“Really? That’s wonderful! Thank heavens—and thanks to the Party and the organization! I knew Linzhou wouldn’t be so unlucky!”
He Mu’s eyes reddened with excitement, unable to hold back as she hugged Jiang Ning.
“You good child… you’ve suffered all this time. When you and Linzhou have kids, I’ll go to the border to help you take care of them!”
Jiang Ning smiled and asked, “Mom, are you retiring soon?”
At the mention of retirement, He Mu’s face lit up with joy. “Soon! In another eight months, I’ll reach retirement age. But your father… he probably won’t be able to retire for another five years.”
“Right now, the higher-ups are short on manpower. The old loyal soldiers of the He family still have to hold the line.”
Jiang Ning nodded. “Mom, I really like children. Linzhou and I will work hard!”
Hearing this, He Mu gently patted her fair little hand and comforted her, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The He family isn’t some rigid old-fashioned household. Even if there are no children, just live your life well. Whether you can get pregnant or not… it mainly depends on that brat Linzhou.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ning felt as if a warm ray of sunlight had shone into her heart—soft, comforting, and reassuring.
In the study, the discussion lasted the entire afternoon. Only after He’s second, third, and fourth uncles left did Commander He and He Linzhou come downstairs.
He Mu and Jiang Ning, very tactfully, didn’t ask anything—because there were things that shouldn’t be asked.
He Linzhou, who hadn’t seen his wife all afternoon, immediately walked toward Jiang Ning as soon as he came downstairs.
“Ningning, did you wait long?”
Ever since the first time He Linzhou saw Jiang Ning thirteen years ago, he had always put her first in everything, always cared about her feelings.
Apart from work and missions, he almost wished he could hand his entire heart over to her.
Seeing his concerned and burning gaze, Jiang Ning felt a sweetness in her heart she couldn’t quite describe.
“I didn’t wait long. Mom kept me company the whole time,” she said obediently.
Seeing the young couple so affectionate, He Mu’s smile never faded.
“I’ll go cook dinner. We’ll stay here tonight and go back tomorrow.”
“Mom, I’ll help you,” Jiang Ning said quickly as she stood up—but both He Linzhou and He Mu pressed her back down at the same time.
“No need. Lin Yue is on leave. Let him help me in the kitchen.”
Just then, He Linyue walked in carrying a travel bag.
“Aiyo! My biased mom! I just got back and you’re already sending me to the kitchen!”
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she had already heard from the neighbors that her beautiful sister-in-law was back. She had practically run all the way home just to see her.
“Sister-in-law, I still want to talk to you properly!”
She dropped her bag and rushed over to hold Jiang Ning’s hand with a smile.
“Hmph, let my brother cook. Tonight I’m sleeping with sister-in-law!”
But as soon as she said that, she met her big brother He Linzhou’s death stare.
He Linyue instantly deflated and surrendered.
“Fine, fine, I’ll cook!”
“Hmph, all of you are stealing my sister-in-law from me. I don’t even get time to talk properly!”
Jiang Ning laughed. “Then let’s all go to the kitchen together!”
And so, under He Linzhou’s resentful gaze, his wife was “kidnapped” into the kitchen by his sister.
“Don’t let your sister-in-law touch water,” He Linzhou warned coldly from outside. “Her hands are delicate. If they get rough, I’ll settle it with you!”
He really was heartbroken for her. His wife had never done housework since childhood, never even entered a kitchen—and now she had to breathe cooking fumes in the He family home. He almost didn’t want to bring her back next time.
Inside the kitchen, the three women chatted while cooking. Jiang Ning was assigned the simple task of washing vegetables, but only because the other two were experts and there was no need for her to do anything heavy.
Dinner was soon ready. Jiang Ning helped bring the dishes out—eight dishes and one soup, all rich, fragrant, and clearly made with care.
Commander He was not home due to duty, so it was just five people at the table—but the spread was luxurious, all Jiang Ning’s favorites.
He Mu kept serving her food, and Jiang Ning’s bowl quickly piled up like a small mountain.
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Don’t keep saying thank you!” He Mu scolded lovingly. “Eat more!”
The dinner passed in warmth and laughter.
Afterward, He Linyue washed the dishes and cleaned up before going upstairs to sleep early.
Later that night, Jiang Ning lay on the soft bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
She truly felt lucky—to have met He Linzhou, and to have been accepted by the He family.
Even without her biological parents by her side, she felt her heart full of warmth.
Just then, He Linzhou came out of the bathroom and looked at her, momentarily dazed.
His wife was just too beautiful.
He leaned down and kissed her.
“You smell so good.”
Knowing what he meant, Jiang Ning glanced toward the door and whispered shyly, “Is it locked?”
“It’s locked long ago,” He Linzhou said quickly. “Maybe we should skip tonight… Mom and Lin Yue are still here.”
Jiang Ning buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.
That only made He Linzhou even more restless. His voice turned hoarse.
“Just once. I’ll be quiet, okay?”
In the end, she gave in.
And so… three hours passed.
Eventually, He Linzhou, still unwilling to truly tire her out, finally held her and let her sleep in his arms in the early hours of the morning.
The next morning, Jiang Ning was still asleep when He Linzhou got up to run.
Ever since his injury healed, he had strictly resumed training—running, push-ups, sit-ups, weights—doing everything he could to stay in peak condition.
After training, he even washed Jiang Ning’s clothes himself, including her undergarments.
All of them had been personally bought by him.
Breathing in the faint scent left on her clothes, He Linzhou felt a quiet sweetness in his heart.
This… was exactly the life he had always dreamed of.