She began to retreat, “Uh, maybe we should discuss this later?”  

Gu Yanli: “……”  

Later?

He was already at the point of no return—how could she say later?  

As the two were locked in a stalemate, sounds from next door reached them: “Wife, don’t cry, let me blow on it… Wife, don’t cry…”  

In the darkness, where facial expressions should have been invisible, Gu Yanli could still see the look on Wen Tang’s face—one that clearly said: See?

Blow? There was nothing he couldn’t blow. If he got to feast tonight, he’d gladly overhaul the mess hall tomorrow.  

He was very good at blowing.  

And he did succeed in getting his feast.  

But…  

Perhaps aware of the poor soundproofing, both Wen Tang and Chi Yue—and even Gu Yanli—restrained their voices.  

Except for the actual drunk next door.  

He was unrestrained, loud, and shameless.  

So when Gu Yanli asked for a second round, Wen Tang questioned, “Don’t you like me?”  

Gu Yanli: “……”  

Did he?

They’d married out of duty.  

But now? Now, he really liked her.  

Because once you taste it, you crave it.  

“Mn,” he replied. But he wasn’t good with words—a man of few syllables, too shy to express himself. So all he managed was a single, “Mn.”  

“If you like me, learn from him. Otherwise, people might think I’m unlikable!”  

Learn?

Listening to Lin Jingshen’s exaggerated panting, Gu Yanli’s resolve to sew that man’s mouth shut grew firmer.  

What kind of grown man acted like that? Disgusting.

Though repulsed, Battalion Commander Gu still obliged—albeit only whispering his breaths into Wen Tang’s ear.  

Crash!

Just as they finished, the bed beneath them tilted violently.  

Without thinking, Wen Tang threw herself onto Gu Yanli.  

Gu Yanli wrapped an arm around her and lifted her off the bed.  

After bundling her in clothes and settling her down, he lit the kerosene lamp.  

In the flickering light, Gu Yanli announced, “The bed leg broke.”  

“I’ll find a stool to prop it up for now. We’ll replace the bed tomorrow.”  

Wen Tang sat obediently, nodding like a quail.  

Darkness had emboldened her, but now, under the light, she had nowhere to hide her shamelessness. She didn’t even dare to openly admire the man’s firm, perky backside.  

Instead, she stole glances at his strong, well-defined legs as they moved back and forth in front of her.  

Wen Tang’s thoughts: Those aren’t legs—they’re the spring waters of the Seine.

Once the bed was propped up, Wen Tang clutched her clothes and stood.  

Before she could hop toward the bed, those deadly long legs strode over.  

An arm hooked around her, and suddenly, she was hanging off him.  

And the clothes she’d hastily wrapped around herself?  

Useless.

Gu Yanli’s voice was rough. “One more time?”  

Wen Tang swallowed hard and shook her head.  

She was tempted, but she knew the importance of moderation—of preserving the mountain to ensure future firewood.  

They say the field never wears out, only the ox collapses from exhaustion. But now, Wen Tang had her doubts.  

“Then sleep.”  

Despite saying that, Gu Yanli thoughtfully fetched water and a clean basin for her to wash up.

Wen Tang washed up in the dark, and Gu Yanli went to dispose of the water afterward.

Chi Yue and Lin Jingshen, wrapped in their blankets, pressed their ears against the wall, listening to the commotion next door. Finally, the drunk Lin Jingshen concluded, “Wife, they must be asleep now. Let’s sleep too!”  

Chi Yue nodded.  

But she was still curious about that loud thud earlier.  

Had the two of them been so… enthusiastic that they fell off the bed?  

That didn’t seem quite right.  

Oh well, she could just ask Wen Tang tomorrow.  

“Let’s sleep,” Chi Yue declared.  

Lin Jingshen immediately flopped onto the bed and patted the space beside him.  

The moment Chi Yue lay down, he snuggled up, burying his head in the crook of her neck and drifting off without a care in the world.  

Chi Yue couldn’t help but reach up and pat his head.  

What an obedient little puppy!

Why did she have to be the side character?

So unfair!

….

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Gu Yanli woke up.  

When he opened his eyes and saw the small head nestled against his chest, he didn’t immediately throw off the covers and get up. Instead, he stared down at the person in his arms, studying her carefully.  

Now Gu Yanli finally understood why the other soldiers always missed their wives so much—why they rushed to bring them to the barracks the first chance they got.  

He didn’t even want to think about how unbearable it would be once his wedding leave ended and he had to return to his unit.  

When noises started coming from the courtyard outside, Gu Yanli finally tore his gaze away. He carefully extricated himself from the blankets, tucking them securely around Wen Tang before—  

—lifting his head and glancing around guiltily.  

He really didn’t want anyone to see him acting like some kind of desperate wolf.

…Okay, fine.  

He admitted it.

He was the wolf, and she was the little white rabbit.* 

..

In high spirits, Battalion Commander Gu headed to the courtyard and got to work.

Sweeping the yard. Feeding the chickens.  

Returning the borrowed tables and chairs to their respective owners.  

On his way back after delivering the last set, he spotted Lin Jingshen sitting by the side gate, his hair a disheveled mess, clutching his head in pain.  

He wasn’t much of a drinker, and now he was paying the price.  

As Gu Jinfeng passed by with a tray in hand, she scolded him, “You can’t hold your liquor, yet you insisted on drinking. Look at you now—serves you right!”  

Lin Jingshen felt wronged.  

It was his wedding day!

People were toasting the groom—how could he refuse?

Still nursing his grievances, Lin Jingshen looked up and saw Gu Yanli.  

The moment their eyes met, Lin Jingshen’s lips curved into a grin.  

“Uncle!” he called out cheerfully.  

But Gu Yanli only gave him a frosty glance and didn’t utter a single word in response.  

Lin Jingshen: “……”  

Huh?

When had he offended his uncle?

Was it because of Wen Tang?

After all, Wen Tang had originally been after him. If not for that, his uncle would never have married her.  

Especially since Wen Tang seemed a bit… improper.

A proper girl wouldn’t go around grabbing men like that.

And then there was last night—he vaguely remembered hearing noises from next door and even making some comments with his wife.  

But his memory was fuzzy. His head was pounding, and his mind was still hazy from the alcohol.  

Since he couldn’t recall clearly, Lin Jingshen started piecing things together himself.  

His uncle and Wen Tang must have gotten into a fight on their wedding night.

If they fought, there wouldn’t have been any… consummation.

No wonder his uncle was in such a foul mood, ignoring him like this.

This was all his fault—his uncle was stuck in an unhappy marriage because of him.

Filled with remorse, Lin Jingshen scrambled to his feet and hurried over to Gu Yanli.  

“Uncle…” he called out pitifully.  

Then, with utmost sincerity, he apologized, “I’m sorry, Uncle. This is all my fault.”  

“You have every right to blame me. I won’t hold it against you.”  

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have married Wen Tang. If you hadn’t married her, you could’ve married someone you actually liked. Then you’d have a happy marriage now.”  

His mouth ran nonstop.  

But with every word, the vein at Gu Yanli’s temple throbbed harder.  

“Shut up!”

He glared at his nephew with undisguised irritation.  

“Sooner or later, I’ll sew that damn mouth of yours shut.”  

What kind of man gossiped and stirred up trouble like an old busybody?

If Wen Tang heard any of this nonsense, Gu Yanli would never be able to clear his name!