As the saying goes, a brief parting is as sweet as a newlywed reunion.

"Where is she?" After the initial shock came overwhelming joy.

Suddenly receiving news of an old friend, Elder Mrs. Tang could not calm her emotions. Her grip on Tang Banxia's hand tightened unconsciously.

Fearing the elderly woman might overexert herself, Tang Banxia hurriedly stroked her chest. "Grandma, don't rush. There, take slow, deep breaths!"

Grandma was getting on in years; her body simply could not handle such intense excitement. Drastic swings between deep sorrow and extreme joy were the hardest on a person's health.

Elder Mrs. Tang was also a physician. Though initially carried away by emotion, she quickly regained her composure upon hearing her precious granddaughter's words. She slowly calmed herself down, yet her gaze toward Tang Banxia remained intensely burning.

After a long while, seeing that the elderly woman had settled down, Tang Banxia said, "I've arranged it with Senior Grand-Aunt. She's coming to visit the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow?" Elder Mrs. Tang repeated unconsciously. "Did you say she's coming the day after tomorrow?"

Tang Banxia nodded. "So you, Grandma, must take good care of your health. Otherwise, if you fall ill before Senior Grand-Aunt even arrives, you won't get to see her, will you?"

"You girl, since when do you need to lecture your grandma," Elder Mrs. Tang scolded playfully.

"Alright, alright," Tang Banxia went along entirely with the old lady.

Only then did she notice something amiss. "Where is Grandpa?"

It was already dark, and Grandpa still hadn't returned?

"Him? Who knows what he's busy with." Mentioning this filled the old lady with complaints. "He hasn't come home for days, and he doesn't even stop to consider his age, acting as if he's still in his twenties. If he collapses, I'll be the one stuck taking care of him."

Tang Banxia wisely chose not to meddle in the bickering between the old couple.

For no other reason than that when she used to meddle as a child, taking Grandma's side meant Grandma would settle scores with her later, while taking Grandpa's side meant Grandpa would scold her afterward. Pleasing neither side brought nothing but trouble.

Over time, she learned that this was simply the affectionate dynamic between the old couple. Why should a younger generation like her step in and fan the flames?

Receiving no response, Elder Mrs. Tang let the matter drop after a few words and turned her attention to planning the menu for the day her senior sisterly friend would visit.

As for Tang Banxia, she hauled Wen Mubai indoors. "What's going on? What happened? Why has Grandpa been gone for so long?"

Based on her understanding of the old man, anything that could keep him away from home for days without even a word was definitely no trivial matter.

Over the years, influenced by his wife, the old man had turned into a health enthusiast who cherished his own body dearly.

Wen Mubai was taken aback by his wife's sharpness. "I don't know either. All I know is that Grandpa has only come home once in the past half-month. Even then, he warned us to go out less often lately. Something must have happened outside."

He knew, but he could not speak of it. Just as he had told himself, Tang Banxia needed a simple and kind-hearted delicate husband. If she were to find out his true identity... at this thought, a chill ran through Wen Mubai's heart.

Looking at his wife's pretty face, he silently swore in his heart that for the rest of his life, he would only be Wen Mubai—not Liang Yuan, nor that so-called Su Wenjin—just Wen Mubai.

Tang Banxia was completely oblivious to the twists and turns in Wen Mubai's mind. She nodded at this. "Then let's listen to Grandpa and avoid wandering around."

It was just as well for her to get some rest. During the month and a half of closed-door research, although the state provided care in every possible aspect, the high-intensity mental labor had inevitably caused exhaustion.

Amidst their conversation, she yawned and leaned against Wen Mubai. "I'm going to sleep for a bit. Wake me up when dinner's ready~"

Clutching her familiar human-shaped pillow and breathing in the crisp, clean scent of laundry soap radiating from him, Tang Banxia muttered a few unintelligible words and buried her face deeply into the crook of his neck, remaining still.

Seeing her like this, Wen Mubai felt his heart swell with fullness. After making sure she was fast asleep, he meticulously untied her hair, removed her outer coat, tucked the blanket over her, and stepped quietly out of the room.

Outside, Elder Mrs. Tang saw him emerge and asked softly, "Is she asleep?"

Wen Mubai nodded. "She's tired. Let her sleep."

The old lady nodded in complete agreement. For the sake of her granddaughter, she temporarily put the thought of her senior sisterly friend aside and began brewing a nourishing soup to build up her precious granddaughter's health.

Wen Mubai stayed to help.

Late the next morning.

Tang Banxia finally woke up fully rested.

"Mmh~" This nap had left her feeling utterly relaxed, her whole body refreshed and re-energized.

"You're awake? Come have breakfast," Wen Mubai poked his head out from the kitchen. "There's lean pork porridge you like, and Grandma made thousand-layer flatbread."

"Coming!" Tang Banxia answered cheerfully, silently marveling that this truly was what life was all about.

That month and a half at the research base could only be called surviving, at best.

Sipping the lean pork porridge cooked by Wen Mubai and eating the thousand-layer flatbread made by Grandma, Tang Banxia felt her entire heart warm and soothe.

"Zizai, after you finish eating, go with Xiaobai to the non-staple food store," Elder Mrs. Tang popped her head out of the room. "See what's on supply. If there is anything, buy it back. Here is the ration book."

Along with the ration book, she handed over a roll of cash, passing it to Wen Mubai.

At that moment, Wen Mubai turned shy again, looking at Tang Banxia to let her make the decision. Tang Banxia also saw the roll of cash. "Take it."

If Grandma wanted to subsidize her, she would accept it.

Sometimes, not refusing was also a form of filial piety.

Only then did Wen Mubai accept it. "Alright."

Well-fed and content, Tang Banxia changed out of her loungewear. "Grandma, I'm heading out. Don't save lunch for Xiaobai and me; we'll eat outside."

As the saying went, a small parting was sweeter than a newlywed reunion. Since they hadn't seen each other in a long time, going on a small date wasn't too much to ask, right?

"Go on, go on," Elder Mrs. Tang waved her hand. "Be careful out there!"

"Got it."

Wen Mubai also changed out of his patched-up clothes, putting on a light blue Zhongshan suit. With a gentle smile, he looked like an elegant young gentleman stepped right out of the Republican era.

His phoenix-like eyes carried a smile, bright and clear as he looked at Tang Banxia, seeing only her in his entire field of vision. Tang Banxia's mood instantly soared. "Let's go."

Wen Mubai smiled and followed closely behind.

With the original owner's memories, Tang Banxia was very familiar with Beijing. "Should we go to the non-staple food station first?"

"I'll listen to you."

With the New Year approaching, crowds surged like a weaver's shuttle. The streets of Beijing were bustling with people coming and going. Workers wore their respective factory uniforms, either pushing or riding bicycles, creating a lively scene.

Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai blended right into the crowd, not standing out in the slightest.

Feeling the bustling, down-to-earth atmosphere of everyday life, both of their moods lifted significantly.

The most ordinary mortal fireworks of life often proved the most comforting to the soul.

Tang Banxia, who had been cut off from the world, and Wen Mubai, who had brushed past death, both melted away their sense of detachment amidst the bustling crowd.

Upon arriving at the non-staple food station, fish was on today's supply list, but unfortunately, they lacked a fish coupon. Tang Banxia let out a regretful sigh, suddenly craving boiled fish in spicy broth.

At moments like this, the resourceful husband Xiao Wen was needed. He vowed to Tang Banxia with absolute confidence, "Just wait, I have a way."

Radiating confidence, he approached a well-dressed older woman at the non-staple food store and exchanged a few words, charming her until she giggled delightedly.

Tang Banxia frowned as she watched this scene—not out of jealousy, but because that older woman looked somewhat familiar.

As she furrowed her brows in thought, she saw Wen Mubai point in her direction, say a few more words, and then speak briefly with the familiar older woman again.

The older woman pulled two coupons from her wallet and handed them to Wen Mubai. Wen Mubai bowed to her in thanks and also handed two coupons of his own to the older woman.

Then, he walked back toward Tang Banxia, proudly holding up the fish coupons like a treasure. "Look, aren't there fish coupons now?"

"How on earth did you convince that woman?" Tang Banxia was quite curious about this, given that the woman's demeanor and attire suggested she was someone who lacked for nothing.

Wen Mubai's eyes darted around guiltily. Tang Banxia was far too familiar with this expression. "Did you do something behind my back?"

Whenever this boy used to trick the female comrades in the village into giving him food and she caught him, he wore this exact expression.

Wen Mubai stammered, "No, no, how could I? Banxia, you..."

"Tang Banxia?"