Chapter 171: Waiting Too Long

Qin Wenhuo arrived early—he was worried his wife might get off work ahead of schedule.

It was such a cold day; he couldn’t let her wait outside.

So he got there at 8:30.

He thought she’d be out by 9, but she didn’t show.

Still, he wasn’t anxious. He figured she’d been held up by work, so he waited patiently.

That wait stretched all the way until midnight.

Finally, he got out of the car and walked to the security office at the main gate.

“Hello, is Comrade Fu Mingxue still working overtime? Could you check for me?”

“Fu Mingxue? And you are?” the security guard asked directly.

Qin Wenhuo introduced himself, “I’m Fu Mingxue’s husband, Qin Wenhuo. I’m here to pick her up.”

He was still in his military uniform, so the security didn’t press him too hard about his identity.

“Alright, wait a moment. I’ll check the attendance records.”

The security guard went to look it up.

It took a while.

“Found her—she hasn’t clocked out yet. I’ll go over and check for you.”

There were two people on duty at the security office, so it was fine for one to leave.

After all, sometimes they had to send someone to patrol the factory grounds anyway.

Qin Wenhuo quickly said, “Thank you!”

Half an hour later, the security guard returned. “Team Leader Fu is still in the workshop, working with Master Yang. I didn’t disturb them. They should be finishing up soon. Just wait a bit longer.”

Qin Wenhuo was relieved to know his wife was still in the workshop.

“Thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll wait a little longer—”

He went back to his car.

He waited until about 1 a.m., when he finally saw his wife hurrying out.

Qin Wenhuo had been watching the factory gate the whole time. As soon as he saw her, he jumped out of the car.

“Wife!”

Fu Mingxue looked apologetic. “Sorry, I lost track of time. You must have been waiting a long time.”

Qin Wenhuo immediately replied, “It’s fine. I just took a little nap in the car.”

In truth, he hadn’t closed his eyes at all.

With his wife working so late, how could he possibly sleep?

“Come on, let’s get in the car and go home.”

Fu Mingxue nodded. “Okay.”

Qin Wenhuo opened the car door and Fu Mingxue quickly got in.

Once the car started, Fu Mingxue explained, “I was in the workshop with a master, watching him make a part. It was important, so I stayed late.”

“If you’re ever going to be this late again, just ask the security guard to call me.”

She really hadn’t thought of Qin Wenhuo this time.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left him waiting outside for so long.

Qin Wenhuo said at once, “It’s alright. Work comes first. Waiting in the car isn’t a big deal.”

He’d seen firsthand how hard his wife worked.

So late last night, and again tonight.

How could her body take it?

“Wife, take a nap. I’ll wake you when we get home.”

Fu Mingxue shook her head. “It’s alright, I’m not tired. Oh, did you pick up all the packages in town today?”

“Yeah, I got them,” Qin Wenhuo replied, focusing on driving.

This time, he didn’t try to make conversation.

Sure enough, when he stopped talking, his wife soon closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Even though he drove as smoothly as he could, the road was still bumpy.

When they arrived home, he gently nudged Fu Mingxue. “Wife, we’re home.”

Fu Mingxue immediately opened her eyes. “—Okay.”

She got out of the car.

Qin Wenhuo followed her. “I’ll go to the kitchen and make you something to eat.”

Fu Mingxue was truly tired now.

She waved her hand. “No need, I’ll just take a shower and go to bed.”

No need to read tonight—she needed to take care of her health, after all."