"Take off your shoes and put on a pair of socks, you can't let your feet get cold." Cheng Ying’s face instantly flushed crimson. What was this unlucky kid saying?

He must have known she was indisposed today; she had been looking for the restroom constantly along the way. Cheng Ying felt thoroughly uncomfortable.

"No need," she turned away, her commanding presence flaring up. "Besides, do we even have socks here?" Chi Wu didn't even look at Cheng Ying.

"I’ll take mine off; hurry and put them on." Saying that, he thrust a wadded-up item toward her and urged her on. The little bit of imposing demeanor Cheng Ying had managed to muster completely evaporated upon hearing that.

Had this unlucky kid been possessed? How could he make her feel so soft inside?

Who would care for a pair of sweaty, worn socks? Chi Wu urged, "Hurry up, it’s getting dark.

Even though there are many people now, there might still be wolves roaming about." Cheng Ying shot the boy a glare. Nonsense.

Wolves in a place like this? But her own body was crucial, especially on such a significant day.

She was planning on having two babies in the next three years, after all. No room for carelessness.

She took off her shoes and put on the socks, trying to diffuse the awkward atmosphere. "They stink!

I’m doing you a favor by accepting these." Chi Wu replied, "Mm, thank you for not minding that they’re used." However, seeing Cheng Ying slip his socks over her white ones, Chi Wu felt an inexpressible joy, as if the two of them had grown even closer. Whatever the weather outside, it couldn't dampen Chi Wu’s mood of spring blooming.

Hooking the corner of his mouth upward, he couldn't resist leading his wife into a specific line of thought. "What kind of person, or at what moment, would make you feel most touched if they gave you their socks?" Cheng Ying answered without a second thought, "If both of us were at the restroom and neither had toilet paper, I’d be touched by anyone who gave me their socks." Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying.

After the spring bloom came a carpet of fallen petals. What an unromantic fiancée!

At a time like this, she could offer such a revolting answer. Chi Wu slammed the car door shut with a loud clank.

He was no longer willing to offer Yingzi a gentle smile. They set off lightly, leaving everything except one essential small bag locked inside the car.

Chi Wu’s actions were slightly rough as he pulled Cheng Ying along into the snow. It was her infuriating words that caused it.

Cheng Ying thought that in this weather, no one would be in a good mood. Seeing the boy smiling rather brightly in the car, she threw a face at him as soon as she stepped outside.

Cheng Ying had hardly suffered at all in recent years. Forget snowy days; even when it was overcast or raining, someone drove her everywhere.

Thus, her physical stamina was lagging. Moreover, they were both heavily bundled up.

They hadn't walked even half a li before Cheng Ying was sweating profusely. She ended up tying her headscarf around Chi Wu’s neck, claiming it was to lighten her load.

But Chi Wu insisted she keep the hat he gave her on, refusing to let her take it off for any reason. Cheng Ying walked on, panting heavily.

Just walking in this deep snow was strenuous. When would they ever finish covering the dozen li?

Cheng Ying reached up to remove her hat, hoping to catch a breath of air. After Chi Wu’s warning, "What if you catch a cold?" Cheng Ying dared not utter a single protest.

Her inner thoughts were quite fierce: Catching a cold—what business was it of his? Her plan for two babies in three years had nothing to do with him.

Still, she didn't dare say anything; Chi Wu’s expression was grim. Once they left the village outskirts, the road was deserted.

In this kind of weather, only someone crazy would venture out. Chi Wu looked back at his wife and felt a pang of heartache.

Cheng Ying hadn't endured such hardship in many years. "I'll carry you." Cheng Ying was having none of it.

Walking was hard, true, but at least they would reach home today. If Chi Wu carried her, they’d probably spend the night right there in the snow.

"Are you having a fit? Hurry up and walk!" Chi Wu was annoyed by her refusal.

"Why are you trying to act tough? I am your man!" Cheng Ying felt a toothache hearing that.

Man? She hadn't noticed whether his manliness had fully grown in yet.

"Just hurry up and walk; we’re already halfway there." Chi Wu looked at the snow, which reached past his wife's knees with a single step. He felt truly sympathetic and gave up on the romantic notion of strolling hand-in-hand.

"Then walk behind me. Follow in my footprints; it’ll take less effort." With that, he strode ahead, planting his large feet firmly in the snow, breaking the path more than halfway through.

Cheng Ying nodded. This method saved energy.

They walked one behind the other through the wind and snow, with Chi Wu in front blocking the majority of the blizzard. Cheng Ying looked up at the tall silhouette ahead.

It was good that a man was built sturdily; he could genuinely shield her from wind and rain. She didn't want to dwell on the warmth that had spread within her heart—what flavor it held.

Thinking romantically, being carried wasn't as romantic. Thinking aesthetically, it wasn't as beautiful as holding hands.

Yet, simply following Chi Wu's back made Cheng Ying feel solid, reliable. Some people, without one even realizing it, infiltrate the depths of one's heart from an undeniable angle.

Cheng Ying watched Chi Wu's retreating figure, unconsciously following his pace step by step, and she no longer felt the hardship. It was almost trance-like.

They spotted the bright lights of her maternal grandfather’s house long before they reached the village. Chi Wu turned back.

"Grandma must be too anxious and called Auntie's place." Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, his eyebrows already layered with heavy snow, and reached out, her gloved hand brushing the snow off his face. "You’ll freeze solid; why didn’t you shield yourself at all?" Chi Wu broke into a broad smile, though his face was stiff from the cold, making it hard to read.

"It’s nothing; I’m a man, what should I fear? Let’s hurry; it’ll warm up once we get inside." Cheng Ying replied, "I'm already sweating; I'm not cold at all.

Let's go!" With that, their pace quickened considerably. When the village dogs barked, Miao Miao, bundled in a heavy coat, rushed to the doorway to check.

Seeing them finally arrive, even the usually taciturn and awkward teenager grew excited. "Mom, Dad, big sister and brother-in-law are here!" Cheng Ying and Chi Wu heard the announcement, and as they reached the door, Auntie rushed out.

"I was so worried! Why didn't you just stay in the county town?

It's so dangerous!" Chi Wu said, "We just wanted to come home, didn't we?" Cheng Ying assured her, "Auntie, I’m fine; I’m sweating all over from walking." Then the group entered the house. Grandpa was still on the phone.

"They’re here. Don't worry, Old relative.

It’s fine, I’m here." Cheng Ying said, "Grandma, let me speak! Grandma, we’re safe at Grandpa’s house.

Don't worry!" She hung up the phone. Cheng Ying removed her heavy outer layers and sat on the kang.

Seeing Chi Wu take off his coat, white plumes of hot vapor rising from his body, she realized he too was drenched in sweat. Cheng Ying knew Chi Wu had struggled more with the walk, deliberately breaking the snow as he went ahead.

"You should change your clothes too. You're soaked in sweat; you’ll definitely catch a cold later." Auntie chimed in, "Exactly!

Wear your uncle's clothes first. Never mind if they look good; warmth is what matters most." Chi Wu agreed, "Mm, I'll listen to Auntie.

I can wear Uncle's or Grandpa's, whatever works." Then he handed the bundle he had been carrying all the way to Cheng Ying. "Your clothes are inside.

Hurry and change, or you’ll catch a chill." Cheng Ying had assumed Chi Wu was carrying the bundle because it contained valuable items. She never expected it held his own clothes—winter clothes, inner and outer layers, quite heavy.

Taking the bundle, Cheng Ying felt its weight was significant. Chi Wu prompted, "Why are you just standing there, frozen silly?

Hurry and change!" Cheng Ying followed Auntie away. Her heart was in turmoil.

Why was this unlucky kid so considerate? Chi Wu changed into his uncle's clothes in Grandpa's room.

They were a bit small on Chi Wu’s frame. Grandpa exclaimed, "Oh my, Wuzi has truly grown!

And he's gotten sturdy too!" Chi Wu responded proudly, "Of course. Look at this physique; I’ve never gone wanting." Grandpa sighed, "Ah, it really wasn't easy to grow like this.

When I first saw you, you were like a bean sprout. I never would have imagined you’d become so burly." Chi Wu smiled faintly, chatting with Grandpa.

It was probably because Yingzi made sure he ate well when he was growing that his height shot up. Chi Wu knew that back when Cheng Ying was shearing sheep, she even stole milk; they provided quite a bit of support back then.

While talking, Chi Wu took the cup and made a round trip. Having stayed at Grandpa’s house for a long time, Chi Wu didn't need to ask anyone; he went straight to the kitchen.

When he emerged, he held a large mug of brown sugar water. Auntie began, "Why are you being polite with Auntie?

I could pour that for you," but halfway through, seeing the full mug of brown sugar water, she fell silent. How much this boy doted on his wife!

Cheng Ying came out after changing her clothes. Chi Wu immediately handed her the brown sugar water, making her feel awkward.

Had this unlucky kid's brain short-circuited? Did she need his help?

Chi Wu watched Cheng Ying expectantly. "Drink it." Cheng Ying didn't know what to say.

After how protective he had been of her on this journey, it seemed he was solely thinking of her. She wanted to scold him a few times but couldn't bear to.

Auntie exclaimed, "Oh my, that’s right. I’ll fill a hot water bottle for you too," and went out.

This niece’s husband was certainly devoted to his wife, even more thoughtful than she, his aunt, was. Grandpa instructed, "Sit on the kang; it’s warm.

Soon Auntie will bring the dining table out here. This snow is going to last a while." Chi Wu agreed, "Indeed, the car is still parked at the village outskirts." Grandpa reassured him, "No matter.

The compound at the outskirts is safer than anywhere else; no one goes around causing trouble there." At dinner, Cheng Ying sat on the warm kang, with a hot water bottle tucked against her stomach, and immediately downed the large mug of brown sugar water. She felt warm from the inside out, and the clothes she had just changed into were about to get damp with sweat again.

Auntie brought Cheng Ying a bowl of hot soup. "It's good to expel all the cold air.

Luckily, your feet stayed warm; otherwise, if you caught a chill, it would be terrible." Cheng Ying sighed contentedly, "It's so comfortable at home. If we were outside, we wouldn't have such fine arrangements to indulge in." Chi Wu felt a wave of relief.

In fact, halfway there, he had regretted it. If he had known the blizzard was this bad and the road so difficult, he should have just found a family to stay with in the village.

Though asking for help was troublesome, it was better than his wife suffering. Seeing Cheng Ying’s nose tip glistening with sweat, and her enjoying the warmth with half-closed, comfortable eyes, Chi Wu finally felt a little better.

They had been cooped up in the car for a whole day, and with the heavy snow, both had been highly focused. After eating, neither of them spoke much to Uncle or Grandpa before going to bed.

As they got onto the kang, Miao Miao gave Chi Wu a disdainful look. "Why aren't you wearing socks?

City folks are suddenly particular again, learning from our villagers." That remark was laced with barbs. Miao Miao had clearly been wounded by the sight of Chi Wu’s white socks previously.

This time, he had seized an opportunity to fire back. Chi Wu calmly glanced at Miao Miao, the defeated opponent.

"You wouldn't understand, little kid. Do you still really like those sneakers I brought?

I’ll bring you another two pairs next time, but remember to buy your own socks then." Miao Miao’s face flushed crimson, leaving him utterly speechless. Children have tempers.

Cheng Ying had bought Miao Miao a beautiful pair of sneakers previously.