Chapter 17: Growing Closer

“Mom, you’re here!” Little Zhong Ling saw her mother from afar, immediately dropped her toy, and ran over. The two Cheng family kids followed along.

He Yashu felt relieved seeing how well the children were adapting. She had been worried that Little Zhong Ling might not adjust and would cry to go back to her older brother.

“Auntie, hello,” Cheng Xuan greeted He Yashu politely with his younger brother.

“Hello, you can call me Auntie He.” He Yashu had a soft spot for well-mannered kids. Naturally, she liked the two well-behaved children from the Cheng family.

“You’re here, sister-in-law! Come in, come in,” Liang Xiao was surprised to see He Yashu’s fair and delicate appearance. How could someone as rough as Zhong Youliang have such a pretty wife?

“This is our unit’s political instructor, Cheng Qian, and his wife Liang Xiao,” Zhong Youliang introduced them.

“Just call us Brother Cheng and Sister-in-law,” Cheng Qian shot his good friend a look—he was only now bringing over such a pretty wife?

“Brother Cheng, Sister-in-law, these are some dried goods I brought from back home. Please have a taste. I really appreciate all you’ve done.” He Yashu was warm and unreserved, chatted a bit, then went to the kitchen to help.

At the dinner table, Liang Xiao couldn’t stop praising He Yashu. She truly liked this sister-in-law and felt sorry she’d been left alone in the countryside.

“You Youliang, now that you’ve been assigned housing, it’s time to think about letting your wife move here. It’s not right for Lingling to grow up never seeing her dad,” Liang Xiao said earnestly. This couple didn’t seem very close—Zhong Youliang kept putting food on their plates but hardly spoke. It made her anxious just watching.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll seriously consider it,” He Yashu replied. She had already been thinking about it. When their child starts school, the education in the army base would surely be better than in the village—and without gossip.

Zhong Youliang’s eyes lit up when he heard that. He started serving more food with extra enthusiasm.

He Yashu shot him a glare—how could they possibly finish all that? When she couldn’t eat anymore, Zhong Youliang, undeterred, quickly cleaned up what was left on her plate—ears slightly red.

Cheng Qian laughed and teased his buddy. “What, embarrassed just because you’re eating your wife’s leftovers? I’ve done that so many times!”

After dinner and some more chatting, the little family of three finally strolled back home.

Along the way, fellow soldiers greeted them. Seeing He Yashu and little Zhong Ling, they all admired Zhong Youliang—he had such a beautiful wife and an adorable daughter. Zhong Youliang couldn’t stop smiling.

Little Zhong Ling dozed off in her dad’s arms. The couple quickened their pace. He Yashu gently wiped her child down and tucked her into bed.

“Let’s get some rest too,” Zhong Youliang said, eyes darting awkwardly over He Yashu’s loose pajamas, not knowing where to look.

“Mm-hmm.” His blushing face made He Yashu laugh—how could someone be so pure?

After battling with his thoughts for a while, Zhong Youliang slowly reached out and pulled He Yashu into his arms. She stiffened at first but didn’t resist. After all, he wasn’t a bad man and technically was her husband.

Watching him sleep while hugging her, He Yashu’s face flushed red. Mischievously, she leaned in and kissed him. Zhong Youliang jolted like he’d been shocked and rolled far away.

“Go to sleep,” he muttered after a long pause, voice muffled from where he lay at the foot of the bed.

Seeing his dramatic reaction, He Yashu felt a bit guilty for teasing him, but she was too tired and quickly fell asleep. Listening to her steady breathing, Zhong Youliang felt annoyed with himself—how could he react like that?

Still, he missed the softness he had just been holding. Quietly, he crept back and wrapped his arms around her again, finally falling asleep with a satisfied smile.