Chapter 34: Only Flirting, No Responsibility

Knock knock knock.

She already knew who it was just from the sound at the door.

“Come in.”

Wen Nian hurriedly stashed away her cash and randomly grabbed a book to pretend she was reading.

Lu Hanzheng pushed open the door and handed her an envelope.

Wen Nian looked puzzled.

When she opened it, she was surprised to find it was a letter of introduction.

And it was valid for six months.

Wen Nian broke into a smile. She had thought he was just saying it casually last time—she hadn’t expected him to follow through so quickly.

Hadn’t he been leading a team for training in the mountains these past few days?

And yet he still remembered this. It really seemed like she meant something to him.

“Um… can you help me transfer my household registration here too?”

If the letter of introduction could be handled on her behalf, maybe the hukou transfer could be, too.

It would be best to resolve everything once and for all.

Lu Hanzheng frowned slightly.

“No.”

“Why not? Is it that difficult?”

Lu Hanzheng explained patiently.

“If you move it out, where would you register it? As long as Wen Jiankang doesn’t give his permission, you can’t transfer it here.”

Wen Nian took the opportunity to ask, “What if I bought a house? Could I move my registration here then?”

Lu Hanzheng gave her a look, his expression unreadable.

“You’re thinking about buying a house?”

“I was just saying…” she replied casually.

But of course she was planning to buy one.

Just thinking about the future housing prices in Beijing made them feel completely out of reach.

Better to buy a few while things were still cheap—there’d be no downside.

And if she could get her hands on a courtyard house, even better.

The woman before him was clearly being evasive—she wasn’t telling the truth.

Lu Hanzheng lifted his gaze and studied her closely.

“You really want to settle your registration in Beijing?”

Wen Nian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

It wasn’t just that she wanted to get out from under Wen Jiankang’s thumb.

She also knew that if the original female lead ever suddenly returned, and the truth was exposed—

Her place in the Lu family would vanish instantly, held together only by the kindness Lu Binghuai felt for the female lead’s father.

If things ever fell apart between her and Lu Hanzheng…

She wouldn’t even have a proper identity anymore.

She might actually end up homeless.

Lu Hanzheng stared into her eyes, his deep voice magnetic and calm.

“If you want to transfer your registration to Beijing, getting married is the easiest way.”

Of course, having a formal job could also allow for hukou relocation.

But there were far too many people and far too few spots—most jobs were one-in-one-out.

And many were inherited through family connections.

Buying a house to gain registration was the most difficult route of all.

In recent years, urban housing had grown tight due to the return of educated youth from the countryside.

There wasn’t enough for people already living there, let alone extra to sell to outsiders.

Even if there was availability, it would be handled internally before ever hitting the market.

If you didn’t have connections, you could forget about it.

Wen Nian pouted slightly. She had no desire to step into the grave that was marriage.

Her own father was a prime example.

He and her mother had been in love—they’d dated freely, from school uniforms to wedding attire.

And what happened?

They couldn’t even make it past the seven-year itch.

The deeper their love once was, the uglier things got when it ended.

Now they acted like strangers who had never known each other.

Wen Nian never considered herself someone who loved deeply.

Love had a shelf life.

What mattered was the sweet part while it lasted.

Right now, she just wanted to enjoy a sweet, simple romance.

As for the future—she wasn’t ready to make promises.

Without thinking twice, Wen Nian directly turned down his suggestion.

“Forget it, then.”

Marriage wasn’t part of her life plan at all.

Lu Hanzheng’s gaze never left her.

This woman was completely indifferent, almost scornful, when it came to the idea of marriage.

“You don’t want to get married?” he asked, cutting straight to the point, his tone serious and earnest.

Wen Nian’s heart gave a jolt—she hadn’t expected this man to be so perceptive.

She quickly explained, “I just meant it’s not right to marry someone casually just to relocate your household registration. That kind of thing isn’t worth it.”

Only then did Lu Hanzheng ease his sharp demeanor, seeming somewhat satisfied with her answer.

A faint hint of a smile appeared in his dark eyes.

Wen Nian put away the introduction letter and took two steps back to put some distance between them.

She was clearly seeing him out.

“It’s late. I need to rest.”

The air suddenly went quiet.

Lu Hanzheng’s dark eyes deepened as he frowned slightly.

Was she… avoiding him?

His gaze locked onto her like a hunter sizing up his prey, each step closer pressing her further back.

For every step he took forward, she instinctively took one back.

Wen Nian raised a hand to stop him, pressing it lightly against his chest.

With a serious face, she said, “Hold on. Even if we’re dating, we still need to maintain some distance.”

She hadn’t forgotten what he’d said before.

Lu Hanzheng gave a low snort. So this little woman had been dodging him all day because she’d been waiting for this.

He sauntered forward without a care.

Looking down at her from above, his voice was deep and magnetic. “I meant outside, not at home.”

Under the dim light, Wen Nian’s porcelain-like face looked soft and tender.

The loose, low-cut nightgown she wore couldn’t hide her curvaceous figure.

Especially that deep cleavage in front—completely exposed.

Lu Hanzheng felt his throat tighten.

He stood at about 188 cm tall, a full head taller than her.

Now he was practically towering over her by the edge of her small bed.

Wen Nian’s back bumped against the edge of the bed, and she seemed to trip over something. With a surprised yelp, she lost her balance.

Lu Hanzheng had initially just intended to deliver the letter and leave.

It wasn’t exactly appropriate for an unmarried man and woman to be alone in a room late at night—even if they were dating.

But for some reason, he just couldn’t make himself leave.

When he saw her falling, he didn’t hesitate. He rushed forward and caught her in his arms, and the two of them toppled onto the bed together.

Beds of this era weren’t like the soft, bouncy mattresses of the modern day.

Here, it was all wooden frames—even with two thick blankets laid on top, a fall like that wasn’t exactly comfortable.

Luckily, the man’s body softened the impact for her.

Wen Nian’s eyes welled up with tears as she let out a soft, pained moan. “It hurts…”

As she spoke, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her waist. “Rub it for me.”

Lu Hanzheng saw that she seemed genuinely in pain, so he didn’t refuse.

His large hand gently kneaded the soft curve of her waist.

Wen Nian, feeling the soothing touch, started letting out soft, contented hums.

Her little hands began to mischievously roam his chest.

“Comrade Lu, even if we’re dating, isn’t this a bit too intimate?”

Listening to the little woman’s sweet, breathy sighs beneath him, Lu Hanzheng felt his mouth go dry.

Her words sounded proper but were laced with teasing—completely provocative.

The fire burning inside Lu Hanzheng only grew stronger.

But he still managed to hold himself back.

Even if they were dating, some boundaries shouldn’t be crossed.

Just as he was about to get up, the woman below him wrapped her arms around his neck.

Then, with her soft, red lips, she kissed him full on.

Wen Nian always made soft, coy sounds when she kissed, her little hands restlessly exploring.

Lu Hanzheng, despite being a straight-laced, upright soldier—

—was still a young man full of vigor, with no experience in love, holding the woman he liked in his arms.

Even with his steel-like willpower, resisting her was becoming more and more difficult.

The past between them—he could forget it if he had to.

Starting over wasn’t such a bad idea.

Wen Nian’s cheeks flushed pink from the kiss, her lips red and glistening.

She looked like a cat who’d stolen a treat, leaning into the man’s chest with a beaming smile.

Then she playfully poked his chest with her finger.

When he was relaxed, his muscles weren’t rock-hard, but they weren’t soft either.

They felt smooth, firm, with just the right amount of bounce—very pleasant to the touch.