It’s Nothing, Just Asking.
The jeep drove into the military family courtyard, navigating twists and turns before stopping in front of a gated yard with low walls and an iron gate.
Inside, three children perked up at the sound of the vehicle. The younger two, especially excited, instinctively wanted to rush out to greet their father.
Gu Qinghai quickly stopped them. “Don’t go out. We’ll wait here inside. Otherwise, she’ll think we’re welcoming her.”
Lu Qingluo and Lu Qinghe exchanged glances before obediently returning to their seats.
“Big brother’s right!” they chorused, but their excitement was hard to suppress. Though they stayed seated, they squirmed restlessly, their anticipation evident.
—
“Sister-in-law, we’re here,” Heihu said outside, pulling the keys from the ignition and stepping out of the vehicle.
Qin Shi swallowed hard, trying to suppress the persistent nausea. As she reached out to steady herself, Lu Zetian opened the car door for her.
He looked at her pale face, concerned. “Are you alright?”
Qin Shi shook her head lightly and stepped out of the car. “Just a bit carsick. I’ll feel better after resting for a moment.”
Meanwhile, Heihu retrieved the two bundles from the trunk and used his elbow to push the gate open before striding inside.
Qin Shi followed Lu Zetian into the yard, her eyes scanning the surroundings. She spotted a brick outhouse in the corner, and a wave of relief washed over her. At least I don’t have to go outside the courtyard to use the bathroom, she thought. The brick outhouse looked much sturdier and cleaner than the dirt ones in the village.
The yard was spacious but cluttered with various items, giving it a disorganized appearance. It was understandable, though—Lu Zetian was rarely home, and the children were too young to manage it all.
Her gaze shifted to the house. There were two single-story buildings, and from the outside, they appeared decently sized. She wondered about the interior and how much usable space they had.
“This main house is larger—it’s where the kids’ rooms, our room, and the study are located,” Lu Zetian explained as he introduced her to their home. “The smaller building on the right is the kitchen, dining area, and storage room.”
“We can go into the details later. I’ll introduce you to the kids first, and then you can rest,” he added, aware of her exhaustion.
Qin Shi nodded, following him into the main house.
—
Before she had a chance to examine the interior, excited voices rang out from inside.
“Dad!”
“Daddy!”
The twin siblings immediately forgot their elder brother’s earlier reminder to stay composed. They sprang up from their chairs and bolted toward Lu Zetian, practically tripping over each other in their haste.
Lu Zetian crouched slightly to ruffle the hair of the two eager children. Their joyful, admiring gazes softened his usually stern expression. “I’m back,” he said warmly.
Gu Qinghai, the eldest, watched the younger two dash off and sighed in exasperation. But he couldn’t suppress his own emotions and slowly stood, taking a few steps forward.
Unlike his siblings, Gu Qinghai was four years old when Lu Zetian adopted him. He still remembered his late father’s sacrifice for the country, his mother’s remarriage and abandonment of him, and being sent to live with his ailing grandmother. When she could no longer care for him, she sought help from the military.
The military initially planned to place him with his father’s extended family, but Lu Zetian, upon hearing the story, decisively took him in and raised him personally.
Back then, Gu Qinghai was too young to understand why. It was only later that he learned his father had once saved Lu Zetian’s life on the battlefield. Lu Zetian, determined to honour that bond, took Gu Qinghai into his home without hesitation.
Though Lu Zetian’s duties kept him away most of the time, Gu Qinghai vividly remembered the day Lu Zetian held his hand and said, “I’m your new father now.”
Despite his military rigidity, Lu Zetian showed care and love in his own way, and over the past five years, Gu Qinghai had come to see him as a true father figure.
Gu Qinghai had missed him terribly during this latest long absence, but as he took a step closer, he suddenly noticed Qin Shi standing behind Lu Zetian. His smile froze.
The younger two siblings also noticed her, their excitement fading. Lu Qinghe shrank back, hiding behind his sister. Lu Qingluo instinctively stepped forward to shield her brother, her wide eyes glaring at Qin Shi. Though she tried to appear brave, her tight grip on Gu Qinghai’s shirt betrayed her nervousness.
Gu Qinghai pulled his siblings closer, his wary gaze fixed on Qin Shi. His stance, protective and firm, silently conveyed his mistrust.
Lu Zetian frowned slightly at their behaviour but said nothing. Instead, he began introductions. “This is Qin Shi. She’ll be taking care of you from now on.”
Neither of the twins responded, their mouths clamping shut as they exchanged looks with their elder brother. Noticing Gu Qinghai’s silence, they followed his lead and stayed quiet.
Lu Zetian’s face darkened, his tone turning strict. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you greeting her?”
Before he could say more, Qin Shi gently tugged at his sleeve. When he turned to look at her, she gave him a small shake of her head, signalling him to stop.
Stepping forward, Qin Shi approached the children herself, her posture relaxed and open. She stopped a few steps away, meeting their gazes directly.
Gu Qinghai’s eyes were filled with guarded determination, his expression unyielding. Lu Qinghe peeked out timidly from behind his sister, while Lu Qingluo glared fiercely at Qin Shi, her small frame taut with tension.
The atmosphere grew heavy, the silence and mutual scrutiny creating a palpable sense of unease.
Under the watchful and somewhat intense gazes of the three children, Qin Shi’s demeanour became serious. She straightened up, gave a proper salute, and then squatted down to their level, offering them a sincere and warm smile.
“Hello, my name is Qin Shi. From now on, I’ll be responsible for taking care of your daily needs. I solemnly swear to the Chairman that I will treat you fairly, justly, and transparently. I hope we can work together to live a good life. Is that okay?”
The three Lu children were stunned: ⊙﹏⊙!
Even Lu Zetian was caught off guard: ⊙_⊙?
Swearing to the Chairman?
In the military district, they all knew how serious and meaningful such an oath was. None of them had expected this new stepmother to say something so solemn, leaving the children momentarily at a loss for words.
The twins looked at Gu Qinghai for help, but even their usually composed older brother seemed frozen, his expression blank with shock.
Qin Shi took in their expressions, her eyes softening with amusement. It’s confirmed—they’re not actually unruly kids. That’s a relief.
“We’ve just met, so you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. Let’s take the time to get to know and understand each other, okay?” Qin Shi spoke gently, maintaining eye contact with the twins until they shyly looked away. Then she tilted her head to look up at Gu Qinghai.
“I know you have concerns, so from now on, you can supervise me. If I do anything wrong, feel free to point it out immediately. How does that sound?”
Qin Shi treated the children with the respect and fairness one might show adults, a tactic designed to make them feel valued and not dismissed as mere kids. She crouched down to be on eye level with the twins, signalling her willingness to communicate as equals.
For Gu Qinghai, who was older and more independent, Qin Shi deliberately looked up at him while speaking. This subtle shift created a psychological impression of his seniority and her vulnerability, fostering a sense of responsibility in him.
This approach, which Qin Shi had read about in psychology books in her previous life, was intended to build rapport and trust. While she wasn’t sure how effective it truly was, it seemed logical enough to try.
Gu Qinghai was visibly moved by her words and demeanour, but memories of their past experiences made him hesitate. Finally, he spoke: “How do we know you’ll really do what you say? Adults don’t like admitting when they’re wrong.”
Qin Shi raised an eyebrow in surprise. Didn’t expect that response.
“Which is why you three should keep an eye on me,” she replied smoothly. “Or, how about this—we start as friends first? We can figure out the rest as we get to know each other better.”
“Friends?” Lu Qingluo blinked curiously. “Can adults be friends with kids?”
“Of course!” Qin Shi grinned at them. “So, do I have the honour of becoming your friend?”
The twins glanced at Gu Qinghai, who, after some hesitation, nodded. At least this way, we don’t have to call her ‘Mom.’ Friendships are fine, for now.
Qin Shi extended her hand to Gu Qinghai, who hesitated briefly before shaking it. Afterward, she shook hands with the twins, one by one.
Standing off to the side, Lu Zetian watched the scene unfold, a faint smile playing on his lips. The formality of the situation amused him—everyone looked so serious, as if negotiating a major treaty. Still, Qin Shi’s method was undeniably effective, easing much of the children’s anxiety.
Once the children’s expressions returned to normal, Lu Zetian spoke up. “Aren’t you going to greet her? You can’t be impolite.”
Gu Qinghai glanced at Lu Zetian, then at Qin Shi. Summoning his courage, he said, “Hello, Qin Shi. My name is Gu Qinghai.”
Lu Zetian’s expression stiffened slightly. He hadn’t expected Gu Qinghai to be so bold as to call her by name.
Qin Shi, however, smiled warmly. “Got it. Nice to meet you, Gu Qinghai.”
The twins, seeing that neither Lu Zetian nor Qin Shi were upset, widened their eyes in disbelief. Lu Qingluo, emboldened, chimed in, “Hello, Qin Shi! I’m Lu Qingluo, but my nickname is An’an. You can call me An’an!”
“Nice to meet you, An’an. That’s such a lovely name,” Qin Shi replied.
Lu Qingluo giggled. “I think so, too!”
Seeing his siblings introduce themselves, Lu Qinghe shyly peeked out from behind them and stammered, “H-hello, Qin Shi. My name is Lu Qinghe, but everyone calls me Pingping.”
Feigning surprise, Qin Shi exclaimed, “Pingping? That’s such a great name! Your names all go so well together. You’re such a good-looking trio with matching names—how wonderful!”
Lu Qinghe blushed, a shy smile revealing his adorable dimples.
With the initial introductions out of the way, Qin Shi felt the weight of her exhaustion hit her. She just wanted to sit down and rest.
Noticing her fatigue, Lu Zetian stepped in. “Your… new friend has had a long journey and needs some rest. You three go play for now, okay?”
The children nodded eagerly and dashed out hand-in-hand, likely to discuss the “new friend” among themselves.
Watching them leave, Qin Shi heaved a sigh of relief and sat down. Lu Zetian handed her a glass of water and suddenly asked, “You used to teach at a primary school, right?”
Caught off guard, Qin Shi replied, “Yes, why?”
Lu Zetian shrugged. “Just curious.”
Too tired to overthink, Qin Shi drank the water and followed him to the room previously used by Lu’s mother. She collapsed onto the bed, eager for rest.
Half-asleep, it suddenly dawned on her what Lu Zetian had meant. Was he implying that my tone with Pingping was overly dramatic?
Absolutely!
Qin Shi wanted to snort in indignation but was too tired to care. Her rebuttals dissolved into her dreams as she drifted off into a deep sleep.
—
**Author’s Note:**
Qin Shi: You don’t get it! This is called emotive communication! My tone relaxes them, okay? The kids’ initial behaviour was due to being “scripted” into their roles. Prolonged interaction with Qin Shi will help them break free from their pre-set narratives and gradually return to their natural selves.
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