Chapter 13: Chen Lie

Chen Lie responded with a word, grabbed Da Dan and Er Dan, and strode into the courtyard in two steps. “You take a rest, I’ll handle these two kids.”

He was speaking to Su Qinghu, and his eyes were on her.

The moment Chen Lie spoke, Su Qinghu silently praised him in her heart!

This man’s voice was truly pleasant to the ear. Add to that his way of speaking, the way he enunciated, each word deliberate and measured—deep and slow like a quietly flowing river, rich and steady like an ancient mountain’s low chant!

Not letting him say a few more words felt like a waste of heaven’s gift!

“Have you eaten yet?” After enjoying this unexpected feast for the senses, Su Qinghu kept her composure on the surface. She had no objections at all to him taking over the job of bathing the kids. “We still have some pickled cucumbers at home, and I just bought some steamed buns and fried dough sticks. Want to have a bit more?”

As she spoke, she casually hid the flashlight she’d been holding under the clean clothes she’d taken out for the two kids.

Chen Lie: “…”

He’d noticed the flashlight in her hand from the very beginning.

So, the reason the two kids had been running around like startled mice was because of this childish prank he himself used to play as a kid?

Chen Lie gave Su Qinghu a subtle once-over. Maybe this new wife of his was even more mischievous than the kids…

“Dad!” The mention of food perked Er Dan right up. Still hanging onto Chen Lie, he patted his chest and chattered away, drawing Chen Lie’s gaze back to him. “You have to try the pickled cucumbers! They’re the best I’ve ever had! You have no idea how much time and how many ingredients went into making them! One bite—crunchy and crisp—and before you even swallow, your mouth is already watering…”

If his older brother hadn’t warned him with a look to save some for tomorrow, he could’ve finished the whole bowl himself!

He gulped down a mouthful of saliva, sneaking a glance at Da Dan. Oh heavens, he couldn’t think about it anymore, or he’d start drooling again.

Chen Lie placed his large hand on Er Dan’s head, ruffling his hair into a mess. His usually strict and disciplined aura softened a bit as he looked at Su Qinghu, and he replied in a low voice, “Alright.”

He carried himself with a dignified, unapproachable air, yet somehow, that only made him more appealing.

Su Qinghu had always had a soft spot for people she liked—especially those who were both pleasing to the eye and to her taste. Her tolerance was flexible, with almost no bottom line. So, she didn’t mind Chen Lie’s taciturn and polite manner in the slightest. She just smiled and kept chatting, asking about his appetite.

Chen Lie hesitated for a moment at her question. Up until now, he’d only had breakfast all day.

He hadn’t had time for lunch, and now it was dinner—two meals combined…

He knew his own appetite, but she probably had no idea.

If he said too much, and she wasn’t prepared, it might put her in an awkward spot.

“How about this, then?” Su Qinghu noticed his brief pause and serious consideration, and, stifling a laugh, sincerely suggested, “If it’s not enough, we can go out for a walk later and you can pick out whatever you want to eat?”

“Alright.” Chen Lie glanced at her, then nodded slightly. He bent down to scrub the kids’ backs, then suddenly remembered something and turned to her. “I have money and ration tickets in my pocket…”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because Su Qinghu had already walked over to his side and, quite naturally, reached out to search his jacket pocket.

He: “…”

That wasn’t what he meant.

“Hey, which pocket is it?” Not finding anything, Su Qinghu looked up and met his slightly startled gaze. She raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. “Jacket or pants?”

With that raised eyebrow, her beauty and lively charm filled Chen Lie’s vision all at once.

He subtly held his breath and replied as nonchalantly as possible, “Left side, jacket pocket.”

Acting casual would minimize the awkwardness—this was Chen Lie’s quick judgment.

Su Qinghu followed his lead, pulling the money and tickets from his left jacket pocket, then stepped back a little and asked, “Sir, are you giving all of this to me?”

Chen Lie paused for a second at her form of address, then nodded and answered softly, “Mm.”

He did intend to give it to her, but hadn’t expected her to take it herself…

He still had half a sentence left—“I’ll give it to you in a bit”—but didn’t get the chance to say it.

He glanced at his wet hands, then at Su Qinghu, who was smiling as she held the tickets. The corners of Chen Lie’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.

Willingness to help others—this was a good quality, and a good discovery…

Su Qinghu had no idea what was going through Chen Lie’s mind. Standing next to him with the money and tickets, she averted her gaze a little to avoid the sight of the two kids’ bare behinds.

“Will it be the same in the future?” Would all his wages and allowances be handed over too?

Chen Lie’s hands paused as he scrubbed the kids, then he nodded and continued.

Still not saying much!

“I’d still like to hear you say it,” Su Qinghu said, holding the kids’ clothes and eyeing the lines of Chen Lie’s back as he bent over. She couldn’t help but smile.

Just look at those muscles—smooth and flexible, every line seemed to speak of explosive power, as if ready to serve at any moment…

Chen Lie was a bit surprised by her straightforwardness. He couldn’t help but look at her, meeting her appreciative gaze, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to still.

“In the future, will everything you earn be given to me?” Su Qinghu met his eyes, not backing down, a sly smile on her lips. “I want to hear you say it.”

Chen Lie didn’t answer right away, nor did he give her the simple reply she wanted. Instead, he thought seriously for a few seconds before answering, “How long that ‘future’ lasts depends on you.”

Su Qinghu understood.

What he meant was, the length of that “future” depended on her—as long as she wanted it, he’d keep handing everything over.

She understood, but she couldn’t resist poking at his literal wording.

“You don’t have any conditions? If it all depends on me, what if I mistreat your two sons during that time—would you have nothing to say?”

Earlier, when she’d gone to find clean clothes for Da Dan and Er Dan, there were hardly any without patches. Even Er Dan’s pants barely fit, and the only pair without an elastic waistband was tied with a piece of string…

Chen Lie: “You wouldn’t do that.”

He didn’t hesitate in the slightest.

Su Qinghu was taken aback for a moment. Was this man’s answer always so straightforward? Couldn’t he think it over a bit? Just like when he agreed to hand over his wages?

“Why?”

She couldn’t help but ask, but Chen Lie only smiled and didn’t answer, continuing with his task.

“Hey, tell me!” Su Qinghu was curious. She took a step closer and poked him in the back with her finger.

His answer seemed to leave room for doubt, but his tone was so certain.

Did he really trust his own judgment that much? Where did he get such confidence in her?

Chen Lie’s back muscles tensed. He straightened up, grabbed a towel from the clothesline, and quickly dried off Da Dan, then turned to Su Qinghu with an outstretched hand.

Su Qinghu handed over Da Dan’s clothes and took the towel from him.

Chen Lie turned around, a hint of a smile in his eyes. He patted Da Dan, who was facing away from Su Qinghu, and handed him his clothes. “Put them on yourself!”

Even after he finished washing Er Dan and they all sat down to eat, Su Qinghu still hadn’t managed to get an answer out of Chen Lie."