Zheng Jinxin’s steps faltered slightly before quickly returning to normal. “Captain Lu has high prestige in the northwest. It’s only natural that everyone respects him.”  

She reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her gesture carrying a hint of casual pride.  

“A while ago, he got injured while leading a mission, and I was the one who treated his wounds. At the time, he was clearly in pain, but he stubbornly refused to make a sound.”  

“That kind of spirit is truly admirable.”  

Her words were laced with concern, and a trace of reminiscence flickered in her eyes.  

Su Tang’s gaze cooled, though her smile remained unchanged on the surface.  

“That must have been hard on you, Nurse Zheng. Lu Xiao has always been stubborn like that.”  

“I’m also trained in medicine, so from now on, there’s no need to trouble you with such matters. I’ll be the one taking care of him.”  

As she spoke, she lightly smoothed the hem of her clothes—a subtle gesture that seemed to assert her claim.  

Hearing Su Tang’s words, Zheng Jinxin’s smile nearly slipped.  

Su Tang wasn’t like Hu Lili; she couldn’t be intimidated with just a few words.  

This first encounter had given Zheng Jinxin a clear glimpse of Su Tang’s true nature.  

“We’ve arrived at the residential compound. Do you also live here, Nurse Zheng?”  

As they reached the residential area, Su Tang stopped at the entrance and addressed Zheng Jinxin.  

Her tone made it clear she had no intention of inviting Zheng Jinxin in for tea.  

“See you next time.”  

Zheng Jinxin maintained her polite smile before turning to leave.  

Su Tang stood at the doorway, arms crossed, watching Zheng Jinxin’s retreating figure.  

Zheng Jinxin had undoubtedly picked up on the subtext of her words, but Su Tang didn’t care.  

She wasn’t afraid of Zheng Jinxin—whatever came her way, she’d handle it.  

“Little sister-in-law?”  

Just as Su Tang was about to leave, she heard Chang Jia’s voice. She turned and saw him returning with Lu Xiao.  

The man’s usually indifferent face was still dust-streaked from training, making him look like he’d just escaped a famine.  

“Did you go out, little sister-in-law?”  

Noticing the bag on Su Tang’s back, Chang Jia asked casually. Su Tang nodded lightly.  

“I went to mail a letter to my parents. I also ran into Nurse Zheng.”  

When she mentioned Zheng Jinxin, Su Tang’s gaze lingered on Lu Xiao, as if curious about his reaction.  

But Lu Xiao remained as impassive as ever. Hearing “Nurse Zheng” was no different from hearing a stranger’s name.  

“Nurse Zheng?”  

Chang Jia, however, instinctively glanced at Lu Xiao.  

That reaction was… interesting.  

Su Tang’s lips curved into a smile, though she pretended not to notice. “Would you like to come in for some water?”  

Just as Chang Jia was about to accept, Lu Xiao cut him off.  

“He’s just here to grab something. He’ll head back to the dorm soon.”  

“I—yeah, yeah, I’m going back to the dorm. Next time, little sister-in-law!”  

Chang Jia winced as Lu Xiao pinched his waist.  

This Lu Xiao—abandoning his brother for his wife, huh?  

Besides, there was nothing between him and Zheng Jinxin. Why worry about him saying too much?  

With that, Chang Jia fled as if escaping disaster.  

Lu Xiao stepped forward and walked home side by side with Su Tang.  

Once inside, Lu Xiao washed his face and went to the inner room to change.  

“I ran into Hu Lili at the post office today.”  

Su Tang’s words made Lu Xiao pause as he emerged. “Did she give you trouble?”  

“Yep. Not only did she give me trouble, but she also threatened to report me.”  

Su Tang poured water for both of them, then sat back down with an enamel cup and recounted the whole story.  

“Hu Lili seems absolutely determined to have you.”  

Her teasing remark didn’t so much as flicker Lu Xiao’s expression.  

He sat down on a chair and looked at Su Tang.  

Lu Xiao kept his hair cropped in a no-nonsense buzz cut, making him appear sharp and efficient.  

Without hair to soften his features, his hawk-like eyes were even more striking—dark as obsidian, deep as the night.  

“Hu Lili and Hu Jianjun’s parents died while working on the development of the northwest.”  

“That railway you took to get here.”  

After gulping down his water, Lu Xiao continued, “The leadership arranged jobs for the two siblings as a gesture of compassion.”  

“But if Hu Lili gives you any more trouble in the future, let me know.”

Hearing this, Su Tang set her enamel cup aside, propped her elbows on the table, and rested her face in her palms.  

She leaned slightly forward, the scent of jasmine balm drifting around her like a natural fragrance.  

“Tell you, and then what?”  

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a glow over Su Tang.  

Her fair skin, delicate features, and amber eyes made Lu Xiao feel like she was a porcelain doll.  

He had never seen such a beautiful girl—so beautiful that he could hardly believe she was his wife.  

“Someone will handle it. If she bullies you again, she’ll be violating discipline.”  

Lu Xiao watched as Su Tang’s slender fingers tapped lightly against her cheek, like playing piano.  

One finger down, another up.  

The sight stirred restless thoughts in his mind.  

He quickly turned his head away, refusing to look at her anymore.  

“Oh, I thought you were going to stand up for me.”  

Lu Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, but the tips of his ears flushed red, betraying him.  

“I—”  

“I can handle it myself.”  

Su Tang stopped teasing him and stood up to change clothes.  

Lu Xiao followed suit, quickly adding, “No fighting.”  

“Do I seem that violent to you? If it really came to a fight, I wouldn’t stand a chance against Hu Lili.”  

With that, she tapped Lu Xiao’s forehead lightly. “I use this.”  

Given her delicate position and the hostility around her, even the slightest misstep could get her labeled.  

Su Tang had no intention of inviting trouble—she wouldn’t do anything that might backfire on her.  

“I’m going to change and visit Sister-in-law Zhang Cui.”  

Su Tang walked into the inner room and set aside Lu Xiao’s dirty clothes.  

Lu Xiao stared at her clean outfit—hadn’t she just changed into that this morning?  

Su Tang switched into a white-collar-style ensemble, tying up her hair for the first time.  

She also applied a bit of lip balm.  

The woman in the mirror smiled back at her, and Su Tang couldn’t help but marvel—youth was truly a gift.  

With a face like this, she could easily be a star.  

Just as Lu Xiao was about to start cooking, he saw Su Tang step out, impeccably dressed.  

She looked as stunning as a pin-up girl.  

Was she dolling herself up just to see Sister-in-law Zhang Cui?  

Lu Xiao clenched the firewood in his hand, a sudden pang of nervousness hitting him.  

Once outside, Su Tang didn’t head straight to Zhang Cui’s house. Instead, she took a stroll around the residential compound.  

She didn’t know how many eyes she caught along the way.  

After collecting envious glances from the other women, Su Tang finally knocked on Zhang Cui’s door.  

Zhang Cui opened the door, holding her child, and gasped at the sight of Su Tang.  

“Goodness, I thought a movie star had come to my house!”  

“Sister-in-law, do you have a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”  

Su Tang smiled as she took little Maisui from her arms.  

“Of course, come in! What’s the occasion for dressing up so fancy?”  

Zhang Cui ushered her inside, and Su Tang got straight to the point.  

“I want to make something to trade with everyone.”  

Zhang Cui blinked in confusion. “Trade for what?”  

“For things you can’t just buy outside, of course.”  

“This is also a way to get closer to everyone. Otherwise, if Hu Lili bullies me again, no one will speak up for me.”