Chapter 69.1

Lu Yu looked at Ge Mei and said, “Director Ge, would you like to join us for a meal?”

Ge Mei replied, “Alright, I’ll go get my bag.”

Lu Yu opened the car door for Jiang Nian. The tall man leaned slightly closer to her, his eyes full of tenderness as he looked at her beautiful, radiant eyes. “Get in.”

Jiang Nian nodded gently and got into the car, followed by Ge Mei. After Lu Yu drove away from the embroidery shop, the people standing outside slowly came back to their senses. Su Na was the first to react. She nudged Shu Xue’s arm and exclaimed, “I didn’t expect Jiang Nian’s boyfriend to be a regiment commander! If Jiang Nian marries him, she’ll be the wife of a regiment commander. He’s so young and already a commander. He has a bright future ahead.”

Shu Xue nodded and said, “Jiang Nian is really fortunate.”

She glanced meaningfully at Jia Yuan, whose expression was not very pleasant. The rank of a regiment commander was worlds apart from the position of Jia Yuan’s husband, who was just a team leader at the factory. She wondered if Jia Yuan would continue to show off in front of them.

Yu Xia left with her lunchbox, and Dong Shu said nothing more. Jia Yuan glanced at Shu Xue and snorted, “They’re just dating. Nothing is certain yet. Jiang Nian herself hasn’t said anything, so why are you all so excited?”

With that, she left.

Shu Xue ignored her and went to the cafeteria with Su Na.

The car drove to the Red Star Hotel, where Lu Yu chose a table by the window, knowing that Jiang Nian liked sitting by the window. The waiter came over and asked, “What would you comrades like to eat?”

Gu Shizhou said, “Let’s see what the ladies want.”

Lu Yu said to Ge Mei and Jiang Nian, “We don’t mind what we eat. You two decide.”

Jiang Nian and Ge Mei ordered five dishes and a soup. While eating, Lu Yu occasionally picked food for Jiang Nian. Ge Mei noticed and smiled silently to herself, making Jiang Nian a bit embarrassed. She whispered, “That’s enough.”

Lu Yu smiled, “Eat more.”

He gave Jiang Nian another piece of meat and asked, “How have you been at the embroidery shop?”

Jiang Nian replied, “It’s been good.”

Lu Yu’s dark eyes glanced at Jiang Nian and Ge Mei, who had momentarily tensed. The tenderness in his expression faded slightly, but he said calmly, “As long as it’s good.”

Gu Shizhou also noticed this and glanced at Jiang Nian, who was focused on eating.

Ge Mei sensed the change in Lu Yu’s demeanor, aware of his sharpness. She raised her water glass and said, “Commander Lu, I toast you with tea instead of wine. Thank you for entrusting Jiang Nian to me. I will take good care of her.”

Lu Yu raised his water glass and clinked it with hers, smiling, “Thank you.”

After finishing his drink, he picked up some more meat for Jiang Nian, who couldn’t eat any more. Eventually, Lu Yu ate all of it.

Jiang Nian: …

Jiang Nian looked at her empty bowl and leaned closer to Lu Yu, whispering, “Don’t you mind?”

Lu Yu looked at her moist red lips and, if not for the presence of others, would have kissed her right there.

He cleared his throat, finished the last of the rice, and said, “I don’t mind.”

Not only did he not mind, but he also liked it very much.

He liked Jiang Nian, the person in front of him.

After leaving the Red Star Hotel, Lu Yu asked Ge Mei, “Director Ge, could Jiang Nian take a half-day off? I want to take her around Yuan City. I’m off today.”

Ge Mei smiled, “No problem.”

Gu Shizhou said, “I’ll head back first. You two enjoy your time in Yuan City.”

Lu Yu nodded, “Alright.”

Gu Shizhou drove back, taking Ge Mei with him. On the street, only Lu Yu and Jiang Nian remained. As they walked, Jiang Nian felt a tightness in her hand as Lu Yu’s fingers intertwined with hers. His deep voice, tinged with a smile, asked, “Did you miss me?”

With people passing by on the busy street, Jiang Nian blushed upon hearing Lu Yu’s question. She bit her lower lip and softly replied, “I did.”

After being apart from Lu Yu for half a month, Jiang Nian felt it had been a long time.

She looked down at her toes, feeling a sudden pull on her hand. She stumbled and fell into Lu Yu’s firm chest. Lu Yu’s arm held her tightly for a moment before he reluctantly let go. “There is a telephone pole ahead.”

Jiang Nian turned to look and realized that if Lu Yu hadn’t pulled her, she would have run straight into it.

Jiang Nian: …

Lu Yu chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Let’s go watch a movie.”

Jiang Nian nodded gently, “Okay.”

The cinema in Yuan City was relatively large, with a blackboard outside displaying the day’s movie schedule. Lu Yu bought tickets and also got chestnuts and soda for Jiang Nian. Holding her hand, he led her into the cinema, where they sat near the back. From there, they could see the people in the front rows.

The movie started with a loud sound, drowning out the noise of people talking.

The dim lighting inside and their seats towards the back meant they were relatively secluded. Lu Yu peeled chestnuts and handed them to Jiang Nian, “Have some.”

Jiang Nian’s mouth was full of chestnuts, and she started to choke a bit.

She took the soda Lu Yu handed her and took a sip, washing down the chestnuts. Before she could swallow the rest, her head suddenly felt heavy, and everything went dark as Lu Yu kissed her firmly. His tongue broke through her teeth and swept away the soda in her mouth.

Jiang Nian’s eyes widened in shock. There were many people in the cinema, and Lu Yu’s sudden kiss startled her.

“Mmm…”

She tugged at Lu Yu’s shirt. He kissed her at the corner of her lips and, noticing someone looking their way, quickly let go of her. His long fingers gently held her slender hand, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.

Jiang Nian’s lips were moist. She lightly bit her lip, filled with Lu Yu’s scent. It felt like being tightly enclosed by a wall, making her feel hot all over. Lu Yu’s husky voice sounded in her ear, “Jiang Nian.”

“Um?”

Jiang Nian looked up and was caught off guard by the deep, dark eyes of the man. His gaze was like a web she couldn’t escape, binding her tightly. Her heart trembled, and her damp eyelashes fluttered several times due to Lu Yu’s actions.

The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times. Taking advantage of no one looking, he leaned in for another deep kiss.

The hot breath from his lips made Jiang Nian shiver. She leaned weakly against Lu Yu, completely unaware of what was happening in the movie. Her mind was a mess, being led by Lu Yu until two more people entered the cinema, forcing him to reluctantly let go of her hand. He pressed her hand gently.

Fresh air filled her lungs, Jiang Nian’s cheeks flushed, and she breathed lightly, leaning back in her seat.

The movie was halfway through, and the two newcomers sat beside Jiang Nian, with two seats between them.

Lu Yu continued to peel chestnuts for Jiang Nian, his gaze deepening as he looked at her rosy lips.

In a low voice, he said, “I’ve already submitted the marriage application.”

Jiang Nian’s head shot up, her misty eyes staring at Lu Yu. “Will they approve it?”

Unable to resist, Lu Yu kissed her eyelids when no one was looking. “They will. At most, it will be approved within a month. I’ve also applied for a house in the family quarters. Once everything is approved, you can stay at home and embroider. No need to stay at the embroidery shop.”

Though Jiang Nian hadn’t said anything at the Red Star Hotel, Lu Yu had noticed her every action. 

She wasn’t having an easy time at the embroidery shop.

Jiang Nian smiled, “Okay.”

As the movie played on, Jiang Nian’s thoughts were interrupted by a nearby woman’s mention of Jia Yuan’s name. She turned to look and recognized the man sitting with an unfamiliar woman.

It was Jia Yuan’s husband.

She had seen him before at the cafeteria with Jia Yuan and her mother-in-law.

The two were holding hands, the woman leaning on the man’s shoulder, saying, “Can’t you stay with me a little longer?”

The man replied, “In a few days, I’ll take you to the Red Star Hotel for a meal. They’re changing the menu. I’ll take you to try something new.”

The woman finally smiled, “You better not lie to me.”

Jiang Nian: …

Although Jia Yuan wasn’t a great person, she didn’t deserve to be betrayed by her husband.

She bit her lip, choosing not to interfere, when Lu Yu’s hot breath brushed against her ear, “What are you looking at?”

His magnetic voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Jiang Nian’s body went numb, her blush returning. She gently shook her head, “Nothing.”

But Lu Yu’s gaze still swept over the man.

The man wore the dark blue uniform of the textile factory. The woman wore her own clothes. With his intuition, Lu Yu guessed they were both textile factory workers, and Jiang Nian knew them. Looking down at Jiang Nian’s smooth forehead, he tightened his grip on her hand. “Do you know that man?”

His voice was low, with a hint of coldness.

He feared Jiang Nian might encounter another Hu Zhongming.

Jiang Nian didn’t expect Lu Yu to guess so quickly. With the movie’s volume high, she whispered in his ear, “I do. He’s the husband of one of the embroiderers at the state-run embroidery shop.”

That was enough for Lu Yu to understand.

The warm breath by his ear made Lu Yu’s body tense. He turned his head slightly, “Don’t worry about it. Always prioritize your own safety.”

Jiang Nian nodded lightly, “Okay.”

Lu Yu continued, “The military district isn’t far from the city, just over an hour’s drive. I have one day off each week and will stay in the city.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Okay.”

After the movie ended, the theater slowly emptied.

Lu Yu held Jiang Nian’s hand as they left, only to see Jia Yuan’s husband with the woman again, now keeping a discreet distance from each other. Jiang Nian couldn’t help but think: Men really are unfaithful, eating from one bowl while thinking about another.

Then she glanced at Lu Yu beside her.

Seeing her thoughts, Lu Yu ruffled her hair, “Don’t compare me to those people.”

Jiang Nian: …

Sometimes, she really thought Lu Yu could read her mind.

By the time they left the cinema, it was getting dark. Lu Yu held Jiang Nian’s hand as they walked to the bridge. The evening wind was chilly, and Jiang Nian, without a scarf, shivered. Lu Yu unbuttoned his coat and draped it over her, wrapping her tightly.

Jiang Nian: …

She laughed, “I’m all bundled up like a bear.”

Lu Yu leaned down, his strong arms lifting her easily by the waist. This child-like carrying posture made Jiang Nian feel both awkward and embarrassed. With nowhere to put her hands, she rested them on Lu Yu’s shoulders, her face flushed. Lu Yu’s hand rested on her lower back, “No matter how bundled up you are, I can still carry you.”

Jiang Nian: …

She bit her lower lip, avoiding Lu Yu’s intense gaze, feeling her heart pounding in her chest.

Lu Yu carried her to a stone statue at the bend of the bridge and set her on the stone rail. With the wind roaring behind her, Jiang Nian clung tightly to Lu Yu’s neck, terrified of falling.

Lu Yu laughed softly, his strong arm wrapping around her waist. He kissed her lips, “With me here, you won’t fall.”

Jiang Nian was still scared.

She clung to Lu Yu’s neck, fearing she would fall if she leaned back.

As she struggled with her thoughts, Lu Yu’s large hand moved through her hair, gripping the back of her head, and kissed her intensely. It was far more passionate than in the cinema. Jiang Nian could hardly breathe, her tongue numb. She grasped tightly onto Lu Yu’s thin, dark blue sweater, her small, delicate body nestled protectively in his embrace.

The man’s dark eyes were tinged with crimson, a stark contrast to the depths of his gaze.

Jiang Nian’s jaw slackened, then tightened again, until her breath nearly faded. Lu Yu reluctantly let her go, kissing her damp eyelashes and the tip of her red nose.

“Jiang Nian,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “I can hardly wait anymore. I want to get married soon.”

Jiang Nian’s ears burned, her lips tingling as she pressed them together, unable to respond. She buried her face in Lu Yu’s neck, greedily inhaling the air that filled her lungs.