Heart Stealer

After living in the city for a month, early in the morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten and the horizon was just beginning to turn pale.

Xiao's father and mother have woken up. They quietly packed their luggage and prepared to return to the countryside.

Qiu Xue heard a slight sound coming from downstairs. She rubbed her eyes and walked out of the room.

She saw her parents-in-law busy packing their luggage.

Qiu Xue felt uneasy and hurried downstairs to stop her parents-in-law.

"Dad, Mom, didn't you promise Tuobang and I to live here permanently? Why do you suddenly want to go back to the countryside?"

Father Xiao stopped what he was doing, looked up at Qiuxue and said, "Qiuxue, we can't let go of the chickens and ducks we raise at home, as well as the vegetables and fruits we grow."

A trace of worry flashed in Qiu Xue's eyes. "But, if you return to the countryside, with no one to look after you, how can we rest assured if someone gets a headache or a fever?"

Mother Xiao gently patted the back of Qiu Xue's hand and comforted her, "Child, we know you mean well, but we are used to a free and easy life. The air and environment in the countryside are the most comfortable for us. We will take good care of ourselves, so you don't have to worry too much."

Although Qiu Xue was reluctant, she also understood that their decision was based on their attachment to their homeland.

She silently helped her parents-in-law pack their luggage, folding each piece of clothing and putting it into the suitcase.

After packing their luggage and before leaving, Xiao's mother took Qiuxue's hand, her eyes full of anticipation as she said, "Qiuxue, while we're still young and able to work, you and Tuobang should quickly give us some grandchildren so we can help take care of them. Then, I can hold my little darling every day, telling him stories and singing nursery rhymes. Just thinking about it makes me happy!"

After hearing this, Qiu Xue's face turned red instantly. She looked at Xiao Tuobang shyly, hoping that he could say something to ease the awkward atmosphere.

However, Xiao Tuobang pretended not to see it and was busy helping his parents carry the luggage out, as if he didn't hear his mother's words at all.

Xiao Tuobang drove his parents to the station.

Along the way, a faint sense of parting filled the car.

When they arrived at the station, Xiao's father and mother got off the bus and prepared to enter the station with their luggage.

Before leaving, Xiao's mother once again reminded Xiao Tuobang: "Son, I know you are busy with work, but you must also take care of your health, especially take good care of Qiuxue. Now this home is your world, no matter what the reason, you must sort out your relationship with Qiuxue."

Father Xiao also patted Xiao Tuobang on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Tuobang, you've grown up. Some things should be let go. Don't always dwell on the past. Cherish the people around you, treat Qiuxue well, and don't let her down."

Xiao Tuobang nodded heavily, forced a smile and said, "Mom and Dad, don't worry, I will take good care of myself and Qiuxue. Be careful on the road, and remember to call me when you get home."

After saying that, he gave his parents a gentle hug, then watched them walk into the ticket gate, and only turned and left when he could no longer see them.

After his parents left, Xiao Tuobang mobilized people he knew to secretly look for the whereabouts of his junior sister.

When he was on vacation, he even rented a boat to search for it in the open sea, but he always came back empty-handed.

Qiuxue had nothing to do, so she often asked friends to go out in groups of three or five to play and enjoy the fun of life.

That day, Mrs. Zhen took a leave of absence for some reason, and Qiuxue had dinner outside before going home.

Xiao Tuobang had not come back yet, so Qiu Xue watched TV in the living room after taking a shower.

It was very late when Xiao Tuobang returned to his empty home carrying his briefcase and dragging his tired body.

He looked around, his eyes fell on the deserted dining table, and his tone was filled with a hint of blame: "Qiuxue, it's so late, why haven't you cooked yet?"

"Mrs. Zhen took a day off today, and I've already eaten outside." Qiu Xue replied.

Xiao Tuobang frowned and said in a commanding tone: "Qiuxue, I haven't eaten yet, go and cook for me." After Xiao Tuobang finished speaking, he carried his briefcase and went upstairs.

Although Qiu Xue was a little reluctant, she still walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, but found that there was nothing inside except a few eggs.

She sighed and went back to the living room to sit down.

Soon, Xiao Tuobang finished washing up and went downstairs to see that the dining table was still empty. He expressed displeasure in his tone: "Qiuxue, as a housewife, how can you treat your husband like this?"

Qiu Xue curled her lips and said defensively, "Sister Zhen took a sudden leave today. How would I know there were no vegetables in the refrigerator? And you didn't call in advance to say you were going home for dinner. If you're hungry, I'll go and pack it for you now."

As she spoke, Qiu Xue went upstairs to change her clothes, picked up her car keys and prepared to go out.

Seeing this, Xiao Tuobang followed him out.

"Tuobang, why don't you stay at home and wait for me to pack up and come back?" Qiuxue looked at Xiao Tuobang in confusion and asked.

"By the time you pack up, I'm afraid I'll have fainted from hunger." Xiao Tuobang said, rubbing his stomach.

The two drove to a nearby restaurant. Qiuxue skillfully ordered a table full of sumptuous dishes. Xiao Tuobang looked at her in surprise: "Qiuxue, didn't you say you had already eaten? Can you finish all these dishes?"

"I had dinner at four o'clock and I'm hungry now." Qiu Xue winked mischievously, then picked up the chopsticks and started to enjoy the food.

Xiao Tuobang has been extremely busy at work recently and is exhausted both physically and mentally. On the way back, he sat in the passenger seat and let Qiu Xue drive.

After returning home, Xiao Tuobang fell into a deep sleep as soon as he lay down on the sofa.

Qiu Xue gently covered him with the quilt, stared at his handsome face, and couldn't help but lean over and kiss him gently on the face.

Xiao Tuobang felt the light was a bit dazzling, and he squinted his eyes subconsciously. He raised his hand to rub his temples, and slowly opened his eyes. He found that it was not because the sunlight was too dazzling, but because the lights in the room were still on.

"Huh?" Xiao Tuobang frowned, suddenly realizing something was wrong. He turned around and found Qiu Xue sleeping beside him.

Xiao Tuobang was startled and quickly sat up. He reached out and gently patted Qiuxue's shoulder: "Qiuxue, wake up..."

Qiu Xue hummed in a daze and fell asleep again.

Xiao Tuobang hurriedly got up, carefully carried Qiuxue to the bed, and then carefully covered her with a quilt.

Looking at Qiuxue's peaceful sleeping face, Xiao Tuobang's eyes were full of guilt.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight shone into the room through the window, Qiuxue slowly woke up.

She stretched and yawned, and suddenly felt something was wrong - Huh? Why was she in bed?

Qiu Xue rubbed her eyes and looked around, only to find that Xiao Tuobang had carried her to the bed, and Xiao Tuobang had disappeared long ago.

Qiu Xue felt a little disappointed, but was soon attracted by a tempting fragrance.

She followed the smell to the living room and saw a hearty breakfast on the dining table, including fried eggs, bread, milk and fruit salad.

"Wow!" Qiu Xue exclaimed in surprise, with joy shining in her eyes.

Xiao Tuobang heard the sound, walked out of the kitchen, and said with a smile: "Qiuxue, come and try the breakfast I made."

Qiu Xue happily walked to the dining table and sat down. She picked up a piece of bread, took a bite, and exclaimed, "Delicious! Tuobang, your cooking skills are amazing!"

Xiao Tuobang smiled and said, "As long as you like it."

Qiu Xue ate breakfast while secretly glancing at Xiao Tuobang.

Qiu Xue blushed and asked softly, "Last night... I didn't lose my composure, did I?"

An imperceptible blush flashed across Xiao Tuobang's face, and he quickly shook his head, "No, you slept soundly."

Qiu Xue breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Xiao Tuobang's handsome profile and a warm feeling suddenly rose in her heart.