Chapter 82.1

Jiang Nian’s earlobes felt a bit warm from Lu Yu’s intimate gesture in front of others for the first time. Her face blushed slightly. She wanted to ask why he returned only today but thought better of it, considering there were others around. She decided to ask him later in private.

Lu Yu looked past Jiang Nian at Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang on the beds. Seeing their arms in slings, he frowned slightly, “What happened to you two?”

Gu Shizhou replied, “It’s about Ning Sheng’s family.”

Yu Liang recounted the entire incident involving Ning Sheng’s family to Lu Yu, finishing with a frustrated note, “It’s a good thing Deputy Commander Ning sent his mother back. Otherwise, we’d be dealing with even more trouble.”

Lu Yu held Jiang Nian’s hand and chatted with Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang for a while before leaving. Before departing, he said to Gu Shizhou, “Take care of your injuries. Come to our place for a meal in a few days. Nian Nian and I will host you properly.”

Jiang Nian: ???

She looked up at Lu Yu, genuinely surprised. Lu Yu only called her “Nian Nian” during intimate moments, never in front of others.

Gu Shizhou smiled, “Sure.”

Yu Liang added, “I’m in for another treat then.”

As they left the hospital, Lu Yu continued holding Jiang Nian’s hand. It was summer and hot, so Jiang Nian wore a thin blouse that accentuated her slender waist. Lu Yu took off his military jacket and draped it over her shoulders, instantly enveloping her small frame, the hem reaching past her thighs.

Jiang Nian looked up, puzzled, “I’m not cold.”

Lu Yu’s eyes darkened slightly as he squeezed her fingers, “There’s a bit of wind. Don’t catch a chill.”

Jiang Nian: ???

She glanced up at the clear, sunny sky, wondering where the wind was.

“Commander Lu is back.”

It was just after lunch time, and the path was bustling with people. Many greeted Lu Yu, who nodded and exchanged a few words before continuing to walk with Jiang Nian. As they approached the family apartment, they encountered Luo Chengyi and Luo Xiaoyue. The father and daughter seemed to be in conversation, with Luo Xiaoyue looking down silently.

Upon hearing footsteps, Luo Xiaoyue looked up and smiled at Jiang Nian, “Aunt Jiang.” Then she greeted Lu Yu, “Uncle Lu.”

Lu Yu nodded, “Finished school?”

Luo Xiaoyue replied, “Yes, I’m done for the day.”

Luo Chengyi exchanged a few words with Lu Yu before taking Luo Xiaoyue home. Jiang Nian watched them as they walked away, then felt a sudden pressure on her hand. She looked up to meet Lu Yu’s gaze, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Yu asked, “What were you looking at?”

Jiang Nian pursed her lips together and shook her head. She had a suspicion about Luo Xiaoyue’s behavior but didn’t have any concrete evidence. She didn’t want Lu Yu to think she was being paranoid, so she remained silent and walked into the house.

Lu Yu frowned slightly, watching Jiang Nian’s back with a deepening gaze.

Jiang Nian hung Lu Yu’s military jacket on a hook on the wall. She walked into the bathroom to wash her hands, “Have you eaten yet?”

Lu Yu unbuttoned his collar with one hand and walked towards the bathroom: “No.”

The small bathroom suddenly dimmed as Lu Yu’s tall frame blocked the light. Before Jiang Nian could react, she found herself pressed against Lu Yu’s firm chest. She grabbed his arm, feeling a strong desire to be close to him after twenty days apart.

But it was still daytime, right in the middle of lunch time, and Lu Yu hadn’t eaten yet.

Jiang Nian whispered, “There’s still bone soup. I’ll make you a couple of dishes. You should eat something first.”

Lu Yu bent down, “I’m not hungry yet.”

The bathroom was too close to the door. Jiang Nian worried the sounds might be heard outside and whispered, “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

Lu Yu’s voice was hoarse, “Alright.”

After a long time, Lu Yu suddenly asked, “In the days I was away, how many times did you cook for Gu Shizhou?”

Jiang Nian: ???

Her muddled mind suddenly cleared a bit. She opened her eyes, now less dazed, and looked into Lu Yu’s dark eyes. He had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, and his neck’s veins were taut, his breathing different from his usual calm self.

When he raised his head, his gaze became deeper: “How many times?”

Jiang Nian replied, “Just this once. Sister Tian asked me to help look after Gu Shizhou and Yu Liang. Since both of their arms are injured, I made some bone broth and some pancakes to bring over. It was also a way to thank Political Commissar Gu for watering and weeding our private plot these past few days.”

She looked at Lu Yu with a curious expression. “Are you… jealous?”

Lu Yu’s voice was raspy. “Yes, I’m jealous.”

.

Since Jiang Nian’s discharge from the hospital, this was the first time Lu Yu had lost his composure.

He tucked Jiang Nian in. “Rest well. I’ll go cook.”

Jiang Nian pulled the blanket over her face, her voice muffled. “I want noodles.”

Lu Yu chuckled. “Okay.”

He got up, pulled the curtains aside, and opened the window, letting the breeze gradually dissipate the scent in the room.

After cooking, Lu Yu came back to lift Jiang Nian. “It’s time to eat.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Nian draped her arms around Lu Yu’s shoulders, her chin resting lazily on him. She tilted her head, noticing the stubble on his chin, and scratched it, her fingers feeling tickled. She laughed. “You need to shave.”

Lu Yu’s throat rumbled with a laugh. “I’ll shave after lunch.”

He carried Jiang Nian to the table and brought the bowl close to her. After finishing one bowl of noodles, Jiang Nian was full, but Lu Yu ate three. After washing the dishes, he shaved in the bathroom. When he came out, he was once again the cold, stern Lu Yu she knew.

He lifted Jiang Nian. “Take another nap. I need to go to the regiment. I’ll be back in the evening.”

Jiang Nian, feeling a bit ticklish, nodded. “Mm.”

She noticed that since Lu Yu returned, she had become almost immobile, with him carrying her everywhere and taking care of everything. He placed her on the bed and tucked her in with a light blanket before leaving.

In the afternoon, He Yue visited. Jiang Nian was still half-asleep. When she got up, she felt a bit sore. After changing into clean clothes, she went out to meet He Yue.

Seeing Jiang Nian’s slightly disheveled hair, He Yue smiled. “Taking a nap?”

Jiang Nian smiled awkwardly. “Yes, I just woke up.”

He Yue noticed a mark on Jiang Nian’s unclasped collar. Although she was a mother of two, her face reddened a bit. Everyone knew Commander Lu was back, and with such a beautiful wife at home, any man would want to hold her close.

Changing the topic, He Yue said, “My mother said the village fish pond will be drained tomorrow. Do you want to go? We can buy some fish, which are cheaper than at the food station.”

Jiang Nian remembered last year’s fish-catching trip with Xu Yan and Feng Mei and smiled. “I’ll go.”

He Yue then mentioned visiting Ning Xiu. Jiang Nian joined her, closing the door behind them. He Yue stopped her, awkwardly suggesting, “You should button up your collar.”

Jiang Nian: ???

She returned inside, looked in the mirror, and saw a bruise on her neck.

Jiang Nian: …

She pursed her lips, buttoned her collar tightly to cover the mark, and thought Lu Yu must have done it on purpose, knowing exactly how to position it just right.

Thinking of He Yue’s earlier look, Jiang Nian felt embarrassed. She patted her face and joined He Yue outside, whose expression had returned to normal. They went to Tian Mai’s home to check on Ning Xiu.

Since yesterday, Tian Mai had been watching over Ning Xiu. Without the old lady at home, Ning Xiu was much better, sitting on a stool and talking to Ning Qian. When Jiang Nian and He Yue arrived, Ning Xiu just kept her head down, not saying anything but not hiding either.

It was a hot day, and the kids were in short sleeves, their arms covered in pinch marks, making He Yue angry. “That old lady is horrible!”

Jiang Nian agreed. The old lady was unfit to be a mother or grandmother. Luckily, Deputy Commander Ning sent her away, or Ning Xiu’s attempt to jump would likely repeat, impossible to guard against.

After leaving Tian Mai’s house, Jiang Nian went to the food station. Since Lu Yu was back, she planned to make extra dishes tonight. He had lost weight during the twenty days away, and she wanted to nourish him.

He Yue accompanied Jiang Nian to the food station, where she bought a pound of meat and some ribs before heading to the vegetable market for greens. He Yue asked, “Are you expecting guests?”

Jiang Nian thought for a moment. “I might invite Political Commissar Gu and Captain Chen for dinner. They helped with watering and weeding when Lu Yu was away. I’ll definitely have to treat them to dinner to express my gratitude.”

He Yue agreed. “That’s right.”

As they left the vegetable market and reached the military base gate, they saw a middle-aged woman lingering there, dressed plainly with her hair tied back and a small cloth bag on her shoulder. Jiang Nian found her familiar but couldn’t place her until He Yue nudged her and whispered it was Luo Xiaoyue’s mother.

Luo Xiaoyue resembled her mother more than her father.

The woman saw Jiang Nian and He Yue, frowned, and looked away. He Yue whispered, “Why is she here again?”

As they entered the base, Jiang Nian asked, “Does she come often?”

He Yue said, “Yes, at least four times a month. She claims she misses her daughter and wants to see her, but everyone knows she’s just trying to make things difficult for Deputy Commander Luo and Guan Lu. She always makes him sign to let her in, but after several confrontations, Deputy Commander Luo just lets Luo Xiaoyue go out to see her.”

Jiang Nian suspected Luo Xiaoyue might not be as simple as she appeared.

He Yue continued, “I’ve lived here for seven years and was neighbors with Deputy Commander Luo’s ex-wife for four years. She’s a peculiar person. If Deputy Commander Luo talked to any military wives, she would accuse them of trying to seduce him, making everyone avoid him.”

This was being overly suspicious and possessive, not wanting Luo Chengyi to interact with any woman. No wonder their marriage ended in divorce.

He Yue said, “After the two divorced, the child stayed with Deputy Commander Luo, and a year later, someone introduced Guan Lu to Deputy Commander Luo.” At this point, He Yue smirked mischievously, “Deputy Commander Luo still has quite the way with women. He’s in his thirties and married Guan Lu, who’s in her early twenties, and it’s her first marriage.”

Jiang Nian chuckled lightly.

Old bulls like tender grass, but this particular tender grass seems not entirely happy at home.

On the way back, Jiang Nian met Luo Xiaoyue running with a backpack. When Luo Xiaoyue saw Jiang Nian and He Yue, she smiled sweetly and greeted them, “Aunt Jiang, Aunt He.”

He Yue teased, “Going to see your mother?”

Luo Xiaoyue’s face stiffened for a moment, then nodded, “Um.”

Back at the family apartments, at the stairwell, Jiang Nian encountered Yue Qiao and Guan Lu. Yue Qiao was standing at the door, chatting with Guan Lu about something. Both had smiles on their faces. When Yue Qiao saw Jiang Nian and He Yue, she waved at them, “Sister Jiang, Sister He, come over and sit for a while.”

Yue Qiao was very warm, but Jiang Nian found it hard to refuse her hospitality. After putting her things away, she went with He Yue to Yue Qiao’s house.

This was Jiang Nian’s first time sitting with Guan Lu. Guan Lu sat with her legs crossed, holding a porcelain cup in both hands, lowering her eyes and blowing on the hot water inside the cup. There was a faint melancholy about her, and she exuded a scholarly air, completely different from Luo Chengyi’s ex-wife.

Jiang Nian couldn’t quite understand why someone like Guan Lu, with her temperament and looks, couldn’t find a suitable husband and instead married Luo Chengyi, a divorced man with a child.

Her gaze was too direct. Guan Lu reluctantly lifted her head and met Jiang Nian’s eyes. Jiang Nian smiled slightly, catching Guan Lu off guard. Guan Lu smiled back briefly, then lowered her head again, pretending to be occupied with drinking water, avoiding talking with Jiang Nian and He Yue.

It seemed Guan Lu didn’t want to interact with too many people.

Yue Qiao poured hot water for Jiang Nian and He Yue. From Yue Qiao’s words, Jiang Nian learned that she and Guan Lu grew up in the same compound and had known each other since childhood. It was unexpected that they both ended up marrying into the same military unit and, more coincidentally, became neighbors.

He Yue joked, “You two really have some fate.”

Jiang Nian sat for a while before leaving. After washing her hands in the kitchen and preparing dinner, it was dusk when Lu Yu returned. Jiang Nian’s braised pork was just done, filling the room with a rich aroma of food, drifting out the window and making the neighbors upstairs and downstairs crave it.

Lu Yu hung his military uniform on the hook and looked at Jiang Nian wearing her apron. It was one he had recently bought, loose-fitting and not too tight around her waist. He walked over and hugged Jiang Nian from behind, kissing her earlobe, “What did you cook?”

Jiang Nian blushed slightly and tilted her head, “Rice, braised pork with cabbage, and a soup.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Nian lifted the ladle and turned to look at Lu Yu, pinching her collar, “Did you do this on purpose?”

Lu Yu chuckled softly, his voice low in his throat, “I did it on purpose.”

Jiang Nian: …

Jiang Nian tightened her grip on the ladle handle, freeing herself from Lu Yu, urging him to quickly serve the meal. While they ate, Lu Yu said, “The day after tomorrow, Gu Shizhou and Chen Yao will come to our house for dinner.”

Jiang Nian nodded gently, “Okay.” She added, “Tomorrow I’m going fishing with Sister He at the neighboring village. If I’m not back by noon, you can go to the cafeteria.”

Lu Yu replied, “Okay.”