Chapter 79.3

Qi Yangyan had arranged for Father Ruan and Mrs. Ruan to travel in a soft sleeper compartment. In these times, sitting there meant they were mostly cadres. They had decent manners and wouldn’t show their curiosity too openly.

“Dad, Mom, the food is in this bag.”

Xie Yanzhao pointed out the black bag to ensure they recognized it.

“I’ll take good care of Aunt and Uncle,” Luan Rong said, placing the bag by her feet before pulling Ruan Mingfu’s hand. “Cousin, I’m here.”

Ruan Mingfu nodded.

“Remember to call me when you get there…”

A ringing sound echoed from nearby; it was the signal for the passengers to get off.

Ruan Mingfu was reluctant to look at them. “Then I’ll leave first?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m really leaving.”

Mrs. Ruan: “…get out!”

Fortunately, Ruan Mingfu was embraced by Xie Yanzhao and walked far away, or else she would have made a fuss again upon hearing that word.

Before long, the train started moving.

Ruan Mingfu watched the train slowly depart, feeling a bit downcast.

“Let’s go.”

On the train, Father Ruan opened the bankbook Ruan Mingfu had given Mrs. Ruan. The amount couldn’t compare to what Qi Yangyan had provided, but Father Ruan still felt a lump in his throat.

“Wife, wuwuwuwu… our daughter has grown up,” Father Ruan couldn’t control the abundant emotions in his body and threw himself into Mrs. Ruan’s arms, “she knows to spend money on her parents, wuwuwuwu… how much suffering did she have to endure to understand this truth…”

Mrs. Ruan was exasperated.

She struggled to break free from Father Ruan’s tight embrace but found it impossible.

“Wah wah wah… my wife, our daughter is so pitiful…”

With teary eyes, Father Ruan gazed at the bankbook in his hand, crying even harder.

“I can’t let her suffer. I want to give her a bright future, earn a lot of money, and let her spend it freely… Wah wah wah, my daughter…”

Mrs. Ruan was speechless.

Not only was she flustered, but the other passengers couldn’t help but glance at Father Ruan.

Mrs. Ruan: “…”

I have lost all my face in this life!

Ruan Mingfu returned to the family compound and felt something was missing when she looked at the empty yard. Wangcai still ran over enthusiastically and squatted at her feet, exposing his soft belly.

Wangcai rubbed its tail against her smooth ankles, stuck out its pink tongue, and blinked its round, black eyes at her without a care.

…Who could resist that?

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t help but pet Wangcai from head to tail.

“You’re still the best.”

She gently poked Wangcai’s wet nose with her delicate fingers.

After seeing off Father Ruan, Mrs. Ruan, and Gu Yilin, Ruan Mingfu spent the day feeling down. Luckily, she didn’t dwell on her sadness for long and quickly regained her spirits.

That day, she made sure to wake up early. When she entered the kitchen, she found Xie Yanzhao already busy preparing breakfast.

“It’ll be ready soon.”

After being scolded by Mrs. Ruan, Ruan Mingfu didn’t feel entitled to sit at the table and wait for her meal like before.

She tied her hair back, saying, “I’ll help you.”

Perhaps because Xie Yanzhao had the day off, breakfast was quite plentiful. Besides noodles, there was also porridge and sweet potatoes from the canteen.

“No need, I can handle this,” Xie Yanzhao said, catching Ruan Mingfu’s outstretched hand. “You shouldn’t feel burdened. Things will remain the same as before.”

His hands were rough, and it stung a little when he held hers.

“Really…really?”

“Of course,” Xie Yanzhao said earnestly. “There’s no need to force yourself to change. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

He understood what kind of person he wanted to spend his life with and was already prepared for it.

A smile spread across Ruan Mingfu’s beautiful face.

Her heart felt sweet, and she wished she could wag her tail in joy.

“What if you start to dislike me, like Mrs. Ruan said?”

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

He gently squeezed her hand and after a moment, replied, “Eat.”

“…Okay.”

After finishing breakfast, the sun was high in the sky.

Xie Yanzhao took the blankets outside to hang them on the fence. Just then, Wang Manman, from the next courtyard, happened to see this. Looking at the pile of sheets and pillowcases in her hands, she felt a surge of anger.

She threw the linens onto a nearby rack and went back inside.

Seeing Captain Qiao sprawled on the sofa, her frustration boiled over.

Wang Manman marched over and huffed at Captain Qiao.

Captain Qiao looked confused.

Noticing her stern expression, he mustered the courage to approach her.

“Wife, what’s wrong? Who upset you this time?”

Wang Manman shot him a glare.

He leaned closer, trying to appease her. “Just tell me, and I’ll make sure to teach them a lesson!”

“Next door.”

“Next door?”

Captain Qiao thought for a moment and suddenly remembered who lived there.

He swallowed hard. “Wife, don’t joke around. That’s Commander Xie! He’s the top soldier in the entire military district. Even ten of me together wouldn’t stand a chance against him.”

Wang Manman became even angrier.

She grabbed Captain Qiao’s ear. “If you know you’re not their match, why don’t you learn from him how to treat your wife right?”

Not being able to beat him was one thing, but can’t he at least learn a thing or two?

“What?”

Captain Qiao was bewildered.

Wang Manman threw a ball of yarn at him.

“Go take a look yourself!”

Captain Qiao scratched his head and obediently stepped outside.

He leaned against his fence, intently watching the next yard.

He saw Xie Yanzhao taking apart the blankets, pulling out the cotton filling, tossing the duvet cover and sheets into a bucket, and even tossing in his clothes…

Captain Qiao’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t believe this man, who was so skilled at housework, was still the same Xie Yanzhao he remembered.

Help!

Fearing he’d be discovered, Captain Qiao squatted in the corner of his yard, peeking out with just his eyes.

“…Xie Yanzhao, you’ve put the outerwear and the duvet cover together again.”

A soft voice, which sounded harmless, floated over.

Captain Qiao thought, “Isn’t that his wife?”

How bold of her!

Just when he expected Commander Xie to give her a scolding, he saw Xie Yanzhao, looking a bit guilty, take the clothes out and place them in a small basin nearby.

Captain Qiao was stunned.

Wasn’t this the mighty Commander Xie he knew?

Just as he felt his illusions shattering, Xie Yanzhao took the changed laundry to the well. He expertly drew water and began washing the clothes.

Captain Qiao was in disbelief.

No, the man in front of him couldn’t possibly be Commander Xie.

No way, absolutely not!

He stumbled back into his house, feeling lost, and, not satisfied, gave himself a hard slap.

The loud sound startled Wang Manman, who was drinking water, making her jump.

She was full of questions.

It was just a suggestion for Captain Qiao to learn from Captain Xie. There was no need for such a huge reaction, and now he was even guilt-tripping himself by slapping his own face…

“Old Qiao, are you okay?”

Although Wang Manman could be a bit proud and spoiled, she knew how to distinguish right from wrong. Since Captain Qiao treated her well and had good qualities, she naturally wanted to spend her life with him.

“Wife, I feel like there’s something wrong with my eyes. Should I go to the hospital to check them out?”

Wang Manman felt a jolt of anxiety.

If a soldier had eye problems, it could mean being discharged from service.

“What happened?” She could no longer sit still, pacing in circles. “How do you feel now… Let’s go to the hospital, come on…”

Wang Manman didn’t want Captain Qiao to lose his future because of his eyes. She grabbed his hand and headed for the door.

Captain Qiao still looked shocked, gently holding Wang Manman’s hand as he spoke.

“Wife, if my eyes are fine, how come I saw Commander Xie doing laundry?”

Wang Manman was speechless.

She raised her hand and gave Captain Qiao a hard slap.

“Ouch…” Captain Qiao winced in pain. “Wife, why did you hit me for no reason?”

“I hit you because you deserved it!”

Wang Manman picked up a feather duster nearby and swung it at Captain Qiao.

“Thinking there’s something wrong with your eyes… I think it’s your brain that has a problem!”

Commander Xie was so capable that he even did housework diligently at home. And Captain Qiao? He just lay around like a prince, expecting her to feed him.

“People really are different!”

Wang Manman was furious and hit him harder.

Captain Qiao covered his head and retreated, begging for mercy.

“Wife, I’m sorry… I really am…”

“What did you do wrong?”

Captain Qiao was at a loss for words.

When he couldn’t answer, Wang Manman gave him a few more whacks. Looking at Captain Qiao, her disappointment was evident.

“Learn properly from next door,” she tossed the feather duster aside. “You’re doing all the chores inside and outside today!”

Captain Qiao rubbed the sore spots where she had hit him.

It was rare for him to feel resentment toward Xie Yanzhao…

The dog man does housework in an orderly manner.

He washed the quilts and other large items first, and then washed the clothes. These clothes were not dirty, so he just had to rub them a few times. Especially the pajamas, Ruan Mingfu liked to be clean, and she changed them almost every night.

As Xie Yanzhao looked at the silky red fabric in his hands, his face flushed.

He had seen Ruan Mingfu wear this nightgown before.

With her black hair and red dress, her skin was exceptionally fair. Wearing that outfit, Ruan Mingfu looked like a fairy…

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze flickered, and he swallowed hard.

Suddenly—

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

His grip had been too strong, and the delicate fabric couldn’t withstand it, tearing in half…

It was rare that Xie Yanzhao was stunned for a moment.

“…Xie Yanzhao, what’s wrong with you?” Ruan Mingfu walked out of the room, looking somewhat displeased. “I’ve been calling you for a while, and you didn’t respond.”

Feeling guilty, he hurriedly shoved the torn clothes into the basin.

Clearing his throat, Xie Yanzhao said, “Just lost in thought…”

“Oh?”

Ruan Mingfu regarded him suspiciously.

Even though he was nervous and sweating, Xie Yanzhao showed no signs of it on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

Ruan Mingfu finally shifted her gaze and asked, “Do you think we should take the bed apart?”

With Mrs. Ruan, Father Ruan, and Gu Yilin gone, Qi Yangyan wouldn’t be staying overnight at the family compound. For the time being, there shouldn’t be any guests at home.

“Let’s take it apart. It’ll be good to air out the bedding too,” Xie Yanzhao cleared his throat again. “Don’t move, let me handle it.”

Ruan Mingfu nodded in satisfaction.

Honestly, she liked how Xie Yanzhao took care of everything without her having to worry about anything.

Once Ruan Mingfu left, Xie Yanzhao finally relaxed.

He pulled out the clothes and looked at the large tear in the skirt, feeling a bit distressed.

This nightgown was made by Ruan Mingfu herself. There were no matching ones available outside… So, the question was, how could he find an identical one without her noticing?

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

One morning, Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yanzhao worked together to clean both the inside and outside of the house.

Seeing the much brighter home lifted her spirits.

Just as Ruan Mingfu was about to take a break, a young man walked in from outside. He was wearing a military uniform, with fair skin that clearly indicated he was a new recruit just entering the army.

“What brings you here?”

Xie Yanzhao seemed familiar with him, warmly patting his shoulder and inviting him to sit down.

“Brother…”

Ruan Mingfu’s hand trembled slightly as she poured tea.

“Brother?”

“Hello, sister-in-law,” he said shyly, ruffling his hair. “I’m my brother’s cousin, Bai Qinghua.”

Aha, he must be from the Bai family.

“Oh, you’re the cousin!” Ruan Mingfu’s attitude warmed up noticeably. “Then don’t leave for lunch. Stay here and eat with us.”

“This…”

Bai Qinghua hesitated, glancing at Xie Yanzhao before finally agreeing.

“Then I’ll trouble my sister-in-law.”

After chatting for a while, Ruan Mingfu learned that Bai Qinghua wasn’t a new recruit at all. He had been in the army for some time. It was just that his skin was so fair that he looked like a college student in his early twenties, leading to frequent misunderstandings.

In fact, Bai Qinghua was just a few years younger than Xie Yanzhao.

Ruan Mingfu hadn’t seen him before because he had been out on a mission recently and had just returned.

He rubbed his hands awkwardly, looking shy.

“Sister-in-law, I actually came here today to find someone.”