A domineering country girl flirts with her son, and Commander Huo can't resist.

"A large wardrobe is a must, preferably a three-door wardrobe with a full-length mirror in the middle."

"Give us a five-drawer chest to store Huo Chen and Huo Ning's toys and snacks."

"We need two boxes, for storing winter bedding."

"Make a cupboard, and you'll avoid attracting flies."

"I also want a writing desk, a round dining table, and five chairs."

Qiao paused for a moment, then said, "That's all for now."

"You have more legs than a married man has thirty-six."

Huo Jiyun didn't think Qiao An was asking for too much. Making his wife and children comfortable was his responsibility as a husband.

Moreover, he noticed that Joan said five chairs, which meant that he and Huo Fang were included as well.

"I'm going to town tomorrow to look for timber. Do you like elm wood?"

Qiao An knew immediately that Huo Jiyun truly understood furniture.

She asked He Hua at the police station, and he said that nowadays furniture is basically made of pine, elm, and ash.

Pine is the cheapest, ash is in the middle, and elm is the most expensive and of the best quality.

Most ordinary households use pine wood.

Huo Jiyun immediately suggested using elm wood.

"Elm wood is a bit expensive, isn't it?" Joan probed.

"It's alright, I got my year-end bonus, it should be enough to buy the timber."

Qiao An gave Huo Jiyun a satisfied look.

So far, the man has performed well.

If they can get along well over the next three months, Joanne wouldn't mind trying to date him.

The sun quickly set behind the low houses in the distance, and Joanne was preparing dinner.

Huo Jiyun saw her tie on an apron and walk into the kitchen.

I don't know why, but when he's playing with the kids, his eyes will unconsciously drift toward the kitchen.

Besides the irresistible aroma emanating from the place, there was also a figure that always caught his attention.

"Dad, Mom's cooking is so delicious, are you craving it too?" Huo Ning nestled in Huo Jiyun's arms, giggling as the stubble on his chin rubbed against him.

"Dad isn't a glutton. Mom said Dad is a great hero, and great heroes don't crave food."

Huo Chen was somewhat envious of Huo Ning, but he was too embarrassed to snuggle into Huo Jiyun's arms, after all, he had just bitten him that morning.

"A great hero? Is that really what Mom told you?" Huo Jiyun hugged Huo Chen tightly, regardless of whether he wanted to or not.

"Um."

Huo Jiyun suppressed the smile on his lips and turned his gaze back to the kitchen.

Qiao An made mushroom and minced meat noodles for dinner. Huo Jiyun smelled the aroma and couldn't resist going into the kitchen.

He was stationed in the Northwest for most of the year. The troops ate commercial rations, so the food was pretty good. But just by the smell, Huo Jiyun could tell that Qiao An's cooking was better than the canteen chef's.

How come I didn't realize Qiao An was such a good cook when we got married?

"You've come at the right time. Help me take the noodles and braised meat to the house."

Qiao An was not at all reserved, which made Huo Jiyun feel very comfortable.

"What does Huo Fang want to eat?" Huo Jiyun asked, noticing that Qiao An had only prepared four bowls of noodles.

"I cooked red date porridge for her, I'll feed it to her in a bit."

Red date porridge...

Qiao An was incredibly generous to Huo Fang.

When the noodles were served, Huo Jiyun didn't say anything polite and started eating them right away.

After finishing the bowl, he let out a satisfied sigh of relief. It was delicious!

"There are still noodles left. You can get more if you're still hungry," Joan reminded him.

Huo Jiyun pursed his lips, seemingly engaged in some kind of internal struggle.

Several minutes later, he suddenly stood up, picked up the bowl, and strode towards the kitchen.

Huo Jiyun felt as if she had never eaten so comfortably before.

He ate three bowls of noodles and is now burping with satisfaction.

Qiao An stared blankly at Huo Jiyun.

Wow, she can really eat!

I'm so glad I joined the army.

With such a huge appetite, who could afford to feed it?

It's only because Qiao An is rich that this man, no matter how handsome, probably wouldn't have anyone to marry him.

Huo Jiyun once again took the initiative to clean the bowl.

While he was washing the dishes, Qiao An fed Huo Fang porridge.

However, Joan soon discovered that they were facing a very serious problem.

Where does Huo Jiyun sleep at night?

There was only one kang (a heated brick bed) in the house. Huo Fang was lying on the kang, with Huo Chen, Huo Ning, and Qiao An beside her.

Huo Jiyun did have a place to sleep.

But they were both clearly a little embarrassed.

Huo Jiyun looked at the kang (a heated brick bed) which was less than 1.5 meters wide and coughed uncomfortably twice.

"Well, I... I'll sleep outside, on a makeshift bed on the floor."

"Okay, then I'll get you a blanket. It's cold, don't catch a cold."

Qiao An pretended to rummage around in the pile of blankets at the foot of the kang (a heated brick bed), and while Huo Jiyun was out, she took out a quilt and two thicker mattresses from the small wooden house.

She didn't take the pillow; if the house was well-stocked with everything, it would arouse suspicion.

She carried the bedding into the main room, where Huo Jiyun was laying newspapers on the floor.

"We're out of pillows, so you'll have to make do tonight. I'll go buy some tomorrow."

"It's okay, I don't need to use it."

"We still have to stay for three months, we can't just make do like this forever."

Joan laid the mattress on the newspaper.

"Then...I'm going back to my room to sleep."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

"Good night."

After saying that, Qiao An turned and went into the side room.

Huo Jiyun remained motionless, still making the bed.

Good night...

That sounds so gentle.

As the morning light pierced through the treetops outside the window, Qiao An woke up on time.

The first thing I did after getting up was to take Huo Fang's temperature.

36.6 degrees.

Her temperature is normal, so it seems like she's fine.

Joan got dressed and tiptoed out of the side room.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw the bedding folded into neat squares and placed on the stool.

Just then, the sound of whistling wind came from the courtyard.

Qiao An peeked through the crack in the door and was shocked to see Huo Jiyun practicing boxing in the yard, shirtless.

His movements were fluid and powerful, with his shoulder blades tightened and his back muscles bulging, revealing back muscles that resembled a Christmas tree.

Sweat dripped down the spine, pausing briefly in the small indentation of the lower back.

Joan couldn't help but swallow hard.

When Huo Jiyun turned around, his well-proportioned eight-pack abs were displayed in front of Qiao An.

His movements suddenly slowed down, and he slowly finished his posture with both hands.

Huo Jiyun closed his eyes, his perfectly proportioned pectoral muscles rising and falling with his breath.

She has a textbook-perfect figure.

Joanne couldn't help but sigh.

She saw that Huo Jiyun had many scars on his body, large and small.

Some were gunshot wounds, some were knife wounds, and there were two wounds that looked like they were left by shrapnel from an explosion.

These scars looked somewhat ferocious and frightening, but they actually added to Huo Jiyun's heroic spirit.

Joanne pretended to make some noise in the main room.

Huo Jiyun, who was in the courtyard, quickly got dressed. He hadn't expected Qiao An to get up so early.

"Good morning." Qiao An pushed open the door, and Huo Jiyun was already ready.

"You got up so early?"

"Yes, we have to make breakfast and lunch for the kids."

Huo Jiyun followed Qiao An into the kitchen. "Let me help you."

help?

That won't do. The ingredients are all in the space. If Huo Jiyun is here, wouldn't the secret be exposed?

"No, no, I don't feel comfortable with you here."

Joanne waved her hand. "If you're free, could you go chop some firewood for me?"

Huo Jiyun was somewhat disappointed, but still agreed, "Okay."

Qiao An took out the ingredients. Cooking took a little longer than usual today because there was one more person in the house.

Huo Chen and Huo Ning woke up and followed the smell to the main room.