Chapter 34

She Said She Was Moving Out, and the Military Officer Rushed Home Overnight

Lu Jingjing, crying and sniffling, ran to Gu Wanru and buried herself in her mother’s arms, complaining tearfully.

Gu Wanru had retreated to her room earlier in the day, preferring not to witness Yang Jiaojiao’s antics, which would only infuriate her.

Yet, as soon as she returned, Yang Jiaojiao had already made her daughter cry again.

This woman was truly something else.

She comforted her daughter, saying, “Just endure her for now. I’ll make sure she suffers. Then she’ll know there are some people she simply can’t mess with.”

“But for how long? We all came from Ningcheng, and Sister Ouhua is so much better,” Lu Jingjing complained.

“Not for long,” Gu Wanru reassured, as if convincing herself.

Originally, she didn’t like Hu Ouhua either, but in comparison, Hu Ouhua now seemed almost angelic. Not only did she never cause trouble, but she also helped them in every possible way.

“Lunchtime,” Liu Mei called out.

Before long, everyone emerged from their rooms and gathered around the dining table.

On the table were dishes of oil-drizzled eggplant, dry-fried green beans, braised fish chunks, Kung Pao chicken, steamed pork ribs with rice flour, and stir-fried cabbage. The soup was soybean-braised pig trotters, and the side plates held shredded potato pancakes and corn cakes.

Every dish was exquisitely prepared and beautifully plated, filling the air with an irresistible aroma.

“Wow, wow, wow! So much delicious food! Mom, Sister Ouhua is amazing! Even this cabbage looks beautiful!” Lu Jingjing clapped excitedly.

“It does look good. Let’s eat,” Gu Wanru agreed.

Afraid that Hu Ouhua would steal her position, Yang Jiaojiao sneered, “It’s just cooking. No matter how good she is, she’s still just a cook.”

“You—!”

Lu Jingjing slammed the table in anger, but Hu Ouhua gently held her back.

“Try the Kung Pao chicken,” Hu Ouhua said with a smile. “It’s a bit spicy, but I stir-fried the diced meat thoroughly, so it should be good.”

“Hmph! I’m not talking to you. I’m eating,” Lu Jingjing grumbled but took a bite of the chicken anyway. Instantly, her eyes widened, and she started praising it.

Hu Ouhua then turned to Grandma Lu. “Please try the eggplant I made. Let me know if you like it. If so, I’ll teach Auntie Liu the recipe next time.”

Grandma Lu picked up a piece. The eggplant’s skin was a glistening purple, making it look incredibly appetizing. She took a bite and immediately smiled. “This eggplant is delicious!”

In the past, they rarely cooked eggplant with oil; they mostly steamed it, which made it greasy and unappealing. Seeing Liu Mei’s usual method of cooking, Grandma Lu had lost interest in the dish altogether.

But Hu Ouhua’s version was incredible.

She suddenly craved more.

“Auntie Gu, try the soup,” Hu Ouhua offered. “It’s great for skin nourishment and beauty.” She ladled a bowl of pig trotter soup for Gu Wanru.

Gu Wanru smiled, happily accepting it.

However, the happier they were, the more irritated Yang Jiaojiao became.

She snapped, “Hu Ouhua, what exactly are you trying to do by currying favor with everyone? Do you think you can take my place as the lady of the house? Do you even know your own worth?”

Her words offended three women at once—both of the current household mistresses and Hu Ouhua, who had no interest in such matters.

Smack.

Grandma Lu was so furious she lost her appetite. She threw down her chopsticks and left the table.

She had seen shameless people before, but never someone this shameless.

Absolutely unbearable.

Gu Wanru was also enraged.

This woman was an opponent as clueless as a pig.

Meanwhile, Hu Ouhua remained unbothered, treating Yang Jiaojiao like thin air. She turned to Gu Wanru. “Auntie Gu, I’ve already arranged with Grandma Chang to move into her house tomorrow. I’ll be tutoring her two grandchildren.”

Yes.

Grandma Chang believed in Hu Ouhua’s abilities so much that she even called over the neighbor’s daughter, Xiaocuiniu, to join the tutoring sessions—one-on-two for English and one-on-one for math.

Running back and forth daily was inconvenient, so Hu Ouhua decided to move in temporarily.

Gu Wanru felt a headache coming on.

With one less buffer to take the heat, she and the others were going to bear the full brunt of Yang Jiaojiao’s trouble.

The Lu family finished their meal in a sour mood.

Hu Ouhua, on the other hand, was finally able to enjoy a good meal.

That afternoon, she packed her things.

She didn’t have much—just a few sets of clothes, a bedsheet, and some stationery that Shen Fubai had given her. That was it. Packing didn’t take long.

Lu Jingjing, however, was very reluctant to see her go.

She clung to Hu Ouhua’s arm and pleaded, “Sister, you have to come visit often! Don’t just leave forever. The last time you helped me with my homework, I showed it to my tutor at the training center, and he was stunned! He even thought my brother had solved it for me!”

Lu Jingjing was in high school and wasn’t a great student, so she had been spending her summer break in cram school.

At first, she hated it, but after Yang Jiaojiao arrived, she was actually eager to attend classes just to avoid her.

Hu Ouhua listened to her complaints but didn’t feel particularly pleased.

If the Lu family ever found out she was carrying Lu Yuetang’s child, the backlash she would face might be even worse than what Yang Jiaojiao was getting.

She didn’t want to stay and watch how they got rid of Yang Jiaojiao.

She just wanted to leave this place.

From now on, she wanted nothing to do with the Lu family.

She was determined to give birth to this child and raise it alone.

Marriage?

She had no real hopes for that.

Nightfall

The lights-out signal sounded.

The Lu household was engulfed in darkness as everyone retired to their rooms.

Unable to sleep, Hu Ouhua went outside and lay down on the bamboo cot in the courtyard, enjoying the cool night air.

The moonlight was so bright that she could see everything clearly without turning on a light.

She lay there leisurely, placing a hand gently on her belly, whispering in her heart:

Baby, don’t blame Mama for being cruel and not giving you a complete family. But I will love you twice as much…

At that moment, a shadowy figure appeared near the courtyard gate, hiding behind a large tree.

He silently watched the young woman lying in the courtyard.

She wore a sleeveless plaid top, her smooth arms exposed as she reclined. The soft curves of her body, from forehead to toes, were mesmerizing.

Because the lights were out and everyone was asleep, she seemed completely at ease—sometimes lying on her side, sometimes stretching her legs. Her small, delicate feet moved playfully, stirring his heart.

He swallowed hard, his gaze darkening with intensity.

“Who’s there?”

Sensing an indistinct presence, Hu Ouhua sat up on the bamboo cot and looked toward the gate.

Lu Yuetang stepped into the light, revealing his figure.

“When did you get back?” Hu Ouhua asked, eyes full of suspicion.

She hadn’t even heard his footsteps.

Had he seen her just now, lying there so carelessly?

A flush of embarrassment spread from her chest.

She instinctively tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to compose herself.

That small motion—her pinky slightly raised, her touch gentle and graceful—momentarily dazed Lu Yuetang.

“You… are you really moving out?” he asked.

Hu Ouhua blinked, surprised he knew.

But since he was close to the Chang family, she didn’t question it.

“Yes. I’ve imposed on you all long enough,” she said politely, folding her hands on her lap.

“What are you two doing?”

A sharp, urgent voice came from inside the gate.