From Broken Family to Life Winner: A Reborn Mother's Journey

Su Li frowned and followed Bai Xinyue inside.

’Bai Xinyue wouldn’t have said that to her for no reason. Her sudden comment had to be related to Wu Sheng.’

She had also seen the news about the continuous, torrential rain, but she hadn’t thought much about it at the time.

Little Tang Mo went to find a book, and Su Li also settled down to find one for herself.

’Even if this was about Wu Sheng, even if he really was going on a rescue mission, it’s not something I can worry about or change.’

Su Li had no idea why Bai Xinyue had even come. She just wandered around for a bit, casually flipped through a couple of books, and left.

Everyone has different interests, and Bai Xinyue didn’t enjoy reading.

Seeing Su Li remain so composed and actually settle down to read, a glint of amusement flashed in Bai Xinyue’s eyes.

The rain stopped that afternoon, but the weather didn’t improve, remaining gloomy and overcast.

Su Li and Little Tang Mo spent the entire afternoon in the library, heading home along with the staff at closing time.

When they got home, they saw Wu Sheng standing right at their door.

Wu Sheng was in his work uniform with a pack on his back, standing on the landing and looking at Su Li and Little Tang Mo.

”I was worried I’d miss you.”

He had called earlier, but no one had answered. In the final moments before he had to leave, he came over, holding on to a sliver of hope that he might see them.

No one answered his knock, and just as disappointment set in, he heard their footsteps and voices as they returned.

’Thank goodness I get to see them one last time before I go.’

Seeing Su Li and Little Tang Mo standing on the steps without coming up, Wu Sheng gave a helpless smile. ”Why aren’t you coming up?”

Su Li climbed the last few steps. Looking at how Wu Sheng was dressed and recalling what he’d said, she had already figured it out.

”You’re leaving now?”

This was the first time Su Li had seen Wu Sheng right before he left for a mission.

In the past, whenever Wu Sheng had to leave, he would either tell her a day in advance, give her a quick call, or sometimes, not have time to tell her at all.

This was the first time—the very first time—he had come to say goodbye in person right before leaving.

Wu Sheng looked almost the same as always, but to Su Li, everything felt completely different.

She had never seen this side of him before.

”Yes, I’m leaving right away. I wanted to see you before I left, so you wouldn’t worry.”

Wu Sheng paused. ”I’m going to Wucheng. You’ve probably seen the news.”

It was precisely because he was headed to Wucheng, and because the city’s dire situation was all over the news. He knew that with her profession, Su Li would surely be following the developments. He had rushed over to say goodbye because he was afraid she would worry.

After hearing Bai Xinyue’s words that afternoon and now seeing Wu Sheng like this, Su Li had already steeled herself.

Bai Xinyue must have had a source for what she said, so when Su Li heard Wu Sheng mention Wucheng, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Su Li had always known that because of their professions, both Tang Yuanxiao and Wu Sheng faced dangers—dangers she couldn’t even begin to imagine. In the past, she had done her best not to think about it, not to worry, and simply held on to her faith in Wu Sheng.

She had always managed to get by before. But this time, perhaps because she was seeing Wu Sheng just before he left, an endless emptiness and fear filled her heart for the first time.

’Even though I know this is a duty he has to fulfill, I can’t help but worry. I can’t help but be afraid.’

Su Li’s mind went blank for a moment. It took her a long while to find her voice, and when she did, she inexplicably said something that failed to convey what she was truly feeling.

”Have... have you eaten?”

Hearing her question, Wu Sheng froze for a second before it registered. For some reason, he felt a sudden sting in his nose.

He hadn’t eaten.

He’d been too busy that morning, only managing a few bites of a steamed bun. Dinner was completely out of the question.

If Su Li hadn’t asked, he, being accustomed to going hungry on the job, wouldn’t have felt particularly bad or thought anything of it.

Given the situation, he knew he couldn’t expect a proper meal or even a decent drink tonight, or possibly even tomorrow. He was used to it and had already prepared himself.

But with Su Li’s simple question, Wu Sheng was suddenly hit with an unbearable pang of hunger.

Looking into Su Li’s eyes, he found he couldn’t lie and just told her the truth.

”I haven’t eaten. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve completely forgotten I was hungry.”

Hearing his words, Su Li’s eyes grew hot, and her heart ached with a nameless pang.

”We work so hard just to get a bite to eat. How can you forget that you’re hungry?”

Wu Sheng was about to leave. Even if only to let him go with peace of mind and without any burdens, Su Li knew she couldn’t cry.

’I shouldn’t cry. I absolutely cannot cry.’

So she lowered her gaze and went to open the door, muttering a complaint as the slight catch in her voice quickly vanished.

”Do you have five minutes? Just give me five minutes.”

Wu Sheng nodded. ”I do.”

’Five minutes. He could spare that.’

”I’ll make you some fried rice. It’ll be quick. You can eat it on the way.”

Su Li unlocked the door and rushed into the kitchen to make fried rice as quickly as she could.

There was still some leftover rice from the morning.

She made a simple egg fried rice. Without a word, Little Tang Mo helped wash some greens, which Su Li chopped up at lightning speed and tossed into the pan.

With the pack still on his back, Wu Sheng stood in the kitchen doorway, watching the mother and son.

”When you get there, no matter how busy you are, you have to remember to eat and drink when you can.”

”Food is fuel. No matter what the conditions are, you have to take care of your body.”

Wu Sheng answered obediently, ”Yes, ma’am.”

Su Li swallowed hard. ”I’m serious. I know that with your sense of duty, you’re always thinking about doing one more thing, saving one more person. But eating and drinking doesn’t take much time. Taking just a little time to refuel will make you twice as effective, won’t it?”

Wu Sheng nodded emphatically. ”You’re right.”

”Only when you eat and drink and have your strength can you perform better. It will also help you avoid accidents and keep yourself safe.”

Su Li told Little Tang Mo to get out a lunchbox as she quickly worked the spatula.

”Also, don’t drink untreated water. No matter what, pay attention to hygiene so you don’t get sick.”

Wu Sheng nodded again. ”Okay. I’ll listen to you.”

Su Li poured the fried rice into the lunchbox, added a spoon, and snapped the lid shut before handing it to Wu Sheng.

”The most important thing is to stay safe. You have to... be safe.”

After all was said and done, the most important thing was his safety.

”I know.” How could he not understand that?

”Don’t worry. I’ll report back to you safe and sound. And I’ll come back for more of your egg fried rice.”

He took the lunchbox and pulled Su Li into his arms. He took a deep breath, inhaling the faint scent of cooking oil that clung to her.

”Su Li, wait for me. Don’t worry.”

”No matter what you see in the news or on TV, I will make it back alive.”

Su Li nodded frantically. ”I believe you.”

Wu Sheng kissed the top of Su Li’s head, then let her go.

”I’m leaving now.”

”Okay.” Su Li forced a smile.

As Wu Sheng headed out the door, he looked back at Little Tang Mo, who hadn’t said a single word since he arrived but had been watching him with wide, earnest eyes. Wu Sheng gave the boy’s hair a rough ruffle.

”Tang Mo, take good care of your mother. You may still be little, but you’re the man of the house now.”