Chapter 21.2

The mid-term exams for the troop’s junior and senior classes began in mid-November.

Lu Cheng had always excelled in his studies, and after earning military merit, he was recommended by his brigade commander to attend a military academy in the capital for further training—part of the troop’s initiative to cultivate promising new talent. Naturally, he placed great importance on his younger siblings’ education.

Now that the family’s circumstances had improved, it was only right that they continue their studies and strive to become scholars, learning as much as possible.

However, the two children had been inconsistent in their studies at the village primary school, often skipping classes. After Mother Lu passed away last year, their eldest brother brought them to the troop’s secondary school, where they quickly fell behind.

Lu Cheng wasn’t good at managing children, and military duties kept him busy. He could only offer stiff reminders to study hard. Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun would nod obediently, but their efforts remained half-hearted.

When the mid-term results came out, both had failed. The teacher instructed them to take their report cards home for a parent’s signature.

“Second Brother, what are we going to do?” Lu Kangyun stared at her failing grades, too ashamed to show them to their eldest brother.

Lu Kanglei was just as embarrassed. “What if… we just forge his signature?”

“The teacher will recognize it!” Lu Kangyun instinctively knew it wouldn’t work.

It wasn’t that they hated studying. The village’s weak education system, paired with their own lack of motivation, had already left them behind. Their grades, already poor, took a further hit at the troop school. It’s human nature, the more setbacks one faces, the easier it is to give up entirely.

Otherwise, why would so many people have pushed for Lu Cheng to get married last year? Their reasoning was simple: the family needed a woman to manage the household.

How could Regimental Commander Lu, already burdened with military duties, possibly handle raising his two younger siblings as well?

“What do we do?” Lu Kangyun fretted, her small face creasing with worry. Eventually, she stamped her foot and accepted her fate.

Clutching their report cards, the two siblings marched boldly toward their eldest brother’s house, rehearsing how to apologize and promise to study harder.

But when they arrived, their brother wasn’t home—only their “bad sister-in-law” was there.

“Sister-in-law, where’s Brother?” Lu Kangyun asked, already used to calling her that. Humans really could adapt to anything.

Wen Ning had just finished dinner when the two little rascals appeared, looking preoccupied.

At first, they’d been hostile toward her. But ever since she caught them red-handed once, their attitude had grown complicated. Today, however, they were so burdened by their own worries they didn’t even bother showing their usual expressions.

“Your eldest brother has troop business tonight, so he’ll be back late,” Wen Ning said. As the words left her mouth, she watched the two visibly relax.

Interesting. She narrowed her eyes. They came looking for Lu Cheng, yet they seem relieved he’s not here. What’s going on?

She noticed the slips of paper in their hands. “What did you need your eldest brother for? And what are those papers you’re hiding?”

Seeing that her sister-in-law had discovered it, Lu Kangyun immediately hid the note behind her back, while Lu Kanglei put the note in his pocket

“Fine, keep it to yourselves,” Wen Ning said casually. “We’ll wait for your eldest brother to come home. I’m sure he’ll be very interested.”

Lu Kangyun’s heart sank. She stared at Wen Ning, suddenly recalling how easily she could sway their brother.

“Second Brother, maybe we should ask Sister-in-law—”

“No way!” Lu Kanglei refused outright.

“But Eldest Brother will explode if he finds out,” Lu Kangyun argued, bringing her hidden hand forward. The more she thought about it, the more she realized they had no other choice.

She stepped up and handed the report card to Wen Ning. “Sister-in-law, can you help us?”

Wen Ning glanced at the card. It read:

Lu Kangyun – Chinese: 62, Math: 55, Labor: 88, Political Thought: 59

Wen Ning: “…”

She knew that exams in this era were graded out of 100, with 60 as the passing mark. As a lifelong top student, she had never imagined Lu Cheng’s siblings could fail.

“You’re planning to show this to your eldest brother?”

“Yes,” Lu Kangyun replied meekly. Though she stood straight, she was still shorter than the seated Wen Ning. Her guilty conscience made her seem extra obedient. “The teacher said we must have a parent’s signature.”

Moreover, the teacher had emphasized it had to be a direct family member—not a cousin or aunt. That ruled out asking help from their aunt’s side of the family.

Lu Kanglei, humiliated to be asking his “bad sister-in-law” for help, gave up resisting. “Forget it. Since we failed, let Big Brother make us a ‘bamboo shoot stir-fry with pork.’”

“Bamboo shoot stir-fry with pork?” Wen Ning blinked. How could failing an exam earn a tasty reward?

“You don’t know?” Lu Kangyun’s eyes widened. “It means getting spanked with bamboo sticks!”

Though Lu Cheng had never actually hit them, they’d almost prefer it.

So that’s what it meant!

Wen Ning had never heard the phrase before, but it conjured a vivid image.

She lifted her chin proudly. “Of course not! I was a top student from elementary school all the way to university. I’ve never been punished!”

Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun: “…”

Another blow to their already wounded hearts.

Wen Ning wasn’t bragging. She had a natural gift for learning—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting had all come easily to her. Seeing the sibling’s worried expressions, her eyes twinkled with an idea. “How about this? I’ll help you.”

“Ah!” the two siblings exclaimed, snapping their heads up. Was their bad sister-in-law… actually kind?

“How will you help us?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Wen Ning gestured for them to put the report cards on the table and asked Lu Kangyun to fetch a pen. With a flourish, she signed her name on both cards.

“Second Brother, will this work?” Lu Kangyun whispered.

“Should be fine,” Lu Kanglei said confidently. “Big Brother and Sister-in-law are married. Her signature counts too!”

The troop would soon enter its winter rest period. After December, the intense cold would limit activities to basic drills, so the final field exercise of the year was scheduled for mid-November.

That evening, Lu Cheng attended a meeting to finalize the strategy for the drill. By the time he returned home, the moon hung high in the sky.

To his surprise, Wen Ning’s room was still lit by the glow of a kerosene lamp.

In the vast darkness, the faint flickering light warmed his heart.

“Commander Lu, you’re back!” Wen Ning hurried to the door. As she opened it, a gust of icy wind rushed in, making her squint.

“Get back inside!” Lu Cheng ordered, frowning. He was still in his thick military coat, but Wen Ning was only wearing a thin cotton nightgown.

“Come in,” she said, pouring him a mug of hot water. “It’s freezing out there.”

The blizzard outside was indeed harsh. Lu Cheng took a long sip, warmth spreading through him. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“I was waiting for you~” Wen Ning said sweetly, then got to the point. “Xiao Lei and Xiao Yun had me sign their report cards today.”

Lu Cheng, briefly charmed by her tone, immediately turned serious. “How did they do?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll handle their studies from now on.” She scolded playfully, “You’re too strict—they’re scared of you.”

“I’ve never hit them,” Lu Cheng muttered. He knew his siblings struggled, but he had to push them to keep studying.

“You’re just too scary,” Wen Ning teased. “Anyway, I signed the report cards. You don’t have to worry. I’m reviewing their textbooks tonight.”

Lu Cheng was taken aback. He followed her inside and saw her desk covered in junior high textbooks and notes.

“Thanks for going to all this trouble. But you don’t have to work so hard. Get some rest.”

“I know. Go on back,” Wen Ning replied, curiosity keeping her wide awake. She had always loved reading, and now she was eager to understand the local curriculum.

Flipping through the history textbooks, she searched for any trace of the Great Liang Dynasty.

But there was nothing. Her brow furrowed as she stroked the yellowed pages thoughtfully.

……

Across the courtyard, Lu Cheng had returned to his room but couldn’t sleep. Wen Ning’s words echoed in his mind: <emI’ll be waiting for you~

After a while, he rose, crossed the courtyard, and gently knocked on her door.

Knock, knock, knock…

No answer.

Lu Cheng slowly opened the door—and froze. Wen Ning had fallen asleep at her desk.

Her braid had loosened into soft waves, her pale face serene in the lamplight. The warm glow flickered over her delicate features, casting shadows on her cheeks.

Lu Cheng stood silently for a long moment, then stepped forward and gently lifted her into his arms.

She was surprisingly light. Before he could think more, Wen Ning instinctively nestled closer in her sleep.

Carrying her to the kang took only a few steps, but to Lu Cheng, it felt like the longest journey.

He covered her with the quilt, tucking in the edges with care.

As he leaned down, their faces were inches apart. He could clearly see her long lashes brushing her cheeks. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced himself to look away and stood to leave.

But just then, Wen Ning stirred. Her drowsy peach-blossom eyes blinked open—and landed right on him.

“Great General…” she murmured dreamily. Thinking it was a dream, she smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her soft lips to his.

Surrounded by her scent and warmth, Lu Cheng froze. His eyes darkened, fists clenched, veins showing across the backs of his hands.

……

The next morning, the winter sun broke through the clouds—a rare, welcome sight.

Wen Ning woke up refreshed, changed her clothes, and picked up a mirror. Her reflection revealed rosy lips, snow-pale skin, and teeth like pearls. But her lips… were too red. And slightly swollen.