Xia Zhi looked at Lu Beiting in astonishment. She hadn’t expected this man to stand up for her.  

Lu Weifeng was equally surprised that Lu Beiting would defy him for a woman he’d known for less than a day.  

“Lu Beiting! I’m your father! Don’t think just because you’ve achieved some success in the military, you can disrespect your elders! So what if you’re just a measly battalion commander now? Even if you someday become a general, I’ll still be your father!”

Lu Weifeng glared at his son, his face twisted in anger. The older he got, the more rebellious he became.  

“I worked hard to send you to the military, to find you a good wife—who do you think I did all this for? Huh? For your own future! And now you’ve grown wings? You don’t even care about your father anymore? What kind of son have I raised—a heartless ingrate?”

Lu Beiting’s lips pressed into a thin line, his hands on his knees clenching tightly, his expression tense.  

Yes, he was his father. He was grateful that he had sent him to the military. But as for the wife they’d chosen for him—had they ever asked for his opinion?  

Xia Zhi watched Lu Beiting’s darkening expression, her heart a mix of complicated emotions. So even someone as cold and unapproachable as him couldn’t escape the weight of filial piety.  

Lu Weifeng continued his furious tirade.  

Beside them, Li Jianguo’s expression wasn’t much better either. Though this was a family matter he shouldn’t interfere with, the insults were getting out of hand.  

“Oh, so you’re his father—big deal. Have you not noticed he’s injured?”

Xia Zhi pushed Lu Beiting’s wheelchair aside and couldn’t help but speak up, glaring at Lu Weifeng, who was still spewing angry words.  

“Seriously, are you even his real dad? All you’ve done since you got here is criticize him. I think you’re the one who’s sick in the head!”

When Lu Weifeng saw Xia Zhi daring to scold him, his anger flared even higher.  

“Who gave you the right to speak? You’re not even part of the Lu family yet, and even if you were, you’d have no right to raise your voice at me!”

Right now, everything about Xia Zhi rubbed him the wrong way. She was utterly uncouth.  

Xia Zhi laughed in disbelief. The Qing Dynasty had fallen ages ago—what was this guy doing, still acting like some patriarchal tyrant?  

“Oh wow, ‘no right to speak’? Who do you think you are—the Emperor of Heaven?”

“You—!” Lu Weifeng turned to Lu Beiting. “Look at this! Look at the kind of wife you’ve picked!”  

Lu Beiting snorted coldly and simply closed his eyes, refusing to engage.  

But inwardly, he couldn’t help feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.  

Xia Zhi’s opinion of Lu Beiting shot up even higher. A man who stood by his wife was a good man indeed.  

Hands on her hips, she smirked triumphantly at Lu Weifeng. “I happen to know a bit of medicine. Want me to check your brain for free? No charge.”

Lu Beiting nearly choked back a laugh, swallowing hard to suppress his grin.  

Li Jianguo also turned his face away, struggling to keep a straight face.  

This girl was something else.  

Lu Weifeng’s face turned ashen, then red with rage. Trembling, he pointed a finger at her, barely managing to spit out:  

“Xia Zhi, was it? Mark my words—you will never set foot in the Lu family!”

“I’m not marrying you. Why would I need your permission?”

Lu Weifeng was so furious he nearly choked on his own saliva. Seeing Lu Beiting sitting there, letting Xia Zhi have her way, he finally snapped.  

“Lu Beiting! You’re something else!”

With that, he stormed off in a huff.

Xia Zhi patted her chest, her earlier bravado instantly deflating.  

Li Jianguo walked over with a chuckle, his eyes filled with fondness for Xia Zhi.  

“Xiao Xia, you can stay here for now. As for your wedding with Beiting, I’ll have someone recalculate an auspicious date, and then you two can pick one that suits you.”

The previous date had been chosen based on Hao Liping and Lu Beiting’s birth charts. But since the bride had changed, the date naturally needed to be reconsidered.  

“Okay, thank you, Chief.”

Xia Zhi grinned, her demeanor completely different from the fiery one she’d shown earlier.  

She was the perfect example of treat others how they treat you.  

“I won’t disturb you two any longer. Xia Zhi, if you need any help with Beiting’s condition, you can always go to the military hospital and look for Dr. Shen.”

“Got it.”

Xia Zhi acted especially sweet and obedient in front of Li Jianguo. Once she saw him out, she let out a long exhale and patted her chest again.  

That was the Chief! He’s just as intimidating as a homeroom teacher—his presence alone is overwhelming.

Lu Beiting watched her little quirks with curiosity. But when her gaze met his, his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly before he finally muttered, “Thanks.”

Xia Zhi waved it off and plopped down on the bed beside her, taking in Lu Beiting’s living quarters.  

The space was sparse—just a single bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe. It was clean and tidy, and though simple, it was spacious enough for two people.  

Lu Beiting tensed slightly as he noticed her surveying his room.  

Is it okay? I don’t have much, but it’s got the essentials…

After a full scan, Xia Zhi voiced her concern: “Uh… where do I sleep?”

The bed beneath her was clearly only big enough for Lu Beiting alone. Though she was petite, squeezing in would still be tight.  

When Lu Beiting heard her question, his gaze involuntarily landed on the small bed she was sitting on, and the tips of his ears turned red.  

“I’ll have Zhang Yi bring in another one.” 

Xia Zhi glanced outside—it was already dark. She thought of the young soldier who always followed Lu Beiting around.  

“Never mind, it’s too late. Don’t trouble him. We can arrange it tomorrow. Maybe I can just make do with a bedroll on the floor for tonight.”  

Lu Beiting opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, she had already pulled open the wardrobe.  

She stood up and walked over, swinging the door wide—only to freeze in shock.  

The roughly four-foot-wide wardrobe held only a single set of clothes… and nothing else.  

“Ahem… I sent the rest to be washed yesterday. They’re not dry yet,” Lu Beiting admitted awkwardly.  

“Oh. Well… I guess we’ll have to squeeze in then. Don’t worry, I’m a very still sleeper—I won’t crush you.”

Xia Zhi said it so casually that she completely missed the way the man’s ears burned red.  

She almost joked that as a grown man, he could handle a little squishing—but then she realized how that might sound.  

Pushing his wheelchair to the bedside, she eyed the distance between him and the mattress. Zhang Yi probably usually helps him… but I can’t exactly go fetch him now.

Xia Zhi bit her lip. She was strong—she could probably carry him.  

Lu Beiting noticed her hesitation and was about to say he could manage on his own. He braced his arms to shift himself onto the bed—when suddenly, his body lifted into the air.  

Lu Beiting stiffened, his pupils dilating in shock.  

He… was just picked up by a woman?!

“There. Huh, you’re lighter than I expected.” Xia Zhi set him down on the bed, only to look up and see his stunned expression.  

Lu Beiting was still processing what had just happened.  

…Light?!

Seeing his reaction, Xia Zhi assumed he must dislike being touched by women.  

“Uh, don’t get the wrong idea. I just didn’t want you to struggle with your leg. I’m not trying to take advantage of you—I won’t do anything to you.”

Lu Beiting’s breathing hitched.  

Does she even realize what she’s saying?!