Chapter 841
Giving out dog food as the New Year approaches
"What are the plans for today?" Su Chen asked, his eyes never leaving his wife's face.
He noticed a tiny mole on the corner of her left eye, something he hadn't seen before, or perhaps he hadn't noticed it before.
“Eun-sung has a ballet class at 2 PM.” Lee Doona tapped the side of her coffee cup lightly with her fingertips, a small gesture she made when she was thinking. “And then I want to buy that new record; I heard it’s a limited edition.”
"Buying records again?" Su Chen laughed. Over the years, Li Doona's collection of vinyl records had filled an entire wall.
“This time it’s different.” She put down her cup and said seriously, “It’s a reissued first edition, and it’s signed.”
Su Chen looked at the light shining in her eyes, that pure passion for the things she loved, which had never changed over the years.
He nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you this afternoon."
"Does Daddy want to do ballet too?" Enxing suddenly looked up and asked, her little face smeared with strawberry jam.
Lee Doona chuckled, while Su Chen pretended to be serious: "If Dad were to dance ballet, the classroom might collapse."
Breakfast was served in a relaxed atmosphere. Lee Doona carefully wiped her daughter's face and gently corrected her posture when holding the fork.
Su Chen looked at them, recalling the confusion he felt when he first transmigrated to this world many years ago, the scene of his first encounter with Li Douna, and those ambiguous days of being close yet distant.
Who could have imagined that those uncertain trials would eventually settle into such an ordinary Saturday morning?
"What are you thinking about?" Lee Doona's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I remember the first time you cooked for me," Su Chen said honestly.
Lee Doona's face flushed slightly—even after becoming a mother, this reaction remained unchanged: "Back then, you had a look of utter defiance on your face."
"Because it really could be fatal," Su Chen shook his head dramatically, "that dark, murky plate..."
"Su Chen!" She tossed him a napkin, which he easily caught.
Enxing looked at her parents and giggled.
Lee Doona stood up to clear the tableware, and Su Chen also stood up to help.
Their shoulders brushed lightly together by the kitchen sink.
"Are you really going to buy records?" Su Chen asked in a low voice, taking the dishes she had washed.
"Hmm." Lee Doona turned her head to look at him, water droplets splashing onto her shirt, leaving dark stains. "Otherwise, why would you come with me?"
"I'll do anything for you." Su Chen naturally reached out and wiped a bit of foam from her cheek.
Lee Doona stopped what she was doing and looked at him intently.
In the morning light, her eyes were still that deep brown, but they had become more composed and profound than when she was younger.
They've been through so much together over the years.
He leveraged his information advantage as a time traveler to establish himself in the technology industry.
They became one of the newly emerging conglomerates.
She gradually transitioned from an independent musician to behind-the-scenes production, and then Eun-sung arrived, shifting the focus of her life.
But some things have never changed.
For example, her occasional sudden whims, his inability to resist her gaze, and the unspoken understanding between them.
"After we buy the records this afternoon, shall we go eat at that Italian restaurant?" Lee Doona suggested, her eyes sparkling. "Let's not take Eun-sung; let her go to her parents' place."
"The plan works perfectly," Su Chen smiled.
Her parents have now accepted their son-in-law, although they were initially quite critical of his "unexplained" success.
They were also puzzled by his inability to explain his origins.
We can only be thankful that he understands Korean.
Lee Doona proudly raised her chin, a gesture that fully showcased the lines of her neck.
Su Chen unconsciously reached out and gently traced the curve with his fingertips.
Her skin remained smooth and delicate, like the finest silk.
"It itches." She shrank her neck, but didn't move away.
Su Chen's hand slid down to her back and gently patted her: "Go change your clothes, your shirt is wet."
Lee Doona looked down and saw water stains spreading across the silk fabric, faintly revealing her skin tone underneath.
She raised an eyebrow at him: "Where are you looking?"
“Legal area.” Su Chen said confidently.
Lee Doona smiled and shook her head, turning to walk towards the bedroom. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back: "Oh, right, tonight..."
"Ok?"
"Never mind, we'll talk about it tonight." She left with a meaningful look and disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Su Chen stood there, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.
Even after all these years, she still likes to do this: leave things unsaid, like a cat, elusive and unpredictable.
Even though they were already very close.
Enxing climbed down from her high chair, ran over, and hugged his leg: "Daddy, why does Mommy always smile like that?"
"What kind of smile?" Su Chen picked up his daughter.
"Well... his eyes are curved, like he knows some secret," Eun-sung tried to describe.
Su Chen looked towards the bedroom, where he could hear Li Doona humming a song.
It's the melody of an old song they listened to together when they were young.
“Because Mom does know the secret,” he said softly.
"What secret?"
"The secret to keeping Dad forever fascinated."
Enxing tilted her head as if she understood, and Su Chen smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead.
Bowls and plates were piled up in the sink.
Morning light spread throughout the living room.
Soft singing filled the bedroom.
This is their life, ordinary and mundane, yet each day shines with a unique light because of each other's presence.
When Lee Doona came out after changing her clothes, Su Chen was playing with Eun-sung, building blocks.
She leaned against the doorframe and watched them for a while before speaking, "I'm ready."
Su Chen looked up.
She wore simple jeans and a beige cardigan, her hair casually tied into a low ponytail, with a few stray hairs falling around her neck.
She was beautiful without makeup, more so than with any makeup.
Time has indeed not diminished her beauty; on the contrary, it has endowed her with a composed charm that she lacked in her youth.
"Mom looks beautiful!" Eun-sung clapped her hands.
Lee Doona walked over, squatted down, and kissed her daughter: "Little Star has such a sweet mouth."
Then she looked up at Su Chen, a sly glint in her eyes, "What does Dad think?"
Su Chen reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear: "I've always felt that way."
His fingers lingered on her earlobe for a moment, feeling her slight trembling.
This little reaction has never changed.
Lee Doona stood up and casually patted him on the shoulder: "Smooth talker."
But her ears turned red, and Su Chen could see it clearly.
I spent the morning with Eun-sung.
During ballet class, Su Chen sat on a bench outside the classroom, watching her daughter clumsily but earnestly follow the teacher's movements through the glass.
Lee Doona leaned on his shoulder and whispered her opinion: "She's more talented than her mother."
“I’ve seen you dance before.” Su Chen recalled a party where she danced impromptu after getting slightly drunk, and it was so captivating that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“That’s different.” Lee Doona squeezed his hand. “That’s artistic expression.”
Su Chen smiled and didn't expose her.
After the course ended, they sent Enxing to her maternal grandparents' house.
The old woman beamed with joy when she saw her granddaughter, and Lee Doona's mother even secretly slipped her a card: "Buy something you like, don't always let him pay."
“Mom, we have money.” Lee Doona said helplessly.
“That’s different, this is my mother’s heartfelt wish.” The old woman blinked; she had been a beauty in her youth, and Lee Doona’s features bore a resemblance to her. Leaving their parents’ house, the two walked down the street.
In the city center on an autumn day, the sky is azure and fallen leaves carpet the sidewalks.
Lee Doona naturally took Su Chen's arm and rested her head slightly on his shoulder.
“Sometimes it feels like a dream,” she suddenly said.
"Ok?"
“All of this,” she gestured vaguely, “you, Eun-sung, your life now… Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and see you sleeping next to me, and it feels unreal.”
Su Chen gripped her hand tightly.
He knew this feeling; as a time traveler, he understood the meaning of "unreal" better than anyone else.
But her hands were warm and real, her breath was close to his ear, and her presence filled his once empty world.
“It’s true,” he said simply.
The record store is located in a quiet alley.
Lee Doona went straight to her target as soon as she entered, clearly having already scouted the location.
Su Chen followed behind, watching her greet the shop owner familiarly.
She's a regular customer.
"Found it!" She held up a vinyl record like a child who had just received candy.
Su Chen walked over and looked at her excited face.
Sunlight streamed in through the shop window, dancing on her hair.
At that moment, she looked exactly the same as the girl who had begged him to teach her how to cook years ago.
Her eyes sparkled, her lips curled into a smile, and she radiated pure joy.
"So happy?" he asked softly.
“Yes.” She nodded, then lowered her voice, “And this is the version I’ve been looking for for a long time.”
When paying, the shop owner, a middle-aged man, smiled at Lee Doona and said, "Every time I see your husband accompanying you, I feel that you two are truly in love."
Lee Doona paused for a moment, then laughed: "He? I practically dragged him here."
She walked out of the shop, carrying a paper bag of records, her steps light and quick.
Su Chen watched her swaying figure from behind; her jeans perfectly outlined the curves of her hips.
He quickened his pace to catch up and gave him a light tap.
Lee Doona turned around abruptly, her eyes filled with a strange expression.
Su Chen had seen that look of surprise, amusement, and a hint of embarrassment countless times, yet he still found it adorable.
“Su Chen!” she glared at him.
"It still feels great." He laughed heartily, like a boy who had just pulled off a prank.
Lee Doona shook her head, but couldn't help but smile.
She turned around and continued walking, but quietly slowed her pace, waiting for him to walk beside her.
Then, she gently hooked her free hand around his finger.
Without any further words, this simple gesture filled Su Chen's heart with tenderness.
He held her hand tightly, and the two of them walked slowly along the street covered with fallen leaves, as if the road had no end, as if time could stand still in this ordinary and beautiful moment.
Inside the Italian restaurant, candlelight flickered.
Lee Doona cuts her steak with elegant movements.
Su Chen looked at her and recalled their first formal date many years ago, which was also at a similar restaurant.
She was so nervous back then that she almost spilled her water glass, but now she is calm and composed.
"Why are you staring at me?" She looked up, the candlelight dancing in her eyes.
"Because it looks good," Su Chen said honestly.
Lee Doona smiled, cut off a small piece of steak, and held it to his lips.
Su Chen opened her mouth and took it, a gesture that drew envious glances from the young couple at the next table.
“Eun-sung asked me today why we always seem so happy,” Lee Doona suddenly said.
How did you answer?
“I said, because Dad always gives in to Mom.” She blinked.
Su Chen shook his head: "You were the one who let me win."
They looked at each other and smiled.
This dialogue is meaningless, yet full of meaning.
It's a tacit joke that only long-term partners can understand.
After dinner, instead of going straight home, they took a walk along the river.
The night breeze was slightly cool, and Lee Doona moved closer to him to warm herself.
Su Chen took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, and she naturally leaned into his arms.
"Thank you for today," she said softly.
"What are you thanking me for?"
“Everything.” She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the lights across the river. “Accompanying me to buy records, having meals with me, taking walks with me, and the fried eggs in the morning, even though they were a little burnt.”
Su Chen lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "It is my honor, Ms. Lee Doona."
She chuckled softly and buried her head in his chest.
The river breeze blew through her long hair, a few strands brushing against Su Chen's cheeks, carrying her unique fragrance.
He held her in his arms, feeling her warmth and his heartbeat.
So many years have passed, they have children, careers, responsibilities, and concerns.
Life is no longer just about romance between two people, but is filled with diapers, parent-teacher meetings, work pressure, and the mundane realities of daily life.
But it was precisely in this ordinariness that Su Chen felt the existence of love more clearly.
It's not about grand, passionate gestures, but about gentle habits integrated into daily life.
For example, he always knows how much sugar she wants in her coffee; she always knows when to be silent or to speak at just the right time when he is tired; they can understand the meaning in each other's eyes without words; and even after everything they have been through, he can still be moved by a small gesture from her.
He has already integrated into this new world.
"Let's go home," Lee Doona said softly. "It's a bit cold."
Su Chen nodded, put his arm around her, and walked back.
In the taxi, she leaned on his shoulder, almost falling asleep.
Looking at the passing night view outside the window, Su Chen recalled the confusion and loneliness at the beginning of his transmigration. Looking down at his wife sleeping peacefully in his arms, he felt an indescribable gratitude welling up in his heart.
After arriving home, Lee Doona took a shower first.
Su Chen tidied up the living room and carefully placed her records on the shelf.
There are already hundreds of records there, documenting their lives.
Some were songs they had listened to together, some were songs she particularly liked, some were gifts he gave her, and some were things she bought on special occasions.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and after a while, Lee Doona came out, wearing pajamas, her hair wet and draped over her shoulders.
She walked up to Su Chen naturally, turned her back to him, and asked, "Want me to dry my hair?"
Su Chen took the towel and gently dried her long hair.
He had done this action countless times; it was as familiar to him as breathing.
Lee Doona closed her eyes and enjoyed his service.
“Su Chen,” she suddenly spoke.
"Ok?"
"If...if one day I get old and no longer look good, will you still be like this?"
Su Chen stopped what he was doing and turned her body to face him.
A rare vulnerability and expectation flickered in her eyes, something seldom seen beneath her cat-like pride. (End of Chapter)