Chapter 45: I Can’t Bear to Leave You

“You really had someone investigate Ruan Jiaojiao?” Su Anan hadn’t expected that simply gossiping, even if it was harsh, would alarm Lu Jingchen’s superiors.

This was going to make a big fuss.

It would certainly make Ruan Jiaojiao pay the price.

Lu Jingchen’s brows furrowed slightly. Although he didn’t know what kind of person Ruan Jiaojiao was, the hatred in her eyes when she left was impossible to hide.

This woman was truly terrifying.

He was even more worried about Su Anan.

After setting the bowls, chopsticks, and dishes, and serving the rice, he slowly spoke, “The atmosphere here does need to be rectified, and her groundless accusations and insults against the military wives should be punished.”

He paused, looking at Su Anan with concern, “Anan, I’m afraid that while I’m away, they might target you. Perhaps I should have someone escort you away for a while?”

He was genuinely worried.

“Where to?” Su Anan wasn’t worried at all, happily eating her meal.

Seeing Ruan Jiaojiao suffer a setback made her very happy.

Lu Jingchen hesitated, “To the county town for a few days.”

“How long will this mission take?” Su Anan remembered this mission was difficult and lengthy. “Will I stay at a guesthouse?”

Her question caused Lu Jingchen’s expression to shift several times.

He had friends who could arrange accommodation, but it felt inconvenient.

After all, they were all male friends.

Staying at a guesthouse for such a long time wasn’t practical.

How would he get a referral letter?

And Su Anan, a woman, staying alone in a guesthouse would attract more attention.

“Actually, nowhere is as safe as the military zone. As long as I don’t leave this place, no one dares to touch me,” Su Anan said seriously. “Besides, there are so many neighbors, and the sisters-in-law are very kind to me. If something really happens, can they just stand by and watch? Their husbands will definitely help.”

While eating, she added, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Even if something did happen, she had her space; she could just hide inside.

No one would find her.

Lu Jingchen suppressed his worries, reaching out to wipe a grain of rice from her lips, “I had Xiao Ge buy more rice. It should be enough until I return. I also bought flour. Don’t bother tending the vegetable patch outside. If necessary, trade with the sisters-in-law. Don’t they have pastries and snacks? They’re willing to trade.”

The food was fragrant, but Lu Jingchen, burdened with worries, found it unappetizing. He continued, “I also withdrew two thousand yuan. If you need anything during this time, ask the procurement department to help you. If you run out of coupons, use money to buy things, and add some extra money!”

He had two days left before departure, and he wanted to arrange everything as well as possible.

“Got it, Dad!” Su Anan said helplessly, “You’re more nagging than my own father.”

Lu Jingchen almost choked on his food.

He couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

His wife was so adorable.

However, he still meticulously went through all the precautions he could think of.

The entire meal was spent discussing safety precautions in the war zone.

Things like not going into the mountains, not going to the county town, not going to the village…

Su Anan enjoyed listening to his nagging.

Because it was a manifestation of his love.

She accepted it.

“Okay, have you prepared your rations and gourds?” After the meal, while cleaning up, it was Su Anan’s turn to nag. “Bring several gourds to carry water. It’s summer in the deep mountains and forests. Without water, you’ll be done for even before anyone lays a finger on you.”

“It’s best to bring more beef jerky to stave off hunger. If your Qiankun bag is large enough, bring more luggage,” Su Anan also nagged seriously. Feeling a little sleepy, she leaned against Lu Jingchen’s chest, yawning as she spoke.

Her whole person exuded a lazy charm.

Her little mouth moved as she spoke. Lu Jingchen listened attentively, then suddenly lowered his head and covered her small mouth.

He only released her when she was struggling for breath, then gently held her in his arms, “Anan, I can’t bear to leave you.”

This sudden kiss left Su Anan a little stunned.

Su Anan also hugged his waist, smiling, “Then come back early.”

“I asked the cooking team to prepare a duck today. I’ll try putting it in the Qiankun bag this afternoon to see if it dies,” Lu Jingchen nodded vigorously, thinking of his beloved wife. He had to work hard on this mission and finish it quickly.

“If it doesn’t die, I’ll go in and take a look,” Su Anan’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll also try my Qiankun bag. Actually, we should call it ‘space’ from now on, a portable space.”

“Okay, listen to my wife!” Lu Jingchen didn’t ask why; whatever his wife said was what he would do.

No objections.

Ruan Jiaojiao took a stack of coupons—grain coupons, cloth coupons, meat coupons, oil coupons, coal coupons, tofu coupons, soap coupons, match coupons, cigarette coupons, sugar coupons… all kinds, and in large quantities. She also had a stack of money and a bag of snacks. She came to find Xiang Chunhua.

It was clear that Xiang Chunhua was a woman with a strong vanity, lazy, extremely greedy, and easily manipulated.

She also heard about Xiang Chunhua being slapped by her husband and forced to apologize to Su Anan.

Although no one was around at the time, some people saw it from afar.

After all, there were no blind spots in the military zone.

They were taking a walk.

It was impossible to avoid everyone’s sight.

Xiang Chunhua’s face turned ugly when she saw Ruan Jiaojiao, “What are you doing here again?”

As soon as she entered, Ruan Jiaojiao distributed pastries, popcorn, and White Rabbit candy  to the two children.

Xiang Chunhua had three sons. The eldest son was working, and the two eleven or twelve-year-old boys at home were twins.

Although Liang Jianjun’s salary was considerable, and Xiang Chunhua also received subsidies,

their life was still somewhat tight.

The two children had never eaten such snacks before, wiping their noses while taking them.

They didn’t even say thank you.

This further disgusted Ruan Jiaojiao.

But she couldn’t show it on her face.

The children went out, which suited Ruan Jiaojiao’s intentions.

She put the coupons and money in front of Xiang Chunhua, “You were beaten because of Su Anan, but it was also because of me. This is compensation.”

Xiang Chunhua’s eyes lit up.

In her life, she had never seen so many coupons and money at once. She opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

She looked at the money and coupons, then at Ruan Jiaojiao.

Originally, after being beaten by Liang Jianjun, she was somewhat wary of Ruan Jiaojiao and didn’t want to provoke her.

But the things in front of her were too tempting to refuse.

Ruan Jiaojiao had seen through this point, which is why she came to her.

“What do you want me to do? I won’t spread those rumors!” Xiang Chunhua had learned her lesson, “My husband said that the battalion commander reported this to his superiors, and my husband might be punished.”

“Don’t worry, you don’t need to do anything this time. I know I went too far last time. Lu Tuan found me and gave me a reprimand. I’ve deeply realized my mistakes. I just want to get closer to Su Anan. I went to find her, but she ignored me, so I thought of asking you, my sister-in-law, to be a mediator.”

Xiang Chunhua looked at the money and coupons again, “Is this a bit too much just for being a mediator?”

“I’m leaving for a mission, and Lu Tuan is also leaving. She’ll be alone, unfamiliar with the place. I just hope you can take care of her a bit. Use this money and coupons to buy her some food and daily necessities.

Of course, I can’t ask my sister-in-law to help for nothing. Whatever you buy for her, buy something for yourself as well, using this money and coupons.

Also, wherever you go, take her with you, don’t isolate her.” Ruan Jiaojiao spoke earnestly, her tone soft and gentle. “Don’t tell her it’s from me. When I get back, we’ll tell her together. By then, she should be able to forgive me.”