Chapter 78.1

Jiang Nian blinked, and blinked again, staring blankly at the road ahead, unable to speak for a moment.

Last time when they went to the Jiang family to collect debts, Lu Yu seemed to know more about her affairs. In this era, if any village had a tailor, it was a sought-after job. Who in the surrounding villages didn’t know which village had a tailor?

It was easy to deceive the people at the embroidery shop in this matter, after all, they didn’t really know her. But deceiving Lu Yu was impossible. He was always sharp and knew her background very well. Jiang Nian racked her brains and finally stuck to her words: “I taught myself.”

“Self-taught—”

Lu Yu repeated it, and Jiang Nian felt that there was a profound meaning in his tone.

“Sister-in-law.”

Lu Yu suddenly called her by this title. Jiang Nian’s heart skipped a beat, she turned to look at him, lips pursing slightly. “Don’t call me sister-in-law anymore.”

After saying this, she turned her head to look out of the window, her cheeks inexplicably burning.

The term, which was fine before, felt different coming from Lu Yu’s mouth after they got married.

Lu Yu smiled faintly and didn’t ask further.

The car returned to the military base. Lu Yu sent Jiang Nian to the family building and moved the embroidery frame to the third floor. Then he went downstairs to return the car. Jiang Nian returned to the house and sat down to rest for a while. She felt somewhat uncomfortable all over.

“Jiang Nian, are you home?”

There was a knock on the door. Jiang Nian rubbed her waist and got up to open it. Standing outside were Tian Mai and her two daughters. Tian Mai held a jar of pickled vegetables. “I’ve come to visit and see how you’re doing.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Come on in.”

Tian Mai and her two daughters entered. She had them sit on the stools, then Jiang Nian took a few candies and biscuits from the table and placed them in front of Ning Xiu and Ning Qian. “You don’t need to be reserved here at Aunt Jiang’s place. These are for you to enjoy.”

Ning Qian glanced at Jiang Nian first, then at Tian Mai. Tian Mai said, “Aunt Jiang prepared these for you, go ahead and eat.”

Ning Xiu hesitated with her fingers tangled together and kept her head down. Ning Qian was a bit better.She thanked Aunt Jiang, took a candy, peeled it, and handed it to Ning Xiu, saying, “Sister, have some candy.”

Only then did Ning Xiu reach out to take it. Ning Qian then took another candy, peeled it, and ate it herself.

Jiang Nian frowned slightly, feeling that there was something wrong with Ning Xiu. She would suffer in the future whether she went out to work or got married. Perhaps this child’s temperament was closely related to their grandmother.

Tian Mai said, “I brought some pickled cowpeas beans and peppers. They are delicious when paired with corn pancakes. Don’t hesitate to enjoy them.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Why would I hesitate? I just happen to have no vegetables at home. I have to thank Sister Tian for that.”

Ning Qian took a biscuit and split it, giving half to Ning Xiu, who shook her head and did not accept.

Tian Mai seemed used to Ning Xiu’s behavior and didn’t mind. Jiang Nian asked, “Sister Tian, are the two girls sleeping with your mother-in-law at night?”

At the mention of her mother-in-law, Tian Mai’s tone soured. “There are only two rooms at home, so they have to sleep with her. If it weren’t for her having just this one son, I would have sent her back to her hometown long ago. Ever since she moved in with us, I’ve never been happy at home. She blames me every day for not having a son. With her character, which family’s son would dare to enter my belly?”

Jiang Nian almost burst out laughing at Tian Mai’s words.

She glanced at Ning Xiu, wanting to ask more, but considering it was their first meeting, she decided not to press further. 

After sitting for a while, Tian Mai left. As she left, Ning Xiu still kept her head down and said nothing.

Jiang Nian was truly worried that this child might have psychological issues.

Living with her grandmother in the same room for years, who knew what impact it might have on these two children psychologically. Some people handle pressure well, while others are more fragile. Ning Xiu and Ning Qian were examples of this.

It was only when the sky began to darken that Lu Yu returned. He bought vegetables, meat, fine flour, and cornmeal. Filling the kitchen cabinets all at once. Jiang Nian slowly walked to the kitchen door, leaned against the frame, and blinked. “Why did you buy so much?”

Lu Yu said: “Gu Shizhou and the others will come over later.”

Jiang Nian heard this and said, “Then I’ll cook.”

She took down the apron hanging on the wall and tied it around her waist. The thin straps of the apron accentuated her slender waist. When she bent down to take a knife from the lower cabinet, Lu Yu suddenly scooped her up into his arms. Jiang Nian exclaimed in surprise as her back pressed firmly against Lu Yu’s warm chest.

She grabbed Lu Yu’s arm nervously. “I have to cook!”

She would rather cook than do that.

It still hurt there, and she even felt some resistance.

Lu Yu said, “I’ll do it.”

Jiang Nian: …

He didn’t give her a chance to argue back at all. Jiang Nian also had no idea what she had done to make Lu Yu think like this. When she was lifted and sat on the kitchen counter, all she had left was the apron.

At this point, the weather was still cool, and the apron provided no warmth at all. What could this apron protect?

Jiang Nian blushed and tried to bury herself in Lu Yu’s arms. He whispered in her ear, “Don’t be impatient.”

Jiang Nian: !!!

“I’m cold!”

It was really cold.

After the battle, Jiang Nian lay weakly in bed, the strap of the apron still hanging from her wrist fluttering pitifully. Lu Yu took the apron away and pecked her on the lips: “I’ll go cook.”

After saying this, he left feeling refreshed.

Jiang Nian finally understood what Lu Yu meant when he said “the truth will be revealed after marriage” outside Feng Mei’s house last time.

He was telling her with his actions that he was good.

She felt exhausted already just two days after getting married, feeling tired all over. She sneezed a few times and lay down in bed, dozing off until she couldn’t remember when she finally fell asleep.

In a daze, she heard laughter outside. Jiang Nian heard Lu Yu say, “Bring the water over.”

“Commander Lu, is sister-in-law still asleep?”

“Commander Lu, you’re incredible!”

There was Chen Yao’s voice, and some others she didn’t recognize.

Jiang Nian: …

Lu Yu said casually, “She’s tired from walking today.”

Jiang Nian: …

Liar.

The room was not lit, but fortunately, moonlight streamed through the window, providing some light. Jiang Nian struggled to sit up. It was fine when she didn’t move, but as soon as she did, she felt something was wrong. Not only did her whole body ache, but that particular area hurt uncomfortably.

She lay on the bed for a while, then slowly got up and picked a turtleneck sweater to put on before deciding to go out. She didn’t want to stay in bed when Lu Yu’s comrades came to her house for dinner for the first time. She combed her hair and then opened the door and went out.

There were several people sitting outside. She only recognized Gu Shizhou and Chen Yao, the other three were strangers. When they heard the door open, they all turned to look at Jiang Nian, who was standing at the doorway, holding onto the door frame. 

She was wearing a gardenia-colored turtleneck sweater and long pants. The fitted sweater highlighted her slim waist, and her legs were also slender. They thought that Commander Lu could probably snap her calf with one hand.

Jiang Nian has fair skin, even under the warm yellow light bulb she looked snow-white and attractive.

She had her hair in a bun, and because she had just woken up, her eyelashes were still a bit fuzzy. For some reason, she gave people the illusion of being soft and easy to bully. Gu Shizhou nodded and greeted Jiang Nian, “Younger sister-in-law.”

After saying that, he lowered his gaze to look elsewhere.

The others quickly caught on and chorused, “Sister-in-law!” 

Jiang Nian smiled and greeted them, “Hello.”

Her throat was a bit dry and sore, making her feel uncomfortable.

Chen Yao said, “Sister-in-law, could you cook us a dish? I’ve been praising your cooking skills, saying your food tastes even better than what’s served in state-run restaurants. Everyone who’s come today wants to taste your cooking.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “No problem.”

Since Chen Yao had praised her like that, she felt obliged to cook something.

When Lu Yu saw her come out, he glanced briefly at her slightly pale and tired face, whispering, “Are you okay?”

Jiang Nian pursed her lips suddenly and looked up at him, “Are you okay?”

Lu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You can try again.”

Jiang Nian: …

She really shouldn’t have said that!

After freshening up in the bathroom, Jiang Nian went to the kitchen. Chen Yao and the others chatted outside, and Jiang Nian saw the apron hanging on the wall. She thought back to earlier and blushed again. She was about to take the apron when Lu Yu stopped her, “Don’t wear it, just like this.”

Jiang Nian furrowed her brow, “Oil might splash on my clothes.”

Lu Yu said, “I’ll wash it for you. I’ll get you a new apron tomorrow.”

Jiang Nian didn’t understand Lu Yu’s intentions, but since he rarely intervened in her affairs, she went along with it. Lu Yu glanced at the apron on the wall and then put it away. Only he knew how enticing Jiang Nian looked wearing that apron.

Lu Yu bought potatoes and chicken. Jiang Nian had him cut some peppers and made a large plate of chicken. The rich aroma filled the kitchen and soon, Chen Yao couldn’t sit still. He called out, “Sister-in-law, what delicious dish are you making?”

Lu Yu carried the dishes out and glanced at everyone, “You’ll find out soon.”

Chen Yao nudged Gu Shizhou, “Political Commissar Gu, isn’t this aroma enticing?”

Gu Shizhou smiled, “Yes.”

Earlier, Teacher Ling had mentioned in a letter that Jiang Nian’s pastries were delicious, so he suspected her culinary skills would also be excellent. Seeing her now confirmed his suspicions. Gu Shizhou sat near the kitchen and could turn his head to see Jiang Nian bustling around the stove, with Lu Yu helping her.

Dinner was soon ready, with a table full of dishes, and the centerpiece being Jiang Nian’s big plate of chicken.

Chen Yao brought a bottle of white wine over and said, “Commander Lu, Political Commissar Gu, how about a drink tonight?”

Lu Yu and Gu Shizhou nodded, “Sure.”

The other three also agreed, “Okay!”

These three were from Lu Yu’s regiment. One named Yu Liang, a captain who had been Chen Yao’s comrade for several years. Another named Jiang Zhou, a new instructor who was in the same unit with Gu Shizhou, and there is Lou Zhi, whom Lu Yu and the others had met last year when stationed at a base for six months. They were all comrades who had experienced life-and-death together.

Jiang Nian sat next to Lu Yu. Seeing her complexion wasn’t quite right, Lu Yu picked out a few pieces of meat for her and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

Jiang Nian was restless, but she still shook her head, “It’s nothing.”

Chen Yao teased, “Oh, Commander Lu really spoils his wife.”

Jiang Nian: …

Jiang Nian lowered her head, feeling truly embarrassed to look up.

Gu Shizhou poured a glass of wine and clinked glasses with Lu Yu, “Here’s to a happy marriage to you and younger sister-in-law. I didn’t get a chance to say it amidst the crowd on your wedding day.”

Lu Yu nodded and finished his drink in one gulp.

Chen Yao also raised his glass and clinked with Lu Yu, “Then I wish Commander Lu and Sister-in-law to have children soon, and may you have several fat little boys.”

The others cheered, “It all depends on Commander Lu. Commander Lu, are you up for it?”

Jiang Nian almost choked on what she was eating. She coughed several times, grabbed a glass of water, and coughed until her eyes turned slightly red and teary. Her eyelashes were damp with a few drops of water. Lu Yu helped her pat her back, a smile creeping into his eyes, “You’ll have to ask your sister-in-law about that.”

Jiang Nian thought to herself: he’s really good at passing the buck!

Seeing that Chen Yao was about to ask her something, Jiang Nian quickly said, “Let’s not let the food get cold.”

She bit into a piece of meat and lowered her head. Gu Shizhou smiled at Lu Yu, but when he withdrew his gaze, it unconsciously swept over Jiang Nian’s neck. She kept her head down, revealing a faint, ambiguous mark on her fair skin, which was quite eye-catching.

Gu Shizhou suddenly coughed twice and quickly averted his gaze, saying to Chen Yao, “Let’s eat.”