Chapter 87.3

Lu Xiaoqing and Zhai Peipei had to rush to the embroidery shop in the afternoon, so they didn’t stay long. When they left the ward, Lu Yu called out to them. Lu Xiaoqing was momentarily puzzled, and Zhai Peipei also paused, smiling, “I heard you’ve been promoted to commander?”

Lu Yu nodded, smiling, “Yes.”

He continued, “Tonight, Jiang Nian and I will be at the state-run restaurant. Can you two come over after work? She has something to tell you.”

His tone was calm and steady. Lu Xiaoqing and Zhai Peipei came to their senses and nodded, “Sure.”

Lu Yu smiled, “We’ll be waiting for you at seven tonight.”

Lu Xiaoqing and Zhai Peipei left the hospital, exchanged glances, and Lu Xiaoqing spoke first, “Why does it feel like Commander Lu is acting strange today? He used to call Jiang Nian ‘sister-in-law,’ but now he calls her by name.”

Zhai Peipei glanced back at the hospital, a guess forming in her mind, “We’ll find out tonight.”

Jiang Nian stayed in the ward with Zhang Xiao. After a while, Zhu Jun returned. Around noon, Lu Yu touched Jiang Nian’s head and asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you.”

Jiang Nian said, “Anything is fine.”

Lu Yu smiled and said, “Alright.”

Lu Yu and Zhu Jun went out, and Zhang Xiao, holding the chicken soup brought by Zhai Peipei and Lu Xiaoqing, looked up at Lu Yu’s departing figure. She then turned her gaze back to Jiang Nian, biting her lip and hesitating, not knowing how to start.

The way Lu Yu interacted with Jiang Nian earlier had been quite unusual.

Jiang Nian noticed Zhang Xiao’s hesitation and confusion. She saw the other two women in the room playing with the baby and said, “Zhang Xiao, I need to tell you something. First, promise me you won’t be surprised or make a fuss about it.”

She was worried Zhang Xiao might react as loudly as Lu Xiaoqing.

Zhang Xiao might have been puzzled about what Jiang Nian was about to say, but seeing how affectionate Lu Yu had been with Jiang Nian, she roughly guessed it. She still nodded, “Sister Jiang, go ahead.”

Jiang Nian pressed her lips together and whispered, “I married him.”

“Oh… What???”

Even though Zhang Xiao was prepared, she was still shocked. Noticing the other two people in the room looking at her, Zhang Xiao quickly lowered her voice, surprised, “Sister Jiang, are you saying that you and Commander Lu… are married?”

Jiang Nian nodded without hesitation.

Zhang Xiao was almost overwhelmed. She hadn’t noticed anything before. She had only thought that Jiang Nian and Commander Lu seemed to be dating, not expecting they were already married.

Still holding the aluminum lunchbox, she couldn’t help but worry. Looking at Jiang Nian’s fair face, she whispered, “Sister Jiang, will people say anything about you and Commander Lu being together?”

Jiang Nian said, “I don’t care.”

From the moment she agreed to marry Lu Yu, she was prepared for any criticisms.

Zhang Xiao said nothing more, but she released one hand to hold Jiang Nian’s hand and smiled at her, “Sister Jiang, you and Commander Lu got married without us being there. Once my confinement is over, you must invite me and Zhu Jun to celebrate.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “No problem.”

Lu Yu bought chicken noodles and had the chef add extra broth. After Jiang Nian had her meal and spent some time with Zhang Xiao, she left around six in the evening after Zhu Jun’s mother arrived. Before leaving, Lu Yu told Zhu Jun about the dinner at the state-run restaurant at seven.

Lu Yu and Jiang Nian stayed at the guesthouse, which was on the same street as the state-run restaurant.

This was the second time Jiang Nian and Lu Yu stayed in the same room. It was still the same guesthouse from two years ago, just a different room. The room had a bed and a table with two thermoses on it. Lu Yu went to the restroom to get hot water, and Jiang Nian sat on the bed, taking out a thin bedspread from her bag to lay on the bed.

When Lu Yu came back in, he saw Jiang Nian standing by the bed spreading the bedspread. She was wearing a fitted lotus-pink blouse, which made her waist look even slimmer when she bent over. He locked the door, placed the thermos on the table, and Jiang Nian, hearing his footsteps, remembered Lu Yu telling Zhu Jun about the dinner at seven and asked, “Are we going to the state-run restaurant at seven?”

“Yes.”

The deep voice came from behind her. As Jiang Nian straightened up, she bumped into Lu Yu’s warm embrace. Lu Yu hugged her waist from behind, nipped her earlobe, and said in a husky voice, “Nian Nian.”

Jiang Nian’s heart raced a little faster. Lying on the bed in Lu Yu’s embrace, she looked up at the ceiling and suddenly remembered their first stay at the guesthouse. She had a bad sleeping posture and had accidentally touched Lu Yu’s sensitive area when she rolled over in the middle of the night…

Recalling the pain from when her ankle was pinched, Jiang Nian couldn’t help but kick Lu Yu. He pinched her ankle again and chuckled, “Still want to kick me?”

His voice was magnetic and very pleasant.

Jiang Nian’s ears tingled from the warm breath. She slightly turned her head to avoid him. Lu Yu’s hand moved from her waist, starting to unbutton her blouse one by one, and finally, he nipped at her chest.

Jiang Nian gave a soft groan and pushed Lu Yu’s shoulder, but he didn’t move.

His breath became rougher and wilder as he rubbed his face against her neck and said in a hoarse voice, “I told Lu Xiaoqing and Sister Zhai that we’re going to the state-run restaurant at seven tonight and informed them about our marriage.”

Jiang Nian glanced at her watch; it was already half past six.

She nudged Lu Yu and said softly, with a touch of vulnerability that made one want to tease her, “We still have half an hour. Let’s head over first.”

Lu Yu unbuckled his black belt, kissing her lips along the way, “Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Jiang Nian:…

By the time they were done, it was almost dark. Jiang Nian was a bit weary, and Lu Yu kissed the corner of her damp eyes, “I’ll get you some hot water to wash up.”

After they were finished and went to the state-run restaurant, it was already past seven.

Zhai Peipei and Lu Xiaoqing arrived just after them. Zhu Jun was punctual and was already sitting at the restaurant at seven. Seeing Lu Yu and Jiang Nian, he smiled, “You two finally arrived.”

Lu Yu checked the time; they were ten minutes late.

Jiang Nian:…

She pinched Lu Yu’s hand hard and then quickly let go. Zhai Peipei and Lu Xiaoqing walked in just in time to see them release their hands. Zhai Peipei, who had guessed this situation at noon, wasn’t very surprised, but Lu Xiaoqing was shocked. She stared at Jiang Nian and then glanced at Lu Yu, making Jiang Nian’s eyelids twitch.

Lu Xiaoqing, always speaking without thinking and without considering the situation, said, “Jiang Nian, what’s going on with you and Lu Yu? Aren’t you two…”

“Mmm.”

Zhai Peipei quickly covered Lu Xiaoqing’s mouth. Lu Xiaoqing frowned, “Sister Zhai, what are you doing?”

Her words were muffled.

Zhai Peipei said, “Keep quiet. No one will think you’re mute if you don’t talk. And speak softly, be aware of the situation. Don’t just blurt out everything.”

Lu Xiaoqing:…

When Zhai Peipei released her, Lu Xiaoqing instinctively looked around. It was mealtime, and there were several tables of people at the state-run restaurant. She realized her earlier rashness and let out a breath of relief. Looking at Jiang Nian, she whispered, “What’s going on with you and Commander Lu? Be honest.”

Lu Xiaoqing added, “Didn’t you say you only considered Commander Lu as a brother? How come you two are together now?”

Jiang Nian: …

Noticing the gazes directed at her, Jiang Nian felt a tightness on her scalp. She looked up and met Lu Yu’s lowered gaze. She forced a smile and then looked back at Lu Xiaoqing, ready to speak. Lu Yu beat her to it, holding her hand and placing it on the table, saying to Lu Xiaoqing and Zhai Peipei, “We’re married.”

He added, “It was me who initiated the marriage proposal.”

Zhu Jun was the first to cheer, clapping his hands, “Commander Lu is a real man!”

Lu Yu: …

He cast a glance at Zhu Jun, who smiled awkwardly.

Zhai Peipei pressed her lips together, exchanging glances with Lu Xiaoqing. After a moment, Zhai Peipei said, “This is a good thing, really good. When did you two get married? Why didn’t you tell us?”