Chapter 28.1

Wen Ning wasn’t surprised when Lu Cheng told her that Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun were moving back home.

After all, this was their home. Who wouldn’t want to return?

“Have they finally come to their senses?” Wen Ning asked after taking a quick bath.

She rubbed snow cream on her face, enjoying its pleasant fragrance. “Didn’t they refuse to move back because I didn’t want to?”

Lu Cheng stood by the door of Wen Ning’s east room, his presence upright and composed. “They’ve been coming here every day recently. They’ve wanted to come back for a while now. Don’t take those childish words to heart.”

“I understand. I’m an adult. I’m too lazy to hold a grudge against them,” Wen Ning replied, spreading the remaining snow cream evenly on her hands before capping the jar.

In that instant, a thought struck her. “But where will they sleep when they move back?”

The house only had three rooms.

“Xiao Yun will take the empty room, and Xiao Lei will stay in mine,” Lu Cheng explained. He added, “Xiao Lei’s getting older now. He wants his own space.”

Wen Ning glanced at Lu Cheng, who always spoke with such a serious demeanor, appearing very proper.

“Everyone likes it this way.”

She didn’t ask further. The thought of Lu Cheng suddenly moving back in with his younger siblings—and into her room—left Wen Ning with mixed feelings.

The last time they’d shared a room was during the production team days.

…….

The next day, they went to their aunt’s house to help the children pack their belongings. Later, they cooked a lavish dinner at home and invited the aunt’s family over.

Lu Kangyun’s room had been vacant for some time, but after a quick cleaning, it became bright and tidy. The little girl swiftly made the bed and happily climbed onto the kang, bouncing up and down.

No matter how nice their aunt’s house was, being with their older brother was still the best.

Lu Kanglei was also moving. His older brother had few belongings, so he quickly moved out. Then he packed up his own things.

Pushing open the door, he saw his troublesome sister-in-law standing across the way. Oh no, am I walking right into trouble now?

“Alright, go to bed early. No running around tonight,” Lu Cheng said, clearly seeing the excitement sparkling in their eyes. They were still thrilled about moving in.

“Got it, Big Brother!”

Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun returned to their respective rooms. Wen Ning finished tidying up and headed back as well, but the steady, powerful footsteps behind her felt like they were pounding directly on her heart.

Wen Ning couldn’t explain it, but the thought of sharing a room with Lu Cheng again stirred up a tangle of indescribable emotions.

Even glancing at him required her to quickly avert her gaze.

Silently watching Lu Cheng make the bed, placing his pillow and bedding on the kang, Wen Ning’s heart pounded relentlessly.

“Why aren’t you sleeping on the floor tonight?” she asked. She remembered how he had unhesitatingly slept on the floor at the Wen Family’s home.

Lu Cheng paused, then smoothed the quilt. “I’m not just staying one night. I can’t sleep on the floor every day.”

Hearing not just one night, Wen Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly took off her shoes, climbed onto the kang, pulled the quilt over herself, and lay down.

I’m not paying him any attention!

The sudden presence of another person on the kang made Wen Ning feel slightly awkward. Lu Cheng’s tall frame beside her filled the space with his undeniable presence.

Wen Ning had been lying with her back to Lu Cheng, but no matter how quiet he remained, she couldn’t fall asleep.

Gently turning over, she saw the general’s eyes were closed again, just as they had been that night he’d slept on the floor at the Wen Family home.

He’s definitely pretending to be asleep!

Leaning closer, Wen Ning paused before Lu Cheng. She reached out and softly touched his eyelid, then quickly withdrew her hand.

Lu Cheng didn’t react.

Wen Ning pursed her lips, convinced he was faking it. Just as she was about to touch him again, her mischievous right hand was suddenly gripped tightly.

This time, Lu Cheng wasn’t holding her wrist; he was holding her entire hand, their fingers interlaced. Wen Ning could feel the man’s scorching body heat.

Even his voice seemed to carry warmth. “Go to sleep. Stop teasing.”

Caught in the act, Wen Ning yanked her hand away, quickly pulled the quilt over herself, and lay back down. “I’m asleep.”

Lu Cheng watched the back of her head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

…….

Before the New Year, the Women’s Affairs Office released its promotional booklet, focusing primarily on various safety issues.

The booklet was distributed to every household in the family compound, and posters were put up throughout the area.

When news spread that Wen Ning had become the new officer at the Women’s Affairs Office, many in the compound refused to believe it.

After all, Comrade Song—the previous officer who’d created the illustrations—was a city dweller who had studied painting under a renowned master.

Wen Ning, on the other hand, was a country girl. How could she possibly know how to paint? Besides, her reputation for being delicate and pampered had long preceded her.

But when the residents finally received the booklets, they were stunned.

“My goodness, did Little Lu’s wife really draw these?”

“Absolutely! I heard Director Yang personally approved them!”

“I never would have guessed! They’re so well done!”

The compound residents had varying levels of education, but they could all understand the narrative in the illustrations. Wen Ning’s drawings were vivid, beautiful, and full of life.

“Isn’t that Little Lu’s sister in this picture?”

“It looks like her! And isn’t that Sister Luo’s daughter next to her?”

“It’s them alright! Goodness, how did those two little girls end up in the booklet?”

“Hahahaha!” At Political Commissar Huang’s home, Sister Luo was engrossed in the booklet, repeatedly marveling at the illustrations. “They’re so well done! Especially the one of our Yuexia!”

Brother Huang flipped through the booklet, his eyes gleaming with admiration. “Not bad at all. I never expected Little Lu’s wife to have such talent.”

“Let’s frame this painting, Mother! It’ll become a family heirloom. Our Yuexia is even on a propaganda poster! What an honor for our ancestors!”

“Mom, I’ll keep it myself!” Huang Yuexia clutched the booklet happily. The portrait captured her likeness perfectly, anyone who knew her would recognize her instantly.

Lu Kangyun was equally proud. A group of children surrounded her, showering her with praise.

Lu Kangyun listened, her mouth agape, yet she modestly insisted, “My sister-in-law painted it so well.”

A classmate who knew her well asked, “Didn’t you used to hate your sister-in-law? Why are you praising her now?”

The little girl shook her pigtails vehemently. “No way! I’ve always loved my sister-in-law! She’s the best!”

Lu Kanglei stood nearby, speechless. How easily his sister is fooled!

Unlike him, he would never give in so easily. Still, the painting was truly beautiful… He wasn’t envious. Not at all.

…….

Throughout the courtyard, everyone studied the propaganda poster. Even while tending their coal stoves, they muttered reminders to open windows—the poster’s message clearly sinking in.

When the Women’s Affairs Office and military hospital distributed deworming medicine to the families, everyone eagerly lined up. After swallowing the pills, they waited impatiently for the urge to visit the outhouse.

The children were especially envious of Lu Kangyun and Huang Yuexia for being featured in the posters. They eagerly took their medicine and crowded around Wen Ning, chattering excitedly.

“Aunt Wen, now that we’ve taken our medicine, can you draw us in too?”

“We want to be on the poster too!”

It would be such an honor!

Wen Ning watched the group of little rascals swarm around her and quickly told them to line up. “It depends on how well you behave. If you keep acting this well, I’ll draw all of you!”

“Yay!” A cheer erupted from the children, so loud it made the adults’ ears ring.

“Who would’ve thought Little Lu’s wife had so many tricks up her sleeve? Even those mischievous kids are listening to her!” Sister Luo patted her chest, brimming with pride. “Of course! Little Wen is incredibly capable!”

Noticing Jiang Rong nearby, Sister Luo remembered her snide remarks behind Wen Ning’s back and didn’t hold back. “She’s far better than those who spread gossip behind people’s backs!”

Jiang Rong flushed, fully aware of Sister Luo’s pointed words. But she couldn’t afford to make an enemy of her now. Besides, she had also joined the Women’s Affairs Office. Once she got her own poster, she’d find a way to outshine Wen Ning.

That day, Jiang Rong delivered another gift to Deputy Director He: a pound of peach cookies, a pound of sponge cake, and a pair of small leather shoes for her daughter.

Director He was pleased and took Jiang Rong to Director Yang’s house to ask for a job. Her reasoning was sound: the compound was expanding, with more than a dozen new bungalows built to the west. With a growing population, the Women’s Affairs Office would need more staff.

Under Deputy Director He’s glowing recommendation, Director Yang agreed, impressed by Jiang Rong’s desire to serve the people and her modest skills. He assigned her to assist Wen Ning with painting posters.

But Jiang Rong was only an assistant now… Her pride stung.

Just wait. I’ll find a way to push Wen Ning out of the way!

Watching Wen Ning in the distance, radiant with smiles and brimming with satisfaction, Jiang Rong’s expression hardened.

They had joined the military around the same time, yet Wen Ning was now hogging the spotlight, making her feel deeply humiliated.

I need to come up with a plan…

Suddenly, Jiang Rong remembered seeing He Shanshan—original heroine of the novel—at Director Yang’s house that day. She’d overheard He Shanshan muttering something about “impossible” and “something’s wrong.”

Jiang Rong had been too busy that day to think about Wen Ning’s painting. Now, however, she felt compelled to investigate.

Could there be something wrong with the artwork?

He Shanshan had also brought her lover’s younger brother, Wang Hai, to collect pest control medicine. Having studied painting since childhood, she had spent years learning under Zhao Xianping, the grandnephew of a contemporary master.

As she flipped through the posters, He Shanshan’s gaze fell once more on Wen Ning’s work. A flicker of interest stirred within her.

“Shanshan!” Jiang Rong approached He Shanshan, initiating a conversation with the original novel’s female lead.

In her past life, Jiang Rong had always been compared unfavorably to He Shanshan. Yet now, she greeted her with a smile.

“Comrade Jiang Rong,” He Shanshan nodded politely.

“How have you been settling in since joining the military?” Jiang Rong’s question sounded casual, but everyone in the compound knew He Shanshan had caused a major incident on her first day, leading to strained relations with her mother-in-law.

Her words jabbed at He Shanshan’s sore spot.

“It’s been fine,” He Shanshan replied, as always unwilling to argue. “Everyone’s been very kind.”

Jiang Rong pursed her lips but kept smiling. “By the way, I’ve also joined the committee to paint posters. I heard you’re quite the artist too. Why don’t we work together for the collective?”

He Shanshan shook her head. “Comrade Wen Ning’s posters are already so impressive. I’m sure you’re talented too, but my amateur skills would only embarrass myself.”

Jiang Rong cursed inwardly at her false modesty but remained outwardly cheerful. “Think it over. Oh, and that day at Director Yang’s house, I saw you looking at Wen Ning’s painting and saying something was wrong. What was it?”

He Shanshan paused before replying, “Nothing. You must have misheard me. I meant the painting was so perfect, there wasn’t a single flaw.”

With her usual gentle and dignified tone, she added, “It’s almost time for Wang Hai to pick up the deworming medicine. I should head over now.”

Jiang Rong watched He Shanshan’s retreating figure, accompanied by Wang Hai, and thought, What a hypocrite!

Praising Wen Ning now? I’m certain I heard her say something else entirely that day!

Her gaze shifted to Wang Hai, who sulked beside his sister-in-law. A faint smile played on Jiang Rong’s lips. Let’s see how long He Shanshan can keep up this act.