Chapter 81

When Shi Tingyu returned home, she took out two ribs from her storage space to celebrate tonight.

Although the contract had been signed a few days earlier, they hadn’t received the money until now. With the money in hand, it was time to celebrate.

When Lu Weiguo came home, he saw a table full of delicious dishes and asked in surprise, “What’s the occasion today?”

Shi Tingyu, in a good mood, asked, “Guess.”

Lu Weiguo thought for a moment, considering birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, even lunar calendar dates, but finding no special occasion, he was puzzled.

Shi Tingyu laughed at his expression and then handed him the remittance slip, “Take a look yourself.”

Lu Weiguo was extremely surprised when he saw the remittance slip and the amount.

“Is this the royalty for ‘Loyal Dog’?”

“Yes,” she said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him with a “praise me, I’m ready” expression.

Lu Weiguo sincerely exclaimed, “Wife, you’re amazing.”

Shi Tingyu, in a good mood, enjoyed a happy meal with him.

The first story was quite successful, and Shi Tingyu began to conceive the second story about the loyal dog.

However, with school starting, she had much less time.

One day, finally having a break but needing to buy things for the house, she had to go to town.

Seeing this, Lu Weiguo said, “I happen to be off today too. I’ll go. You’ve been working late at night recently; take this time to get some rest.”

He actually wanted to say she didn’t need to work so hard; if she wanted to work, she could keep one job.

But he noticed she seemed to enjoy it, busy but energetic every day, so he didn’t say anything. As long as she was happy.

When Lu Weiguo arrived at the supply truck, it wasn’t time yet, and people were arriving one by one.

The military wives who usually avoided him were particularly enthusiastic this time.

Everyone was asking him questions.

“Xiao Lu, I heard your wife published a book? That’s impressive.”

“Captain Lu, you’re so lucky. No wonder they say late bloomers are the sweetest; you found a wife late but a great one.”

“Captain Lu, did your teacher Shi make a lot from this book? It must be five figures at least.”

“Wow, publishing is that lucrative! I’ll have my daughter learn from Teacher Shi to publish a book too.”

“Come on, your daughter is always at the bottom of the class.”

Lu Weiguo felt his head spinning.

These wives were quite formidable.

He said nothing, worried that if he spoke, the barrage of questions would intensify.

Fortunately, driver Xiao Meng came out of the camp with a kettle, giving Lu Weiguo a chance to breathe.

Because the supply truck always carried many people, who arrived at different times, Xiao Meng set a fixed departure time. He wouldn’t wait for latecomers, which saved a lot of hassle.

With the departure time set, Xiao Meng didn’t come to the truck until just before departure.

As soon as Xiao Meng opened the cab door, Lu Weiguo quickly got in, his tall figure looking somewhat urgent.

Xiao Meng followed him in.

Lu Weiguo glanced at him, “Next time, come earlier.”

Xiao Meng was confused. He always came at this time.

But he didn’t dare say anything.

At the department store, Lu Weiguo went straight to the bicycle counter.

Seeing the 26-inch bicycle, he sighed in relief. It was still there.

After knowing Shi Tingyu signed the contract, he thought about what gift to get her.

Seeing her inconvenience in going out, he decided on a bicycle.

He noticed she didn’t like the heavy 28-inch ones and thought a lighter one would be better.

This 26-inch bicycle had just come out and was in high demand. He had to use connections to reserve it.

“Comrade, I want to buy that bicycle,” Lu Weiguo said concisely.

The salesperson said, “That one is reserved.”

Lu Weiguo showed his reservation proof, “I reserved it.”

The salesperson checked the proof and, confirming it, brought out the bicycle.

This 26-inch bike cost 160 yuan and a bike ticket, more expensive than the 28-inch ones and hard to get without connections.

After paying and getting the receipt, Lu Weiguo left the bike at the counter and bought other needed items before taking the bike.

A women’s bike, light as a feather in his hand.

It caught the attention of many women outside.

First glance, what a nice bike.

Second glance, wow, what a tall, well-built soldier.

Third glance, yikes! He looks fierce; did he steal the bike?

Lu Weiguo walked straight ahead without looking around, heading to the meeting point with big strides.

By the time Lu Weiguo arrived at the meeting point, quite a few people were already there. Seeing him come back with a women’s bicycle, they all looked curious.

“Hey, Captain Lu, why did you buy another bicycle? Doesn’t your family already have one?”

Lu Weiguo responded calmly, “That one’s too tall. My wife can’t ride it.”

The surrounding wives had complex expressions. They had seen men pamper their wives, but never to this extent.

“Xiao Lu, listen to me,” one of the wives said. “Even if you have money, you shouldn’t spend it like this. It’s already impressive for a family to have one bicycle. Why buy two?”

Her family was one of the few in the residential area that owned a bicycle, and now that the Lu family had two, her family’s advantage was gone.

Lu Weiguo glanced at her. If her eyes didn’t so clearly reveal her envy, he might have thought she was genuinely concerned for him.

“Don’t worry, my wife can earn money,” Lu Weiguo said.

As soon as he spoke, one of the other wives couldn’t help but laugh.

Everyone knew what was really on the speaking wife’s mind. The residential area didn’t have major conflicts, but there were plenty of minor squabbles.

Everyone came from different places with different habits, so small frictions were inevitable.

Some relationships were good, and others were not.

The wife speaking, Mrs. Liu, was one of the latter.

She wouldn’t dare commit major wrongdoings, but she couldn’t stand others being better off than her.

When you were successful, she’d be envious and uneasy; if you were down on your luck, she might even show some kindness and help you out.

Mrs. Liu was a contradictory figure in the residential area, well-known to many military families.

When Teacher Shi received her manuscript fee, Mrs. Liu had made many sour comments. Seeing Lu Weiguo buy such a nice bicycle for Teacher Shi made her even more envious.

But Xiao Lu’s words hit her right where it hurt.

Just look at Mrs. Liu’s expression; it was something to see.

Mrs. Liu, feeling rebutted, didn’t look happy, but she feared Lu Weiguo’s stern face too much to continue.

With Mrs. Liu silenced, the other wives also stopped talking.