Even in the depths of autumn in the northern frontier, the air was bitterly cold, though the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) inside was scorching hot. Shen Zhao, dressed in a thick brocade coat, was playing with a brightly colored cloth doll, teasing his two children who lay side-by-side on the kang. Xuan-ge'er (Lu Mingxuan) reached out his little hands to grab it, babbling softly; Xi'er (Lu Mingxi), with her big, bright eyes, watched her brother's antics quietly.

Lu Qi brought in a bowl of freshly cooked ginseng chicken soup. Seeing this heartwarming scene, his cold and hard features softened instantly. He sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it, and naturally brought it to Shen Zhao's lips: "Here, drink this. Sister-in-law An'an specifically asked me to make it, saying it's to replenish vital energy."

Shen Zhao took a sip from his hand, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction. "Mmm, sister-in-law's soup is so fragrant." Remembering something, she looked at Lu Qi with sparkling eyes. "By the way, yesterday you taught Xuan-ge'er to say 'Dad,' and he seemed to actually make a 'cute' sound! Why don't you try again?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qi immediately put down his bowl, moved closer to Xuan-ge'er, his face full of expectation, and tried his best to speak clearly and distinctly: "Xuan-ge'er, call me Father—Father—"

Xuan-ge'er stared at Lu Qi's face, which was so close to his own, with his big, dark eyes. He opened his mouth slightly, and suddenly—"Pfft!"—a saliva bubble landed precisely on Lu Qi's high, straight nose.

"Pfft... Hahaha!" Shen Zhao laughed so hard he almost fell over. "Lu Qi! Your son is washing your face!"

Lu Qi wiped his face, looked at his giggling son and his smiling wife, and instead of being annoyed, he grinned foolishly and gently pinched Xuan Ge'er's chubby cheeks: "You little rascal! You're even naughtier than your mother!" He turned to look at the quiet Xi'er, his eyes so tender they could melt water, "My daughter is the best, so gentle, just like your mother."

Meanwhile, a heartwarming scene is unfolding in another room.

Lu Xiao strode into the courtyard, bringing with him the chill of the outside air. As soon as he stepped into the warm pavilion, he saw An An sitting under the lamp, holding a needle and thread, intently mending the wrist guard that he had accidentally torn during his training the day before.

The light illuminated her serene profile, gentle and focused. Yue Ge'er and Zhou Ge'er were playing with wooden ponies on the carpet, while Han Jie'er lay beside her legs, fast asleep, clutching a rag doll.

Lu Xiao's heart was instantly filled with this scene, the warmth dispelling the chill. He walked over quietly, took off his cloak which was still damp with cold, sat down next to An An, and naturally rested his head on her shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and coquettishness: "My wife... your husband is back."

"Mmm," An'an responded, her hands still sewing, but a gentle smile curved her lips. "Are you tired? There's some mutton soup warming on the stove, want to have a bowl to warm you up?"

"I'm not hungry." Lu Xiao nuzzled her neck, his gaze falling on her nimble fingers as she threaded the needle. He said in a low voice, "Today at the camp, Lieutenant General Zhao got a new fine dagger. He said it was a birthday gift from Jiangnan, sent by someone using his own savings." His tone was tinged with jealousy.

An An paused in her movements, turned her head to look at him, and smiled knowingly: "Oh? That dagger is very good?"

"It's... alright, I guess." Lu Xiao pursed his lips, then leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against An An's earlobe. "But no matter how good it is, it can't compare to the wristband that Madam sewed for me by hand... and the clothes she mended." He pointedly tugged at the casual clothes he was wearing, which had a few green bamboo embroidered on the front.

An'an was amused by him. She put down her needlework, turned around, and cupped his stubble-covered face in her hands, her eyes gentle. "General Lu, your birthday is still a long way off. Besides," she whispered in his ear, her voice carrying a hint of mischievous allure, "I'm your 'secret stash,' isn't that enough?"

These straightforward words of love were like a spark, instantly igniting Lu Xiao's passion. He let out a low growl, scooped her up in his arms, attracting the curious gazes of the two boys playing nearby. Lu Xiao carried An'an and strode towards the inner room, gently nudging the two boys who tried to crawl over to join the fun as he passed the carpet.

"Father! Mother!" Yue Ge'er called out in dissatisfaction.

"Good boy, play by yourself!" Lu Xiao didn't turn his head, his voice filled with laughter and urgency, "Daddy has important 'military business' to 'discuss' with Mother!"

The inner door closed, leaving only three bewildered children and the warm light filling the room.