Soft and warm, like jade in his arms, Qin Shuyao’s embrace made Chen Qilan’s heart skip a beat, his legs going weak without warning.
This little woman—was she trying to make him late for morning exercise and become the laughingstock of the entire battalion?
A voice in his mind reminded him not to indulge in such temptation, but his body reacted honestly, his arms involuntarily drawing Qin Shuyao closer.
Alas, he really had no self-control.
“Would you rather trouble a stranger than your own wife? Chen Qilan, you don’t trust me!”
Qin Shuyao slapped a large hat onto Chen Qilan’s head.
“You say there’s nothing between you and Geng Sa, but deep down, you trust her more, don’t you? After all, you’ve known Geng Sa for years, and me… just a few days?”
Her tone was plaintive as she suddenly pushed him away.
Qin Shuyao was taking a gamble—the stakes were her standing in Chen Qilan’s heart, hoping it was higher than Geng Sa’s.
By luck, she won.
Chen Qilan quickly explained, “You’re my wife. You’re the one I can trust with my life in critical moments. How could I not trust you?”
“The reason I don’t want you to take the children back is to protect you from extra burden. Honestly, yesterday I considered bringing Huzi and Xiao Jiao home, but Huzi pushed you, and it scared me.”
Hearing this, Chen Qilan relaxed, and Qin Shuyao softened her tone.
“Bringing the children home isn’t just for you. With your special position, you can’t be home every day. When you’re away, having Huzi and Xiao Jiao here with me means I’m not afraid anymore.”
She bit her lip and snuggled into Chen Qilan, her frail body pressing against his thigh, swaying gently and making his mind wander.
“Alan, please… let me bring Huzi and Xiao Jiao back!”
With her whimper, Chen Qilan’s usually clear mind instantly became mush.
Every sway thickened the mush in his head, clouding his consciousness. He could barely hear what she was saying.
“Mm… okay… fine…”
He nodded instinctively, his hands already moving to peel off her clothes.
Morning exercise? Ridicule from comrades? None of it mattered.
At this moment, Qin Shuyao occupied his heart and body entirely, every cell screaming to relive that night.
But Qin Shuyao, slippery as an eel, escaped his embrace.
She straightened her disheveled collar, cheeks flushed in the early morning light, and bit her lip with a coquettish smile.
“Don’t mess around. It’s time for morning exercise.”
Turning her back, she tidied her clothes and bent to put on her socks, revealing a snow-white, delicate waist that made Chen Qilan’s blood surge.
This teasing little enchantress!
With Chen Qilan’s silent approval, Qin Shuyao wasted no time and headed straight for the Geng household.
She feared being too late, worried that even in this second life, she might not save the two little ones.
From a distance, she saw a hand-pulled tractor parked at the Geng home, and a slightly plump middle-aged woman sweeping the cargo bed.
This woman was Geng Sa’s mother, Lei Shuhui.
She noticed Qin Shuyao turning from the alley.
Instantly, she felt instinctive disdain and dislike for this woman. After all, Chen Qilan had been her first choice for son-in-law. She had even boldly approached him, only to be firmly rejected.
Undeterred, she spread rumors to pressure him, but he refused to yield. She nearly ruined her daughter’s reputation, and in the end, she had no choice but to find another son-in-law, putting matters to rest.
She had thought Chen Qilan refused Geng Sa because he wanted to focus on his career. Yet he married Qin Shuyao instead and brought her to the small town.
The town’s gossips probably hadn’t stopped laughing at her yet.
The ever-proud Lei Shuhui grew angrier and angrier, wishing she could tear Qin Shuyao’s alluring face apart.
“Auntie!”
Qin Shuyao pretended not to notice Lei Shuhui’s hostility. She stood still and took a red envelope from her pocket.
“Yesterday was rushed, and I didn’t have a chance to give this. Early this morning, Alan specifically told me to deliver it.”
The envelope wasn’t fully sealed, and a corner revealed the bills inside—two hundred-yuan notes.
In this poor town, a teacher at the local primary school earned just eighteen yuan a month—a coveted, stable position.
Even the Geng family, known as wealthy, had only a few hundred yuan in savings.
Seeing two hundred yuan laid out before her, Lei Shuhui could not hide her desire, but she wasn’t naïve—there’s no such thing as free lunch.
“Alan has always remembered the care you gave him when he was injured in your home, and your efforts raising Huzi and Xiao Jiao for three years. He wants to repay you.”
Qin Shuyao smiled. “If you refuse, it will be taken as offense toward him and the military.”
She had learned a tactic from Jiang Baopin—moral leverage—and unprepared, Lei Shuhui wavered.
At that moment, the slightly ajar wooden door opened, and Geng Sa walked out, still in her red wedding dress.
“His recovery here was arranged by the military. Food and medical expenses were covered by the government, no repayment is necessary. As for Huzi and Xiao Jiao…”
Geng Sa’s voice was tired. She glanced at Qin Shuyao’s pink, delicate face and swallowed her bitterness.
“I care for Huzi and Xiao Jiao not for Chen Qilan, but because they are children of fallen soldiers.”
She glanced coldly at the red envelope in Qin Shuyao’s hands.
“We are a model family supporting the military. I will not accept this envelope. Think what you like.”
Lei Shuhui finally realized what was happening and quickly echoed, “Exactly. We aren’t doing this for money. Speak your business, otherwise leave—we’re busy!”
Qin Shuyao’s plan hit a wall, but she wasn’t angry.
“Fine. I won’t beat around the bush. I came this morning to take Huzi and Xiao Jiao with me.”
Upon hearing this, Geng Sa and her mother’s faces darkened.
“No! You have no right to take Huzi and Xiao Jiao!”
Lei Shuhui shouted in rage. “Who knows what your intentions are? What if you abuse the children?”
“Have Chen Qilan or his comrades come. Let them speak to me directly!”
Qin Shuyao remained calm. “I wouldn’t come here without Alan’s approval. There’s no need to make a fuss over family matters.”
She paused, then added, “Besides, Auntie, your daughter is married. Even if you still want to care for Huzi and Xiao Jiao, your son-in-law…”
Geng Sa’s expression changed slightly.
Last night, on her wedding night, Gao Jinliang had asked to bring his mother and siblings from out of town to help.
She had refused, citing Huzi and Xiao Jiao were already at home. Gao Jinliang had insisted on sending the siblings back to the military.
Even when she refused, he had threatened, “Don’t force me or I’ll deal with these two brats.”
Though he quickly apologized, Qin Shuyao’s mention now made Geng Sa feel a sudden chill of fear.