I emptied my family's possessions to join the army, and my abstinent superior doted on me.

Chapter 46 Be My Dance Partner

Yes, Fang Wenxue!
Qiao Muting was puzzled.

It turned out she had seen the "missing person notice".

But why did Fang Wenxue answer the phone? It should have been her office landline.

Qiao Muting was confused about the reason.

During those days, only God knows how anxious he was staring at the phone every day; he practically wore the phone out of his body.

No wonder there's been no news.

So that's what it was.
Fang Wenxue!
"What did she tell you?"

"She said that after you get married, you'll send the children away to boarding school. Is that true?"

Nonsense!

What Qiao Muting hated most was when others fabricated stories about his relationship with the other party, let alone arranged for him to have a child out of thin air.

“She’s not my fiancée. She’s just my best friend’s sister. We grew up in the same compound when we were kids. I’ve always treated her like a sister. I don’t know what gives her the right to say that to you, but none of what she’s saying is true.”

So that’s it!
Qian Lai nodded: "The children have lost their mother. They are so young. Losing one's mother at such a young age is one of the three great misfortunes in life. I just want to plead with you on their behalf to find them a mother who truly cares for them."

Don't let them lose the love and care of their family again because of their father's marriage.

Qiao Muting narrowed his peach blossom eyes slightly, revealing a sly smile. He suppressed the corners of his mouth and asked, "I didn't expect you to care about them so much."

Qian Lai then realized that he had been speaking too frankly with someone he didn't know well.

This is her only weakness: when it comes to children, she can't suppress her "motherly" instincts.

The girl lowered her eyes, stirring her coffee incessantly. After a moment, she said, "This is your family matter, and I shouldn't interfere. I understand; sometimes, when love comes, no one can stop it. I'm just an outsider and have no right to comment."

But for a family, the woman of the house is the most crucial figure. Sometimes, all the joys and sorrows of this small family are tied to the 'mother'.

Qiao Muting wholeheartedly agreed with this statement.

If the mother could [do something] from a young age.
never mind!

As long as he safeguards this aspect of his children's upbringing, the fractured family relationships he experienced as a child will not be repeated in his two children.

"I know we haven't known each other for very long, and I shouldn't be telling you this. But, for the children's sake, I..."

Qian Lai couldn't help but think of her younger brother.

In her original world, she had a younger brother whom she loved the most.

When my aunt passed away, my cousin was not yet six years old. This child was closest to her since he was little, always following her around calling her "sister." His eyes were clear as stars, and his sweet smile revealed two incredibly cute dimples.

But after his aunt passed away, his uncle took him abroad. When they met again, the little dumpling had become a rebellious teenager with a cigarette in his mouth, tattoos all over his body, and a reckless fighting spirit.

Those eyes were filled with an unyielding malice.

Later I learned that he had a very miserable life abroad. He was tormented by his stepmother, bullied by his classmates, and his own father turned a deaf ear to it all. This forced him to become a cynical and rebellious person.

Finally, he killed his stepmother and stepsister in one go, and then jumped off the building himself.

On the night before he died, he left a suicide note for Qian Lai, pouring out all the resentment and grievances he had accumulated over the years.

Qian Lai will always remember what he wrote at the end of the letter: "Sister, they say that with a stepmother comes a stepfather, and they're absolutely right. So, from the day my mother died, I was an unwanted child."

From then on, Qian Lai couldn't bear to see any child suffer, especially sensible little ones like Wen Nuan and Wen Quan. She was always afraid that her cousin's misfortune would be repeated—the feeling of being abandoned by family was too painful.

Qiao Muting placed his hands on his knees, rubbing his trouser legs incessantly. His gaze faltered slightly; at this moment, he was overwhelmed with thoughts and unsure how to explain things to Qian Lai.

After a moment, he picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "Xiaoran, thank you so much for telling me all this so honestly. I really need a friend like you, someone who genuinely cares about the children."

Furthermore, you shouldn't believe a single word Fang Wenxue says.

He spoke those last words with a firm and resonant tone, each syllable distinct and deliberate.

“From the day Warmth and Hot Springs became my children, I never thought of sending them away.”

"Regardless of whether any woman is willing to marry me in the future, I will never give up on them for my own feelings." Qian Lai does not deny the existence of good fathers in this world, such as Uncle Gu.

For the sake of his only daughter, Gu Shanshan, Gu Weijia never remarried after his wife passed away in his middle age.

He has turned down countless advances from potential partners and declined numerous matchmaking attempts from well-meaning people; he himself has lost count.

He always adhered to one principle: as long as Gu Shanshan was not wronged, he would rather never remarry.

So she nodded and replied, "I trust you. But it must be very difficult for you to raise two such young children alone!"

Her mention of it reminded Qiao Muting of it. If she hadn't spoken up for Xiao Wenquan in front of Grandma Ma last time, he probably would still be kept in the dark by Grandma Ma.

"Raising children is not easy. But I will try my best to be their support and never let them suffer any injustice."

Regarding Grandma Ma's situation last time, Wenquan told me that it was his "favorite aunt" who helped him. I'm guessing it was you? I should thank you.

The two exchanged a smile; the man possessed an air of refined elegance and scholarly refinement.

This contrasts sharply with the agile and spirited manner he displayed when bravely fighting off the thugs in the courtyard that morning.

He has so many facets to his personality.

Why did I suddenly feel a burning sensation around my ears?

Qian Lai unconsciously rubbed her earlobe with her hand, avoiding his eyes which were as deep as an autumn pool: "Now, have you found someone to take you to the hot springs?"

Qiao Muting looked away and nodded: "Yes. She's my colleague's sister-in-law, and she also has a child about the same age as Wenquan. The two children are now good friends."

"I can rest assured that."

Qian Lai happily put the mille-feuille into her mouth, but after one bite, crumbs remained on her lips. Completely oblivious, she smiled at him with a charmingly naive expression.

Qiao Muting couldn't help but chuckle, handing her a tissue and pointing to the corner of his lips, indicating that she should wipe them.

Qian Lai then remembered the handkerchief Qiao Muting had just given her: "I'll wash this handkerchief and your water bottle when I get back and return them to you."

He initially wanted to say no, but then he thought that this way he could see her again, so he said, "You can come to the General Hospital of the Military Region to find me. Oh, by the way, the day you saw Wenquan, didn't you go to our hospital? Were you feeling unwell, or what?"

Just as Qiao Muting asked the question, the coffee shop door was suddenly pulled open from the outside. Several men in black suits filed in, followed by four or five foreigners. Accompanied by two Chinese men, they entered, discussing something animatedly as they walked in.

Everyone's attention was drawn to this group of people.

Qian Lai looked up and recognized one of the Chinese people.

The man seemed to have seen them too. After exchanging a few words with someone, he walked towards their location.

Qian Lai quickly stood up to greet him, a smile appearing on his face.

The two had barely exchanged a few words when two young foreigners joined them, and the four of them began communicating in English.

Qiao Muting only had eyes for Qian Lai.

Her back was as straight as a pine tree, her figure slender yet well-proportioned. Standing among the group, she possessed an appropriate demeanor, neither arrogant nor servile, her voice melodious and pleasant. She exuded the unique charm of an Eastern woman, completely embodying the grace required for international social interactions.

After exchanging a few words, a foreigner pulled out several cards and handed them to Qian Lai. The group then said a few more words and all looked at him.

Meeting Qian Lai's gaze, Qiao Muting sensed that she might be struggling with some kind of dilemma, a dilemma that seemed to be related to him.

So he got up, straightened his clothes, and went over.

“Teacher Jiang, this is my friend, Dr. Qiao Muting from the General Hospital of the Military Region.” Qian Lai introduced Jiang Junchi and Qiao Muting. “Comrade Muting, this is Deputy Editor-in-Chief Jiang of the Xincheng Daily. We all call him Teacher Jiang.”

She then waved the invitation in her hand and explained to him, "These are staff members from the Consulate of Country E in New City. They're hosting a ball to celebrate the consulate's opening. They'd like to invite us. What do you think, are you interested?"

She smiled helplessly, but to her surprise, he took the invitation and said, "If you could be my dance partner, I would be more than happy to accept."

　Here it comes! Old Joe is about to give it his all.

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　　(End of this chapter)