Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife Chapter 1637 - 1638: No Union

Amidst the bus ride homeward, Cheng Su found herself compelled to revisit the portrait concealed within her bag. She examined the individual depicted, as though seeking an answer hidden within their features.

Yet, no recognition dawned. She possessed no recollection of this person, even doubting if such an individual had ever crossed her path in either of her two lives.

Cheng Su meticulously folded the portrait, closed her eyes, and delved into her memories. Upon opening them again after a significant pause, she found nothing.

To her, this person was nothing more than a fleeting stranger, someone she hadn't even brushed past, let alone anything more profound.

Who could this man be, and what connection did he share with the younger Cheng Su? If he were a relative, surely he would have been sought out. If not, what purpose did he serve?

Cheng Su’s contemplation yielded no insights; she was utterly baffled.

Perhaps her current existence was far too comfortable and serene. She hesitated to delve into the deep loneliness of the younger Cheng Su. Particularly now, with Qi Xiaoqi in her life, she found herself somewhat reluctant, believing it was sufficient for him to grow up strong and stable.

Was this, in essence, selfishness on her part?

Cheng Su gazed at the portrait once more, let out a profound sigh, refolded it, and returned it to her bag.

Looking out the bus window, the passing scenery blurred into a kaleidoscope. As the bus entered the city, the streets teemed with life, a constant flow of faces. How daunting it seemed, the task of finding one specific person within this immense world.

...

Upon arriving home, the sound of Qi Xiaoqi’s joyous laughter reached Cheng Su, who found him on the sofa with Father Qi engaging in play.

Approaching them, she watched as he, with his small, chubby hands, struggled to bring his foot to his mouth.

It was winter, and though Guangcheng was milder than Qing City, the season demanded warmer attire. Qi Xiaoqi was, of course, bundled up by the family. He wore thick cotton trousers, and even his usually bare feet were covered by cozy socks. The effort to maneuver his bulk and bring his toes to his mouth was considerable.

Consequently, his little face was flushed with exertion, yet he continued to giggle, his clear, bell-like laughter echoing, effectively dispelling the somber mood that had settled over Cheng Su.

“Why are you being so amusing today?” Cheng Su, having been away the entire day, missed her son dearly. She scooped him up, sharing in his delight, and playfully inquired.

It was common for young children to explore their feet with their mouths, but Qi Xiaoqi had never done this before. Cheng Su had once commented that his feet lacked flexibility, that they couldn’t bend easily enough to reach his mouth, unlike other children whose limber muscles allowed such feats. On one occasion, she had playfully lifted him with a single hand, earning a stern rebuke from Mother Cheng, who feared she might injure her grandson’s leg.

Thereafter, fearing a broken leg, Qi Xiaoqi suddenly managed, one day, to place his toes into his mouth.

For the child, it was also an effort, constantly worried that his first-time mother might engage in another unpredictable game.

Therefore, to demonstrate the newfound flexibility of his legs, he persisted in his comical attempt to eat his toes, ensuring she observed his progress.

Qi Xiaoqi rested his head on her chest, his eyelids growing heavy.

“You’ve just returned; why don’t I put him down for his nap?” Father Qi expressed concern for his daughter-in-law, having been out all day and likely feeling fatigued.

Cheng Su was indeed weary, though it was more of a mental exhaustion. However, she felt a pull towards her son and replied, “No need, I’ll feed him and get him settled for sleep.”

With that, she carried him to their room.

In a short while, Qi Xiaoqi succumbed to sleep. Cheng Su, however, lay gazing absently at the ceiling light. Her mind flickered between images of the younger Cheng Su and the enigmatic man, yet they remained separate, never converging. Eventually, she closed her eyes, drifting into a hazy slumber.