And that still wasn’t all. Besides everything else, there was even a bicycle!
“Gosh… all of these are newly bought, right? How much money and how many coupons must this have cost? Deputy Regiment Commander Lu is really generous.”
Someone sucked in a sharp breath.
“They’re newlyweds. Isn’t it normal to buy these things?”
Although even Sister Cao’s heart jumped seeing the mountain of goods, she still defended the couple aloud.
How was this normal?
When they first moved into the military housing area, they couldn’t even unpack all their random old junk, let alone buy this many brand-new things. Some families with lots of children even had to borrow bowls from neighbors.
“Tch, this is what happens when young people don’t have elders around. Nobody keeps them in check, so they just waste money recklessly. A spendthrift wife like this would definitely get taught a lesson by her mother-in-law back in our village!”
Someone spoke sourly.
Sister Cao spat disdainfully.
“Why do you sound so nasty? What does their marriage have to do with you? Besides, do you really think Sister Shen would even look at the crooked melons and cracked dates from your village?”
“You’re the one talking nasty! What’s wrong with the men from our village?”
The older woman looked unconvinced, but after thinking about the young men back home, she couldn’t really say anything against her conscience.
In the end she could only mutter,
“What’s the use of a man being handsome anyway? Looks can’t fill your stomach.”
Sister Cao argued with her a few more times before the two women parted unhappily and went home separately.
Shen Ruanruan knew people in the family compound would definitely gossip seeing them return loaded down with bags and packages.
But she didn’t care.
She was the one living her life. A few comments from others wouldn’t make a piece of flesh fall off her body.
Besides, in her previous life she’d already heard enough gossip to become immune to it.
“Sister, when are you and Xiao Lu planning to get your marriage certificate and hold the wedding banquet?”
Sister Cao asked with a smile.
Shen Ruanruan thought for a moment. They had only arrived yesterday, and today had been spent preparing things for the house. She and Lu Mingye hadn’t discussed it yet.
Their marriage application had already been approved, so they could get the certificate anytime. The sooner the better.
“I’m free anytime, Sister Cao. It just depends on A’Ye’s schedule.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the man happened to walk out carrying things. Hearing her words, he glanced over.
“I already took leave yesterday. Counting the vacation days I saved up over the years plus the marriage leave, I have about half a month.”
“Then tomorrow—”
Her voice suddenly stopped.
No, tomorrow wouldn’t work.
Not only was the house still unfinished, but more importantly, the bed in her room creaked loudly even when she rolled over by herself.
If the two of them slept together after marriage…
Leaving aside whether this giant man could even fit on it—
What if the bed collapsed while they were stumbling around together…
Just imagining the gossip spreading through the family compound the next day made her scalp tingle.
She absolutely did not want to become famous that way.
“We’ll discuss it again later. Sister Cao, come eat at our place when the time comes.”
Sister Cao looked back and forth between the two of them and smiled knowingly without saying more.
“Alright. When you host the banquet, I’ll come help out.”
Then she left.
…
Lu Mingye hoisted a large sack over each shoulder, distracted.
Just now, hadn’t she been about to say they should get the certificate tomorrow?
Why had she suddenly changed her mind?
Could it be she still couldn’t let go of that pretty-boy and was regretting this?
Since he refused to let her help carry things, Shen Ruanruan unpacked the bags and started organizing.
The man made several trips carrying everything inside. After telling her he was going to return the jeep first, he came back and headed into the kitchen to start cooking.
Shen Ruanruan followed him in, surprised.
“You can cook too?”
“I worked in the mess hall during recruit training.”
Lu Mingye had too much on his mind, so his expression remained blank. He picked up the newly bought apron, about to tie it on, but after glancing at Shen Ruanruan standing there dazed, he suddenly set it aside and went to wash vegetables instead.
The faucet was on the other side of the kitchen, so he washed vegetables with his back to her.
When water splashed onto him, the man grabbed the dripping vegetables with both hands and finally spoke.
“Miss Ruanruan, can you help me with something?”
“Coming, coming!”
Shen Ruanruan eagerly rolled up her sleeves.
“You want me to help wash vegetables?”
“No need. I forgot to tie on the new apron, and my hands aren’t convenient right now. Might have to trouble the young miss to help me.”
Lu Mingye put down the vegetables, turned to face her, raised his wet hands, and looked completely innocent.
Shen Ruanruan wanted to say: can’t you just dry your hands and tie it yourself?
But then she thought, he was cooking for her after all. Tying an apron wasn’t a big deal.
Besides…
How could even this man’s hands look so good?
She had always thought wheat-colored skin carried a wild sort of attractiveness. The bulging veins, long fingers, sharply defined joints, all filled with vigorous strength…
And this morning, one of those large hands had easily wrapped around her waist.
If after marriage those hands grabbed somewhere else…
Oh no.
Shen Ruanruan, you’re so horny.
“What are you staring at?”
Lu Mingye followed her gaze.
Was she looking at his… hands?
Shen Ruanruan jolted and quickly lowered her head, pretending to busily search for the apron to hide her embarrassment.
“Heh.”
The man seemed to chuckle softly.
Confused, she looked up, only to find him still wearing the same expressionless face. He even pointed toward the apron.
“It’s here.”
Must’ve been her imagination.
Shen Ruanruan grabbed the apron. The man spread his arms, waiting for her to hug—not hug him, tie the apron.
She hesitated for a second before unfolding the apron and stepping closer while holding the straps.
Then she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Even though his waist wasn’t thick, she still had to press her entire body against him to reach far enough to tie it.
And because she couldn’t see behind him, she could only fumble around blindly.
Her face bumped against his chest muscles from time to time.
Her little hands brushed over his lower back…
Lu Mingye’s breathing gradually became heavier. His eyes darkened as he lowered his gaze to the slender pale line of her neck.
Suddenly, his teeth felt a little itchy.
At this point, he honestly didn’t know whether he was torturing her or himself.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes briefly before pushing her away.
“That’s enough, short arms. I’ll do it myself.”
After kindly helping him tie the apron, she even got mocked for having short arms. Shen Ruanruan was immediately indignant.
“My arms are not short! Why don’t you admit you’re just too huge?! Hmph, tie it yourself then!”
After saying that, she stormed angrily out of the kitchen.
Lu Mingye: “……”
Could a woman say something like that to a man?
…
Shen Ruanruan had assumed the cooking skills he learned in the military were probably only average.
She thought she’d politely force herself to eat a little extra out of appreciation for his effort.
Then she discovered she didn’t need to force herself at all.
His cooking was genuinely delicious.
She even ate more than usual.
“Lu Mingye, your cooking is so good! If I keep eating like this, I’m going to get fat.”
She sighed while rubbing her slightly rounded stomach.
The man’s gaze swept across her belly. It was like his eyes had been burned, and he immediately pretended to sound disgusted.
“With how skinny you are, how could you possibly get fat? Besides, if you eat too little, people outside will say I, Lu Mingye, can’t even afford to feed my wife properly.”
The moment the words left his mouth, both of them froze.