Chapter 11: Sharing the Joy

The noise was loud; Lu Siyi seemed to be cleaning something.

Lin Qingyue stormed out, only to find Lu Siyi cleaning with their three children.

Lu Yicheng and Lu Yiming were washing dishcloths, while Sisi held a doll, directing them on where they hadn’t cleaned properly.

“Awake? The food’s warming on the stove, go eat.” Lu Siyi stood on a ladder cleaning dust from the ceiling, his expression focused, as if in his eyes, cooking, doing chores, and commanding battles were no different.

He seemed to approach everything with meticulous care.

Lin Qingyue’s anger subsided considerably: “So early in the morning, why are you cleaning?”

It was awfully noisy.

“I might have to return to the army earlier than expected, and I figured you wouldn’t have time to clean with three kids.” His movements didn’t stop: “I have some free time this morning, so I thought I’d clean the house.”

Diligent, thoughtful, considerate, handing his salary to his wife—he was the epitome of a perfect husband.

Lin Qingyue didn’t know how to react.

She brought the noodles from the kitchen to the dining table, eating while watching Lu Siyi do chores.

His posture was tall and straight, his features sharp and angular, his brows conveying competence and determination.

Just standing there, he commanded a respectful awe.

After eating, Lin Qingyue cleaned the kitchen, intending to pack Lu Siyi’s bags, but found he’d already done it.

Looking at the army-green package in the corner of the living room, a pang of sadness hit her.

The entire house was sparkling clean.

By the time Lu Siyi finished cleaning, Lin Qingyue had prepared lunch: stir-fried cabbage, tofu soup, and scrambled eggs, considering the children’s growth.

The meal was simple. Lin Qingyue’s cooking wasn’t bad, but it paled in comparison to Lu Siyi’s.

Lu Yicheng took a bite of cabbage and spat it onto the table, frowning: “Your cooking is terrible, nothing like Dad’s!”

“Lu Yicheng, I’ll teach you a lesson today. You shouldn’t waste food! You’ll have to get used to it, because I’ll be cooking for you every day after your father leaves.” Lin Qingyue frowned.

She picked up a piece of cabbage, chewed it, and said: “It’s not that bad!”

“You little brat, want to go to the army with your father?” She smiled at Lu Yicheng.

Lu Yicheng’s face flushed, and he stubbornly said: “You’re bullying me!”

“She’s your mother! Can’t she tell you off?” Lu Siyi put on a serious face.

His cold gaze fell on Lu Yicheng, and the little guy immediately softened.

“Dad, I’m sorry.”

Lin Qingyue was envious. How did Lu Siyi do it? Just one look, and the little guy was subdued?

She feared that after Lu Siyi left, the boy would give her a hard time.

“Lu Yiming, I have a task for you.” Lu Siyi said with a serious face.

Lu Yiming, who had been diligently eating, immediately lit up: “Dad, what is it?”

“While I’m gone, keep an eye on Lu Yicheng. If he misbehaves, tell me when I get back, and I’ll deal with him.”

“Okay, Dad, I will.” Lu Yiming felt honored.

Lu Yicheng looked dejected, but Lu Siyi added: “You can supervise your brother and sister too.”

Lu Yicheng immediately beamed.

Lin Qingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried about getting along with the children, but Lu Siyi’s words had put a tight rein on them.

Not bad, a very good idea.

In the afternoon, the guard came to pick up Lu Siyi.

“Lu Siyi, I want to see you off.”

He turned around and saw Lin Qingyue standing at the door, looking pitiful, like a harmless little rabbit.

Three days of intimacy seemed to have cast a spell on him; he couldn’t bear to see her reluctant expression.

He wouldn’t be back for ten days or half a month this time, and suddenly, he didn’t want to leave.

They stood there, Lu Siyi’s face darkening.

“Sir, why don’t you take your wife to the unit for a while? It’s still early, and I can bring her back after she’s done.” The guard said considerately.

“Can I?” Lin Qingyue looked at him expectantly.

Lu Siyi swallowed, and said: “Yes.”

Lin Qingyue immediately cheered, called their neighbor, Grandma Yu, to watch the children for a while.

Grandma Yu was a warm-hearted person who loved children and readily agreed.

Lin Qingyue grabbed a handful of candy and followed Lu Siyi.

On the road, the scenery whizzed by. Lu Siyi looked at Lin Qingyue thoughtfully.

After three days together, Lin Qingyue was different from what he had expected.

He liked this Lin Qingyue better.

Through the rearview mirror, the guard saw Lu Siyi staring lovingly at his wife. He stole a glance and quickly looked away.

It seemed the sir was very satisfied with his wife.

Lin Qingyue felt embarrassed under his gaze and shyly lowered her head.

The car slowed to a stop.

“Sir, ma’am, we’re here.”

Lin Qingyue got out of the car, looking around curiously.

“Attention!” The sentry at the gate suddenly saluted, startling her. She turned to Lu Siyi, who calmly pulled her hand and walked inside.

“Hello, ma’am!” As she passed the sentry, the words reached her ears.

“You all know me?” Lin Qingyue was puzzled. This was her first time here.

“We don’t, but standing next to Captain Lu and holding his hand, it must be the ma’am.” The sentry smiled, showing his white teeth, simple and clean.

She seemed to remember something, took out the candy, and gave it to the sentry.

“This is wedding candy for you all, share the joy.”

Wasn’t this the candy her grandfather gave the children? When did it become wedding candy? Lu Siyi remained silent.

Seeing him standing still, Lin Qingyue put half the candy in Lu Siyi’s hand: “Give some to your colleagues.”

He was stunned, looking at the candy. He hadn’t thought of that.

He’d better listen to Lin Qingyue on social matters.

While Lu Siyi distributed candy to his colleagues, Lin Qingyue strolled around the base. Every few steps, someone would nod and greet her, calling her “ma’am.”

It seemed Lu Siyi held a high position in the army.

Lin Qingyue stroked her chin, thinking to herself.