Chapter 8

Giving Her a Dress

After leaving the Li family home, Hu Jingcheng witnessed a scene that almost made her faint.

She had previously heard from Hu Ouhua that Li Weiguo had an incredibly detailed and useful notebook. So, she thickened her skin and went to borrow it… but the response she got was lukewarm at best.

Uncle Li even had a trace of disdain in his eyes.

He said sarcastically, “Xiaosheng, our family has strict rules. I don’t allow Weiguo to associate with people of questionable background. You should understand my principles.”

Hu Jingcheng nearly wore out her lips trying to convince him, but in the end, she still didn’t get his approval.

After returning home in defeat, she was still thinking of ways to win over Uncle Li. But unexpectedly, her mother’s scandal broke out without any warning…

Now, not only did the Li family look down on her, but she couldn’t even hold her head up in the entire family compound.

In the crowd, she immediately spotted Hu Ouhua standing idly, and a bad premonition surged in her heart. She pushed through the crowd, rushed up to Hu Ouhua, clenched her fists, and angrily asked, “Was this your doing?”

Being accused, Hu Ouhua raised an eyebrow and sneered.

“Are you blind or deaf? Didn’t you see that this was all caused by your dear mother?”

Hu Jingcheng actually found out about Wang Chunlan’s scandal earlier than Hu Ouhua.

Back in elementary school, Hu Jingcheng always had pocket money—drinking soda, eating ice cream, and always carrying candies in her pocket…

At first, Hu Ouhua thought Wang Chunlan was secretly giving her money.

But later, she saw with her own eyes how Old Zhao picked up Hu Jingcheng from school, and Hu Jingcheng shamelessly said, “Uncle Zhao, if only you were my dad.”

“Hu Ouhua, you haven’t even sorted out your own mess. If Dad finds out—”

“Find out what? That you and Old Zhao are as close as father and daughter? Or that you follow Old Zhao’s son around all day, shamelessly calling him your ‘sweetheart’?”

A mess?

How laughable.

“You… you’re heartless!”

Hu Jingcheng was furious and humiliated. She was also afraid that her sister’s words would be overheard, making people think she was just like her mother. So, she turned and ran toward Hu Daqian.

Taking advantage of everyone’s attention being diverted, Hu Ouhua hurried back to pack her things.

There wasn’t much in the Hu household that belonged to her—not even a single photo.

After packing up, she grabbed some vegetables on the way out.

---

Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.

The old Chinese doctor checked Lu Yuetang’s pulse again. After asking about his condition, he wrote a new prescription and told him, “Your poisoning has actually lessened, not worsened as you thought.”

Shen Fubai was puzzled.

“If it’s getting better, why did he lose control again?” he asked.

“Sometimes, toxins attack the heart unexpectedly.”

The old doctor solemnly advised Lu Yuetang, “Your poison is extremely yin, extremely cold, and extremely dry. It’s like a dried-out pot—you can’t use strong medicine; you must treat it gradually. If you happen to interact with certain people or things that bring you joy, they could be your cure.”

Lu Yuetang had likely been bitten by some kind of yin-yang poison creature.

A special poison required an equally unique remedy.

A person who brought him joy… A beautiful face flashed in Lu Yuetang’s mind.

His heart suddenly pounded wildly.

On the way home, Shen Fubai was still confused.

“Lu, what are you going to do about Yang Jiaojiao? She’s been spreading rumors everywhere that you’re her fiancé. You won’t be able to clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River.”

That morning, Yang Wei had even gone to the Ningcheng military district. If Shen Fubai hadn’t stopped him, who knows what kind of scene he would have caused.

Lu Yuetang rubbed his temples.

Twice now, after taking his medicinal baths, he had made mistakes.

This was giving him a headache.

“Here’s what we’ll do. Since the Yang family wants us to arrange a job for Yang Jiaojiao, call my father and tell him she’s the daughter of Fourth Uncle’s old comrade. Get her sent away first,” he said.

He needed to put some physical distance between them. Once she calmed down, they could discuss personal matters.

Shen Fubai nodded repeatedly. “That’s actually a good idea. I’ll handle it now.”

“Take me home first.”

“Got it.”

---

The jeep arrived at the small courtyard, where wisps of smoke curled from the chimney, adding a touch of homely warmth.

Shen Fubai glanced at Lu Yuetang.

This good brother of his was outstanding in every way, except that his personality was too cold—like a glacier untouched by the world. But Hu Ouhua was different. She was deeply rooted in everyday life, and having her under the same roof with Lu Yuetang seemed to add some warmth to his otherwise icy world.

Lu Yuetang grabbed his backpack and got out of the car.

In the kitchen, the sound of pots and pans clanging formed a lively rhythm. He stepped inside, set his backpack on the table, took off his military hat, and hung it on the wall, then removed his jacket and put it on the coat rack.

“You’re back! Wash your hands and come eat,” Hu Ouhua called out while bringing a plate of braised green beans to the table. Seeing him return, she cheerfully invited him to sit.

When Lu Yuetang came back after washing his hands, he noticed a plate of braised pork on the table.

He glanced at her quietly, saying nothing.

“Don’t worry. I picked a lean cut with minimal fat, so it won’t be too greasy. Try it. If you don’t like it, I won’t buy it next time,” Hu Ouhua said with a smile.

That morning at the market, she had mostly bought vegetables, but this piece of meat was a special purchase to make the meal more presentable. She wouldn’t even count it in the grocery bill.

Thinking of that, she pulled out an account book from the drawer and handed it to Lu Yuetang. “These are the grocery expenses from the past few days. Take a look, and if everything’s fine, sign it.”

Lu Yuetang glanced at it briefly.

Her handwriting was neat and delicate, yet it carried an understated strength—exceptionally well-written.

He took the pen from her and signed smoothly.

“In the future, you don’t have to be so meticulous with these little things. Just give me the total at the end of the month. I don’t like to doubt people I trust,” he said.

Then, he picked up a piece of braised pork and took a bite.

It was indeed lean yet tender, without being greasy.

Even better than the food made by the family’s cook, Aunt Liu.

After eating, Lu Yuetang suddenly remembered something. He raised an eyebrow and said, “There’s a bag on the sofa. Bring it here.”

Soon, Hu Ouhua came over with the backpack. Just as she was about to hand it to him, he leaned back against his chair, casually crossed one leg over the other, and said lazily, “Open it.”

Without thinking much, Hu Ouhua did as he said.

Inside, she found a light blue dress, a white cotton blouse with a plum blossom print, a pair of navy blue pants, and even… crystal sandals.

These were all women’s clothes.

She asked in confusion, “Commander Lu, do you want me to wash these or deliver them to someone?”

Lu Yuetang turned his face away.

“Just some old clothes someone didn’t want. See if they fit. If not, throw them away.”

Throw them away?

That would be too wasteful.

Hu Ouhua held the dress against her body. The style was modern, the fabric was soft, and if he hadn’t called them ‘old clothes,’ she would have thought they were brand new.

It looked amazing.

“I’ll keep them! Thanks, Commander Lu! If you get more of these, think of me!” She hugged the clothes and ran to her room to try them on.