Chapter 44

When Lu Guanshan saw the stack of money, he immediately became anxious.

“Isn’t this the dowry I gave? Why did my parents pack it all up?”

Yu Li, who had just calmed down, almost broke down again. Three hundred yuan of dowry, and her parents hadn’t left a single cent behind—they returned everything to them.

She silently swore in her heart that she would work hard, earn more money, and send it back to her parents to honor them.

Ideally, she would be able to bring them to the city to see a better life.

Lu Guanshan was also deeply moved: “Wife, from now on, let’s honor them together.”

Yu Li nodded: “Okay.”

Once their daughter left, Chen Ailan was so worried that she couldn’t focus on work at all.

For the first time, she felt so weak that she lay down in the house during the day.

While lying down, she found the money Yu Li had left for them.

Soon, the rest of the family discovered the things Yu Li had left behind. Everyone’s eyes turned red. Now that Yu Li had just left, everyone couldn’t help but miss her.

Just then, Shiliu couldn’t help but ask: “Grandma, did Aunt go to the market today? Will she be back soon?”

Chen Ailan’s heart ached, and she murmured: “Your aunt… she’s married now. She won’t come back every night.”

Saying this, she couldn’t help but shed tears.

Yu Li didn’t feel good either.

The journey was too long, farther than she had imagined!

The road conditions weren’t great, and the car bounced around. Xiao Zhou did his best to drive steadily, taking turns with Lu Guanshan, but it still took over ten hours.

In the final hour, Yu Li almost felt like she was going to vomit.

By now, it was already dark, and she realized they had arrived in the remote north of the country, though she couldn’t tell exactly where they were.

Fortunately, there was enough cooked food that her mother had packed, so the three of them wouldn’t go hungry.

But Yu Li noticed that Lu Guanshan’s complexion wasn’t looking too good.

She quickly asked, “Do you feel unwell?”

Lu Guanshan pinched his brow: “It’s not that kind of discomfort, it’s just… I don’t know how to explain. Maybe I’m just too tired from the long journey. Once we rest later, I’ll feel better.”

Yu Li quickly began massaging the He Gu and Wai Guan acupoints on him.

Xiao Zhou also said: “Lieutenant Lu, Sister-in-law, just hang in there a bit longer. We’ll be there soon!”

Yu Li hurriedly said: “Thank you, Xiao Zhou! After we settle down, we’ll treat you to a meal!”

The two of them exchanged a few words and then fell silent.

It was obvious that Lu Guanshan had closed his eyes because he was feeling unwell.

Yu Li was extremely worried. She checked his pulse and thought it was okay, but his mind seemed unsettled.

Lu Guanshan indeed felt his mind buzzing with all kinds of chaotic thoughts, but he didn’t want to say anything in front of Xiao Zhou.

Since waking up after his injury, every night, he had vaguely dreamed of a scene from his childhood where he was chasing someone and crying.

When he woke up, he had forgotten everything.

He had been found by his grandparents, and he didn’t know if it was because of the trauma he experienced as a child, but all memories from before being found were lost.

Just now, there was a fleeting image of a tall man in his mind.

The man had picked up the small him and laughed, saying: “Riding the big horse!”

Then, the image disappeared.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t think of it.

He was becoming more and more dizzy, and only Yu Li’s massage relieved some of his discomfort.

By midnight, the three of them finally arrived at their destination.

Aside from the soldiers on duty, almost everyone else was asleep.

The family housing compound was quiet. It was Yu Li’s first time here, and feeling curious, she followed Lu Guanshan to his quarters.

The car arrived at the entrance of Lu Guanshan’s small courtyard. Since it was so late, they unloaded the things quickly, and Lu Guanshan urged Xiao Zhou to go back and get some rest.

Then he turned to Yu Li and explained: “Since I’m the company commander and just got married, the organization assigned me a separate small courtyard before I left. Although it’s not big, it’s independent, so it should be pretty good. Before leaving, I just moved my things and asked some other sisters-in-law to help clean.”

Yu Li followed him inside. The electricity was convenient here, as electric lights had already been installed.

When the light string was pulled, the room brightened, and it was indeed clean, with no dust.

There was one main room, two bedrooms, one side room, and one kitchen. The couple would live quite comfortably here.

Yu Li hurriedly started boiling water: “It’s too late, and you have a headache. Let’s wash up and sleep quickly.”

Lu Guanshan nodded. He flipped out the bedding and began to make the bed.

The two of them quickly took a shower. Yu Li was initially worried that after their bath, they might have to consummate the marriage.

But unexpectedly, Lu Guanshan’s dizziness returned. She became very concerned and quickly began massaging him.

They leaned on each other and unknowingly fell asleep.

Whether it was because it was the first time sleeping with his wife or because of the effect of Yu Li’s massage, Lu Guanshan had a very pleasant dream.

In the dream, he was chasing the man again. The man suddenly turned around and smiled at him, saying, “Call me Dad!”

Meanwhile, far away in Hongxing Village, at the Wu family home.

Wu Guohua hurriedly left the hospital, disregarding the doctor’s advice to stay for further observation.

This was because he had no money left, and neither did Wu’s mother. They could only return home to recover.

However, they didn’t expect the trouble with Wu Tong to get out. Someone from the village, out of boredom, wrote the character “cheap” on the door of Wu’s shop!

Wu Tong was so angry that she scrubbed hard, but the word wouldn’t come off!

Wu Guohua almost couldn’t breathe from the shock!

How had he ended up in this situation?

In her heart, Xia Yuying sneered. This wedding was truly laughable!

Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to live here for long. Once they arrived at the base, she wouldn’t have to deal with this crazy, selfish mother-daughter duo anymore.

“Guohua, you’ve been injured, so we should head back soon. The medical care at the army hospital is definitely better. Once we’re there, I can talk to my aunt. Their nanny is a great cook. We should visit a few times so you can get your strength back!”

Wu Guohua was also very upset. He nodded, “Alright, let’s go back quickly.”

Wu’s mother heard Xia Yuying mention her aunt and the nanny. If they went there, wouldn’t she also have a nanny to take care of her?

She perked up immediately: “Then Tongtong, hurry up and pack your clothes. Let’s leave as soon as possible.”

Xia Yuying was taken aback: “What do you mean? Where are you going to pack your clothes?”

Wu Tong rolled her eyes: “We’re going with you to the base. What else can we do at home? You saw today, because of your marriage, the villagers are looking down on us! They even wrote insulting words on the door! We have no income, no labor in the family, and my brother is definitely taking us along with the military.”

Xia Yuying stood up abruptly: “I don’t agree! Why do you have to go with the army? Isn’t all of this because of you and your wedding?”

Wu Tong immediately got angry and pointed at Xia Yuying, shouting: “What are you talking about? What do you mean it’s because of me?! Mom isn’t well, doesn’t Guohua have to fulfill his duty as a son? What’s wrong with me going to take care of her? But you, how can you not even tolerate your mother-in-law right after marriage? Aren’t you supposed to be the political commissar’s niece? Where’s your vision?!”

Xia Yuying hadn’t even received the dowry, and now, if she took two extra dependents to the base, Yu Li would definitely laugh!

So, she firmly disagreed with Wu’s mother going to the base!

No matter how much Wu’s mother and Wu Tong scolded, or how much Wu Guohua tried to persuade her, she resolutely refused. She even threatened to harm herself!

In the end, Wu Guohua, feeling utterly frustrated, had the family arguing all night. He slapped his head in desperation!

“Are you trying to drive me crazy?! Huh?!”

Wu’s mother and Wu Tong exchanged a look, whispered a few words, and decided not to go to the base for now.

They figured that even if they didn’t go now, they could go later. Once they arrived at the base, would Xia Yuying dare to kick them out?

At daybreak, Xia Yuying packed her things, learned that Xiao Zhou’s car had already left, and angrily cursed. She forced Wu Guohua to leave their hometown with her and board the train back to the base.

Wu Guohua, with a wound on his head, was filled with repressed bad emotions. He didn’t speak a word to Xia Yuying the entire way, his face tense.

Xia Yuying had been on the train for 28 hours and was exhausted, her tears nearly running dry.

She gritted her teeth, convincing herself that everything would be fine once they reached the base.

From then on, Wu Guohua’s salary would be in her hands. She was the niece of the political commissar, and according to the plan, Wu Guohua would definitely get promoted. At that time, everyone would be flattering and complimenting her, and she’d be on top!

During the time they were delayed, Yu Li had cleaned up her new home. She had even put up pictures on the walls and arranged the daily items neatly. The toothbrushes were together, and the kitchenware was all in place.

To prevent her from working too hard, Lu Guanshan hadn’t lit the stove yet. They were eating in the mess hall.

But there was one thing that puzzled Yu Li.

Aside from the first day when Lu Guanshan wasn’t feeling well, he had been in great condition since then, full of energy.

However, he didn’t make any moves on her and always just held her to sleep at night.

Could it be that he was still feeling unwell and that’s why he was so restrained?

On the third night, Yu Li planned to ask him after he finished his bath.

But who knew that when the man came out of the bathroom, he casually dried his hair and then leaned over to her.

“Wife, I got something.”

Yu Li was stunned: “What is it?”

He pulled out a rubber ball-like object from under the pillow: “This. Let’s hold off on having kids for now, okay? We haven’t even dated properly yet. I want to enjoy our time alone together.”

Yu Li’s cheeks turned red. She bit her lip and didn’t say anything, her eyes gradually filled with a rosy glow.

Lu Guanshan lowered his head and kissed her lips, his hand trailing down her soft body…

Yu Li, nervous, instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.