Chapter 18 is great.

Although she knew Fang Qianqian was just joking, Lin Suisui couldn’t help but admire her boldness—this woman really dared to say anything. Fang Qianqian also knew Lin Suisui couldn’t take too much teasing, so she didn’t press further on that topic.

As for helping find a job, Fang Qianqian couldn’t do much at the moment, but she promised to keep an eye out for any opportunities.

Having already made desserts for two days in a row, she decided to skip today. After all, they weren’t short on food, and in times like these, using sugar, eggs, and milk to bake wasn’t something every household could afford. Still, even if they weren’t baking, they could make clothes.

Fang Qianqian remembered the fabric Lin Suisui had bought last time in town and suggested, “Let’s make clothes today. I have a sewing machine. Go grab your fabric.”

Of course, Lin Suisui was all for it—she wanted to make a few more outfits for Doubao so he could go to nursery looking clean and neat.

“I’ve noticed Doubao’s clothes are all pretty new. Didn’t you just make him a set recently? One more should be enough. You should use the rest of the fabric to make something for yourself,” Fang Qianqian said. “Stop thinking only about others—you’ve got to treat yourself better. I’ve already got a pattern in mind for you. It’ll look amazing.”

Touched by Fang Qianqian’s thoughtfulness and enthusiasm, Lin Suisui didn’t refuse. She hadn’t made new clothes for herself in a long time, so she nodded and said, “I don’t really know much about styles. You decide for me.”

“You don’t need to know anything. I know it all,” Fang Qianqian said excitedly. “Let’s make a fall outfit today—a short blazer with a pleated midi skirt. I promise you’ll look fashionable and beautiful in it.”

Lin Suisui didn’t really know what a short blazer or pleated skirt looked like, but she trusted Fang Qianqian. If she said it would look good, then she would go along with it.

Fang Qianqian took out the navy-blue fabric that Lin Suisui had bought last time, measured her carefully, and began marking out the pattern with chalk and a ruler. Lin Suisui watched from the side and couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t this outfit going to be a little too small or too short?”

“Not at all. Your old clothes were just way too big. With a figure like yours, it’s a waste to be draped in sacks every day,” Fang Qianqian said, talking non-stop while her hands kept moving. “Trust me, it’ll look great.”

“Alright, I trust you.”

She sat quietly to the side and watched. Once the pattern was ready, it was time for sewing—her responsibility.

Not long after marrying Huo Changzheng, he had sent her some money along with a ration ticket for a sewing machine. So she bought one, and over the years had sewn many outfits for Doubao. She had gotten quite skilled with it.

She sat at the sewing machine, foot pedaling and stitching, while Fang Qianqian guided her through the tricky parts. When the little blazer was finished, Fang Qianqian held it up and praised, “You really do have magic hands. Not only did you pick up dessert-making fast, your sewing skills are top-notch too.”

Lin Suisui was confident in her sewing, but to her, the blazer still looked quite small. She hesitated and asked, “Are you sure this will fit me?”

“Of course it will,” Fang Qianqian replied. “Hurry and finish the pleated skirt, then we’ll make a white blouse to match.”

Lin Suisui felt like making both a blazer and a skirt for herself was already a big enough use of fabric. Adding a blouse felt a bit excessive. But then she thought—since they were doing it, might as well go all in.

The two of them worked at the sewing machine all morning and finally completed the outfit.

“Quick, try it on! I want to see the final look,” Fang Qianqian said excitedly.

Like all women, Lin Suisui loved pretty things too, and she was curious. Just as she was about to try it on, the front door suddenly opened, and a tall man walked in.

This was Lin Suisui’s first time seeing Cheng Hao. He was tall and well-built, with a handsome face. From a distance, she couldn’t see his expression clearly, but when he walked up and saw Fang Qianqian, the tenderness in his eyes was unmistakable.

“You’re back,” Fang Qianqian said, realizing it was already lunchtime. Remembering he hadn’t met Lin Suisui yet, she quickly introduced them. “This is Suisui, Deputy Commander Huo’s wife.”

Cheng Hao turned to look at Lin Suisui, his gaze calm but respectful. He nodded and greeted, “Hello, sister-in-law.”

“Hello, Captain Cheng,” Lin Suisui responded politely. She also knew it was lunchtime and that she shouldn’t intrude, so after a few pleasantries, she took her leave.

Fang Qianqian loved making desserts, but not so much cooking. If Cheng Hao came home for lunch, he’d usually bring food from the cafeteria. Seeing the two lunchboxes in his hands now, she didn’t ask Lin Suisui to stay—after all, she hadn’t made any lunch and couldn’t properly host her.

Lin Suisui returned to her dorm with the new outfit in hand. She originally intended to grab her lunchbox and go get food, but the allure of the outfit was too strong—she couldn’t resist trying it on first.

And so, she did.

She put on the blouse first, then the pleated skirt. Following Fang Qianqian’s instructions, she tucked the blouse into the skirt. Finally, she picked up the blazer and was just about to put it on when the door opened.

Huo Changzheng had said he’d come back at noon, but she thought he was joking. Turns out he really had come back—probably to check whether she’d eaten yet. What he saw instead was her in a brand-new outfit.

Their eyes met, and both froze.

Fang Qianqian had cut the outfit precisely to Lin Suisui’s measurements, so the blouse fit perfectly. With the hem tucked into the skirt, it highlighted her full bust and slender waist.

“I… I… this outfit… it might be a bit too small. And the skirt seems… a little too short…” she stammered.

Huo Changzheng’s gaze was intense, making her feel completely self-conscious, as if she’d done something wrong. She didn’t know whether she should find something looser to cover up or try to pull the skirt down a little more.

“You look really good,” Huo Changzheng said, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.

“…What?” Lin Suisui was momentarily stunned.

Huo Changzheng’s gaze remained fixed on her as he repeated, “You look really good in that outfit.”

“R-Really?” Lin Suisui’s face instantly flushed red. She fiddled with her hair and mumbled, “Qianqian helped me make it.”

“She did a great job. I’ll get some fabric coupons later so you can make a few more outfits.”

“There’s no need,” Lin Suisui waved her hands quickly. “One new set is enough. If we get new fabric, I’ll make some clothes for Doubao.”

“I’ve noticed Doubao has plenty of clothes already. Kids grow fast—there’s no rush to make more. Don’t always save the good stuff for him. When it’s time to make something for yourself, make it,” Huo Changzheng said firmly.

Whether he meant it sincerely or was just being polite, Lin Suisui still felt he had a decent conscience. But the way he kept staring at her made her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

“Have you had lunch yet?” Lin Suisui asked.

“Not yet.”

“I haven’t either. How about you go get some food from the cafeteria?”

“…Alright.” Huo Changzheng took the lunchbox and headed out.

By the time he returned, Lin Suisui had already changed out of her new outfit. The two of them sat at the small table, eating face-to-face. Lin Suisui ate slowly, taking small bites, while Huo Changzheng seemed to be eating in a bit of a hurry.

After he finished, he took his lunchbox to wash it. When Lin Suisui was done, he promptly “snatched” her lunchbox to wash as well.

When he returned with the clean lunchboxes, he began taking off his jacket and said casually, “Let’s take a nap.”