Chapter 2: Falling into the Military Officer’s Bath

The moment Hu Ouhua hid, her ex-husband’s family entered right after, making her extremely nervous. She carefully evaded them, narrowly avoiding detection as she moved around.

Unexpectedly, after crawling behind a piece of old black cloth, she stepped into empty space and fell into a basement. It was pitch black—she couldn’t see a thing.

Hu Ouhua panicked slightly and groped around in the dark to find an exit.

Her outstretched hand touched a tub filled with pungent medicinal water. The shock made her instinctively cry out, “Ah!” The sound shattered the silence.

Splash!

Before she could react, water splashed everywhere. A hand emerged from the wooden tub, firmly grabbing her arm. Before she could scream, she was pulled into the steaming hot water.

Mm—

Water covered her head as she struggled frantically.

Just as she managed to surface, strong hands clamped around her waist. A teasing male voice murmured in her ear, “What’s this? I, Lu Yuetang, just set foot in Ning City, and the Yang family is already sending women my way? Do they think I’m easy prey and won’t deal with their tricks?”

“No! You misunderstand—”

Hu Ouhua’s voice trembled.

She was about to argue when the grip on her loosened—only for her clothes to be torn apart. The man’s lips crashed onto hers, giving her no chance to resist.

Mmm—!

In her past life, Hu Ouhua had suffered too much and deeply feared such things. But in the wooden tub, with no leverage or strength to fight back, she was pinned against the edge—helpless against Lu Yuetang’s dominance.

By the time he was done, she sat limply in the tub like a dead fish, unable to move, unable even to cry.

Why did this happen?

Her head drooped as exhaustion and despair flooded her.

In her previous life, she had been ruined by that mad dog. And now, in this life, by this Lu Yuetang… Wait.

She numbly asked, “Are you really Lu Yuetang, the military commander from the Beijing Military District?”

Splash.

Lu Yuetang rose from the medicated bath, his voice dripping with mockery in the darkness.

“What? You weren’t after my status? Let me tell you, I despise scheming women the most. Your family is truly ruthless—selling their own sister for money. Don’t worry, I’ll have Fubai negotiate with you.”

With that, he stepped out of the tub.

He casually grabbed a towel from the wall, dried himself off, and left.

Outside, a military officer had been waiting for some time. He smirked, “That divine doctor’s medicinal bath really works wonders. You soaked for just an hour and are already better? Usually, you’d have to soak for three days.”

Lu Yuetang had been bitten by a mysterious poisonous insect while on a mission in a southern jungle last year. Despite extensive treatment, his condition remained severe, so his family sent him to Ning City for the divine doctor’s medicinal bath.

Rolling up his sleeve, Lu Yuetang observed that the dark lines on his wrist had lightened.

He recalled the soft, delicate presence of the woman in the basement. Patting his childhood friend, Shen Fubai, on the shoulder, he said, “Go get her a new outfit. I accidentally tore her dress.”

“???” Shen Fubai blinked in shock.

Before he could ask what had happened, Lu Yuetang had already walked upstairs.

Sensing trouble, Shen Fubai hesitantly approached the basement door and knocked gently. “Excuse me… is someone inside?”

A weak yet clear voice answered, “Can I… borrow some clothes?”

Shen Fubai was stunned.

The infamous workaholic, Lord Lu, actually… had a woman now?

Unbelievable.

Without hesitation, he rushed to the supply store, using ration coupons and money to buy a white blouse and long trousers.

When he returned, he left the clothes outside the door and said mischievously, “The clothes are outside. Once you’re dressed, let’s have a proper chat. Don’t be shy, sister-in-law.”

With that, he smirked and went upstairs to find Lu Yuetang.

Hu Ouhua struggled out of the tub, barely making it to the door. She cracked it open just enough to grab the clothes and hurriedly dressed without even drying off.

As she stepped out, she heard a familiar argument in the hallway.

Her ex-husband, Yang Wei, and his sister, Yang Jiaojiao.

“Brother, what if he refuses to acknowledge it after sleeping with me? How will I show my face in Ning City?” Yang Jiaojiao sobbed.

Yang Wei sounded furious. “Yang Jiaojiao, this is our chance to change our fate! The Lu family is a prestigious clan in Beijing. They care about their reputation. If he refuses to take responsibility, we’ll go to Beijing and make a scene—”

Hidden in a corner, Hu Ouhua listened to every word.

Suddenly, she recalled her past life.

Back then, after Yang Wei assaulted her, she threatened to report him to the police. Instead, he had sneered and threatened her: “Go ahead. My brother-in-law is Beijing’s top military officer, Lu Yuetang. Even if you raise hell, he’ll cover for me.”

She hadn’t understood then.

But now, everything was clear.

So in the end…

This so-called Commander Lu had always been the knife hanging over her head.

Hu Ouhua clutched her collar tightly and carefully avoided them, escaping the house.

——

At the Youzhi Traditional Medicine Hall, second floor.

Lu Yuetang rolled down his sleeve, his sharp gaze fixed on the elderly doctor, “How’s my condition? After the bath, the burning in my eyes and the pain in my chest have eased.”

The doctor was visibly shocked.

Even he hadn’t expected this outcome.

“Did something unusual happen? Based on your symptoms, there’s no way your condition should have improved this drastically—especially your internal weakness. It’s as if you’ve been nourished.”

Lu Yuetang’s expression darkened.

Back in the bath, he had felt an excruciating pain as if his meridians were being torn apart—until a faint, delicate feminine fragrance filled the air, like a clear spring seeping into his limbs.

His body had reacted faster than his mind.

By the time he regained full awareness, the woman in his arms was sobbing.

Only then did he realize what he had done.

But it was too late.

All he could do was despise himself for the mistake—and feel the simmering rage of being manipulated.

Knock.

A voice called from outside. “Commander Lu, I brought Jiaojiao. Please open the door…”

The Yang family had come knocking.

Lu Yuetang kicked Shen Fubai. “Go negotiate with them. Whatever conditions they ask for, just agree.”

Shen Fubai scoffed, “You already ruined the girl. Shouldn’t you just marry her?”

Lu Yuetang’s icy glare was filled with killing intent.

“You know my family’s situation.”

“…Fine.”

Shen Fubai shook his head and left.

Outside, Yang Wei shot a glare at his sister before turning to Shen Fubai with a fawning smile. “Commander, I brought Jiaojiao. So about this matter…”

Yang Jiaojiao hesitated but stole a glance at Shen Fubai. The moment she saw him, her heart fluttered.

Shen Fubai observed her quietly.

She had changed into a pink dress, replacing the clothes he had bought.

Fast.

And yet… with that plain face and forgettable figure, his brother’s taste was truly unique.

Shen Fubai took out 300 yuan, ration coupons, and fabric tickets, handing them to Yang Wei. “Take this. If you have any more requests, let me know.”

Yang Wei was stunned.

Did this mean the commander really wanted his sister?