That evening, the Zhou family had dinner together. Zhou’s mother had specially invited a master chef from the cafeteria to prepare a lavish spread of home-style dishes.
Among them were clear stewed pigeon soup, shredded chicken with water shield, steamed sea bass, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and lotus seed and lily porridge. These dishes were all light and mild, clearly prepared with Lin Yuqiu in mind.
Once everyone was seated, the chef brought out two steaming bowls of savory steamed egg custard.
Zhou’s mother placed one bowl in front of Zhou Wanyi. She was about to sweetly pucker up and act cute, but then saw her mother place the other bowl in front of Lin Yuqiu. Immediately, she pouted, lowered her head, and went silent; even the normally irresistible custard no longer tasted good.
At the table, Lin Yuqiu quietly ate, though the man beside her kept piling more food onto her plate. When he saw her take a few extra bites of the shredded chicken with water shield, he used the serving chopsticks to heap her bowl into a small mound, leaving her too embarrassed to speak up in front of the Zhou family.
Lin Yuqiu cast him a sidelong glance.
Zhou Runqing immediately responded in a low, deep voice: “What’s wrong?”
Blushing, Lin Yuqiu lowered her head and stuffed more chicken into her mouth.
Zhou’s mother looked at her son’s careful, protective manner and smiled knowingly. She broke the silence first:
“Yuqiu, are you used to the food here?”
A small smile curved Lin Yuqiu’s lips. She answered softly: “Yes, I’m used to it. Thank you, Mom. It’s very delicious.”
Zhou’s mother’s smile grew warmer. She spoke gently:
“I’m glad you like it! This is Master Chef Wang from the agency cafeteria. His skills are exquisite, and he knows the taste preferences of people from Rongcheng.”
Then, turning to Zhou’s father with a tone half-consulting, half-certain, she said:
“How about this once Runqing and Yuqiu go to the island, the organization can coordinate to have Master Wang transferred to the island’s military kitchen. It’ll improve the food there too.”
Zhou’s father, sitting at the head of the table, put down his chopsticks, nodded thoughtfully, and agreed:
“Yes, I’ll arrange it then.”
Seeing her husband agree, Zhou’s mother’s smile grew even warmer. She looked at Lin Yuqiu with affectionate eyes and added softly:
“From now on, Master Wang will cook dishes tailored to your taste, so you’ll eat comfortably on the island and won’t have to suffer any grievances.
“His wages will be taken care of by me and Runqing’s father.
“You two just enjoy your little life together.”
Lin Yuqiu was instantly touched, almost overwhelmed by the care. Her lips parted, unsure what to say, so she glanced at the man beside her.
He, however, looked calm and composed.
Zhou’s father then looked at his son: “Are the deployment procedures arranged?”
Zhou Runqing nodded: “Pre-approval is done. The official paperwork will be completed on the island.”
Zhou’s father nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and seriousness. Slowly, he advised:
“You’re a regiment commander now; the responsibility on your shoulders is heavy. Once on the island, take care of your family, but don’t neglect the unit’s affairs.
“Your family matters don’t worry. Your mother and I are here.
“And Lin Yuqiu’s mother rest assured, I’ll look after her. You just focus on your duties.”
Zhou Runqing responded respectfully, his voice full of deference: “Yes, Dad.”
Zhou’s father then turned to Lin Yuqiu, his previous sternness replaced with gentle warmth. His tone was soft, completely free of the usual authority of a leader or a father:
“Xiaoyu, you’ve been busy all day. Rest now. After eating, head up to your room early and rest.”
Lin Yuqiu was slightly surprised, clearly not expecting Zhou’s father to personally remind her. She quickly recovered, smiling gratefully and whispering: “Thank you, Dad.”
Zhou Wanyi, meanwhile, had been silently fuming the entire time.
Seeing the family’s attention entirely centered on Lin Yuqiu, with their parents beaming with affection for her while completely ignoring her, the meal tasted utterly bland.
Especially seeing the care in her parents’ eyes for Lin Yuqiu, jealousy surged within her.
“Smack!”
Zhou Wanyi slammed her chopsticks down, her face flaming red. Her voice was full of spoiled resentment: “Hmph! I’m not eating! I’m full!”
Before finishing, she flung her sleeve and stormed off.
The room fell silent.
Zhou’s father watched his daughter’s retreating figure and shook his head helplessly. Then he looked up at Zhou’s mother, a trace of reproach in his indulgent tone:
“See? You’ve spoiled her too much!”
Zhou’s mother immediately bristled, raising her eyebrows in protest:
“What? How come it’s my fault? Clearly, it’s you! Whenever our daughter acts spoiled, you give in to her every whim.”
Both rose and went to their daughter’s room, speaking softly to coax her:
“Wanwan, open the door. Don’t be angry.”
From inside came Zhou Wanyi’s whining voice:
“Master Wang’s dishes are what I love! How could you give them all to her? What am I supposed to eat? I’m so mad!”
Zhou’s father chuckled under his breath and raised his voice slightly through the door, full of indulgent amusement:
“Oh, so all this fuss was over something so small!
“My dear daughter, tomorrow I’ll have the cafeteria hire someone. I bet in all of Rongcheng, there’s no chef better than Master Wang.”
He paused, then coaxed further:
“Besides, the cafeteria already has several other chefs. Didn’t you used to praise Chef Li’s sweet-and-sour ribs and Chef Liu’s braised pork? Why focus only on Master Wang now?
“Daddy thinks you’re being a bit petty, aren’t you?”
Instantly, it went quiet inside Zhou Wanyi was left speechless.
Seeing this, Zhou’s father softened his voice further, speaking in a comforting, coaxing tone:
“Alright, alright, don’t be angry. Our precious daughter crying over something so small how embarrassing would that be if others saw? Open the door, my dear.”
Lin Yuqiu and Zhou Runqing got up and followed, standing by the door.
Zhou’s father deliberately raised his voice with playful warning:
“If you don’t open the door, your brother’s coming! Then Daddy won’t be able to protect you.”
Inside, there was a pause.
A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and Zhou Wanyi’s little head peeked out, timidly glancing at Zhou Runqing.
Seeing his cold, serious expression, she shivered and tried to close the door.
“Bang”
Zhou Runqing was quick. He pushed the door open and scooped her up from behind it.
The sudden presence and authority subdued Zhou Wanyi instantly. She froze like a mouse caught by a cat, unable to move.
Realizing the situation, she quickly switched to a flattering smile and crooned softly: “Brother.”
Zhou Runqing finally let go.
She rubbed her arm and turned to see Lin Yuqiu suppressing a smile nearby. Angrily, she shouted at her:
“Look at me laugh! You’re proud, aren’t you?”
“Zhou Wanyi!” Zhou Runqing furrowed his brow, grabbed her arm again, his tone sharp and commanding:
“Is this how you speak to your sister-in-law? Feeling cheeky, huh?”
Zhou Wanyi shrank under his sternness. She huffed in protest, but her hands and feet moved swiftly. She wriggled free and dashed to the living room.
She switched on the black-and-white TV, shouting indignantly:
“Hehe, I’m watching TV all night tonight!”
Zhou’s mother went after her to coax her, and Zhou’s father shook his head helplessly, turning to Lin Yuqiu and Zhou Runqing:
“You two should go upstairs and rest early.”
Lin Yuqiu smiled and nodded, watching Zhou’s mother pamper Zhou Wanyi, recalling how she had once been indulged by her own mother when she was still healthy.
A pang hit her nose, but then the man took her hand.
Lin Yuqiu felt a mix of embarrassment and shyness, glancing at him and then at the Zhou parents in the living room before following him upstairs.
It was Lin Yuqiu’s first time on the second floor. They stopped outside Zhou Runqing’s room.
The man paused, gently pushed open the door, and stepped aside, extending his large, strong hand in a perfect gesture of invitation.
Lin Yuqiu’s cheeks instantly flared red. She instinctively lowered her gaze, not daring to look at him or at the room belonging to a male.
Her parents had always taught her that men and women should have boundaries, so she had never entered her brothers’ rooms before.
She could feel a meaningful gaze fall on the top of her head.
The air paused for a moment.
The man maintained his gesture, eyes tracing her flushed cheeks and slightly trembling shoulders, moving almost imperceptibly with restrained affection.
Lin Yuqiu stiffened under his sudden attention. Her fingertips curled instinctively; her heart skipped a beat.
Then she heard him speak softly, lips barely moving, voice low and magnetic, almost husky, yet crystal clear as it drifted into her ear and straight to her heart:
“Madam, please, come in.”