Chapter 30 – Going Public

The courtyard wasn’t large, with just a few clean and tidy wooden tables and chairs inside.

When an elderly man saw Lu Hanzheng, he came out to greet him. The two exchanged a few brief words.

Before going back inside, the old man glanced kindly in her direction.

Wen Nian responded with a polite smile.

Before long, a young man came out carrying a tray of dishes.

Sweet and sour pork ribs, braised sea cucumber with scallions, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, braised prawns in oil, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

There was also a plate of delicate Beijing-style pastries and a small pot of pear soup.

Wen Nian had already smelled the delicious aroma earlier.

She’d barely eaten anything at lunch, and now her stomach was growling with hunger.

Lu Hanzheng scooped a bowl of steaming white rice from a wooden basin and placed it in front of her.

“Eat while it’s hot.”

Wen Nian looked at the steaming, fragrant dishes, her mouth already watering.

She didn’t hold back—picked up a piece of the sweet and sour rib and began eating heartily with the rich, fluffy rice.

The ingredients from this era were all naturally raised. A single pig had to be raised for a full year before it was ready for slaughter.

Unlike the pigs of the future that practically matured in two months—full of technology and hard work.

The sweet and sour ribs were perfectly balanced, tangy and sweet, and paired with the rice, they were simply delicious.

In this food-scarce era of the 1980s, being able to cook to this level was no small feat. The chef’s skills were clearly exceptional.

As the saying goes, true masters are hidden among the people.

This restaurant really was tucked away.

Seeing that she liked the food, Lu Hanzheng added a few more ribs to her plate and, worried she’d choke, poured her a bowl of pear soup.

He didn’t start eating immediately. Instead, he first went to wash his hands, then began patiently peeling shrimp.

He placed all the peeled prawns on the empty plate in front of her for easy access.

Wen Nian accepted it all without protest, thoroughly enjoying her boyfriend’s thoughtful service.

After finishing half a bowl of rice, her stomach finally felt a bit more settled, and she slowed her pace.

When she looked up, the young man from earlier was walking over with another dish, his expression unable to hide his curiosity and amazement.

“Brother Lu, is this sister-in-law?”

Lu Hanzheng nodded lightly and gave a soft “Mm.”

The young man looked utterly shocked. The famously aloof and woman-averse Captain Lu actually had a girlfriend?

This was explosive news!

“Sister-in-law, hello.”

“Hello.”

Wen Nian politely nodded.

She was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected him to go public with their relationship so soon.

“Brother Lu, sister-in-law, enjoy your meal. I won’t disturb you.”

He hurried off—eager to share the news with his buddies. This was hot, fresh gossip straight from the source.

Once word got out, not only would the admiring girls in the military art troupe be heartbroken, even the girls back in the compound would be crying their eyes out.

Rumor had it that the Lu family had found the daughter of their benefactor—could it be this girl?

Well, she was certainly no ordinary beauty. He’d been stunned just now.

That delicate face, fair skin, graceful figure, and refined temperament—she was a living fairy.

With someone like her by your side, why would you even look at anyone else?

And just now, seeing the two of them sitting together, the affection flowing between them—

Tsk, tsk. It was enough to make your teeth ache from the sweetness.

But no doubt about it, they were a perfect match made in heaven.

—

Back at the Lu house, Lin Siyun was sitting on the sofa, sewing a men’s military uniform with swift, practiced stitches—a picture of the virtuous, capable housewife.

When she saw Wen Nian and Lu Hanzheng walk in one after the other, her eyes flickered slightly.

“Xiao Wen, is everything at home settled now?”

That afternoon, she’d gotten a call from Lu Hanzheng saying Wen Nian had to go home to take care of something.

“It’s all been handled.”

Wen Nian shot Lu Hanzheng a subtle glance.

This man was unexpectedly thoughtful—even remembered to come up with a cover story for her.

“If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask. No need to be polite with Auntie.”

Lin Siyun said warmly, full of concern.

She’d already heard what happened earlier that day.

Wen Jiancheng was nothing but a selfish opportunist.

That little scheme of his was well thought out.

Sending his biological daughter to cozy up to the Zheng family, while the adopted daughter was delivered to the Lu family.

Although the couple hadn’t yet come knocking on their door asking for benefits, it was only a matter of time.

Too bad Zheng Jiahe didn’t fancy Wen Xue. That’s why they rushed to swap the candidate for her elder sister—whatever it took to cling to the Zheng family.

These past days, Lin Siyun had been watching from the sidelines. Lu Hanzheng had kept a polite but distant attitude toward Wen Nian the entire time.

Wen Nian’s father had once helped the Lu family, that was true. But if Wen Jiancheng thought he could use that to marry his daughter into the Lu family—then he was sorely mistaken.

Who was Lu Hanzheng?

Even as a teenager, he was exceptionally capable and full of youthful pride.

He’d seen the best and worst of human nature, tasted warmth and coldness in the world.

Once the darling of fate, now fallen from grace.

Yet these hardships hadn’t crushed him—they’d only fueled him.

By sheer ability, in just a few years, he had risen from an unknown scout in a reconnaissance battalion to become the commander of the Thunder Legion.

Lu Binghuai’s name and status may have helped a bit, but the main reason was Lu Hanzheng’s own courage and grit.

Even though his military career had skyrocketed like a rocket, not a single soul in the military district dared question it.

Anyone with eyes could see—his military achievements were earned with his life on the line.

A hardened soldier like him, one from the reconnaissance corps no less—someone who had seen countless schemes and treacheries—how could he be easily swayed by a bit of sugarcoating?

That’s why when he burst into the women’s federation director’s office, begging Yang Ling for help—

Even Lin Siyun had been shocked.

This was the first time he’d ever asked a favor from someone for a matter of personal emotion.

If you asked her, she’d say the Zheng family was actually a decent match.

Since Wen Nian hadn’t come to them asking for anything, she and Lu Binghuai naturally had no place to interfere.

Yet here was the young master, already getting flustered.

Yang Ling had called her right away, explaining the whole matter clearly.

At that moment, Lin Siyun understood—he was falling in deep.

And not just her—Lu Hanzheng’s father knew too.

In fact, Lu Binghuai probably welcomed it.

This way, the old debt of gratitude would be repaid, and their son’s marriage problem resolved.

Two birds with one stone.

Even her biological father had no objections—what right did she, a stepmother, have to criticize?

If Wen Nian could marry into the family, that would be a good thing. Better than bringing in someone from a powerful background who’d try to dominate everything.

She, after all, would remain the Lu family’s matriarch.

“Thank you, Auntie Lin, but it’s really not necessary,” Wen Nian replied with a polite smile, glancing at Lu Hanzheng.

She had a boyfriend, after all—not just for show. When it’s time to use him, use him.

Lu Hanzheng gave her a cool, proud look, met her eyes without a word, then turned and went upstairs, face blank.

Wen Nian curled her lips.

There it was again—that deadpan act.

Cold and aloof in public, clingy as hell in private.

Later, Wen Nian enjoyed a long soak in the tub, relaxing in the warm water.

When she looked down—

The pain in her chest was gone, but the bruising was still pretty obvious.

After her bath, she deliberately pulled out a fine silk nightdress and put it on.

It was something she’d brought from the modern world—light, smooth, and soft.

She’d found it too loose originally, so she had taken it to the tailor for some adjustments.

Now it had a snug waistline and traditional frog buttons at the chest.

Just as she finished her skincare routine, there came a knock at the door.

She knew he’d come.

The moment the door opened, Lu Hanzheng froze.

The warm yellow light spilled over the girl’s figure.

Her still-damp black hair cascaded down her back, a few strands playfully brushing against her pale, slender neck.

The white vintage-style nightdress hugged her waist just right. Her eyes were clear, lips red and alluring.

It was as if a classical beauty had stepped straight out of a painting.

Pure and charming.

The sheer impact of that beauty stunned Lu Hanzheng for a moment.