Just as he was enjoying the view, a cold cough suddenly sounded inside the car.
It was obviously from their regimental commander.
The young soldier quickly looked away. Good grief, their commander was still just as possessive as ever.
He didn’t want to get chewed out!
Once the young soldier had turned his attention back to driving, Lu Beicheng finally withdrew his warning stare.
He glanced at the woman beside him and handed her the food container. “Drink it while it’s still warm.”
“Ah…” Lin Qiqi had been lost in thought and didn’t react at first.
When she came to, she nodded and said, “Oh.”
She took the container and looked up at the man, smiling. “Thank you.”
Though he wasn’t familiar with her yet, he was still quite nice to her.
Most likely, his kindness was simply out of courtesy, but it was enough to put her in a good mood.
Lu Beicheng lowered his gaze and glanced at her from beneath his dark lashes. “No need to thank me.”
This woman was always staring at him with that lovestruck look for no reason. Who knew what crooked ideas she was hatching!
Lin Qiqi pouted. This man was as cold as ever.
Spending the hottest days of summer beside him meant she never had to worry about overheating.
She carefully opened the container, and a sweet, delicate fragrance immediately wafted up, whetting her appetite.
That morning, eager to find the man as quickly as possible, Lin Qiqi had barely eaten breakfast. Now, looking at the bird’s nest soup, so pleasing to the eye and smelling delicious, she suddenly felt a little hungry.
She took the spoon from the lid and scooped up a taste.
Mmm, it was pretty good—almost as good as Aunt Zhang’s cooking.
Lin Qiqi’s lovely almond-shaped eyes narrowed with pleasure.
Eating well and having fun were her lifelong pursuits.
The woman sat quietly, taking small spoonfuls of bird’s nest soup. Her round eyes sparkled, making it hard to look away.
And she was completely oblivious, thinking only about eating!
Lu Beicheng watched her, his handsome Adam’s apple bobbing. For some reason, he found himself feeling a little hungry.
Lin Qiqi was enjoying her food when she suddenly sensed a scorching gaze.
She turned her head, and her eyes met the man’s.
Lin Qiqi bit her lip, hesitated, then scooped up a spoonful of bird’s nest soup and tentatively brought it toward his mouth. “Would you like to try some?”
Lu Beicheng paused. His gaze flicked to the spoon by his lips, then settled on the woman’s delicate face.
She was looking at him with those beautiful, almost criminally alluring eyes, without even blinking.
Lu Beicheng’s eyes darkened. He pressed his lips together, holding himself back.
This woman had to be testing his limits.
If he ate something she fed him now, she would probably take it even further next time and do something more outrageous.
No. He couldn’t give her what she wanted.
Thinking this, Lu Beicheng said coolly, “I don’t want any.”
Lin Qiqi shrugged. “Okay.”
It was just as well he didn’t want any. Otherwise, she was afraid there wouldn’t be enough for her.
She drew back her hand and continued polishing off the bird’s nest soup.
Mmm, so good.
Lu Beicheng couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting back to her.
Watching her eat with such relish, he suddenly felt a little regretful.
Why did the bird’s nest soup in her container seem tastier than usual?
A moment later, Lu Beicheng gritted his teeth. This woman was really something. He’d said he didn’t want any, and she didn’t even try to persuade him?
How could she be so clueless?
After watching her for a few more moments, Lu Beicheng finally looked away, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the seat to rest.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Perhaps because she was feeling more comfortable, her appetite had improved too. Lin Qiqi actually finished the entire container of bird’s nest soup.
She lazily rubbed her round belly. She’d eaten far more than usual this meal.
Sigh, she really had indulged herself. Hopefully her stomach wouldn’t feel bad later.
After eating and drinking her fill, she grew sleepy easily. And since she hadn’t rested well after dreaming last night, Lin Qiqi could already feel her eyelids starting to droop.
She glanced at the man beside her. Seeing him resting with his eyes closed, she decided to take a nap too.
She tilted her head back against the seat and fell asleep before long.
Sensing the quiet beside him, Lu Beicheng opened his eyes.
He looked at the woman, now fast asleep. After a moment’s hesitation, he took off his military jacket and gently draped it over her.
She was so delicate; if she caught a chill, she’d only cause him trouble.
Fast asleep, Lin Qiqi felt something settle over her.
Her brows knit slightly. Still half-asleep, she reached out and removed it.
Lu Beicheng watched her, his brow furrowing. This woman couldn’t even stay still in her sleep.
He picked up the jacket and covered her again.
But the very next second, the woman murmured impatiently beside him.
“Too hot. Don’t!”
As she spoke, her soft, pale hand groped around and slapped his hand away.
Lu Beicheng froze. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Lin Qiqi’s sweet sleeping face.
This woman was completely ungrateful!
Perhaps sensing his gaze, the sleeping woman turned her head, presenting the back of it to him.
Lu Beicheng: “…”
Infuriating!
With a sharp motion, he snatched back his jacket and put it on.
Fine, he wouldn’t cover her. That way, her drool wouldn’t stain his clothes.
Not wanting to look at the irritating woman beside him, Lu Beicheng turned toward the seat again and closed his eyes.
The car rocked along the road.
Lin Qiqi’s head swayed with it.
At some point, she began inching closer and closer to the man beside her.
The woman’s distinctive natural fragrance reached Lu Beicheng, making him open his eyes again.
He had just turned to look when her head dropped straight onto his shoulder.
His body stiffened, and he stared straight at the woman leaning against him.
After a moment, Lu Beicheng reached out with his long, clearly defined fingers and lightly touched the little head on his shoulder, intending to push it away.
But when he saw her face, her eyes curved into a smile, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Who knew what kind of lovely dream she was having to make her smile so brightly?
After a long while, Lu Beicheng withdrew his hand.
For the sake of… for the sake of this woman having a hard time being pregnant, he’d reluctantly let her lean on him.
The car continued at an unhurried pace.
The interior was quiet, with only the woman’s soft breathing brushing against his ear.
The man sat perfectly straight, without moving.
Now and then, he glanced sideways at the woman nestled against him, nearly in his arms.
He couldn’t imagine how she’d gotten such a tiny face—smaller than his palm.
Her features were so delicate they looked painted, beautiful to the point of seeming unreal.
Even he, who had never cared much about women’s looks, couldn’t help losing himself for a moment.
Suddenly, the car hit a violent bump.
Lu Beicheng instinctively reached out to shield the woman in his arms. He didn’t even notice that he’d struck the seat in front of him himself.
He lowered his eyes to look at her. She was still sleeping peacefully, seemingly not at all disturbed by the jolt.
For some reason, Lu Beicheng felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
He looked up at the young soldier driving and asked in a low voice, “What happened?”
The young soldier quickly explained, “Commander, this stretch is full of potholes and uneven ground. The car’s having trouble keeping steady.”
Lu Beicheng’s brows drew together. “Slow down, and avoid the rough patches as much as you can.”
“Yes, Commander,” the young soldier answered promptly.
His habitual booming voice made Lin Qiqi’s brows furrow slightly in her sleep.
Lu Beicheng saw it and frowned too. He said to the young soldier, “Keep your voice down.”
The young soldier: “…”
Why did it feel like their commander had just shown off his affection again?
He lowered his voice until it was no louder than a mosquito’s buzz. “Understood, Commander.”
Lu Beicheng: “…”
After hesitating several times, he still didn’t withdraw the arm wrapped protectively around the woman.
She was pregnant; bumps and jolts were the last thing she needed.
He wasn’t doing it for her. He was doing it for the child in her belly.