New Clothes and Fighting.
Three days later, Qin Shi had thoroughly cleaned and reorganized the house, scrubbing and tidying tirelessly. By the time she finished washing the family’s laundry that day, her hands were so soaked that her skin felt soft and wrinkled.
As she hung the clothes to dry, she thought to herself, I need to ask Lu Zetian for a washing machine. Hand-washing is just too exhausting! Even if I have to request an advance on my salary, I’m getting one.
Qin Shi felt like she’d never washed so many clothes in her past life. Between laundry, cooking, and housekeeping, being a full-time housewife was far more tiring than she had anticipated. She realized she’d underestimated the work.
This can’t go on. I need a plan, she thought.
At lunch, when Lu Zetian returned home to eat, Qin Shi took the chance to ask while he was washing dishes, “So, how much are you planning to pay me per month?”
Lu Zetian glanced up at her. “Fifteen yuan. Is that enough?”
Qin Shi had learned from Aunt Zhao that no one in the military compound hired housemaids, so she wasn’t sure how much housemaids typically earned in this era. However, since ordinary workers only earned a little over thirty yuan a month, fifteen yuan was already a generous offer.
Besides, her meals and living expenses were covered, so the benefits were excellent. After considering it for a moment, she said, “I’d like to request a washing machine. Washing clothes every day takes up too much time. It’s manageable now, but once I start working, it’ll be too much. There’s no need to waste time on this.”
“If necessary, I can use my salary as an advance.”
Without hesitation, Lu Zetian replied, “No need. I’ll buy one.”
Qin Shi was pleasantly surprised. Wow, he’s so easy-going and generous?
After a pause, Lu Zetian added, “If there’s anything else the house needs, let me know. I’ll buy everything at once.”
Her eyes lit up. Wasting no time, she rattled off her list: “For the washing machine, a twin-tub model is fine. A rice cooker would be great for steaming rice more easily. If possible, a TV too? The kids keep going to other houses to watch TV, and it’s not ideal. Also, maybe a small fridge in the spring next year?”
Lu Zetian nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out for ration coupons for those items.”
Such items required scarce coupons, which were hard to come by. But since Qin Shi had brought it up, he would figure something out.
“You’re so agreeable,” Qin Shi said, tilting her head at him. In this era, these items were major purchases, yet he hadn’t even frowned before agreeing.
As Lu Zetian finished washing the dishes, Qin Shi hurried to help him put them away in the cupboard, her enthusiasm evident.
He chuckled lightly. “These things can be used for years. If they make life more convenient, then they’re worth it.”
Over the past few days, he had noticed Qin Shi’s exceptional qualities. She had a remarkable knack for educating children. She never forced them or lectured them excessively, instead subtly guiding them to develop good habits.
Her cooking was excellent, her patience with the children was admirable, and she was intelligent, straightforward, and thoughtful. In less than a week, the children’s demeanour had transformed significantly.
For someone of her calibre, working as a “housemaid” was an underutilization of her talents.
Knowing he was getting a bargain, Lu Zetian had no issue paying her a high salary. If she wanted appliances and furniture, so be it—it was all for the household, after all.
He preferred that she spent her time educating the children and interacting with them rather than being bogged down by chores like laundry. Even if she chose to work or further her studies, he would support it.
To him, Qin Shi’s demeanour suggested she had the potential to excel as a professional woman, not as a full-time housewife or stay-at-home mother.
After drying his hands, he seemed to remember something and turned to Qin Shi. “Oh, by the way, starting next month, my salary will increase. With allowances and subsidies, it’ll total around a hundred yuan per month.”
Qin Shi blinked. “Great~”
The higher his salary and benefits, the better!
With his generosity and apparent savings, Qin Shi felt reassured that even if she worked, he could still afford to pay her salary.
After tidying up the kitchen, they headed next door.
It was still early, so Lu Zetian settled on the living room sofa to rest before heading out again. Qin Shi checked on the children and found the twins snuggled together, sleeping like little piglets. Gu Qinghai, sleeping on the outermost edge of the bed, was also sound asleep.
After a quick glance, Qin Shi gently closed the door and returned to her room to take a nap herself.
From the living room, as he sipped tea, Lu Zetian glanced at the closed bedroom door. His gaze swept across the now-bright and tidy living room. The glass vase on the table held vibrant wildflowers, and a gentle expression spread across his face.
—
Not long after, Qin Shi was awakened by the cheerful sounds of the twins playing. She wanted to lie in bed a little longer but had no phone to scroll through, so she ended up staring at the ceiling, bored.
A few minutes later, unable to fall back asleep, she got up to read.
The English textbook that Lu Zetian provided was filled with the most basic content imaginable. After Qin Shi finished reading it, she quickly had a plan in mind.
Since it was still early, Qin Shi decided to measure the children for new clothes.
The twins were thrilled to hear they’d be getting new outfits. After their measurements were taken, they refused to leave, circling around Qin Shi, eager to see how she made the clothes.
Gu Qinghai watched them clinging to Qin Shi, feeling a bit annoyed. It had only been a few days, and they were already won over, grinning at her like little fools.
“Xiao Hai, come here. Let me measure you,” Qin Shi called to him.
Gu Qinghai turned his head haughtily. “I have clothes. I don’t need new ones.”
Seeing his stubbornness, Qin Shi deliberately teased, “Alright then. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll just make it based on a guess. If it doesn’t fit and wastes fabric, don’t blame me.”
Gu Qinghai turned back to glare at Qin Shi. She was threatening him again!
Qin Shi waved at him with a smile. “Come on over.” Her tone was gentle but playful.
Reluctantly, Gu Qinghai shuffled over, his small face stiff. “Wasting fabric is shameful!” he declared.
He only agreed to cooperate because he didn’t want her to waste fabric—at least, that’s what he told himself.
Qin Shi chuckled softly, earning an embarrassed glare from Gu Qinghai.
For An’an, Qin Shi made a light blue, long-sleeved dress with a doll collar and ruffles, perfect for the current weather. As it got colder, she could add a jacket over it.
When An’an received the dress, her eyes sparkled like stars. She carefully touched the bow on the sleeve, exclaiming with delight, “It’s so beautiful! It’s even prettier than the clothes on the TV at Duo Duo’s house!”
“Qin Shi, Qin Shi, you’re amazing! I love you so much~” An’an twirled around excitedly, hugging the dress and showering Qin Shi with affection in her sweet, childlike voice, melting Qin Shi’s heart.
“Go try it on,” Qin Shi said, patting her head. An’an ran off in a flash.
Pingping’s outfit was also blue, made from the same fabric as An’an’s, but his was a long-sleeved shirt with a doll collar and no bows. Instead, a small red flower, stitched with thick thread, adorned the chest.
Pingping adored the little red flower. After thanking Qin Shi, he hurried off to change, his cheeks flushed and adorable.
Gu Qinghai’s outfit wasn’t finished yet. Watching the two little ones in their matching outfits, showing off and asking if they looked good, stirred a sense of anticipation in him.
What would his outfit look like?
Unable to resist, Gu Qinghai glanced at Qin Shi. When their eyes met, Qin Shi smiled at him. Embarrassed, he quickly turned away, unable to hold her gaze.
Qin Shi chuckled. Predictably, Gu Qinghai jumped up and ran off.
Feeling amused after teasing Gu Qinghai, Qin Shi happily continued working on the sewing machine, making clothes for Gu Qinghai, his father, and herself.
She had fully mastered the original owner’s sewing skills and was adept at using the sewing machine. Her hands flew as she stitched, her feet working the pedal swiftly. She finished garments at an impressive speed.
By the time the sun set, Gu Qinghai’s outfit was almost complete.
However, it was getting late, so Qin Shi tidied up and went to prepare dinner. She didn’t feel like making anything elaborate, so she decided on a simple meal: cucumber salad and tomato egg noodles.
After kneading the dough and smashing the cucumber, she reached for the vinegar bottle when she heard frantic knocking and shouting from outside.
Setting everything down, Qin Shi rushed out of the kitchen. At the door stood a child she didn’t recognize, anxiously yelling, “Auntie! Are you home? Pingping is bleeding! An’an is fighting someone! You need to come quickly!”
Qin Shi’s heart sank. She didn’t even bother locking the door, hastily shutting it as she followed the child.
“What happened?” Qin Shi asked sternly.
The child couldn’t explain much, only saying there was a fight and someone was bleeding, so he ran to get an adult.
When they arrived, Qin Shi saw Pingping sitting on the ground, crying and holding his mouth. An’an, her hair dishevelled, stood protectively in front of him, glaring at a group of older boys fighting with Gu Qinghai.
Nearby, a group of children wailed loudly, adding to the already chaotic scene.
From a distance, Qin Shi noticed the streak of red on Pingping’s hand, and her mind buzzed with alarm. She roared, “What are you doing?! Stop it! No fighting!”
The younger children froze in fear, but the older ones continued their scuffle, locked in a heated brawl.
Fuming, Qin Shi ran over and grabbed Gu Qinghai and a skinny, dark-skinned boy—each by the arm—pulling them apart with surprising force.
Even as they were separated, neither boy was willing to back down. They struggled to break free from her grip, twisting and writhing, but Qin Shi’s strength held firm.
“Let go of me!” Gu Qinghai glared at Qin Shi, his eyes red with anger. In his rage, he blurted out, “You’re just a stepmother! What right do you have to tell me what to do?!”
The other boy shouted just as fiercely, “Let me go! He bullied my sister—I’ll beat him to death!”
Hearing this, Qin Shi abruptly released Gu Qinghai and shoved the other boy toward him. Her face was icy as she said, “Fine. Go ahead. Fight. If you don’t beat him to death, don’t bother leaving. If you do, I’ll take responsibility.”
Both boys were stunned. They stared at Qin Shi’s cold, intimidating expression, and their bravado vanished in an instant.
“Go on, fight. Stop wasting time,” Qin Shi urged, her tone sharp and commanding.
“Do it!” she barked, folding her arms as her eyes swept over the group of children. Her detached demeanour and overwhelming presence silenced everyone. The atmosphere grew so tense that no one dared to speak.
The only sound left was Pingping’s soft sobbing.
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