leisure. But now that school was officially starting, Song Yuanhuan couldn’t delay any longer, resigning himself to packing his bags.

Of course, the one actually packing was Xu Xiuxiu, with Song Yuanhuan just watching on.

"Xiuxiu!" Song Yuanhuan watched Xu Xiuxiu organizing his clothes, his usually cold face filled with reluctance.

"Mm!" Xu Xiuxiu softly responded, her hands continuing their work without pause: "Once you’re in the Imperial City, remember to take your medicine on time. If you’re tired, take leave and rest. I bought you calcium supplements and grapes, among other things. Remember to drink them every day. When you finish, just tell me, and I can mail you more. If you have time, you can also go to the big malls in the Imperial City. Since it’s the Capital, you can find anything in such a big city. Don’t skimp on money; you gave me quite a bit of your personal savings. I, your wife, am quite shrewd—I’ve turned it over many times. When you’re settled there, find some time to go to the hospital for a full-body check-up. They might have more advanced medical facilities, and the results might be better. Once I’ve dealt with things here, I’ll immediately bring the child to the Imperial City to join you, okay?" Xu Xiuxiu had transformed into quite the chatterbox.

Xiuxiu was tied up with business in Soup City and couldn’t leave right away. She had wanted to rent a place in Imperial City with Song Yuanhuan, especially since he was still limping on his right leg and had trouble moving around. And with the space fruit being a once-a-day necessity, running out was always a headache.

Yet, with Soup City’s completion looming in the next two months and the grand opening scheduled before the year’s end, she had to personally oversee all the projects. After investing so much energy and money, giving up wasn’t an option unless she lost her mind. So, she steeled herself and let Song Yuanhuan go to Imperial City alone, planning to join him as soon as she wrapped things up quickly here.

"Xiuxiu, don’t bother bringing the calcium supplements, leave them for you and the children to drink. I’m a grown man; I don’t need them. And don’t rush to pack, come here first and let me hold you quietly for a while, okay?" Song Yuanhuan sat on the bed with mixed emotions and called out to her, pulling her into his arms as he spoke.

"You need to take the calcium supplements. If I don’t pack them for you, would you ever go out and buy them yourself?" Xu Xiuxiu declined.

"Fine, I’ll take them." Song Yuanhuan, unable to resist Xu Xiuxiu, agreed. In matters of daily life, he usually followed her wishes without question.

"Mhm." Xu Xiuxiu smiled contentedly, putting aside the clothes she had been holding, and then quietly let him hold her from behind, "Mr. Song, I will really miss you." And she meant every word.

Whenever Xu Xiuxiu felt vulnerable and needed comfort, she would call Song Yuanhuan "Mr. Song." He had grown accustomed to this and understood her little affectations.

"If you miss me, come to Imperial City as soon as you can, understand? Take care of yourself and the children at home. Avoid frequent contact with other men, and make sure to keep a safe distance of at least one meter." Song Yuanhuan stroked her slender waist that, despite having borne three children, remained as thin as a girl’s. He could encircle it with just one hand. How could he not worry about someone as precious as her?

"Does that mean all men are off-limits?" Xu Xiuxiu asked, amused but exasperated.

"Yes, all of them." Song Yuanhuan responded possessively without hesitation.

"What about Cheng Guang and Little Moon?" Xu Xiuxiu continued, both headache-ridden and amused.

"..." Song Yuanhuan, holding her, was at a loss for words for a long time before finally saying, "The son doesn’t count." Although he often felt like his son was sent to collect a debt, coming to steal his wife from him, they were merely boys for now, not men. A father must be generous and endure, after all!

"That’s more like it." Xu Xiuxiu chuckled, turning around to wrap her arms around his sturdy waist and nuzzling her cheek against his chest, "Am I making you sad by not going to Imperial City with you?" Xu Xiuxiu asked uneasily.

She felt she should throw caution to the wind, push everything aside compared to Song Yuanhuan. Yet, she couldn’t let go of the business in Soup City and had put him on the back burner first. She truly was an incompetent wife.

"It’s sad that in your heart, I’m still not as important as your career," Song Yuanhuan said half-jokingly, his tone failing to mask his disappointment.

"Mr. Song, I’m sorry, just this once. From now on, I’ll prioritize your thoughts, okay?" Xu Xiuxiu looked up at him appealingly, but deep down, she knew she had uttered ’the last time’ many times before, each ending with his indulgence.