Zhou Yue did not send the child back.
Qin Xiaoyu dialed the number. The background noise on the other end was a bit chaotic. She only heard Zhou Yue shout, "Come and answer it," before hanging up.
The guard post at the entrance of the military region had already given them a heads-up, and Qin Xiaoyu strode straight in.
Zhou Yue opened the door and pulled Qin Xiaoyu inside.
"I'll take them back." Before Qin Xiaoyu could finish speaking, Zhou Yue dragged her into the dining room.
"I've laid out the food for you. I knew you'd been so busy all day that you hadn't even had time to eat."
Zhou Yue was right. Although the meal was hosted at a restaurant, Qin Xiaoyu was in charge of all the arrangements, and the students ended up having to pack up the leftovers to take home. She didn't even get a half-full meal.
"I'm not hungry. Where are the two little ones? Have they been naughty?"
"Eat up, I've already set everything out, don't waste my hard work!" Zhou Yue said without ceremony, pressing Qin Xiaoyu back into her chair.
A bowl of porridge and two stir-fried dishes were placed in front of Qin Xiaoyu. She had no choice but to pick it up and drink a few mouthfuls.
"Little Fish's here. Look who's here." Zhou Xing's mother came over from the living room carrying her little sister.
Qin Xiaoyu was flattered. She was just Master Qin, when did she become Xiaoyu? This was too affectionate. She noticed that her younger sister's clothes were brand new: a white corduroy doll top with small pink flowers, paired with sky blue corduroy pants, all brand new.
"Take this back with you later. Underwear can only be worn after it's been washed." Zhou Yue brought over a large bag.
"What are you doing? I'm already sorry for bothering them all day, and now you want to buy them clothes..." Qin Xiaoyu said, her face flushed and bewildered. She didn't like receiving favors from others.
"Xiaoyue is their godmother, isn't that what should be done?" Zhou Xing's mother's words stunned Qin Xiaoyu. She hadn't taken the "godmother" part seriously; it was just a joke. How could the Zhou family have taken it so seriously?
"Mom! Look at the gun Grandpa gave me!" Hanhan ran downstairs, holding a delicate little Browning pistol in her arms.
"Oh dear, you can't play with this! Put it down! Give it back to Grandpa!" Qin Xiaoyu hurriedly went up to stop him.
"Oh." Hanhan couldn't hide her disappointment, but she obediently handed the gun to Commander Zhou behind her and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Grandpa, I don't want it anymore."
"Uncle, he's too young to play with guns," Qin Xiaoyu quickly explained when she saw Commander Zhou's displeasure.
"What's there to be afraid of if we don't have bullets? Hanhan likes it!"
“Children shouldn’t play with guns. I remember when Zhou Xing was little, he took your gun out and you beat him up badly,” Zhou Xing’s mother said, trying to smooth things over.
"Hmph! Then Grandpa will put the gun away, and you can play with it next time you come, okay?" Commander Zhou leaned down and said to Hanhan.
"Okay! Thank you, Grandpa!" Hanhan stood on tiptoe, hugged Commander Zhou's neck, and kissed him on the cheek. "Hehe, this child, really."
Commander Zhou went upstairs with a smug look on his face, leaving Qin Xiaoyu completely bewildered. What was going on? Where was that aloof old man?
"Come here, Xiaoyu, I want to say a few words to you." Zhou Xing's mother handed her younger sister to Zhou Yue, asking her to help her put on her coat, and pulled Qin Xiaoyu to sit on the sofa.
"Auntie, please speak."
"I heard these two children don't go to kindergarten, right?"
"Yes, I originally wanted to give them to her, but my younger sister's situation is special. She was raised by Hanhan since she was little, and I was afraid that separating the two children at once would be too much of a shock for her." Qin Xiaoyu said, lowering her head.
“You’re right. But with so many people coming and going at your school, it’s not safe to leave the child there, is it?” Zhou Xing’s mother was quite concerned.
“I usually ask one of my students to help look after her. Besides, Hanhan is sensible and knows how to take care of her little sister.”
"I have a favor to ask..." Zhou Xing's mother looked at Qin Xiaoyu with difficulty.
"Auntie, please tell me if you need anything. You've helped me a lot, and I haven't even had a chance to thank you." Qin Xiaoyu looked at Zhou Xing's mother sincerely.
“Lately, my husband hasn’t been in a good mood. He’s been getting angry every day. Our house feels like it’s riddled with landmines. Zhou Xing is so scared he doesn’t even dare to go home. But today, Hanhan came over, and he was smiling all afternoon. I could tell he was quite reluctant to let the child go. Why don’t you drop the child over here when you have time, and we can take care of her?” Zhou Xing’s mother said hesitantly.
"That won't do. The two children are too noisy and will disrupt your lives..."
"Little Fish, what are you interrupting? Didn't you see those two? They've found big toys and are having a great time." Zhou Yue pouted.
"Xiaoyu, I'll be blunt with you. We really like these two children and won't bother them at all. Would you agree to let Zhou Yue bring the children over to play for a day if you have time?" Zhou Xing's mother said seriously, and Qin Xiaoyu couldn't refuse.
After leaving the Zhou family home, Qin Xiaoyu was escorted by a guard. She wanted to carry the child herself, but Zhou Xing's mother firmly disagreed. As they walked out of the villa, Hanhan turned back and waved. Only then did Qin Xiaoyu notice Commander Zhou waving to Hanhan from the second-floor window.
It's such a strange fate. Qin Xiaoyu still doesn't understand how these two children are connected to the Zhou family. Some things in this world are just inexplicable, like how she was reborn as Hanhan's mother.
From that day on, whenever Commander Zhou wasn't at work, he would take Hanhan and the others to live with him. The two children changed their clothes every few days, and the younger sister dressed up more and more fashionably, especially her pair of red patent leather shoes, which were eye-catching wherever she went. What family would be willing to let their child wear such shoes? That would be wasteful.
Commander Zhou somehow managed to get Hanhan a little military uniform, and even had epaulets sewn onto him. Hanhan kept clamoring to join the army, leaving Qin Xiaoyu helpless.
It was agreed that the orderly would help bring it back in the evening, but Qin Xiaoyu didn't rush to pick it up. Every time she went, she would be invited to stay for dinner, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
That day, Zhou Yue called and kept inviting her to have a simple meal, making it hard for her to refuse, so she had no choice but to agree.
Around 3 PM, Qin Xiaoyu left school, carrying some fruit she bought. She couldn't go empty-handed, and even though she knew the Zhou family had everything they needed, she gritted her teeth and bought some. She ran into Zhou Xing at the guard post; he was carrying a bag full of various candies.
"Look, our house is practically a kindergarten now, and we even have to run errands for your son," Zhou Xing complained when he saw Qin Xiaoyu staring at the candy in his hand.
When the two arrived at the door, it was Zhou Xing's mother who opened it. Seeing the candy in Zhou Xing's hand, she said, "You bought so much again. Xiao Yue has already bought some. Xiao Yu, come in quickly, Xiao Yue is in the kitchen."
Zhou Xing mumbled a few words and hurriedly went upstairs.
There were other guests inside, all in their thirties. Although they weren't wearing uniforms, their posture was upright, clearly indicating they were soldiers. Qin Xiaoyu turned and went into the dining room, not daring to disturb them.
"Little Fish is here, see if there's anything you like to eat." Zhou Yue came out of the kitchen. She was just a supervisor; you had to wait to be told what to do.
"I love them all, I'm not a picky eater at all." Qin Xiaoyu chuckled. Footsteps came from the stairs; it was Hanhan and her little sister running down.
Qin Xiaoyu wanted to call them over, worried that they would disturb the guests, but the guests stopped Hanhan and took out a few pieces of candy to hand over.
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