Chapter 73: Second Update

Chapter 73: Second Update

Gu Cheng had just returned home when he was met with a scolding from his third brother-in-law.

All these years, had Captain Gu ever suffered such indignity? He was always the one reprimanding others. Few dared to challenge him, but now, this younger man, unafraid and bold enough to criticize and threaten him, was his wife’s own brother. His third brother-in-law.

Gu Cheng didn’t talk back. He listened quietly, but inwardly he felt a growing sense of unease. Qin San’s words stirred a sense of crisis in him. Now that Qin San had spoken to him like this in person, how much had he spoken ill of him in front of his wife, Yaoyao, during the days he was away?

A couple of days ago, he had even threatened retaliation. Was Qin Yao really angry?

Feeling agitated, Gu Cheng went looking for Qin Yao as soon as he entered the house, only to find she wasn’t home. She was most likely at Chen Baozhen’s place. At this moment, he didn’t even dare to be angry, feeling so guilty that he feared his wife might leave him.

He admitted that recently, he had let his ego inflate. As a man of privilege, this year had brought him success both in career and family. Whether it was his personal qualities or family background, Qin Yao had married up.

Everyone around him had said so, and even without mentioning it, Gu Cheng felt that his wife should “appreciate” him.

Even if Qin Yao wanted a divorce, her family might not agree. Gu Cheng knew that his mother-in-law and father-in-law were extremely satisfied with him, and he and Qin Yao were destined to spend their entire lives together.

But now, Qin San’s words had burst the bubble of confidence deep within him.

Qin Yao might not necessarily want to stay married to him. Even if they divorced, she could still lead a comfortable life, as Qin San had said, finding a considerate man who would be home to pamper her daily…

He couldn’t think too deeply about this. The thought sparked a flash of anger in Gu Cheng’s eyes. He would never allow Qin Yao to be with another man.

Before their marriage, Qin Yao had plenty of suitors. There had been several excellent rivals for her.

If not Doctor He now, there would be Doctor Zhang or Doctor Xie in the future…

Carrying a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables, Qin Yao returned home. Among them were two odd-looking eggplants, grown in Baozhen’s house. They were twisted and bent, a gift for her.

There had been guests at home these past two days, and her third brother was quite the eater, so she had gathered plenty of fresh vegetables. Gu Cheng was expected to return today, and if he came back early enough, he might catch a meal.

As she pushed open the door and entered the house, Qin Yao realized that Gu Cheng had already come back. He had taken off his military uniform, showered, and changed into a crisp white shirt. He still smelled of shampoo, his beard freshly shaved. He moved like a shadow, staying close to her.

This time, he wasn’t putting on a cold face. His almond-shaped eyes carried an obvious smile of appeasement, like a dog who had made a mistake, wagging its tail with guilt.

Hadn’t he said he would retaliate last time?

Now, was he using his “charms” instead?

The last time she had seen him like this on Women’s Day, she had been thrilled and happy. But now, seeing him again, her heart no longer fluttered as it once did. Perhaps even the most handsome face became unremarkable after seeing it for too long.

Or maybe, her internal alarms were going off, warning her of possible tricks. Unusual eagerness often hides ulterior motives.

Gu Cheng eagerly took the basket of vegetables from her, asking what she wanted to eat. He would wash the vegetables right away.

Qin Yao asked him to wash a few vegetables, planning to clean the kitchen’s greasy surfaces with a rag, but Gu Cheng stopped her. “Wife, let me handle it.”

Qin Yao went to get the broom, but Gu Cheng grabbed it from her. “I’ll do it. You just watch.”

Qin Yao went to get a brush to clean some cloth shoes, but Gu Cheng called out to her, “Let me take care of it.”

Qin Yao reached up to touch his forehead, puzzled. “Are you feeling okay today?”

Before, when Gu Cheng came home, they divided household tasks between them. But today, whatever she tried to do, Gu Cheng insisted on doing it himself.

Gu Cheng: “……”

“Weren’t you going to ‘strike back’ against me? Is this your idea of ‘striking back,’ Captain Gu?”

Gu Cheng hugged her from behind, whispering into her ear, “I was wrong. I didn’t know what was good for me.”

Qin Yao reached up and pinched his face, still feeling that he had something guilty on his mind. What exactly had he done to betray her trust?

Before Qin Yao could start interrogating him, Political Commissar Zhou suddenly came to her house looking for Gu Cheng, saying there was a document that needed his signature.

Gu Cheng walked out carrying a rag and a broom.

Political Commissar Zhou, upon seeing him, nearly thought he had seen a ghost. Good heavens, there was actually a piece of vegetable leaf stuck to Gu Cheng’s clothes.

He almost bit his tongue in surprise. “Y-y-you, what are you doing at home?”

“Can’t you see for yourself? Where’s the document?” Gu Cheng put down the rag and broom, wiped his hands, and took the document from Political Commissar Zhou, his head slightly lowered as he read it carefully.

Political Commissar Zhou’s expression turned strange. How could changing his clothes make him seem like a different person?

Was this really the same Captain Gu he had known for so long?

As Gu Cheng lowered his eyes to read the document, his lashes, long and thick, and his straight, sharp nose made Political Commissar Zhou wonder how he had never noticed just how handsome Gu Cheng was.

It was hard to believe Gu Cheng was already thirty years old. When he himself was thirty, he had already looked quite aged.

“You were sweeping the floor? Washing vegetables?”

Gu Cheng replied calmly, “If you don’t sweep and wash, who will?”

Certainly not me.

Political Commissar Zhou had a child bride, Zaohua, who, after marrying him, took care of all the laundry, cooking, and childcare by herself. All he had to do when he got home was read the newspaper, practice calligraphy, and occasionally help the children with their homework.

“I wash and sweep too,” Political Commissar Zhou swallowed the rest of his words.

An alarm went off in his head. He thought he couldn’t let his wife, Zaohua, see Gu Cheng like this.

Before getting married, Gu Cheng, as a single male officer in the compound, had quite a reputation. Even his wife, Zaohua, had heard many stories about Captain Gu’s remarkable achievements. Of course, these achievements were not in matchmaking but in his work.

To be fair, Captain Gu was an exceptionally capable leader, and many people wanted to be transferred to work under him.

In the past, Zaohua had been considerate of his hard work and had devoted herself to taking care of him. If Zaohua found out that Gu Cheng did the chores of washing vegetables and sweeping the floor at home, Political Commissar Zhou was afraid that his wife might rebel.

“Captain Gu, you need to be mindful of your image. As a leader, you should act the part, both outside and at home.”

Political Commissar Zhou patted Gu Cheng on the shoulder and left with the document.

Gu Cheng watched him leave with an amused expression. He knew exactly what Political Commissar Zhou was thinking.

But none of this was his concern. After all, they were neighbors.

Gu Cheng rubbed his face, feeling somewhat younger. He wasn’t that old, yet he was responsible for people older than him. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but feel older.

It wasn’t that there were no younger people around. The newly enlisted recruits were just teenagers. There was still a generational gap, so he had to maintain the air of a senior. When others saw him, they spoke tremblingly, as if a mouse seeing a cat.

The people who could chat with him and crack a few jokes were mostly older. Gu Cheng maintained a serious demeanor, only letting loose once in a while.

Now that he had married a wife ten years younger than him, Gu Cheng had once tried to blend in with the eighteen or nineteen-year-old recruits, but it only ended up scaring them. He decided it was better not to do such a harmful thing.

Outside, you can act, but at home, you shouldn't act too much. Don't think he doesn't know that his wife Yaoyao likes him in this "youthful" demeanor.

When something goes wrong, letting "Little Gu" take the blame is always a safe bet.

Qin Yao learned from her elder brother that Comrade Gu, upon returning home, received severe criticism and a stern lecture from her third brother, which is why he had been behaving like a model brother-in-law.

"Third Brother, you really—" Qin Yao couldn't even begin to criticize Qin San Ge's behavior, but she couldn't help but feel a bit pleased. Was this the benefit of having a "big brother" to back you up?

Some men need to be kept in line once in a while.

With four older brothers, her future child would have four uncles!

"A brother-in-law like this is more presentable now," Qin San Ge nodded. Don't let his simple appearance fool you; he had already begun to suspect that his sister's husband had fooled Shen Guixiang and her husband. All this talk about being gentle and easy to push around—nonsense! These past two days in the family apartment, Qin Xuecai had thoroughly checked the reputation of his "good brother-in-law."

Gentle and easy to push around? Nonsense!

What a fraud!

He even dared to claim he would take care of his younger sister. Who does he think he is? If it weren't for him coming over, nobody would have exposed this "true face" of the brother-in-law.

Qin San Ge shared this "true face" of the brother-in-law with Xie Hongni.

"Even if it's just for show, we have to make him act the part."

Xie Hongni opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. She didn't want to argue with Third Brother.

From her observations, she found that this brother-in-law of hers showed no signs of being inexperienced in handling tasks. He wasn't like men who wouldn't lift a finger, not even to pick up a rag or locate the broom.

Seeing Qin Yao and Gu Cheng talking together, she felt deeply envious of the affection between the young couple. She glanced at the man beside her, anticipating their married life ahead.

Although it was a time of breaking the four olds and overthrowing all monsters and demons, Xie Hongni had to admit that the man beside her always seemed to have a bit of luck on his side, always managing to succeed in his endeavors.