Chapter 20 – Don’t Ruin Your Own Future

Lu Chen briefly explained the military’s marriage procedure to Xu Nuo, and she nodded attentively as she listened.

“Let me know when I need to get that certificate,” she said.

“I’ll go back with you to the village for it,” Lu Chen replied.

“Thank you,” Xu Nuo said softly.

“No need to thank me. It’s my responsibility.”

As they were speaking, Xu Shan pushed the door open and came in. Her hair was slightly messy, her cheeks unusually flushed, and even the corners of her lips looked a little swollen.

Seeing Lu Chen there, Xu Shan visibly stiffened. “Lu… Lu Chen, you’re here too?”

Lu Chen’s gaze swept briefly over her face. He stood up slowly and said, “Alright, you two get some rest. I’ll be heading back.”

Once he left, Xu Shan immediately leaned toward Xu Nuo with a nosy expression. “Why was he here? What were you two talking about? Are you really getting married? Xu Nuo, are you actually marrying him?”

“Yes, I am. Why? You have a problem with that?” Xu Nuo gave her a sidelong glance. “And you? When are you going home? You’ve been here long enough, eating and drinking for free. Don’t you think it’s time to stop freeloading?”

Xu Shan pouted. “Look at you, not even married into this family yet and already trying to kick me out? The Lu family hasn’t told me to leave, so why should you?”

“They’re just too polite to say it outright. You should at least have some self-awareness. You impersonated me to get in here—it’s already generous enough that they haven’t held you accountable. What more do you want?”

“That’s none of your business,” Xu Shan said as she sat down at the table, happily picking up a mirror to admire herself.

Xu Nuo narrowed her eyes at the strange flush on her cousin’s face. “Xu Shan, where did you go just now? What were you doing?”

“What’s it to you? Worry about yourself.”

Xu Shan hummed a tune while examining her reflection, but Xu Nuo’s eyes were fixed on the purplish mark near her collarbone—a mark that looked suspiciously like a hickey.

“I don’t care what you do,” Xu Nuo said, her voice calm but sharp. “Just don’t end up ruining your own future and having no one to cry to when things fall apart.”

“Tch!” Xu Shan scoffed, clearly brushing it off. “You’re just jealous because you’re marrying a soldier and don’t want me to have it better than you. Just wait—my future might be better than yours!”

Xu Nuo just gave her a cold “Heh.”

---

The next day.

The Lu household was bustling with activity. Now that Lu Chen and Xu Nuo’s marriage had been confirmed, Cheng Wanying dug out the precious fabric she had saved over the years. A whole stack was laid out neatly across half the bed.

Zhang Man came by with little Lu Yiyi in her arms. When she saw all the beautiful bedding fabric, she was filled with envy.

“Mum! So many gorgeous quilt covers! What are you going to do with them?”

Cheng Wanying counted on her fingers. “I’m thinking of using eight of them to make quilts for Xu Nuo—four thin and four thick ones. The rest will be saved for when our third gets married.”

“Mum, what about me?” Zhang Man’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fabric, unable to look away.

“You’ll get something too,” Cheng Wanying said with a smile. “Not the fancy quilt covers, but I’m planning to make you two soft cotton quilts.”

“Thanks, Mum!”

“No need to thank me.”

Zhang Man wasn’t done. “What else are you planning to prepare for big brother’s wedding?”

“Well, the quilts are just the start. Nowadays, it’s fashionable to have ‘three rounds and one sound’ for a wedding. That’s got to be arranged too.”

Zhang Man felt a twinge of jealousy, though she didn’t say it aloud. Jokingly, she said, “Mum, Lu Chen isn’t even your biological son, but you treat him better than your own!”

“He may not be my biological son, but he’s as good as one,” Cheng Wanying replied firmly, sensing her daughter-in-law’s sour mood.

In truth, she and Lu Huaizheng were a remarried couple. Lu Chen was Lu Huaizheng’s son from his first marriage. Lu Feng, the second son, was her child from a previous marriage. Only Lu Cheng, the youngest, was born to the two of them together.

Over the years, Lu Cheng had been spoiled by both parents. Though he was smart, he was also arrogant and undisciplined. That’s why they’d sent him off to the army at eighteen to toughen up.

Lu Feng, the second son, was a year younger than Lu Chen. He came to the Lu family with her at age five. His temperament wasn’t ideal—he had inherited his biological father’s pettiness and calculating nature.

Because Lu Feng was naturally sensitive and overly self-conscious, the entire family had always treaded carefully around him and tried to accommodate his feelings. As a result, he grew up selfish and undisciplined.

In contrast, Lu Chen had always been calm and steady since he was young. He didn’t speak much, but he quietly took on a lot of responsibilities around the house.

Especially during the winters, when Cheng Wanying’s old joint pains flared up and she struggled with her health, it was always Lu Chen who silently sent back specialty medicines from the army without saying a word.

How could Cheng Wanying not love such a thoughtful child?

Seeing she’d gotten no advantage from her mother-in-law, Zhang Man left with little Lu Yiyi in her arms and went downstairs to play in the living room.

Not long after, Lu Huaizheng came in, holding a bankbook, which he handed to Cheng Wanying.

“Go withdraw the allowance from here and help Xu Nuo buy a few sets of clothes.”

“Even if you hadn’t said it, I was already planning to,” Cheng Wanying replied. “That child has had a hard life. Now that she’s part of our family, we should treat her well.”

“You’re right. I’ll leave Lu Chen’s wedding to you to take care of.”

“Old Lu, how many years have we been married? You still talk to me like that? These are all my children. Helping arrange a wedding for one of my own—what’s there to call hard work?” she said with a smile.

Lu Huaizheng smiled back and reached out to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “Wanying, marrying you was the luckiest thing in my life.”

—

Downstairs.

Lu Chen sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. When he saw the guest room door open and Xu Nuo step out, he folded the paper and stood up.

“Let’s go. We’ll do some shopping for the wedding.”

“Now?”

“Yes. What? Don’t have time?” he asked.

“I do.” Xu Nuo hadn’t expected him to act so quickly—just yesterday they’d agreed on the marriage, and today he was already taking her shopping.

“Five minutes. Is that enough time for you to get ready?” he said, glancing at his watch.

“No need. I’m ready now.”

“Good.”

The two of them got in the car and drove out of the military compound, heading straight for the department store. After getting out, Lu Chen trailed behind her and said, “Whatever you want or need—just buy it.”

“Won’t this place be a bit too expensive?” Xu Nuo whispered.

No matter the era, department stores like this weren’t known for cheap prices.

“It’s fine. I brought enough money,” Lu Chen replied simply.

“Alright then.”

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Xu Nuo still felt a little taken aback by the high prices once they started browsing.

She wasn’t earning money at the moment, so spending someone else’s money made her uncomfortable.

Before transmigrating, she had been single, supporting herself and spending her own hard-earned money. She was used to being financially independent.

Now, suddenly there was someone who wanted to pay for her. Honestly, it felt a little strange.

Despite his insistence that she could buy anything she wanted, Xu Nuo was very restrained. She browsed a few outfits but found them too pricey. Eventually, she settled on one set that offered good value.

In addition, she bought a set of skincare products, a pair of shoes for everyday wear, and two sets of undergarments. That was more than enough for now.

The rest, she would wait to earn herself.

Lu Chen paid for everything she selected without complaint, carrying the large bundle of items as they left the store and returned to the car.

By this time, they’d been out all morning, and it was well past lunchtime. Xu Nuo’s stomach was growling.

“How are we doing lunch?” she asked.

“Wait here in the car for ten minutes. I’ll be right back and take you to eat,” Lu Chen said, shutting the door and striding away without another word.