Chapter 23 The whole person was embraced in his arms.

That night, Huo Changzheng didn’t sleep well—or rather, he was restless in both body and mind, to the point of insomnia. He had to report for duty early the next morning, so he got up at 5:30 a.m. Just as he stepped out of his room after getting ready, he saw Lin Suisui coming out of the kitchen in the courtyard, holding a plate in her hands.

She spotted him and said, “The mess hall isn’t open for breakfast yet at this hour. I made some sugar cakes. If you’re not in a rush, eat at home before heading out. If you are in a hurry, I’ll wrap them up so you can eat on the way.”

She had only decided to make him breakfast on a whim the night before. After all, they were now living under the same roof, and he had been quite considerate toward her. He was about to head out on a mission—even though she knew, as the male lead, he’d definitely come back safely—she still wanted to show a little gesture of care with the sugar cakes. Even if they weren’t really a married couple, they were at least partners.

Huo Changzheng had been feeling quite stifled earlier, but the moment he saw the sugar cakes in her hands, all that pressure lifted. He hadn’t even tasted them yet, but his heart already felt sweet.

“I’ll take them with me. I’m almost out of time,” Huo Changzheng said.

“Alright, I’ll wrap them up now.” Lin Suisui went to pack the sugar cakes, and he went to wash up in the yard.

By the time he finished and came back inside, Doubao was already awake and clinging to Lin Suisui, asking for cuddles. She spoiled him and didn’t hesitate to pick him up. Remembering that Huo Changzheng was about to leave, she carried Doubao over to him and said, “Doubao, Daddy’s going away for a few days. Say goodbye and wish him a safe trip.”

“Daddy, are you going to be gone for many days?” Doubao, now fully awake, stared at Huo Changzheng with his big round eyes.

“Ten days to half a month—I’ll be back soon. You be good at home, listen to Mommy, and help her out, okay?” Huo Changzheng gently patted his head and reminded him softly.

“I will, don’t worry!” Doubao replied seriously.

Huo Changzheng saw that it was almost time, grabbed the sugar cakes off the table, and looked up at Lin Suisui. He was just about to say something to her when Doubao suddenly chimed in with a pouty tone: “Daddy, you’re going away for so many days—aren’t you going to hug me and Mommy?”

As soon as the words were out, both Huo Changzheng and Lin Suisui were stunned.

Lin Suisui realized their son had said something he shouldn’t have and was about to speak, but before she could, she found herself pulled into a warm embrace.

Even though Doubao was between them, she could still feel his heated breath and the way his hands pressed against her back—it felt like his touch was burning through her shirt.

“Take good care of things at home. Wait for me to come back,” he whispered in her ear, his hot breath brushing against her earlobe, making it instantly flush.

The hug didn’t last long, but as he pulled away, his lips accidentally brushed her cheek, sending a jolt of electricity through her entire body.

It wasn’t until the sound of the door opening and closing behind his retreating figure that Lin Suisui finally came back to her senses.

“Mommy, why is your face so red?” Doubao looked at her in confusion. “Are you sick?”

“…”
Even without a mirror, Lin Suisui knew her whole face was probably as red as a cooked shrimp. But of course, she couldn’t explain the real reason to her son.

“No… No, maybe I’m just wearing too many layers and got hot. Anyway, hurry and get dressed and wash up—Mommy has to go to work.”

“Okay!” Doubao slid down from her arms.

She sat alone in the main room, pressing a hand to her chest, which was still pounding wildly.

This mission was a tough one, but Huo Changzheng had never felt so lighthearted. He even felt a spring in his step. When he arrived at the assembly point, most of the team was already there. Once they had lined up and taken roll call, the soldiers boarded the vehicles.

He got into the front passenger seat beside Sun Mingyang.

“Haven’t eaten breakfast yet?” Sun Mingyang asked casually when he saw him take out a bundle of sugar cakes.

“Mm, got up late—didn’t have time to eat,” Huo Changzheng replied casually, then added, “Suisui made these for me, so I’m just bringing them along for the road.”

Sun Mingyang raised an eyebrow at the mention of “got up late.” “Sounds like someone’s stamina isn’t what it used to be. Even after a whole night, you still overslept?”

“Get lost.”
Even though nothing had actually happened last night, Huo Changzheng’s face still darkened at the implication that he wasn’t up to the task.

“Relax, it was just a joke. No need to get so serious.” Sun Mingyang quickly backtracked, reaching over to grab one of the sugar cakes. “Let me try your wife’s cooking.”

Even though Sun Mingyang ranked lower than Huo Changzheng, he was older and acted like the older brother in private.

“Back off.” Huo Changzheng jealously shielded the sugar cakes. “My wife made these for me. Nothing to do with you.”

“Tsk tsk tsk…” Sun Mingyang clicked his tongue in mock disdain. “Huo Changzheng, we’ve been through thick and thin together for years—what haven’t we shared? And now you won’t even give me one of your wife’s sugar cakes? I bet you didn’t ‘run out of time’ to eat. You just wanted to show off.”

Huo Changzheng didn’t deny it. He simply said, “Then you get your wife to make you some.”

“….”

Lin Suisui had no idea how childish Huo Changzheng could be. After getting Doubao ready, she rushed with him to the cafeteria for work.

Doubao, as usual, was very well-behaved, sitting quietly and eating his breakfast while waiting for her shift to end. It was just an hour of work, and when you’re busy, time flies by.

After she clocked out, she took Doubao to the nursery. On the way back, she unexpectedly ran into Fang Weiguo.

“Sister-in-law, I was just looking for you,” Fang Weiguo approached and said, “The commander already told me about building the bathhouse. I’ve got the workers lined up. Are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes, I am.” Lin Suisui hadn’t expected things to move so fast and quickly agreed. “I’ll open the door for you guys tomorrow. You can get started, and it won’t interfere with me going to work.”

“Great. We’ll be there at six in the morning and try to finish in one day,” Fang Weiguo said.

“Okay. Thank you so much for your help.”

“No problem, it’s our duty.” Fang Weiguo waved her off, then added, “Oh, and the commander already told me—while he’s away, if you need anything, just let me know. Don’t be shy.”

Lin Suisui hadn’t expected Huo Changzheng to make such thoughtful arrangements. Her heart warmed a little. She agreed, though in her mind, she still believed it best not to trouble others unless necessary.

After thanking Fang Weiguo again, Lin Suisui continued heading home—only to find that in such a short distance, she managed to run into quite a few people.

When she saw Song Xiao standing up ahead with her arms crossed, she instantly knew she had been waiting for her.

“Lin Suisui, let’s have a little chat,” Song Xiao said arrogantly, her chin lifted high, radiating superiority.

“I don’t think I know you, and I don’t believe we have anything to talk about.”

“…”