Before long, Su Tang came out holding a piece of clothing.  

“I stopped by the service station on my way back and took a look inside.”  

“That undershirt of yours has been worn for ages—it’s time to change it.”  

With that, Su Tang handed the light blue undershirt to Lu Xiao.  

When she first arrived in the northwest, Su Tang had noticed that Lu Xiao’s wardrobe held only four or five pieces of clothing at most.  

Though he usually wore his uniform and didn’t need many casual clothes, it wasn’t right for him to keep wearing patched-up garments.  

Lu Xiao had taken care of her, so it was only natural for her to buy him a few new outfits in return.  

Looking at the slender, pale fingers pressing against the blue fabric, Lu Xiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly before he reached out to take it.  

“Thank you.”  

The material in his hands was soft, likely cotton, and pleasant to the touch.  

This feeling of being cared for made Lu Xiao’s heart leap with joy.  

“Try it on. I’m going to see Sister Cui.”  

Su Tang waved her hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal. His thanks made it all seem too formal.  

Before leaving, she took a few pieces of White Rabbit Milk Candy from the box to bring to Zhang Cui.  

Lu Xiao watched Su Tang’s retreating figure, then glanced down at the clothes in his hands before heading inside to change.  

By now, it was past mealtime. Zhang Cui was watching her child while stitching shoe soles.  

Her husband, Old Wang, had been away on a mission for over half a month.  

“Sister, busy?”  

Su Tang knocked on the door before entering. Zhang Cui looked up and smiled when she saw it was Su Tang.  

“You’re the only one who still remembers to knock. Come on in.”  

Once invited inside, Su Tang sat down and unwrapped a piece of White Rabbit Milk Candy for Maisui.  

“Oh, such a rare treat! Where’d you get this?”  

Zhang Cui bit off the thread in her hands and eyed the candy with a hint of envy.  

Sugar was precious, let alone milk candy—it was practically a luxury.  

But then again, considering Su Tang’s background, Zhang Cui wasn’t too surprised.  

“Lu Xiao bought it. Just something to enjoy. Is it yummy, Maisui?”  

Su Tang replied, playfully teasing the babbling Maisui with the candy.  

The little girl responded enthusiastically, cooing happily.  

Zhang Cui patted Maisui’s head. “Brother Lu used to be so frugal he’d even save on steamed buns. Look how much he dotes on you now.”  

Su Tang knew Zhang Cui was just teasing.  

Even if Lu Xiao was thrifty, he could certainly afford a steamed bun.  

“By the way, I heard Hu Lili was released.”  

Zhang Cui set aside the shoe sole and dropped the news.  

Su Tang looked up. “Did she pay the compensation?”  

If she had, why hadn’t Su Tang heard about it?  

At this, Zhang Cui glanced around before leaning in. “Hu Jianjun sought out an old leader in our residential compound.”  

When Hu Jianjun swallowed his pride, he really went all out.  

His emotional appeal had convinced someone to put in a good word for Hu Lili.  

The compensation money had even been covered by someone else.  

“Well, I hope she learns her lesson.”  

Su Tang shrugged indifferently. If Hu Lili still didn’t wise up after this, then she truly had no brains left.  

It wasn’t as if Lu Xiao was the only man left in the world.

If she stays quiet and well-behaved in the residential compound and keeps her job as a kindergarten teacher, she could still find a good man.  

“Don’t say that—if she were capable of learning her lesson, she wouldn’t be Hu Lili.”  

Zhang Cui shook her head helplessly. “Brother Lu saved her life. Besides, in Hu Lili’s eyes, no man in this entire compound can compare to him.”  

Realizing what she had just said, Zhang Cui quickly stopped herself.  

“Look at me, spouting nonsense again.”  

Su Tang paused while holding the candy but only smiled without responding.  

She then shared with Zhang Cui about her hospital interview and mentioned running into Zheng Jinxin.  

Zhang Cui seemed to know something but chose not to elaborate.  

In this era, people believed in preserving marriages at all costs—even if it meant turning a blind eye to certain things.  

Even if there had been something between Zheng Jinxin and Lu Xiao, Lu Xiao was married now. There was no point in bringing it up.  

When Su Tang returned home, Lu Xiao was already preparing dinner on his own.  

She sat on a chair, propping her chin on her hand as she watched the busy man.  

Lu Xiao wasn’t the type to cling to outdated masculinity—cooking and chores were shared between them.  

Whenever he had time, he’d take care of household tasks without complaint.  

Tall, handsome, and dependable—no wonder others fancied him.  

“Lu Xiao, I heard you once saved Hu Lili?”  

Out of nowhere, Su Tang’s question nearly made Lu Xiao dump the entire pot of noodles into the boiling water.  

“Who told you that?”  

Lu Xiao feigned indifference, maintaining his composure as he stirred the noodles.  

Su Tang poured herself a glass of water. Did he really think she wouldn’t find out just because she didn’t name her source?  

This was clearly common knowledge in the compound—otherwise, how would Zhang Cui, who rarely left, know about it?  

“Fine, it’s your secret. I have no right to ask.”  

She raised a brow and stood up to leave, but after a brief silence, Lu Xiao finally spoke.  

“It’s true.”  

Her footsteps halted, then changed direction as she walked toward the kitchen.  

Dressed in a well-fitted work uniform with her hair tied up, she looked gentle yet poised.  

Leaning against the doorframe with her hands in her pockets, she smiled and teased,  

“Ah, a hero saving a beauty.”  

Lu Xiao sat down to add more firewood to the stove.  

“She was seriously ill once, almost died in the compound. I carried her to the hospital.”  

At the time, Hu Lili was still young. Hu Jianjun happened to be away, and Lu Xiao was the only man around.  

No one else could handle Hu Lili, who was writhing in pain after accidentally ingesting pesticide.  

But Lu Xiao never expected that act of kindness would later turn into an unwanted entanglement.  

To him, Hu Lili was just a neighbor’s little sister—there were no romantic feelings involved.  

If he had liked her, why would he have agreed to marry Su Tang?  

Fate was just unpredictable like that.  

Seeing how openly Lu Xiao answered, Su Tang gave a slight nod of approval.  

At least he was honest.  

That tiny twinge of jealousy in her heart vanished without a trace.  

“Lu Xiao, I don’t care about the past, but we’re married now. If you ever—”  

“Su Tang.”  

Before she could finish, Lu Xiao suddenly stood and walked toward her, step by step.  

His expression was stern, his gaze icy, making Su Tang swallow nervously.  

“You—”  

His eyes were so intense—almost frightening.  

Had her words angered him?  

Was he… going to hit her?  

She took a step back, ready to turn away, but the corner of Lu Xiao’s lips lifted slightly.  

Just as she moved to leave, his hand shot out, blocking the door.  

Her forehead bumped against his palm as he spoke in a low, firm voice.  

“Su Tang, I’m a soldier. A soldier’s duty is loyalty.”  

His loyalty belonged to his country—and to his family.  

The words, almost like a confession, made Su Tang’s face burn instantly.  

Did he even realize what he was saying?!