Chapter 146 This Man Only Knows How to Compliment

Chapter 146: He Just Can't Stop Praising Her

After a satisfying meal, Hua Diao happily pulled Xie Tingsheng along for a walk, taking the opportunity to hunt some monsters and work off their food.

Once they left, Qi Cancan, who had been diligently serving them, finally had a moment to sit down and eat. But someone, utterly lacking in tact, decided to stop her.

Quan Yumeng stood imperiously in front of the grill, chin raised, and barked orders, "Hey, grill me five lamb skewers, spicy. Yan wants five too, not spicy."

Qi Cancan, holding a bunch of lamb skewers, rolled her eyes at her and retorted bluntly, "Grill them yourself. Why should I help you?"

Quan Yumeng puffed up angrily, "Weren’t you just serving people like a lowly attendant earlier? What, you can’t serve me? I can even reward you, unlike that cheapskate Hua Diao, who gives nothing!"

Qi Cancan scrutinized the young woman, confirming she wasn’t someone she remembered, nor was she the squad leader she had inquired about earlier. Since she wasn’t her direct superior, why should she be polite?

So she fired back without hesitation, "That’s because I wanted to. What does it have to do with the Captain's Wife? She’s just charming enough to make me work for free. But you? Even if you paid me, I wouldn’t bother. You’ve got hands and feet—do it yourself. What kind of spoiled brat are you? I’m not your damn mom to indulge your nonsense."

With that, she grabbed five lamb skewers and a handful of prawns, turning to leave. As she passed Quan Yumeng, she deliberately bumped her shoulder. "Move it, mutt. A good dog doesn’t block the way."

"You—you called me a dog?!"

Quan Yumeng exploded in fury, grabbing Qi Cancan and refusing to let her go.

Xie Tingsheng, who had returned to fetch something, saw this scene and immediately frowned, icy air radiating from him. Without Hua Diao by his side to temper him, he was a walking human icebox.

His cold gaze landed on Quan Yumeng, devoid of any emotion. "What are you causing trouble for?"

Quan Yumeng shivered in fright and quickly released Qi Cancan, cowering like a scared quail. "N-nothing! I-I won’t do it again, Captain."

"Tch. Pathetic coward."

Qi Cancan sneered.

When Xie Tingsheng’s cold, oppressive gaze swept over her, her scalp tingled, and she stammered an explanation, "W-we just had a little argument. Captain, did you come back for something? Does the Captain's Wife want anything else?"

Mentioning "the Captain's Wife" softened Xie Tingsheng’s expression slightly, though his tone remained frosty. "No. Just came back for something I left behind."

With that, his long legs carried him to where they had been sitting earlier. He picked up a black hair tie and turned to leave, seemingly in a hurry to return to his wife.

Qi Cancan couldn’t help but reassess her opinion. Before, she had thought her counterpart in this world had no taste, daring to fall for such a dangerous man. But after that meal, she had to admit—this world’s version of herself had much better judgment.

Compared to someone like Chu Chengling, who was charming and effortlessly smooth to everyone, giving women the wrong idea, Captain Xie’s icy demeanor was actually the mark of a good man.

He was only different with his wife, showering all his tenderness and doting affection on her alone, clinging to her like a lovesick puppy. The contrast with his usual cold demeanor was downright adorable.

As for other women? He treated them like the icy winter wind—ruthless and unyielding, giving them no illusions or hope. Now that was what a good boyfriend and husband should be like!

If it were her, she wouldn’t like a "player" either. She’d choose a man who only showed favoritism to her!

But she quickly shook off that thought.

Meanwhile, Xie Tingsheng—whom she had likened to a clingy dog who couldn’t bear to be apart from his wife—had returned to Hua Diao’s side.

"Did you find it?" Hua Diao giggled as she hugged his arm, tilting her head up to ask. Then she muttered, "If not, it’s fine. It’s just a hair tie. I’ve got plenty stocked in my space. No big deal if it’s lost."

Xie Tingsheng’s lips curled slightly, but he didn’t agree.

He wasn’t comfortable leaving his wife’s belongings lying around. What if some other man picked it up?

Then he opened his right hand, revealing a black hair tie resting in his strong palm.

Hua Diao glanced at it, surprise flashing in her eyes. "It really was where we were sitting earlier?"

"Mhm." Xie Tingsheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he acknowledged. "But this one’s dirty. Use another one."

With that, he unceremoniously slipped the black hair tie onto his own wrist.

Hua Diao: "..."

What could she say? If her husband wanted a "boyfriend hair tie," could she refuse? Of course not.

So she didn’t press the issue, instead hugging his arm and smiling as she asked what had happened earlier.

Xie Tingsheng frowned. "An argument. I’ll go find Zhu Bin and have someone keep an eye on the woman who started it."

"Ah? Why keep an eye on her?"

Hua Diao was baffled. From where she stood, she could vaguely make out the shadowy figures around the fire, but she recognized them—the one arguing with Qi Cancan was Quan Yumeng, Song Yan’s little lackey. Why monitor her?

Xie Tingsheng lowered his gaze, reaching out to ruffle her hair. His voice was elegant and indulgent as he explained, "That woman’s a bit shady. She’s kept picking fights multiple times. There might be someone behind it."

"Ah?" Hua Diao hadn’t expected there to be a scheme. She sneaked a glance in that direction again, lowering her voice as she leaned closer to Xie Tingsheng’s ear. "Maybe she’s just naturally quick-tempered?"

Xie Tingsheng chuckled softly, pulling her into his arms as she leaned in. "True. Maybe she’s just ill-tempered. Not all women are as sharp, gorgeous, and sweet as pie as my wife."

Hua Diao’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes shimmering with amusement as she shot him a mock glare. This man just knew how to praise her—he was going to make her get a big head!

"I’m being serious here."

Xie Tingsheng’s eyes held a smile. "Alright, serious talk. Keeping an eye on her isn’t any trouble. If she’s just bad-tempered, no harm done. But if there’s someone behind it, I’d like to see who dares to make a move toward us."

Hua Diao’s eyes sparkled. My man’s got swagger!

She didn’t play devil’s advocate further, nodding and giving her stamp of approval. Then, after Xie Tingsheng sent a message to Zhu Bin, she pulled him along to pitch their tent.

They were on a night watch rotation, so when it wasn’t their turn, they could rest in the tent. Hence, having one was a must.

At home, they already shared a bed, so it was only natural they’d share a tent tonight.

Hua Diao was clearly buzzing with excitement about the novel thrill, giddily dragging Xie Tingsheng into tackling the tent.