Chapter 514 Virtuous

**Chapter 514: A Devoted Homemaker**

"Brother Yue, just give us any room—floor bedding will be fine."

He Tingyue's face darkened. "That’s an order! All of you, get inside!"

Xiao Qi and the others looked at each other but eventually gave in to the pressure and stepped into the house.

It was a clean, bright, spacious courtyard house—nothing like they’d ever lived in before.

"Tietou and Xiao Qi, take the left wing. Fang Tong and Yangzi, the right wing. You have ten minutes to get your things in order. I’ll be waiting in the courtyard."

With He Tingyue’s firm command, they sprang into action.

When they finished, they instinctively lined up in the courtyard, standing tall and straight, just as they had during their days in the army.

A lump formed in He Tingyue’s throat. His heart tightened with emotion.

"Come home with me for dinner."

Xiao Qi was the youngest, and he was also the most relaxed and outspoken around Brother Yue.

"Brother Yue, we can take care of ourselves. We’ve already been enough of a bother to you and Sister-in-law."

He Tingyue shot him a sharp look. "Getting bold, are we? Daring to question my orders now?"

Xiao Qi lowered his head. "I wouldn’t dare."

He Tingyue patted his shoulder, his tone softening.

"Don’t worry about it. Sister-in-law is happy to have you. She made dinner and is waiting for us."

Tietou waved a hand. "Quit stalling! If Brother Yue says go, then we go!"

He was older than He Tingyue, and Xiao Qi had always followed his lead.

They walked out of the courtyard without hesitation, their faces visibly more relaxed.

"Brother Yue, is Sister-in-law drop-dead gorgeous? Back in the day, those girls from the cultural troupe were flirting with you nonstop, and you didn’t even look twice."

Fang Tong gave him a sidelong glance. "What a dumb question. Do you really think Brother Yue cares about looks? Sister-in-law must be gentle, capable, and refined. That’s the kind of woman he deserves, right Brother Yue?"

He Tingyue grunted. "Devoted."

Yangzi asked curiously, "So she must be a great cook?"

He Tingyue nodded. "She handles the cooking at home."

Fang Tong said proudly, "Our Brother Yue is a real man’s man. In the army, no one questioned his orders. A tough guy like him deserves a devoted, gentle wife—now that’s a perfect match! Right, Brother Yue?"

He Tingyue glanced at him. "Yep. I make the decisions at home. She listens to me."

Fang Tong gave a thumbs-up. "Brother Yue is the best!"

Xiao Qi sighed wistfully, "I can't cook worth a damn. I want a wife who can cook well too. I’d spoil her with all my pay."

He Tingyue tuned out their banter. Soon, they arrived at the family quarters.

His return with his comrades naturally turned heads.

Especially the ones he brought back—none of them were in good shape.

"Honey, I brought the guys home."

Jiang Yu had just walked out of the kitchen, her face lit up with a bright smile.

"You're all here!"

The moment she stepped out, the men standing in the yard stiffened.

So much for not judging by appearances.

With Jiang Yu’s arrival, it was as if the entire courtyard had brightened.

Little Seven swallowed hard. "Sis-in-law's an angel."

Iron Head swatted him upside the head. "Even if it's true, you can't just say it like that!"

Jiang Yu chuckled. "Don’t just stand around—come inside and sit down."

Iron Head grinned broadly. "Sure thing, Sis-in-law. Don’t fuss over us—we’re all tough guys."

Jiang Yu nodded. "It's no trouble at all. I'm not busy. Brother Yue, you handle the cooking. I’ll take care of them."

He Tingyue went silent.

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Only Little Seven naively asked, "Brother Yue, doesn’t Sis-in-law do the cooking at home?"

Jiang Yu blinked. "I can cook too, but I’m not as good as your Brother Yue. So usually, he does it."

Fang Tong gave a nervous laugh, wishing he could cover Little Seven’s mouth.

"Then we’re really in for a treat!"

As He Tingyue disappeared into the kitchen, the men bit back their grins.

"I don’t know about Sis-in-law being the domestic type," Fang Tong teased, "but Brother Yue sure seems to be."

Back in the army, He Tingyue had been a hardass—strict, no-nonsense.

Whether dealing with his own troops or facing the enemy, he'd been like a god of war.

Who would’ve thought he’d end up playing househusband one day?

Jiang Yu poured them glasses of sweet tea, adding extra sugar—sweet enough to make your teeth ache.

This was how they welcomed guests, a way of showing their best hospitality.

"Brother Yue told me you were coming, and I’ve been excited to meet y’all. He took you to Dongmin Alley, right? That courtyard is ours, so make yourselves at home. Don’t be strangers."

Everything Jiang Yu said and did felt warm and genuine.

She was showing them, through how she treated them, that she truly welcomed their arrival.

The grown men got misty-eyed, and Little Seven started sniffling.

His left ear was injured, so Jiang Yu made sure to sit to his right.

The gentle, soft voice set his heart ablaze.

"Sis, no one has ever been this kind to me before."

Back when he was in the military, he sent his entire paycheck home because he had younger siblings to support.

At the time, his stepmother fed him sweet talk: "This money isn't just for your siblings—I'm saving it for you. You're still young and tend to waste money. If we don't save for you, how will you ever afford to marry?"

But when he was discharged due to injury, his family turned on him.

Not just his stepmother, but even his own father became hostile.

Later, when they heard he still had a job, they put on their act again, trying to weasel money from him.

When he refused, they harassed him daily at the factory.

The factory had only intended to reassign Xiao Qi, not fire him.

But Xiao Qi himself felt it wasn’t worth it—he used that job to cut ties with his family's so-called "care."

Jiang Yu patted his head. "You silly, if you see Tingyue as your big brother, then I’m your sister-in-law. It’s my duty to look after you."

Tietou rubbed his eyes. "I’m older than Lao Yue, so you’re my younger sister-in-law. Don’t try to pull rank on me."

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "Tietou, you’re only a few days older than him."

She’d heard from He Tingyue that while everyone else called him "Brother Yue," Tietou wouldn’t budge on those few days’ difference.

"No way. Even one day, one hour older—that still counts."

"Fine, you’re older! I’ve prepared some toiletries for you all. Take them with you when you go. Don’t worry about work these next few days—just settle into life in Beicheng. Let your families know you’re safe, and take things slow."

Xiao Qi sniffled. "Sister-in-law, you’re so kind—kinder than my mom."

Fang Tong shot him a look. "Didn’t you say you’ve never met your mom?"

"I haven’t, but in my imagination, my mom would be just like you, sister-in-law."

Jiang Yu: "...Gentle?"

That was a new one. No one had ever described her that way before.

Xiao Qi nodded earnestly. "Brother Yue said you’re gentle and virtuous. I think he was telling the truth."

Jiang Yu smiled, her eyes crinkling with joy. "He wasn’t lying—that’s exactly how I am. Since you’re so sweet, I’ll save you a chicken leg later," she added playfully.