The younger sister mistakenly identified her brother when visiting relatives and was kissed by the c

Seeing how seriously he treated their casual conversation like a command from a high-ranking official, Bai's mother couldn't help but laugh again. This son-in-law was truly adorably honest.

The morning passed slowly. The sun gradually rose higher, and the spring light shone through the window into the living room, falling warmly on the floor.

Mr. Bai took a small spray bottle and went to the balcony to tend to his precious scallions and cilantro that he had planted in styrofoam boxes.

Bai's mother went into the kitchen and began preparing ingredients for lunch.

Qiao Xinxin couldn't sit still, so she followed into the kitchen to help pick and wash the vegetables.

Only Bai Zhengyuan and Lu Baizhou remained in the living room.

Bai Zhengyuan rummaged through the cabinet and found a jar of good tea leaves, brewing a pot of jasmine tea.

He took two cups, poured one for Lu Baizhou, and held the other for himself. Then, he walked to the sofa and leaned back against it as if he had no bones. He crossed his legs and casually propped them up on the edge of the coffee table, his posture extremely relaxed and carefree.

Lu Baizhou sat upright at the other end of the sofa. His back was still straight, his legs were together, and his hands were placed properly on his knees, holding a teacup. This was in stark contrast to Bai Zhengyuan's arrogant posture.

Bai Zhengyuan glanced at him sideways and couldn't help but say with disdain, "Hey Lao Lu, can you relax a bit? This is my living room, not your regimental headquarters' operations room! Why are you so tense? Aren't you tired?"

Lu Baizhou picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "I'm used to it."

However, despite saying that, his expression was indeed more relaxed than when he first entered the room.

Bai Zhengyuan chuckled, knowing that this was just his nature, and didn't tease him any further.

The two of them drank tea quietly for a while.

The window was half-open, and a spring breeze was blowing in. Faintly, the sound of storytelling from the old radio next door drifted in, the hoarse yet penetrating voice of Shan Tianfang floating intermittently through the window.

Accompanied by the rhythmic "tap-tap" of Mrs. Bai chopping vegetables in the kitchen, and the cheerful tune that Mr. Bai hummed while watering the flowers on the balcony, all these sounds blended together, filling the entire house with a peaceful, tranquil, and lazy weekend atmosphere.

After chatting for a while, Bai Zhengyuan put down his crossed legs and sat up straight.

He reached into the pocket of his training uniform trousers and pulled out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes. He took one out and habitually put it in his mouth.

He had just reached into his pocket for the matches when he suddenly remembered something. He turned his head and glanced guiltily toward the kitchen.

He paused, then silently took the cigarette out of his mouth, put it back in the cigarette pack, and tossed the pack onto the coffee table.

Lu Baizhou couldn't help but smile as he watched his series of fluid movements.

"Why aren't you smoking?" Lu Baizhou teased. "Look at you, a battalion commander with hundreds of soldiers under your command, yet you're so afraid of your mother at home. You have to watch your mother's expression even to smoke a cigarette."

"Aren't you afraid?"

Bai Zhengyuan glared at him defiantly, retorting, "You were quite well-behaved in front of my mom today. When she asked you to sit down, your posture was as perfect as a soldier at attention. What, isn't the commander afraid of his mother-in-law?"

Lu Baizhou did not refute.

He thought about it seriously, then looked at Bai Zhengyuan and nodded very sincerely: "I'm afraid."

He spoke with such confidence and self-assurance, without feeling ashamed at all.

The two looked at each other, and after a brief silence, they burst into laughter at the same time.

Bai Zhengyuan laughed so hard he was doubled over, his shoulders shaking, and he almost laughed until tears streamed down his face.

After laughing enough, he put away the cigarette case, picked up the now slightly lukewarm teacup, and took another big gulp.

"Honestly, Lao Lu," Bai Zhengyuan said, his smile fading and his tone becoming serious, "I'm really happy that you're dressed casually and sitting comfortably on my sofa having tea with me today."

Lu Baizhou looked at him and listened quietly.

"To be honest, I was really worried before," Bai Zhengyuan sighed. "Xin Xin... she didn't have a good life in that family before. I was afraid that after she married you, with your taciturn personality, she would suffer. You're good at everything, from fighting to leading troops. But you're too reserved. You tend to keep everything to yourself and don't like to talk about it. A couple can't live without communication."

Lu Baizhou was silent for a moment. He looked down at the jasmine petals floating in the teacup in his hand.

After a moment, he raised his head, his eyes deep and resolute, and said, "Old Bai, some things don't need to be said every day. As long as you have her in your heart and put her first in everything, that's enough. Actions speak louder than words."

Bai Zhengyuan glanced at him and saw the weight of the promise in his firm eyes.

He didn't continue with this somewhat heavy topic. He trusted his own judgment and Lu Baizhou's character.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." Bai Zhengyuan changed the subject. "Have you submitted your team's training plan for next quarter?"

The two chatted for a while about their work in the military.

Bai Zhengyuan talked about a big project he's been working on lately.

"That wilderness survival special forces training program has entered the final stage of feasibility study." Bai Zhengyuan's tone became serious. "The military region leaders attach great importance to it. Once the approval from above is received, we will immediately begin selecting the best personnel from across the entire military region for intensive field training."

"Where has the location been decided?" Lu Baizhou asked.

"The preliminary location is a primeval forest on the southwestern border." Bai Zhengyuan frowned slightly. "As the chief instructor, I will definitely have to lead the team there. We'll probably have to stay in the deep mountains and forests for a month or so. The conditions there are harsh, with many poisonous insects and miasma, and the communication equipment may not be reliable, with intermittent signals."

Bai Zhengyuan slammed his teacup down, looked at Lu Baizhou, and although his tone was casual, the implication of entrusting his family to him was very clear.

"Back home, my parents are getting old, and the restaurant is busy. Xin Xin also works at the military medical department. While I'm away, you'll have to take good care of things at home."

Lu Baizhou looked at his brother-in-law, nodded solemnly, and said only three words: "Don't worry."

"Hmm." Bai Zhengyuan patted his knee.

As they were talking, a loud and energetic shout suddenly came from the kitchen.

"Zhengyuan! Stop sitting there like a king drinking tea! Come in and bring the dishes! It's time to eat!"

"Hey! Coming, coming!" Bai Zhengyuan immediately stood up like a spring.

Seeing this, Lu Baizhou quickly got up as well.

The two went into the kitchen together.

A moment later, a person came out carrying two steaming hot dishes.

Sweet and sour carp, braised prawns, dry-fried green beans, and cold-dressed houttuynia cordata.