Chapter 23

Lu Yunzheng tiptoed over and gently picked up the sleeping little girl.

She stirred slightly, smacked her lips with her eyes still closed, and mumbled in a soft, sleepy voice, “Dumplings… so tasty…”

Looks like the dumplings she had at lunch really hit the spot—she was still dreaming about them in her sleep.

He carried the little girl to a bed in the other room and pulled a blanket over her. Then he turned to see the two boys sprawled across their bed, the blanket crumpled underneath them. He tucked them in too.

Back in the main room, Lin Tingwan rolled over and, instead of feeling the soft body of the little girl, her hand touched the hard surface of the bed. Her eyes snapped open.

Seeing that the little girl who had been lying next to her was gone, she immediately got up, slipped on her slippers, and headed out.

As she reached the doorway, she saw Lu Yunzheng quietly stepping out of the other room.

Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, patting her chest and softly saying, “You’re back.”

“Sorry I woke you. I got back a bit late today,” Lu Yunzheng said, lifting his feet and walking over to her. Under the light, his sharp features flickered in and out of the shadows, his tall frame making Lin Tingwan appear especially petite in contrast.

He noticed her eyes still held a trace of sleepiness and her face showed a hint of guilt.

It was their first day living in the family housing compound, and not only had he failed to give her a good rest, but he had also left all three kids to her. He couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

Lin Tingwan didn’t notice the change in her expression. She yawned and shook her head, saying, “It’s fine. Did you eat? I saved some food for you.”

“No, not yet,” Lu Yunzheng said, scratching his head. He’d been busy all afternoon and had been thinking about Lin Tingwan the whole time. He came straight home and hadn’t had time to eat.

“I’ll go heat it up for you.”

Just as she was about to walk to the kitchen, Lu Yunzheng reached out and grabbed her wrist. His deep eyes looked into hers. “No need. I’ll just heat it up myself—no need to trouble you.”

A light stayed on in the house, a bowl of food was waiting in the pot, and the girl he liked was standing in front of him. All of this still felt unreal—something he’d never dared to hope for in the past.

There was no way he’d let her do even a little thing for him now.

“Alright then.” Lin Tingwan didn’t insist, but since she was already awake, she couldn’t fall asleep again either.

So she followed him to the kitchen and leaned casually against the doorway.

Still in his military uniform, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, Lu Yunzheng crouched down and lit the stove. The flickering firelight cast shadows on his sharp features. Even lighting a fire, he looked serious and focused.

When he looked up, their eyes met. Noticing the embarrassed look on her face, he took the initiative to say, “If I get back late in the future, you don’t need to wait for me.”

Lin Tingwan lowered her gaze slightly. It wasn’t like she was deliberately waiting for him—she had just dozed off by accident.

But she didn’t explain. Instead, she changed the subject, “I want to buy some things tomorrow. Besides the department store, is there a supply co-op or market nearby?”

There were only enough vegetables at home for one more meal. She couldn’t go all the way to the department store just to buy some groceries—that would be too much of a hassle.

“Most people shop at a nearby supply co-op. It’s next to the elementary school—it takes about ten minutes to walk there.”

“That’s where Zhouzhou and Hanghang go to school, right?” Lin Tingwan raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Yes,” Lu Yunzheng nodded, then added, “I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

Lin Tingwan quickly waved her hands and refused, “No, no, it’s fine. I can go by myself. Go eat first.” With that, she smiled and walked back to her room.

If she went alone, she could buy more things and use her space (storage ability). Not only could she get fresh vegetables, but she also wouldn’t have to make daily trips.

But if Lu Yunzheng came along, her space would be useless.

She wouldn’t dare underestimate Lu Yunzheng’s powers of observation.

Seeing how quickly she declined, Lu Yunzheng felt a little uneasy.

It kind of seemed like she really didn’t want to go out with him.

Was it that he wasn’t presentable?

He couldn’t help but touch his face and frown.

That couldn’t be it. He hadn’t missed the way Lin Tingwan had been sneaking glances at him these past couple of days—she clearly liked his face.

Could he have misunderstood?

Lin Tingwan had no idea that her simple desire to avoid hassle had made Lu Yunzheng doubt his looks.

When Lu Yunzheng finished eating, washed up, and returned to the room, she was already fast asleep.

He quietly climbed into bed, lifted a corner of the blanket, lay down next to her, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

Since the family housing compound wasn’t far from the military dormitories, the early morning reveille from the base could be heard clearly.

Half-awake, Lin Tingwan opened her eyes.

Seeing no one beside her, she didn’t need to guess—Lu Yunzheng must have gotten up early again.

Stretching lazily, she slowly sat up.

But when she noticed she was lying right in the center of the bed, she swallowed nervously.

She couldn’t help but recall what happened the morning before—had she climbed onto Lu Yunzheng again in her sleep?

No! He probably got up first, and she just rolled into the middle of the bed after.

Yes, that must be it!

Shaking her head while mentally convincing herself, she put on her slippers, changed clothes, and folded the blanket before walking out.

“Up so early?” Lu Yunzheng had just finished washing clothes and walked in to see Lin Tingwan already awake.

Looking at the clothes hanging on the drying rack outside, Lin Tingwan raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, “Why were you doing laundry this early in the morning?”

Lu Yunzheng’s eyes swept over her rosy face. His throat bobbed as he looked away in a flustered tone. “Just thought I’d wash them while I was at it.”

As he turned and walked out, Lin Tingwan tilted her head, confused.

But she didn’t overthink it and went to wash up.

Outside, Lu Yunzheng’s ears were slightly red. He felt that if he slept next to Lin Tingwan for a few more nights, both he and “Xiao Yunzheng” were going to be tortured to death.

Yesterday morning, her leg had flopped onto him. This morning, her hand had ended up on him.

Sleeping next to Lin Tingwan was harder than going on a mission.

Looking at the clothes hanging outside, his mind drifted back to the moment he lost control earlier that morning.

If Lin Tingwan had seen that… he’d have lost all dignity!

After washing up, Lin Tingwan went to the kitchen and started boiling some plain porridge. She rinsed a few eggs and tossed them into the pot to cook.

Thinking of the big appetites in the household, she also washed some potatoes, peeled them, and shredded them finely. She planned to mix them into a batter and fry some potato pancakes.

Breakfast needed to be nutritious—but also filling. Especially for someone like Lu Yunzheng. A bowl of porridge alone wouldn’t cut it.