RMM -Chapter 305 “First” Arrival in a New Place

Su Ruo slowly woke up the next morning to the sound of Xi Zi’s voice.

When she got up, Xi Yuechen was naturally no longer beside her. She didn’t know when he had left. Before going, he had carried the still-sleeping Xi Zi from the small crib onto the big bed, letting him sleep next to Su Ruo, and had even changed his diaper.

Still a little groggy, Su Ruo glanced at the time and discovered it was already close to nine o’clock. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she instantly became wide awake.

“Son, what’s wrong? Are you calling Mommy because you’re hungry?”

After realizing Xi Zi was right beside her, Su Ruo was momentarily surprised, then suddenly understood. No wonder her son had “woken” her up—he was right next to her.

Xi Zi didn’t seem to know how long he had been awake. He wasn’t crying or fussing, just stretching his little arms, kicking his legs now and then, and occasionally popping out a single-syllable sound.

Feeling his diaper and finding it dry, Su Ruo figured he was probably hungry. Otherwise, he usually wouldn’t make any noise.

Without even washing her face, she sat up, leaned against the headboard, picked up Xi Zi, and began feeding him.

Only then did Su Ruo finally have time to carefully look at the results of the hard work she and Xi Yuechen had put in the night before.

After some simple arrangements, the bedroom truly felt refreshed. The warm-colored bed curtains were half-drawn, sunlight streamed in and spread across the fluffy carpet, making the whole room feel much cozier.

Su Ruo curved her lips into a smile. At that moment, she felt an indescribable sense of peaceful contentment.

“Son, this is your first morning here. Feels pretty good, right? Haha. Let me tell you—your dad is outside training his soldiers right now. When you grow up, how about going over to join the fun? You can learn some martial skills too. That way, when you’re older, you’ll be strong and know how to fight. Doesn’t that sound good?”

Looking down at Xi Zi in her arms, Su Ruo smiled so brightly, as if she could already see the glorious future where her son would take on ten opponents at once.

After feeding him until he was full, Su Ruo carried Xi Zi out of bed, pulled open the curtains, and wandered barefoot around the room a couple of times before putting him back into his little crib to continue sleeping.

On her way to wash her face, she passed the dining area and suddenly leaned sideways to take a look. Sure enough, there was something on the table.

Two small dishes, a youtiao on a plate beside them—and it seemed there was also a note.

Su Ruo smiled with satisfaction. She knew it—her commander was the most thoughtful and caring person. Of course he had prepared breakfast for her.

In a very good mood, Su Ruo quickly washed her face, casually patted on some toner, tied all her hair up, and hummed a tune as she walked into the dining area.

There really was a note on the table, left by Xi Yuechen.

It said that the rice porridge was warming in the pot and reminded her not to forget to ladle herself a bowl.

“Tsk, does he think I’m a little kid? He even has to remind me of this.”

Though she muttered dismissively, her face was blooming with smiles, her eyes curving into crescents.

After breakfast, Su Ruo got busy again changing the bed covers. It had been too late the night before to do so. She then thoroughly cleaned the house, bustling around like a diligent little bee. Only after finishing everything did she finally relax, holding Xi Zi as she sat down on the sofa in the living room.

She checked the time—ten thirty.

Still a bit early. She wondered when the commander would come back. Probably not before eleven thirty, right?

She also didn’t know if there were any vegetables in the fridge. She hadn’t checked it last night, and she’d need to cook later.

As she played with Xi Zi, Su Ruo thought to herself. At that moment, she was just like an ordinary homemaker—busy with chores, busy with her child, and soon to be busy again for her husband coming home from work. Life was simple yet fulfilling, so happy it was beyond words.

Transitioning suddenly from a life where she never lifted a finger to this busy, worry-filled routine, Su Ruo didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

With her heart bubbling over with happiness, how could she possibly think of words like “hardship” or “not adapting”?

But around noon, before she could even put Xi Zi down, her phone rang. Hearing Xi Yuechen’s special ringtone, Su Ruo felt curious. Why was the commander calling at this time?

Was he telling her he was about to get off work?

Or asking her what she wanted him to eat?

As she walked toward the bedroom, Su Ruo guessed in her mind. No matter which possibility it was, her eyes sparkled and her heart brimmed with joy.

“Commander.”

She cleared her throat before answering, trying to sound calm and composed.

“What?” Su Ruo suddenly widened her eyes, disbelief written all over her face.

“Oh… okay, then I’ll get ready.”

“Mhm, got it.”

Her expression became quite the spectacle—shifting from anticipation and happiness to shock, then drooping dejection. When she hung up, her delicate brows were knit together, looking extremely troubled.

So what on earth did Xi Yuechen say to leave her so “shocked”?

Actually, it wasn’t anything dramatic. He just said that Li Lizhen wanted to invite him and Su Ruo to lunch, and that at noon she should go with him to Li Lizhen’s home for a meal—of course, bringing Xi Zi along.

But to Su Ruo, this felt like a bolt from the blue. She hadn’t prepared at all to meet the commander’s comrades. What was with this sudden turn of events?

What else could it be? Li Lizhen, as the “host,” simply wanted to invite Su Ruo—who had just arrived—to a meal, to play the role of a gracious host. Of course, there was another important reason: Xi Zi.

Ever since Xi Yuechen dropped that bombshell on him yesterday, Li Lizhen had been completely distracted all day.

When did Xi Yuechen get a son? Why didn’t he know? Could that brat be messing with him?

But that didn’t fit Xi Yuechen’s personality. Even if something happened, he would keep it bottled up rather than speak easily, let alone lie or joke. So how could he suddenly have a son? Why hadn’t there been the slightest hint before?

That’s right—Xi Yuechen was a tight-lipped guy! He probably really had a son and had just kept it hidden all along.

After figuring this out, Li Lizhen stewed in anger for a while. That brat was really not loyal at all. They’d fought side by side for so many years—how could he hide something so important? If his sister-in-law hadn’t come to join the army, was he planning to hide it forever?

But the anger only lasted a short while before Li Lizhen started feeling happy instead. Hey, that kid had a son now! He wondered who the boy resembled. His sister-in-law was so upright and pretty, and Yuechen wasn’t bad-looking either. No matter who the child took after, he was guaranteed to be a little handsome guy. Haha.

Then Li Lizhen became unbearably eager to see Xi Yuechen’s son. That was a genuine little crown prince! If he looked at him more, maybe he’d even get some good fortune himself.

Unfortunately, no matter how eagerly he waited yesterday, Xi Yuechen never showed up. It wouldn’t be polite to go bother them in the evening either.

So after discussing it with his wife that morning, they decided to invite Xi Yuechen’s family of three over for lunch—to welcome the sister-in-law and, incidentally, to see Xi Yuechen’s precious son.

Although Su Ruo had met this political commissar before, they weren’t familiar. Being suddenly invited to his home made her nervous, and she couldn’t help feeling dejected. Why did it have to be so sudden?

But nervous as she was, she couldn’t delay. There was only about half an hour left.

Su Ruo quickly picked out an outfit, put on light makeup, and kept her hair tied up. After checking herself in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction. Not bad, not bad—presentable enough. Not too eye-catching, but not too plain either. She looked like a low-key, graceful woman with depth. Haha.

After indulging in a bit of self-admiration, Su Ruo busied herself dressing Xi Zi. Even though he was just a baby, this was his first visit to someone else’s home, so appearances still mattered.

She took out the new clothes Shen Liang had bought for Xi Zi. They’d already been washed and sun-dried for a day, smelling fresh and clean. The pale yellow outfit made Xi Zi’s skin look even more delicate and fair. She also put a little hat on him. With his already refined features, he ended up looking more like a little girl—utterly adorable.

If only his expression were cuter, the effect would be even better.

Looking at Xi Zi’s pursed lips and slightly serious expression, Su Ruo reached out and poked his little cheek, sighing inwardly.

But she didn’t have time to linger on that thought—she still had to decide what gifts to bring.

She couldn’t possibly go to someone’s home empty-handed, right?

Squatting on the floor and looking at the beautifully packaged tea leaves and other gifts Shen Liang had told her to bring, Su Ruo nearly burst into tears of gratitude. Her mother-in-law was truly experienced and farsighted. She was endlessly thankful.

Thank goodness she’d brought these. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t have known what to do right now.

While sighing in appreciation, Su Ruo casually picked two gift boxes and placed them by the entrance. Anything her mother-in-law had packed was more than presentable—no risk of being laughed at.

Once everything was ready, Su Ruo calmly waited for Xi Yuechen’s call. He had said he would call her when it was time to go so they could head over together.

“Son, when we go visiting later, can you put in a little effort? Don’t keep that serious face, okay? Smile a bit! You’ve inherited such good looks from your mom—you should show some gratitude and help your parents save face in front of others.”

Kneeling beside the bed, Su Ruo nagged Xi Zi softly. This little rascal—he really took after his father. Not a single bit of her good qualities.

In the end, Su Ruo didn’t wait for Xi Yuechen’s phone call. She waited for the man himself.

“Didn’t you say you’d call me?” she asked, puzzled. “You even came all the way up here—how troublesome.”

“Not troublesome. Let’s go.”

Xi Yuechen shook his head, took off his camouflage uniform—which he wore during training and was definitely dusty—then changed into a clean, neatly pressed shirt and straight military trousers. Only then did he pick up Xi Zi and head out, glancing back at Su Ruo to signal her to follow.

Helplessly, Su Ruo picked up the gifts and followed him downstairs. She understood perfectly well—her commander was worried she’d have to carry both the gifts and Xi Zi and that it would be too much for her. Feeling helpless yet warmed by the thought, her heart softened.

And so, the handsome and resolute Xi Yuechen, holding his adorable son dressed in pale yellow, with Su Ruo—elegantly dressed and graceful—by his side, leisurely went off to visit the political commissar’s home.

The family of three was strikingly eye-catching. Along the way, they drew countless gazes. Before long, the entire family housing complex knew that Regiment Commander Xi had a beautiful wife who had borne him a child.

People couldn’t help but sigh—how time flies. Regiment Commander Xi actually had a child now, and such a big one at that. His secrecy had truly been impeccable.