RMM – Chapter 117 A Prophecy Come True

The next day, Xi Yuechen and Su Ruo returned to the military compound.

Zhang Huaqing, knowing that her son-in-law had come back, was especially happy. Early in the morning, she busied herself figuring out what delicious and nutritious dishes to make. After all, her little grandchild also needed nourishment.

These days, Zhang Huaqing had been just like Shen Liang—constantly busy preparing a room for the grandchild, diving into recipe books, almost too busy to catch her breath.

Looking at how the room next to Su Ruo’s bedroom had been completely “turned upside down,” Su Heng clicked his tongue in disbelief. “Mom, I mean, can’t you at least hide your favoritism a little? You should go look at my room. From the day I was born, it hasn’t changed one bit. And now, the baby isn’t even born yet, and you’ve already got everything fixed up.”

What he said was true. While Su Ruo was away these past few days, Zhang Huaqing had taken the chance to renovate the room. She even hired a professional designer. After all, how much could you change a simple bedroom? But still, after the designer worked on it, the place had been completely transformed. Even though it was still empty inside, the high-end renovation alone had left Su Heng dumbfounded.

It really was on the level of a “little crown prince.” The design was elegant and noble, without being flashy—low-key yet luxurious. And this was even before any furniture had been added!

Thinking of his own childhood, he felt a little pitiful in comparison. Back then, just having a toy gun, a set of building blocks, or a model could keep him overjoyed for days.

“Mom, let me ask you something honestly,” Su Heng leaned close to Zhang Huaqing, who was flipping through a so-called Complete Guide to Children’s Rooms, and whispered, “I’m not… adopted, am I?”

Zhang Huaqing gave a cold snort. “I’ve always had the same suspicion. Why don’t we go get a DNA test tomorrow?”

…Su Heng hadn’t expected his mother’s reply to be so cutting. He was instantly choked speechless. After a long pause, he put on a wounded expression and accused, “Mom, I’m so disappointed in you. Aren’t you afraid that I might…”

“If you want to run away from home, go ahead—if you’ve got the guts,” Zhang Huaqing said without even looking up, calm and unruffled.

Su Heng instantly wilted like a frostbitten eggplant. People always said parents valued sons over daughters, but in his family, it was the opposite—his parents valued their daughter over their son. No, correction: he wasn’t valued at all!

At that point, Zhang Huaqing finally looked up at him, tapped his forehead with a finger, and scolded with a smile. “Shameless! Jealous of your own nephew? What kind of uncle are you? You want him to stop calling you ‘Uncle’?”

“He has to call me! If he doesn’t, I’ll—ow!” Before he could finish, he let out a wail, clutching the back of his head. “Mom, why’d you hit me?”

Zhang Huaqing pulled back her hand, flicked it twice, and snorted. “Watch your mouth! Who do you think you’re going to hit?”

Su Heng silently swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. It was his mistake—actually thinking he could compete for affection with the little prince or princess. He had basically signed his own death warrant.

“Come on, help me wash the vegetables. Keep busy, and you won’t have time to sulk.”

Zhang Huaqing put down her book and stood up. How did she end up with such a clown of a son? Who did he take after?

Su Heng looked grief-stricken, but his steps didn’t falter. He was genuinely happy that his sister was home.

When Su Ruo and Xi Yuechen arrived, it was just past twelve-thirty. Shen Liang hadn’t let them stay for lunch at Zhengjia Courtyard, knowing full well that Zhang Huaqing would have started preparing a feast since early morning.

“Mom, my sister and brother-in-law are here! Stop fussing and come out!”

Su Heng welcomed them in, then stretched his neck toward the kitchen and shouted.

Hearing him, Zhang Huaqing hurried out. The moment Su Ruo saw her, she burst out laughing.

“Mom, what on earth happened to you?” she asked, still chuckling.

Zhang Huaqing’s sleeves were rolled high, her clothes splashed with water, her trousers soaked in patches. Luckily she wore an apron, or who knew what state she’d be in. But the funniest part wasn’t that—her usually elegant, well-kept face had several smudges of flour stuck to it, as though she’d rubbed it with messy hands.

Su Ruo guessed she must have gotten her face wet, then accidentally wiped it with flour-covered hands.

At this moment, her mother looked nothing like her usual dignified self—instead, she seemed rather bedraggled.

Even Xi Yuechen was taken aback. When had he ever seen his mother-in-law like this? He couldn’t help finding it amusing.

Seeing them laugh, Zhang Huaqing felt embarrassed. She couldn’t see her reflection, but she knew she didn’t look good. To make matters worse, not only had her daughter seen her like this, but her son-in-law had too. Feeling humiliated, she turned her glare on the true culprit—Su Heng.

He looked guilty. Her appearance made him want to laugh too, but he forced himself to hold it in. If he laughed now, the Empress Dowager would definitely blow up, and he’d be done for.

Su Ruo instantly understood what had happened. Watching her brother’s pained expression as he fought back laughter, she sighed in amusement.

“Commander, why don’t you sit in the living room with Su Heng for a while?” she said to Xi Yuechen.

He nodded and glanced at Su Heng. “Let’s go.”

Grateful, Su Heng smiled at his sister, winked, and sneaked a look at Zhang Huaqing, silently begging her to coax their mother.

Su Ruo shot him a look, then turned toward the kitchen, trying hard to rein in her smile. Laughing openly at her mother would only embarrass her more.

“Mom, I told you not to make so much, but you wouldn’t listen. Even if you have to cook, couldn’t you leave it to Auntie Li and the others?”

As she spoke, Su Ruo gently tried to wipe the flour off her mother’s face, only to find it had dried and wouldn’t come off—it would need washing.

“I wanted to! I enjoy it, I don’t feel tired at all. I even studied recipes for dishes best suited to pregnant women.”

Zhang Huaqing responded with some irritation. Her daughter was pregnant, her son-in-law had finally come home—how could she not prepare a special meal?

“Yes, yes. You’re truly the most selfless and loving. I’m so touched.” Su Ruo smiled helplessly, quickly coaxing her mother. “But let’s wash your face and change clothes first, hmm? You’ll catch a cold in those wet clothes.”

Hearing the faintly reproachful tone in her daughter’s voice, Zhang Huaqing felt a pang of emotion. Her daughter had really grown up. Once upon a time, she was the one always following Su Ruo around, reminding her to be careful.

“But seriously, what happened? Was it Su Heng’s fault?”

Linking arms with her, Su Ruo guided her up the stairs, curious.

At the mention of Su Heng, Zhang Huaqing’s anger flared again, though she held it in—after all, they had to pass through the living room, and she’d already embarrassed herself enough in front of her son-in-law.

“Yuechen, excuse me a moment,” she said awkwardly. “Look at this mess.”

He quickly stood up and shook his head. “It’s fine, Mom. Go ahead. I’ll sit with Su Heng.”

Su Heng stood too but didn’t dare meet her eyes. It wasn’t his fault, really—she’d asked him to help. How was he supposed to know it’d turn out like that?

“All right then.” She nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze on him. Her smile shifted into that classic expressionless-yet-smiling look. “Su Heng, keep your back straight and treat your brother-in-law properly, understand?”

Her tone made his skin crawl. He forced out two dry chuckles and nodded.

Truly unlucky—when the Empress Dowager got mad, even his father didn’t dare cross her.

Shaking her head in amusement, Su Ruo winked at Xi Yuechen, then pulled her mother upstairs.

“Come on. They can take care of themselves. Let’s change clothes.”

In the bathroom of her bedroom, Zhang Huaqing glanced at the mirror and fumed again. “Look at me! How did I end up with such a troublesome son? He was born just to annoy me.”

She was so angry she looked ready to march back down and scold Su Heng.

“Don’t be mad, Mom. Wash your face first, then tell me what happened,” Su Ruo said with a laugh.

After washing up and changing, Zhang Huaqing finally sat down with her.

“He does nothing at home all day! Look at Yuehui—he wants to join the army. Fine, let him try. But what about Su Heng? He never does anything useful. Today I just asked him to help me wash a fish. And what does he do? He manages to get fish scales all over the counter, splashing water everywhere, drenching me in the process! He made me lose face in front of everyone. How can a grown man not even wash a fish properly?”

Grinding her teeth, she vented. Su Ruo couldn’t help laughing.

Her mother shot her a disapproving look. “You’re even gloating? How am I supposed to face Yuechen later? At my age, and I still make a fool of myself like this.”

Knowing her mother was upset because she felt embarrassed in front of her son-in-law, Su Ruo smiled gently and took her hand.

“Commander isn’t the type to care about things like that. By the time you go back down, he’ll already have forgotten. Don’t be angry, okay? It was Su Heng’s first time doing it—of course he’d be clumsy. Honestly, I still struggle with washing fish. Don’t be mad. Just keep training him slowly, and he’ll be able to handle both the living room and the kitchen.”

Her words did soothe Zhang Huaqing a little. She thought about it—she was right. Young people wouldn’t dwell on a silly incident like this. Still, Su Heng definitely needed more training. Otherwise, he’d grow up useless.

What Su Ruo didn’t expect was that her casual attempt at comfort would mark the start of Su Heng’s days of suffering.

He thought he was being punished for angering the Empress Dowager, but in truth, it was thanks to his sister’s “brilliant idea” that he found himself dragged into the kitchen time and again, learning to cook under his mother’s stern supervision.