Before the quarter hour Qin Yuchuan had mentioned had passed, Feng Qingyi received a message from him.
[Yuchuan: Qingyi, is something the matter?]
[Qingyi: Not really, I just wanted to ask what Auntie likes, and also Yan Chi and Yan Yang - what do they enjoy?]
[Yuchuan: Are you planning to get them gifts?]
[Qingyi: Well, the New Year is coming up soon. I thought I'd prepare some New Year's gifts for them.]
[Yuchuan: Mother will like anything you prepare.]
[Yuchuan: As for Yan Chi and Yan Yang, there's no need.]
[Qingyi: ... Don't tell me you don't know what they like!]
[Yuchuan: Reverse psychology doesn't work on me.]
[Qingyi: Er, I just want to prepare a gift for them because they're people close to you.]
People close to him - that was a sign of loving the house and its crow, wasn't it?
[Yuchuan: You can prepare whatever you like. They'll appreciate anything.]
[Qingyi: I feel like I asked for nothing. You haven't offered any constructive suggestions at all.]
[Qingyi: What have you been busy with lately?]
Although she rarely inquired about his work-related matters, she was occasionally curious.
During this time, he seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight. She wanted to know what he had been up to.
[Yuchuan: There's been unrest at the border. We'll likely set out on a campaign after the New Year. I've been making some pre-war preparations lately. I apologize for neglecting you.]
[Qingyi: It's alright, I understand.]
[Qingyi: But didn't you say earlier that you wouldn't be setting out until next summer? Why has it been moved up so much?]
[Yuchuan: We just received news that Southern troops have been looting border towns extensively. This war is now inevitable.]
[Yuchuan: It's just that this time it's too sudden. We can only use this time to prepare as early as possible.]
Feng Qingyi was very unfamiliar with war, even fearful of it.
She didn't know what to say to him. Empty words couldn't express her current state of mind.
What was war like? Books wrote of hundreds of thousands of corpses and blood flowing for thousands of miles, but she dared only imagine such words.
Yet he had experienced it firsthand and would continue to do so in the future.
Although they hadn't spent much time together, and she wasn't sure if her feelings for him were curiosity, fondness, or something else, at this moment, worry overshadowed those unknown emotions.
[Qingyi: I know that at this time, even if I tell you to rest well, you won't listen to me. But I still hope you can take good care of yourself.]
[Qingyi: I'm very worried about you.]
Perhaps sometimes words can express one's feelings better than speech. Those things that can't be said aloud can be expressed more clearly through text.
When Qin Yuchuan saw her message, he was stunned for a long while.
She had always been so understanding, knowing not to disturb him when he was busy, frank and sincere.
This was the girl he liked. He really wanted to hold her in his arms right now.
[Yuchuan: Qingqing, thank you!]
Seeing this out-of-the-blue thank you, Feng Qingyi was a bit confused. What was he thanking her for?
And why did he suddenly change how he addressed her? What was this "Qingqing" business?
[Qingyi: What are you thanking me for?]
[Yuchuan: I'll take good care of myself, so you won't have to worry.]
[Qingyi: Mm, then you go ahead and get back to work! I'll message you again when I get back to my hometown. I'm on the way now.]
[Yuchuan: Alright.]
After finishing her chat with Qin Yuchuan, Feng Qingyi began selecting gifts for them on an online shopping platform.
Since she couldn't get any useful information from Qin Yuchuan, she decided to choose based on her own preferences!
The journey home was long, and with rest stops along the way and the winding mountain roads, it was already nine in the evening when they arrived at their hometown.
As soon as Feng Qingyi got out of the car, she saw her grandmother, Bai Shuhui, wearing a red padded jacket, waiting at the door.
"Our Qingyi and Qingci are back! Quickly come inside and warm up by the fire. You must be frozen from the journey!"
Feng Qingyi put her arm around Bai Shuhui's. "Grandma, let's go in together."
"Good, good. Your grandfather is inside making dinner for you!" Bai Shuhui said cheerfully.
Being in the countryside, every household had a fire pit, which burned vigorously from morning to night throughout the winter.
The stove was circular like a table. Firewood was added underneath, while the top was no different from an ordinary table. Water could be boiled and rice cooked in the middle.
In winter, unless there were guests, this was where meals were taken.
As soon as she entered the house, Feng Qingyi felt the warmth.
In front of the fire room, a large LCD TV was playing a war movie.
From the kitchen on the other side of the wall wafted the aroma of food.
Feng Qingyi walked into the kitchen and saw her grandfather, Feng Qiyuan, at the stove.
"Grandpa, what delicious food are you making?"
Feng Qiyuan turned and smiled at Feng Qingyi.
"Our Qingyi is back. You must be hungry! I've made your favorite shredded potatoes. Quickly dish out some rice."
Feng Qingyi took a few bowls from the cupboard nearby. "Grandpa, have you and Grandma eaten yet?"
"We ate long ago. Just look at the time! Just take bowls for the four of you."
Feng Qingyi filled the four bowls with rice and carried them out.
"Brother, hurry and bring out the dishes!"
"Got it."
Nan Yin and Feng Zhixing brought in the things from the car, and Bai Shuhui hurried to take them.
"Coming all this way home, why did you buy so many things?"
After bringing everything inside, everyone sat down.
By now, all the dishes had been served. The meal was sumptuous, with everyone's favorites included, showing the thoughtfulness of the two elderly.
Bai Shuhui said, "It's so late, you must be starving. Everyone eat up!"
Being in their own home, no one stood on ceremony.
They ate and chatted, though most of the time it was Feng Qiyuan and Bai Shuhui asking about Feng Qingyi and Feng Qingci's affairs.
The two young ones were not stingy in sharing interesting encounters and experiences from school.
They had been raised by these two elderly when they were young.
Now they could only return a few times a year, with few opportunities to see them.
They all cherished the days they could spend together.
After dinner, they chatted casually for a while before retiring to rest.
The countryside, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, was pitch black at night except for a few dim street lamps.
Qin Yuchuan's video call rang out. After connecting, Feng Qingyi saw him again.
He was dressed lightly, seemingly having just bathed, his hair still half-dry.
"Did you get home?"
"Yes, we just finished dinner and chatted with my grandparents for a bit before I came to my room."
"I miss you!"
"Aren't you seeing me right now?"
"You know what I mean."
Feng Qingyi felt a bit flustered. "But I'm at my hometown now. It wouldn't be good if we were discovered."
If someone suddenly appeared out of thin air, they'd probably faint from shock.
"Ever since your winter break started, it's been so difficult to see you even once."
"Actually, I think this arrangement is quite nice."
