C17 Was He Qualified Enough?

The three of them retired to their respective rooms for some rest.

The following morning, Jiang Zhuo awoke with military precision, a habit ingrained from his days in the service. Even at home, he couldn't shake the routine of rising early.

After freshening up, he made his way to Lin Shixuan's room. The orphanage had a limited number of bedrooms, and with the children sharing one, only two remained. Lin Shixuan and Lau Ruoyan would have each had their own room if it weren't for Jiang Zhuo claiming one for himself, necessitating that the sisters share.

As he approached the sisters' room, Jiang Zhuo was about to knock when he noticed the door was ajar. He could easily glimpse inside through the gap. Being the only man in the orphanage, the sisters had let their guard down, a habit Jiang Zhuo deemed unsafe. He resolved to remind them of the importance of locking their door at night, as it could be dangerous if they encountered a man with malicious intent.

With that thought, he pushed the door open and entered. His eyes quickly took in the scene: Lau Ruoyan was neatly tucked into her side of the bed, while Lin Shixuan, in a gossamer-thin nightgown, lay sprawled with her left leg and arm resting on Lau Ruoyan. The sight was somewhat indecorous, not least because Lin Shixuan's nightgown barely concealed the lace panties beneath.

The wide-open door left Jiang Zhuo feeling embarrassed. It was undeniable that Lin Shixuan was strikingly beautiful, rivaling Lau Ruoyan in looks. Her smooth, white thighs were particularly captivating. Feeling his pulse quicken, Jiang Zhuo hastened to the bed and drew the blanket over to discreetly cover the enticing view.

He had intended to wake the two girls, but on second thought, he decided to let them sleep in a bit longer.

It was unlikely that the sisters were accustomed to rising early, so a little extra rest wouldn't hurt.

Jiang Zhuo left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

He made his way to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

His talents were many, and his cooking skills were nothing short of miraculous!

Having learned from numerous seasoned chefs in the military, Jiang Zhuo had mastered the culinary arts.

These past ten years had been far from idle for him.

Without his wide array of skills and expertise, he would never have earned the admiration of his fellow soldiers.

Soon, the aroma of breakfast wafted through the house.

The scent even seeped through the door cracks into Lin Shixuan and Lau Ruoyan's room.

The two groggily awoke to the delicious smell, their mouths watering uncontrollably.

"Who's cooking?" They exchanged glances and hastened to the living room.

Upon seeing Jiang Zhuo in an apron, the two couldn't help but giggle behind their hands.

Lin Shixuan teased, "Zhuo, in the decade you were gone, did you become a nanny?"

"You're up? Go wake the kids for breakfast," Jiang Zhuo instructed, gesturing with his hand.

"I'll get the kids."

Lau Ruoyan turned and left to fetch them.

Lin Shixuan, her appetite piqued, took a seat and admired the spread of delectable dishes. "Who knew you could cook?" she said with a laugh.

"I'm not just good at cooking; there's a lot more I can do," Jiang Zhuo replied, drying his hands with a towel, his expression cheerful.

"Oh? Like what?" Lin Shixuan inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Before Jiang Zhuo could respond, Lau Ruoyan appeared with Yi Yi and several other children in tow.

Yi Yi's nose twitched as if she'd stumbled upon a treasure, her bright eyes shining with excitement as she gazed at the food on the table.

"Wow! Uncle Zhuo, you can cook? It smells amazing!" Yi Yi exclaimed in awe.

"Pfft! Little girl, he doesn't look that old, does he? Why call him uncle? Call him brother. If you call him uncle and then call us sisters, won't that mix up the family hierarchy?" Lin Shixuan couldn't help but laugh as she gently pinched Yi Yi's chubby cheeks.

"I'm just used to it," Yi Yi said, sticking out her tongue.

Jiang Zhuo watched everyone settle down at the table and felt a warm sigh rise within him. It was as though they were all one family sitting together. These children had become like his own, along with his two sisters.

"Do we look like a family to you?" Lin Shixuan asked, her smile beaming.

Lau Ruoyan took a sip of her millet porridge and replied nonchalantly, "But we are a family."

Lin Shixuan raised her index finger, waggling it with a grin. "I mean, it's as if we're one big family. Both of us are Zhuo's wives, and these kids are our children. Don't you agree?"

Lau Ruoyan's cheeks flushed as she gave Lin Shixuan a playful glare. "Shixuan, what are you saying? We're siblings!"

"I'm just saying it feels that way. I never said it was actually true. Ruoyan, why are you so quick to deny it? You wouldn't happen to really be thinking that, would you? Hahaha!" Lin Shixuan teased, winking mischievously.

"Just eat your food!" Lau Ruoyan, flustered and a bit annoyed, shoved a fried dough stick into Lin Shixuan's mouth.

Lin Shixuan removed the dough stick, took a bite, and turned to Jiang Zhuo with a smile. "Zhuo, do you think the two of us could pass as your wives?"

Jiang Zhuo coughed violently, nearly choking on his soy milk.

"Look how frightened you are. I was only asking," Lin Shixuan said with a casual shrug.

"Sister Shixuan, some things never change with you. You always speak your mind," Jiang Zhuo sighed, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his voice.

Lin Shixuan smiled gently. "After all, we're family. What shouldn't we be able to discuss?"

"Let's eat. I've got to get to work after breakfast," Lau Ruoyan said, her face still tinged with red as she stole a glance at Jiang Zhuo and hurried him along.

"Time to eat, Zhuo. After we've eaten, come with me, and I'll help you with your medication," Lin Shixuan said, then focused intently on her meal without further conversation.

Once they finished, she couldn't stop raving about Jiang Zhuo's culinary talents.

"Zhuo, it's rare to find a man who's as gentle, handsome, and skilled as you," Lin Shixuan said with a smile.

"Shall we go?"

Jiang Zhuo, now in a fresh outfit, quirked an eyebrow.

"Let's go!"

Without further delay, Lin Shixuan led Jiang Zhuo to the hospital.

During the drive, something seemed to weigh on Lin Shixuan, and she sighed deeply, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Sister Xuan, what's the matter?" Jiang Zhuo, seated in the passenger seat and gazing out at the passing scenery, turned to her upon hearing her sigh.

"You haven't heard? Our hospital recently admitted a patient with baffling symptoms. All the doctors, including myself, are at a loss."