Lu Cheng was indeed worried about Lu Haici.

After all, Lin Qingqing had used the century-old mountain ginseng to propose marriage, which indicated that her actions were somewhat erratic.

However, even though Lu Cheng had to marry Lin Qingqing because of the ginseng, he had investigated her and her family beforehand.

The Lin family had a good reputation in the brigade.

Grandpa Lin was a respected barefoot doctor, while Grandma Lin was a shrewd and somewhat fiery old lady.

Apart from doting on Lin Qingqing, the other members of the Lin family were hard-working and non-troublesome.

As for Lin Qingqing herself, under her family’s pampering, she had no reputation for anything other than her laziness.

Lu Cheng figured that laziness was manageable.

Given the circumstances under which he married Lin Qingqing, his only requirement was that she would not bully Lu Haici.

Everything else he would consider as simply raising another young girl.

At 28 years old, a 19-year-old Lin Qingqing was just a little girl in his eyes.

Though Lu Cheng appeared calm, he was walking much faster than usual.

The military base and the residential area were two distinct zones, with only a five-minute journey between them.

“Deputy Regiment Lu is back! Your wife is amazing!” As Lu Cheng entered the residential area, especially in the lane near the Lu family, he heard someone greeting him.

However, he didn’t appreciate the greeting.

The moment he heard one of the military wives, who usually looked out for Lu Haici, say this, his first reaction was that something must have happened with Lin Qingqing.

His eyebrows slightly furrowed, Lu Cheng was about to inquire when he heard someone continue, “Deputy Regiment Lu, your wife had a fight with Yang Mailian and Zhang Hongping today. She took them both on and won.”

Lu Cheng frowned, his mind momentarily blank.

He couldn’t imagine Lin Qingqing defeating Yang Mailian and Zhang Hongping in an argument.

“Why did they fight?” Lu Cheng asked in a calm tone.

He wasn’t angry; he wouldn’t jump to conclusions without understanding the situation first.

“It has to do with your Haici…” The military wife recounted the events, sharing all the details she could recall, especially Lin Qingqing’s words, which were quite memorable.

Goodness, she had lived half her life and had never heard such interesting remarks before.

When Lu Cheng heard that Qin Ming had insulted Lu Haici for not having a mother and then said that Lin Qingqing was not a good stepmother, his brows tightened.

But upon hearing Lin Qingqing ask Yang Mailian whether she should call her sister-in-law or aunt, he couldn’t help but smile, feeling a mixture of amusement and admiration.

“Why?” The earlier unpleasantness suddenly vanished.

He couldn’t imagine that the little girl would say something like that.

“During this time, I trouble Sister-in-law to take care of Qingqing and my son,” Lu Cheng said after hearing the whole story.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all… By the way, Deputy Commander Lu, your wife was sick a few days ago and almost didn’t pull through.”

Lu Cheng’s heart tightened. “What happened to her?”

No matter the reason for their marriage, they were still a couple.

He also appreciated Lin Qingqing for giving his Auntie the mountain ginseng, so he cared about her well-being.

“It was probably due to the change in environment. She had been ill for half a month and then fainted from a fever. Auntie Yu called us to help take her to the hospital. You wouldn’t believe it; her fever went over 40 degrees! The doctor said that it would be a miracle if she survived. You know, you’re at an age where you should take better care of your young wife. Be a little more considerate.”

“Absolutely,” he replied.

…

Lu Cheng, who had transitioned from prime youth to middle-aged, stood at the entrance of his home, looking at the clothes drying in the yard that still carried the scent of soap.

Listening to the voices coming from inside the house, although he couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying, he could distinguish the gentle tones of the woman mixed with the joyful sounds of the little boy.

For some reason, at that moment, his heart felt unexpectedly light.

Inside the hall, Lu Haici was eating noodles bit by bit, his mouth never stopping. “Mom, I apologized to Qin Ming today.”

Lin Qingqing, upon hearing this, praised him, “Haici is so good.”

Lu Haici smiled widely; he loved it when his mom praised him. “I also gave Qin Ming a piece of candy and asked his grandma not to speak ill of my mom. Qin Ming agreed.”

Lin Qingqing was somewhat surprised.

This little brat was clever!

But more than that, she felt touched.

She gave Lu Haici a thumbs-up: “Son, you’re the best, the best!”

Hearing his mom call him “son,” Lu Haici beamed even more. “I also gave Qin Ming a tofu pancake; he asked for it. Qin Ming said he would trade me a little cake tomorrow. Mom, I’ll give you some cake to eat tomorrow. The cake is really delicious; Auntie bought some before.”

Lin Qingqing thought that if she had an oven, she could make a little cake.

However, even without an oven, she could manage it, provided she had a baking stove.

But a baking stove wasn’t as convenient as an oven, and it might take a bit longer to cook. “To thank our Haici, Mom will make you baked potatoes tomorrow.”

Made with soy sauce and sugar, baked potatoes were tasty whether served as a side dish or a snack.

Lu Haici quickly assigned his tasks. “I’ll wash the potatoes for Mom.”

“Sounds good! Gender roles are important, and it makes work easier,” Lin Qingqing replied.

Suddenly, a deep voice rang out, “What’s that delicious smell?”

Both mother and son turned to the door, where a tall figure stood silhouetted against the setting sun.

The man’s back was turned to them, creating a shadow, yet it couldn’t conceal his handsome features.

His voice was somewhat cold but deep, and Lin Qingqing felt that the “cold, aloof flower” described online must sound like this; it made her ears tingle slightly.

No wonder the original owner had fallen for him at first sight.

If he were in real life, Lin Qingqing thought she might find it hard to resist.

Of course, that didn’t mean she would fall in love at first sight; rather, she could appreciate a good-looking man.

Seeing both the big and small staring at him with the same expression—wide-eyed in shock—Lu Cheng couldn’t help but smile.

The bigger one looked surprised, while the smaller one’s eyes sparkled with joy.

“Dad, you’re back!” Lu Haici exclaimed as he jumped off the stool and ran toward Lu Cheng, leaping into his embrace. “Dad, why did you come back so late? Mom almost died!” His tone was filled with deep grievance and blame.

Only in front of his father could Lu Haici express such complaints.

Despite Lin Qingqing’s kindness over the past few days, he still couldn’t let loose or act spoiled around her.

Lin Qingqing was left speechless, thinking, “That doesn’t really need to be said.”

Lu Cheng hugged his son and, with a guilty look, turned to Lin Qingqing. “I heard from the military wives outside. I’m really sorry. I should have taken better care of you.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault,” Lin Qingqing hurriedly reassured him. “You were on a mission. Even if you wanted to help, it would have been difficult. Besides, Haici has been taking care of me in your absence. He’s a little man now!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Haici immediately nodded seriously in agreement. “Yes, I took care of Mom instead of Dad. It’s fine if Dad doesn’t come back.”

“Thank you,” Lu Cheng said, rubbing his son’s head.

Although it seemed from Haici’s words that he was somewhat unnecessary, Lu Cheng was more focused on Lin Qingqing.

After half a month apart, he sensed a change in her.

First, wasn’t she supposed to be a lazy person?

The clothes hanging outside, freshly washed and smelling of soap, didn’t look like they were washed by someone who was lazy at all.

She said it was because no one was home to help her wash, so her gaze towards herself, which had gone from shock to a sense of uncertainty, no longer held the same fiery intensity as before.

Despite not liking Lin Qingqing, since the first time she confessed her feelings for him at Auntie’s house, her eyes had always been filled with warmth.

Lu Cheng couldn’t make sense of it. Perhaps this was just the enigma of a woman’s heart.

If he were to analyze the enemy’s cunning schemes on the battlefield, he could penetrate through the surface and dissect the internal logic clearly and thoroughly.

But when it came to analyzing a woman’s thoughts… he was utterly clueless.

Lin Qingqing, too, couldn’t help but smile slightly at Lu Haici’s words.

However, she didn’t laugh out loud.

When Lu Cheng walked in carrying Lu Haici and set him back down on the stool, she suddenly asked, “Have you eaten?”

After all, they were still strangers, and in this small space, it made her a bit uncomfortable.

Lu Cheng replied, “Not yet. I’ll go to the canteen and see if there’s anything to eat. I’ll just grab something quick.”

“I’ll make you some noodles,” Lin Qingqing said as she quickly stood up and walked out. “It’ll be ready soon.”

She needed some private space to calm her nerves.

“Can you cook noodles?” Lu Cheng didn’t refuse.

Regardless of their previous circumstances, they were now married, and they needed to learn to integrate their lives together.

Lin Qingqing had already reached the door.

Hearing his teasing remark, she replied, “I didn’t cook when I was at home, but I watched my grandma when she cooked, so I think my culinary skills are decent. It’s probably just a talent I have.”

Lu Haici heard his dad’s words and chimed in, “Mom’s cooking is delicious! Mom can make fried rice, mashed potatoes, tofu pancakes, and this tomato scrambled egg noodle dish.”

As he spoke, Lu Haici picked up his chopsticks and offered some noodles to his dad. “Dad, eat.”

He looked generous, though it was evident he only had two or three strands of noodles on his chopsticks.

Lu Cheng lowered his head and took a bite without hesitation.

His eyes lit up with surprise.

The tomato scrambled egg noodles not only looked appetizing but also opened his appetite.

Although he wasn’t particularly fond of tomatoes, he found the taste of this dish quite enjoyable.

Seeing his dad staring at his noodles, Lu Haici quickly covered his bowl with his small hands. “It’s all gone!”

Lu Cheng ruffled his son’s hair and said, “You’re so stingy! Eat slowly.” With that, he strode out.

In the kitchen, Lin Qingqing had already started the fire.

She was preparing to make tomato scrambled egg noodles.

She had made the dough in the afternoon, and since she made a lot, she planned to use it for tomorrow. the way she avoided his gaze.

He raised an eyebrow.

He really didn’t know about the aunt giving her money.

She hadn’t mentioned it to him either.

Lu Cheng thought about Lin Qingqing’s somewhat distracted expression earlier, and now, noticing how she was nervously fixing her hair, he found it a bit amusing. “So, what do you plan to do with that money?”

Lin Qingqing was taken aback, not expecting him to ask this question.

She stammered, “I… I haven’t decided yet. I just thought it was better to tell you about it instead of hiding it.”

“I see,” Lu Cheng replied, his tone calm. “You can do whatever you want with it, but you should keep it in mind that we’re a family now.”

Lin Qingqing nodded, feeling a bit relieved. “Yes, I understand.”

After that, the kitchen fell silent again, and the atmosphere felt a bit awkward.

Lin Qingqing stirred the dumplings in the pot, trying to avoid the weight of Lu Cheng’s gaze.

“Are you sure there’s nothing else I can help you with?” Lu Cheng asked again, breaking the silence.

“No, really, I’m fine. You just relax,” she assured him.

Lu Cheng nodded but didn’t move away from the stove.

He watched her, taking in the way she focused on her cooking.

There was a strange comfort in the ordinary domesticity, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth at the sight.

Just then, Lu Haici dashed into the kitchen. “Dad! Mom! Is dinner ready? I’m starving!”

Lin Qingqing laughed lightly. “Almost ready! Just a few more minutes!”

As they chatted, the kitchen filled with laughter and the rich aroma of the food.

Despite the underlying tension, it felt like a moment of normalcy in their new family life.

Later that evening, after dinner, Lin Qingqing started to feel anxious about the upcoming night.

She had decided to bring up the idea of sleeping in separate rooms.

But how would she approach the topic with Lu Cheng?

“Uh, about tonight…” she started hesitantly.