Chapter 22

“Hey, what are you thinking about? What day are we scheduling the dinner?”

“The day after tomorrow. Cheng Yuan has been busy with work, so I’ll arrange for someone else to go shopping with you.”

“Sure.” Su Qianqian didn’t care who helped as long as there was someone to assist.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Cheng Yue grew even more confused. Had he been overthinking things?

---

That evening, Wu Sufen knocked on their door, bringing over a plate of dumplings.

“I heard the battalion commander has been discharged. We just made some dumplings today, so I brought some for you to try. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Thank you, Sister Sufen. Our family is planning to host a dinner the day after tomorrow. You and your family must come,” Su Qianqian said, taking the opportunity to extend an invitation.

“Of course, we’ll be there.”

Watching the two women chat and laugh, Cheng Yue asked, “How did you get so familiar with her?”

“I’ve run into her a few times while cooking. She lives right across from us, so it’s only natural to get acquainted. She’s very warm-hearted, so we became friendly.”

“You never used to get along with anyone. How have you changed so much?”

Uh…

How was she supposed to explain this?

If she told him she had “switched souls,” would she get thrown in jail?

“I hit my head and nearly died. I even saw the gates of hell. The King of Hell told me I’d better change my ways or risk an early death.”

Cheng Yue: ??? Are you kidding me?

King of Hell: ??? Did I ever say that?

“By the way, I need to borrow your study.” Since he was discharged, the sleeping arrangements at home needed sorting out—there were only two bedrooms and a study.

“My study?” Cheng Yue immediately grew alert. “What do you need my study for?”

“To sleep, of course. There are two bedrooms—one for you and one for the kids. I’ll sleep in the study.”

This caught Cheng Yue off guard. But his study contained important documents, and he wasn’t comfortable letting Su Qianqian sleep there.

“I’ll set up a simple bed in the kids’ room and sleep there. You take my room.” To him, where he slept didn’t matter—he wasn’t picky. Besides, it wasn’t cold, so sleeping on a floor mat would suffice.

Su Qianqian frowned slightly. Considering that the study might not be suitable after all, she said, “You’re still recovering. I’ll sleep on the makeshift bed.”

“I’m fine. I’m healing quickly—it won’t affect me.” Besides, it was a good chance to bond with the kids. He was worried they might be influenced by Su Qianqian and end up favoring her. If she later decided to send them away, he wouldn’t stand for it.

“Alright. If you insist, you can sleep there.”

If Cheng Yue was determined, she wouldn’t stop him.

There was no need to coddle men. Spoiling them could ruin their lives. Her responsibility was to use the spring water to heal his leg because he was a soldier.

Beyond that, nothing else mattered to her.

---

A folding bed was brought in and set up in the children’s room.

“Why are you adding another bed?” the person delivering it asked in confusion.

“There are too many kids. Three of them sleeping together is too chaotic,” Su Qianqian explained simply.

“True. Kids don’t sleep well and tend to kick each other.”

Once the folding bed was set up, she added a mattress and laid out a light blanket.

“Do you want to try lying down on it?”

“No need. We’re used to these kinds of beds—we sleep on them all the time.”

The three children glanced between Su Qianqian and Cheng Yue, hesitant to speak. They were still afraid of Cheng Yue.

Daya nudged Erbao and signaled with her eyes. Erbao thought for a moment and, taking advantage of the moment Su Qianqian stepped out, scurried over.

“Mom, are we really going to sleep in the same room as Dad?”

“Yes.”

Erbao lowered his head, biting his lip as he tugged on her clothes and asked in a soft, childlike voice, “Mom, we want to sleep with you.”

Dad looked too scary.

“Your dad won’t let me sleep on the folding bed,” she replied, somewhat helplessly.

“We’ll sleep on it! We’re kids; we can handle the folding bed.” Erbao immediately raised his hand, his eyes wide with determination.

Su Qianqian crouched down and patted his head. “Then go and tell your dad yourselves.”

Erbao’s face instantly showed hesitation—he was scared!

“It doesn’t matter if he agrees or not. What’s important is that you express your thoughts bravely. Even if he says no, it’s not a big deal. Mom is just in the next room. If anything happens, just call me.”

Erbao’s eyes darted around as he hesitated. Su Qianqian didn’t push him. Seeing him take a deep breath and lift his head, she knew he had made up his mind.

He ran up to Cheng Yue and bowed deeply. “Reporting, Sir! I have something to discuss with you!”

Pfft! Su Qianqian hadn’t expected that. Erbao was too adorable!

If he were in a little military uniform, he’d look absolutely dashing!

Cheng Yue was clearly taken aback as well. It was obvious Erbao had picked this up from watching subordinates report to him during his hospital stay.

“Go ahead,” Cheng Yue said.

“We want to sleep in the same room as Mom. We’ll take the folding bed, and Mom can sleep on the bed. Please approve!” After speaking, Erbao even gave a proper salute. His posture was impeccable, and Su Qianqian couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing this display of pure childlike innocence, Su Qianqian felt a sense of relief. In the past, Erbao had been far too cautious and mature for his age, almost like he wasn’t a child at all.

Cheng Yue glanced at Su Qianqian, who innocently shrugged as if to say it had nothing to do with her—it was entirely the kids’ idea.

Frowning, he said coldly, “Request denied.”

His stern expression was genuinely intimidating. Even Su Qianqian felt a bit pressured under his sharp gaze, averting her eyes after barely holding his gaze for a second. It was as if his stare could pierce right through her.

Erbao’s little face fell instantly, but after a few seconds, he stubbornly raised his head and asked, “Why not?”

Cheng Yue was surprised—Erbao’s response was completely unexpected.

He had interacted with other children before, and most were too scared to speak to him. Yet Erbao had the courage to ask for an explanation. Very good—this kid had potential!

“First, the folding bed is too small for the three of you. Second, I want to spend more time with you. After all, this is our first time being together since you were born.”

Erbao looked back at Daya and Sanya, who both nodded.

Dad’s reasons seemed valid, and they didn’t have the heart to refuse anymore. After all, Dad seemed a bit pitiful too—injured yet still wanting to bond with them, even if it meant sleeping on a folding bed. Fine, they’d give him a chance.

The conversation ended there, with no objections to the outcome.

The three kids were already capable of washing their faces, brushing their teeth, and cleaning their feet by themselves, which meant Su Qianqian didn’t have to worry about them. It made her role as a mother quite easy. The original host of this body really hadn’t known how to cherish her blessings.

Now, the children’s skin had become fair and smooth, no longer rough and dark as before. Their hair was soft and shiny. The spring water’s miraculous effects had clearly worked wonders in just under a month, and the changes in all four of them were significant.

---

For the first time, Su Qianqian could take her time enjoying a proper bath without rushing. The spring water’s nourishment meant she didn’t need to apply body lotion or skincare products—her skin was glowing, smooth, and radiant.

When she opened the door and stepped out, she wasn’t paying attention and walked straight into Cheng Yue’s chest. His firm chest collided with her soft body…