Chapter 59.2

When Wen Nuan, Old Zhong, and Xiao Zhu arrived at the grand auditorium, they stared blankly at the empty ceiling. Not only was the model plane gone, but even the paper fighter jets that had been placed aside yesterday had disappeared… 

They asked the soldiers tidying up the auditorium, but everyone shook their heads, unaware of where those items had gone. 

“What’s going on?” Xiao Zhu looked in disbelief at the spot where the model had hung yesterday. 

Old Zhong’s temper flared up, and he yelled, “Which heartless jerk took our stuff?!” 

Xiao Zhu furrowed his brows. “Oh no, how are we going to explain this to the commander?” 

Old Zhong leaned more toward blaming General Lu for the model’s disappearance, sighing, “It won’t be easy to explain to General Lu either.” 

Among the group, only Wen Nuan remained relatively unaffected, actually feeling relieved. She didn’t have to worry about deciding who to give it to anymore. 

Now, no one needed to receive it. 

When Gu Qinghan returned that evening, Wen Nuan was feeding Lele an apple and told him about the missing fighter jet model. 

Upon hearing this, Gu Qinghan frowned as he hung up his military cap and asked, “Who did it?” 

“I don’t know. Not just the model but even the paper airplanes that Lele and the other kids used are gone. Maybe everyone just thought they were cute and took them,” Wen Nuan said cheerfully, feeling quite pleased. After all, this meant that everyone enjoyed their creative efforts.

And she didn’t have to offend either of the big shots. 

Gu Qinghan caught sight of Wen Nuan’s smile and found it somewhat amusing. “You actually seem to be hoping the items are missing.” 

Wen Nuan hadn’t expected Gu Qinghan to guess her thoughts, so she smiled and no longer hid her feelings. “Anyway, whoever I give it to would offend one side. It’s better this way; no one needs to be placated.” 

After hearing this, Gu Qinghan thought his wife’s optimistic nature was quite nice. “True, let it be. I’ll inform General Lu tomorrow.” 

Wen Nuan nodded. “That way, I can also give General Xu a satisfactory explanation.” 

Lele finished about half of the apple and then ran out of the yard to the osmanthus sister-in-law’s side to help her shell peas. 

Seeing Lele go out, Wen Nuan took Gu Qinghan’s hand and looked closely at his neck. Fortunately, the mark wasn’t as noticeable anymore, and the high collar of his uniform covered half of it. 

Gu Qinghan knew what Wen Nuan was worried about and couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t worry; I won’t let anyone find out.” 

He didn’t want anyone to know a word about the intimate matters between him and his wife. 

It was something deeply personal, meant only for the two of them. 

Wen Nuan, flustered, slapped his arm and pouted. “That’s not what I meant!” 

“I want to remember your current figure. Aren’t you going to go for a test flight after the Mid-Autumn Festival? It seems like you get thinner every time you come back, and it hurts my heart. Is the test flight work very tough?” 

Gu Qinghan found test flying to be harder than training in the military, but he had never mentioned it to Wen Nuan. Now, hearing her express concern made him feel warm inside.

He loosened the top button of his uniform and wrapped his arms around her waist, smiling, “It’s not tough; you can rest easy. The food over there isn’t quite as good, but compared to the other soldiers, I’m doing pretty well.” 

“By the way, is there anything to eat? I had steak at Old Su’s restaurant for lunch, but it wasn’t filling, and I’m already hungry.” 

“Yes, I made some milk-flavored steamed buns for Lele as snacks. Go wash your hands first, and I’ll get a few out for you.” Seeing that Gu Qinghan indeed looked a bit hungry, Wen Nuan realized he had never complained about being hungry before. He would usually prioritize her and their child when there was food. 

He must be really hungry, she thought, quickening her pace. 

After the cultural troupe lost first place, Captain Liao threw a huge tantrum. He had brought back thirty catties of pork but didn’t mention having a gathering for the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Although Captain Liao thought that getting second place was due to He Manqing’s shortcomings, no one else in the troupe dared to speak ill of her or point fingers, even offering her comfort. 

Everyone knew that General Lu was her god-grandfather. 

After seeing Captain Liao leave, Zhou Yun walked over to He Manqing and asked, “Manqing, now that General Lu is in our unit, aren’t you going to go see him?”

He Manqing paused for a moment, slightly lowering her gaze. She smiled and said, “Right now, my god-grandfather is still busy. Let’s wait a bit; I’ll go meet him later.”

Then she smiled again and added, “But I won’t make it for dinner since my god-grandfather still has to eat with General Xu and the others.”

As soon as everyone heard this, they immediately felt that He Manqing had become more important and gathered around her.

One female comrade said, “Of course, General Lu still has to visit the soldiers in the troops Today. He has no time! He can’t skip dinner and then have a meeting afterward.”

“Isn’t it because Manqing is General Lu’s god-granddaughter that she can meet him? Look at us; we don’t even have the chance to meet the commander alone.”

Hearing everyone’s words, He Manqing’s vanity suddenly inflated, and she laughed, “Yes, my god-grandfather is really busy.”

Zhou Yun glanced at the darkening sky and then said, “It’s already dark now. Manqing, you should hurry and meet General Lu.”

He Manqing’s mood instantly brightened, and she replied with a smile, “Alright, I’ll head over first.”

“Come on, Manqing, didn’t you catch a cold? You can use my scarf for now; it’s a bit chilly at night.”

“I have a coat here, and it’s bright and festive. How about you put this on instead…?”

As He Manqing listened to everyone’s care, her previously gloomy mood, brought down by Colonel Liao’s cold demeanor, instantly vanished.

Before leaving, He Manqing took special care to tidy up her appearance. She hadn’t seen General Lu for quite some time; the last contact had been just a few words over the phone.

Now that he had finally come to Northern City, he would surely want to see her.

When He Manqing arrived at the residence where General Lu was staying, she noticed several guards nearby. As she approached, they raised their guns to block her path and shouted sternly, “Who are you?”

He Manqing swallowed hard and replied, “I am General Lu’s god-granddaughter. My name is He Manqing. Comrade, please help me pass a message.”

The two guards exchanged glances. They hadn’t heard that General Lu had a god-granddaughter.

Seeing them hesitate, He Manqing added, “Comrade, just let him know; it’s very urgent that I see my god-grandfather. Thank you.”

After considering for a moment, one of the guards said, “Alright, please wait here.”

“Okay,” He Manqing replied obediently, nodding her head.

Before long, a young man wearing glasses came out with the guard who had gone to pass the message.

Xiao Zhang looked He Manqing up and down and politely said, “Hello, comrade. The commander is not available tonight. Please go back.”

He Manqing frowned at this young man, who was only a few years older than her, and her tone became less friendly. “Who are you? I want to see General Lu. Did you even pass the message?”

He Manqing had previously dealt with Uncle Shun, who was General Lu’s life assistant and had been an old comrade of General Lu for many years. She did not know this Xiao Zhang at all.

Besides, it was already dark; how could her god-grandfather still be unavailable to see her?

Xiao Zhang adjusted his glasses and formally introduced himself, saying, “Comrade, I am General Lu’s accompanying assistant. You can call me Xiao Zhang. I’m very sorry, but the commander cannot meet you tonight. It would be better if you returned home.”

He Manqing anxiously replied, “I really have something urgent to discuss with my god-grandfather. Please help me pass the message again.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and He Manqing, already feeling a bit under the weather, sneezed uncontrollably, causing a stream of mucus to escape from her nose.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhang immediately took a few steps back and said, “Comrade, since you’re sick, you definitely can’t see the commander. You should come back after you recover.”

Feeling embarrassed, He Manqing covered her nose, unable to find a handkerchief in time. She could only hold it with her hand and muttered, “I just want to see my god-grandfather for a moment; you…”

Xiao Zhang, noticing her condition, felt a bit disgusted and suggested, “Comrade, why don’t you write a note? Given your current situation, it really isn’t appropriate for you to meet the commander.”

He couldn’t risk passing her illness to the commander; that would make him an accomplice.

Moreover, General Lu truly had matters to attend to tonight…He Manqing had previously dealt with Uncle Shun, who was General Lu’s life assistant and had been an old comrade of General Lu for many years. She did not know this Xiao Zhang at all.

Besides, it was already dark; how could her god-grandfather still be unavailable to see her?

Xiao Zhang adjusted his glasses and formally introduced himself, saying, “Comrade, I am General Lu’s accompanying assistant. You can call me Xiao Zhang. I’m very sorry, but the commander cannot meet you tonight. It would be better if you returned home.”

He Manqing anxiously replied, “I really have something urgent to discuss with my god-grandfather. Please help me pass the message again.”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and He Manqing, already feeling a bit under the weather, sneezed uncontrollably, causing a stream of mucus to escape from her nose.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhang immediately took a few steps back and said, “Comrade, since you’re sick, you definitely can’t see the commander. You should come back after you recover.”

Feeling embarrassed, He Manqing covered her nose, unable to find a handkerchief in time. She could only hold it with her hand and muttered, “I just want to see my god-grandfather for a moment; you…”

Xiao Zhang, noticing her condition, felt a bit disgusted and suggested, “Comrade, why don’t you write a note? Given your current situation, it really isn’t appropriate for you to meet the commander.”

He couldn’t risk passing her illness to the commander; that would make him an accomplice.

Moreover, General Lu truly had matters to attend to tonight…

It was a very important matter, and if he clearly stated he would not meet, then he would not meet.

Before Xiao Zhang left, he did not forget to remind her, “By the way, you can hand the written note to these two comrades at the entrance.”

After saying that, he went back inside the building.

He Manqing hadn’t anticipated that this would be the outcome. She thought of the female comrades from the cultural troupe, each one eagerly hoping she would get to see General Lu.

She couldn’t let them know that she hadn’t met the commander tonight.

Not willing to give up, He Manqing looked back inside and finally found a somewhat hidden flowerbed to sit down, planning to wait a bit longer before heading back to the dormitory.

However, the night in Northern City was chilly, and because she had dressed nicely, she hadn’t put on any particularly warm clothes.

After sitting for half an hour, it grew colder, and her nose became so congested that she could barely breathe.

It was better to leave.

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Wen Nuan had the day off today and planned to go to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients for the lamb. As she passed by the auditorium, she overheard someone complaining.

“I heard that the fighter jet model the kitchen was using for the performance is missing. Hey, wouldn’t it be nice to display it in the main auditorium?”

“That’s really lacking in integrity. I liked that model, too; I wanted to keep making paper airplanes for my kid to play with. Who knew the kitchen staff would find nothing in the auditorium yesterday!”

“It’s not like that thing was worth a lot; who would steal it? Can’t they just ask others if they want it?”

“Go report it to the Political Commissar. I was planning to bring my kid over to see that fighter jet regularly, but now it’s gone!”

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhang, the assistant walking alongside General Lu down the main avenue of the family compound, nearly tripped over his own feet upon hearing the discussions.

He glanced around nervously at the people, ensuring they had all left, before quietly saying to General Lu, “Commander, do you think our little model theft has been exposed?”

General Lu looked at him in surprise. “We already asked Xiao Gu about it; how could it be considered stealing?”

If anything, it could be seen as a preemptive strike.

Xiao Zhang was momentarily taken aback. “???”

That actually made a bit of sense.