Chapter 72.1

“Commander Lu, is this your partner?”

The military wife next to Chen Ping glanced at Jiang Nian, her gaze lingering on Jiang Nian’s fair and beautiful face for a long while. They all knew that as soon as Commander Lu reported for duty, he immediately submitted a marriage application, which made several military wives give up on introducing their sisters to him. They were all curious about what Commander Lu’s partner looked like.

Now, upon seeing her, they realized she was truly beautiful.

Seeing Chen Ping’s silence, the other military wife nudged her arm, “What’s wrong with you?”

Jiang Nian’s heart skipped a beat, feeling a bit flustered. Lu Yu tightened his grip on her hand and looked at Chen Ping, “Sister Chen, this is my partner, Jiang Nian.”

His cold gaze and deep, powerful voice sent a chill down Chen Ping’s spine. She snapped out of her daze, glancing back and forth between Jiang Nian and Lu Yu several times, struggling not to think about their previous relationship as brother and sister-in-law. Her expression stiffened a few times before she managed to speak,”Good partner, good partner.”

Jiang Nian: …

She hadn’t expected to run into Chen Ping so soon, much less that they would be living in the same building. Although Lu Yu has been transferred here, she still doesn’t want others to know about her previous relationship with Lu Yu, and doesn’t want others to look at Lu Yu with strange eyes.

“Lu Yu.”

Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, wanting to say something but not knowing how to begin.

Lu Yu said, “We’re not blood-related brother and sister-in-law. Even if our past relationship is revealed, it doesn’t matter.” He squeezed her hand, his deep black eyes fixed on her, “I only care about your feelings. As long as you don’t dwell on it, I don’t care.”

Jiang Nian was momentarily stunned. She looked down at their intertwined hands, her eyelashes suddenly feeling hot.

She had been thinking about Lu Yu’s feelings, not realizing he was also considering hers.

Jiang Nian bit her lip, then squeezed his long fingers and smiled up at him, “I’m not afraid of what others might say.”

A faint smile appeared in his eyes, “Let’s go eat.”

After parting ways with Commander Lu and the others, Chen Ping went up to the fourth floor. The military wife that is with her noticed her odd expression, “What’s wrong with you?”

Chen Ping forced a smile, “Nothing, just feeling a bit hungry because I didn’t eat much this morning.”

The military wife: …

If you’re hungry, you’re hungry. Why do you look so strange?

Chen Ping had just returned home when her husband, Ren Gang, arrived. Their two children, a thirteen-year-old daughter and a twelve-year-old son, were at home. Their son, Ren Tong, came out of his room when he saw Ren Gang and happily called out, “Dad.”

Ren Gang asked, “Where’s your mom?”

Ren Tong replied, “In the kitchen, making lunch.”

Ren Gang hung his coat on the wall hook and went to the kitchen. Seeing their daughter picking vegetables, he told her to go back to her room. He walked over to Chen Ping and said, “Commander Lu brought his partner to the military district today. I heard they were looking at the family housing. Did you see them?”

At the mention of this, Chen Ping’s hand paused in its chopping, “Yes, I saw them.”

Ren Gang continued talking to himself, only realizing after a while that his usually chatty wife was uncharacteristically quiet today. He asked, “What’s wrong with you today? Did you get into a fight with someone again?”

Chen Ping: …

She put down the knife and closed the kitchen door before whispering, “Do you know who Commander Lu’s partner is?”

Ren Gang laughed, “How would I know? I’m not acquainted with her. But you seem to know?”

Chen Ping nodded, “Remember when I visited my sister before the New Year?”

Ren Gang asked, “What’s that got to do with your sister?”

Chen Ping said, “I helped my sister’s husband’s family move. They lived next door to Commander Lu. Commander Lu had a sister-in-law who came out to greet us. Xiao Fang told me she was Commander Lu’s sister-in-law. Her husband and father-in-law were both gone, so she followed her brother-in-law to join the army. I also saw the mandarin duck curtains she embroidered for Tang Ze’s wife. They were so beautiful.”

Ren Gang frowned, immediately grasping the key point, “You’re saying Commander Lu’s partner is his sister-in-law?!”

Chen Ping nodded, “Yes.”

Ren Gang: …

He was also momentarily taken aback. He had always seen Commander Lu as a cold and strict person and had never imagined he would fall for his sister-in-law. But now that his sister-in-law was a widow, there wasn’t much people could say if they got together.

However, if this got out, it would inevitably lead to gossip.

Ren Gang warned Chen Ping, “You mustn’t spread this around. I still need to work under Commander Lu and aim for a promotion. Don’t stir up any trouble for me.”

The Chen family had two daughters. When Chen Ping married him, he was a platoon leader. Over the years, he had risen to the rank of captain, and with a few more years of hard work, he might climb even higher. Considering that Chen Ping’s sister’s husband was already a regiment commander, Ren Gang felt a bit behind.

Chen Ping glared at her husband, “Do you think I’m stupid enough to offend your superior for no reason?”

With that, she continued chopping vegetables, but couldn’t help feeling a sense of wonder.

It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was bustling with people, including many military wives carrying lunch boxes. The news that Commander Lu was getting married had spread throughout the military district, so when they saw him with a fair and beautiful young woman, everyone was curious.

Lu Yu led Jiang Nian to an empty table, then went to get their meals. He leaned down and asked Jiang Nian, “What do you want to eat?”

Feeling like she was being watched like a panda in a zoo, Jiang Nian was a bit uncomfortable, “Anything is fine.”

Lu Yu smiled slightly, “I’ll be right back.”

“Is that Captain Lu’s partner?”

“She’s really beautiful.”

“No wonder Commander Lu was in such a hurry to submit his marriage application. Such a beautiful wife must be married early.”

As people around them chatted, Jiang Nian’s face grew redder, feeling increasingly uneasy.

“Sister-in-law.”

Chen Yao and Gu Shizhou, holding lunch boxes, sat opposite Jiang Nian. Their presence made her feel much more comfortable. Gu Shizhou greeted, “Little sister-in-law.”

Jiang Nian smiled and then looked up to see Lu Yu returning with two lunch boxes. He handed her one filled mostly with meat and a large portion of rice.

Jiang Nian: …

How could she possibly finish all this?

She was a bit startled, but Lu Yu said, “If you can’t finish, give it to me.”

The tables around them were full, mostly with soldiers from the Third Regiment. The new Commander Lu was famous for his strict training. Within just a month, his reputation had spread. The soldiers were eager to see if Commander Lu was as strict with his partner as he was with them.

They glanced at Jiang Nian’s slender frame and petite stature, thinking that if Commander Lu were to get physical, he could easily overpower her.

Everyone’s attention was on the central table as they ate, noting how the usually stern and formidable Commander Lu transformed in front of his partner. His previously sharp and fierce eyes now held a gentle smile as he served her meat and finished her leftovers, asking after the meal, “Are you full?”

The soldiers: …

Indeed, even the toughest man can soften for the woman he loves.

Some military wives also watched this scene. One nudged her husband, saying, “Look at how well he treats his wife. Why can’t you be like that?”

Her husband, head down, eating, replied, “They’re newlyweds. We’ve been married for ages. If you don’t find it cheesy, I do.”

During this one lunch, the news of Commander Lu bringing his partner to the base spread. Some military wives who had hoped to introduce their relatives to Commander Lu gave up upon seeing his partner.

After lunch, Jiang Nian left the base with Lu Yu, who drove her to the department store. He let her choose bedding and some small items needed to decorate their home. This was truly their home, not as brother and sister-in-law, but as husband and wife.

Jiang Nian chose, and Lu Yu carried the items. When the back seat was full, Jiang Nian realized they had bought so much. She looked at Lu Yu, “Isn’t this too much?”

He smiled, “Not at all.”

Then he pulled her close and kissed her on the lips, “Think of anything else we need?”

Blushing, Jiang Nian turned to look out the window and shook her head, “No, nothing else.”

While they were shopping, Lu Yu had mentioned their wedding plans. They invited people from the regiment and some friends like Ge Mei, but decided to notify Commander Song and Feng Mei about their marriage by telegram. She could only imagine how shocked they would be when they received it.

As for family, Lu Yu had no one left, and Jiang Nian had severed ties with her family. There was no need to inform them.

The wedding date was set for the sixth of next month, giving Jiang Nian just enough time to finish her embroidery.

After dropping Jiang Nian at the embroidery shop, Lu Yu drove back to clean and organize their house.

By the time he was done, it was dusk.

At the shop, Jiang Nian ran into Su Na and Shu Xue. Seeing Jiang Nian, Shu Xue smiled, “You’re finally back.”

Su Na teasingly asked, “What have you been up to all day?”

Jiang Nian: …

She took out four White Rabbit candies and handed them to the two, “Have some candy.”

Su Na: “Is this wedding candy?”

Shu Xue: “Is the date set?”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Next month, on the sixth.”

Ge Mei also knew about it and congratulated Jiang Nian on finally being on the right track with Lu Yu.

Jiang Nian and Su Na went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some candies to distribute. Whether or not Yu Xia and the others accepted, at least she did her part, leaving no room for criticism.

Just as they entered the supply and marketing cooperative, they saw two figures quickly separate. Jiang Nian glanced and saw Tong Gang and a sales clerk, their lips red, clearly having been up to something inappropriate.

Su Na, experienced in such matters, pretended not to see and proceeded to buy a pound of milk candies and fruit candies with Jiang Nian. After they left, the sales clerk asked Tong Gang, “Did they see us?”

Tong Gang shook his head, “I don’t think so.”