Chapter 8

It was past nine o’clock, and the Liberation Production Brigade was already shrouded in darkness.

Back then, kerosene lamps were precious, and no household could afford to use them freely. As night fell, everyone naturally went to bed early to save fuel.

The Wen family’s home was quiet, save for the faint rustling from Wen Ning’s room.

She watched as Lu Cheng spread straw and a sheet on the floor, then laid out a quilt and pillow before stiffly lying down.

This is exactly the temperament of a great general, Wen Ning thought. If he were forced into an arranged marriage, he’d probably act just like this.

Tilting her head against the pillow, Wen Ning studied Lu Cheng. Suddenly, he turned and looked at her, his sharp gaze startling her.

For a moment, she genuinely thought he had seen through her secret—that she was a time traveler from an ancient world.

Forcing herself to stay calm, Wen Ning smiled at him. “Regimental Commander Lu, you should get some sleep.”

“Mm.” Years of military training and countless encounters with spies had sharpened Lu Cheng’s eye for deception. Wen Ning’s darting eyes didn’t escape him.

He closed his eyes and lay still, waiting to see what she might try next.

As the night deepened, Wen Ning lay quietly in bed, her wide peach-blossom eyes staring into the darkness. She held her breath, listening closely for any movement beneath the bed.

Lu Cheng’s breathing soon settled into a steady rhythm.

“Regimental Commander Lu…”

“Regimental Commander Lu…”

“Lu Cheng…”

Her soft, cat-like whisper echoed through the room. Wen Ning leaned over the edge of the bed and peered down. He appeared fast asleep, unmoving.

Lightly biting her lip, she slipped out of bed. Her bare feet touched the cold floor, sending a shiver through her.

“Lu Cheng…” she tried again, her voice barely audible. When he still didn’t move, she cautiously approached and knelt at his side.

Asleep, Lu Cheng lacked the imposing aura he carried during the day. In the moonlight, his features softened, though a faint furrow remained between his brows.

“Great General,” Wen Ning murmured, gazing at his face—an exact replica of the man she once knew. The resemblance was undeniable.

Only one thing remained to be certain.

Her slender fingers reached for his collar. One button, two, three… She slowly undid the top of his shirt, revealing the faint outline of a scar on his shoulder.

Regimental Commander Lu was always dressed to perfection—his collar always fastened to the very top. But now, Wen Ning was secretly misbehaving.

Just as she was about to examine the scar more closely, a sharp pain shot through her wrist.

“Ah—” She gasped. Lu Cheng’s grip was much tighter than during their earlier confrontation. Her delicate skin turned red instantly.

“You’re hurting me!”

“What are you doing?” Lu Cheng’s voice was dark with disbelief. He had been wary of her, wondering if she had been planted to extract classified information. But instead, she was… unbuttoning his shirt?

The warmth of her body, her soft breath, the floral scent around her—it had thrown him momentarily off guard.

But only for a moment.

His expression darkened further. “In all my twenty-six years, no one has dared act so boldly!”

“What am I doing?” Wen Ning didn’t even flinch. “I’m your wife. Can’t I check on my husband? What, are you shy?”

“You—” Lu Cheng abruptly sat up. His collar was open, revealing tanned skin and the edge of a scar.

He had always been the one maintaining discipline, yet here he was, constantly provoked by this woman. “You’re corrupting morale!”

Wen Ning burst out laughing. Bathed in moonlight, her smile was radiant. “How is looking after my own husband corrupting morale? You’re just too rigid! I heard you were injured—was I wrong to worry?”

As she spoke, she boldly pulled open the left side of his shirt and stared at the scar on his shoulder.

The shape, position, and size matched the injury the Great General had once sustained while saving her. It was the same scar. Exactly the same.

“Wen Ning!” Lu Cheng stared at her in stunned disbelief. Even a real married couple wouldn’t be this bold, especially given the terms of their arrangement.

He had made it clear before their wedding: this was a nominal marriage, no real affection involved. And yet here she was, clinging to him and unbuttoning his clothes?

“Do you even realize what you’re doing? I told you before—”

“No!” Wen Ning met his gaze, her eyes filled with tenderness. “All I know is that we’re married. You’re my husband. What’s wrong with me looking at you?”

Watching Lu Cheng’s flustered expression, Wen Ning felt her heart settle. It really was him. Even if he didn’t remember her now, they had time. They were married.

“Let’s sleep. I’m tired.” She lay back down as if nothing had happened, satisfied with what she had confirmed.

Lu Cheng stared at her blankly. Was this really happening?

Regimental Commander Lu, known for his iron will and precise command of thousands, was completely at a loss.

……

The next morning dawned bright and clear as Wen Ning and Lu Cheng prepared to leave.

Sunlight streamed across the mountain slopes, casting a golden glow over the Wen family home.

When Wen Ning opened her eyes, the room was empty. Lu Cheng was gone—as if he’d never been there.

That man is so rigid, she thought with a smile. But his warmth lingered behind.

As a princess, I should be magnanimous. I’ll let it slide—for now.

Their train was at 7 PM. They would leave after brunch.

That morning, Mother Wen cooked one final meal for her daughter. Her eyes were misty as she watched Wen Ning eat.

Wen Ning also felt a pang of sorrow. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll come back to visit. You can bring the whole family to the Military Region. We’ll find time.”

Mother Wen chuckled. “I’m too lazy to travel. And stop dragging Xiao Lu home so often. He’s a regimental commander—he’s busy.”

“How could I possibly be a burden?” Wen Ning huffed. “He’s lucky to have married me.”

Mother Wen laughed. “You certainly have a thick skin!”

As they chatted, Second Sister-in-law Wen hovered around the kitchen, rubbing her belly. Mother Wen looked concerned. “Meijuan, is something wrong?”

“No, I’m fine,” she replied, but continued to linger in the kitchen, often staring at Wen Ning. It made her uncomfortable.

Before lunch, Wen Ning quietly pulled her second brother aside. “Second Sister-in-law keeps staring at me, and it’s creeping me out.”

Later, her brother asked his wife about it.

“They say the more you look at someone, the more your baby will resemble them. If it’s a girl, I want her to be pretty like Wen Ning! Even half as pretty would be enough.”

Second Brother blinked.

But then she added, “Though we can’t let the children watch her too much—if they copy her laziness, that would be bad.”

Second Brother: “…”

By noon, the sky had turned gloomy, the wind carrying a touch of autumn chill.

The Wen family walked them to the village entrance to wait for the donkey cart. Mother Wen fussed over Wen Ning. Father Wen puffed silently on his pipe, then finally said, “Write home when you can.”

Wen Peng remained cheerful. “Sis, eat lots of good food—eat my share too!”

Wen Ning smiled. But as she looked at him, she remembered the novel’s ominous foreshadowing. He had been framed for indecent behavior and jailed. There had been no details, and she had no way of preventing it except to give him vague warnings.

“Be careful, Wen Peng. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Especially with female comrades—keep your distance. Wait until you’re older to think about dating.”

“Why would anyone target me?” he asked, confused.

“You’re not even nineteen. I told Mom we’ll talk about this again after your birthday.”

If I can just avoid that timeframe, maybe I can prevent it, she thought. She planned to have him visit her then, away from the source of trouble.

Wen Peng, innocent as ever, waved it off. “I don’t want a girlfriend! Too much hassle!”

Wen Ning: “…”

Hopelessly naïve.

Autumn faded into winter. The sky was heavy with reluctant gray clouds.

Old Cousin Liu arrived with the donkey cart. It was time to leave.

Though she had only been with the Wen family for a month, Wen Ning felt genuine sorrow at parting.

She sat beside Lu Cheng, watching the family recede into tiny black dots before vanishing from sight.

Having transmigrated from the Great Liang Dynasty, she was leaving her only sense of belonging for yet another unknown.

Her heart fluttered uneasily, but she said nothing.

The roads were muddy from yesterday’s rain. The cart jolted violently, and Wen Ning swayed with every bump. Compared to this, her old horse carriage had been luxury.

Beside her, Lu Cheng sat like a rock. She looked at him in disbelief. How was he so steady?

He noticed her gaze, then turned back to Old Cousin Liu, who was talking about his days fighting the Japanese invaders. Lu Cheng listened respectfully and said, “Uncle Liu, you’re a hero. Protecting the country was no easy task.”

Then he felt a tug at his arm.

This time, he didn’t react violently. He simply looked down at her small hand clutching his sleeve.

“I’m about to shake apart,” Wen Ning said simply, her expression miserable.

Lu Cheng’s eyes cooled, but when he saw her sway violently from another jolt, he allowed her to cling to his arm.

Her palm was warm, the sensation oddly soft and unsettling.

By the time they reached the county town gate, Wen Ning felt like her bones were falling apart. Her face was pale from the journey.

Lu Cheng jumped down first and turned to get the luggage when a slender hand reached out to him. Wen Ning stood in the cart, wiggling her fingers expectantly.

Though he hesitated, he eventually helped her down.

She leaned heavily on him, her hair brushing his neck, tickling slightly.

“Stand straight,” Lu Cheng said sternly. “You look like a rag doll.”

“But I feel sick,” Wen Ning muttered, her face pale, eyes watery. She looked pitiful and delicate.

Lu Cheng’s scolding caught in his throat. He quickly turned his gaze and sighed. “Hold the cart and wait here. I’ll get our bags.”