Chapter 26

The doctor’s words silenced the couple.

Lu Cheng had never felt this awkward, not even when meeting with his superiors. Wen Ning, cheeks flushed, forced a calm explanation: “I’m on my period.”

The doctor looked genuinely disappointed. “The symptoms certainly sounded promising,” he said, “but alas. Let me examine you to see if it’s just a recent dietary issue. Don’t lose heart, though—you’re young. It’ll happen eventually.”

Wen Ning’s face burned as they left the hospital.

The doctor had been overly enthusiastic, even offering encouragement over their “disappointment” at not being pregnant. Wen Ning instantly regretted coming to the hospital at all.

I really shot myself in the foot!

Fortunately, the night was dark enough to hide her embarrassment. She stole a glance at the tall man beside her, who remained composed and impassive.

He must have skin as thick as a rhino!

…….

Back home, Wen Ning had already forgotten about her feigned illness. The hospital’s layout was now imprinted in her mind—all she needed to do was draw it.

After washing up, she grabbed her pencil and began sketching the third promotional illustration, so focused she didn’t even hear Lu Cheng knocking.

“If you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t be drawing,” Lu Cheng said, pouring hot water over the herbal medicine the doctor had prescribed to relieve her stagnant qi. He walked in, carrying the enamel mug. “Drink this first.”

Wen Ning recoiled at the bitter aroma wafting from the cup. The doctor had speculated her discomfort might be from undigested food or homesickness. Wen Ning had eagerly agreed.

She’d even asked if taking the medicine without being truly ill could be harmful. The doctor had reassured her, saying the herbs were mild and could even be taken occasionally for detoxification. “Don’t worry,” he had said.

But she hadn’t expected it to smell this awful! The bitterness was downright terrifying.

“I don’t want it. I’m already feeling better. Take it away,” Wen Ning said, shooting a sideways glance at him, pencil still in hand.

Lu Cheng saw that she clearly intended to keep working despite her supposed discomfort.

This is absurd.

He set the mug down, snatched the pencil and paper from her hand, and said sternly, “Drink the medicine and stop drawing for today. If Director Yang has an issue, I’ll explain it to her.”

“Why are you so overbearing?” Wen Ning huffed.

She finally realized just how domineering this man could be. She lunged to grab her things back, but Lu Cheng evaded her easily, holding them behind his back.

Wen Ning pressed against him, wrapping her arms around his waist to retrieve the pencil and paper. In the scuffle, Lu Cheng suddenly seized both her wrists.

His eyes reddened slightly, his gaze deepening as her warmth enveloped him.

“Stop squirming!” Lu Cheng growled, right hand clutching the pencil and paper, left hand restraining her wrists. Her delicate wrists reminded him of the day he’d brought her to the military camp—soft, fragile skin. His grip loosened slightly.

But she was too much of a handful. He couldn’t just let her go free.

Her hands restrained, Wen Ning struggled briefly, then gave up. She looked up with a pitiful expression. “My wrists hurt…”

It was a lie. Lu Cheng hadn’t used much force at all—just skillful restraint.

Still, the moment she said it, he let her go. Knowing he was soft-hearted, Wen Ning quickly softened her tone. “Alright, alright, I’ll take the medicine properly. But it’s too hot right now—I’ll wait for it to cool. You go back to your room and get some sleep.”

Lu Cheng gave her a long look, then turned and left.

Having successfully “chased him off,” Wen Ning had no intention of drinking that bitter medicine. She planned to pour it out later when no one was looking.

…….

Over the next few days, whenever Lu Cheng was home, he personally brewed her medicine and brought it to her. Wen Ning quickly learned to accept it politely—then pour it out when he wasn’t watching. She thought herself rather clever.

After lunch one day, Lu Cheng set another mug on the table. “Remember to drink this. I’m going to visit my aunt.”

“Okay,” Wen Ning replied without looking up. She had just finished the winter safety posters and was now brainstorming ideas for the next campaign: deworming medication.

The military hospital would soon distribute the pills to residents in the family compound, and Director Yang had asked her to create an educational poster.

But Wen Ning had never even heard of such medicine. It simply didn’t exist in the Great Liang Dynasty.

When she asked Lu Kangyun and Huang Yuexia about it, they were just as clueless.

“I’ve never taken it,” Lu Kangyun admitted, shaking her head.

In the village, such things weren’t a priority—especially after the past three years of hardship. Who had the luxury to worry about parasites?

Luckily, Director Yang gave Wen Ning a small bag of the medicine. She handed out a few pills to the children, saying, “You can take these too. Share the rest with your families.”

She took the paper-wrapped pills home to examine. The drug’s official name was Pagoda Candy. Its colorful, pagoda-like shape gave it an appealing look—clearly designed to coax children into taking it without fuss.

Wen Ning sketched the candy into her poster and started thinking up a story to go with it. Her eyes drifted to the children in the courtyard, busy building a snowman.

“Xiao Yun, Xiao Lei, Yuexia,” she called. “I’m drawing a propaganda poster that’ll be printed in pamphlets. Who wants to be in it?”

Lu Kangyun blinked. “How would we be in it?”

“I’ll draw children taking the pills and getting healthier,” Wen Ning explained. “It’s an honor. I wouldn’t draw just anyone. Who’s in?”

“I am!” Huang Yuexia raised her hand and glanced at Lu Kangyun.

Lu Kangyun’s eyes lit up, but before she could speak, her second brother coughed loudly.

“Comrade Lu Kangyun,” Lu Kanglei whispered, “are you planning to defect?”

Lu Kangyun looked at her brother, then at Wen Ning and her brush. After a moment’s hesitation, she raised her hand again. “I want to be in the picture too!”

Lu Kanglei: Traitor!

…….

In the warm room, two little girls stood stiffly around Wen Ning, adjusting their expressions at her direction. Lu Kanglei rolled his eyes from the sidelines.

What’s so great about being drawn anyway? I don’t want that wicked sister-in-law drawing me!

My little sister’s already been sweet-talked into it. She’s hopeless. Looks like the revolution’s future depends on me!

Bored, Lu Kanglei wandered to the table and spotted a curious treat—several yellow pagoda-shaped candies.

He sniffed one—sweet! He popped it into his mouth. Tasted even better than it smelled. Before long, he had eaten four.

Just then, Wen Ning led the others to a new sketching spot. Suddenly, Lu Kanglei clutched his belly and bolted for the outhouse.

After a terrifying ordeal, he stood there, dumbfounded.

It’s over. Did I just pull out a worm?!

Am I going to die?!

……

That afternoon, Lu Cheng returned from his duties. As soon as he walked in, he spotted his younger brother looking like a wilted eggplant, dazed and lifeless.

“Xiao Lei, what’s wrong? Why are you standing there like an idiot? Where’s your sister-in-law and sister?”

Lu Kanglei’s eyes welled up as he staggered toward him. “Brother, I’m going to die.”

After hearing the full story, Lu Cheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He’d heard about the hospital’s deworming program. Yang Bin’s wife, a military doctor, had explained how dirty food and hands could cause parasites. Adults could usually cope, but children were more vulnerable. That’s why kids were prioritized.

He ruffled Lu Kanglei’s hair. “Deworming pills get rid of them. You’ll need to take one every year to stay healthy.”

“Ah!” Lu Kanglei was stunned. So he wasn’t dying after all!

Meanwhile, Wen Ning was indoors, sketching happily. The young girls’ admiration had inflated her confidence.

She decided to finish the details later. Her gaze drifted to the lukewarm medicine on the table, and she grew annoyed. Grabbing the enamel cup, she opened the window and dumped it out.

Just as the murky liquid flowed down, she looked up—Regimental Commander Lu stood in the courtyard, expression unreadable.

“Is this how you take your medicine?” he asked, stepping into the room.

“I…” Wen Ning’s mind spun. “It had gotten cold. I was about to brew a new one.”

Lu Cheng didn’t expose her lie. “Fine. Brew it. Drink it now.”

Wen Ning: “…”

After brewing another cup, she grimaced and gulped it down in one go.

I’ve really dug my own grave this time!

So bitter!

When she looked up, she saw a faint smile playing at the corners of Lu Cheng’s lips.

Good grief! Is this man actually gloating over my suffering?

Annoyed, Wen Ning stood up and braced her hands on his arms. Leaning forward, she aimed her crimson lips toward his.

She wanted him to suffer the same bitterness.

But before she could land the surprise, Lu Cheng stood still, unmoving. Her lunge froze mid-motion. Her oval face hovered inches from his. She could clearly see the small black mole at the corner of his eye. Just a little closer, and her lips would touch his.

“You…” Wen Ning’s eyelashes fluttered, her lips parting slightly. “Why didn’t you dodge?”

She had seen his reflexes before—fast and sharp. There was no way he couldn’t have avoided her.

Lu Cheng looked down, eyes darkening as they lingered on her glistening red lips. His breathing grew heavier, but he said nothing.