Heart Stealer

Xiao Tuobang came home half an hour later than usual today.

Qiu Xue had already prepared the steaming and fragrant meals.

Qiu Xue carefully carried the plate to the dining table, but when she put the dish on the table.

Xiao Tuobang's attention was instantly attracted by the two dishes that were obviously burnt.

Xiao Tuobang's original high expectations for dinner could not help but deflate quietly like a popped balloon, replaced by a barely perceptible disappointment.

Qiu Xue noticed Xiao Tuobang's disappointment. She lowered her head and said self-reproachfully, "I'm sorry, husband. I called you to come back and try the food I cooked, but I accidentally burnt it."

Xiao Tuobang had already experienced Qiu Xue's cooking skills. He couldn't help feeling distressed when he saw his wife's guilty expression.

"Wife, it's okay, you've done very well." Xiao Tuobang comforted her softly, "This is just a small accident."

Qiu Xue raised her head and looked at Xiao Tuobang's encouraging eyes, and couldn't help feeling a little warm.

"Thank you, husband. I promise to cook the dishes well next time." Qiu Xue said with a smile, then picked up the bowl, picked up a piece of burnt meat and put it into her mouth.

Xiao Tuobang also picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth. Although it tasted a bit bitter, he still tried hard to swallow it.

He praised her hypocritically, "Wife, your cooking tastes great, but you should turn down the heat next time."

Qiuxue smiled happily, nodded and said, "I know, husband."

On Saturday morning, with a few remaining stars still hanging in the sky, Qiu Xue and Xiao Tuobang were ready to go hiking in the suburbs.

Qiuxue's face was filled with an excited smile, and she was full of anticipation and joy for this mountain climb.

She was wearing sportswear and carrying a backpack full of snacks, and she excitedly led the way.

Although Xiao Tuobang was also wearing sports equipment, his face did not show the same excitement as Qiu Xue's.

Qiu Xue noticed Xiao Tuobang's mood. She walked over to him and asked with concern, "Tuobang, what's wrong with you today? Why do you look unhappy?"

Xiao Tuobang raised his head, glanced at Qiu Xue, and forced a smile: "Nothing, maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

Qiu Xue didn't ask any more questions, but just patted Xiao Tuobang's shoulder gently: "Then try to relax. Let's go hiking together and breathe some fresh air. Maybe it will make you feel better."

Xiao Tuobang nodded without saying anything. Qiuxue turned and walked towards the mountain road, starting today's hiking journey.

Qiu Xue walked very fast. She looked back at Xiao Tuobang from time to time, trying to pull him to speed up.

Xiao Tuobang always maintained a slow pace, as if he was using all his strength in every step.

In order to make Xiao Tuobang happy, Qiu Xue told jokes, played games, and even sang songs. However, no matter how hard she tried, Xiao Tuobang never smiled.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye it was already noon. Qiu Xue and Xiao Tuobang rested under a big tree.

Qiu Xue took out the prepared food and the two began to eat lunch.

Qiu Xue asked while eating, "Hubby, if you don't want to climb the mountain, we can go home or go somewhere else."

Xiao Tuobang shook his head and said nothing.

Qiu Xue hung her head and asked cautiously, "Honey, I'm sorry. I burnt the food yesterday. Are you angry with me because you didn't have enough to eat?"

Xiao Tuobang looked at Qiuxue and couldn't help laughing. He shook his head gently and said softly, "Silly wife, why would I be angry with you for this? The food you cook is already delicious."

Qiu Xue asked coquettishly, "Then why are you still so unhappy?"

Xiao Tuobang looked at Qiu Xue's expectant eyes, hesitated for a moment, and decided to confess his deep troubles to her.

He took a deep breath and said slowly: "Wife, I have been hiding something from you... Junior Sister has been in the city for a while. She is now doing housekeeping work at Jing Tianxin's house.

My master told me to take good care of her. I asked her yesterday if there was anything I could help her with, and she said she wanted to move out of the Jing family and find a job. So, I'm worried about this matter.

Hearing this, Qiu Xue's heart tightened because she knew the past relationship between Xiao Tuobang and Sufang.

But she didn't show it. She asked in a low voice, "Did Sufang find a job?"

Xiao Tuobang shook his head: "Not yet, but I will help her look for it."

Qiuxue secretly felt lucky that Xiao Tuobang did not suggest that Zhang Sufang move in with them.

She suddenly had an idea and said to Xiao Tuobang, "Husband, a few days ago I heard from the HR manager that the front desk of Jindu Hotel is short of staff.

Why not arrange for Sufang to work there? This way, she can solve her housing problem and have a stable income. What do you think?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tuobang immediately shook his head in objection: "No, working at the front desk is too tiring. She has to stand for so long every day. How can I arrange for my junior sister to do such a hard job? Besides, Sufang is a girl after all, and her body is relatively thin. I'm afraid she can't handle it."

Xiao Tuobang always thinks about Sufang, which makes Qiuxue feel uncomfortable and jealous.

She asked aggrievedly, "What's wrong with the front desk? If I can do it, why can't Sufang?"

"That's not what I meant." Xiao Tuobang explained quickly, "I'm just worried that she's too tired and it will affect her health. After all, she just arrived in the city and needs some time to adapt."

Qiu Xue said angrily, "Then what are you going to do? You can't let her live in the Jing family forever, right?"

Xiao Tuobang scratched his head and said, "I'm also trying to find her a lighter job... Or, we can rent a house for her to live in and move out when she finds a suitable job."

"Rent an apartment?" Qiu Xue's eyes widened. "How much will that cost? Besides, if Sufang can't find a job, do we have to support her forever?"

Qiu Xue became more and more excited as she spoke, and Xiao Tuobang's indifference made her feel aggrieved.

Suddenly, Qiuxue's tears rolled down like a flood that broke through the dam.

Xiao Tuobang was thinking about something. He said impatiently, "Okay, okay, honey, don't cry... There are so many people watching us over there."

The tourists who were resting in the pavilion all looked at them sideways, and Qiuxue cried even harder.

She sobbed and cried out the grievances in her heart.

When Xiao Tuobang saw the tourists looking at him strangely, he quickly reached out to wipe the tears from Qiu Xue's face.

He held his wife in his arms, gently stroked her hair, and coaxed her in a low voice.

Xiao Tuobang originally planned to let Zhang Sufang serve as the secretary in his office, but seeing Qiu Xue so sad, he knew that this plan could no longer be realized.

He sighed softly and said to Qiu Xue helplessly: "Okay, then let's do as you wish."

Hearing this, Qiu Xue finally stopped crying, raised her head and looked at Xiao Tuobang, with tears in her eyes, but the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a smile of victory.

They packed their bags and continued their journey up the mountain hand in hand.