RMM – Chapter 15 A Ripple at the Dinner Table

Su Ruo found herself speechless about going out shopping with Xi Yuechen. She felt like he was just there to pay, as every time she asked his opinion, his response was always the same: “If you think it’s good, then it’s good.”

At first, she still considered that he was the homeowner and sought his opinion, but after receiving the same unchanging answer multiple times, she simply stopped asking and made choices based on her own preferences.

However, when it came to changing the curtains, Su Ruo hesitated and asked for permission. After all, replacing the original ones felt like a significant change. If it wasn’t allowed, she would just drop the idea to avoid seeming too picky.

“Commander, the curtains at home feel a bit too heavy and lavish. Can we change them?”

Xi Yuechen had never gone shopping before. First, he never had the time; second, he had no interest in it. Whatever he needed, the military provided, and occasionally, his family would send things over. Now, accompanying Su Ruo to buy flowers and carpets, he felt slightly uncomfortable. But seeing her enjoying herself—so different from her usual quiet demeanor at home—he patiently followed along.

Hearing her question, Xi Yuechen was momentarily stunned. He had never paid attention to things like that. As long as everything was clean, he had no other demands. Looking at the small woman before him, he realized she was trying to make the house reflect her own taste. Let her be, he thought. After all, I barely come home a few times a year. As long as she likes it, it’s fine.

“Okay, pick what you like.”

Su Ruo couldn’t help but praise Xi Yuechen’s easygoing attitude. Aside from his slightly unapproachable personality, everything else about him was practically flawless.

If anyone who knew Xi Yuechen heard her thoughts, they’d probably spit blood. Unapproachable personality? The man was known for being a cold, hard rock—unmoved by flattery or threats, indifferent to everything. If anyone tried to argue with him, they’d only end up infuriated.

As Su Ruo carefully picked out curtains, occasionally discussing with the store clerk, Xi Yuechen felt oddly comfortable watching her. It was clear that she genuinely cared about their home.

By the time they returned home, it was already evening. Striking while the iron was hot, Su Ruo asked for all their purchases to be delivered immediately so she could get everything set up that night.

“Let’s just change the curtains in the living room and the master bedroom.”

As she supervised the workers installing the curtains, she also collected the laundry from the balcony and handed it to Xi Yuechen.

It had to be said—Xi Yuechen was more obedient toward Su Ruo than he had ever been with anyone else. Without hesitation, he took the clothes and sheets and walked toward the bedroom.

“Madam, you and your husband seem to have a great relationship! You look perfect together!”

The worker’s honest smile caught Su Ruo off guard, making her face flush. “No, no, it’s not like that. You’re overthinking it!” she said quickly.

Calming her heartbeat, she dismissed the thought. A great relationship? Who would think that? What a joke.

Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, Xi Yuechen stood stiffly in front of an open drawer, holding the neatly folded clothes Su Ruo had handed him. His expression was anything but natural.

What had thrown the normally composed and cold Commander Xi into such a flustered state?

Inside the drawer lay a row of colorful bras, neatly arranged in an array of soft fabrics and lace. Beside them, equally delicate underwear and lingerie were meticulously folded.

The sight was a visual and psychological shock to someone like Xi Yuechen, who had been living a life of discipline and restraint for years. No wonder he looked so embarrassed.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to look away, closed the drawer, and placed Su Ruo’s clothes in the wardrobe above. But he didn’t leave right away. He needed a moment to compose himself.

Have I been celibate for too long? he wondered. Why did my mind just picture her wearing those? That’s something a young, hot-blooded man would do…

The faint fragrance lingering around him was all too familiar—it was the same scent he unconsciously breathed in every night as he held her in his arms while sleeping. But right now, that scent seemed to stir something unsettling within him.

Feeling frustrated, he stepped onto the small balcony outside the bedroom, opened the window, and lit a cigarette. The cool night air helped clear his mind.

By the time the curtains and carpets were set up, Su Ruo finally had a moment to relax. Only the rocking chair, small tea table, and flowers were left to arrange, but she figured those could wait until tomorrow.

Carefully folding the old curtains, she stored them in the guest room’s unused wardrobe. She wasn’t careless about it—after all, the elders had personally chosen them. Replacing them was one thing, but not storing them properly might upset someone. Besides, just by touching the fabric, she could tell they were expensive.

Checking the time, she was surprised to see it was already 8:30 PM.

Where’s Xi Yuechen? she suddenly realized. Did he go into the study again? It was already late—was he hungry?

“Ruoruo.”

Hearing the call, Su Ruo froze. She wasn’t startled, but she was certainly shocked. It took her a few seconds to process before she turned toward the doorway.

“Hmm?”

“I made some noodles. Come eat.”

Xi Yuechen spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, showing no hesitation about the name he used. After all, he had already called her that once before, and everyone who knew Su Ruo called her the same.

But for Su Ruo, it was anything but natural. This was the first time Xi Yuechen had openly called her that. Hearing it from others was fine, but coming from his mouth… it felt oddly intimate, almost affectionate.

As she ate the steaming noodles, she realized they weren’t exceptionally delicious. Yet, she enjoyed every bite, warmth spreading through her stomach—and her heart.

She was touched by Xi Yuechen’s silent thoughtfulness. This man never said sweet words, but he acted instead. Even his facial expressions were stingy, yet Su Ruo found herself appreciating this kind of sincerity.

Maybe this kind of husband isn’t so bad, she thought. Cold? Sure. But at least I don’t have to worry about him being too flirty. He’s solid and reliable.

She chuckled at her own thoughts.

The next day, Su Ruo and Xi Yuechen brought gifts and visited his family.

After returning to her parents’ house last time, Su Ruo had planned to visit her in-laws as well. After all, it wouldn’t be right to only visit her own family and not her husband’s. If her mother-in-law found out, no matter how good-tempered she was, she would surely feel uneasy about it.

Since they were busy shopping yesterday, Su Ruo set everything else aside today and called her mother for advice on what gifts to bring. Her mother responded with exaggerated praise, saying that she was finally becoming sensible and thinking ahead. Su Ruo could only twitch her lips at the blatant teasing.

In truth, Su Ruo wasn’t clueless about social etiquette. In her previous life, she had worked in the corporate world for years. How could she not understand human nature? Otherwise, without power, status, or connections, how could she have survived in the workplace for so long?

So, to put it bluntly, the only thing she had struggled with in her past life was relationships. Everything else? She could manage just fine.

Xi Yuechen watched as Su Ruo carefully selected each item, and he also remembered how she had called her mother before they left. He didn’t say anything, but he could tell—she was nervous.

Before they arrived, Xi Yuechen had called his mother, Shen Liang, and he could hear the joy in her voice. As they neared the house, Xi Yuehui was already waiting at the door for them, just like Su Heng had done when she visited her own family.

After parking the car, Xi Yuechen glanced at Su Ruo, who was looking down nervously. He reached over, squeezed her hand lightly, and said, “It’s okay. Relax.”

Then he got out of the car first, nodded at Xi Yuehui in greeting, and walked around to open the door for Su Ruo. “Come on out.”

Strangely enough, Xi Yuechen’s simple reassurance actually made Su Ruo feel much calmer. She placed her hand in his and stepped out of the car, then turned to smile at Xi Yuehui, who was looking her up and down with amusement. “What? You don’t recognize me?”

Xi Yuehui grinned even wider, his expression full of mischief. He leaned in slightly and teased, “Oh, I recognize you. I just don’t recognize my brother anymore.”

Su Ruo felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and his words made her even more uneasy. She shot him a glare. “What nonsense are you talking about? You’re so annoying.”

“Heh, I don’t need to please you. As long as someone else does, that’s enough.”

With that, Xi Yuehui walked over to help Xi Yuechen carry the gifts from the trunk, laughing as he said, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you’re being too polite. Bringing gifts home like this.”

As Su Ruo followed Xi Yuechen into the house, she glared at Xi Yuehui’s bright, teasing smile. What a troublemaker!

The moment they stepped inside, Xi Yuehui shouted, “Mom! Big Brother and your precious daughter-in-law are here!”

Hearing that, Su Ruo couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Seriously, could he be any more dramatic?

“You’re here? Ruoruo, come in, come in!”

Shen Liang, who had been sitting on the couch, quickly got up and enthusiastically waved Su Ruo over.

“Mom.” Su Ruo greeted her with a smile, and Shen Liang’s warm reception completely melted away her last bit of nervousness.

Shen Liang casually acknowledged Xi Yuechen’s greeting but pulled Su Ruo to the sofa, fussing over her, offering fruit and juice, and being incredibly welcoming.

Xi Yuechen, however, didn’t mind his mother’s lack of attention. He simply sat down with Xi Yuehui and started discussing something in low voices.

“Big Brother, when are you returning to the army? I heard that the B Military District and the N Military District are planning a joint military exercise soon. Do you know about it?”

Xi Yuechen wasn’t surprised that his younger brother knew about classified military operations. Growing up in their environment, it was common to overhear such things—as long as he didn’t spread them outside.

“Yeah, it’s starting next month, so I’ll be heading back next week.”

Xi Yuehui was surprised. “But you’re on leave, and you just got married. What’s the rush? It’s not like exercise can’t happen without you.”

Xi Yuechen glanced at him and said calmly, “The higher-ups are taking this exercise very seriously. Besides, I’m a soldier.”

Hearing his brother’s response, Xi Yuehui knew that there was no changing his mind. His brother was entirely devoted to the military—nothing could make him waver. With that realization, he couldn’t help but glance sympathetically at Su Ruo, who was still chatting with their mother.

Shen Liang was extremely warm and kind to Su Ruo. She even called Xi Jian’an to come home for dinner, so the whole family sat together for a meal. It was clear that everyone was genuinely happy about Su Ruo and Xi Yuechen’s visit. Even Xi Jian’an, usually reserved, had a gentle expression throughout the meal.

When they were about to leave, Shen Liang held onto Su Ruo’s hands with reluctance, repeatedly telling her to come home often.

The visit wasn’t as stressful as Su Ruo had imagined. In fact, it was quite enjoyable, especially since she really liked Shen Liang. She felt just as comfortable around her as she did with her own mother.

“Commander, let’s come back more often when we have time,” Su Ruo said with a smile as Xi Yuechen drove.

Xi Yuechen understood that she was referring to his family’s home. He nodded and replied, “Mm, okay.”

Under the warm glow of the car’s lights, his dark eyes appeared even deeper than usual, but there was a rare softness in them, revealing his surprisingly good mood.