Jiang Cheng looked at Shen Que in surprise.

Shen Que fixed his gaze on Jiang Cheng, his lips naturally curved into a large smile.

"I missed you." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Just writing letters wasn’t enough to alleviate the longing, so he came.

The practiced sweet talk just came out naturally.

Jiang Cheng asked unexpectedly, "How did you know I was here?"

Shen Que took the package from Jiang Cheng’s hand and said, "I saw your bicycle."

Shen Que casually pointed, and Jiang Cheng turned to look, understanding with a smile.

It really is quite recognizable!

Her bicycle seat had been patched with a floral cover by Grandma Shen, and the handlebars were extravagantly wrapped with yarn, trimmed with a bit of tassel.

Shen Que opened the car door and said, "Leave the bicycle here, a truck from the machinery factory will pass by tomorrow and I’ll have it brought back for you then."

"It’s dark and cold, let’s take the car back."

Jiang Cheng wasn’t foolish, she nodded in agreement, "Okay!"

After responding, Jiang Cheng turned around and saw a group of heads peeking from behind the wall at the entrance.

She smiled broadly, confidently taking Shen Que’s hand and said, "This is my fiancé, Shen Que."

Shen Que, whose hand was taken by Jiang Cheng, instinctively sat up a bit straighter, eyes sparkling like water: She’s introducing me! She really likes me!

Only one thought occupied Shen Que’s lovelorn mind at this moment: I must not embarrass Jiang Cheng.

Had I known, I would have worn that nice outfit!

After Jiang Cheng’s introduction, the heads at the door appeared one by one, laughing awkwardly yet not awkwardly with the two of them in greeting.

Shen Que responded to each, smiling even sillier than they were.

Jiang Cheng tried hard to suppress her laughter, this was a group of lovable people who liked her.

After the introductions, Jiang Cheng left her bicycle at the foreign trade department, each of them thumping their chests in promise to take good care of her bicycle.

Looking at this group of endearing people, Jiang Cheng smiled, "Thank you all!"

After expressing her thanks, Jiang Cheng got into Shen Que’s car.

Both sat in the back, the driver put the wheelchair in the trunk, and the car drove out of the foreign trade area.

In the car, Jiang Cheng quietly hooked Shen Que’s finger with hers, earnestly asking, "Where have you been going?"

Shen Que rubbed his finger against Jiang Cheng’s, his lips curling into a slight smile, "Went to report to the higher-ups."

"Oh—how did you see my bike? I parked it in the courtyard."

Shen Que turned his head, his gaze relaxed yet focused, "I heard from the higher-ups that the donation you negotiated came through, I guessed you’d go to the foreign trade department, so I took a detour to check."

Jiang Cheng suddenly understood, she praised Shen Que lavishly.

"A mutual understanding."

Jiang Cheng looked at Shen Que with a smile, lightly scratching his palm with her finger.

As she was about to pull away, Shen Que grasped her hand warmly with his large hand, wrapping it inside.

Shen Que and Jiang Cheng exchanged glances, their faces almost smiling, teasing and adoring each other with their eyes.

Jiang Cheng: He’s my man, pamper him.

Shen Que: I’m the officially introduced fiancé, holding hands is no problem!

Of course, they were only daring enough to hold hands this time.

The journey back was much quicker, avoiding wind and chill.

The car dropped Jiang Cheng home, and for the first time, Shen Que found the road a bit short.

"I’m off tomorrow, but I have work to finish tonight, so I’ll come back early tomorrow."

Shen Que explained, Jiang Cheng nodded, "Alright, no rush, we eat at noon."

Shen Que acknowledged, it was clear he hadn’t agreed.

Jiang Cheng didn’t insist, retrieving her hand warmed by Shen Que’s grasp.

"I’m going."

"Okay, be careful, it’s slippery with the snow."

"Will do!"

With a bang, Jiang Cheng got off the car, carrying the package she got from the foreign trade department inside.

Shen Que watched Jiang Cheng enter the compound before he left.

Back home, Jiang Cheng first ate with Grandma Shen and the others.

After the meal, they discussed plans for moving and laying down the pots tomorrow.

Once the meal was finished, it was about time to pack for the trip to Goat Market.

Once the menu was finalized, Jiang Cheng returned next door.

*

Before dawn, Grandma Shen got busy.

Granny Sun and Aunt Li came over to help.

Jiang Cheng, dressed and ready, also wanted to help, but ended up being despised for her efforts.

According to Grandma Shen, her skills in the kitchen weren’t even as good as Shen Xing’s.

Today happened to be the weekend, so Shen Xing and Shen Yue were home resting.

Before long, the aroma of meat wafted through the courtyard.

Shen Que also returned early.

Gao Zhonghua followed behind Shen Que, carrying a sheep as he came in.

Jiang Cheng hurriedly went over to greet them, looking at the sheep, then at Shen Que.

"Why did you get a sheep?"

"We’re making some sauerkraut hotpot, perfect for a warm meal."

After Shen Que spoke, Gao Zhonghua set the sheep down and turned to get other things.

Two old-style charcoal-burning copper pots.

Then, everyone got busy.

Grandma Shen and Granny Sun prepared vegetables, Aunt Li sliced sauerkraut, Shen Xing started the fire, Jiang Cheng relegated to the group peeling potatoes with Shen Yue.

Shen Que and Gao Zhonghua were responsible for preparing the sheep.

Around nine in the morning, Old Ma, Principal Wang, and Manager Guo arrived.

None came empty-handed, Old Ma brought two large bottles of his own medicinal liquor, Principal Wang brought a small stir-fry pan, Manager Guo pitched in with an abundant harvest.

Once there, they didn’t just stand around but joined in the army preparing the sheep.

A while later, Director Lian arrived.

She wasn’t one to sit still either, diving straight into the kitchen.

By ten in the morning, the cooking began in earnest.

In both the new and old houses, two large black woks, two small fry pans, all put to use.

While Jiang Cheng was waiting by the stove to taste a dish, more people arrived.

Director Lu and Factory Director Fang came hand in hand.

For once, they weren’t bickering, just watching Jiang Cheng, clearly with something on their minds.

Jiang Cheng simply approached, asking them directly, "Do you two have something to say?"

Factory Director Fang jumped in to answer, "I told you we couldn’t hide it from Jiang Cheng!"

Director Lu didn’t even bother to roll his eyes, stepped forward and nudged Factory Director Fang aside, "Jiang Cheng, I don’t have much on right now."

"What a coincidence, neither do I,"

Factory Director Fang immediately chimed in, looking worried about being left out.

For a moment, Jiang Cheng hadn’t quite caught up, asking, "So?"

Director Lu saw her confusion and simply volunteered.

"What I mean is, I can accompany you on the business trip to Goat Market."

"Our textile factory will cover the travel expenses!"

The two started bickering again.

Jiang Cheng instantly understood what was going on.

It was something she hadn’t considered at all.

As she was just a translator in the team this time.

And she always felt going alone was completely fine.

Just as Jiang Cheng was pondering, Shen Que quietly approached, "Director Lu, the food factory’s greenhouse project is about to start, you can’t leave."

"Factory Director Fang, the textile factory’s foreign exchange order delivery date is near, are you sure you can leave?"

Director Lu and Factory Director Fang exchanged a look, exclaiming in unison, "No backdoor shenanigans!"