Grandpa Lu didn’t find anything unusual. “It’s good to be transferred to Qingbei. Back then, Jianye insisted on staying in the Kyoto Military District, and people were already gossiping behind his back, accusing Liansheng of abusing his power. This transfer will allow Xiaolin to gain experience and also keep him safer.”

Upon hearing this, Grandma Lu immediately got up and went back to her room.

When she returned, she was holding a bankbook, which she handed to Lu Jianlin, who was quietly reading the newspaper beside her.

“Xiaolin, here, this is from Grandma for your sister-in-law. You must make sure to deliver it.”

Wei Mingyu quickly added, “Mom has one too. Once I finish shopping, I’ll send it together! Also, you two brothers should show some appreciation as well.”

Lu Jianlin, the designated errand-runner: “…”

He accepted the bankbook and nodded lightly. “Alright, I understand.”

Lu Liansheng thought for a moment before saying, “Mingying, send some things to Mingyu and have her deliver them to the Gu family.”

Wei Mingying immediately understood. “Alright, I’ll prepare them.”

If it weren’t for Xiaoxi, Jiansen would have likely returned to the army early and ended up as another so-called ‘heroic sacrifice.’

As a mother, she didn’t need a hero or a martyr—she just wanted her son to be safe and well.

Jiansen’s wife was their family’s lucky star. Marrying her was his fortune.

Such a good girl deserved to be treated well!

Lu Jianlin put down the newspaper and glanced at the group photo on the table.

His eldest brother was undeniably handsome, and beside him was a girl who exuded a warm and sweet charm at first glance.

So, this was the kind of girl his brother liked!

…

Meanwhile, at the Qingbei Military District.

Gu Xiaoxi was rubbing her eyes in disbelief as she stared at a bankbook in her hands.

“F-Five thousand?”

She wasn’t seeing things, was she? There was actually five thousand yuan in this account!

“Why do you have so much money?”

Seeing her shock, Lu Jiansen couldn’t help but ruffle her hair.

“This was left to me by my grandmother before she passed away. She told me to use it for my future marriage.”

Gu Xiaoxi was still stunned. “Your grandmother was this wealthy?”

Lu Jiansen nodded. “My grandparents were merchants—well-known patriotic entrepreneurs. Most of their wealth was donated to the country. This sum was what the government allowed them to keep. My mom was their first child, and I am my mother’s first son, so nearly everything they left behind was given to me.”

Gu Xiaoxi was taken aback again. “All to you? Your two younger brothers didn’t object?”

Lu Jiansen chuckled and shook his head. “They wouldn’t dare. My grandfather made the decision while he was still alive. Whatever he said was final, and no one dared to challenge it. When we were kids, my two brothers were terrified of him.”

As he spoke, he handed another bankbook to her. “This is my savings from my military stipend. You can use it however you like.”

Gu Xiaoxi glanced at it and saw that he had saved quite a lot—over two thousand yuan.

She looked at him curiously. “You don’t spend money?”

Lu Jiansen shook his head. “I’m in the army every day, so I hardly have opportunities to spend it. Sometimes, my grandparents and mother even give me more money. From now on, you’ll manage all of it.”

Gu Xiaoxi suddenly became a rich woman, and her feelings were quite complicated.

This man really trusted her without reservation!

“I have the day off today. Do you want to go out for a walk?” Lu Jiansen gently caressed her injured hand, his eyes darkening slightly.

Gu Xiaoxi carefully put away the bankbooks and then pointed toward the backyard. “How about we build a bathroom back there?”

She really didn’t want to keep running all the way to the public restroom!

Lu Jiansen nodded. “I’ve already asked the logistics department to buy bricks and cement. We’ll build a bathing area in the front yard and a toilet in the backyard.”

Gu Xiaoxi saw that he had already made arrangements and said, “Then shall we go buy a bathtub?”

Lu Jiansen replied warmly, “I’ve already had a new one made. It will be delivered tonight.”

Gu Xiaoxi blinked. “Then will you take me for a walk around the area?”

“Of course. It’s a bit cold outside, so dress warmly.”

“Mm!” Gu Xiaoxi obediently put on another layer of clothing.

After they stepped out, Lu Jiansen began introducing her to the people in the area, explaining who lived where and how they should be addressed.

As they passed by the spot where she had fallen the previous night, Gu Xiaoxi noticed the military wife who had been the first to help her.

She immediately smiled and greeted her. “Sister-in-law, thank you for last night!”

Li Guifen laughed heartily. “It’s nothing. Are you going out with Battalion Commander Lu?”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Yes! He’s showing me around!”

“That’s good! Since he rarely gets a day off, he should accompany you and help you get familiar with the place. But since you hurt yourself yesterday, ask Battalion Commander Lu to borrow a bicycle and take you along.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law!” Lu Jiansen also expressed his gratitude.

In truth, he had not interacted much with these military wives, but he had a good memory for people.

Li Guifen was overjoyed that Battalion Commander Lu had personally thanked her! Everyone said he always had a stern and emotionless face like the King of Hell, never showing any expression to anyone. But now, wasn’t he displaying emotions?

After they left, she hummed a tune and went to visit her neighbors.

Lu Jiansen really did borrow a bicycle and took Gu Xiaoxi around to explore the area.

Gu Xiaoxi sat at the back of the bike, happily tugging at Lu Jiansen’s clothing.

Several times, Lu Jiansen wanted to lift her to sit in front of him, but considering how it might look to others, he restrained himself.

After two hours of wandering around, Gu Xiaoxi came to a realization—

The military base was extremely remote!

The nearest place to buy supplies was Tangling Town under Qingbei City, and even that required a twenty-minute bike ride. Walking would take even longer.

Since they had already come this far, Gu Xiaoxi pulled Lu Jiansen to the supply and marketing cooperative in town.

She took out all her ration tickets and bought whatever she found useful.

She bought a pound each of brown sugar and white sugar, two thermos flasks, some rice, flour, oil, sesame, peanuts, ten eggs, and two heads of cabbage. She also used up her remaining two pounds of meat ration tickets.

Seeing that she had only bought food items, Lu Jiansen went ahead and got her shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, a hot water bottle, snow cream, and a small dressing mirror.

Before leaving, he also bought a pair of Shuangfei Yan double-happiness enamel mugs and an enamel kettle.

By the time they returned home, the bicycle was packed with goods.

Gu Xiaoxi sat on the back of the bike, resting her head against Lu Jiansen’s back, her face filled with a satisfied and happy smile.

This kind of life was simple, but it was filled with happiness!

Lu Jiansen couldn’t see the expression on her face, but he could feel her good mood, and the corners of his lips remained slightly lifted the entire way.

Upon returning to the family compound, Lu Jiansen unloaded the items and then went to return the bicycle.

Gu Xiaoxi, meanwhile, entered the kitchen. Though her cooking skills were average, she excelled at making pastries. She decided to make some brown sugar sponge cakes and planned to send some to Sister-in-law Li as well.

While she busied herself in the kitchen, people outside were gossiping about how much she had bought today.

“Battalion Commander Lu really spoils his wife. He bought her all the best things…”

“He even took her on a bike ride. They seem to have a really good relationship…”

Someone, unable to stand it, sneered, “Good relationship? This is just the novelty of being newlyweds.”

“That’s right. These rough men are all the same. Even if their wives are beautiful, they still have to do housework…”

“Battalion Commander Lu always has that King of Hell expression. Every soldier is afraid of him. Who knows, he might even beat his wife behind closed doors..”