Chapter 86 Confessing My Feelings
Lu Mingyue took a deep breath and mentally encouraged herself.
They were an openly married couple; they just got a little intimate while drunk, and there was nothing to be coy about.
She straightened her clothes and just as she pushed open the bedroom door, she bumped into Huo Zheng, who was carrying a basin.
He was wearing a slightly faded vest, revealing his muscular arms, and a gentle smile on his face. When his eyes fell on her, there was a hint of warmth that was hard to detect.
The blush that Lu Mingyue had just suppressed instantly returned to her cheeks, and she even paused in her steps.
"Awake?" Huo Zheng placed the basin on the stone table beside him, his voice clear and bright in the early morning. "I've bought breakfast. Go wash your face."
His gaze was calm, but the faint smile seemed to Lu Mingyue as if he was deliberately teasing her.
She clenched the hem of her clothes and whispered, "Okay."
He turned and ran towards the water basin in the corner of the yard, but couldn't help muttering to himself.
This guy is definitely doing it on purpose. He's smiling so beautifully; he's clearly trying to seduce her!
On the dining table, golden-fried dough sticks were placed in the middle, but the usual lively atmosphere was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Mingyue shoveled at the soy milk in her bowl, her eyes occasionally glancing at Huo Zheng across from her before quickly looking away.
Huo Zheng peeled eggs for Yao Yao while secretly glancing at her out of the corner of his eye; the two didn't exchange a single word the entire time.
This unusual behavior was observed by the two children at the table.
Leilei, biting into a fried dough stick, glanced at his mother, who seemed hesitant to speak, and then at his father, whose lips curled into a smile.
Even Yao Yao in his arms seemed to understand, her little hands clutching the eggs, looking at one and then the other, her little head tilted, full of doubt.
"Mom, why aren't you talking to Dad today?" Lei Lei finally couldn't help but ask after holding it in for a long time.
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingyue paused in her chopsticks, her cheeks flushed slightly, while Huo Zheng couldn't help but chuckle.
Lu Mingyue was already flustered by the child's questions, and when she heard Huo Zheng's low chuckle, her cheeks instantly turned bright red.
She slammed her chopsticks down on the table, looked up at him, and said with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, "What are you laughing at! What's so funny?"
The moment those words were spoken, the dinner table fell silent.
Leilei stopped what he was doing and stared blankly at his mother, who had suddenly become angry.
Yao Yao was also startled, and almost dropped the egg in her hand onto the table.
Huo Zheng's smile froze. Seeing her reddened eyes and her feigned toughness, his heart softened, and he quickly stopped smiling.
He softened his tone: "I wasn't laughing at anything, I just thought you looked... kind of cute."
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingyue's face turned even redder, but she didn't refute it. Instead, she picked up the bowl and took a big gulp of soy milk, her ears burning slightly.
After the meal, Lu Mingyue carried the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen. Just as she was about to turn around to get a dishcloth, her arm accidentally bumped into Huo Zheng behind her, and she almost dropped the bowl in her hand.
He swiftly caught the rim of the bowl, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her wrist.
The two of them paused simultaneously.
After clearing away the dishes, Huo Zheng watched Lu Mingyue's back as she wiped the stove with her head down. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally spoke: "Mingyue, there's something I want to tell you."
Lu Mingyue paused, turned around to look at him, and her heart inexplicably quickened.
"I feel very at ease spending time with you and the children these days." Huo Zheng's eyes were serious, and he was no longer as reserved as before.
“From the initial awkwardness to seeing you busy with the family and worrying about the children, I have long since put you in my heart. I didn’t find your closeness when you were drunk abrupt; on the contrary, I look forward to living a good life with you.”
He took a step forward, his voice serious: "I know we're husband and wife in name only, but I want to be your real partner, like any other couple, taking care of each other and cherishing you and the children. Are you willing?"
Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, Lu Mingyue's cheeks flushed, but her heart felt as sweet as if it had been filled with honey.
During the time she spent with Huo Zheng, she gained a more genuine understanding of this man's character and personality.
Putting everything else aside, just the fact that he's observant and proactive is enough to put half the people to shame.
Since she married Huo Zheng, it means she thinks highly of him. He's already made the offer, so there's no need to be coy anymore.
She pursed her lips, nodded gently, and said in a voice barely audible, "I do."
Huo Zheng smiled instantly, reached out and gently took her hand, the warmth of his palm passing through her fingertips.
The two looked at each other and smiled, and the awkwardness and unfamiliarity from before completely disappeared at that moment.
The two had just clasped hands when they heard footsteps behind them.
Looking back, Leilei was running over with Yaoyao in his arms.
"Mom and Dad, what are you doing?" Yao Yao, with her sharp eyes, spotted their clasped hands and curiously came closer.
As soon as she said that, Lu Mingyue recoiled as if she had been burned, instantly pulling her hand back and taking half a step back, her cheeks flushed red enough to bleed.
Huo Zheng coughed awkwardly, then turned his back and his ears blushed slightly.
The two moved so fast it was as if a ejection switch had been flipped; the tenderness from before vanished instantly, leaving only barely concealed panic.
Leilei scratched his head, looked at his father with his hands behind his back, and then at his mother who was avoiding his gaze. "Mom and Dad are acting so strangely."
Yao Yao shook her little head and reached out her little hands for Lu Mingyue to hold her, breaking the subtle awkwardness.
Huo Zheng went to work at the military base with a heart full of warmth, a smile never fading from his lips, and even his steps became lighter.
Seeing his expression, Ji Dashan came over and nudged his arm, teasing, "Old Huo, your mouth is practically stretched to your ears today. Did you find some money on the street?"
Huo Zheng glanced at him, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes, but shook his head with feigned profundity, his tone tinged with smugness: "You wouldn't understand."
Ji Dashan was even more puzzled and pressed him for details, asking, "What good news is it? Tell me, brother!"
Huo Zheng said no more, but simply patted him on the shoulder and continued walking toward the military camp.
But in his heart, he was still savoring the warmth of Lu Mingyue's hand when he held it earlier, and the secret joy he felt was something that couldn't be explained in just a few words.
That afternoon, Ji Dashan found out why he was happy.
As I was leaving get off work, a lively commotion came from the entrance of the camp.
Ji Dashan peeked out and saw Lu Mingyue holding Leilei and Yaoyao's hands, standing at the door waiting, obviously there to pick up Huo Zheng from get off work.
Not long after Huo Zheng stepped out of the camp, he spotted the mother and her two children and immediately quickened his pace.
Lu Mingyue greeted him with a smile and naturally took the military cap from his hand. Yao Yao stretched out her little arms and called for her father to hug her, while Lei Lei also gathered around and chattered away.
He picked up Yao Yao in one arm and held Lu Mingyue's hand in the other. The family stood at the entrance of the camp, a heartwarming scene that made onlookers stop and stare.
Ji Dashan slapped his thigh. No wonder he was so happy; it turned out that his relationship with his wife had improved.
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