CHAPTER 837: CHAPTER 837: SEEING HIM OFF

In the Xu Family, Lin Mengyao was fiddling with the floral arrangements for the dining room. Seeing Xu Ke return before the end of the workday was a surprise, followed quickly by happiness in her eyes.

"How come you’re home at this time today? Didn’t you mention the company still needs you?" Lin Mengyao walked up to Xu Ke, gently draping her jade arms over his shoulders.

"Things at the company are sorted, but I have other matters to attend to. I might be leaving tonight, with no set return date." Xu Ke sighed, holding Lin Mengyao’s shoulders and pressing her head against his chest, avoiding looking at her face.

He had thought a lot about how to tell a lie to deceive Lin Mengyao, so she wouldn’t worry, but ultimately decided to be partially truthful instead of lying entirely.

Initially, the trust between them was fragile. Should Lin Mengyao discover he was deceiving her one day, their marital relationship might plummet.

Upon hearing Xu Ke would leave, and so abruptly, the smile that had just appeared on Lin Mengyao’s face faded away.

"Why do you suddenly need to leave? Is there something so urgent you must handle? You just returned, and our family has just reunited. In these few days I’ve only started to feel happiness, and now you must leave me again." Lin Mengyao’s tone carried disappointment as she tried to move her head from Xu Ke’s body, but with the back of her head held tightly, she could only obediently lie against his chest.

She couldn’t see Xu Ke’s face, and inexplicably began to feel particularly flustered, as if something bad might happen.

"This task is lengthy to explain, but I’m working for the country. Today, our department’s leadership assigned me a task. I’m the only one in our department who can do it, so I must go, and it’s urgent, hence my haste." Xu Ke said in a gentle tone.

Xu Ke’s tone sounded as if he were just leaving work to play a round of golf—plain and calm, nothing suggesting the task could endanger his life.

Perhaps because of their marital connection, the calmer Xu Ke spoke, the more uneasy Lin Mengyao felt.

"What kind of task can only be done by you? Can’t someone else manage it? You just got home, why can’t you rest a bit longer?" Lin Mengyao’s tone was accusatory.

"Besides, I don’t know why, but my heart is racing, and I’m a bit nervous. Husband, can’t we avoid this task?" Lin Mengyao clutched Xu Ke’s hem tightly, her voice pleading.

Xu Ke’s heart softened because of Lin Mengyao’s plea. He reached out to run his hand through Mengyao’s smooth hair, speaking indulgently: "How old are you, acting like a child? This task was arranged by the state, how could I just skip it? Would you ignore work tasks arranged by your boss at your job? This task isn’t dangerous, just tedious, and time-consuming."

Xu Ke stroked Mengyao’s hair lightly, hoping to ease her concerns.

But evidently, it was ineffective.

"But I dislike working, I could resign, can you?" Li Mengyao asked with some hope.

Xu Ke was momentarily stunned by Mengyao’s question before laughing: "How could I walk away so easily? This is the country, not a company, unless I wish to renounce my nationality."

"Well, that’s settled then." Lin Mengyao said pouting.

After silently embracing for a while, Mengyao realized Xu Ke would not budge; if he wouldn’t compromise, she would have to. Pondering this, she couldn’t help but pinch him in the waist, causing Xu Ke to grimace in pain, finding some relief in that.

"I know I cannot change your decision, I just hope when you’re out there alone, remember you have a home, with someone waiting for you. Protect yourself and come back quickly." Lin Mengyao said in a muffled voice.

Listening to Mengyao’s words, Xu Ke’s heart seemed to ache with difficulty breathing.

"Okay, I promise to return soon, won’t delay too long; rest assured. Haven’t you seen my work efficiency?" Lin Mengyao couldn’t see his expression, but from Xu Ke’s voice she could tell he wasn’t too worried, even a bit confident, which calmed her down considerably.

Despite Xu Ke’s return being during the day, and time seeming to pass quickly, the darkening sky outside indicated it was time for him to leave.

When Xu Ke left, he only took a suitcase containing simple clothes, brands he hadn’t worn since returning to Shangjing, bought casually from a mall for fifty bucks apiece, cheap and plain.

"What kind of work are you doing, you wear such cheap clothes? Are you supposed to act poor?" Mengyao complained while sorting Xu Ke’s clothes.

"Alright, stop complaining, my little housekeeper. I wear these to keep a low profile. If I wore designer brands, people might think I’m off to a fashion show, too conspicuous. Plus, your husband is naturally handsome, if I dress well, aren’t you afraid butterflies outside will be attracted to me?" Xu Ke said, teasingly pinching Mengyao’s nose.

Glancing at Xu Ke’s face, recalling how he looked in designer clothes, Mengyao found his words reasonable, offering him an approving look.

"While you’re out and I’m not with you, make sure to guard yourself against those tempting butterflies, or if I find out, you’ll see what happens." Mengyao jokingly waved her fist.

"Don’t worry, dear wife, I won’t." Xu Ke raised a finger, promising.

After cuddling in the room for a while longer, Xu Ke walked out the door under Mengyao’s reluctant gaze, boarding a flight to an unknown destination.

Unlike before, this time to protect Xu Ke, he adopted a new name: Xu Ke.

Fortunately, Xu Ke’s usual low profile meant no public images of him existed, eliminating the need for adjustments to his features, allowing him to use his real appearance comfortably.