Chapter 30: Finding a Gift for Mother-in-Law

When the two of them went to pick out shoes, they took quite a while. They finally settled on a pair of cloth shoes—soft and comfortable to wear—and also bought a couple of pairs of good-quality socks. As for the bag, they found one made of double-layered coarse fabric, but it felt a bit rough and uncomfortable to carry, so in the end, they decided not to buy it. They only purchased the shoes and socks. Lin Qiyue planned to make a large, sturdy bag herself for her mother-in-law.

By the time they got back, it was already six o’clock, and a delicious smell filled the air.

“You’re back?” Qian Xiuying said as she busied herself in the kitchen.

Lin Qiyue responded first, “Mhm, Mom, we’re back. Was work not busy today?”

“Not too busy lately, so I got off work early.” In truth, she was thinking about her son and daughter-in-law heading back to the countryside soon, and wanted to prepare some gifts for the villagers who had helped their family.

Lin Qiyue brought the gifts to their room, planning to give them to her later.

Lan Yusui was doing her homework in her room. When she heard her brother and sister-in-law return, she poked her head out and asked, “Back already? Where did you two go on your date today?”

“You nosy little thing, asking so many questions,” Qian Xiuying scolded lightly as she looked at her daughter.

Lan Yusui stuck out her tongue and retorted, “Mom, I didn’t say anything bad!”

Qian Xiuying gave her another warning glance.

Lan Yusui got the message—if she kept talking, her mom would definitely get mad.

“I went on a date in your brother’s heart!” Lin Qiyue joked cheerfully.

“Eww~” Lan Yusui shuddered at the cheesiness and quickly retreated into her room.

Qian Xiuying hadn’t expected her daughter-in-law to say something like that to her own daughter.

Lin Qiyue turned back and gave Lan Yuchu a shy look.

Lan Yuchu was already used to her sweet talk—she always seemed to say just what he wanted to hear.

“Later tonight, you’d better say more sweet things like that to me!” Lan Yuchu teased, clearly wanting more affection.

Lin Qiyue fled into the kitchen to help, laughing. “Mom~ Let me help you cook.”

Qian Xiuying smiled with satisfaction. As long as her son and daughter-in-law had a good relationship, that was what mattered most. After everything that had happened at home, she thought it was best for Lin Qiyue to go with her son and live with the army unit—being together every day would strengthen their bond.

“Qiyue~ Yuchu will be returning to his unit soon. Has he talked to you about moving with him?” she asked cautiously. Things had been so busy lately, and too much had happened—she hadn’t had a chance to ask until now.

Lin Qiyue nodded lightly. “Mhm, we talked about it. I went to resign from my job today. After I visit my parents’ graves, I’ll go with him to live in Xicheng.”

That place was still a bit chaotic, and Lin Qiyue worried about whether she’d be able to handle the tough conditions. It was also close to the border, where unexpected things could happen. But since she had already made up her mind, she wasn’t afraid. She believed things would work out once they were there—it would give them the time and space to be together as a couple. Married life also needed some privacy, after all.

Qian Xiuying was emotional and had to confirm again, “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me happy?”

“It’s true. If you don’t believe me, ask Yuchu.” Lin Qiyue wasn’t the type to lie—if she said something, she meant it.

Just then, Lan Yuchu, now changed out of his uniform, came out of the room. Seeing his mother’s intense gaze, he looked puzzled. “What’s going on?”

Qian Xiuying quickly composed herself and smiled. “Your wife said she’s going to live with you on base. I thought you hadn’t discussed it yet—didn’t expect it to be settled already!”

She realized she was a bit too eager and tried to play it cool in front of her son.

Lan Yuchu looked at his wife and nodded. “Yes. Qiyue submitted her resignation this morning. After she visits her parents’ graves, she’ll come with me. We’ve already applied for housing—it’s an apartment, two bedrooms and one living room, with its own kitchen and bathroom.”

Lin Qiyue looked up at Lan Yuchu with admiration. He had thought of everything.

“Which floor is it on?” she asked curiously.

“The third floor. There are two other households on that floor, so three total including us. The other wives are both easy to get along with,” he added. “You don’t have to worry about any conflicts.”

He knew that women could easily get into disputes, so he had checked out the housing situation. The other two wives were quiet, both elementary school teachers—calm and easy to talk to.

“I’m easy to get along with too,” Lin Qiyue said with a smile.

Lan Yuchu nodded in agreement.

Watching the young couple being so sweet with each other, Qian Xiuying regretted letting them come help in the kitchen. Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore and kicked them both out.

She went back to cooking alone in the kitchen.

“Oh wow, you two are unwanted wherever you go!” Lan Yusui’s sarcastic voice rang out.

She leaned against the doorframe of her room and teased them with a provocative look. The lovebirds were being so affectionate they even got shooed out by their own mom.

Lin Qiyue felt they hadn’t even done anything—just exchanged a few sweet words—and they were already thrown out of the kitchen.

“Well, then you’d better find a boyfriend someday who thinks about you every minute of the day,” Lin Qiyue joked back at Lan Yusui.

“Hmph, I wouldn’t want someone like my brother—never home. And I wouldn’t let myself be bullied by in-laws like you. If someone bullied me, I’d make a scene until the whole place turned upside down.”

Lin Qiyue thought to herself that all her previous concerns about Lan Yusui had been unnecessary—this girl was way fiercer than she was.

“Yes, yes, our beautiful Miss Lan is absolutely right. So, what kind of guy do you want? Don’t tell me you like those weak and fragile types—no way~”

She walked up to her and whispered the next line in her ear,
“He wouldn’t be able to satisfy you!”

“Lin Qiyue, you~” Lan Yusui blushed furiously, turned to her brother, and snapped,
“Control your wife!”

Then she shut the door in embarrassment.

“Hahaha!” Lin Qiyue couldn’t believe how bold she had just been.

Turning to look at Lan Yuchu, their eyes met. He asked,
“What did you say to make her that flustered and angry?”

“Secret~”

Lan Yuchu raised an eyebrow. What kind of secret could make someone react like that? He looked at her curiously.

Lin Qiyue kept smiling, but deep down, she was just as embarrassed. She didn’t know why her mind was always filled with these kinds of thoughts lately. It must be because aside from this man, she was only surrounded by his family.

In a novel-world without the internet, she had to rely on her own imagination for entertainment.

“What kind of secret can’t I know?”

Lin Qiyue deliberately leaned closer, motioning with her finger for him to come even nearer.

Lan Yuchu bent down and leaned in, and Lin Qiyue whispered in his ear,
“A girl’s secret… men aren’t allowed to know.”

Lan Yuchu raised an eyebrow and gave her a devilish grin,
“But you’re not a girl anymore. You’re a woman.”

“Lan Yuchu~!”

That one sentence made Lin Qiyue flustered.

Just as she raised her hand to hit him, Lan Yuchu dodged and quickly widened the distance between them.

And just like that, the two started playfully chasing each other around the courtyard.

Qian Xiuying, hearing their laughter, looked out at the young couple with a warm, motherly smile.

What a sweet pair they were.

She didn’t ask for much—she just wanted them to live a good life together.

As for what she owed Lin Qiyue, she would do her best to make up for it in the days to come.

After the food was ready, everyone sat down to eat. There wasn’t much conversation—soon, the meal was over.

Like usual, after dinner, Lin Qiyue stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky.

The night sky was truly beautiful.

The stars sparkled above as if they were silently watching over the ordinary lives below.

Lan Yuchu was about to head out for a run. Seeing Lin Qiyue standing around idly, he said,
“You need to wake up early tomorrow. Go wash up and rest.”

Lin Qiyue saw that he was heading out and asked,
“Can’t you skip going out tonight?”

“Why? I go for a run every day. Why not today?” He looked at her curiously.

Lin Qiyue frowned slightly and muttered,
“Everyone lives in the same area. If you keep going out for runs every day… what if you run into her?”

Unfortunately for her, Lan Yuchu had excellent hearing—he heard exactly what she said.

“If you’re that worried about your husband, why don’t you come running with me? That way you can keep an eye on me,” he teased, giving her a light knock on the head.

Lin Qiyue looked up, rubbing the spot where he tapped her, and stomped her foot in frustration,
“Try hitting me again, I dare you!”

Lan Yuchu immediately gave her another tap.

Lin Qiyue: “……”

Wow, this guy really did it.

“You… you hit your own wife so hard she’s gone dumb!”

This infuriating man—was he completely missing the point?

She was clearly threatening him, and he still didn’t get it!