Chapter 12: The Man She Liked But Couldn’t Have

Lin Qingyue responded with a smile.

Her purpose in coming this time was to familiarize herself with the surroundings and memorize the layout in front of everyone.

She would strive to play the role of a virtuous wife and mother. After giving out wedding candies and seeing Lu Siyi off to the army, her purpose would be achieved.

Lu Siyi’s guards wanted to send her back, but she refused. She wanted to take this opportunity to wander around the county and think about what kind of small business she could start.

Seeing her insistence, the guards gave up. Just as she reached the gate, a car stopped in front of her.

She offered a friendly smile. “Comrade, thank you, I don’t need a ride.”

The car window slowly rolled down, and Tao Siyan’s eyes were filled with melancholy. “Qingyue, you’ve forgotten me so quickly?”

Lin Qingyue searched her memory and suddenly realized. “You’re Tao Siyan?”

The man the original owner liked but couldn’t have?

She sized Tao Siyan up and down. He was fair-skinned and scholarly, lacking the masculine strength of Lu Siyi.

Did the original owner like pretty boys?

She took a step back, maintaining a polite distance from Tao Siyan.

She was already married to Lu Siyi. Contacting Tao Siyan wouldn’t benefit her. Their previous relationship was ambiguous, and they were on a military base. Everyone here knew Lu Siyi. If anything were to get out, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name, and Lu Siyi would surely overthink things.

She offered a graceful smile. “What a coincidence.”

“I’m now a driver for the army,” Tao Siyan’s face showed a flicker of something unusual. “I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Ah?” Lin Qingyue recalled the plot of the book.

In this era, drivers who drove for the army or government held powerful positions, but that seemed irrelevant to her.

Maintaining a harmonious expression, she squeezed out a friendly smile. “I just dropped my husband off at the army.”

“…”

An awkward silence fell between them.

Tao Siyan got out of the car, taking a step closer. “I haven’t wished you a happy marriage yet.”

He fumbled for a red envelope and handed it to Lin Qingyue. “I couldn’t make it to your wedding, this is my gift money.”

“I’ve been carrying it, waiting for a suitable opportunity to give it to you. Captain Lu has been home these past few days, so I haven’t been able to see you.”

Lin Qingyue’s face darkened. Who taught him to speak like this? This was a huge misunderstanding!

Did they have to meet secretly?

She extended her hand, pushing the red envelope back. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I really can’t accept the red envelope. It’s inappropriate.”

The guards witnessed the scene.

Lu Siyi looked at the returning guards, puzzled. “She got back so quickly?”

“No, the sister-in-law insisted on going back herself,” the guard reported truthfully. He looked at Lu Siyi, hesitant to speak.

“Speak up, your stammering is annoying!” Lu Siyi frowned, displeased.

“Commander, I just saw the sister-in-law getting quite close to our army’s driver…”

“Driver?” Lu Siyi’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing coldness.

“The new driver, Tao Siyan…” The guard shrunk his neck. “Commander, if you’re worried, you should go check it out yourself.”

Lu Siyi’s brows relaxed, and he quickly calmed down. Chasing after her now would show a lack of trust. She could handle it herself.

He had heard a few things about Lin Qingyue and Tao Siyan, but he chose to trust Lin Qingyue. She knew her limits.

Seeing Lu Siyi unmoved, a few of his colleagues couldn’t help but tease him. “Newly married wife, beautiful and resourceful, Captain Lu isn’t worried at all?”

“Isn’t trust the most basic thing between husband and wife?” Lu Siyi answered seriously, the expressions on the faces of those around him froze.

This Captain Lu was a master at leading troops, but his interpersonal skills were lacking.

“Xiao Lu, if you don’t go after her, how will your wife know you care?” An older man, of the same rank as Lu Siyi, advised him with the wisdom of experience.

Lu Siyi’s grip on his pen tightened slightly, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but quickly returned to normal. “I’m not going.”

“Hey, Captain Lu, you spoil your wife too much!”

“That’s right, you’re not angry about this? It’s a matter of a man’s dignity!”

“Maybe it’s just old classmates catching up. If I go now, I’ll only complicate things,” Lu Siyi said softly. “I trust her unconditionally.”

A murmur went through the office.

At the army gate.

Tao Siyan’s hand holding the red envelope froze. “Is it because you’re afraid of Lu Siyi seeing it, so you won’t accept it?”

“No.” Lin Qingyue gave a strained smile, taking another step back to maintain distance.

Tao Siyan saw her movement. His eyes flickered. He remembered that Lin Qingyue had originally liked him, but due to family circumstances, she had to marry Lu Siyi and become a stepmother to three children.

She must be feeling very uncomfortable. His offering the red envelope must have upset her.

He silently put the red envelope back in his pocket and said softly, “If you have any difficulties in the future, you can come to me. I will do my best to help you.”

“No need, if I have any difficulties, I can talk to Lu Siyi. He’s my husband.” Lin Qingyue smiled, a polite and distant smile.

Tao Siyan felt uneasy. Lin Qingyue used to revolve around him…

“Where are you going? Should I give you a ride?”

“No need, I’ll take the bus myself.” Lin Qingyue waved and left confidently.

Watching her leave with grace, Tao Siyan felt lost.

“Commander, you were right. Sister-in-law talked to the new driver for a few words and then left. Nothing happened between them.” The guard gave Lu Siyi a thumbs-up.

He had seen it clearly from afar: “Sister-in-law kept her distance from the driver, clearly avoiding any suspicion.”

“Alright! Xiao Lu, you’re skilled at managing your wife!”

“A wife who understands her limits and is beautiful, Xiao Lu, you’re quite lucky!”

The office was filled with teasing, but Lu Siyi remained silent, a gleam in his eyes, his lips curving up almost imperceptibly.

Lin Qingyue walked down the street. There were a few street vendors selling snacks, and sparsely scattered carts selling dried fruits, candied fruits, and fruit candies.

Sigh…

Compared to the bustling city of the modern era, Lin Qingyue felt a sense of desolation for the first time.

She quickly arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, took out her prepared cloth coupons, and prepared to exchange them for a sturdy piece of cloth to make school bags for the three children.

Liu Sili was standing inside the counter, brazenly making a phone call, and a large crowd had gathered outside.

“Comrade, quickly give me two packs of cigarettes, I’m in a hurry to catch the train!”

“Comrade, stop making your phone call, everyone is in a hurry.”

The crowd was like ants on a hot pot, anxiously pacing.

Lin Qingyue twitched her mouth. What a coincidence.