Chapter 67.3

The man said nothing more, merely glanced at the front mirror, catching sight of Song Bai’s cold expression. When the car reached the train station in the city, Zhu Jun and Song Bai personally escorted Lu Yu and Jiang Nian inside. Lu Yu went to buy train tickets, and Song Bai looked at Zhu Jun before speaking to Jiang Nian. “Sister-in-law, may I have a word?”

Jiang Nian was slightly taken aback. “Okay.”

Zhu Jun stayed behind as she followed Song Bai outside the ticket office. Amid the bustling crowd, they stood alone in a corner. Song Bai’s tall, lean frame blocked the wind for her.

She looked up at Song Bai. “What’s the matter?”

Song Bai simply stared at her, at her bright, beautiful eyes and fair, lovely face, as if trying to imprint her image into his memory.

“Song Bai.”

Jiang Nian waved her hand in front of his face. “Are you daydreaming?”

Song Bai snapped back to reality and suddenly grasped her wrist. Just as he had imagined, she was slender and her skin was smooth. Her wrist was so thin that his hand could almost encircle it. For a moment, he didn’t want to let go and wished he could take her far away.

“You, Song Bai, let go.”

Jiang Nian frowned slightly, struggling to free her wrist.

She used some force, but compared to Song Bai’s strength, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

Song Bai looked down at her and asked the question that had been buried in his heart for a long time. “Sister-in-law, do you have someone you like?”

Jiang Nian was surprised by the sudden question and hesitated. Song Bai leaned closer. “Sister-in-law, answer me.”

Jiang Nian finally snapped back to reality. Xu Yan’s words echoed in her mind, and she almost instinctively nodded, answering without hesitation, “Yes.”

At that moment, Jiang Nian clearly felt Song Bai’s hand on her wrist stiffen for a long time.

After a while, Song Bai asked again, “Is it Lu Yu?”

He stared intently into her eyes, not missing the moment of confusion when she heard Lu Yu’s name. Song Bai cursed his own perceptiveness. If only he could be more oblivious.

Song Bai’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he reluctantly released her slender wrist. Watching her step back, he said, “Sister-in-law, I wish you and Lu Yu happiness.”

Jiang Nian pressed her lips together, her fingers curling slightly.

He seemed to know everything.

When Lu Yu came over, Song Bai stepped forward and patted his shoulder, smiling. “Take care on the way. We’re leaving.”

Lu Yu nodded. “Okay.”

Jiang Nian and Lu Yu waited in the waiting room for a while before boarding the train. They had bought two sleeper tickets. Jiang Nian sat in the carriage, staring out the bare window, unusually lost in thought. Lu Yu glanced at her but didn’t ask anything.

The train arrived the next morning. Jiang Nian yawned and followed Lu Yu off the train. As they exited the station, they heard someone calling, “Commander Lu, Commander Lu, sister-in-law—”

The voice sounded familiar.

Lu Yu and Jiang Nian looked over to see Chen Yao waving at them from the crowd. Beside him stood another man in a military uniform, his posture straight and tall, his brows sharp and cold. Jiang Nian recognized him instantly.

It was the same man who had accompanied an elderly gentleman to the hospital to see Lu Yu, the one who had thanked her.

She hadn’t expected to see Chen Yao and this man here.

Jiang Nian bit her lip, unsure of how to face Chen Yao. Her hand was suddenly held, the man’s fingers intertwining with hers. She looked up, and Lu Yu gazed down at her. “Don’t be afraid. I am here.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

They made their way through the crowd, and Chen Yao ran over excitedly. He was about to greet her as sister-in-law when he saw Lu Yu and Jiang Nian holding hands, and he froze for a moment. The man behind him approached and nodded to Lu Yu in greeting. “Was the journey tiring?”

Lu Yu replied, “Not tired.”

He held Jiang Nian’s hand tightly and introduced them, “This is my partner, Jiang Nian.”

Jiang Nian’s heart raced, and even her breathing tightened a bit. This was the first time Lu Yu had introduced her as his partner in front of others. She felt a bit uneasy, as if the final veil over their relationship had been lifted.

Sensing her nervousness, Lu Yu tightened his grip on her hand, their palms pressed together and damp with a thin layer of sweat.

“Hello, I’m Gu Shizhou.”

The man in the military uniform nodded at Jiang Nian, his gaze lingering on her for a few moments, perhaps surprised that she was Lu Yu’s partner.

Jiang Nian nodded and smiled slightly in response.

Chen Yao, finally reacting, glanced at their intertwined hands and tried to act normal. “Sister-in-law, I’m Chen Yao.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “I remember you.”

Chen Yao smiled back and said to Lu Yu, “Commander Lu, the car is outside. Let’s go.”

Lu Yu nodded, “Alright.”

Chen Yao took Lu Yu’s bag and led them out of the train station. Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a tickle on the back of her hand. She looked up at Lu Yu, who smiled, “Hungry?”

Jiang Nian shook her head, “I’m okay.”

The sun had just risen, and Lu Yu suggested going to a state-run restaurant for breakfast. As they stepped out of the station, they met Ge Mei, who waved at Jiang Nian, “Jiang Nian, over here.”

“Sister Ge—”

Jiang Nian let go of Lu Yu’s hand and ran over to hug Ge Mei, reunited after a long time. Ge Mei said, “I knew your train would arrive this morning, so I came to wait for you.”

Jiang Nian smiled.

The group went to the state-run restaurant for breakfast. On the way, Lu Yu asked Chen Yao why he was in Yuan city. Chen Yao explained that he had been transferred there and had reported after the new year, recently promoted to captain. They were all from the same regiment. Ge Mei remarked on the coincidence.

Through Lu Yu’s conversation with Gu Shizhou, Jiang Nian learned that Gu Shizhou was the political commissar of the third regiment, also part of Lu Yu’s regiment.

The military vehicle stopped at the Red Star Hotel, and they chose a table by the window. Jiang Nian sat with Ge Mei, and Lu Yu sat beside her. They ordered six dishes and a pot of soup. The portions were large, and each dish came in a big plate.

Lu Yu occasionally placed food on Jiang Nian’s plate. Chen Yao glanced at them several times, earning a sharp look from Lu Yu. Chen Yao coughed and said, “Sister-in-law, eat more.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Thank you.”

Gu Shizhou’s gaze lingered on Jiang Nian and Lu Yu for a few seconds before looking away. Ge Mei talked to Jiang Nian about the embroidery shop, “I’ve already arranged your dormitory. There are more people in the shop here, five embroiderers and one clerk, including you, seven people in total. There are two dormitories, and you can eat at the textile factory’s cafeteria next door.”

She continued, “I’ve bought all the toiletries for you, so you don’t need to buy anything.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Thank you, Sister Ge.”

Ge Mei smiled back, “I’m glad you can join me here.”

She then turned to Lu Yu, “Commander Lu, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Jiang Nian. There won’t be a repeat of what happened last time.”

Lu Yu nodded, “Thank you.”

Although he said this, he still worried about leaving Jiang Nian alone here. Fortunately, the military district was just over an hour’s drive from the city, much closer than the previous location. He could visit her anytime.

Curious, Chen Yao asked, “What happened before?”

Jiang Nian’s heart raced at the memory, her grip on the chopsticks tightening. Lu Yu reached out and squeezed her hand, “I’ll be nearby. I can visit you anytime.”

Jiang Nian nodded, “Okay.”

Chen Yao: …

He suddenly felt overwhelmed.

Just moments ago, they had been brother and sister-in-law. How had they become a couple in the blink of an eye?

Ge Mei briefly recounted the incident with Hu Zhongming’s family, which made Chen Yao frown frequently. He finally slammed the table in anger, “Such people should be arrested!”

The outburst startled Jiang Nian, Ge Mei, and even several nearby diners.

Gu Shizhou frowned, “Quiet down.”

Realizing he had overreacted, Chen Yao quickly composed himself.

Gu Shizhou continued eating but occasionally glanced at Jiang Nian, his thoughts unknown. Lu Yu, noticing his gaze, had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking.

Ge Mei and Jiang Nian didn’t eat much, so most of the food ended up in the stomachs of Lu Yu and the others.

After the meal, Lu Yu and Gu Shizhou stepped out first, standing at the entrance of the Red Star Hotel. Lu Yu said, “If you have something to say, say it now.”

Gu Shizhou asked, “Have you seen the old man?”

Lu Yu replied, “Yes, he’s doing well.”

As the street outside became busier, Gu Shizhou lowered his voice, “The girl mentioned in his letter, is she your partner?”

When Lu Yu had introduced Jiang Nian, Gu Shizhou had guessed, but he needed confirmation.

Lu Yu nodded, “Yes.”

Gu Shizhou’s stern face softened with a smile, “Please thank her for me.”

Their conversation ended there. When Jiang Nian and the others came out, Chen Yao drove them to the embroidery shop.

Lu Yu got out and asked Ge Mei for the dormitory address. He then took Jiang Nian to look around, making sure it was in a busy area before feeling reassured.

“Lu Yu,” Jiang Nian called out.

As he turned around, she threw herself into his arms. He stood firm, holding her tightly and kissing her hair, his voice hoarse, “I’ll apply for the marriage application as soon as I return. Wait for me here. I got Ge Mei’s phone number. I’ll call you when I get back.”

He spoke for quite a while, giving her various instructions.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian lifted her head and raised her arms to hook around Lu Yu’s broad shoulders. She stood on tiptoe, trying to kiss him, but she was too short and could only reach his chin.

Lu Yu chuckled softly, his deep voice resonating. He placed his large hand on the back of Jiang Nian’s neck and bent down to find her lips, kissing her proactively.

Their lips met in a gentle but firm kiss, the world around them fading into the background. Jiang Nian felt a rush of warmth and comfort, her heart beating rapidly. Lu Yu’s kiss was tender yet possessive, a silent promise of his unwavering support and love.

After a few moments, they reluctantly pulled away, breathless but smiling. Lu Yu’s eyes softened as he looked at her, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.

“Take care of yourself,” he murmured. “I’ll come back for you as soon as I can.”

Jiang Nian nodded, her eyes shining with emotion. “I will. You take care too.”

With one last lingering look, Lu Yu finally turned and walked away, his tall figure soon blending into the bustling streets. Jiang Nian watched him until he disappeared from sight, her heart filled with a mix of longing and hope.

Returning to the dormitory, Jiang Nian felt a sense of bittersweetness. She knew they would be apart for a while, but Lu Yu’s words and their shared kiss reassured her that their bond was strong and unbreakable. With renewed determination, she prepared to settle into her new life, eagerly awaiting the day they would be reunited.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Ayalee: Ahh..I can’t wait to see them get married. ✺◟(´‿`)◞✺