Chapter 17

“Alright.”

The old photographer was visibly disappointed but understood. He realized he hadn’t considered the confidentiality required for military personnel’s photos.

When Lu Huaijing arrived, he noticed the photographer’s dejected expression. Though puzzled, he didn’t ask.

After leaving the studio, Tang Wan recounted the entire situation to him, ending with handing him the photos.

“Although I know we look great together, I refused him because of your special identity,” she said.

“You did the right thing,” Lu Huaijing replied. His thumb gently brushed over the photo of the two of them, and his rare smile was as warm as a sunny day. His wife was so beautiful, and he preferred not to share that sight with too many people.

“I thought you’d say I was foolish for giving up free photos,” Tang Wan teased with a laugh.

“Not at all,” Lu Huaijing smiled as well. “I’ll work hard to earn money instead.”

He then noticed a cloth bundle in Tang Wan’s hands and asked, “What’s this?”

“Oh, when I went to the restroom earlier, I ran into an old lady,” Tang Wan said mysteriously, lowering her voice. “I exchanged this wedding quilt cover and bed sheet with her.”

She was testing his attitude toward private transactions. As a soldier, Lu Huaijing might disapprove of what some might call “speculation and profiteering.”

Tang Wan had no intention of engaging in significant black-market activities; she had money and ration coupons. However, occasionally, she’d take items from her personal space, claiming to have purchased them elsewhere.

If he disapproved, she would have to be even more cautious.

“Did anyone see you making the exchange?” Lu Huaijing asked immediately. He quickly took the bundle from her hands and urged her to get on the bicycle, shielding her from potential prying eyes.

“No, I was careful,” Tang Wan replied, her mood improving after his satisfactory response.

The two rode out of town on the bicycle. After they were some distance away, Lu Huaijing stopped and said, “You’re quite daring. What if a Red Guard had seen you and accused you of speculation?”

His tone was filled with concern rather than reprimand.

“Don’t you like the wedding quilt, though?” Tang Wan asked, opening the bundle to show him. The quilt cover had a section of silky satin, smooth to the touch.

“I do,” Lu Huaijing admitted, his face reddening as he thought about their upcoming wedding night under such a luxurious quilt.

“Exactly,” Tang Wan said with a mischievous wink. “We can compromise on other things, but not on what we sleep under at night.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lu Huaijing replied, eager to keep her in good spirits.

Suddenly, he pulled a small box from the bundle and handed it to her.

“Huh? What’s this?” Tang Wan asked as she opened it. Upon seeing the gold ring inside, along with a pair of dragon-and-phoenix bracelets, she quickly shut the box and tucked it into her bag.

Such items needed to be kept hidden in these times.

“Do you like it?” Lu Huaijing asked, noticing the mix of surprise and joy on her face. He realized his mother was right—women really couldn’t resist jewelry.

“Of course I do,” Tang Wan said, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. She loved gold, silver, and all things sparkly.

Carefully stowing the box away, she secretly moved it into her personal space. “So, you went to buy this earlier?”

“Yes, I had a friend make it,” Lu Huaijing replied as he pedaled toward Shiping Brigade.

Sitting behind him, Tang Wan gently poked his back and whispered, “Thank you.”

“Jewelry doesn’t get made that quickly,” Tang Wan murmured, feeling a strange tightness in her chest.

“That was my brother’s relative. Yesterday, while you were resting, I had him contact his relative to get the jewelry made in advance. I just went to pick it up. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, it can still be adjusted,” Lu Huaijing explained patiently, unfazed by her reaction. “The gold was from a mission I was on.”

While capturing spies, they often seized gold and other valuables. Sometimes, their superiors would reward them with a small portion.

“Oh.”

Tang Wan’s lips curled into an uncontrollable smile. Though her personal space held countless treasures, the thoughtfulness behind Lu Huaijing having these pieces custom-made delighted her far more.

In the future, weddings might focus on the “three golds,” but in this era, people valued “three rounds and one sound.” Even the bride price he had provided was exceptionally generous.

This man was worth marrying!

Tang Wan lightly rested her hands on the bicycle seat but hesitated to wrap them around Lu Huaijing’s waist. Instead, she cautiously held onto a corner of his shirt.

Suddenly…

The bicycle jolted over a large pothole. Tang Wan’s body instinctively lurched forward, and her arms reflexively wrapped around Lu Huaijing’s firm waist.

Thump, thump, thump…

Her heart raced wildly. She was secretly glad that Lu Huaijing couldn’t see her flushed face.

Little did she know, his ears were already glowing red. His hands tightened slightly on the bicycle’s handlebars as he felt her soft body against his back, leaving him tense and flustered.

“We’re almost there,” Lu Huaijing managed, his throat dry. He pedaled harder, the bicycle seemingly sparking under his effort.

Thankfully, they soon reached the Shiping Brigade. Farmers in the fields couldn’t help but glance their way, their gazes lingering on the bicycle loaded with packages.

“Look, Cuihua, the third brother’s wife is so lucky. Remember when you got married? You didn’t have nearly this much stuff.”

Hearing this, Li Cuihua, who had been fertilizing the crops, snapped her head up. Her eyes immediately fell on Lu Huaijing and the bags hanging from his bicycle, clearly worth a fortune.

Her expression soured. “Third Brother earns a high stipend and spoils his wife. Mind your own business, you big-mouthed fool!”

“Hey, I was just trying to look out for you, and you insult me? Ungrateful!”

Unaware of the friction their passing had caused, Tang Wan and Lu Huaijing were almost home when someone stopped them.

“Brother Jing, the brigade leader needs to talk to you.”

“Wan, this is my brother Xiangdong. You head home first,” Lu Huaijing said, turning to the newcomer. “Xiangdong, take my wife home and return this bicycle to your cousin later.”

The bicycle had been borrowed from Xiangdong’s cousin, and Lu Huaijing wanted it returned.

“Got it, Brother Jing,” Xiangdong replied, grinning at Tang Wan. “Sister-in-law, I grew up with Brother Jing. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you,” Tang Wan replied politely.

As she watched Lu Huaijing’s retreating figure, her mind wandered to their earlier encounter with Lu Hongying in town. She guessed the brigade leader’s summons had something to do with her. Would he compromise his principles for his daughter’s sake?

Lost in thought, Tang Wan felt a hint of unease as she headed toward the Lu family home. Behind her, Xiangdong followed, pushing the bicycle.

The door to the courtyard was slightly ajar. As Tang Wan approached, she faintly heard the sound of a child crying inside.

Thinking of Tang Zhou, her heart tightened with worry. She hurried inside, only to stop in her tracks, stunned by the scene before her.