RMM -Chapter 278 Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth

The little one’s eyes—how remarkably similar they were to the little woman’s… Clear as a spring, warm as sunlight, tiny sparks of light flickering within them, making one want to coddle him.

A wave of emotion slowly coursed through Xi Yuechen’s heart, warming even his limbs. Looking down at the small Xi Zi in his arms, his hard heart began to soften naturally.

After all, it had been three months since they last met. Children change day by day—how could he have studied Xi Zi closely in just a few glances earlier?

Now, looking at Xi Zi’s fair, delicate features, Xi Yuechen couldn’t help feeling both love and pity, his gaze lingering on the small face.

To everyone else, Xi Zi’s appearance resembled Xi Yuechen more, from his facial features to the contours of his face—he looked just like Xi Yuechen in childhood. But now, Xi Yuechen looked at his son in his arms and thought, “How could this little one resemble the little woman so much?” Clear, bright eyes; a straight, delicate nose; soft, rosy lips; a pointed chin—all reflected Su Ruo’s image.

With that thought, the tenderness in Xi Yuechen’s eyes deepened, almost reaching the point of loving everything associated with her.

“Commander, Xi Zi really likes you,” Su Ruo suddenly said, smiling as she watched the father and son silently exchange glances.

Hearing this, Xi Yuechen raised an eyebrow at her in question, saying nothing.

Su Ruo’s smile widened, and even her voice carried amusement. “Look at him. All this time, I’ve never seen him look at anyone so intently. But now, see how special he treats you as his dad. If he didn’t like you, would he look at you like this? He’d have already closed his eyes and gone about his business.”

Su Ruo spoke of Xi Zi’s unusual fondness for Xi Yuechen, but there was no hint of annoyance or jealousy. After all her hard work raising him, now the moment his father appeared, all his attention was on his dad.

Rather than feeling upset, Su Ruo was happy. This was exactly the father-son relationship she had wanted to cultivate: no matter how long they were apart, their blood connection remained unchanged, and their feelings stayed deep.

So if her son ignored her, so be it. There was plenty of time ahead, and she wasn’t worried about him “betraying” her. Su Ruo was confident in this.

“Is that so?” Xi Yuechen asked casually, a faint smile touching the corners of his mouth.

It was clear that Xi Zi’s closeness pleased the colonel greatly.

“Of course. Blood is thicker than water—this is the nature of a father and son!” Su Ruo snorted, her tone firm and resolute.

Xi Zi settled comfortably in Xi Yuechen’s arms, showing no sign of unfamiliarity. He looked at his long-unseen father for a while longer before slowly closing his eyes to sleep.

Xi Yuechen looked at the little one in his arms and recalled what Zhang Huaqing had said earlier. His expression grew thoughtful, tinged with hesitation.

“Next month, going with the army—won’t that be too sudden?”

Honestly, Xi Yuechen worried about Su Ruo taking care of the child alone. In his eyes, she was still so young herself. He feared the burden of raising such a small child would be heavy for her.

Joining the army didn’t mean being together all the time. He couldn’t always be by their side. Once she went with the army, all the responsibilities would fall on her shoulders.

He remembered how his little woman had grown up pampered and adored, never enduring hardships, and now she would bear the weight of life alone, plus a child. For such a delicate woman, it would be extremely difficult.

In his heart, Su Ruo should have been spoiled and carefree, with no worries—but joining the army would turn everything upside down.

He was reluctant.

But Su Ruo couldn’t think that way. The moment she heard this, her face darkened. She had finally persuaded the others and was about to join the army, yet the commander questioned her. Sudden? What was sudden? Who was this for?

Anger and helplessness flashed across her face as she glared at Xi Yuechen. “How is it sudden? You don’t want me to go with the army?”

If you say yes, she thought, she’d… she’d endure a long-distance separation forever, letting him focus on his troops alone!

Xi Yuechen could clearly see that Su Ruo was angry. His mind quickly figured out why, and he felt a wave of helplessness.

He wanted to be with her, but he hated seeing her suffer even a little.

“I’m afraid you won’t take care of yourself,” he admitted.

Now, facing Su Ruo, he could express such heartfelt words naturally, without any reluctance. Whatever he felt, he wouldn’t hold back—but only with her.

Su Ruo was momentarily speechless. If he had said he didn’t want her to go, she could have thrown a fit. But confronted with genuine concern, she couldn’t get angry.

“I will. Don’t underestimate me. Wherever I am, I won’t let myself be wronged. And do you really think I’m a pampered lady who can’t lift a finger? Tell you what, whether in the hall or the kitchen, I can handle it. Back in Jingyue Metropolis, wasn’t I the one who cooked for you?”

Su Ruo gently pulled Xi Yuechen to sit on the edge of the bed, speaking softly to ease his worries. No matter what, she was going with the army—no one would stop her.

Hearing her mention Jingyue Metropolis, Xi Yuechen instinctively recalled their time there, a memory that made him smile warmly.

It was undeniable: back then, Su Ruo had left a good impression—nimble, capable, not a delicate lady at all. She had even surprised him. But the army wasn’t Jingyue Metropolis—it couldn’t be compared.

Yet seeing her hopeful expression, Xi Yuechen couldn’t bear to refuse. Her sparkling eyes made him want to give in.

“But—”

“Oh, don’t ‘but’ me. It’s nothing. It’s just going with the army. Why be so indecisive? I’m not going to the countryside. It’s just one unit—how hard can it be? And I’m not enlisting either. Can’t you trust me a little? If you really insist, you can let me go first, and see how I perform.”

Su Ruo interrupted Xi Yuechen, her voice anxious and pitiful, making it even harder for him to refuse.

“Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Watch me perform—you won’t be disappointed, alright? Just trust me.”

Seeing Xi Yuechen hesitate, Su Ruo felt delighted and tugged at his sleeve, coaxing him playfully.

What was there to worry about? After growing up pampered, she hadn’t really lost her ability to manage herself. She had lived on her own before—much harder than now—and survived perfectly well. Now, in an ideal environment, raising one child—or even two or three—would be no problem.

Finally able to go with the army, she wasn’t going to let minor concerns stop her. She knew that hesitation would only drag things out, and she couldn’t endure another period of long-distance separation.

With her mix of promises and coaxing, Xi Yuechen was completely won over, his resistance melting away.

Seeing Su Ruo so pitiful and adorable, he sighed, thinking: fine, fine. It’s just going with the army. Indulging her a bit is harmless. He would just pay more attention and spend more time with her.

Besides…

Xi Yuechen thought about how restless he’d been these past few days, realizing he wanted to live with his little woman too.

Since that was the case, why refuse? With him around, she wouldn’t suffer.

Having made up his mind, Xi Yuechen relaxed, a smile returning to his lips.

“Then we’ll do it your way.”

Su Ruo’s eyes lit up with unrestrained delight. “Really?”

She understood perfectly well that Xi Yuechen had compromised, and she was overjoyed. She had even planned to act first and tell him later—bringing her son straight to the army, daring him to stop her.

But now, her usually strict commander was so easy to deal with?

“Yes.”

Xi Yuechen looked at Su Ruo, childlike and excited, and couldn’t help feeling happy himself. The little one in his arms, the woman by his side—his heart was quietly moved.

“I knew you were the best, Commander! Just wait, I’ll perform perfectly and take good care of you and Xi Zi!”

Su Ruo wanted to pat her chest to show her bravado, her face almost blooming with laughter.

Xi Yuechen looked at her, helplessly amused. That last promise—take care of both him and Xi Zi? He might end up taking care of them both instead.

But he only thought it, not speaking. Why dampen her enthusiasm? If he took care of them, so be it. Not a big deal.

Well, technically, Xi Yuechen secretly felt it was sweet, not a burden.

Thus, Su Ruo’s going with the army was officially set in motion. Without opposition, she cheerfully enjoyed her final days before deployment.