Chapter 12

After quickly washing her calves and feet, Wen Ning slipped back into Wen Muna’s shoes and finally felt comfortable. She washed her hands and prepared to eat.

Lu Cheng had gone to the military canteen to fetch their meal. By this time, the lunch rush was nearly over, but the Quartermaster, seeing him arrive, specially fired up a small stove to stir-fry two extra dishes.

Three years ago, Lu Cheng had saved the Quartermaster’s life. Ever since, every time he went to the canteen, he received an extra-generous portion of food.

Earlier, Wen Ning had regretted the long, arduous journey to join the military camp, finding it exhausting. But now, savoring the canteen’s dishes—stir-fried mustard greens, wild vegetable cakes, minced pork with green peas, and a plate of cabbage and pork dumplings—she instantly forgot her fatigue.

This is so much better than what we eat in the village!

After a satisfying meal, Wen Ning strolled leisurely around the courtyard. Noticing Lu Cheng finish washing the dishes and shake the water from his hands, she hurried over and playfully poked his arm.

The man clearly wasn’t used to her touch. He recoiled and spoke in his usual cold tone and stern manner.

“Just talk. No need for physical contact. Where did you pick up such a habit?” Lu Cheng saw Wen Ning about to protest and, remembering her pampered ways from the journey, couldn’t help but remind her, “Don’t forget what I told you back then.”

Wen Ning huffed softly, her delicate, rounded nose tilting upward in displeasure as she glared at him. “You’re just being difficult.”

Even a light touch on his arm was out of the question—he was shyer than a newlywed bride!

Of course, Wen Ning understood the meaning behind Lu Cheng’s reminder.

Back then, the original owner of her body had forced him into marriage by exploiting a debt and scheming to trap him. Lu Cheng, thoroughly disgusted, had made it clear when he agreed: he would grant her the title she desired and ensure she was well-fed and clothed, but she should not disturb him otherwise.

In other words, she shouldn’t harbor any romantic notions about him, nor expect him to truly act as her husband.

The original owner, focused solely on enjoying a life of ease, had readily agreed. But later, her greed grew, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, and her desires became insatiable.

Wen Ning gazed at Lu Cheng. The man was handsome, his face perpetually tense with a stern expression. Yet it was precisely this aura of uprightness that drew her to him.

With his looks and physique, how could she not have thoughts about him? In the Great Liang Dynasty, he had been her Great General. Here, he was her rightful husband.

Why shouldn’t she have thoughts about him? Once he regained his memories, he would surely regret his current aloofness!

“Oh, by the way, don’t blame me for not warning you—your younger brother and sister were just here.”

Lu Cheng only reacted when he heard about his siblings. His gaze swept over Wen Ning as he asked, “Where are they now?”

“They left.” Wen Ning replied casually, relaying their words without a hint of concern: “They pointed at me at the door and said, ‘You wicked woman, get out of our house!'”

Lu Cheng: “…”

Lu Cheng, who had always been quite disciplined, couldn’t understand how his younger siblings had developed such unruly personalities. Regardless, the Wen family had been kind to his mother, and Wen Ning was their eldest sister-in-law.

Yet the woman who had just been scolded showed no trace of anger. Lu Cheng glanced at Wen Ning, her expression appearing genuine.

She truly didn’t care.

“I’ll talk to them.” Even if he had been manipulated, that was his own fault. He didn’t want his siblings to become so disrespectful and undisciplined.

“Mm.” Wen Ning, of course, didn’t care. After all, she hadn’t been the one scolded. Her only concern now was the household. “When will our furniture arrive? And when can we go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative? I have so much to buy.”

Lu Cheng was taken aback by her abrupt change of subject. He paused for a moment before replying, “The furniture will be delivered this afternoon. If you want to go to the cooperative now, you can. I’ll ask Chief of Staff Yang next door. His wife can take you.”

“Why ask someone else?” Wen Ning resisted the urge to tug on his sleeve, maintaining a proper tone. “Why don’t you take me? We can stroll around together and get everything we need.”

“I don’t understand women’s things. Let Yang’s wife—”

“If you don’t understand, you can carry the bags!” Wen Ning took a few steps forward, opened the courtyard gate, and turned back to Lu Cheng with a radiant smile, waving him over. “Hurry up!”

Lu Cheng: “…”

In the Family Compound, a group of military wives gathered around a stone table, picking vegetables as they gossiped about the day’s biggest news.

“Regimental Commander Lu actually took his wife to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative!”

“Who would have thought? My Old Chen never even accompanies me shopping. At home, he won’t even pick up an overturned oil bottle!”

“Deputy Regimental Commander Chen’s salary and allowances are higher. No wonder he doesn’t bother.”

Deputy Regimental Commander Chen’s wife looked envious. “That’s not the point! Regimental Commander Lu’s even higher! He took his wife to the mess hall for her first meal—I saw it myself—and got her several meat dishes. I heard he even had furniture made for her. And now he’s taking her to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative? It’s unbelievable!”

“He really spoils his wife!” Battalion Commander Liu’s wife pursed her lips. “By the way, Jiang Rong, didn’t you say you and Regimental Commander Lu’s wife are from the same hometown?”

Jiang Rong, who had only recently joined the military community, had been listening quietly to the chatter. Now she spoke up: “Sister-in-law Huang, that’s right. Ningning and I are neighbors from Songyang County.”

“How wonderful! You’ll have each other for company now that you’ve both married into the same place.”

“Jiang Rong, is Regimental Commander Lu’s wife really that beautiful? I heard she’s like a celestial fairy.”

Jiang Rong’s lips turned downward slightly as she recalled Wen Ning’s face, a hint of resentment surfacing. Yet her voice remained cheerful. “Yes, Ningning is the prettiest girl in our production team. You won’t find anyone more charming for miles around. She’s naturally lovely, and she spends money on nice clothes. Plus, she eats well and takes good care of her skin, so she looks even more beautiful.”

“My goodness, what kind of extravagance is that? How can she squander money like that?”

The other military wives exchanged disapproving glances at the mention of Regimental Commander Lu’s wife’s lack of thrift.

“It’s her own money. She can spend it however she likes. What’s it to you?” Political Commissar He’s wife, who was sitting opposite Jiang Rong, gathered the chopped cabbage in her basket and carried it back inside.

“Hmph, as if she’s any better. She’s just as extravagant,” Battalion Commander Liu’s wife scoffed, nearly rolling her eyes.

“Actually, Ningning isn’t that extravagant. She just likes dressing nicely…” Jiang Rong tried to explain, but the other wives cut her off.

“Oh, Jiang Rong, don’t defend her! You’re kind-hearted and know how to manage a household. You’re nothing like those spendthrifts!”

Meanwhile, the very Wen Ning they were gossiping about was indeed on a shopping spree, buying everything in sight.

“Two enamel basins, two enamel bowls with peony designs, three towels, two tin kettles…” Wen Ning visited the Supply and Marketing Cooperative for the first time in this era, feeling like she had stumbled into the Grand View Garden. Countless unfamiliar household items lined the shelves, each practically begging to be bought.

With her family’s supplies completely depleted, Wen Ning, as the self-appointed head of the household, felt responsible for stocking up.

“Also, a bar of laundry soap, a bar of scented soap, toothpaste, shampoo, hair oil…” The goods here were far more convenient than those in the Great Liang Dynasty, and Wen Ning wanted to buy everything.

The saleswoman stared wide-eyed as the unfamiliar woman rattled off her list. This will cost at least ten yuan! she thought. If Regimental Commander Lu hadn’t been standing nearby, she wouldn’t have bothered serving her at all.

“Comrade, do you have enough industrial coupons? Are you really buying all this?”

Wen Ning froze. Industrial coupons? She only knew that cloth required ration tickets and sugar needed sugar tickets. Did other goods also require these coupons?

Determined not to show her ignorance, Wen Ning turned to Lu Cheng, silently asking him with her eyes.

Lu Cheng was equally stunned by Wen Ning’s voracious shopping spree. Fortunately, he had brought all his coupons with him. “Yes, we have enough.”

“Yes, we have enough!” Wen Ning turned back to the saleswoman. “Regimental Commander Lu says we have enough.”

Hearing the last part of her statement, the shop assistant’s heart skipped a beat. This is unbelievable! Regimental Commander Lu’s wife is quite the shopper.

After the couple left, the shop assistants muttered among themselves, complaining about how wasteful she was.

Wen Ning carried the six feet of fabric home. In the village, cloth coupons were hard to come by, but military personnel received a monthly allowance. Lu Cheng, who could wear the same uniform for years, had accumulated a considerable number over time. Wen Ning had chosen a red cotton print with small floral patterns, planning to make a padded jacket.

Apart from the fabric, Lu Cheng carried everything else. The regimental commander, accustomed to handling firearms, found both hands full with Wen Ning’s purchases.

“This is all for our household,” Wen Ning explained, sensing the big man’s confusion. “It’s not excessive at all. We have nothing at home right now, and we’ll need everything once we settle in. We might even need more.”

Lu Cheng had seen other military wives furnishing their homes upon arrival, and Wen Ning’s purchases were less than half of what they usually bought. He glanced down at the items in his hands. Well, it’s not a fortune. Let her have her way.

As long as she doesn’t cause trouble.

As they walked toward the Family Compound, the couple became the center of attention.

Wen Ning’s slender figure and radiant beauty already made her striking. But being known as the wife of Lu Cheng, the military region’s most handsome and ruthless “living Yama,” only amplified the attention.

Along the way, many soldiers and their families saw the couple and couldn’t resist teasing Regimental Commander Lu about doting on his wife, much to Lu Cheng’s annoyance.

When did I ever dote on my wife?

Lu Cheng, who had entered this marriage unwillingly and held Wen Ning in contempt, truly had no words to explain himself.

Wen Ning, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease. She was particularly pleased by the soldiers’ and families’ comments, feeling that her “Great General” still had room for improvement.

Throughout the journey, she smiled and nodded warmly at everyone, leaving many momentarily stunned, as if mesmerized by her radiant smile. People couldn’t help but whisper among themselves: So, the coveted Regimental Commander Lu prefers women like this? She’s absolutely stunning, and her smile could melt anyone’s heart.

When they reached the courtyard of the Family Compound, Lu Cheng carried the larger items inside first. Wen Ning, curious, noticed Jiang Rong in the crowd and faintly heard her name mentioned.

I’m not the original owner of this body. I won’t let Jiang Rong scheme behind my back.

Sensing Wen Ning’s gaze, Jiang Rong quickly stood up and approached her. “Ningning, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have helped you clean the house.”

Wen Ning’s cool gaze swept over Jiang Rong’s face. With a slight lift of her chin and a smile playing on her lips, she replied, “Are we that close? I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”