"Young Marshal...he treats me very well." Zhou Lin said.

Those dirty thoughts of mine are simply blasphemy.

When Zheng Wanqing raised her eyes, she caught the fleeting complex emotions in Zhou Lin's eyes, and that look burned her heart.

Uncle Zhou's expression suddenly changed, and he tapped his son's forehead heavily with his calloused fingers, "You are almost thirty years old, and you don't even have a warm bed! A few years ago, you said you would follow the young marshal to fight bandits, but now the situation has stabilized, and you are staying in the military camp all day! I am so old, I am afraid I won't be able to see the day when I can hold my grandson!"

Zhou Lin's face turned red all the way to his ears, and his neck, which was exposed by the collar of his military uniform, was flushed with blood.

He glanced at Zheng Wanqing in panic, his bony fingers twisting the belt unconsciously, causing the leather belt to wrinkle: "Dad! Why are you saying these things in front of the young lady!"

There was a rare embarrassment in his voice, and even his upright military posture seemed a little stiff.

"Why can't I tell you?" Uncle Zhou became more and more excited as he spoke, his gray beard trembling. "Look at the young marshal, he's two years younger than you, and he's already established a family! What about you? All you do is run around with the young marshal all day, and you don't even have a girl to marry! At your age, which girl would be willing to be with you?"

Zheng Wanqing discovered that when Zhou Lin was nervous, the corners of his eyes would twitch slightly, and his usually cold and resolute face now showed a bit of youthfulness.

She pursed her lips and chuckled: "Adjutant Zhou looks young, but I didn't expect he is two years older than the young marshal." Her voice was soft, but with a hint of inquiry.

She was a little puzzled. How could Adjutant Zhou, who was of such good character and was respected by the young commander, remain unmarried? Unless...

Zhou Lin was so anxious that he grabbed his father's sleeve, and his voice was unusually flustered: "Dad! Didn't you say that the kitchen had prepared some food? It's a pity to delay the young lady's meal."

The corner of his eye unconsciously swept over Zheng Wanqing, then quickly retracted it.

Uncle Zhou was suddenly brought back to his senses by this pull, and slapped himself hard on the forehead with his rough palm. A crisp "pa" sound echoed in the hall.

"Look at me, an old fool!" He smiled and bowed to Zheng Wanqing, his gray temples dripping with sweat, gleaming in the sun, "I came here to invite the young lady to dinner, but this rascal made me forget my business."

He rubbed his hands nervously, the calluses on his knuckles making a rustling sound. "Really... every time I catch this kid, he's like a loach..." He glared at Zhou Lin fiercely, "I'm only able to say a few words to you because of the blessing of the young lady."

Zheng Wanqing looked at the father and son.

A man with a red face and ears was standing in a military posture, even the tips of his ears were bright red.

One of them was rubbing his hands in frustration, with a red mark on his forehead from the slap he had just made.

She couldn't help but smile, and there was a hint of genuine smile in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

She responded gently: "Uncle Zhou, you are too kind." Turning her eyes to Zhou Lin, she saw that his whole body was tense and his face was still a little embarrassed, so she tried to help him out: "Adjutant Zhou is of such a good character. I heard that the daughter of a foreigner..."

"Young Madam, you are wise!" Zhou Lin suddenly raised his head, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and then he quickly lowered his eyelids, "Your subordinate... Your subordinate really doesn't deserve it."

His Adam's apple rolled up and down, and his voice was a little suppressed and hoarse.

"How could it be..." Zheng Wanqing hadn't finished her words when she suddenly realized that he might be a woman she already had feelings for.

She covered her lips with a silk handkerchief and coughed twice, then changed the subject in an instant: "I think it's not our destiny yet. Uncle Zhou, you don't have to worry too much."

"Young Madam is considerate." The smile on Zhou Lin's lips seemed like a carefully measured arc, neither overstepping the boundaries nor being impolite, yet making people feel alienated for no reason.

Uncle Zhou snorted, "This kid has been stubborn since he was young. Once he makes up his mind, nothing can change his mind." He turned to Zheng Wanqing, his wrinkles showing helplessness, "Don't be offended, Madam. I have to nag him every time I see him, otherwise he won't take it seriously."

Zheng Wanqing smiled faintly, her eyes moving, "Uncle Zhou, the newspapers are promoting modern marriages. A man like Adjutant Zhou will surely be recognized by Miss Zhou."

Before he could finish his words, he met Zhou Lin's gaze, which was suddenly fixed on him.

In an instant, she seemed to see something shatter in his eyes. His gaze at that moment was too naked, like a long-suppressed volcano suddenly erupting. She saw his deep tenderness and the feelings he dared not express, which made her heart tremble.

Zheng Wanqing's heart skipped a beat when he looked at her. She seemed to sense something but was not sure.

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam." Zhou Linyi quickly recovered and said respectfully, "I still have work to do, so I won't bother you any more."

Uncle Zhou wanted to say something but was stopped by his son's look and had to stop talking in dismay.

Zheng Wanqing stood up to see him off: "Adjutant Zhou, you have worked hard. By the way, could you please prepare a car for me tomorrow? I want to stay at my parents' home for a few days."

Zhou Lin paused for a moment: "Young Madam is going back to Zheng's house?"

"Yes, the young commander is not at home, and I am bored alone." Zheng Wanqing smiled, "I will go back to accompany my father."

"I will make all the arrangements tomorrow morning." Zhou Lin replied solemnly.

Uncle Zhou interrupted, "Don't worry, Madam. This kid has always been prudent in his work. He just doesn't care about his own lifelong affairs!"

"Dad!" Zhou Lin shouted helplessly. He bowed to Zheng Wanqing and left in a hurry.

After Zhou left, Zheng Wanqing asked thoughtfully, "Uncle Zhou, Adjutant Zhou...does he really not have a sweetheart?"

Uncle Zhou sighed, a complex expression flashing through his cloudy eyes: "Who knows? This kid has never liked to speak his mind since he was young. But..."

He hesitated for a moment and lowered his voice, "Since the young marshal got married, he has become even less interested. The year before last, I talked about a marriage, but I turned it down without even meeting her."

Zheng Wanqing's heart trembled, and she unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

"Young Madam? You don't look well. Did you catch a cold?" Uncle Zhou asked with concern, worry written all over his wrinkled face.

"It's okay," Zheng Wanqing forced a smile, "Maybe I'm a little tired. Uncle Zhou, can we serve the food?"

"Of course, of course. I'll wait for your instructions, ma'am."

"Serve the food."