Chapter 27

Wen Ning couldn’t shake the feeling that Lu Cheng had changed. His usual gaze, cold and devoid of emotion, now carried an oppressive weight that made her heart race.

She abruptly stepped back and muttered, “Alright, I’ve taken my medicine. You should go back to your room and stop bothering me while I paint.”

With that, she pushed him out the door, slammed it shut, and leaned against it, her hands cupping her burning cheeks. Something about him tonight was different.

His gaze—still serious, still cold—felt like a wildfire threatening to consume everything in its path.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door rattled behind her. Startled, Wen Ning jumped back. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me.” Lu Cheng’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Open up.”

“No way.” Wen Ning stood her ground. “This is my room. Yours is across the hall. Don’t disturb my painting.”

Outside, Lu Cheng stared at the door, more irritated than ever.

He lightly tapped a tin box in his hand, the crisp metallic sound echoing in the hallway. “Fine, don’t open it. I was going to entrust you with the family savings account.”

As soon as he said the words, the door creaked open. Wen Ning’s eyes zeroed in on the tin box, a faint smile curling her lips. “For me?”

“If you’re really worried, you can manage all the household money and ration coupons,” Lu Cheng said, opening the box and setting it in front of her. “You don’t need to work so hard at the Women’s Affairs Office, and you don’t need to earn so much for the family.”

He had finally seen her stubbornness up close. She wouldn’t give up painting—but why tire herself out so much at the office?

After much thought, he remembered why she married him, to secure a better life. Handing over the family’s entire savings seemed like the most practical answer.

Wen Ning stared at the box in shock. Inside was a yellow savings account book. When she opened it, she found over a thousand yuan. The box also held scattered ration coupons: Great Unity notes, cloth, sugar, and industrial coupons…

“You’re really giving all this to me to manage?” Wen Ning recalled the novel’s plot. Originally, the Wen Ning in the book lived on a monthly allowance Lu Cheng provided. It was generous—enough for comfort—but she was never satisfied.

She’d schemed to get her hands on all his savings, even searched his room in secret, but found nothing.

“Yes. So you don’t need to worry about anything,” Lu Cheng replied. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fallen ill. Your health has always been fragile.”

“No way! I love painting too much.” Wen Ning patted the tin box beside her.

Is the Great General starting to remember me? Why else would he entrust me with managing the household? “Don’t worry, I’m perfectly healthy. Painting doesn’t take much effort! I’ll take this box and manage everything well.”

Still smiling, she hugged the box and playfully shooed him away. “Go back to your room already.”

…….

After “chasing” Lu Cheng off, Wen Ning sat cross-legged on the kang, mood buoyant as she sifted through his belongings.

The account book showed 1,250 yuan. Loose bills and coins added up to 125 yuan, 7 mao, and 3 fen.

Cloth coupons totaled four chi, sugar coupons two liang, brown sugar coupons three liang, and pastry coupons one jin…

When she finished tallying everything, a sense of responsibility settled in.

Back in the Great Liang Dynasty, even after her mother married into the family, she hadn’t managed household affairs. Her grandmother had handled everything until, years later, she deemed her daughter-in-law capable.

Wen Ning hid the box in the wardrobe and fell asleep contentedly.

She was going to manage the household now!

…….

Early the next morning, Wen Ning symbolically handed Lu Cheng a Great Unity note. “Here. For your living expenses. Is it enough?”

She didn’t know what his monthly needs were—just that he was frugal with food and clothes.

“I have money. You don’t need to give me any.” Lu Cheng adjusted his military cap and straightened his uniform, ensuring everything was neat.

“A secret stash?” Wen Ning teased, eyes sparkling. “Never mind. If you do, you do. My mother always said it’s fine for a man to have a little pocket money. You can’t be too strict.”

She’d grown up hearing her mother and aunts complain about husbands. Her mother’s advice was consistent: Don’t control them too tightly, or you’ll push them away.

Lu Cheng glanced at her. She’s really treating this like a royal decree… and enjoying it, too.

Before he left, he turned and said, “We’re having dinner at Aunt’s tonight. She said she brought back something special.”

“What is it?” Wen Ning asked while finishing her breakfast.

“A leg of lamb from my cousin-in-law’s nephew at the food factory. We’ll be having hotpot.”

Once Lu Cheng was gone, Wen Ning refined yesterday’s sketches. Satisfied, she invited Lu Kangyun and Huang Yuexia over.

The girls were ecstatic, thrilled by how perfectly their images were captured.

“Sister-in-law, you’re amazing! This really is me!”

“Sister Ning, you’re so talented!”

Lu Kanglei, lingering nearby, heard their praise. His little face scrunched with resentment. He marched over to intervene. “Xiao Yun, don’t fall for her sweet talk—”

But then he saw the sketch.

It was… beautiful. His little sister, with two neat braids, lining up for Pagoda Candy, looking so lively.

Can art really look like this?

He froze. Suddenly, he imagined his own face printed on a propaganda poster, circulating through the entire military region. What glory!

“Second Brother, look! Look how pretty Sister-in-law drew me! Isn’t it great?” Lu Kangyun tugged on his sleeve. “Do you want her to draw you too?”

“I don’t want it!” Lu Kanglei huffed, turning away. “I won’t fall for the enemy’s sweet talk!”

Lu Kangyun: “…”

…….

Lu Cheng’s family of four and their aunt’s family of five gathered for dinner that night.

The mutton had been stewed, then simmered into a milky broth. Sliced meat, potato, and cabbage filled the pot. Each person had a dipping bowl with spicy red chili sauce.

Wen Ning dipped a thin slice of lamb into the sauce and savored the flavor—balanced, warming, rich. She drank a bowl of broth, the warmth chasing the winter chill from her body.

Her aunt encouraged everyone to eat freely and soon brought up Wen Ning’s propaganda posters.

“I only knew our niece-in-law was pretty. Who knew she could draw too?”

“When the booklet comes out, I’ll take a good look,” she added.

“Aunt, if you like, I can draw a couple for you,” Wen Ning offered.

“What would an old woman like me do with paintings?”

“Aunt, you’re not old at all! You look young and full of energy!”

Her aunt laughed, eyes crinkling. “You’ve got a sweet tongue. But don’t let people take advantage of you. If you’re not careful, everyone will ask for a painting.”

What she didn’t realize was that Wen Ning only painted for people she cared about. Others could beg—she wouldn’t lift a brush.

…….

The next day, Wen Ning finalized her poster draft and brought it to Director Yang. They discussed edits at his house over the next few days.

Director Yang’s primary feedback was to simplify the language for the broader military community.

Her artwork, however, received unreserved praise.

When she delivered the final version, bundled in a thick coat and scarf against the snow, she ran into Lu Cheng returning home early.

“Where are you going?”

“Why are you back so early?”

They spoke at once.

“Meeting ended early,” Lu Cheng said. “I came back. What about you?”

“Delivering my draft to Director Yang,” she said, lifting her bag.

“It’s snowing. Stay inside—I’ll take it.”

“No. I need to explain it in person.”

Lu Cheng’s lips tightened. “Then I’ll go with you. I need to see Commander Zhou anyway.”

“Alright.”

The snow blanketed the city. Training had halted, and most people stayed indoors. They arrived at the house, where Commander Zhou and Yang Hongying were chatting over tea.

Commander Zhou eyed Lu Cheng suspiciously. What’s he really here for?

Lu Cheng offered a stiff explanation: “I’m here to report on the training plan and year-end summary.”

“Uh-huh. Sure you are.”

But he didn’t press. Some things were obvious.

Wen Ning handed over her draft. Director Yang beamed. “Did you never study painting? This is exceptional.”

“Maybe I’m just naturally talented,” she said with a cheeky smile.

“You’re certainly not modest,” she laughed. “I’ll arrange to have them printed and distributed before the New Year.”

With that done, Lu Cheng stood and saluted. “Commander Zhou, I’ll take my leave.”

“Not staying to discuss work longer?”

“We shouldn’t disturb you,” Lu Cheng replied quickly.

Commander Zhou watched them go, then chuckled. “These young people these days…”

Director Yang smiled too. Just as he was about to speak again, there was a knock at the door.

Deputy Director He entered with Jiang Rong and He Shanshan. They greeted everyone warmly and sat down.

“We’re thinking of hiring another artist. Jiang Rong’s been actively serving the collective…”

As they spoke, Jiang Rong noticed the artwork on the table—and froze. How could Wen Ning have this level of skill?

He Shanshan stared, stunned. “This painting… impossible! There must be something wrong…”

……

Back home, Wen Ning shook the snow off her coat and stepped into warmth. That afternoon, she helped Lu Kangyun and Lu Kanglei with their studies while Lu Cheng reviewed military manuals nearby.

The room buzzed with quiet diligence.

While Wen Ning took a nap, Lu Cheng looked up. “You’ve been staying at Aunt’s house long enough. It’s time to move back.”

The children’s eyes lit up—they had been sneaking home every day anyway.

“Okay!” Lu Kangyun said happily. She liked her sister-in-law.

Lu Kanglei, caught off guard, shook his head. “No! We’re not moving back!”

He had vowed never to return while that “wicked” sister-in-law was still living there.

Lu Cheng was prepared. “Then you can stay with Aunt. But you won’t get your allowance.”

He gave each child a dollar a month—an amount they loved.

“Ah?” Lu Kanglei hesitated, torn. In the end, he gave in. “Fine. We’ll move back.”

It’s not surrender—it’s my brother being too cruel!

“Brother, how will we all fit?” Lu Kangyun looked around. Only three rooms and four people.

“Xiao Yun can have the empty room. Xiao Lei can take mine.”

Lu Kanglei froze. He knew Lu Cheng had always disliked his wife, which was why he lived alone. But now…

“Brother, if I take your room, where will you sleep?”

Lu Cheng closed his book and looked at him, gaze unreadable.