Outside the military base gate, Song Tian crouched by the roadside, curling up into a tiny ball, looking dejected—like a little abandoned kitten.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her from above, wrapping her entirely in darkness.
Song Tian looked up and met Lu Beizhen’s gaze.
From her angle, looking up at him, the man’s strong profile was strikingly heroic, his features sharp, and his expression piercing.
“What are you doing here, lingering around?”
Song Tian supported herself on her knees and stood up, rubbing her hands awkwardly. “I… got lost.”
She was worried Lu Beizhen wouldn’t believe her and might think she was some villain trying to steal military secrets, so she hurried to explain.
“It’s true! I also thought it was strange. Brother Yi clearly told me where the bus stop was, but I circled around several times and couldn’t find it. Not only that, I kept ending up back at the base gate. My legs are exhausted, so I thought I’d rest a bit before continuing to look…”
Her little mouth babbled nonstop, her soft, delicate voice spilling out words in a rush.
Lu Beizhen’s expression darkened. “Wait here.”
Song Tian was puzzled, staring blankly as Lu Beizhen returned into the base.
After a short while, he drove out in a military jeep and stopped in front of her. “Get in.”
He was actually going to give her a ride?
Song Tian didn’t hesitate, curling into the back seat.
She was exhausted from walking and still couldn’t find her way. If someone was offering to take her to the bus stop, why refuse?
But soon, Song Tian realized the jeep had already passed the bus stop and showed no sign of stopping.
“Commander Lu, you can just drop me off at that bus stop,” she said.
Lu Beizhen didn’t slow down. With the back of his head facing her, she could only hear his tense voice: “Drop you there and let you keep wandering in circles until morning?”
Song Tian felt frustrated.
If the bus stopped service, it stopped service. Why still wander around?
Isn’t this man supposed to be a staunch materialist?
But she didn’t ask out loud.
She was afraid Lu Beizhen might get angry and kick her out, forcing her to walk back to the military residential compound.
Silence fell between them in the car.
Song Tian, bored, turned to watch the scenery flashing past the window.
As she watched, she realized they had reached the town.
Although it was dusk, the department store was still open, the emerald-green glass doors decorated with red-on-white “Welcome” signs.
Clutching her three large bills tightly, Song Tian hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Commander Lu, could we stop for a bit? I want to buy something, please, please!”
She clasped her hands together in front of her, her apricot-colored eyes shining with pleading sincerity.
The jeep’s handbrake clicked. Lu Beizhen’s voice carried a thread of coldness: “Five minutes.”
Song Tian seized the moment, hopping out of the jeep and rushing into the department store.
But when she came out, she was still three minutes late.
Lu Beizhen’s hand rested on the steering wheel, his long, bony fingers tapping lightly, his eyes darkening.
“Sorry,” Song Tian said, sweat beading on her forehead as she stuffed her purchases into the car. “I didn’t have tickets, so I had to exchange money with someone. It took longer than expected, but I got a lot. Look at this dress, and this, this one is for…”
She rifled through the bag, intending to show Lu Beizhen.
Then remembering something, she quickly added, “Oh, by the way, I bought all of these with today’s wages.”
Lu Beizhen’s eyes were already cold, and now they darkened further.
So, in this woman’s mind, he was some petty, calculating type?
“Put that stuff away. Don’t leave it on my seat.” His voice was low, indifferent, and he didn’t even raise his eyelids.
Song Tian’s hands were on a gift box inside the bag, but she quietly withdrew them at his words.
Was it because she was late?
Why did he look so angry?
She placed the bag at her feet, but her eyes fell on the gift box.
After a moment of thought, she decided to take it out for Lu Beizhen.
It was the belt she had bought for him.
It was during a big sale, so after including the cost of exchanging vouchers, it totaled 2.34 yuan.
Although Lu Beizhen wasn’t fond of her, she still had the status of his wife, and since he was giving her a ride back, she felt she should show some gratitude.
“Lu… uh!”
Before Song Tian could finish, Lu Beizhen slammed on the accelerator. The jeep shot forward.
On the remaining stretch, he drove aggressively, as if venting, changing lanes repeatedly. Song Tian felt her head spinning and slightly nauseous.
Finally, they arrived at the military residential compound.
Fang Shuqin was waiting outside and immediately rushed over upon seeing the familiar jeep.
“Little Sweetie, you’re back! Did you see Bei… Beizhen? I’m not mistaken, right? He brought you back himself!”
Her excitement made her voice so loud that even the sparrows on the telephone pole flew away.
Fang Shuqin couldn’t help but think: he wouldn’t let someone else bring his own wife home, huh?
Well, with such a beautiful little Sweetie, if she went back alone with another man, what if she got kidnapped?
This brat is quick to catch on.
“Come on, come on, home for dinner!” Fang Shuqin dragged Lu Beizhen toward the house without waiting for a response.
After finally catching him, there was no way she’d let him escape again.
Lu Beizhen resisted. “I still have things to do.”
“No matter how busy you are, you have to eat. If you leave now, I swear I’ll shout and have everyone in the compound come judge this!”
“…”
In the end, Lu Beizhen returned home.
Song Tian, still exhausted, collapsed onto the sofa.
Thinking of the things she had bought, she forced herself to sit up. “Mom, this dress is for you.”
“A dress?”
Fang Shuqin looked puzzled but opened the bag and immediately her eyes lit up.
“Isn’t this the dress I liked last time but couldn’t bring myself to buy? It was over five yuan! You finally earned some money, and you spent it all on me. Quick, quick, go return it!”
“I didn’t get a receipt, so it can’t be returned,” Song Tian said. “If you don’t want it, you’ll have to throw it away.”
“You kid! Next time, don’t buy me anything.”
Fang Shuqin muttered, but she couldn’t resist holding the dress up and comparing it.
It really was beautiful.
And since it came from her precious daughter-in-law, it seemed even more beautiful.
Nearby, Lu Beizhen pressed his lips together, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Over five yuan was just the dress itself; Song Tian had also exchanged vouchers, which probably cost quite a bit.
Such an amount was not small, so she made a point to say it was her own money.
Then his reaction back then…
Fang Shuqin, moved to tears, turned and noticed her son giving Song Tian an ambiguous look.
Could it be… jealousy?
She immediately nudged Song Tian. “Little Sweetie, what about the gift for Beizhen? Show it to him!”
Song Tian looked a little embarrassed. “I…”
The gift was ready, but Lu Beizhen had just said in the car that the things she bought were junk.
He probably didn’t like them.
Fang Shuqin, thinking she hadn’t prepared anything, quickly smoothed things over. “Oh, my memory! You already prepared it yesterday in my room. I’ll go get it!”
She leaned close to Song Tian and whispered, “I also have two pairs of unworn women’s nylon socks in my room. Just say you bought these—they’re the latest style, he’ll definitely believe it.”
With her help, Lu Beizhen would surely be touched.
Just as Fang Shuqin turned to go inside, Song Tian quickly stopped her.
She couldn’t imagine Lu Beizhen’s reaction if he received two pairs of women’s nylon socks.
“It’s here. For you.” Song Tian pulled the gift box from the bag.
Might as well give it.
Although Lu Beizhen didn’t like her much, he hadn’t forced her to leave the Lu household yet. Since she bought it, not giving him the belt would be pointless.
Fang Shuqin clapped her hands. “Beizhen, Little Sweetie really cares about you. Open it and see!”
Lu Beizhen was silent for a few seconds, then reached for the box and slowly opened it.
What was inside left him stunned.
Fang Shuqin peeked and quickly covered her eyes.
Heavens… is this really a gift she’s allowed to see?