Chapter 28 - The General's Wife is an Illegal Resident in the Star System

Translator's Note:

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Madam Qin's Challenge

 

 

"But who will take care of you?" Lu Li noticed that even the servant Madam Qin often ordered around was missing. Besides the three of them, only the cook seemed to be in the house.

 

"An Ming can care for me. You have hands and feet—do you expect to be served, too?" Madam Qin's gaze was cold, as though a single word could turn her eyes into daggers.

 

"Of course not. Since you prefer An Ming's help, let him stay by your side."

 

Even as he gave in, Madam Qin didn't appear satisfied. She gave a huff of disdain and returned to her meal in silence.

 

Marshal Qin only came home for breakfast and dinner, spending his midday meal at the military headquarters, so only Lu Li and Madam Qin were left for lunch.

 

Madam Qin, clearly unimpressed with Lu Li, ignored him entirely.

 

"Mother, I'm finished. Please take your time," Lu Li said, placing his bowl and chopsticks down. After three years at his adoptive father's military base, he was used to eating quickly.

 

"I'm done as well." Madam Qin immediately set down her half-eaten meal with an air of mystery.

 

"You're sure? There's still food in your bowl," Lu Li replied, glancing skeptically at her plate. She had only just served herself some greens, which still sat fresh and vibrant in her bowl. He'd eaten with her enough to know she usually needed a full bowl of rice and a serving of soup to feel full.

 

"I'm sure. Now, clean the table, and take the dishes to the kitchen to wash," she ordered with an air of entitlement, as though it was a matter of course.

 

"Surely, there are other staff to handle that?" At this point, if Lu Li hadn't caught on to Madam Qin's intent to make things difficult for him, he would have wasted his twenty-plus years of life.

 

"They have their own duties. What's wrong—are you that unwilling to wash a few dishes? Is this the extent of your dedication? It seems your feelings for my son aren't so deep after all." Madam Qin's face turned cold instantly.

 

Lu Li held her gaze silently, and his striking features seemed to gather a quiet, commanding dignity that made her momentarily unsettled. He knew she was provoking him, but, as she was Qin Yu's mother, he didn't wish to argue with her.

 

When Madam Qin began to feel uncomfortable under his steady gaze, he quietly gathered the dishes and carried them to the kitchen.

 

The cook was gone, evidently sent off by Madam Qin after preparing lunch. Fortunately, washing dishes was a task he had handled on his own before, and he quickly finished. He continued washing without noticing An Ming, who had come to observe before reporting back to Madam Qin.

 

It didn't take long—ten minutes later, Lu Li dried his hands and left the kitchen. Just as he was about to head back to his room, he heard Madam Qin calling him.

 

"Come over and mop the living room floor."

 

Her increasingly entitled tone made it sound as though Lu Li was now one of the Qin family's household staff.

 

Lu Li didn't wish to argue with an elder, though his patience only emboldened her, encouraging her to push further.

 

After he finished mopping, Madam Qin instructed him to bring a basin of water to wipe the table, claiming that the staff hadn't cleaned it properly in the morning, and she'd gotten dust on her hands. She ordered him to clean it again, and over the next hour, she gave him one task after another—pouring tea, serving water—treating him entirely as a servant, while An Ming, who was supposedly there to "take care of her," stood by idly.

 

"I want a cup of hot water, boiling hot," Madam Qin instructed. Her words were directed at Lu Li, though she didn't even glance at him, her eyes glued to the television, which was playing a segment about Qin Yu. It seemed that anything related to the Qin family held her full attention.

 

An Ming stood beside her, engaging occasionally in pleasant conversation. The atmosphere between them was surprisingly harmonious.

 

Lu Li threw down the rag and went to pour hot water from the kitchen.

 

"Madam said an ordinary glass would do," An Ming remarked as he passed.

 

Regular glass cups, which weren't heat-resistant, were rarely used to serve guests; even the Qin family members had their own designated cups. Madam Qin's suggestion was clearly meant to make things difficult for Lu Li.

 

Without a word, Lu Li picked up the glass and the kettle and returned to the living room. Setting the glass on the table before Madam Qin, he poured the boiling water into it.

 

"You…" Madam Qin hadn't expected him to actually follow through. A flicker of irritation appeared in her otherwise composed expression, as she had hoped to unsettle him.

 

"Mother, the water is very hot. Drink it slowly. If it's not enough, there's plenty more," Lu Li said, setting down the kettle and giving her a slight smile.

 

To Madam Qin, his subtle smile felt like defiance, as if the afternoon's grueling tasks were nothing more than minor nuisances to him. The anger rising within her clouded her reason, and in a fit of impulse, she grabbed the glass of steaming hot water and flung it toward him.

 

Lu Li deftly dodged, though some water splashed onto his arm. His fair skin, quickly blistered, the flesh turning an alarming shade of red beneath his rolled-up sleeve.

 

The pain, sharp and stinging, clawed at him, but Lu Li merely narrowed his eyes in a hard frown. He hadn't expected Madam Qin to discard her dignity so readily.

 

Recovering from her anger, Madam Qin was startled by the sight of his scalded arm. The water had indeed been scalding; her hand, which had briefly held the glass, was slightly red as well, though not nearly as bad as his. As she calmed down, she began to suspect he'd done it on purpose—the extent of the damage making her suspicious, so she immediately smirked.

 

"Stop pretending. It's just a minor burn. Even if you tell others, they'll think you're making a big deal out of nothing. We'll see whom they believe."

 

Lu Li stared at Madam Qin, expressionless. He held her gaze for a moment, then walked away without a word.

 

After he left, Madam Qin turned to An Ming, the only other witness. "If anyone asks, you'll know what to say."

 

"Rest assured, Madam, I understand." An Ming, who had never been on Lu Li's side, naturally aligned himself with Madam Qin.

 

She looked pleased with his response.

 

"What exactly do you 'understand'?" came a sudden voice from the doorway.

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