Lu Jinhuan’s heart trembled. She looked up at him, and in the man’s deep, burning eyes she saw nothing but sincerity and unwavering devotion.
“And you?” he asked softly.
Like a startled fawn, Lu Jinhuan curled up in his warm embrace. Her lips parted several times before she finally replied in a quiet voice,
“I like Brother Congnan too.”
Hearing the answer he’d been hoping for, the man was so overwhelmed with joy that he hardly knew what to do. All he wanted was to shower affection on the precious little woman in his arms.
He Congnan lifted his beloved wife into his arms and carried her as he prepared warm water. While gently helping her wash, he continued to shower her with tender kisses.
His lips traveled from her chin to her collarbone, lingering affectionately and leaving faint rosy marks in their wake.
The warm water flowed over her bare skin, making her feel wonderfully relaxed. At the same time, it made their skin slippery. Already weak from his kisses, Lu Jinhuan could only cling tightly to his shoulders to keep herself from losing her balance.
Surrounded by the warm, steamy air, her lips were captured once again. He Congnan kissed her deeply, as though he wanted to steal every breath from her lungs.
The bathroom grew warmer and warmer, filled with rising steam that wrapped around every corner.
Feeling breathless, Lu Jinhuan instinctively twisted her waist in an attempt to pull away.
Instead, the unexpected movement caused both of them to freeze.
A soft splash echoed through the room.
For a brief moment, they simply stared at each other.
Unable to hold it back, He Congnan burst into laughter.
“So my little Huan’er is even more impatient than I am?”
Lu Jinhuan was mortified.
“I am not!” she protested seriously. “Let me go”
Seeing how soft, sweet, and adorable she looked, He Congnan couldn’t suppress the affectionate feelings in his heart any longer.
…
By the time they finished washing up, more than an hour had passed.
He Congnan carried the completely exhausted Lu Jinhuan back to their bed with an expression of utter satisfaction. Pulling her into his arms, he planted a firm kiss on her slightly swollen lips before teasing gently,
“What a delicate little thing.”
Whether from exhaustion or embarrassment, Lu Jinhuan’s eyes misted over. She glared at the man with the fiercest expression she could manage after he’d gotten exactly what he wanted.
Instead of feeling intimidated, he chuckled.
“What are you laughing at?” she pouted, clearly dissatisfied with his reaction.
He Congnan buried his face against her slender neck, breathing in her delicate fragrance. His warm lips brushed lightly against her fair skin as he let out a contented sigh.
“I’m laughing because my treasure is just too adorable.”
The ticklish kisses made Lu Jinhuan squirm. She pushed him away slightly.
“Stay back for a moment I have something to tell you.”
“One second.”
He climbed out of bed, poured her a glass of water, and held it for her until she finished drinking. Then he gathered her back into his embrace.
“Go ahead.”
After organizing her thoughts, Lu Jinhuan said,
“If I ever argue with your family again, don’t protect me the way you did today, okay?”
He Congnan frowned in confusion.
“Why? You expect me to stand there and watch you get bullied? What kind of man would that make me?”
“Oh…”
Speaking softly, she leaned bonelessly against his chest and patiently explained.
“I know Brother Congnan cares about me. But you only have three days of leave. The day after tomorrow you’ll return to your unit.
Once you’re busy again, how am I supposed to live comfortably in this family?
No matter how spoiled He Siyue is, she’s still Grandma’s granddaughter and Mom’s daughter. I’m the outsider. If our conflicts become too ugly, not only will you be caught in the middle, but the elders will feel uncomfortable too.”
His brows knitted together.
“With someone like He Siyue, the more you give in, the more she’ll push. Trying to move her with kindness simply won’t work.”
Perhaps he simply wasn’t destined to be close with his siblings.
Sensing his frustration, Lu Jinhuan blushed slightly and nestled closer into his embrace.
“Brother Congnan, people always say that blood is thicker than water, but not every brother and sister grows up loving each other.
Look at me. Lu Jinyun bullied me ever since I was little. She even encouraged Lu Jin’an to join her in picking on me. We ate at the same table every day, but I never once felt the warmth of family.”
His expression darkened further.
“Lu Jin’an… that’s your younger half-brother, isn’t it? How did he bully you?”
Lu Jinhuan didn’t want to dwell on her childhood.
Now that she finally had a bright future ahead of her, those painful memories no longer mattered.
“What I mean is… we shouldn’t make ourselves unhappy because of other people. If they don’t treat us like family, then we don’t have to care about them either.
When He Siyue insulted me today, didn’t I answer her right back? As long as she knows I’m not someone she can bully, next time she’ll think twice before picking a fight.”
He Congnan still looked unhappy.
“Then how about I apply for family housing? We can move out. The Air Force family quarters are all newly built apartments. I’m sure you’d like them.”
He couldn’t bear to see her suffer even the slightest grievance.
Since he couldn’t stop He Siyue from visiting her parents, the best solution seemed to be putting some distance between them.
Just the two of them.
A home.
Three meals a day.
Four seasons together.
The thought alone made him feel happy.
Lu Jinhuan rejected the idea without hesitation.
“No.
You’re the eldest son of the He family. As long as your parents are alive, moving out would only make Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Dad think it was my idea.
Their impression of me would become even worse.
Besides, are we supposed to stop seeing our family altogether?”
She would never agree to moving out.
She was already pregnant. If they lived separately, how could she let the baby bring joy to the elders?
And what if He Xiangbei and Lu Jinyun took advantage of the situation by speaking ill of her behind her back?
Wouldn’t all of the He family’s inheritance end up benefiting the second branch?
She didn’t particularly care about money.
But the thought of Lu Jinyun benefiting from it made her thoroughly uncomfortable.
After thinking it over, He Congnan realized she had a point.
Although his younger brother and sister often disappointed him, his grandparents and parents had always treated him well. His grandfather, especially, had personally guided him throughout his childhood, teaching him how to be an honorable man.
If he moved out, Grandpa would certainly be unhappy.
“Huan’er, remember this.”
He looked at her earnestly.
“You are my wife.
In the He family, other than our elders, no one outranks you.
If He Xiangbei or He Siyue ever disrespects you again, don’t hold back.
No matter what happens, I will always support you unconditionally. I’ll always stand on your side.”
Warmth spread through Lu Jinhuan’s heart.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek before saying sweetly,
“Thank you, Brother Congnan.
Don’t worry. I’m not weak either. If He Siyue dares argue with me again, I’ll put on my eldest sister-in-law’s authority and give her a good scolding!”
Her spirited expression made He Congnan’s heart flutter all over again.
He gently stroked her cheek and asked in a low, affectionate voice,
“Feeling rested now?
How about we cuddle a little longer?”