RMM -Chapter 307 Xi Zi’s First Taste of the World

Life in the army was simple yet fulfilling. Without anyone really noticing, an entire week quietly slipped by.

That morning, after Xi Yuechen returned home, he told Su Ruo that he planned to take Xi Zi to the training ground for a look, and asked her to dress him a bit more properly.

By “properly,” he meant not like last time—no soft pinks, no delicate, girlish look. He wanted him dressed in proper “boy clothes.”

Su Ruo rolled her eyes helplessly. What an old fossil. What did he mean by “delicate”? Pink was pink—so what? A half-year-old baby was supposed to look tender. What was wrong with that?

Though she grumbled inwardly, when Xi Yuechen was about to leave, Su Ruo still obediently dressed Xi Zi in a little denim outfit, paired with tiny skateboard-style sneakers. Despite being so small, once dressed up like that, he actually looked quite the part. A fitted little sweater, light casual jeans, delicate features, and a serious little expression—he had style. So adorable that Su Ruo’s heart practically melted.

Mom and Mother-in-law really had good taste. They’d bought so many outfits for Xi Zi, and not a single one looked bad. She didn’t even need to worry about it.

Su Ruo couldn’t help hugging Xi Zi and kissing him for a while. Then she remembered how the commander had been dissatisfied with Xi Zi being dressed too pink last time. Would he think this outfit was too casual, too roguish instead?

Feeling uneasy, Su Ruo carried her son into the living room to find Xi Yuechen.

“Commander, take a look—does this work?”

After all, Xi Zi was going to meet Xi Yuechen’s subordinates. Since it was their first meeting, Su Ruo took it very seriously. As their direct superior, Xi Yuechen’s son couldn’t possibly fall short. Even though he was still too young to do anything else, at least he could start by stealing the spotlight.

Hearing her voice, Xi Yuechen looked up at Su Ruo as she approached, then shifted his gaze to the little one in her arms, meeting her hopeful expression halfway.

Seeing how picky he looked, Su Ruo rolled her eyes and sat down beside him.
“Don’t tell me you think this is too improper now?”

Hearing the helplessness in her tone, Xi Yuechen found it amusing. He shook his head.
“No. It’s pretty good.”

“Really?”
Su Ruo was skeptical. Was he just comforting her?

“Really. He looks like a boy now,” Xi Yuechen said solemnly, nodding.

Su Ruo was instantly exasperated. So in his eyes, as long as their son looked like a boy, that was enough?

He was a boy, okay?

“Commander, haven’t you heard everyone say Xi Zi looks exactly like you?”
Su Ruo raised an eyebrow and smiled. The unspoken meaning was obvious—if the son didn’t look manly, then neither did the father.

Of course Xi Yuechen caught her provocation. He didn’t get angry, though. Instead, he reached out, took Xi Zi into his arms, and said in a low voice,
“I thought you already knew whether I’m manly or not.”

With that, he stood up and left, a light smile hanging on his face. Just before going out the door, he glanced back at Su Ruo. Seeing her staring wide-eyed, cheeks flushed red, he felt even more satisfied. Then he opened the door and left.

At that moment, Su Ruo was red-faced and dumbfounded. He… he… what did he mean by that?!

Of course she understood what Xi Yuechen meant. And thinking of how sore her waist was every time afterward, not only did her face burn hotter, but her heartbeat sped up too.

How could he be like this?! Su Ruo was mortified and furious. How had she never realized before that beneath his serious, cold exterior, he was actually so improper? Wearing a military uniform and openly flirting—what a hooligan!

After teasing Su Ruo, Xi Yuechen was in an especially sunny mood. Holding Xi Zi, he headed straight for the training ground.

Along the way, many people saw him. When they noticed the baby in his arms, they froze, staring in shock.

This iron-blooded regimental commander was famous for being cold, aloof, and unapproachable. Forget being close to anyone—even with higher-ups, he did things his own way and never wasted words. Someone like that was now carrying a baby?

Everyone had heard that Xi Yuechen had a son, but no one had seen him. Besides, who could imagine the hard-edged Commander Xi walking along a tree-lined path, stepping through scattered sunlight, holding a little baby in his arms? Should they rub their eyes in disbelief—or say it was unbelievably heartwarming?

As a result, Xi Yuechen attracted more attention—and more people striking up conversations—than at any other time in his life on the way to the training ground.

As beautiful as the sight of Commander Xi holding a baby was, what truly drew everyone’s gaze was, unsurprisingly, the little treasure in his arms.

Everyone wanted to see what Commander Xi’s son looked like.

And so, this scene unfolded.

“Good morning, Commander!”

Two soldiers stopped in front of Xi Yuechen, snapped to attention, and saluted sharply, their movements smooth and textbook-perfect—except for one thing. If only their eyes could stop sneaking glances at Xi Yuechen’s arms, the effect would’ve been even better.

“Mm.”
Xi Yuechen responded calmly, as if he hadn’t noticed their glued gazes.

“Commander!”
Seeing him about to walk away without hesitation, the two panicked and called out. They hadn’t run all this way just to greet him.

“What is it?” Xi Yuechen looked at them.

“Well…” One of the young men scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
“This is your son, right? We’ve heard about him for a long time. We were wondering… could we take a look?”

Xi Yuechen wasn’t surprised. From the moment they approached, he knew exactly what they were after.

“Mm.”
He agreed readily, lifting Xi Zi a bit higher so his little face was turned toward them.

“So cute! He’s really beautiful!”
One of the soldiers blurted out in admiration.

Though Xi Yuechen wasn’t entirely pleased with the word “beautiful” being used to describe his son, it was praise after all. His stern expression softened slightly, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

The two soldiers were completely satisfied. They hurried off, eager to share their triumph with their comrades.

But after Xi Yuechen had taken only two more steps, something similar happened again. And again. All along the way, countless soldiers came up to ask questions and then “casually” take a look at Xi Zi. Naturally, some officers with ranks did so openly, even holding Xi Zi for a moment and chatting with Xi Yuechen.

By the time Xi Yuechen finally reached the training ground, quite a lot of time had passed.

He hadn’t told anyone that morning that he’d be bringing Xi Zi along. So when he appeared carrying the baby, after two seconds of silence, the entire field erupted.

After seeing Xi Zi, everyone marveled at how strong the genes were. He looked so good—exactly like his father. Even at such a young age, he already carried an innate nobility. Truly worthy of being the regimental commander’s son—he was bound to become someone extraordinary when he grew up.

Though everyone said different things, every word was praise. Xi Yuechen listened comfortably, not even bothering to stop the soldiers from clustering together, laughing and chatting, or from running over now and then just to sneak another look at Xi Zi.

While the training ground was lively, Su Ruo wasn’t idle at home either.

Because a neighbor had come to visit.

And this neighbor was none other than the extremely unlikable one who had visited once before when Su Ruo first came to the army.

Su Ruo still remembered her name—Lian Yunfen.

“Oh my, Sister Su Ruo! Long time no see—I’ve missed you so much!”
The moment Su Ruo opened the door, Lian Yunfen’s voice poured in, overly dramatic and full of emotion.

She even tried to move in for a hug, but Su Ruo sidestepped neatly and avoided it.

“It’s Sister Fen. Long time no see,”
Su Ruo said with a polite smile.

Lian Yunfen felt a bit awkward. She’d wanted to show friendliness and enthusiasm, but hadn’t expected Su Ruo to give her no face at all. Her mood soured slightly.

“Yes, it’s been so long. Sister Su Ruo, you’re still as beautiful as ever—so enviable. As expected of a rich person, you’re really well maintained.”

After hearing that, Su Ruo felt her teeth itch. She had the sudden urge to sweep this woman right out the door.

What did she mean by that? Was she implying her looks were bought with money? Was this praise or an insult?

“Heh, you too. You look just the same as always—no change at all,”
Su Ruo replied with a dry laugh.

Just as tactless as ever. Just as unlikable as ever.

But Lian Yunfen seemed to miss the subtext entirely and laughed.
“Really? Sister Su Ruo, you’re so sweet with words.”

Su Ruo’s eye twitched.
Sister-in-law, I was mocking you. Did you really not catch that? I’m not sweet—I’m quite sharp-tongued…

“You flatter me,”
Su Ruo said with a faint smile, then invited Lian Yunfen inside.

Once inside, Lian Yunfen’s eyes lit up, her expression full of surprise. The last time she’d been here, the house hadn’t looked like this. Now it was completely transformed—fresh and beautiful.

“Sister Su Ruo, your place looks amazing,”
Lian Yunfen exclaimed, admiring the room as she wandered into the living room, her gaze landing on the new flowers Su Ruo had bought.

They were simply too vibrant, too eye-catching.

Su Ruo had brought them back a few days earlier. She’d called Zhang Huaqing in advance, asking her to help pick out a carpet and some flowers. Once Zhang Huaqing bought them, Su Ruo went with Xi Zi to bring everything back.

If she’d gone herself while carrying Xi Zi, who knew how long it would’ve taken? She’d be exhausted to death.

So Su Ruo figured—since the Empress Dowager had good taste, she might as well let her choose. It just meant troubling her to make a special trip.

Zhang Huaqing didn’t mind at all. The day after her daughter called, she went to the flower market and picked out many beautiful, easy-to-care-for plants, then went to the mall and bought an expensive carpet.

Once everything was ready, she called Su Ruo to come and pick it up.

Of course Su Ruo didn’t go alone. It was several hours’ drive—Xi Yuechen wouldn’t have felt at ease otherwise. With a wave of his hand, he decided to accompany her. The unit wasn’t especially busy recently anyway.

He was becoming more and more attentive toward his little wife.

How could flowers carefully chosen by Zhang Huaqing be anything less than excellent? Lian Yunfen fell in love with them at first glance. Even someone like her, who didn’t usually care for plants, couldn’t help but feel envious. They must’ve been expensive. If only she could take two pots home…

“These must be worth a lot of money, right?” Lian Yunfen asked curiously.