Marrying My Bestie's Ferocious Brother - He Calls Me His Baby!-Chapter 27: A Reward for You! The Iron-Blooded Tough Guy Can’t Take It Anymore!

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: A Reward for You! The Iron-Blooded Tough Guy Can’t Take It Anymore!

The morning sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting mottled spots of light inside the room.

When Gu Yanshen woke up, there was already movement in the house. He put on his clothes and walked out of the bedroom, only to stop briefly at the sight in front of him.

Inside the small room, the gifts like country eggs and cloth shoes that were piled like a small mountain yesterday had been neatly sorted by Lin Wan Yi. On the table, she spread out the stack of cash and tickets he gave her last night, writing and drawing with a charcoal stick on a piece of paper, murmuring to herself.

"...Fifty pounds of coarse grain is fundamental, brown sugar is best if available, have to use it sparingly this month. Need five feet of cotton cloth, have to... hmm, prepare in advance."

Her expression was focused, her brows and eyes exuding a lively energy of meticulous planning. The sunlight fell on her porcelain-like side face, making the fine hairs clearly visible. This originally empty and cold house, because of her presence, was now filled with the warmth of domestic life overnight.

Gu Yanshen did not make a sound to disturb her, his gaze moved past her and into the courtyard. In one corner of the yard, an improvised chicken coop made with broken planks and wicker had appeared, and the old hen gifted by Sister He strutted proudly inside, occasionally clucking, adding a bit more life to the place.

Lin Wan Yi noticed the gaze from behind her and turned around, meeting his deep eyes. She raised the paper in her hand and smiled at him, "Awake? Go freshen up, the cornbread will be ready soon. Just in time, here’s the list I wrote, you can see if you can buy these when you go to the regiment today."

Gu Yanshen walked over and took the paper.

The paper was adorned with neat handwriting, clearly outlining:

Coarse grain: Fifty pounds.

Brown sugar: One pound (if available).

Cotton cloth: Five feet.

Soap: Two bars.

...

Everything was organized and easy to understand.

"This cotton cloth..." Gu Yanshen looked at this line, slightly puzzled.

"Oh, this," Lin Wan Yi walked over with two steaming cornbreads from the simple kitchen, handing them to him, her voice carrying a bit of playful inevitability, "Of course it’s for making small clothes for our future child. You wouldn’t want to be scrambling last minute, would you?"

"Our... child?"

The words spilled lightly from her lips, but struck Gu Yanshen’s ears heavily. His hand paused noticeably when reaching to accept the cornbread.

As his broad, rough hand took the bread, his fingers inevitably brushed against her warm, soft fingertips.

The sensation was mild, yet like a slight electric current rushing up his arm, leaving half of his body feeling numb.

He hastily took the cornbread, withdrew his hand, his Adam’s apple moving as he lowered his voice more than usual, "...Got it."

"Be careful on the road." Lin Wan Yi seemed completely unaware of his odd behavior, only giving a casual reminder before turning back to continue tidying up.

Standing for a moment with the still-warm cornbread in hand, Gu Yanshen finally turned on his heel and began to stride away.

Reaching the courtyard entrance, he took out the list, intending to fold it into his jacket pocket.

Just as his fingers were about to close the paper, he paused.

His gaze landed on the bottom of the list.

Below all the shopping items, in the blank space, there was a small, slightly crooked smiley face drawn with a burnt charcoal stick, its mouth grinning broadly, eyes curved like a little sun hanging in the sky.

Beside the smiley face was a line of smaller, yet equally graceful handwriting.

"Dear Commander, for the sake of our family’s bright future, your hard work is appreciated! I’ll make you something delicious as a reward tonight!"

The word "reward" was deliberately emphasized, the tail end playfully curving upwards like a light feather tickling his heartstrings.

Gu Yanshen felt a surge of heat rush from his neck to the top of his head.

A visible blush crept rapidly from his resolute jawline, crawling across his cheeks, eventually turning his entire ear red hot.

Instinctively, his fingers clenched around the list, crumpling the paper. In the next instant, as if scalded, he hurriedly folded the "evidence" a few times and stuffed it into his chest pocket with such a flurry it seemed a bit clumsy.

Not lingering any longer, he abruptly turned, striding out with a near haste that seemed almost syncopated, as though fleeing some terrible beast.

At the doorway, Lin Wan Yi leaned against the door frame, watching his nearly fleeing back. Unable to resist, she covered her mouth with her hand, her shoulders shaking slightly in restrained amusement.

Just then, a voice, dripping in sarcastic tones, came from beside her.

"Oh, Xiao Lin Meizi, look how happy you are. Did your Mr. Gu bring you something nice again?"

Lin Wan Yi turned to see Sister-in-law Qian, who lived diagonally opposite, holding a cracked enamel basin, gazing at her with a forced smile. This particular sister-in-law was known around the courtyard for her gossiping, unable to bear seeing others better off than herself.

The smile on Lin Wan Yi’s face faded, replaced by a courteous yet distant warmth.

Sister-in-law Qian’s eyes scanned the courtyard, brimming with jealousy upon seeing the brand-new chicken coop and the hen inside: "Oh my, life is really getting better, isn’t it? With chickens and eggs, unlike us who worry about meals every day. It truly is an advantage to marry well, having a husband as a commander makes all the difference."

The words, though seemingly envious, implied Lin Wan Yi was relying solely on her husband, lacking her own capability.

Lin Wan Yi didn’t get angry, and instead walked off the steps towards her, speaking softly: "You’re right, Sister-in-law Qian. Our Yanshen is shedding blood and sweat on the front line for the country, and if I can’t even manage the home properly, wouldn’t I be dragging him down? Men hold up the sky outside, so we women have to manage the family affairs clearly to ensure they have no worries, don’t you agree?"

Sister-in-law Qian was momentarily speechless, only able to awkwardly agree: "...Yes, yes."

"So, we must support one another." Lin Wan Yi shifted her focus to Sister-in-law Qian’s enamel basin, which contained several wet briquettes. "Is your coal soaked, Sister-in-law Qian? I must remind you, this improved coal fear moisture most. Once wet, the ’Hundred Herbs Dust Clearing Powder’ in my formula can’t do its job, and it will still smoke when burned, not good for children. You should bring it out to dry thoroughly in the sun."

Her words were softly spoken, but all the military wives, eavesdropping nearby, heard every word.

Sister-in-law Qian’s face instantly flushed a liver-red shade.

Lin Wan Yi’s maneuver was extraordinarily deft. Not only did she not deny relying on her husband, but she elevated it to the responsibility of a "military relative," leaving no room for criticism. Then, positioning herself as a "technical guide," she publicly pointed out Sister-in-law Qian’s oversight, subtly reminding everyone who they could thank for their safe coal usage now.

"I... I was just bringing it out to dry!" Sister-in-law Qian, at a loss for words, hurriedly carried her basin away.

Watching her retreating figure, the curve at Lin Wan Yi’s lips tilted upward again, but this time, it held a bit of coolness.

She turned to go back inside, humming a lively little tune unfamiliar to others, her mood seemingly improved compared to before.

Meanwhile, nearly reaching the regiment department, Gu Yanshen finally halted his steps.

He leaned against a large tree, glancing around to ensure nobody was watching him before taking out the crumpled list from his pocket once again.

His gaze fell again on that little sun and the phrase "a reward for you".

The cold morning breeze brushed his face, unable to dissipate the burning heat at the tips of his ears.

He raised his hand, softly brushing the smiley face drawn with the charcoal stick with his rough finger pad.

In his heart, unexpectedly arose a hint of... anticipation.