Xie Chi had the most wonderful dream.

In the dream, the war of resistance was victorious. Government cannons boomed deafeningly, every household hung up lanterns and colorful decorations, and everywhere was filled with the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers. The streets were packed with people, emotions running high, adults and children waving little flags and cheering joyfully, tears of joy covering the earth, with people constantly shouting “Long live the Chinese nation!”

At such a time, there could be no happier dream than this scene.

Xie Chi hugged her pillow with an uncontainable smile. The good mood from the dream lingered for a long time. She looked forward to and firmly believed that in the future, dreams would eventually come true, and light would eventually arrive. Even with countless difficulties, even if she herself might not live to see that day, there would still be the next generation, and the generation after that…

When she became more alert, she got up and picked up the nightgown that had been hanging half off the bed onto the floor, putting it on. She got out of bed barefoot and stretched luxuriously without restraint.

Today was beautiful weather. Xie Chi opened the windows wide for ventilation and lay on the bed searching for He Feng’s short hairs. Even though Fujita Kiyono rarely came to her room, she still couldn’t be careless.

Sometimes lying on the bed, sometimes kneeling on the floor, she carefully searched through the carpet and bedding, finding two short hairs. She sat on the edge of the bed looking at his hair strands, which showed a hazy golden halo in the sunlight streaming in. No matter how reluctant she was, she had to throw them away. She wrapped them in paper and threw them in the trash, then went to wash up.

Ever since getting close to Fujita Kiyono, Xie Chi’s cooking skills had greatly improved. This morning A’Ru had soaked some mung beans, so she used them to make some pastries to take to Fujita Kiyono. Passing by a flower shop, she also picked up some tulips and white chrysanthemums.

Everyone at headquarters recognized her and greeted her proactively. Xie Chi headed straight to Fujita Kiyono’s office. Hearing someone inside reporting work, she waited at the door.

The voices weren’t completely blocked, allowing her to catch a few words like “tactics” and “Changsha.” The corridor was full of people with prying eyes, so Xie Chi didn’t dare listen long. To avoid suspicion, she moved to a more distant spot and waited for the person inside to leave before entering.

When Fujita Kiyono saw her, he didn’t immediately come over. Instead, he organized the documents on his desk and locked them in the third drawer on the right side of the left cabinet. He put the key in his pocket before walking over with a beaming smile, taking the bouquet from her arms. “So beautiful.”

“Me or the flowers?”

“You’re more beautiful.” Fujita Kiyono answered with a smile. After putting down the bouquet, he eagerly turned to look at the box in her hands. “What delicious thing did you make this time?”

Xie Chi placed the wooden box on the coffee table and opened it, taking out each item. “Mung bean cakes and mung bean soup—drink it cold, there’s some ice too.”

Fujita Kiyono sat down happily and took the mung bean soup, taking a small sip.

“You don’t like things too sweet, so I used less sugar. Is it too bland?”

“It’s just right.” Fujita Kiyono held the bowl with one hand and took her hand with the other. “It’s very delicious, thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Xie Chi pushed him away and picked up a piece of mung bean cake, bringing it to his mouth. “Try this.”

Just as she finished speaking, He Feng suddenly pushed the door open without even knocking. Fortunately, Xie Chi had good psychological fortitude and wasn’t startled. He never dressed properly—his shirt never had all the buttons fastened, his sleeves were always rolled up asymmetrically, and at this moment he even had a toothpick in his mouth, looking completely like a dandy. “Oh, Miss Xie is here too.”

Xie Chi straightened up and gave him a faint smile.

“Ryuji.” Fujita Kiyono put down his bowl. “Didn’t Michi come with you?”

“She went to the communications department.”

“What’s she doing at the communications department?”

“She wanted to see how telegrams are sent.” He Feng walked to the other side of the coffee table. “What delicious things are you eating?” He looked at the food on the table and smiled, moving the toothpick from the left side of his mouth to the right. “All green.”

Fujita Kiyono gestured for him to sit. “Try some, Wanzhi made it herself.”

“I won’t eat any.” He Feng sat in the single armchair, crossed his legs, and rested both hands on the armrests, watching the two of them comfortably. He said to Fujita Kiyono, “You eat more, it’s her heartfelt gesture.”

Fujita Kiyono picked up the mung bean soup again. Seeing Xie Chi standing to the side, he pulled her over. “Sit down.”

Xie Chi sat beside him and suddenly covered her face with her hand, yawning.

Fujita Kiyono asked with concern, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“I slept fine.”

He looked at her faint dark circles. “You look like you’re not very energetic.”

“I went to bed as soon as I got home last night, but maybe I got up too early today. The mung beans needed to be soaked in advance, and I spent the whole morning cleaning house.”

“You’ve worked so hard. From now on, just buy these things outside, you don’t need to go through the trouble of making them yourself.”

“I like cooking.”

Telling lies with a straight face, one after another.

He Feng glanced at her, pulled out his toothpick, and tossed it into the trash can, curving his mouth meaningfully. “I think she looks quite rosy-cheeked and radiant. Being nourished by love really makes a difference, doesn’t it, Kiyono?”

Xie Chi: “…”

Someone knocked on the door.

Fujita Kiyono swallowed his pastry and cleared his throat. “Come in.”

It was his secretary. “Sir, Director Qin from Special Agent Headquarters is here to report.”

“Have him wait for me in the conference room.”

“Yes, sir.”

Fujita Kiyono stood up, wiped his mouth, and said to both of them, “Wait for me here. I’ll go out for a moment and be right back.”

He Feng said, “Go ahead.”

Fujita Kiyono habitually closed the door.

The two people in the room looked at each other. Just as He Feng was about to speak, Xie Chi gestured for him not to talk. She pointed to the area under the distant desk, indicating there might be listening devices. He Feng immediately understood and quietly got up to put his arms around her waist.

Xie Chi immediately pushed him away and pointed toward the door, having He Feng guard the entrance while she walked toward the distant cabinet.

He Feng naturally understood her meaning. He sat back on the sofa, leisurely watching as Xie Chi took a thin hairpin from her hair to pick the lock. When the drawer opened, she quickly took out the documents, retrieved a miniature camera from under her skirt, and photographed the documents.

He Feng admired her series of actions while getting up to stand by the window cabinet, pulling out the wilting flowers from the vase and inserting the tulips from the table.

He listened carefully to the sounds outside. Everyone’s footsteps were different—two women and one man passed by the door in succession. Soon, Fujita Kiyono was returning. He Feng tapped the table to warn Xie Chi, but she was still photographing. He tapped the table again. Xie Chi organized the documents, put them in the bag, and hurriedly locked them back.

The sound of leather boots grew closer—four meters, three meters, two meters.

There wasn’t enough time.

With his long legs, He Feng quickly took three steps to the door, opened it, and went out, blocking Fujita Kiyono who was just about to turn in. “Where’s the restroom?”

Fujita Kiyono pointed behind him. “Go straight to the end and turn left.”

He Feng stepped aside and walked away casually. “Alright.”

Fujita Kiyono turned in to find Xie Chi arranging flowers. He closed the door and walked behind her, his fingertips touching the flower petals. “I never send you flowers, yet you always come to bring me some.”

“It’s a small matter, don’t worry about it.” Xie Chi pushed him to sit at the coffee table. “You’re busy with work while I have the freedom of running my shop. Staring at needlework all the time gets boring too.”

“I’ll find a few more people to help you.”

“No, I don’t like having too many people around, you know that.”

Fujita Kiyono sat back in his original spot. “Alright then, but don’t worry too much about business matters. If you need money, tell me. Consider the shop just a pastime.”

“Mm, alright.”

“You’re not happy?”

“No, not at all.”

Fujita Kiyono explained, “I don’t have traditional ideas. I know you’re not the type of woman who’s content to stay home caring for husband and children. I support your career, I’m just afraid you’ll get too tired.”

“I know.” Xie Chi lifted the corners of her mouth slightly. “Hurry up and eat. Finish the soup—it was so tiring to make.”

“Alright.” Fujita Kiyono drank the remaining half bowl.

He Feng strolled back leisurely. Seeing him tilt his head back to drain it in one gulp, he said, “Drink slowly, don’t choke.”

Fujita Kiyono looked over at the sound and swallowed a mouthful of mung beans. “You really should try some.” He put down the bowl and took another piece of mung bean cake, nodding as he chewed. “Wanzhi’s cooking is excellent.”

He Feng boredly spun the pen holder. “I’m envious—having such a virtuous girlfriend.”

Fujita Kiyono smiled. “When you and Michi get married, have her learn to make these for you.”

“With those hands of hers, I’m afraid I’d be poisoned.”

“What are you saying bad about me?” Fujita Michi opened the door and came in, sitting beside her brother and casually picking up a piece of mung bean cake. “It looks so pretty.”

“Wanzhi made this.” Fujita Kiyono smiled. “I hope you’ll learn from her and make some for Ryuji in the future.”

“I don’t want to. We can just buy them outside.” Fujita Michi took a bite. “Delicious. Sister is so capable.”

“If you all like it, I’ll make more next time and invite you to my home to eat.”

“Great!” Fujita Michi grabbed He Feng’s arm. “Let’s go tonight then. We don’t know what to eat anyway.”

“You’ll have to ask your brother.”

Before Fujita Kiyono could speak, Xie Chi picked up her bag and prepared to leave. “Then I’ll go back to the shop first. I’ll wait for you all tonight—let’s say seven o’clock.”

Fujita Kiyono stood up as well. “I’ll see you off.”

“No need, you’re busy.”

“I’ll have Yamashita drive you back.”

“Really, no need. I’ll just get a rickshaw—it’s not far.”

“Alright then, be careful on the road. Call me when you get there.”

“Okay.”

He walked Xie Chi to the door and sat back down with high spirits.

Fujita Michi teased him, “Brother’s smile is reaching his ears.”

He Feng was looking at the flowers Xie Chi had brought—yellow and tender. He vaguely remembered that she hated the color yellow most.

He pulled out the flowers and casually threw them on the cabinet, then turned to Fujita Kiyono. “I like this vase. I’m taking it.”

…

Besides A’Ru, there was another man in the shop named Zhang Ya. He was a member of her group who, aside from underground work, usually helped Xie Chi manage the qipao shop, doing cleaning, moving, delivery, and other tasks.

There were customers in the shop at the moment, and A’Ru was attending to them. Xie Chi greeted them and went upstairs. She sewed the items into the lining of a suit, wrapped it up, and brought it downstairs, saying to Zhang Ya, “Take the clothes to Mr. Wang’s shop later. Tell him the other suit will be ready tomorrow, and I’ll deliver it to him tomorrow night.”

“Alright.”

Xie Chi went back to get her bag and came down again, saying to A’Ru who was taking measurements, “I need to go home early. We’re having guests tonight, so you and Guoqiang sleep in the shop.”

“Okay.”

She smiled at the customer, “I’m sorry, I have something to take care of and need to leave first. Just tell her about any requirements you have.”

“Of course, of course.”

…

Xie Chi went to the market and bought some fresh ingredients to take home.

At seven o’clock in the evening, they arrived right on time.

Xie Chi invited them in. Just as she was about to pour water, Fujita Kiyono said, “I’ll do it. You go ahead and keep busy. Don’t make too much.”

“Thank you so much.”

Fujita Michi was looking at the paintings and various decorative items hanging in the room.

He Feng stood by the window smoking, occasionally thinking about their passionate night here, which made him chuckle softly.

Fujita Kiyono helped Xie Chi bring dishes to the table. She had made six dishes in total, looking complete with color, aroma, and flavor. “These are all local Shanghai dishes. I didn’t make them very well—please try them.”

Fujita Michi exclaimed, “They’re already very impressive! They look no different from restaurant food.”

He Feng smiled and took a sip of wine. After not seeing her for over a year and a half, she had indeed learned many new tricks. But no matter how many tricks she learned, he still missed that simple bowl of clear noodle soup.

Just as he was thinking this, Xie Chi came out carrying a large bowl.

Fujita Kiyono quickly took it and set it down.

He Feng looked over—white noodles floating with a few green leaves. He suddenly felt that all the rich and sumptuous delicacies were bland and tasteless in comparison.

“We ran out of rice at home, so I just cooked some noodles.”

Fujita Michi said, “I won’t have any. I’m on a diet, so I’ll just eat some vegetables.”

“Alright.” Xie Chi served Fujita Kiyono half a bowl. “Try it.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen you make noodles. I really like noodles.” Fujita Kiyono took a bite. “Not bad.”

“If you like it, have more.” Xie Chi looked toward He Feng. “Do you want some?”

“Yes.” He Feng rested one hand on the table and picked up his chopsticks, tapping them on the table. “I have a big appetite—give me plenty.”

Xie Chi filled a bowl to the brim and handed it to him.

He Feng took it with both hands. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He Feng eagerly took a bite and smiled briefly—still that familiar taste.

He was still the same as before, finishing a whole bowl of noodles in just a few bites.

Xie Chi didn’t look at him but said casually, “There’s more in the pot if it’s not enough.”

“Good.”

Fujita Michi patted He Feng. “Don’t just eat noodles—there are so many delicious dishes.”

“Mm.”

…