Lin Qiqi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but one glance at the indifferent expression of the man beside her made her hold back.
They’d already decided to register their marriage. What difference did it make if they did it sooner or later?
Old Master Lu quickly made a call and gave a brief explanation in just a few words.
The person on the other end readily agreed.
After hanging up, Old Master Lu turned to Lu Beicheng. “All right, I’ve taken care of it. Go to the unit now.”
Lu Beicheng nodded.
That was fine, too. If they registered their marriage sooner, it would save trouble.
He glanced sideways at the woman beside him. “You stay here at home. I—”
Before he could finish, a small voice interrupted him.
Lin Qiqi tipped up her face to look at him. “I’m coming with you.”
Her pretty almond eyes blinked as she discreetly surveyed everyone.
As if! They were all practically sparkling with curiosity, looking like they were dying to gossip.
Leave her alone to face them?
No way!
Let the man handle it himself, slowly.
Besides, while he had time, she needed to spend more time around him to keep her heart condition in check.
Then, when he got busy, it would last her for a while.
Lu Beicheng’s brow furrowed slightly. Why was this woman so clingy?
Well, since being pregnant was hard on her, he supposed he could make an effort to get used to it.
“You can come along, but don’t cause trouble.”
Lin Qiqi nodded. “Sure, no problem.”
She promised to be a perfectly well-behaved little doll hanging off him.
Nearby, Old Madam Lu studied her complexion and hesitated before saying gently, “Qiqi, why don’t you stay home and wait for Chengcheng? I’ll have Auntie Wu bring you some bird’s nest soup. You can have a little.”
She wanted the young couple to spend more time together and grow closer, too.
But the girl looked so pale that she couldn’t help worrying. It would be better for her to rest.
Lin Qiqi didn’t want to stay, but she couldn’t bring herself to reject Old Madam Lu’s kindness.
She sneaked a glance at Lu Beicheng.
Lu Beicheng understood what she wanted and said to Old Madam Lu, “Grandma, let her come with me. She can get familiar with the place ahead of time.”
Old Madam Lu said no more. She took Lin Qiqi’s hand, her face full of affection.
“Qiqi, from now on, we’re family. If Chengcheng ever dares to bully you, tell me and I’ll deal with him.”
She had waited so long for such a sweet granddaughter-in-law. She couldn’t let that boy Chengcheng bully her.
Old Master Lu chimed in. “That’s right, Qiqi…”
He glanced at Lu Beicheng. “If that little brat bullies you, tell us. We’ll deal with him.”
Lin Qiqi smiled sweetly and agreed. “All right.”
Of course, she was only saying it to be polite.
They were just courtesies. Although the two elders of the Lu family seemed kind, she was barely even a granddaughter-in-law yet. If anything happened between her and Lu Beicheng, how could they possibly take her side over their own grandson?
Since ancient times, a daughter-in-law had always been an outsider. People with the same surname were the real family.
Lu Beicheng got up, said a few words to everyone, then took Lin Qiqi by the hand and prepared to leave.
As they were going, he remembered something and turned to Auntie Wu, who was standing not far away. “Auntie Wu, could you pack up some of the bird’s nest soup?”
“Oh, right…” Old Madam Lu pressed a hand to her temple in chagrin. “I completely forgot.”
She smiled. “Chengcheng is so thoughtful.”
Then she turned back and reminded Auntie Wu, “Pack plenty.”
Old Madam Lu looked at Lin Qiqi, still smiling warmly. “Qiqi, try it and see how you like it. If you do, I’ll make it for you again next time. If you don’t, we’ll have them make you a different soup.”
Lin Qiqi smiled brightly. “All right. Thank you.”
Old Madam Lu waved her hand, beaming. “We’re family. No need to be so formal.”
Auntie Wu soon came out with a lunchbox, having received her instructions.
Lu Beicheng took it, thanked her, then led Lin Qiqi away.
After the two had gone some distance, Mother Lu watched them, worry settling across her face.
Her lips moved, and she murmured softly, “If Chengcheng registers his marriage with this girl, what are we supposed to tell the Gu family?”
Old Master Lu paused and gave her a sharp look from beneath narrowed eyes. “Wife of the eldest son, watch what you say!”
Old Madam Lu was even more direct. “Wife of the eldest son, who Chengcheng registers his marriage with is his own business. What does the Gu family have to do with it? Why should he owe them an explanation?”
The barrage of questions left Mother Lu at a loss for words. She looked up at her mother-in-law as if she wanted to say something, but when she met that gentle yet piercing gaze, she didn’t dare speak.
＊＊＊＊＊
Outside the courtyard, a military-green jeep was parked.
The soldier behind the wheel nearly dropped his jaw when he saw Lu Beicheng come out holding a young woman’s hand.
Good heavens, was this really their aloof regimental commander, the one who wanted nothing to do with women?
Was he seeing things?
He rubbed his eyes. Could their regimental commander have been switched with someone else?
It wasn’t until Lu Beicheng reached the car that the young soldier came to his senses. He hurried out to open the door for him.
Lu Beicheng waved him off, then opened the rear door himself and glanced at Lin Qiqi. “Get in.”
That made the young soldier stare all over again.
Good heavens, he never thought he’d live to see their regimental commander treat a female comrade so considerately.
It was like the sun rising in the west.
Lin Qiqi nodded at Lu Beicheng and murmured, “Oh.” She obediently climbed in, leaving nearly half the seat free before sitting down.
Lu Beicheng’s thin lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
He’d planned to get in from the other side once she was settled.
But now, it seemed there was no need.
In a rather good mood, Lu Beicheng took a long stride, bent down, and got in, sitting in the space she had left for him.
The back seat was meant for three people and wasn’t small at all. In theory, there was more than enough room for two.
But for some reason, Lin Qiqi felt that as soon as Lu Beicheng joined her, it had become cramped.
She shook her little head, chasing away those inexplicable thoughts.
Well, wasn’t this even better? She was surrounded by his scent. How comfortable it felt, having her body nourished by it.
The young soldier, still stunned and slow to react, finally climbed into the car. “Commander, where to?”
“Back to the unit,” Lu Beicheng replied.
The young soldier acknowledged the order, started the car, and drove toward the military base on the outskirts.
Along the way, he couldn’t help glancing back repeatedly in the rearview mirror.
Their regimental commander was acting so strangely today.
As he watched, the young soldier’s gaze inevitably fell on Lin Qiqi.
The girl really was beautiful, though—like a heavenly immortal.
It seemed only natural that she’d managed to win their commander’s heart.