“I’ll go look for those herbs later and see if I can gather them for you to try.”
Xie Qingle’s eyes lit up.
“Really? Thank you so much! Ning Lu, I even went to the military hospital. The dermatologist said I have a scar-prone constitution and that this scar is definitely going to stay. I thought I’d have no choice but to quit the dance troupe…”
Ning Lu smiled at her.
Xie Qingle was the type who cried at the slightest emotional stir. Her eyes reddened at the drop of a hat. She was also stunningly beautiful, though in a completely different way from Ning Lu.
If Ning Lu was a blooming rose, then Xie Qingle was an elegant white lily—slender and graceful, with delicate, pitiful features. Standing around five feet eight inches tall, with a tiny waist and a palm-sized face, she looked like the kind of girl who was destined to be bullied.
Ning Lu asked curiously, “Does this Meng Qingqing bully you often?”
At the mention of Meng Qingqing, all of Xie Qingle’s pent-up grievances came pouring out.
Commander Xie was simply too busy. By the time she ever had a chance to tell him about these little incidents, they had long since passed.
She had also complained to her older brother, Xie Qingquan, many times.
But every single time, Xie Qingquan told her not to make a fuss for He Wanyu’s sake, and every single time, He Wanyu stepped in to play the peacemaker.
When they were children, Meng Qingqing pulled her hair, dropped caterpillars into her water bottle, found excuses to bully her during games, and mocked her for growing up without a mother.
As they got older, the bullying became more subtle. She stole Xie Qingle’s belongings, tripped her, and mocked her to her face.
Xie Qingle had fought back before. She had even argued fiercely, prepared to completely fall out with Meng Qingqing.
Yet every time, He Wanyu would gently stop her.
“Qingle, let me apologize on Qingqing’s behalf. We’ve all grown up together. She doesn’t have a bad heart. Can you forgive her?
“If this reaches Commander Xie, he’s already so busy. It wouldn’t be good to trouble him with something like this.”
He Wanyu always appeared understanding and considerate, embracing Xie Qingle while speaking softly and gently.
Even now, thinking back on it left Xie Qingle furious.
“Every single time, it ended up looking like I was the one at fault if I kept arguing. But she did those things on purpose!”
Ning Lu felt sick just listening.
“Don’t worry. They’ve been working together to bully you. But from now on, as long as I’m here, they won’t get another chance.”
Xie Qingle pursed her lips pitifully.
“I actually had a fountain pen I won in fifth grade after placing in a dance competition. Meng Qingqing borrowed it, then later claimed she’d lost it.
“But afterward, I saw her using it myself.
“She refused to admit it was mine and even turned the tables, accusing me of being petty. Every time I see her writing with that pen, I feel disgusted.
“But I have no way to prove it’s mine.”
Ning Lu was stunned.
Then she thought about everything she’d experienced before being reborn.
Compared to Xie Qingle, they really weren’t so different after all.
The two chatted on and on without realizing how much time had passed.
Xie Qingle vented endlessly, while Ning Lu cursed Meng Qingqing alongside her. Before they knew it, it was nearly midnight, and Xie Qingle simply decided to sleep in Ning Lu’s room.
Because Ning Lu had injured her head and needed proper rest, Xie Qingle finally said,
“Let’s talk more tomorrow. You should hurry up and sleep.”
…
But a moment later, she couldn’t resist propping herself up on her pillow.
“Just one last thing.
“He Wanyu is close to my brother, but she’s also very close to Gu Xiangdong. Today one of the aunties said He Wanyu is going to get engaged to Brother Huaichuan. I don’t believe it!
“Brother Huaichuan said himself that he has no plans to get married for the next few years. He doesn’t like married life.
“Hey, Ning Lu… who do you think someone like He Wanyu will choose in the end? …Hey, you already fell asleep?”
Ning Lu had already drifted into a deep sleep.
Xie Qingle sighed regretfully and gently stroked Ning Lu’s fair, silky-soft cheek.
For some reason, it filled her with happiness.
How wonderful.
Her father had somehow given her a little sister out of nowhere.
Since they had stayed up so late, both Ning Lu and Xie Qingle woke up very late the next morning.
As for Xie Qingquan, he had spent the previous day buying things for He Wanyu. After returning to the base, he went to see her again.
The two talked together in a grove until nearly dawn. After washing his face, he went straight to morning training.
As a result, Yan Bingqin was the only person in the Xie family’s living room.
Back when Commander Xie and Ning Tiegen had served together, they hadn’t been stationed in this military district.
So everything about the Xie residence was unfamiliar to Yan Bingqin.
Still, she quickly settled in.
She first went to the kitchen to cook some rice porridge, then wiped down the bookshelves, tables, and furniture.
There were clothes drying beneath the porch belonging to Commander Xie and his two children.
They hadn’t been washed very thoroughly.
Yan Bingqin carefully rewashed the dirty spots, and when she noticed loose seams, she took out the sewing kit she had brought and mended them.
Once the porridge was ready, she made fragrant scallion pancakes and prepared several refreshing side dishes.
Commander Xie had originally been scheduled to return during the day.
But the previous night, after receiving word that Yan Bingqin had arrived—and that her daughter had injured her head and needed stitches while saving Xie Qingle—he rushed back overnight.
Just as Yan Bingqin carried breakfast to the dining table, she saw the tall man stepping through the front door.
Twenty years had passed since they last met.
He looked far more mature than she remembered.
Compared to his younger days, he appeared even more stern and imposing, carrying the commanding aura of a man in authority.
Yan Bingqin instantly became nervous.
Commander Xie was equally surprised.
Back then, Yan Bingqin had been painfully thin, so frail that she looked pitiful. He had never liked that and had always believed women looked healthier with a little more weight.
Now, however…
She looked just right.
Yan Bingqin wiped her hands on her apron.
“C-Commander Xie…”
Commander Xie walked over and glanced inside the house.
“Where are the children?”
The tips of Yan Bingqin’s ears turned red.
“Qingquan left early for training. Qingle and Lulu are still asleep. They stayed up talking very late last night, so I didn’t wake them.”
The aroma of breakfast filled the house.
Looking at the timid yet reserved woman standing before him, Commander Xie suddenly felt an overwhelming, almost unreal sense of happiness.
He stepped forward.
Yan Bingqin instinctively took a step back.
Commander Xie smiled.
“Are you afraid of me?”
She gripped her apron nervously.
“A little…”
He simply looked too intimidating.
Even his smile looked more like a cold one.
Commander Xie extended his hand.
“Breakfast is still hot. Let’s go into my study and have a talk first.”
Knowing she couldn’t avoid it forever, Yan Bingqin followed him into his study.
“I know my proposal to marry you probably came as a surprise.
“But I don’t have any ulterior motives.
“Ning Tiegen and I were transferred to different places ten years ago. Later, I happened to hear about what happened to him. It was deeply regrettable.
“These past years, I’ve also been widowed.
“Many people have tried to introduce me to someone, but I’ve never spent much time around women. The only one I’ve ever truly felt comfortable with is you.
“Now that Ning Tiegen is gone, why don’t we become a family? That way, we can look after the children together.”
Yan Bingqin realized his explanation was somewhat different from what Lulu had told her.
Lulu had said that, in her dream, Commander Xie loved her very much.
But judging from his words now, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Still, she had already made up her mind.
“I feel the same way. We can help take care of each other’s children. Don’t worry. If you’re busy with work, I’ll take good care of everything at home.”
Commander Xie shook his head.
“That’s not what I mean. I’ve always hired someone to handle the household chores. Aunt Liu is only away these few days because she’s on leave.
“I’m not marrying you so you’ll become my housekeeper.”
Yan Bingqin hesitated.
“But I can’t just sit around doing nothing. If I have nothing to do, I’ll start overthinking. Why don’t I take care of the housework anyway?”
Commander Xie looked at her for a moment.
“If that’s what you want, then alright.”
He opened a drawer and took out an envelope.
“These are the family’s bankbooks. From now on, my salary will also be yours to manage. The dowries and wedding expenses for all three children will be your responsibility to arrange.”
Yan Bingqin was startled.
“Y-You’re not worried that I might fail as a stepmother? I… I can’t take charge of this money.”