Chapter 815: See through but don't say through

But Qin Hengzhi definitely wouldn't think deeply.

As long as this matter involves her Lu Qiao, Qin Hengzhi will turn on the automatic shielding mode.

This person is smart and transparent.

Whether this is trust or love, it is the best interpretation for now.

As for exchanging cash

Hmm, Qin Hengzhi was compensating her for something.

Lu Qiaoge listened with a smile.

Afterwards, Little Mouse specifically cautioned: 【Little Master, you must pretend you don't know, otherwise there won't be a surprise...】

Lu Qiaoge promised: "Don't worry, I definitely won't give the game away; I have to act especially surprised and delighted."

After saying this, she turned the bike around to head back, leaving the little ones by the lake to continue frolicking.

Once she left this deserted area, she pedaled fast, and the bicycle shot out like an arrow released from a bow, only slowing down to ride properly once she reached a place with more people.

Before long, she arrived near the family quarters.

She hadn't returned to her own home these past few days; Meng Xia adamantly refused to let her, saying it wasn't far and only took ten minutes to walk, so why not enjoy ready-made meals?

Why insist on cooking at home?

You have to buy groceries and meat, and if you can't finish it, you have leftovers—what a waste.

Lu Qiaoge couldn't win the argument, and since Meng Xia was on winter break and had plenty of time, she let her arrange things.

However, she didn't come here for breakfast; that was Qin Hengzhi's exclusive service.

Qin Hengzhi got up early in the morning to boil her an egg, toast two slices of bread, and heat up a cup of milk—simple, yet comfortable to eat.

Occasionally, if they had been "rowdy" too late the night before and she couldn't get up the next day, Qin Hengzhi would go straight to the staff canteen to get ready-made food—steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and millet porridge—and then run back, smiling and joking with the workers who were up early for their shifts.

Qin Hengzhi wasn't shy about it either, proudly telling them that this was breakfast for his wife.

Thinking of this, Lu Qiaoge smiled slightly, not expecting that as soon as she turned a corner, she would see Dong Yulian standing in the cold wind from afar, stomping her feet incessantly, the white mist from her breath condensing into a cloud in the cold air.

She wasn't specifically waiting for Lu Qiaoge; after all, she didn't know when Lu Qiaoge would return, or if she would return at all.

She was just trying her luck.

But she was still somewhat hesitant. Showing up at someone's house in the middle of the day—what kind of behavior was that?

But if she didn't go, where else could she find Lu Qiaoge?

Just as she was hesitating, she turned her head and saw Lu Qiaoge riding her bicycle toward her.

Dong Yulian was stunned.

Riding a bicycle in the dead of winter in the north was truly no easy task.

The wind scraped against the face like a knife, and hands froze until they were stiff; yet in this day and age, the bicycle was the primary means of transportation, indispensable, and had to be used all year round.

So, unless there were special circumstances, many people would rather walk or take the bus than endure this suffering.

Lu Qiaoge stopped the bike, and Dong Yulian hurried over, asking with concern: "Are you cold? Are your hands frozen? I... I don't have anything urgent, you should hurry home."

Riding a bike in winter, the most miserable thing was that the brakes and chains were prone to freezing, making it strenuous to ride; once a person exerted effort, they would sweat, and when the cold wind blew, it would drill straight into the joints—that alternation between hot and cold was indescribably uncomfortable.

Lu Qiaoge, however, shook her head and smiled easily: "It's fine, I ride like this often, I'm used to it. Sister Dong, are you standing here waiting for me? Is something the matter? It's too cold outside, why don't you come into my house to talk?"

Dong Yulian waved her hands hurriedly.

That wouldn't do; showing up at someone's house in the middle of the day—what kind of behavior was that?

"I'll keep it brief." She took a breath and steadied herself: "Qiaoge, I came... to explain to you about what happened in the dormitory that day."

"I had a cold and then a fever, and some of the sisters came to see me. I don't know how it came up, but they started talking about how Lin Chengze and Qi Shuang were seeing each other. I actually didn't like listening to it, and because I was really dizzy from the fever, someone said those things about you. I didn't react at the time, but looking back now, I feel that I actually did react, but I was so heartbroken that Lin Chengze was seeing someone so quickly and preparing to remarry that I just let them scold you, as if that would make me feel better. But I absolutely never felt that this had anything to do with you, Qiaoge; this is Lin Chengze's own problem, really, these are two different emotions, I can tell them apart. But I didn't explain or stop them in time, that was my fault, perhaps I still have a great many problems myself... I feel really guilty, I'm sorry..."

Lu Qiaoge listened quietly without interrupting.

People change; after Dong Yulian's divorce, her temperament gradually became different from before.

She used to be very straightforward, doing things with a flourish and speaking directly.

Just like her mother, the Iron Lady.

After the divorce, she was depressed for a time.

Then, her way of looking at things and people was no longer the same as before; she learned to be circuitous, learned to be tactful, and learned to plan for herself.

Now that Lin Chengze was going on blind dates and planning to remarry, new waves had risen in her heart.

But Lu Qiaoge still liked people who could face their inner emotions directly.

After Dong Yulian finished speaking, Lu Qiaoge finally spoke: "Sister Dong, I won't take it to heart, and I understand your feelings at the time. When people are sick, their reactions are very slow. Besides, what is there to explain about this? People who think that way will continue to think that way even if you explain it to them; there's really no need at all, and it might even lead to all sorts of messy talk. Don't take this to heart, just let them say what they want."

Dong Yulian really liked listening to Lu Qiaoge speak.

She liked this kind of person even more.

Dong Yulian nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, that's the logic; it's completely irrelevant, it has nothing to do with anything."

"Sister Dong, please set your mind at ease, don't take it to heart, hurry back, it's still quite cold outside." Lu Qiaoge said in a gentle voice.

Dong Yulian and Lu Qiaoge exchanged a few more words before turning to leave.

She had originally wanted to mention Qi Shuang, saying that the girl was quite good, but seeing Lu Qiaoge's expression, she felt that the words were meaningless.

Whether Qi Shuang was good or not, what did that have to do with her?

Being able to speak openly with Lu Qiaoge had already made her feel much more at ease.

And Lu Qiaoge watched Dong Yulian's figure disappear from sight before hurriedly pushing her bike toward home.

Qin Hengzhi came back for lunch, and Meng Xia had already saved him some food.

However, Qin Hengzhi didn't come empty-handed; he brought back fermented bean curd, braised pork, several large steamed white buns, and pickled radish from the military representative office, and Lu Qiaoge's appetite was whetted.

After eating her fill, Qin Hengzhi cleared the bowls and chopsticks and took her home.

These two actually never had a fixed residence, but no matter where they were, they could always make the place cozy.

As soon as they entered, the warmth rushed to meet them, and Lu Qiaoge took off her down jacket and smelled that familiar, reassuring scent in the room.

She turned her head and saw that Qin Hengzhi's down jacket was bulging, and when she reached out to touch it, it was hard and quite heavy.

"What are you carrying in here? Rocks?" Lu Qiaoge asked with feigned curiosity.

Qin Hengzhi laughed, letting her poke and prod at it.