This man really was wicked. He didn’t even properly introduce her identity.
Shen Ruanruan inwardly complained about him for a while, then turned around and smiled sweetly at Sister Chen.
“May I ask if your surname is Chen, sister?”
That question made Sister Chen pause for a moment. She shook her head. “Little sister, my surname is Cao.”
“Oh, then would you mind if I call you Sister Cao?”
Sister Chen—no, Sister Cao—froze completely.
For so many years, everyone had been used to calling women by their father’s surname before marriage, then their husband’s surname after marriage. Luckily, she and her father shared the same surname, so she could still be called “Cao family’s daughter.” Later, after marrying Chen Jianshe, she became “Jianshe’s wife,” and after coming to the army, she became “Chen’s wife.”
So unfamiliar that she had almost forgotten her own surname.
“Of course I don’t mind.” Sister Cao’s smile deepened. This girl was very clear-minded—this fierce little brat really got lucky.
Shen Ruanruan knew her question might have been a bit improper, but she couldn’t help it.
Every person was an independent individual, yet women were always labeled by their father’s surname, husband’s surname, or children’s surname. Over time, they were submerged under others’ identities and slowly lost themselves.
Like her mother, Huo Shujun—at school, people only called her “Professor Huo,” never “Dean Shen’s wife.”
“Sister Cao is so pretty. Calling you ‘sister-in-law’ makes you sound older.”
She wasn’t just flattering her. Beauty came from bone structure, not just appearance—Sister Cao had a very elegant, generous look. In modern times, with proper styling, she would have a gentle, mature charm.
Sister Cao immediately felt embarrassed. “Oh my, this girl has such a sweet mouth. I’m already this old, what do you mean pretty?”
“I’m not just being sweet-tongued. I’m telling the truth.”
Shen Ruanruan was very sincere.
Sister Cao could tell she meant it and laughed so hard she couldn’t close her mouth.
“Ruanruan, after chatting so long, I still don’t know your name.”
“Sister, my name is Shen Ruanruan, I am—” she glanced at Lu Mingye, who had been watching them the whole time.
“I am Deputy Battalion Commander Lu Mingye’s fiancée.”
Bang.
Lu Mingye had not expected her to admit it so openly—no hesitation, no shyness. His joy exploded like fireworks.
Yes… she had always been like this—so good at pleasing people, so open and honest… little liar.
Sister Cao, knowing her husband’s connections, was quite familiar with Lu Mingye. She stole a glance at him and saw the smile at the corner of his mouth that he couldn’t hide. She also smiled.
“Ruanruan, what a nice name. This kid really struck gold!”
After saying that, she didn’t stay to disturb them any longer, only telling them to come over for dinner sometime before heading home.
Now only the two of them were left, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
“You’re quite good at sweet-talking people.”
Lu Mingye raised an eyebrow and carried the suitcase into the courtyard, not expecting her to respond.
Shen Ruanruan pouted inwardly. Hmph. This fierce man somehow managed to “strike gold” by getting such a good wife like her!
……
Inside, they found the courtyard was quite spacious, square and symmetrical. There were two bedrooms in the east and west wings, a main hall in the center, a kitchen on the east side, and a toilet in the west corner. The yard also had a patch of land that had already been cleaned and leveled.
“Miss, are you satisfied?”
Since the ground was a bit dusty, Lu Mingye placed her suitcase on the table.
Shen Ruanruan ran through each room like a little bouncing rabbit. Before long, she was already sweating on her forehead. She nodded vigorously.
“Very satisfied. Extremely satisfied.”
Much better than she had imagined!
Lu Mingye raised an eyebrow. “Then we settle here?”
“This place it is,” she said.
She found it strange—this man seemed to know her too well. From her favorite snacks, to meals, to White Rabbit candies… and now even the courtyard choice.
One coincidence was fine, but could everything really be coincidence?
So what Wen Yan said… was probably true.
But then there was that sunflower hair tie…
Lu Mingye felt slightly relieved. He was indeed the one who understood her best. That little pretty-boy from before couldn’t compare, right?
Thinking of that man made him feel irritated again. His face darkened as he picked up her suitcase and walked toward the east room.
“Hey, what are you doing?” she hurried after him.
He placed the suitcase down. “Cleaning your room. Or do you know how to do it?”
Shen Ruanruan choked. She really didn’t.
“Can you stop calling me ‘Miss’ all the time? What if someone hears and reports us?”
“Fair point.” That seemed to spark his interest. He tapped his chin. “Then what do others call you? Comrade Shen? Shen Ruanruan? Or… Ruanruan?”
His voice softened and stretched out the last syllable, like a whisper brushing against her ear.
His voice was already pleasant, and it made her ears turn completely red.
He noticed it immediately, fingers curling slightly before relaxing.
“Go wait outside,” he said quickly.
If he teased her any more, he might not be able to hold himself back either.
“Ruanruan.”
The girl suddenly grabbed his large hand.
He froze instantly. “What?”
Shen Ruanruan looked up at him seriously, trying to suppress her shyness.
“My family calls me Ruanruan. Since we’re going to be married, you can call me that too.”
Something in his chest seemed to be struck hard.
Family.
He was her family.
The man quickly tightened his grip on her hand, then let go just as fast. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her out.
“Alright, Ruanruan—Miss,” he said coldly but with a hint of coaxing. “If you don’t want to become a little beggar, behave and wait outside.”
Click.
The door closed, and she didn’t see that the man’s lips had been curved upward for a long time.
……
After getting the courtyard keys, Lu Mingye had already cleaned it roughly, but dust had settled again after a few days. Since Shen Ruanruan was very particular, he carefully cleaned it once more before letting her in.
When she came back in, she was shocked.
Was this man secretly a housekeeper? The place looked brand new.
They quickly split the work, and she prepared to unpack her things.
“Lu Mingye, maybe you should take this room instead. I’ll take the smaller one.”
She thought it was normal—they weren’t married yet, so sleeping separately made sense, and she had already troubled him enough.
But Lu Mingye misunderstood. His brows immediately furrowed.
“Shen Ruanruan, before even getting married, you’re already thinking about sleeping separately?”
“??”
“I didn’t… I—”
Before she could finish, he glared at her fiercely.
“Shut up. I’m telling you—unless I’m useless, I will never sleep separately from my wife. And even if I were useless, I still wouldn’t!”
Shen Ruanruan, blushing intensely, went off to unpack her clothes.