Chapter 766: They Are My Home

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Su Shen swallowed his food, casting a somewhat pitiful glance at the rough man beside him. “Your canned food can’t compare to mine,” he said, “but you wouldn’t understand.”

Commander Huo flicked the ash off his cigarette, a look of disdain on his face. “I asked you to stay with me in the capital, but you refused. You went back south alone, and you’ve changed. I can’t stand to see you like this. Are you wearing perfume?”

Commander Huo’s face was full of disgust, but Su Shen didn’t mind. He continued to eat his canned fruit, his thoughts drifting to Gu Zi, who was waiting for him at home.

Gu Zi was a delicate and gentle woman. Wherever she was, the place was clean and fragrant. Even her wardrobe, filled with her clothes, exuded a faint floral scent. Su Shen’s clothes, stored in the same wardrobe, naturally absorbed this fragrance. The scent was refreshing and soothing.

Seeing Su Shen’s usual cold demeanor, Commander Huo decided not to argue with him. This was how Su Shen had always been.

Remembering the important matter at hand, Commander Huo’s tone became serious. “You should have settled your sister’s children by now. You should talk to the old man about it. With your military achievements, you should have been promoted at least two ranks. How can you still be a regiment commander?”

Su Shen frowned slightly when he heard his old comrade mention this. He admitted, “I came here this time, but I still have to go back. They are my home, and I can’t lose it.”

Su Shen couldn’t imagine how heartbroken he would be without Gu Zi. Commander Huo was surprised to hear this. The old Su Shen used to say that home was wherever he was. Why had he changed so much? “So, you’re only back temporarily this time?”

Su Shen sat upright, looking out at the desolate, rolling hills outside the window. His eyes were deep and thoughtful. After a long pause, he finally answered, “I plan to seek freedom.”

Upon hearing this, Commander Huo fell silent.

…

On Saturday morning, Gu Zi was working in her study. By the time she finished, it was already half past ten. She went downstairs to prepare lunch. Because the party was to start in the afternoon, she had to prepare the food for the party while making lunch. To ensure the smooth progress of the party, Gu Zi had to enter the kitchen earlier than usual.

Meanwhile, the Su brothers were not idle. After finishing their self-study in the morning, they cleaned the house together. The windows and floors of the living room were polished to a shine.

Of course, the cleaning team was not just the two of them. Gao Ming, who had come to play at Su family’s house early in the morning, also actively joined in.

Little Lele, who always followed her brothers, did what she could, such as picking a handful of foxtail grass from the corner of the wall. When her eldest brother was arranging flowers like their mother, she eagerly handed them over.

Su Bing cast a glance at the foxtail grass, then at the flowers in the vase. Taking the foxtail grass, he carefully arranged it beside the flowers. Instantly, the flowers in the vase seemed to come alive, their vibrancy enhanced.

Gu Zi, emerging to fetch something, noticed and gave a nod of approval to the siblings, “Your aesthetic sense is stronger than your father’s.”

On the surface, Su Bing showed no reaction. However, once Gu Zi turned to leave, the corners of his mouth lifted into a subtle smile. His heart swelled with satisfaction. His mother had complimented him, stating that his aesthetic sense was superior to his father’s. That meant, in his mother’s eyes, his taste was indeed better!

Seeing his elder brother’s rare smile, Su Le mimicked her brother’s grin, showing her teeth in delight. Su Bing blinked, turned, and exited the living room, with Su Le cheerfully trailing behind him.

After lunch, Su Bing, along with Su Li and Gao Ming, began to prepare the venue for the food party. They moved a long table and some chairs from the storeroom, setting them up under the flower stand beside the small pond.

The flower stand was already quite long, with lush vines and leaves twining around it. Between the leaves, two or three flowers bloomed. Even though the sun was out, the area under the flower stand was perfectly shaded. With the table and chairs in place, it was the ideal location for a spring party.

At this moment, Gu Zi came out with a tray holding three cups of dessert – a smooth and delicious double-layered milk custard, garnished with fresh four-leaf clovers. “You’ve worked hard. Have some dessert before continuing. I expect the guests will start to arrive in a while. I’ve already received a few calls from the parents of your classmates.”

Each of the three Su brothers picked up a cup of the double-layered milk custard and began to eat.

Gu Zi was about to take Su Le inside to feed her, but noticing someone approaching the front gate, she walked towards it. Opening the door, she found it was the housekeeper from Grandma Gao’s house.