Lu Haici fell silent at his mother’s question, his thoughts drifting back to Chen Zhou’s words.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you tell your parents?” Seeing her son’s hesitation, Lin Qingqing asked gently.

While her child could have his own secrets, she sensed something was off and wanted to understand what had happened.

From an outsider’s perspective, she could offer him advice.

Lu Haici bit his lip nervously.

He had never lied to his mom before, and he wasn’t sure how to start.

He was afraid that if he spoke up, his mother would get upset.

But if he didn’t say anything, he couldn’t keep it to himself.

“Just say what’s on your mind,” Lu Cheng said, encouragingly. “A real man doesn’t beat around the bush. If you don’t say anything, your mom will start to worry and think of the worst. If you tell us, we can figure it out together if there’s a problem.”

Lin Qingqing stayed silent.

Since both she and Lu Cheng had clearly expressed their backgrounds to Lu Haici, she would let Lu Cheng handle the situation without intervening.

In the past, she might have chimed in as a mother, but that wasn’t her role anymore.

Lu Haici shrank back a little at his father’s words and finally spoke softly, “It’s just… Chen Zhou said his mom told him that if my mom has a little brother for me, she won’t love me anymore…”

As he said this, his voice cracked, lacking conviction.

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head, his little hands gripping his parents’ clothes trembling.

Lu Cheng held his son’s shaking hand. “That’s not true,” he declared firmly. “Even if your mom and I have a little brother or sister in the future, you will always be our first and most loved child.”

Lu Haici had no doubt about his father’s love for him, but he looked at Lin Qingqing, worried about his mother’s feelings.

Lin Qingqing squeezed his hand gently. “I love you the most, Lu Haici. You are my favorite little baby. You might have a little brother or sister in the future, but the love I have for them will be the same as the love I have for you. In fact, I love you even more than I would love them, because I have loved you deeply long before your little brother or sister arrives.”

Lu Haici’s face flushed red at his mother’s words.

Although he felt a bit shy, he was also a little one who knew how to express himself.

Hearing his mom say that, he immediately hugged her tightly and said, “I’ve already loved Mom deeply even before my little brother or sister comes!”

“Thank you, little friend Lu Haici, for your love. It makes me so happy,” Lin Qingqing ruffled his hair. “So, I will love you even more and more.”

“Yeah!” Lu Haici responded happily, his voice loud with excitement. “I will love you more and more, and I will also love the little brother or sister in the future. I will play with them and share yummy food with them. If anyone bullies them, I will help them fight back!”

Lin Qingqing smiled. “You’ll be such a good big brother! But remember, you can play together with your little siblings, and when it comes to delicious food, you can eat together instead of just giving it to them. If anyone bullies them, make sure to understand the situation first. Also, if you ever get bullied, your little brother or sister should help you too. You’re all siblings, the good kids of Dad and Mom.”

“Okay, I understand, Mom.” Lu Haici had never felt so happy; it was even more joyful than the times when he hugged his mom.

Lu Cheng watched their interaction, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes, his thoughts solidifying even further.

Once they got home, they started their evening routines.

Lu Cheng helped wash Lu Haici, dried him off, and set him on the big bed.

After Lin Qingqing finished washing up, she headed to the other room.

Noticing this, Lu Cheng approached the door to that room.

Knock, knock, knock…

“Who is it?” Lin Qingqing asked.

“It’s me. I want to talk to you,” Lu Cheng replied.

“Okay, just a moment.” After a short wait, Lin Qingqing opened the door.

She had changed into loungewear—long pants and a long-sleeve t-shirt—looking more composed than before, less casual than earlier.

“Come in,” she said.

Lu Cheng stepped inside, keeping his gaze on Lin Qingqing, his eyes clear but revealing some suppressed emotions underneath.

“Standing to talk can be tiring. Please sit on the stool over there,” Lin Qingqing offered, pointing to the stool she had brought in for storage, not expecting Lu Cheng to need it.

“No, I’ll stand,” Lu Cheng replied. “You can sit.”

Lin Qingqing looked up at his height.

She was sitting, and he was standing, so she had to look up at him, which made her neck a bit sore.

Lu Cheng seemed to notice this and explained, “I’m used to standing when discussing important matters. Please stay seated.”

For him to stand and report meant the matter was highly significant, something he would normally only do for someone of high rank, such as a commander.

The fact that he treated her with the same respect showed just how much he valued the issue at hand.

Since he had said this, Lin Qingqing had no choice but to remain seated, looking up at him.

She wanted to tell him her neck was starting to hurt.

“Lin… could you tell me, in that world of the future, what was your name?” Lu Cheng asked cautiously.

Lin Qingqing smiled. “Interestingly, my name is also Lin Qingqing.” It seemed like fate had aligned her name for her to cross into this story.

Hearing this, Lu Cheng was momentarily stunned.

It was indeed a coincidence.

So even if someone crossed over, they’d end up with the same name?

“Comrade Lin, I’m Lu Cheng, 28 years old, 183 centimeters tall, and currently have a five-year-old son. I am married, and I would like to discuss three things with you.”

“Please go ahead,” Lin Qingqing replied.

Lu Cheng spoke with a solemn tone. “The first thing: I would like to ask you to give me three years. If she has indeed passed away, I will consider the day you arrived as her memorial day and honor her for three years. After three years, if she hasn’t returned, I would like to pursue a relationship with you. By that time, I would be a widower.”

He intended to mourn the original Lin Qingqing for three years as a mark of respect, and during those years, he would keep his distance from her and treat her as a friend.

Lin Qingqing had originally thought of giving herself two years, but since Lu Cheng proposed three, she felt that was even better. “What’s the second thing?”

“The second thing: if she does return within or after those three years, and you… are no longer here, I will divorce her. Regardless of the consequences, I will bear them because I will have betrayed this marriage emotionally.” Although he had been attracted to her under the belief that she was his wife, if he had known she wasn’t, they would never have had any connection, let alone attraction.

Regardless of how it started, he was in the wrong, and that was that.

“I’m sorry,” Lin Qingqing said.

If she had been honest from the beginning, perhaps it would have spared Lu Cheng this dilemma.

But at the beginning, she hadn’t been able to be honest, as he was still a stranger to her.

Even until today, she hadn’t considered telling him the truth, as the matter was too weighty.

If she hadn’t worried about him overthinking things and causing an irreversible outcome, she wouldn’t have chosen to be honest now.

“It’s not your fault.” Lu Cheng didn’t blame Lin Qingqing.

He understood her caution and her lack of control over the situation. “The third thing… if, within these three years, you find someone you truly like, please tell me. I will divorce you and grant you freedom.”

He didn’t want to selfishly bind her just because she was now in Lin Qingqing’s body.

Lin Qingqing nodded. “Alright, I understand. I respect the three things you’ve proposed. As for the first matter, about pursuing me after three years if she doesn’t return, my thought is to go with the flow. Maybe in three years, you won’t feel the same attraction anymore.”

Hearing her response, Lu Cheng felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

He didn’t elaborate on the three-year period because he knew that time could explain everything.

He knew himself well: once he developed feelings, there was no turning back.

In matters of love, he was very much like his mother.

Even knowing his father didn’t love her, his mother still chose to stay, hoping things might change.

But when she discovered he was with someone else, she resolutely left.

He would be the same.

He liked Lin Qingqing and felt drawn to her, and he knew this attraction would only deepen.

But if Lin Qingqing found someone else, he would let go.

Perhaps he wouldn’t forget, but the beginning of love was beautiful, and it didn’t need to end poorly.

If they could part with fond memories, it would be a beautiful ending.

At least they could still smile when they met again.

Lu Cheng gave her a slight bow. “Lastly, I have one more request. Could you continue to care for Haici the way you do now?”

Lin Qingqing responded, “Of course. No problem. I do have one question, though. Regarding the Lin family, your aunt, what are your thoughts?”

Lu Cheng said, “This matter is between you and me. As for the Lin family, I will treat them kindly.”

“Then rest assured. As long as I’m here, I’ll honor them on her behalf,” Lin Qingqing replied.

Lu Cheng recognized her as a kind, strong-willed person, perhaps the result of her upbringing in that future world. “Alright.”

Having come to an agreement, Lu Cheng left, but as he opened the door, he was startled to see Lu Haici standing right outside.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack! What are you doing here?” Lu Cheng asked.

Lu Haici looked from his dad to his mom. “I was looking for you both. Why isn’t Mom coming to bed?”

Lu Cheng replied, “Mom will be sleeping here from now on. Go back to bed.”

Hearing this, Lu Haici felt as if the sky had fallen. “Why? Why isn’t Mom sleeping with me? Doesn’t she like me anymore? I want to sleep with Mom.”

Lu Cheng wanted to say, “It’s not that she doesn’t want to sleep with you. It’s that she can’t sleep with me.”

Lin Qingqing saved him from the awkwardness and smiled. “It’s like this: Mom hasn’t been feeling well lately and needs to sleep alone. Once I’m better, we can sleep together again, okay?”

Lu Haici thought about it and said, “Then I’ll bring my blanket and sleep on the floor. That way, we’ll be in the same room but not in the same bed.” He felt this was a clever compromise.