Oops, he got caught.
The twins exchanged sneaky glances but still chose not to lie.
The older twin, Tuan Tuan, lowered his head first and apologized.
“Sorry, Mom. I was the one who hit the uncle. It has nothing to do with Yuan Yuan.”
“I won’t hit him again next time.”
He made a soft promise, while thinking fiercely in his heart that next time he would be more careful and definitely not get caught.
His little face was puffed up with stubborn determination.
In general, the children weren’t unruly. Xia Mingyu had taught them many things through actions, even if she couldn’t speak before, so they understood right and wrong.
Xia Mingyu frowned in thought.
Yuan Yuan couldn’t bear to let his brother take the blame and bravely stepped forward, tugging at Xia Mingyu’s clothes.
“Mom, I hit him too.”
“We were just playing with the uncle. Please don’t be angry, okay?”
He tried to act cute and get away with it.
Xia Mingyu gently patted their hands.
“Tell me the truth—why did you hit him? Did he bully you? Or say something he shouldn’t have?”
“You must be honest. Children shouldn’t lie.”
She still kept a serious face.
“I didn’t lie…” Yuan Yuan pouted, still resisting.
But his eyes were already red.
“Mom…” Tuan Tuan’s voice also started trembling.
Seeing how wronged they looked, Xia Mingyu’s heart softened.
Just as she was about to pull them into her arms—
Sikong Huai arrived.
“Comrade Xia, we were just playing earlier. Please don’t be upset.”
“The two children are very sensible.”
“If you don’t like it, I promise it won’t happen again.”
He stood straight, his expression serious, even raising a military salute to show sincerity.
Xia Mingyu felt a headache coming.
Of course he had to show up now—was he afraid people wouldn’t connect him to the children?
“Chief, you’re overthinking it. I was only disciplining my children. It has nothing to do with you.”
“They’re still young. We parents will handle it.”
She turned away, then immediately softened her tone toward the children.
“It’s okay. Don’t cry. Mommy just doesn’t want you to become bad kids. In Mommy’s heart, you are always the best.”
She kissed their cheeks and fetched water to bathe Tuan Tuan.
“Yuan Yuan, do you want to wash together?”
“You can help your brother scrub his back, okay?”
The matter was smoothly brushed aside.
The twins immediately seized the opportunity and returned to their usual closeness.
The ignored Sikong Huai stood to the side, helpless.
No one cared about him at all.
Meanwhile, Lu Ning came out from hiding, watching the scene with amusement.
“Want me to stage a hero-saving-the-damsel scene? Otherwise, getting close to them won’t be easy.”
Sikong Huai shot him a cold glance. Lu Ning instantly shut up.
Then Sikong Huai stepped forward quietly and began helping—fetching water, assisting with bathing.
But instead of helping bathe, he grabbed Tuan Tuan’s dirty clothes.
Xia Mingyu’s expression immediately darkened.
“You!”
Before she could continue, Sikong Huai calmly smiled.
“Comrade Xia, I actually have a habit.”
“I like washing clothes. Especially other people’s clothes.”
“In the army, I even washed my subordinates’ clothes. I don’t feel comfortable if I don’t wash them.”
“Lu Ning, tell her.”
His gaze carried silent pressure.
Lu Ning froze for a second, then immediately nodded seriously.
“Yes, yes! Our chief really has this habit!”
“He used to wash the entire unit’s clothes!”
“It’s basically a stress-relief hobby!”
The villagers around began to believe it.
Xia Mingyu looked at him with a complicated expression—clearly thinking: Are you insane?
The twins, however, lit up.
So their new dad liked washing clothes?
If they had known earlier, they would’ve made him wash for their mother!
Lu Ning then added happily, “Come on everyone, bring out more clothes for the chief!”
And just like that—
Sikong Huai’s face turned completely black.
Xia Mingyu, the twins, and the villagers all quietly laughed.
Xia Mingyu even added teasingly,
“Chief, didn’t you say you felt uncomfortable if you don’t wash? Then hurry up.”
“Our village may be poor, but we have plenty of clothes.”
“Enough for you to wash until dark.”