An hour later, the fragrant chicken and mushroom stew was finally ready. As soon as Lu Wanqing lifted the lid, a rich aroma wafted out from the pot.
Little Zhong Li Yi smelled it. The little guy's eyes immediately widened, shining brightly. "Mommy, it smells so good!"
Lu Wanqing smiled, scooped out a little into a small bowl, and tasted it herself. She felt the taste was acceptable, then used a large bowl to serve all the chicken and mushroom stew from the pot.
With the main dish ready, a few side dishes were needed. Lu Wanqing began preparing cold celery salad.
Just two simple dishes, but enough for a late-night snack.
After Lu Wanqing finished cooking, she brought the dishes to the dining room, followed by bowls and chopsticks.
While she was arranging the tableware, she saw Marshal Zhong Li also enter from outside. Her heart tightened instantly. However, seeing Marshal Zhong Li also sit down at the dining table, she thought for a moment and quickly added another pair of bowls and chopsticks.
Zhong Li Fei Yu was also a bit surprised that Marshal Zhong Li was still awake so late, but he ultimately said nothing. The family thus sat down together to savor the dishes Lu Wanqing had personally prepared, or more precisely, the soup!
The chicken and mushroom stew was indeed incredibly fragrant, and the soup was rich and delicious. Everyone's eyes lit up with the first bite.
"Mommy, it's so tasty!" Little Zhong Li Yi, being a child, quickly exclaimed to his mother.
Lu Wanqing smiled and said, "Drink slowly, be careful of the heat!"
"Mhm, mhm!" Little Zhong Li Yi nodded immediately.
Lu Wanqing was still a little intimidated by Marshal Zhong Li, but seeing him silently sipping the soup the entire time, her suspended heart finally relaxed.
Zhong Li Fei Yu also drank several bowls. This soup was different from what the domestic robot made; it tasted much better!
However, Zhong Li Fei Yu wasn't accustomed to praising people, so even though he felt it was good, he didn't say it aloud. He was just very happy and silently ate two more bowls!
The pot of chicken and mushroom stew was quickly emptied as everyone happily drank, and they were all full.
After eating and drinking their fill, it was quite late. The domestic robot came to clear away the dishes, and everyone stood up, preparing to retire for the night.
"Your soup is delicious!" Marshal Zhong Li suddenly said as they went upstairs, praising Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing was stunned for a moment, feeling flattered. She quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your praise, Marshal. These are just home-style dishes."
Marshal Zhong Li smiled and then said, "If you are willing, you can marry Fei Yu. Our family would welcome you."
Lu Wanqing: "..."
Lu Wanqing was bewildered. What did the Marshal mean? Did he want her to marry Zhong Li Fei Yu?
However, before Lu Wanqing could answer, Marshal Zhong Li left quickly.
Lu Wanqing watched the Marshal's retreating back, opened her mouth, but couldn't figure out how to voice her refusal.
Zhong Li Fei Yu followed behind. From the moment his father asked that question, his heart had been hanging in suspense. He looked nervously at Lu Wanqing, feeling both annoyed that his father had asked so abruptly and worried about Lu Wanqing's answer. Would she agree?
His father left soon after, and Lu Wanqing remained silent. Zhong Li Fei Yu's heart pounded erratically, filled with worry. Until they reached the door of the room, she didn't look back, directly sending Xiao Yi to his room. He felt an indescribable sense of loss.
In little Zhong Li Yi's room, Lu Wanqing squatted down and rubbed the little guy's full belly, suddenly worried. Would sleeping right after eating be bad for his health?
"Does your tummy feel uncomfortable?" Lu Wanqing asked.
Little Zhong Li Yi shook his head, "No."
Lu Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Go take a bath, Mommy will wait for you outside."
"Mhm, mhm." Little Zhong Li Yi nodded quickly.
Lu Wanqing didn't leave. She watched the little guy open his wardrobe, quickly take out a set of pajamas, and then turn to enter the bathroom.
Xiao Yi had truly been raised to be very independent.
Unlike Lan Lan, little Zhong Li Yi bathed quickly and was out in no time.
Lu Wanqing walked over, picked up the little cub still damp with steam, turned and placed him on the bed, then pulled up the quilt and carefully covered the child.
Little Zhong Li Yi's eyes were constantly on her. He liked Mommy.
Lu Wanqing sat on the edge of the bed and smiled, asking, "Xiao Yi, what story do you want to hear today?"
Little Zhong Li Yi blinked slightly, looking a bit lost, unsure what he wanted to listen to today.
Lu Wanqing thought for a moment and made the decision, asking, "How about Mommy tells you the story of the Three Little Pigs today?"
Little Zhong Li Yi had no objections and immediately nodded, "Okay!"
Lu Wanqing smiled and told the child stories in a gentle voice until he was asleep. She then quietly withdrew from the room, secretly turning off the light before leaving.
However, as she left the room, she encountered Zhong Li Fei Yu and was taken aback.
Zhong Li Fei Yu looked at her.
Lu Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but whisper, "Xiao Yi has fallen asleep." She thought Zhong Li Fei Yu had come to check on Xiao Yi.
"Mhm," Zhong Li Fei Yu nodded.
Lu Wanqing looked at Zhong Li Fei Yu, thought for a moment, and finally, unsure of what to say, she spoke, "Then, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to my room."
As Lu Wanqing spoke, she started to leave.
"Wait." Zhong Li Fei Yu quickly called out to her.
Lu Wanqing's footsteps paused. She turned back and looked at him with a question. "What is it?"
Zhong Li Fei Yu's lips moved, wanting to ask if she would marry him, but the words seemed to be stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered.
"It's nothing. You should go to bed now and get some rest," Zhong Li Fei Yu said.
Lu Wanqing smiled and nodded, simultaneously saying, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight?" Zhong Li Fei Yu sounded confused.
Lu Wanqing paused slightly, then explained, "Goodnight means 'may you have a peaceful night.' It was a blessing people used before sleeping in the ancient Earth era."
Zhong Li Fei Yu seemed to understand, but not entirely. He nodded, "Mhm."
Lu Wanqing thought for a moment, then returned to her room.
With little Zhong Li Yi asleep, there was still a little one waiting for her at the Mu family's. Lu Wanqing quickly made another call and told Lan Lan a bedtime story through communication, lulling her to sleep as well, before finally turning to take a bath.
Admittedly, after a night of activity, she was a bit tired. While Lu Wanqing was bathing, she almost fell asleep in the bathtub. Fortunately, the interstellar era's massage bathtub had a reminder function, and she was gently woken by the bathtub's intelligent system.
Lu Wanqing quickly got out of the bathtub, put on her pajamas, and went to bed.
Perhaps out of habit, as she was drifting off to sleep, she couldn't help but open her personal terminal to check for messages.
But with that glance, she discovered a stranger named Yan Yu Meng Meng had added her as a friend, with a remark.
— Miss Lu, if you are free tomorrow, could we meet up to chat privately?
Looking at the remark, Lu Wanqing's mind went blank. Who was this?
In the interstellar era, who did she know besides her children and their father?
Who wanted to chat with her privately?
And about what?