Seeing Lu Chengjing’s furrowed brow, Lin Shuyao knew he didn’t believe her at all. Her heart pounded anxiously, but she dared not show a hint of panic. She could only brace herself and continue:
“I know you don’t believe me. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t believe it either. But that’s the truth. I was blinded before, but now I’ve come to my senses completely.”
“Hmm.”
What did “hmm” even mean?
Lin Shuyao softened her tone again, her eyes tinged with just the right amount of guilt. “Really, I regret it so much it’s killing me! If you’re still worried, we can set some ground rules: I’ll live my life, you’ll live yours, and I won’t interfere with your private life at all! I just want to settle down in the southwest. Once I’ve stabilized my job, if you still want a divorce, I won’t say a word.”
Lin Shuyao rambled on and on, but Lu Chengjing remained silent, his deep eyes fixed on her for a long time.
Lin Shuyao grew uneasy under his gaze, forcing herself not to look away. Her eyes flickered with nervousness, genuinely looking as though she was sincerely remorseful.
Lu Chengjing tapped his fingers lightly on his knee twice. After a moment, he finally withdrew his gaze, his tone still cold but no longer emphasizing the matter of sending her away. “Focus on recovering first. We’ll talk when you’re back on your feet.”
Lin Shuyao instantly breathed a sigh of relief, her anxious heart finally settling back into place. She quickly nodded. “Thank you, Battalion Commander Lu! Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble!”
In the afternoon, the re-examination results came in.
The doctor said Lin Shuyao’s altitude sickness had eased and she only needed to rest at home. For the next few days, she should take it easy and avoid exertion.
Lu Chengjing went to handle the discharge procedures and returned with several packets of medicine prescribed by the hospital.
“Let’s go,” he said succinctly, picking up the luggage and leading the way out.
Lin Shuyao marveled inwardly. The luggage she had struggled to drag seemed weightless in this man’s hands.
The hospital wasn’t particularly close to the military compound. Lu Chengjing pushed a slightly worn 28-inch bicycle, letting Lin Shuyao sit on the back seat while he tied the luggage to the front bar. He kept his distance from her, pushing the bicycle as they made their way back.
The two walked in silence, accompanied only by the rumbling of the wheels on the dirt road and the occasional sound of the wind.
Sitting on the back seat, Lin Shuyao stole glances at Lu Chengjing’s back—broad, upright, like a pine tree rooted in the highlands.
This physique… was truly top-tier!
After about half an hour, the gate of the military compound finally came into view.
The sentry at the gate stood ramrod straight. Upon seeing Lu Chengjing, he immediately saluted crisply: “Battalion Commander Lu!”
“Good!”
Lu Chengjing returned the salute, parked the bicycle to the side, picked up the luggage, and led Lin Shuyao inside.
The layout of the military compound was orderly, with rows of brick-and-tile houses neatly arranged. Occasionally, they passed a few military family members picking vegetables or doing laundry at their doorsteps. They smiled and greeted Lu Chengjing, their curious gazes lingering on Lin Shuyao behind him.
Most military family members were straightforward and candid, their stares direct and unflinching. Lin Shuyao felt a bit uncomfortable under their scrutiny and instinctively moved closer to Lu Chengjing.
Lu Chengjing seemed to notice. He paused slightly and said calmly to the neighbors, “This is my wife, Lin Shuyao. She just arrived from Jingdu.”
A simple sentence, but it resolved Lin Shuyao’s predicament and established her identity.
Wife already?
Was this man the type who talked tough but acted otherwise?
Lin Shuyao blinked her eyes and quickly followed with a nod and a smile, offering a greeting.
In reality, Lin Shuyao was overthinking things. Everyone in the Xinan Junqu knew that Lu Chengjing was married, and it was precisely because of his marital status that he had been approved by his superiors to take charge of the country’s most elite 233 Tezhan Ying.
Recently, Lu Chengjing had performed exceptionally well and had the opportunity to be promoted to the rank of regiment commander. However, due to a divorce application, the promotion had been put on hold.
Lu Chengjing’s willingness to openly acknowledge Lin Shuyao’s identity also had its own motives.
He wanted to assess the situation first. If the divorce could be postponed, he still intended to fight for the promotion.
Both husband and wife had their own little schemes, secretly using each other in the process.
Turning down a narrow alley, Lu Chengjing stopped in front of a small courtyard facing south.
“We’re here.”
Before he could take out his keys to unlock the door, it swung open from the inside.
Standing at the entrance was a woman wearing a dark blue jacket. She was petite, gentle in demeanor, and undeniably beautiful.
When she noticed Lin Shuyao behind Lu Chengjing, her smile faltered, and her eyes held a clear, scrutinizing gaze. “Chengjing, you’re back. Who is this?”
“Sister-in-law, this is Lin Shuyao.”
The woman was Lu Chengjing’s widowed sister-in-law, Bai Qiaolan.
“Lin Shuyao? Is she your…” Bai Qiaolan’s words trailed off, her scrutinizing gaze instantly turning to surprise, with a hint of barely noticeable tension. “So, it’s Comrade Lin from Jingdu.”
Bai Qiaolan had been married into the Lu family for five years and had naturally heard of Lin Shuyao’s name. Although they had never met, her impression of Lin Shuyao was extremely poor.
She knew that Lin Shuyao and Chengjing had been introduced to each other for marriage, and she was also aware of Lin Shuyao’s poor character, fickleness, and her current obsession with seeking a divorce. Lin Shuyao had even repeatedly written letters urging the matter, showing no regard for Chengjing’s situation.
Lu Chengjing naturally noticed Bai Qiaolan’s unusual reaction. He subtly shifted his stance, instinctively positioning himself in front of Lin Shuyao. “She just arrived from Jingdu and suffered from altitude sickness on the way. The doctor said she needs plenty of rest.”
This was clearly an attempt to prevent Bai Qiaolan from saying anything more.
When Lin Shuyao first saw Bai Qiaolan, she was momentarily confused.
Why was there a woman in Lu Chengjing’s courtyard?
But upon hearing she was the sister-in-law, she quickly took the initiative to greet her. “Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Lin Shuyao. I’ll be troubling you to look after me from now on.”
Lin Shuyao could tell that this sister-in-law was somewhat distant toward her, even harboring a hint of hostility.
Bai Qiaolan forced a smile and stepped aside to let them in. “Come in. It’s windy outside. Comrade Lin, there’s no need to be polite. Since you’re a guest, and Chengjing is usually busy, it’s only right for me to look after you on his behalf.”
This tone… felt off somehow.
Lin Shuyao glanced back and forth between the two of them.
A charming widow paired with a cold, tough man—it seemed quite intriguing!
Could these two be involved in some forbidden romance?
But thinking about Lu Chengjing’s character, it seemed impossible.
Lu Chengjing was as upright as they come—a soldier’s temperament, dedicated to the country and its people, a true man of integrity.
Her thoughts were dangerous, even wicked!
Lin Shuyao quickly reined in her wild imagination. “Well, thank you, sister-in-law. But I’m here to join the army as a dependent, not as a guest.”
“Ah?” Bai Qiaolan’s small mouth fell slightly open.
Before she could ask anything more, Lu Chengjing pointed to a room further inside and said, “You’ll stay in that room. I’ll go put your luggage away.”
“Alright~”
Lu Chengjing was the one who cut off the conversation. Even if Bai Qiaolan had more to say, she wisely held her tongue.
Lin Shuyao had no intention of explaining further either. Her goal in coming to the southwest was clear: she neither wanted to offend Lu Chengjing and his family, nor did she see the need to be overly enthusiastic, lest it lead to deeper misunderstandings.