Chapter 8: Giving to Someone You Like

“What are you doing here?” Lu Jiaoyang asked, approaching Shen Hongxing. His tall frame exuded a powerful presence. 

A few days ago, Lu Ping’an had come to the military headquarters, saying Shen Hongxing wanted to see the latest movie. He hadn’t doubted it and had managed to get two tickets.  It was around movie time.

“Oh, I was selling shawls in the county,” Shen Hongxing said, pulling two shawls from her bag one off-white, one burgundy. She handed them to Lu Jiaoyang. “Uncle Lu, I don’t have anything better to give you, so here are two shawls!”  Although she hadn’t interacted much with Lu Jiaoyang, he had always been kind to her.

Lu Jiaoyang chuckled. “I’m not a little girl. What would I do with shawls?”

“Of course, you’d give them to a girl you like!” Xu Shuangshuang leaned on Shen Hongxing’s shoulder, her eyes fixed on Lu Jiaoyang. “You’re so handsome, you must already have a girlfriend. Girls love these! Give this to your girlfriend; she’ll be thrilled!”

Shen Hongxing nodded, smiling. “Yes, she’ll be very happy!”  She wondered if his girlfriend was like Shen Jiaojiao, as almost every eligible young man in Zhaoyang liked her.

“Are you heading back?” Lu Jiaoyang quickly changed the subject. “I’m going that way. Let me give you a ride.”

Shen Hongxing hesitated. “That wouldn’t be convenient, would it?” It was a commander’s vehicle. How could she?

“It’s on the way!” Before Shen Hongxing could respond, Lu Jiaoyang took her bag.

Shen Hongxing was startled. “No, Uncle Lu, I can manage myself!”

“Let’s go!”

Ignoring her, Lu Jiaoyang turned and walked towards the car.  Watching his back, Shen Hongxing’s eyes welled up. 

In her past life, after 40 years of marriage with Lu Ping’an, he had never offered to carry anything for her.

He was always taciturn and rarely went out with her.

Even when they did, no matter how much luggage they had, Lu Ping’an would walk ahead.  She always had to manage the children and the luggage.

She had never received any consideration from him.

Lu Jiaoyang instructed the driver, “Old Zhang, go to the wool textile factory!”

“Don’t go to the wool textile factory!” Shen Hongxing quickly stopped him. “I don’t live there anymore!”

Lu Jiaoyang’s handsome brow furrowed in displeasure. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, nothing!” Shen Hongxing didn’t tell him. They weren’t that close yet.

Soon, they arrived in Zhaoyang Town. Shen Hongxing asked the car to stop at the triangular tower, clearly not wanting Lu Jiaoyang to know where she lived.

Lu Jiaoyang was uneasy.  “Follow them and find out where they live. Report back to me immediately.”

“Yes, Chief!”

The guard got out and discreetly followed Shen Hongxing and her companions. Only Lu Jiaoyang and the driver remained in the car.

“Go home!”

Lu Jiaoyang felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cave. His face was frighteningly cold.

Lu Ping’an and Shen Jiaojiao watched a movie and had dinner in the county before returning home.  As soon as they entered the compound, Qin Xianglan blocked Lu Ping’an’s path.  “Ping’an, what did you do to upset your uncle?”

Lu Ping’an was puzzled.  “Me? How’s that possible?” Everyone knew he admired his uncle the most. If he hadn’t been unable to join the army, he would have become his uncle’s aide.

“You didn’t do anything? Then why did your uncle call your father home as soon as he arrived, and then pressure your father to go to the county to bring you back?”

“No, Mom, I didn’t do anything…” Lu Ping’an seemed to have an idea.  “Mom, could it be that Uncle heard about me and Shen Hongxing?”

When he got engaged to Shen Hongxing, his uncle had specifically called to tell him to treat her well. He had promised.  How long had it been since Shen Hongxing wanted to cancel the wedding?

Qin Xianglan wasn’t sure. “I doubt it.” Lu Jiaoyang was usually in the army. This time, he returned because the army was recruiting special armed forces personnel in the city. He didn’t have much interaction with the Shen family, even less with that wild girl, Shen Hongxing.

“Come in now!” Grandpa Lu’s strong voice boomed from the main hall, clearly angry.

Lu Ping’an didn’t hesitate and immediately went inside. Lu Jiaoyang sat on the sofa, reading a newspaper, while Grandpa Lu sat opposite him. The atmosphere was frigid. Grandpa Lu exploded, raising his cane and striking…

Grandpa Lu struck Lu Ping’an’s legs several times.  “Tell me, what did you do today?”

Lu Ping’an felt wronged.  “Grandpa, I really don’t know what I did!”

Seeing her son being beaten, Qin Xianglan retorted defiantly.  “Grandpa, what did our Ping’an do? Why are you beating him? He’s your grandson!”

Grandpa Lu’s face turned red with anger. He turned to Qin Xianglan and scolded her.  “It’s all your fault for spoiling him! He already has a fiancée, yet he shamelessly took another woman to the movies! He even lied to his uncle, saying it was Hongxing who wanted to see the movie! Who else should I beat if not him?”

Lu Ping’an instantly understood. Shen Hongxing had gone to the Lu family to complain.  How despicable!  Luckily, he hadn’t softened towards Shen Hongxing today.

Lu Jiaoyang put down the newspaper, looking at Lu Ping’an. “Tell me, why did you lie?”  The commanding presence of a soldier filled the room.

“I… I…” Lu Ping’an couldn’t find an excuse.

“You scoundrel! Your fiancée is Hongxing. The cinema is a place for couples, so what were you doing there with Shen Jiaojiao?” Grandpa Lu was out of breath.  “Tell me, did Hongxing break off the engagement because of your ambiguous relationship with Shen Jiaojiao?”

Lu Ping’an denied it anxiously.  “Grandpa, don’t listen to Shen Hongxing’s nonsense. Jiaojiao and I are just brother and sister. It’s not what she said!”

Lu Jiaoyang didn’t believe a word.  “When your grandfather wanted you to date Shen Hongxing, you were reluctant. You said you liked Shen Jiaojiao and wanted to date her!

I wanted to persuade your grandfather, but then I received another call saying you’d agreed to date Shen Hongxing, and you’d even set a wedding date!” His voice rose. “Lu Ping’an, you’re a man.

Since you’re engaged, you should keep your distance from other women! Or were you planning to have your cake and eat it too? 

Frankly, you’re a scoundrel who deserves to be publicly shamed!”