Chapter 12: This Must Be an Apology Gift for Our Family

Seeing the heartbroken and upset Lu Qing’er, Qin Kaishen comforted her while angrily saying, “Don’t cry, Qing’er. This is all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Bai Yalan wouldn’t have taken it out on you. She’s just… unreasonable and too much!”

Gu Qing’er quickly lifted her head, choked with sobs as she repeatedly said, “No, don’t blame her… it’s all my fault. I wasn’t careful and lost my balance. I fell accidentally.”

Qin Kaishen felt both anger and pity. “And you’re still defending her?”

“It really wasn’t her fault, Kaishen. She just… she cares too much about you.”

Qin Kaishen had originally still cared a little for Bai Yalan, but now all that was gone, replaced by fury. Looking at the kind and delicate Lu Qing’er before him, and thinking of how Bai Yalan showed no remorse, he only got angrier.

“Hmph, caring like that is scary. No man would like that,” Qin Kaishen said coldly. “Don’t defend her anymore.”

Lu Qing’er wiped her tears, still sobbing pitifully, but inwardly she was thrilled. After all, nothing had been finalized with Gu Fujun yet, and she still wanted to keep a hold on him. As for Qin Kaishen… she didn’t want to let him go either.

She knew better than anyone how good Qin Kaishen had been to her all these years.

She didn’t want any other woman to have that affection. Even if she didn’t want it herself, she wouldn’t allow someone else to take it.

While the two were talking in the living room, it was getting late — just about time for Lu’s parents to return.

Seeing Qin Kaishen, her parents were surprised, then their expressions turned odd.

Qin Kaishen took the hint and quickly said his goodbyes. Once he left, Lu’s parents anxiously turned to question their daughter.

“Qing’er, why was Comrade Qin here? He didn’t bump into Comrade Gu, did he?”

Lu Qing’er had been dealing with Gu Fujun all day, and then had to put on a show in front of Qin Kaishen at night. She was exhausted and lay limply on the sofa. “So what if they bumped into each other? They’re from the same military region and know each other well — it was bound to happen eventually.”

Mother Lu sat beside her daughter, worried. “Qing’er, isn’t this… not quite right?”

“What’s not right about it, Mom? I’m not afraid — why should you be?” Lu Qing’er said carelessly, completely confident in her charm.

Hadn’t Gu Fujun already been completely smitten with her after just a few days of interaction, rushing to take responsibility for her?

Just two men. She had plenty of ways to deal with them — it was child’s play.

Meanwhile, Bai Yalan’s family, living inside the space, hadn’t been idle either.

Thanks to careful planning, Bai’s parents accompanied her as they thoroughly inspected the land again.

Facing the small hills and fields, they discussed which herbs could be planted where, and even planned to grow some fruits and vegetables.

Unexpectedly, the three of them discovered a huge surprise in the mountains — a spring.

It was a clear, bottomless spring, always flowing and seemingly never drying up.

Even more amazing, they discovered the spring seemed to have special properties.

After a whole day of hiking and working the land, Bai’s parents drank the spring water — not only did their fatigue vanish, but they also felt refreshed and full of energy.

Even Bai Yalan herself was shocked to find that she felt noticeably more invigorated after drinking it.

Realizing how rare and valuable this spiritual spring was, Bai Yalan carefully diluted it with regular water and used it to water a transplanted medicinal herb. To her delight, the plant visibly grew stronger and healthier by the minute.

Excited, the family cleared a large area in the space and built a fence — they were planning to raise small animals.

This was something Bai Yalan had inherited from her father, who had always loved animals. In real life, their housing was shared with other families — there simply wasn’t room to keep pets. And even if Bai’s mother had allowed it, the neighbors certainly wouldn’t have.

Now, with the wide-open space, they could finally indulge freely. Bai Yalan was ecstatic, her father was raring to go, and even her mother, seeing their enthusiasm, joined in the planning.

They chatted and laughed as they worked — a picture of happiness.

When they were mostly done planning, they returned from the space and, since it was a rare day off, decided to go together to the city’s largest agricultural market to buy animals for their space farm.

Bai Yalan and her parents went stall to stall, comparing prices. Eventually, they found the cheapest vendor with the healthiest poultry.

The stall sold chickens and ducks. The cages were filled with fluffy chicks and ducklings, all huddled together — so adorable it melted their hearts.

Bai Yalan was enchanted and couldn’t take her eyes off them.

“Dad, Mom, let’s start by buying some chickens and ducks,” she said excitedly.

Bai’s mother smiled and patted her head. “Still the same as when you were little — can’t move once you see chicks and ducklings.”

Bai’s father laughed. “Our daughter likes them, so let’s buy them.”
Bai’s mother gave him a playful scold, “You just want them too — you’re like a big kid!”

They all laughed, and Bai Yalan hugged her mother’s arm, pleading, “Mom, let’s buy them, please!”

Her parents had noticed a change in her — since their return from outside, she had become more affectionate, sticking close to them at all times.

Still, they were more than happy about it. Their daughter being this close to them filled their hearts with joy.

Bai’s mother nodded with a laugh, “Alright, alright. Buy them! How many do you want?”

“Since we’re here, let’s get ten chicks and ten ducklings. A perfect match — ten out of ten!” Bai Yalan pointed happily.

Bai’s father joined in, “Let’s get a few adult chickens and ducks too. They’ll lay eggs soon, and we can even eat them. Why not get a dozen of each?”

Bai’s mother was stunned by their enthusiasm. “You two are too much!”

The vendor, hearing this, couldn’t stop grinning. What a big sale!

He became even more enthusiastic, more eager than if he’d met his own father.

Indeed, they were like saviors — no one had ever bought 30–40 birds at once!

While the Bai family was happily picking chicks and ducklings, they didn’t notice a striking mother and son entering the crowd nearby.

Actually, it was the tall man who stood out more. Even while carrying several items, he walked with a straight posture and a presence that didn’t match the noisy market at all — especially next to the country-dressed elderly woman beside him.

“Mom, you’ve been browsing for half the day. Isn’t it time to go back?”

Qin Kaishen had accompanied his mother into town to shop. The crowded market, filled with the stench of raw meat and animals, made him frown with impatience.

“Alright, alright, don’t rush me, son. Let me look at some chickens and ducks. I’ve been thinking of raising more of them. With Mid-Autumn Festival coming up and relatives visiting, I’m afraid we won’t have enough to serve them.”

She added, “You’re resting at home now anyway, so I plan to make you chicken every day. My son is so promising — one chicken a day is nothing. You can even bring some back for your comrades to enjoy.”

The more she talked, the happier she got, unaware that her son’s face was getting darker and darker. Treating a few chickens like prized treasures — wasn’t that embarrassing?

“Mom, you’ve already bought a lot. I didn’t bring much cash. What’s left is barely enough for the bus ride home,” Qin Kaishen said, face dark.

His monthly allowance was only around ten yuan. His parents were old and could only do light work back home. He always had to send money and supplies back. Thankfully, his unit provided meals, or else he wouldn’t have any left.

“Oh… then let’s just browse. When we have more money next time, we’ll buy,” Qin’s mother said cheerfully.

She was thrilled just to be out with her son. Whether or not they bought anything, she was enjoying the outing. Especially walking around with her son, catching curious and admiring glances from others — she felt so proud.

So what if she didn’t have a fancy jade bracelet to show off? Her accomplished son was the best thing to brag about!

Just then, she caught sight of something — or rather someone.

A couple in their fifties stood near a poultry stall, with a young girl beside them. That girl… looked an awful lot like Bai Yalan.

She rubbed her eyes and tugged her son’s sleeve. “Kaishen, look up ahead. Isn’t that Comrade Bai?”

Qin Kaishen, annoyed, froze for a second and followed his mother’s gaze. The young girl in the white dress turned her head and smiled brightly at the older woman holding her arm.

Her eyes were curved in joy, her smile radiant. Qin Kaishen was stunned for a moment before muttering, “It really does look like her.”

Qin’s mother clapped her hands in confirmation. “I knew it — that’s her! Kaishen, remember I told Comrade Bai several times about wanting chickens and ducks? Do you think… could this be a gift for us?”

She was getting more and more excited.

Qin Kaishen said nothing, just walked toward them with his mother.

On the other side, Bai Yalan had just finished picking out chicks. Her mother didn’t want her to buy too many, but after some persuading, they settled on a compromise.

Ten chicks, ten ducklings, and a few adult chickens and ducks.

The vendor was overjoyed and even found them a separate cage for the birds.

Qin’s mother’s eyes widened — so many? She looked at her son, convinced, and whispered, “This must be an apology gift for us! Otherwise, where would they even raise them in the city?”