Chapter 10

After two nights of Wen Ning sleeping with her head on Lu Cheng’s shoulder, they finally arrived in L Province three days later.

The moment Wen Ning stepped off the train, a bone-chilling cold struck her. She couldn’t help but shiver and quietly hid behind Lu Cheng.

It was mid-October. While the southern regions still enjoyed mild temperatures, the north was already swept by biting winds, especially in this northernmost province.

The howling wind whipped against Wen Ning’s cheeks, slicing like soft knives. She quickly tightened her floral-patterned cotton-padded jacket, wrapped her black scarf around her face, and tucked most of it inside.

“Let’s hurry. It’s freezing!”

Lu Cheng, seeing Wen Ning bundled up like a dumpling for the first time, quickened his pace, a faint amusement in his eyes.

Outside L City Railway Station in L Province, a military-green jeep waited. Soldier Liu, spotting the conspicuous green figure in the crowd, hurried out to greet them.

“Regimental Commander!” Soldier Liu saluted and eagerly took his luggage to load into the jeep. “Did you bring all this from your trip home, Commander?”

Before he could finish, Soldier Liu noticed another person beside Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng stood tall at 188 centimeters, his imposing frame accentuating the slender, graceful figure of the woman beside him.

Even bundled in a bulky, drab cotton-padded coat, Wen Ning’s delicate silhouette was evident from the sliver of wrist peeking out.

Lifting her face from her scarf, Wen Ning recognized the soldier as one of Lu Cheng’s men and immediately felt a sense of familiarity. “Hello, comrade soldier,” she greeted warmly. “I’m Regimental Commander Lu’s wife.”

Soldier Liu’s eyelid twitched. Wife?! The Regimental Commander is married?

Then he looked at the Regimental Commander’s wife’s face. She was so beautiful she seemed to glow!

“S-sister-in-law, hello!” Soldier Liu stammered, feeling awkward calling this young woman “sister-in-law.”

“Alright, get in the jeep,” Lu Cheng said, eyeing Wen Ning warily. The shadow of last year’s incident still lingered, and he feared she might do something unexpected.

Wen Ning climbed into the jeep for the first time, her heart brimming with excitement. But having experienced two-eight bicycles and green-skinned trains, she managed to contain her reaction, silently marveling at this era’s impressive array of vehicles, large and small, that could traverse the land.

Beside them, Soldier Liu drove while reporting recent training progress to Lu Cheng. Though framed as a report, it was clearly a bid for praise.

“Commander, we completed the five-kilometer cross-country run on time even during that gale!”

“Isn’t that to be expected? Is it even worth mentioning?” Lu Cheng, known in the military as the “Living Yama,” was notoriously strict and impartial, demanding the utmost from everyone. This relentless discipline had forged him the finest troops.

Of course, he held himself to the highest standards.

“Everyone assemble this afternoon. I want to see if you’ve been slacking off during my absence!”

“Ah?” Soldier Liu’s square face instantly twisted into a bitter grimace. He regretted opening his mouth. “Regimental Commander, you just got back. Why not go home and rest today? Your leave doesn’t end until the day after tomorrow…”

Soldier Liu trailed off as he caught the Regimental Commander’s icy glare.

The Regimental Commander brought his wife back, yet he’s skipping his leave to drill us? How heartless!

Doesn’t his wife smell nice? Why is he so eager to see us sweaty men?

Fortunately, the Commander Lu didn’t bring it up again. Soldier Liu fell silent, relieved, and focused on driving.

When the jeep pulled over and Wen Ning stepped out, she felt a sudden chill. She looked around and saw towering trees with yellowing leaves scattered across the ground.

The 326th Unit was located on the outskirts of the city. As they drove, the landscape had grown increasingly desolate, exuding a sense of bleakness.

“Sister-in-law, this is your first time here. It gets pretty cold, especially in winter—those months are tough. But the rest of the year is fine. Just be careful on the way up; the path is a bit steep,” Soldier Liu said warmly as he helped Wen Ning with her luggage, eager to introduce her to the Regimental Commander’s wife.

“It is a bit chilly,” Wen Ning replied, gazing at the stark, bare tree trunks that lined the landscape. In the distance, the imposing main gate of the 326th Unit, perched halfway up the mountain, seemed to radiate an aura of righteous dignity.

As they continued, the path grew increasingly challenging, almost requiring them to scramble up the slope. Soldier Liu instructed the relief soldier to take the jeep to deliver supplies.

Having finished his procurement duties for the unit, he and Lu Cheng each carried a large bundle of luggage toward the Family Compound behind the main gate.

Wen Ning, accustomed to a life of comfort and having endured a cramped, stuffy, three-day, two-night train journey that left her stiff and uncomfortable, now found herself struggling to climb the rough slope in coarse cloth shoes along a muddy path.

With each labored step, her calves ached from the long train ride. This arduous trek was truly punishing. A wave of melancholy washed over her, especially as she watched Lu Cheng and Soldier Liu stride ahead with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to such terrain.

“Regimental Commander Lu~” Wen Ning called out softly, stopping Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng continued striding forward as usual. Hearing the sound behind him, he turned to see Wen Ning had stopped, her hand pressed against her waist. Her dewy peach-blossom eyes gazed at him, her chest rising and falling, her face flushed like sunset clouds, and a thin sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.

Instantly understanding her unspoken plea, Lu Cheng sighed inwardly. He veered left, snapped off a wrist-thick branch, quickly stripped it of twigs and leaves, and handed it to her. Bringing her along is such a hassle.

Wen Ning accepted the branch, her face finally brightening with a smile. She used it as a walking stick to navigate the uneven terrain. She knew that with Soldier Liu present, the rigid and old-fashioned Lu Cheng would never allow her to cling to his arm.

Only Soldier Liu, standing nearby, felt like he shouldn’t be there. He secretly marveled, The Regimental Commander really dotes on his wife! When has that living Yama ever been so considerate to anyone else? His wife hadn’t even said a word before he went to break off a branch.

No wonder I’m still single. My lack of tact is glaring!

Soldier Liu sank into deep self-reflection.

Surrounded by towering mountains, the gates of the 326th Unit finally came into view. A soldier in olive-green uniform stood guard at the entrance, snapping to attention and saluting Regimental Commander Lu Cheng as he approached.

Wen Ning was fascinated, following Lu Cheng into the military unit with wide-eyed curiosity. Every corner offered a new experience.

The 236th Regiment was stationed northwest of L City, nestled against the mountains and beside a river. The unit comprised several thousand soldiers, with training grounds and office buildings dotting the landscape. The family compound occupied the southeastern corner of the base.

Rows of single-story brick houses with tiled roofs stood in neat, staggered rows, avoiding overcrowding.

The family compound’s houses had mud-brick walls, slightly better than the adobe walls in Wen Family Village, but not by much. However, the compound boasted a grain station, vegetable market, supply and marketing cooperative, and non-staple food store—amenities far superior to those in the village.

Lu Cheng had originally lived in the single dormitory. Even after his recent marriage, he hadn’t applied for family housing, partly due to the unpleasant circumstances surrounding his wedding. Few in the unit knew he was married. It was only when the Brigade Commander ordered him to bring his wife to join him and personally assigned him a house that this arrangement became possible.

Lu Cheng’s rapid promotion to Regimental Commander at a young age marked him as a rising star. His handsome, tall, and imposing appearance only added to his appeal. Many female soldiers in the Cultural Troupe and nurses from the Military Region Hospital harbored secret admiration for him.

Even though Lu Cheng had recently been allocated housing, leading to rumors of marriage, few believed it. Everyone saw it as a mere excuse, still viewing him as a highly sought-after bachelor.

The Brigade Commander, however, wanted to avoid further complications. Besides, stable families among his subordinates meant better defense of the homeland. Otherwise, why would senior officers like him constantly meddle in the marriage prospects of eligible young soldiers?

We’re all destined to worry!

Lu Cheng’s allocated housing was a square, single-story flat located in the southern part of the Family Compound. A low blue-brick wall surrounded the property, leading into a spacious courtyard that was bare and empty, yet reasonably clean.

The courtyard was divided into three sections: the main hall and three bedrooms in the center, with separate outhouses and kitchens on either side. Though basic, it was functional.

Currently, the only furniture consisted of a square table and three kang beds. The rest of the space was cold, bare, and utterly empty.

Soldier Liu dropped off Lu Cheng’s luggage and prepared to leave, relaying a message from the Brigade Commander: “Regimental Commander, Brigade Commander Zhou said that since you’re bringing your wife here, you’ll need time to set up the house and buy furniture. He’s granting you a few extra days of leave. The weather’s cold anyway, and there’s nothing urgent at the regiment, so no need to rush back.”

With that, Soldier Liu vanished in a flash, determined not to intrude.

Wen Ning gazed at the spacious, clean bungalow. Though it was still empty, the thought that this was her and the Great General’s home filled her with joy.

“There’s really nothing here,” Wen Ning said, watching Lu Cheng set down their two bundles of luggage. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes fixed on him. “We’ll need to buy some furniture. Mother packed some pots, pans, enamel bowls, and cups, but we’ll have to get things like wardrobes and tables ourselves.”

Lu Cheng finished arranging the luggage and stood up, meeting Wen Ning’s eyes, which sparkled with anticipation for their future together.

“The furniture is being made. I asked an old master craftsman from the Military Unit before my leave,” Lu Cheng explained. “For everything else, we can go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.”

“Great!” Wen Ning had heard so much about the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Her production brigade didn’t have one, the only two were in Hongyuan County, and she’d never had the chance to visit. “Let’s go after we eat.”

After rushing to the Military Unit straight from the train, Wen Ning was ravenous.

“Let’s go to the…” Lu Cheng started to suggest the mess hall, but remembering Wen Ning’s unpredictable nature, he quickly changed his mind. “I’ll go get the food. You wait here.”

Lu Cheng lit the firewood his neighbor had brought over, boiled a pot of water, and finally prepared to leave.

“Alright,” Wen Ning said. She secretly wanted to go with him to see the place, but her legs were sore from walking too much that day. She sat obediently on the wooden chair, gently massaging her calves as she agreed. “Hurry back, and remember to get some meat. Skip the braised pork and fatty pork belly we had on the train—let’s try something different…”

Lu Cheng listened to the woman’s soft, demanding voice behind him, his eyelid twitching again. She’s more demanding than my ancestors, he thought.

Carrying four aluminum lunch boxes, Lu Cheng headed to the military unit’s mess hall, passing several soldiers and their families along the way.

It was well past lunchtime, and people were chatting outside to digest their meals.

Where there were crowds, there was gossip. News of Lu Cheng bringing a woman back to the unit had already spread, causing a stir in the Family Compound.

“Did you hear? Regimental Commander Lu actually got married!”

“Really? I thought he was joking! How did he actually go through with it?”

“Oh my goodness, I saw her myself! The woman who came with him is stunning—so delicate and pretty, with a face smaller than my palm. But she seems a bit fragile, barely able to take a step.”

“Could she really be prettier than the female soldiers in the Cultural Troupe? I don’t believe it!”

“Oh, right! Jiang Rong just mentioned that Regimental Commander Lu’s wife is from her hometown. Apparently, she’s not all that great. Why didn’t he open his eyes wider when choosing a wife?”

“Hey, hey, Regimental Commander Lu’s here…”

The group of military wives, who had been chatting idly while leaning against the trees lining the road, immediately fell silent upon seeing Lu Cheng approach. They greeted the most sought-after bachelor in the compound with teasing smiles.

“Regimental Commander Lu, getting lunch? Is that for your wife?”

“Oh my, Regimental Commander Lu really knows how to take care of his wife.”

The military wives, who didn’t work, loved nothing more than gossiping before and after meals, especially teasing newly coupled or newlywed couples.

Even Lu Cheng’s usual stern demeanor couldn’t deter the older women from teasing him about bringing his new wife to the compound. They completely ignored his intimidating aura.

Lu Cheng nodded briefly to the group and continued on his way, his expression unchanged.

Marriage was truly a hassle, and bringing someone to live on the base was even more troublesome.

He had certainly brought this trouble upon himself.

While Lu Cheng was out getting lunch, Wen Ning, who had just arrived at the Family Compound, unexpectedly discovered someone lurking suspiciously near their doorstep.