Chapter 119

Jiang Nian struggled to hold back her tears, sniffling as tears swirled in her eyes: “I’ll wait for you at home. You must come back.”

Lu Yu smiled: “Okay.” He pulled Jiang Nian into his arms: “We agreed to have a baby this year. Just wait for me at home.”

Jiang Nian pressed her lips tightly together, but after a long time, she finally broke down.

She hugged Lu Yu tightly, burying her face in his chest as she cried: “I can’t bear to part with you, Lu Yu. I don’t want you to leave.”

Everything he did felt like a farewell.

It seemed he knew what he would face next. Jiang Nian could only watch helplessly, unable to stop it. Even if the plot fell apart in the middle, the ending seemed the same, and she didn’t even know what the conclusion of this book was.

Lu Yu held Jiang Nian tightly without saying a word. The once cozy room felt somewhat empty, echoing with Jiang Nian’s sobs. He closed his eyes, inhaling the faint scent of her hair, repeating in his heart: he would return. He would definitely come back this time.

In this lifetime, he had Jiang Nian; she was still waiting for him at home.

He still wanted to have children with her, several children.

After a long time, Lu Yu’s low and hoarse voice broke the silence: “Nian Nian, let’s go watch a movie.”

Jiang Nian choked back her sobs: “Okay.”

She went to the bathroom to wash her face, looking at her red eyes and managing to hold back another wave of tears. Turning around, she returned to the room, applied some moisturizer, changed into a bright-colored cotton jacket, and held Lu Yu’s hand as they walked out of the residential building. On the way, they ran into Gu Shizhou and Lou Zhi. Gu Shizhou noticed the unusual expression on Jiang Nian’s face but didn’t ask too much. Instead, he simply inquired, “What are you guys up to?”

Lu Yu replied, “Going to the movies.”

Lou Zhi laughed: “Commander Lu really knows how to pamper his wife.”

Gu Shizhou shot Lou Zhi a glance, who was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized and shut up. Gu Shizhou then checked his watch: “You guys can just catch the afternoon bus to the city. Let’s hurry.”

Lu Yu nodded: “Mm.”

The two of them left the military base and entered the county town. At this time, there weren’t many people taking the bus. Jiang Nian sat by the window, leaning her head against Lu Yu’s arm, glancing down at their intertwined fingers. She recalled their first bus ride to the city after confirming their relationship, when Lu Yu held her hand, covering it with a small cloth bag. Remembering that time made Jiang Nian feel a bit nostalgic.

At first, she thought Lu Yu was a cold, aloof, and taciturn man, but she later discovered that it was all an act.

Jiang Nian turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window, watching it rapidly recede, and slowly closed her eyes.

“Lu Yu.”

The man turned his head: “Hmm?”

Jiang Nian smiled slightly: “You must come back safely. I’ll be waiting for you at home.” After saying this, she touched her belly: “I want to have a child that belongs to both of us.”

Lu Yu held her hand, smiling: “Alright.”

After arriving in the city, Lu Yu took Jiang Nian around for a bit, bought some snacks, and went to the cinema. The movie lasted two hours, and Jiang Nian’s hand was held by Lu Yu for the entire duration. When the movie ended, it was already dark outside, and there were no more buses back to the base.

Leaning against Lu Yu, Jiang Nian tilted her face up to look at him: “Where are we staying tonight?”

Lu Yu replied: “Going home.”

Jiang Nian was taken aback: “But there’s no bus—”

“Lu Yu, Younger sister-in-law.”

Gu Shizhou’s voice called from outside the cinema. Jiang Nian turned in surprise to see Gu Shizhou standing by a military green jeep, hands in his pockets, smiling at her and Lu Yu. The passersby’s eyes were drawn to Gu Shizhou, with some women approaching him to strike up a conversation. Dressed in military attire and able to drive a military vehicle, he must be quite a notable figure.

Some older women even considered introducing him to potential partners.

Gu Shizhou cleared his throat and said to Lu Yu: “Hurry up.”

If they lingered too long, a few aunties would crowd around.

Jiang Nian rarely saw Gu Shizhou displaying a look of fear. It turned out that even the most composed person would feel troubled when faced with aunties introducing potential matches. She pulled Lu Yu over, smiling, “Political Commissar Gu, what brings you here?”

Gu Shizhou smiled back: “If I hadn’t come, Lu Yu would have had to carry you home.”

Oh.

From Gu Shizhou’s words, he seemed to feel sorry for Lu Yu?

Jiang Nian teasingly looked up at Lu Yu, whose expression darkened. He squeezed her fingers: “Get in the car quickly.”

The sky darkened, and only the headlights illuminated the road ahead.

Jiang Nian leaned against Lu Yu’s arm, falling asleep in the bumpy back seat, her hand gripping Lu Yu’s the whole time.

Gu Shizhou glanced at Jiang Nian through the rearview mirror and then at Lu Yu, who was gazing at Jiang Nian: “Have you told her?”

Lu Yu replied, “Mm.”

His fingers traced the outline of Jiang Nian’s cheek, his voice low and magnetic in the dim car: “Shizhou, while I’m gone for these months, take good care of her for me.” His finger settled on Jiang Nian’s pulse, noticing she was deeply asleep. He added, “If I don’t come back, according to what I said before, take her to Xinjiang.”

There was another person in this world who loved Jiang Nian just as he did.

If that day truly came and he vanished from this world, at least in this timeline, his Nian Nian wouldn’t be alone for a lifetime. In the days to come, there would be Song Bai loving her, protecting her, ensuring that she wouldn’t endure undeserved hardships and suffering in this era.

Lu Yu’s eyes were filled with love and reluctance for Jiang Nian.

This day of the five-year cycle had finally arrived. In his past two lives, no matter how he resisted and struggled, the final outcome had always been the same.

The car jolted, and the sound of a whimpering Jiang Nian brought Lu Yu back to reality. He kissed her forehead, wishing he could always be by her side.

Gu Shizhou glanced in the rearview mirror, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He chuckled, “Although this mission is somewhat difficult and dangerous, it’s not to the point of life and death.” He looked at Jiang Nian again and continued, “Also, you don’t need to remind me; I’ll take good care of Jiang Nian. To me, she’s just like Mengxiang, my little sister. I won’t let her be bullied in the family apartment.”

Lu Yu said no more, softly responding, “Thank you.”

Gu Shizhou drove directly to the residential building. He got out of the car, opened the door, and waited for Lu Yu to carry the sleeping Jiang Nian into the hallway before driving away.

The hallway was lit, with Yu Liang’s door slightly open. Inside, a woman was talking angrily. Yu Liang stood outside, silent. Hearing footsteps from the stairs, he turned and saw Commander Lu carrying his sleepy wife. Yu Liang was startled and hurried back inside, covering his wife’s mouth: “Shh, don’t make a noise. Commander Lu is back.”

The door closed behind him, cutting off the light.

Lu Yu:…

He glanced at Yu Liang’s door, opened his own, and carried Jiang Nian inside. As soon as he laid her down on the bed, she suddenly woke up, sitting up quickly. Upon seeing Lu Yu standing by the bed, she hugged him tightly, her voice muffled: “You scared me! I thought I had fallen off a cliff.”

The feeling of weightlessness from falling in her dream merged with Lu Yu gently placing her on the bed, and Jiang Nian sighed in relief. Seeing her familiar room, she paused: “Are we home?”

Lu Yu chuckled softly: “Mm, just arrived. You looked so peaceful while sleeping, so I didn’t wake you.”

Jiang Nian nuzzled against Lu Yu: “I’m hungry.”

Lu Yu said, “I’ll go cook.”

“I’ll help you.”

Jiang Nian got out of bed and followed Lu Yu to the kitchen. Watching the tall, slender figure of the man, Jiang Nian’s eyelashes trembled, and she nearly burst into tears.

She really couldn’t bear to part with Lu Yu.

She was so afraid that the scene from her dream was real, terrified of never seeing Lu Yu again.

It was just a dream, yet her heart felt like it was being pricked with needles, sharp pains stabbing her.

That night, as she slept, Jiang Nian held Lu Yu tightly, refusing to let go, and only fell asleep when dawn was approaching. Lu Yu gently caressed Jiang Nian’s warm cheek, kissed her lips softly, and then got up slowly. He packed a change of clothes into a bag and left her a note before heading out.

Gu Shizhou was waiting downstairs. When he saw Lu Yu come down, he asked, “Where’s your wife?”

Lu Yu replied, “Still sleeping.”

It was still dark outside, and there weren’t many people on the road. Lu Yu and Gu Shizhou got into the car and left, the jeep driving out of the residential building towards the dim military area.

Jiang Nian woke up around noon. She reached out to the side and found it already cold.

There was a knock on the door; it was Guan Lu. Jiang Nian buried herself under the blanket, not responding. The knocking continued for a while before stopping. Inside the blanket, she began to sob quietly, crying for a long time before finally calming down. She lifted the blanket and headed to the bathroom. Passing by the table in the living room, she saw a piece of paper on it, covered in Lu Yu’s handwriting.

“Eat on time at home, don’t cry. I’ll be back soon.”

The tears that Jiang Nian had finally stopped came flooding back.

She sniffled, wiping her tears off her face, then went to the bathroom and scrubbed her face vigorously. When she raised her head to look in the mirror, she saw a haggard face with bloodshot eyes from crying.

What was she crying for?

It was just a dream, all fake.

He was the male lead, the protagonist of this story. How could anything happen to him?

Jiang Nian slapped her face and turned to the kitchen.

It had been two months since Lu Yu left, and Jiang Nian hadn’t received a single phone call from him. She continued her life as usual. With spring arriving, the small plot of land needed weeding and watering. Jiang Nian got up early with a hoe and went to the garden. She hoped that by the time Lu Yu returned, the vegetables in the garden would be flourishing.

Lu Yu had a big appetite, so she needed to plant more vegetables.

As Jiang Nian rushed to her private plot, she saw a familiar figure from behind. The person wore a white shirt and military pants, sleeves rolled up, revealing toned arms. He was swinging a hoe, loosening the soil. In a moment of daze, Jiang Nian thought she saw Lu Yu. She stared blankly until Gu Shizhou, who was opposite her, turned around.

“Younger sister-in-law.”

Gu Shizhou had sweat on his forehead, casually wiping it away. He said to Jiang Nian, “I’ve nearly finished weeding the field. You can head back now. When you have time, go to the market and buy some vegetable seedlings.”

Jiang Nian came back to her senses, looking at the handsome Gu Shizhou, and started thinking about Lu Yu again.

She smiled and replied, “There’s a market tomorrow. I’ll go with Sister Tian to buy the seedlings.”

Holding the hoe, she turned to Gu Shizhou before leaving and said, “Political Commissar Gu, thank you.”

Half a month later, an unexpected visitor arrived at her home—Ling Mengxiang. Jiang Nian was somewhat surprised by her sudden visit. Ling Mengxiang chatted with her about Professor Ling for a bit, then spoke about her work as a teacher at school. This was Jiang Nian’s first time interacting closely with Ling Mengxiang; her brows and eyes resembled Professor Ling’s, and one could see traces of him in her facial features.

Ling Mengxiang spoke slowly and pleasantly, somewhat similar to Guan Lu.

That day was a coincidence, as Guan Lu saw Ling Mengxiang and came over with her child. The two had grown up in the same large compound, and their parents were old acquaintances. In this room, they chatted a lot. Ling Mengxiang left after lunch, and Gu Shizhou was waiting for her downstairs. As Jiang Nian went down with Ling Mengxiang, she quietly asked Gu Shizhou, “Do you have any news about Lu Yu?”

Gu Shizhou smiled, “Yes. A couple of days ago, I ran into the commander at the military district. He had just met with Lu Yu, and he’s doing well.”

Jiang Nian pressed her lips together, seemingly trying to discern the truth of these words from Gu Shizhou’s face. Gu Shizhou smiled lightly, his deep black eyes meeting Jiang Nian’s probing gaze: “What’s wrong? Younger sister-in-law, don’t you trust me?”

Jiang Nian awkwardly laughed, “No.”

The vegetable seedlings in the field were all planted, and they needed watering every couple of days. Chen Yao and Gu Shizhou helped with this, and for that, Jiang Nian prepared a feast, inviting Gu Shizhou, Chen Yao, and Shu Xue.

At the dinner table, Chen Yao drank a bit too much wine and asked Gu Shizhou, “Political Commissar Gu, when are you getting married?”

Gu Shizhou: …

He downed his drink in one gulp: “I’m not in a hurry.”

Jiang Nian clinked her soda with Shu Xue’s and then turned to the handsome Gu Shizhou: “Political Commissar Gu, is there a girl you’re interested in?” She broadened the scope, “Perhaps a girl you know well?”

Last time Ling Mengxiang visited her, Jiang Nian could tell that her gaze towards Gu Shizhou was different when they met downstairs.

Ling Mengxiang’s family had gone through some misfortunes—her mother passed away, and her father was arrested. Gu Shizhou had been protecting her all these years; anyone in his position would develop feelings for him.

Gu Shizhou picked up on Jiang Nian’s implications and cleared his throat: “No.”

Jiang Nian: ???

Chen Yao was also taken aback: “Which unmarried girl is around Political Commissar Gu? I’m not aware of any!”

Jiang Nian: …

That night, both Gu Shizhou and Chen Yao drank a bit. Shu Xue stayed behind to help Jiang Nian clean up. As Jiang Nian looked at the tidy living room, she remembered how every time before, it had been Lu Yu who took care of the aftermath.

In the blink of an eye, the vegetables in the private plot had already yielded two harvests. Jiang Nian gave some to her neighbors. Otherwise, they would spoil in the field.

That morning, she woke up early and crossed off the day’s date on the calendar.

Counting, Lu Yu had already been gone for five months.

He had said he would be gone for no more than half a year and no less than four months. Now, it has been five months and ten days, and he should be back in at most twenty days.

Just after finishing breakfast, a military guard came to knock on her door, saying there was a call for her. Over the past five months, she had received several calls, and every time she excitedly rushed over, only to return disappointed. This time, Jiang Nian still ran over eagerly. As she picked up the phone, a familiar voice she recognized to the core came through: “Slow down, don’t trip.”

Jiang Nian couldn’t quite express the feelings swelling in her heart. She covered her mouth, not wanting Lu Yu to hear her cry, but he still sensed it: “Nian Nian, I’m doing well. I miss you a lot.”

Jiang Nian couldn’t hold back any longer, covering her mouth as she cried uncontrollably.

No one could understand the feeling of having her heart, which had been in suspense, finally come to rest. For five months, she had sleepless nights, constantly thinking of Lu Yu. His voice echoed in her ears, but had always felt elusive, until this moment when it was real and present. Jiang Nian was so happy she couldn’t find her words.

Lu Yu remained silent on the other end, quietly accompanying her until her emotions settled down. He then chuckled, “Have you been embroidering during this time?”

Jiang Nian sniffled, her voice still tinged with tears: “I haven’t embroidered anything.”

Lu Yu replied, “Let Gu Shizhou handle the work in the private plot. When I get back, I’ll properly thank him.”

Jiang Nian smiled: “It was all thanks to him and Chen Yao, who helped. I’ve already treated them to a meal. We’ll thank them properly when you come back.”

Lu Yu: “Sounds good.”

They chatted about the trivialities of life. Jiang Nian tightly gripped the phone and finally asked the question she had been holding back for so long: “Lu Yu, when are you coming back?”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before he replied, “I’ll be back next month.”

Jiang Nian had just crossed off the date on the calendar this morning, and there were still twenty days until next month.

She bit her lip, feeling a bit breathless: “I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Lu Yu chuckled softly: “Okay.”