Chapter 18: A Touch of Lips

“So she’s Deputy Commander Qin’s new wife.”

“What was Deputy Commander Qin thinking, bringing her here?”

“They say a stepmother means a stepfather.  This is it.”

“Shh, keep your voice down, don’t let her hear.”

“Heh, they dare to do it but not to admit it? I’m not afraid of her hearing! Let her try to yell at me!”

The women’s chatter grew louder, completely disregarding Lin Su’s presence.

“Alright, what’s all the fuss about?”

A middle-aged woman in a Zhongshan suit appeared, stopping them.  She was the regiment commander’s wife, Wang Qiu.

Wang Qiu frowned, looking at them with displeasure.  “You’re spreading baseless rumors everywhere, and you’re saying it in front of her! Can you believe such things blindly? Or do you want to be criticized and educated?”

Because of her authority, and because her husband was the regiment commander, no one dared to argue with her.  They looked sheepish, but their hearts were filled with complaints.

Wang Qiu practically treated Qin Sui as her own son, and naturally, she loved him and his wife, showing favoritism without any boundaries, not even distinguishing right from wrong.

Wang Qiu didn’t bother with what they thought and looked at Lin Su.

This girl dressed simply, but her features were exquisite.  Simple clothes couldn’t hide her elegant and poised demeanor.  Her features were bright and beautiful, not at all like a girl who grew up in the countryside; she looked more like a pampered city girl.

She was indeed beautiful, worthy of Qin Sui.

Only her complexion was too pale, and her lips were almost bloodless.  She looked like she had been ill for a long time, her body weak.  She was no match for these gossiping women.

Wang Qiu had asked Qin Sui and knew Lin Su’s name and that she hadn’t mistreated her stepdaughters. So seeing her frail appearance, she felt pity.

“I’m Wang Qiu. You’re Lin Su, right? I’ll call you Su Su, and you can call me Aunt Wang,” Wang Qiu pulled Lin Su aside to talk.

“I haven’t been back for long; I should have gone to see you.”

Hearing her familiar tone, Lin Su guessed she must be close to Qin Sui.

Sure enough, Wang Qiu continued, “My husband is the regiment commander. He often treats your husband like a nephew. Let’s treat each other like family.”

“I know you’re not that kind of person. Don’t take their words to heart.”

Lin Su didn’t say a word, but Wang Qiu said several words, each one warm and comforting.

“Aunt Wang, thank you.”

The girl’s voice was also pleasant, soft and gentle, making Wang Qiu’s heart even softer. She spoke softly again, “Where are you going?”

Lin Su: “I want to buy some flour.”

“Wait a bit.  A logistics truck from the army will pass by soon. We can take it to the market.”

“The logistics truck passes by every day?”

“Not necessarily. Sometimes it’s every two days, sometimes three.”

Lin Su nodded understandingly.

Wang Qiu was about to say something when she saw the logistics truck arrive and quickly pulled Lin Su forward. “The truck’s here.”

As soon as the truck stopped, Wang Qiu nimbly climbed onto it and reached out to Lin Su.

Lin Su quickly reached out.

She was easily pulled up.

Aunt Wang was so strong.

Before she could think, Wang Qiu pulled her to a seat near the driver’s cab and took out two headscarves.

She wrapped one around her own head and face, and handed the other to Lin Su. “Luckily I always have one with me. Here, use this.”

Lin Su didn’t understand, but she obediently followed.

Others also got on the truck.  When everyone was on board, the truck started to jolt.

The road was uneven and bumpy, and the truck swayed back and forth, even more violently than the day she arrived.

Worse, the wind and sand blew into the truck bed. Lin Su quickly buried her face in her arms.

No wonder they all liked to wear headscarves; it was to protect themselves from the wind and sand.

In this situation, a mouthful of sand was inevitable.  No one wanted to talk, so it was quiet all the way.

Lin Su endured the discomfort and persisted.  When they finally arrived at the market, she almost vomited.

Seeing her pale face, Wang Qiu couldn’t help but persuade her, “The environment here is harsh, and you’re weak.  Next time you need to buy something, ask Qin Sui to go.”

Lin Su smiled without speaking.

She glanced at the simple market and was slightly stunned.

Wang Qiu noticed and explained, “The authorities allow trading here. Buy what you need, but be quick; the logistics truck won’t wait.”

Lin Su quickly nodded, “Understood.”

Wang Qiu also had things to buy, so they went their separate ways.

Lin Su hurried to find what she needed.

Due to the limitations of the time and place, the materials she could buy were limited, but she could still make simple cookies.

Thinking that the three children probably liked sweets, she bought some malt candy when she saw it being sold.

She didn’t look closely at anything else and hurried back to the gathering point, just in time to see a crowd of people standing by the logistics truck.

Lin Su subconsciously looked for Wang Qiu.  Seeing her talking to someone, she didn’t approach.

Only when Wang Qiu finished talking and looked around did Lin Su step forward.

Lin Su’s basket wasn’t covered, so it was easy to see what she bought.  Wang Qiu, trying to dispel the rumors, deliberately asked, “Did you buy the candy for the three children?”

Lin Su nodded.

Wang Qiu: “Then what’s the flour for?”

“Cookies.  All three of them like cookies.”

“You’re weak, yet you came to buy flour to make cookies for them. You’re quite good to them.  A stepmother like you is quite good. You can even make cookies; you’re really skillful,” Wang Qiu exclaimed.

Lin Su modestly said, “It’s just so-so. I’ll give you some to try when I’m done.”

Wang Qiu refused, “We don’t like that stuff.”

Lin Su didn’t say anything more, just waiting to give them some when they were ready.

While they were talking, the women around them pricked up their ears. When they heard that she bought it for the three children, their expressions varied.

Some thought she was acting, some thought she might not be as the rumors said.

The rest of the way was uneventful. When Lin Su returned, she saw Qin Sui was back.

Qin Sui took the basket from her hand.  Feeling its weight, he said, “If you need anything, write a list for me, and I’ll buy it when I have time.”

Lin Su didn’t want to trouble him, so she just smiled and didn’t answer.

The three children gathered around to look at the basket, so Qin Sui put it on the ground for them to see.

When they saw the malt candy, Qin Keke was the first to happily exclaim. Qin Ni shyly smiled, and Qin Yao, being more reserved, still had bright eyes.

No child dislikes candy.

After Grandma Lin gave Lin Su water, she came over, “Grandma will help you share it.”

Seeing the three children eagerly surrounding Grandma Lin, a hint of amusement flashed in Qin Sui’s eyes. He turned to Lin Su and said, “You spoil them too much.”

Lin Su tried to calm her breathing and slowly said, “This isn’t spoiling them. They’re very obedient and helped me with the work.”

Qin Sui didn’t say anything else, but he was satisfied.

Lin Su’s affection for the three children, whether genuine or not, he appreciated.

“By the way, why did you come back so early today?” Lin Su asked him.

Qin Sui said in a low voice, “I finished my work early.”

Watching the three children go to the kitchen with Grandma Lin to get bowls for the candy water, Qin Sui said softly, “You were slandered, why didn’t you tell me?”

Lin Su looked at him, met his dark eyes, and then remembered the kiss from that night. Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly shifted her gaze, softly saying, “There’s nothing to say.”

Qin Sui’s eyes darkened. “We’re not officially married, but since you married me, if anyone bullies you, I’ll protect you.”

A corner of Lin Su’s heart seemed to collapse. She opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

Qin Sui continued, “I’ve already punished Ni Niu to run twenty laps, and I’ve told Huang Shufen’s husband.”

If such a handsome and kind man protects you, wouldn’t you be moved?

It’s impossible not to be moved.

Lin Su felt her heart pounding rapidly and forcefully.

After a long pause, she said hoarsely, “Thank you.”

It was still too formal.

Qin Sui sighed helplessly, “You don’t have to thank me. You’ve also helped me take good care of my three children.”

So that’s why.

Her heart, which had just been stirred, returned to its calm state. Lin Su didn’t look at Qin Sui again, got up, and walked towards the kitchen, “I’ll help Grandma cook.”

Qin Sui didn’t notice the change in her expression and turned to leave.

He had some free time today, so he would go and see if the furniture was ready. If it was, he would bring it back; otherwise, there wasn’t even a decent chair in the house.

After Lin Su finished cooking, she came out to call Qin Sui, but she couldn’t find him.  She had no choice but to leave his food.

After lunch, Lin Su first took the three children for a walk to aid digestion.  After they were done, she washed her hands and prepared to make cookies.

This was the most anticipated moment for the three children.

They rarely ate cookies.  The first time they ate them was when Lin Su bought them, and this was the second time, and Lin Su made them herself.

Every experience was brought to them by Lin Su, which made Qin Yao feel particularly complex.

Although he was looking forward to it, he didn’t surround Lin Su like his younger siblings.  Instead, he stood outside the kitchen and watched.

Watching Lin Su busy in the kitchen, her busy back seemed to overlap with his mother’s, making him feel a little teary-eyed.

“If you want to watch, come in. What can you see from there?” Qin Sui carried the furniture in and said softly.

Qin Yao quickly suppressed his tears and turned to see his father busy.  He pursed his lips and silently went to help.

He couldn’t say he missed his mother; that would be too sentimental.

Lin Su was quick, and the aroma of cookies soon filled the air.

She made red date and peach crisps, scallion cookies, and malt candy cookies.

The second and third children were already impatient, and even the calm Qin Yao sped up moving the furniture.

The three children were like that, not to mention the children outside.

The children playing outside smelled the aroma and gathered around, wanting to come in but not daring to, their mouths watering.

Luckily, Lin Su’s reputation as a wicked stepmother was enough to scare the children; otherwise, some of them might have rushed in to ask for some.

They didn’t dare to come in, but Qin Keke, who was vengeful, went out, holding a cute little cookie, and deliberately ate it deliciously in front of the children.

He kept nodding, saying the cookies were delicious.

Seeing him like that, the aroma seemed to spread through the air, making the children even more restless.

A ringleader wanted to come in and grab some, but before he could act, the tall Qin Sui came out.

Qin Sui was protective of his children.  Because Qin Keke had complained to him, he had no feelings for these children.

He stood in the yard like a formidable figure, and the children, even more afraid of him, scattered instantly.

However, after they returned home, they started to fuss, crying and insisting on eating cookies.

Lin Su didn’t know that the cookies she made had disturbed the peace of the surrounding households.  At this moment, she was offering a cookie to Qin Sui, who was busy.

Qin Sui didn’t like to eat this, so he shook his head and refused.

Lin Su continued to persuade, “There are sweet and savory ones. If you don’t like sweet ones, you can try the savory ones.”

Hearing this, Qin Sui said, “I’m busy, you…”

He was about to say let her put it there and he would eat it later, but Lin Su misunderstood his meaning.  She directly pinched a cookie and brought it to his mouth.

The warm fingertips unexpectedly touched his thin lips, making his lips feel numb as if electrified.