Chapter 91

The old lady was not in a good mood upon seeing Zheng Hong. She said, “That’s her current husband. I heard she married the old bachelor from their village.”

Jiang Nian immediately pursed her lips, and a thought suddenly popped into her mind.

Xu Yan and Zheng Hong had swapped their fates from their past lives. The question now was, what would Xu Yan’s final outcome be in this life?

Jiang Nian glanced at Xu Yan, who unexpectedly looked over and smiled, asking, “What’s the matter?”

Jiang Nian replied with a smile, “Nothing.”

When they returned home, Lu Yu was absent, and his whereabouts were unknown. The old lady went home first to drop off things, while Jiang Nian and Xu Yan went to Zhu Jun’s house. They placed the items in the kitchen and began preparing for the midday banquet. According to Lu Yu, he hadn’t invited many people—at most, four tables.

As Xu Yan was finishing up with the vegetables, Chen Fang and the old lady arrived. Although the four women were a bit cramped in the kitchen, it was lively and cheerful. After a while, Lu Yu came back, and with him came Captain Lu. Captain Lu was on a day off today, so he came in with Lu Yu to take the fish out and clean it.

The two men squatted by the well, with Lu Yu scraping the scales off a fish and tossing it into an enamel basin. He glanced at Lu Guosheng and asked, “I heard from Chief of Staff Tao that you want to retire at the end of the year?”

Captain Lu nodded and said, “Yes, staying here is about all I can do. I’m not young anymore, and my mother can’t keep looking after the kids for me. If I can transfer to work in my hometown, I can visit my mother and children more often.”

He then looked at Lu Yu and added, “You’re still young. You’ve just been promoted to regiment commander this year, and with more effort, you can advance further. When I first saw you, I knew you would succeed.” He smiled and continued, “It’s actually a good thing that you’re with Jiang Nian. Both of you are reliable and understand each other well. If Xu Cheng were still around, he would have been pleased with you two.”

Lu Yu smiled, “I remember your home is near the Yuan city, right?”

Captain Lu said, “Well, it’s a two-hour drive from Yuan City.”

Lu Yu responded, “When you transfer back, we should find time to meet up.”

Upon hearing this, Captain Lu smiled and said, “Okay.”

The four of them cooked quickly. Zhu Jun’s house didn’t have enough tables, so Lu Yu and Captain Lu moved tables from Xu Yan’s house and his own house. They were still short of one table, so Chen Fang suggested they move a table from her home. As they cleaned the tables and brought out the food, voices were heard from outside.

The first to walk in was Chief of Staff Tao. Jiang Nian had seen him once during the winter when she waited outside the regiment for Lu Yu. Chief of Staff Tao recognized Jiang Nian immediately and said with a smile, “I heard from Old Song that you’re a great cook. I’ve never had the chance to taste your cooking before. Today I’m finally in luck.”

Following him were several of Lu Yu’s comrades, who greeted Jiang Nian as “sister-in-law.” As soon as they came in, Commander Tang’s voice came from behind: “Jiang Nian, I smelled the food you cooked as soon as I walked to the door of your house. It smells so delicious.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “If it smells good, then eat more.”

The guests were all from the army, except for Chen Fang and Captain Lu’s mother. There were no other wives present. The large men occupied three tables, while Jiang Nian and a few children sat at one. At the dinner table, many people began to tease Lu Yu and Jiang Nian, asking them to offer a toast and give each other a kiss.

The atmosphere was lively and bustling.

Jiang Nian noticed the genuine smiles on everyone’s faces and knew that Lu Yu had already informed them in advance. None of them would say a word against her. She could almost guess that the reason these people didn’t bring their wives was probably to avoid whispering that might hurt her.

Commander Tang had drunk a bit too much this time. Under the influence, he patted the table and said to Lu Yu, “If it weren’t for you being quick, Jiang Nian would have been my brother’s wife. If Tang Ze had married Jiang Nian, there wouldn’t be so many issues. Jiang Nian is really a great person, with excellent embroidery skills, delicious cooking, and a caring nature. Lu Yu, finding a wife like her is like finding a rare treasure.”

Jiang Nian instinctively glanced at Lu Yu’s expression and saw him smiling as he replied, “Tang Ze wasn’t that lucky.”

Implying that he was.

Jiang Nian couldn’t help but laugh, and Chen Fang pretended to be angry by saying to Jiang Nian, “This is what they call ‘the rabbit eating the grass near its burrow.’ Tang Ze was too far away and missed out.”

Jiang Nian: …

Xu Yan and the old lady both burst into laughter. Xu Yan said, “Sister Chen’s words are spot on.”

Jiang Nian nudged Xu Yan’s arm. “Why are you joining in the fun too?”

Xu Yan took a sip of water, her face full of smiles, “I’m happy for you, Jiang Nian. Seeing you married so well truly makes me happy.”

Jiang Nian, feeling moved, held Xu Yan’s hand tightly, “Thank you.”

Over the past year, Xu Yan and Sister Feng had helped her a lot. When rumors were spread about her in the family quarters, they stood up for her. When Zheng Hong and Kang Xiu bullied her, it was Sister Feng and Xu Yan who defended her.

After the meal, everyone left. Jiang Nian and Xu Yan cleaned up the dishes, and Lu Yu and Captain Lu returned the tables and benches.

The news of Jiang Nian and Lu Yu’s banquet at Zhu Jun’s house had spread throughout the family quarters. Jiang Nian didn’t need to think to know how people were gossiping about her and Lu Yu. After finishing up, Chen Fang and the old lady went back first. Xu Yan stayed behind to keep Jiang Nian company, talking to her as if trying to make up for the past six months.

Xu Yan reluctantly left when it got dark.

Jiang Nian stood in the yard, watching Xu Yan’s disappearing figure, and then lowered her head to hide her loneliness.

Lu Yu came out of the house, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and gently patted her, “It’s getting late. Let’s wash up and go to bed early. We’ll leave early tomorrow.”

Jiang Nian looked up at him, “Lu Yu, let’s go back to our hometown for a visit.”

Lu Yu’s brows furrowed suddenly, and his grip around Jiang Nian tightened. He didn’t want her to go near their hometown again, let alone step back into Xu Cheng’s house. He feared that the changes Jiang Nian had undergone before might repeat themselves and worried that something might cause her to disappear.

Seeing Lu Yu’s silence, Jiang Nian turned around and hugged his slim waist. “Let’s visit the old professor while you still have a few days off.”

After a long silence, Lu Yu finally spoke, “Alright.”

He reached out and held Jiang Nian’s hand, squeezing her fingers, “We’ll stay for two days and then leave.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Okay.”

That evening, she ate only a little, and Lu Yu brought her some hot water. After washing up, she went to bed early. The next morning, she went next door to see Xu Yan, who had brought a lot of things, intending to bring more next time she had the chance.

Xu Yan was reluctant to part with her. At the farewell, Xu Yan stood at the door, holding her two children’s hands, with tears in her eyes, watching Jiang Nian slowly walk away.

Liu Jianye looked up at the tears at the corner of Xu Yan’s eyes and asked, “Mom, will we see Aunt Jiang again?”

Xu Yan smiled, “We will.”

She also hoped to see Jiang Nian often. If everyone were still in the family quarters, it would be easier, but now, seeing her again would be difficult.

Liu Jianwu asked, “Mom, where is Aunt Jiang going?”

Xu Yan patted Liu Jianwu’s head, “Aunt Jiang is going to Yuan City with Uncle Lu.”

Liu Jianwu said, “Oh,” and then asked, “Can we go see Aunt Jiang?”

Xu Yan didn’t reply.

After a long time, once Jiang Nian and Lu Yu had disappeared from the family quarters, she finally spoke, “If we have the chance, we’ll go visit Aunt Jiang.”

Zhu Jun was going to the city hospital to see Zhang Xiao, and today happened to be going with Lu Yu and Jiang Nian. As they left the family quarters, many military wives looked at Jiang Nian with some criticism. Jiang Nian’s expression remained calm, and she didn’t let their gazes bother her.

On the other hand, Lu Yu took her hand and squeezed it, looking down at her, “Don’t pay attention to them.”

Jiang Nian looked up and smiled at Lu Yu, “I’m fine.”

She really didn’t care about what others said; their opinions couldn’t hurt her.

Leaving the military base, the three of them took a bus to the county town and then headed to the city. The ride took four hours. Jiang Nian fell asleep as soon as she got on the bus and only gradually woke up as they approached their destination. Lu Yu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, “We’re almost there.”

Jiang Nian lazily leaned on Lu Yu’s shoulder and murmured, “Mm.”

Arriving in the city, it was just in time for lunch. Jiang Nian had Lu Yu buy food from the state-run restaurant to bring to the hospital, specifically for Zhang Xiao. She had promised to have a meal with Zhang Xiao before leaving. Zhu Jun’s mother was also at the hospital and seemed a bit nervous upon seeing Lu Yu and Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian smiled and asked, “Auntie, have you eaten?”

Zhu Jun’s mother replied, “Not yet.”

Jiang Nian said, “We bought some food. Let’s eat together.”

Zhu Jun moved a small table beside the bed, and the four of them squeezed together to have lunch. Zhang Xiao looked at Jiang Nian and asked softly, “Did you hold the banquet before leaving?”

Jiang Nian nodded, “Yes, we did.”

Zhu Jun’s mother spoke very little, saying only a few words during the meal, mostly encouraging Zhang Xiao to eat more.

Knowing that Jiang Nian and Lu Yu were leaving, Zhang Xiao was reluctant and started to cry. Zhu Jun’s mother said, “You shouldn’t cry during the confinement period. It could harm your eyes.”

But Zhang Xiao couldn’t stop crying, and Zhu Jun had no choice but to comfort her, which made Jiang Nian want to cry as well. She smiled and waved to Zhang Xiao, then left the hospital with Lu Yu, going to the embroidery shop. After visiting Lu Xiaoqing and Zhai Peipei, they rushed to the train station to catch the 4 PM train back to their hometown.

At Jiang Nian’s request, Lu Yu bought a sleeper ticket this time. Jiang Nian wanted to sleep with Lu Yu, so as soon as they got on the train, she lay down on the sleeper. Lu Yu went to fill the thermos. After a while, two women and a little boy, who looked to be about two years old, came to the opposite sleeper. The women seemed to be mother and daughter, sharing some resemblance.

The little boy sat on the sleeper, his big, round eyes staring at Jiang Nian. Jiang Nian was looking out the window, but noticed his gaze from the corner of her eye. She turned her head and met the boy’s eyes, then smiled with a gentle curve of her eyebrows.

“Giggling.”

The little boy laughed happily and shyly hid behind his mother.

Seeing this, the two women both smiled. The older woman sitting by the edge glanced at Jiang Nian, thinking to herself that the young lady was really good-looking, with fair skin and bright eyes. Jiang Nian’s gaze shifted to meet the middle-aged woman’s, and she smiled politely.

“Mommy.”

The boy’s voice was sweet and childish. Jiang Nian looked at him again. This time, the boy tilted his head, and despite his young age, his nose bridge was straight and his brow bone slightly prominent. For a moment, Jiang Nian felt the child looked familiar. She had a good memory for faces and usually recognized people after seeing them once, but she had no recollection of this child.