Chapter 23.2

“Lu Cheng, are you bored out of your mind? Coming to my place on your two-day leave?” Yang Bin had just wrapped up his military duties and was looking forward to a rare moment alone with his wife, when his tactless friend showed up unannounced.

His wife, Hong Aiping, a military doctor at the district hospital, immediately sensed that Regimental Commander Lu’s visit wasn’t casual. Without saying much, she slipped into another room.

Lu Cheng glanced at his friend, whose eyes were still lingering longingly on his wife’s retreating back, and felt his irritation rise.

His mind was a battlefield. One moment, he could hear Wen Ning’s tender declarations echoing—how he was her man, how much she missed him during their short separation. The next, the harsh memory of her scheming a year ago came flooding back, stark and undeniable.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t reconcile those two conflicting images—both etched into the same face.

“What’s on your mind?” Yang Bin poured tea for Lu Cheng and took a sip, swishing it around before swallowing. A beat later, realization dawned. “Still hung up on Wen Ning?”

As the only witness to that chaotic, humiliating marriage, Yang Bin’s tone softened with sympathy. His gaze held a touch of pity.

After all, who wouldn’t feel stifled being saddled with a wife like that—constantly stirring up trouble? Who wouldn’t want to escape the house?

Otherwise, how else could Lu Cheng have channeled all that frustration into training and broken so many records?

“Why not just send her back? Out of sight, out of mind.”

“Where?” Lu Cheng’s brows furrowed. He’d only caught the words “send her back,” but already his gaze sharpened, turning icy.

“Her parents’ house, of course,” Yang Bin replied without hesitation. He knew Lu Cheng’s overdeveloped sense of duty was what kept him stuck in this mess.

Bound by the Wen family’s kindness to his mother, and by Wen Ning’s carefully crafted moral binds, Lu Cheng was left swallowing a bitter pill in silence. “Think about it—seeing Wen Ning every day must be driving you mad. Just send her back to the production team. Send her a bit of money each month if you must. But if you keep letting a troublemaker like her hang around, I swear she’ll be the death of you.”

As Yang Bin spoke, Lu Cheng silently pictured the house—clean, quiet, and free of Wen Ning’s presence. No delicate figure drifting through the rooms, no crisp voice echoing in his ears…

Suddenly, he stood up, dazed. “I’m leaving.”

“Hey!” Yang Bin called after him, glancing at the untouched cup of tea. “No need to rush off just to get rid of her, is there?”

After school, Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun rushed straight to their eldest brother’s house. They’d heard that soldiers were returning to the unit today, and both had worn grins all day long.

“Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother!” Lu Kanglei burst into the house, eyes scanning the room eagerly—only to see Wen Ning coming out of the inner room. “Sister-in-law, is my brother back?”

“He’s back,” Wen Ning replied. Seeing how excited he was, she quickly added, “But he went out again.”

“Why’d he leave again?” Lu Kangyun frowned. On the way there, they’d run into some soldiers who said the unit had a two-day break.

“I don’t know. Your eldest brother always has a million things going on.” Wen Ning tried to keep her tone light, but a trace of frustration lingered. He’d been gone so long and showed so little joy at coming home. Forget it, she thought. I’m not giving him those gloves anymore.

Of course, the gloves were uneven, and she was embarrassed to give them anyway.

But when she thought about the grueling training he endured every day, most of her anger dissolved.

Just then, Lu Cheng walked in.

He hadn’t expected his younger siblings to be there. He glanced at Wen Ning, then called out, “Have you two been behaving lately?”

“Yes, sir!” Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun stood at attention like little soldiers. Wen Ning’s eyes widened at the sight—it didn’t feel like siblings chatting. It felt like a commander addressing his troops.

“With you…” Lu Cheng paused, glancing at Wen Ning. “Where’s your sister-in-law?”

“We’re studying with Sister-in-law!” Lu Kangyun quickly replied, eager to show they were being good. “Don’t worry, Eldest Brother! Sister-in-law says we’re smart and will get top marks!”

Lu Cheng: “…”

He knew his siblings too well. They were always at the bottom of their class. How did Wen Ning manage to convince them otherwise?

He’d seen the same thing often in the military—Brigade Commanders and Political Commissars tossing out “pie in the sky” promises to soldiers. But he never imagined Wen Ning would dish out such a big pie herself.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Wen Ning rolled her eyes, half annoyed. “I’ve been working hard, you know. Do you think teaching is easy?”

“Mm,” Lu Cheng murmured, his voice unusually soft. “I have two days off. Want to go to town?”

He paused. “Is there anything you want to buy? Anything you want to eat?”

“Really?” Wen Ning’s eyes lit up. She’d been stuck at the base for so long, the thought of going to town thrilled her. But she also knew it wasn’t easy—if you couldn’t catch a ride, you’d have to walk.

People in the family compound who couldn’t borrow a vehicle often had to walk for three hours. Wen Ning couldn’t possibly manage that. Her legs would give out halfway.

“Eldest Brother, we want to go too!” Lu Kangyun’s eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky.

“Alright, everyone can go.” Lu Cheng smiled faintly, seeing how excited they were.

That evening, Lu Cheng cooked dinner. Lu Kanglei tended the fire, Lu Kangyun chopped vegetables. Wen Ning stood to the side, idle—her lack of cooking skills made her more of an onlooker. The trio had long since divided the kitchen labor among themselves.

Bored, Wen Ning sidled up to Lu Cheng, poking his arm with one finger. “Lu Cheng, why don’t you give me something to do? I feel useless just standing here.”

The cool touch of her fingertip made Lu Cheng glance over. “Go put on another layer.”

“Huh?” Wen Ning blinked, then realized she was a bit cold. She’d changed into a thinner cotton-padded jacket after getting home, and now a chilly draft seeped in.

She obediently went back in to change, then returned and was assigned the task of peeling garlic. She happily took a few cloves and got to work.

As a former princess, she’d never lifted a finger in her life. Everything was new to her.

She peeled the garlic carefully, leaving each clove smooth and whole. Handing them to Lu Cheng, she raised a brow and asked proudly, “How’s that? Did I do well?”

Lu Cheng glanced at her work—something even a three-year-old could do—and replied, “Not bad.”

Wen Ning’s eyes curved in joy, her smile infectious. Lu Cheng’s lips twitched with a faint smile too.

That night’s dinner was lavish. As a Regimental Commander, Lu Cheng’s salary and ration coupons were generous enough to support four people comfortably.

Wen Ning took small bites of pork and cabbage dumplings, savoring the flavorful meat. Who knew something as simple as a hearty meal could bring so much happiness?

After dinner, Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun studied under Lu Cheng’s watchful eye. He nodded with satisfaction—they seemed more focused than before.

When the sky darkened, Lu Cheng suggested, “Let’s stop here for today. Pack up—I’ll take you to Auntie’s place.”

The siblings reluctantly packed up, sneaking one last look back.

Who was it that swore they’d never come back here again?

“Ouch, my face hurts.”

Lu Kangyun hesitated. “Second Brother, what if we moved back in?”

“No way!” Lu Kanglei was resolute. “We swore to Eldest Brother that we wouldn’t return. It’s her or us—we can’t back down now!”

Lu Kangyun fell silent.

Lu Cheng walked them to the door. Wen Ning fetched water, washed her face and feet, then returned to her room to apply cold cream.

The warm kang made winter indoors incredibly cozy. She loved being able to lounge in thin pajamas and pants.

After applying the cream, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Just then, she heard a sound—Lu Cheng entered her room.

“You didn’t shake off all the snow,” she pointed at his shoulder.

Lu Cheng silently stepped out, shook off the snow, hung his military coat, and came back in wearing just a sweater.

Fresh-faced from her wash, Wen Ning looked like a delicate jade figurine, her fair skin glowing and lips a vivid red. Lu Cheng’s thoughts wavered.

“I…”

“Ah~” Wen Ning yawned and nimbly climbed onto the kang, wrapping herself in the quilt until only her head peeked out. “I’m sleepy. You should go back to your room and sleep.”

Lu Cheng was about to speak when she quickly added, “Blow out the kerosene lamp and get out. Close the door too. I’m going to sleep.”

He stared at her closed eyes, and a helpless smile curved his lips.