005. Eight-Pack Abs

As soon as they reached the riverbank, the two kids went wild, completely soaked from head to toe—catching shrimp, trying to grab fish, all sorts of playful chaos.

At first, Wen Shiyang had been happily watching them, but at some point, she started feeling a bit awkward.

Probably from the moment Lu Qingyan took off his old shirt!

His bulging muscles seemed ready to burst out, the lines of his body more fluid than the water flowing in the river. Especially those perfectly symmetrical, well-defined eight-pack abs—they were eye-catching and impossible to ignore.

Wen Shiyang’s cheeks flushed red. She truly couldn’t bear to look!

Not that she didn’t want to, she just didn’t dare.

From a young age, she had thoroughly studied The Woman’s Code: when looking at a man’s body, one could only look at her own husband’s.

She and Lu Qingyan were in name only. How could she possibly even glance?

And she didn’t want anything real with him anyway.

This man was fierce, and just from the way he looked at her, it was obvious—every time he looked at her, it was like a wild wolf spotting prey.

She had seen countless men before, but none had dared to look at her like this. Their gazes had always been full of affection or desire, but always laced with love.

Lu Qingyan was different. His gaze looked as though he wanted to strip her of her strength and drink her blood.

Yet she couldn’t figure out what she had done to offend him.

Could it really be that Dabao had said something bad about her, making him wary?

But Dabao didn’t seem like the type to tattle; she could tell at a glance.

“Mom, play with us,” Xiaobao said happily, clearly liking the Wen Shiyang who was here in the present.

It truly felt like having a mother.

Xiaobao held no grudges. Mom loved her, so she loved Mom in return. She wasn’t weighed down by the same heavy thoughts as Dabao.

Perhaps it was because she had always been protected by her older brother, keeping her innocence intact.

“Alright, Mom will come down and play with you.”

Wen Shiyang took off her shoes and rolled up her pant legs, revealing a stretch of fair, smooth skin like snow. Her feet were also pale, like freshly peeled scallions, pure and delicate.

Not far away, the man saw this, his Adam’s apple rolling involuntarily. He clenched his fists, calmly averting his gaze.

Desire had already begun to stir in his eyes.

Before, he had only seen her as a pitiful little girl. But now, she had grown into a clean, beautiful young woman, and this rough, long-unmoved heart found it hard not to beat faster.

Wen Shiyang never showed her feet lightly, as in her original era it was considered highly improper and flirtatious behavior.

But in this time, the rules weren’t so strict.

Wen Shiyang stepped onto smooth river pebbles. Her feet felt like they were being massaged—pleasant and slightly ticklish.

“Mom, look! There are so many shrimp here!” Xiaobao exclaimed, ecstatic.

She gently held Wen Shiyang’s hand and eagerly led her to catch shrimp.

Unnoticed, Lu Qingyan had caught a few fish with Dabao, while Wen Shiyang caught plenty of shrimp and even some freshwater snails.

“That’s enough.” Lu Qingyan glanced at the bucket—enough for a proper meal.

Though he ate the finest military rations, sometimes he still missed home-cooked food.

“Mom, we should go home.” Dabao made a trumpet shape with his hands and called to Wen Shiyang.

She turned back and responded, “Alright, I’m coming.”

She had simply tied her hair in a low ponytail, strands sticking to her fair neck and cheeks from the water, giving her a subtle, unique beauty.

She looked like a lively forest sprite.

By now, the river current was fast. With only one woman holding Xiaobao’s hand, it was difficult to walk steadily.

“Dabao, watch the bucket here. I’ll help Mom and Xiaobao cross.” Lu Qingyan carried the bucket and Dabao to the riverbank.

Dabao nodded obediently. “Got it, Dad.”

Lu Qingyan affectionately patted his head, then turned back to pick up Xiaobao and Wen Shiyang.

“Daddy, I want to be held too!” Xiaobao acted like he’d seen a savior, refusing to move forward.

Wen Shiyang couldn’t help laughing, shaking her head at Lu Qingyan in helpless amusement. She had no way to manage Xiaobao either.

Lu Qingyan gently flicked Xiaobao’s nose, his voice full of tender indulgence. “Being stubborn, huh?”

Xiaobao stuck out his tongue, feigning guilt, yet insisted, “Yes! I’m stubborn! I want Daddy to hold me.”

When Lu Qingyan bent down to lift Xiaobao, Wen Shiyang’s gaze caught the moment—it was like seeing a light in the darkness.

She thought, this man might not be so bad after all; at least, he was good to the children.

Distracted by this thought, she slipped on a stone, nearly falling into the river.

Suddenly, a strong arm steadied her from behind. The man’s arm was cold yet firm; Wen Shiyang could feel the power pressing against her, making her lower back ache slightly.

She quickly regained balance, stepped back, and hurriedly said, “Thank you.”

Without him, she could have imagined the disaster.

His arm lingered in midair, the warmth of her thin shirt still perceptible.

Seeing her step back, he felt a brief sense of loss.

Clearly, she still minded.

He restored his icy composure but still extended his arm toward her again, keeping his emotions calm. “Hold steady. Next time you might not be so lucky.”

Wen Shiyang looked at the sturdy arm, startled like a rabbit, and politely refused. “No, it’s fine. I can walk steadily.”

Seeing her earnest refusal, Lu Qingyan withdrew his arm, his voice cold as ice. “Let’s go.”

Xiaobao poked his father’s shoulder muscles, whispering, “Daddy is so silly~”

Lu Qingyan heard it, moved his ear, and tapped Xiaobao’s leg, grumbling, “Silly? Where?”

Xiaobao pouted, insisting quietly, “Daddy is silly! Really silly!”

Even with opportunities presented right in front of him, he couldn’t grasp them!

To Xiaobao, Daddy was the silliest dad in the world.

Wen Shiyang carefully returned to the riverbank. Fortunately, the rest of the way was smooth.

The four of them walked in a neat line through the village, drawing everyone’s attention.

Wen Shiyang was beautiful, Lu Qingyan tall, strong, and well-built—a soldier. Walking beside him radiated vitality.

The two children were just as adorable. Villagers often praised them before.

Back home, Lu Qingyan took charge of washing everyone’s clothes, sitting in the yard with two basins of water.

He was slightly obsessive about cleanliness, a habit from the army, so everything was washed meticulously.

Wen Shiyang sat in the yard, propping her chin and enjoying the sun, occasionally glancing at him diligently working.

At that moment, she felt this man was surprisingly extraordinary.