Chapter 572: Guesthouse

Seeing that Lu Cheng didn't immediately agree, Lin Qingyan lowered her head.

"I know this sounds rather abrupt and does bother you a bit, but consider it a personal request…"

It's not really a disturbance; after all, Lu Cheng has been staying here for three days, basically just nesting in the Guesthouse to sleep.

It's just his impression that Lin Qingyan's action is somewhat improper; the children lack paternal love and can't make up for it through him—what's the deal?

Since Lin Qingyan said so, Lu Cheng had to agree: "Alright then, I'm staying at the Railway Bureau Guesthouse, room 308."

That is his exclusive room each time he comes here, tucked in a corner near the end of the corridor, relatively quiet.

Hearing Lu Cheng's agreement, Lin Qingyan happily showed a smile.

"Then you should rest well today; I'll bring the two of them over tomorrow."

Lin Qingyan added at the end, "Thank you, Lu Cheng."

People come and go on the Platform; some leave, some stay.

Accompanying Lin Qingyan along the Iron Rail for a while, it eventually got too cold, so the two said farewell, agreeing to meet tomorrow.

Back at the Guesthouse, a few resident Comrades, holding Introduction Letters, were queuing to process the paperwork.

The registrar was a local Big Sister from the Northeast, surnamed Chen, in her thirties, and, like many Northeasterners, had a cheerful disposition and a sturdy build.

Yet this Sister Chen retained a robust charm; when she smiled, her chest swayed.

Whenever on duty with the train to Ha City, the others stayed in the Worker Dormitory; only the chief and the Train Captain, as well as the train driver, were assigned to this Guesthouse.

Therefore Lu Cheng had long been familiar with this Sister Chen, and given her cheerful nature, the two often joked with each other.

Sister Chen had already seen and eaten a lot, and even if the jokes were a bit lewd, she wasn't intimidated by this youngster.

Lu Cheng sat on a chair in the lobby, casually took out a newspaper, and waited until the Comrades at the front desk finished their procedures before discarding the paper and walking over.

"Yo, Lu Jingzhang's here, why are you still waiting there? Just take the key yourself and go up; you can finish the registration later."

Leaning on the counter, Lu Cheng signed in the register while teasing, "Someone just now wanted to chat with Sister Chen alone; it's been almost a month since we last met. You have no idea how much I've missed you in the Capital City, wishing I could sprout wings to see you."

Sister Chen covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't say that; if my husband hears it, he'll beat you up."

"It's fine; as long as I can see you, Sister Chen, even a beating would be worth it."

Lu Cheng said this while pushing the signed register over.

Sister Chen didn't even glance, leaning forward with her elbow pressed on the counter.

"Are Capital City folks always this cheap? Every time you come you joke about Big Sister."

Lu Cheng replied, "I don't know whether Capital City people are cheap or not, but when I see Sister Chen I can't help but speak my mind."

Sister Chen shifted back a bit, smiling, "Alright, don't flirt with your sister; I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight. Quickly take the key and go upstairs."

Lu Cheng took the key smoothly, "If you can't sleep, just come find me; I'll leave the door open for you at night."

Sister Chen laughed, unwilling to be outdone, "Fine, you're not afraid of this old bull eating fresh grass. What do I have to fear? After I'm done, I'll go up; anyone who doesn't leave the door is a turtle."

That's just Sister Chen's nature; she isn't scared of you at all.

Lu Cheng smiled, about to turn and go upstairs, when he suddenly recalled something.

"By the way, Sister Chen, someone might look for me tomorrow; you don't need to stop them, just let them go up."

Sister Chen nodded, "Got it. Oh, and bring up the Thermos Flask; the hot water was just poured in."

"Thank you, Sister Chen."

Lu Cheng lifted the Thermos Flask, turned, and went upstairs, walking down the corridor to room 308, unlocking the door with the key, and after entering, casually locked the door again.

Sister Chen, of course, wouldn't go upstairs; she only said so with her mouth.

In their joking, they were evenly matched; sometimes Lu Cheng won, sometimes Sister Chen won.

After so many days on duty on the train, he was exhausted, and with the heating in the room running full blast, he fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed.

The next day he was woken by a series of knocks.

"Uncle, uncle, big lazy bug uncle…"

"Yao Yao, uncle is still sleeping; let's wait downstairs for a while."

"No, no…"

"Listen, Yao Yao; if you don't, Mom will send you home."

"Woo~"

Hearing the commotion outside, Lu Cheng swung the door open; it was Lin Qingyan with the two children, about to go downstairs.

Seeing the door open, Lu Cheng still looked half-asleep; Lin Qingyan apologetically said, "Sorry to disturb your sleep; the two children learned they were to come find you and got up early."

"It's fine, I'm awake too," Lu Cheng said, pulling a funny face at the two kids.

"Come in first; I'll brush my teeth and wash my face, then take them out to play later."

"Uncle, I've brushed my teeth too, look…"

Jing Yao pointed at her cheek with both hands, showing the little front baby teeth.

Lu Cheng ruffled her little head, "Hmm, it's really white…"

At this moment Lin Qingyan pulled Jing Yao over, "Alright, let uncle freshen up first; you and your brother can play here for a while."

The two kids ran back and forth inside the room; after Lu Cheng finished washing up, the bedding on the bed had already been folded by Lin Qingyan.

Perhaps because the heating was too hot, Lin Qingyan, after removing her coat, wore only a sweater, bent over with a broom cleaning the room; the seam where the sweater hem met the pants revealed a clean white strip of waist.

Lu Cheng stood there; no matter how he looked, she didn't seem like a woman with two children—she was indeed a bit fuller, but her overall figure remained gracefully curvy, adding a mature woman's allure.

In truth, Lin Qingyan would be a perfect wife—gentle, diligent, and home‑loving…

That pilot is truly lucky.

Lu Cheng sighed inwardly, then said, "No need to clean; a maid will come later to tidy up."

Lin Qingyan straightened up, her chest beneath the sweater resembling two large apples.

Lu Cheng glanced inadvertently, but Lin Qingyan still noticed.

As a blush rose on his cheek, he hurriedly bent down: "I'll sweep it then, it'll be quick; you get dressed first."

Lin Qingyan's behavior made Lu Cheng unable to help but wonder.

They were clearly already married, already had children, had gone through everything they should have, yet how can they still be like a little girl who has never experienced anything?

Thinking further, it's also normal; that pilot doesn't often come home, so they're probably like a stranger, and when they meet, they treat each other with mutual respect.

But in a family like Lin Qingyan's, they no longer care about the feeling of happiness, but rather lean toward the sense of status that both families bring.