Liang Xin pressed her palm against his forehead—the temperature was even higher than yesterday.
“How could the fever not break but actually get worse?”
Lu Zewei lay silently without responding.
Liang Xin recalled the sound of running water from the bathroom last night. “Did you take a bath yesterday?”
Lu Zewei coughed lightly twice and nodded.
“No more baths. I’ll bring breakfast up. After eating, you need to take your medicine again.”
Lu Zewei watched her put on that sweater pieced together from three or five different colors, then slip on the red woolen coat before leaving the room.
After a while, she returned carrying an enamel tray.
Two bowls of congee, two white steamed buns, two eggs, and a small bowl of pickled radish.
“You eat one and a half buns.” Liang Xin picked up a soft, fluffy white bun and broke it in half. “If it’s not enough, I can get more for you. Considering you have a fever, it’s best to stay in bed. I was afraid if you ate too much, you’d have to get up and walk around to digest, so I didn’t bring much.”
Lu Zewei picked up a bun but suddenly paused. “But I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”
Liang Xin looked at the bun he nearly put in his mouth. “…Brush after eating?”
“Help me over. I can’t eat without brushing first.”
As Lu Zewei threw off the covers, Liang Xin stopped him from getting out of bed. She handed him a cup and brought over the spittoon. “Rinse your mouth.”
Looking at the cup in front of him and then at the breakfast, Lu Zewei suddenly realized that showing weakness could passively help him claim some ground and gain a degree of control.
After rinsing his mouth, he wiped the corners with a handkerchief.
Lu Zewei leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t have the strength to eat.”
Liang Xin studied the suddenly weakened Lu Zewei, then picked up half a bun and took a bite. She placed a piece of radish on it and put it in her mouth, chewing with a crisp “crunch, crunch” sound. After swallowing, she scooped a spoonful of congee and drank it, then took another bite of the bun.
Lu Zewei: “?”
Why did his tactical shift to weakness fail?
Watching Liang Xin chew the white steamed bun with such relish, her face full of enjoyment, he unconsciously swallowed.
“Is white steamed bun that delicious?”
“Very delicious.” Liang Xin placed some radish on the bun and took a bite. “When I was at home, having white steamed bun once a month was considered pretty good.”
Lu Zewei was slightly taken aback. “Is your brigade’s yield per mu low?”
“Depends which brigade you compare it to. Some brigades distribute one or two hundred yuan per person annually, some only a few dozen yuan, and others rely on state relief grain all year round. Our brigade may not have white rice and flour at every meal, but we at least get two meals of dried taro or corn congee daily.”
Lu Zewei handed his white steamed bun to Liang Xin. “If you like it, have more.”
“You eat it.” Liang Xin pointed to the wheat congee. “This is also made from white flour, and it doesn’t have any taro mixed in.”
Lu Zewei didn’t say anything more. He sat up and began eating the bun.
Liang Xin lowered her head, using the bun to hide the corners of her mouth.
Playing weak, feigning hardship—who couldn’t do that?
Although her hardship was related to Wei Yuanyang.
But only having white flour once a month was indeed the real situation.
“Go to the desk lamp, take out the key, and open the left drawer.”
Lu Zewei suddenly gave orders. Liang Xin instinctively glanced at the green-shaded study lamp on the writing desk. “What’s wrong?”
“Just do it.”
“……”
Considering his persistent high fever, Liang Xin got up to help.
Lifting the desk lamp, she spotted a miniature brass key. Inserting it into the lock of the left drawer, she opened it to find an aluminum lunch box inside. Turning back, she asked, “This one?”
Lu Zewei nodded. “Bring it here.”
Liang Xin handed him the lunch box and began clearing the leftover bowls.
Just as she picked up the enamel tray, a stack of money coupons was placed where the bowls had been.
Liang Xin paused slightly and looked up at him.
“Take it,” Lu Zewei said, storing the aluminum lunch box in the bedside table drawer. “If it’s not enough, take from here.”
No sooner had he spoken than Lu Zewei suddenly froze, realizing what he’d done.
Hadn’t he just gained some territory and command authority due to his weakened state? How had he ended up surrendering control of the household finances in the blink of an eye!
Lu Zewei added, “…Report before taking it. A verbal report will do.”
Liang Xin remained silent, quietly watching him.
When she fell silent, her delicate features took on a timid, vulnerable quality that evoked involuntary tenderness.
She wore a thin gray cotton-padded coat, faded from washing, the cotton inside likely hardened from many winters of wear—probably no longer providing much warmth.
Perhaps it had become so thin precisely because it was an old heavy coat that had worn down over time.
And beneath that coat, she probably wore a tattered sweater…
Lu Zewei relented, “Forget it. No need to report. Keep it on your side, use it as you like.”
Liang Xin still showed little reaction, though her eyes now held more emotion than before. After a long while, she finally said, “I have money. Mom gave me some.”
Lu Zewei was momentarily surprised. “What Mom gave you is yours. This is from me—consider it household expenses.”
Liang Xin didn’t take it and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Lu Zewei pointed at the money coupons on the bedside table. “Take these first. Yesterday, my episode didn’t last as long as usual—it actually shortened—but I developed a high fever. Dad scheduled a doctor’s visit, so I can’t accompany you back to your parents’ home today. Use the money to buy flour, grain, and oil. Get whatever else the household needs as you see fit. My grain purchase booklet is in the middle drawer. You can take it to the military service agency or grain store to buy whatever you want.”
Liang Xin turned back, looked at the money coupons on the bedside table, thought for a moment, then returned and picked out just one toilet paper coupon from the pile. “I’ll take this one.”
Lu Zewei suddenly grasped her hand, turned her palm upward, placed all the money coupons into it, and closed her fingers around them.
Liang Xin looked at his well-defined knuckles, her hand enveloped in his, slightly discomforted by the calluses on his palm.
Probably gun calluses, she thought.
Lu Zewei slowly released her soft, almost boneless hand, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against it twice. “Go ahead.”
While the two were negotiating in the bridal chamber, guests had already arrived in the Lu family’s first-floor reception room.
Wei Yuanyang and his mother were seated on the Lu family’s sofa.
They had received a call from Hu Fenglian the previous night, saying that Chief Lu had returned and inviting them over for a gathering.
Wei Yuanyang had wanted to come in a couple of days, but Wang Hongyan insisted, bringing the previously rejected Maotai liquor and Hongtashan premium cigarettes, and showed up at the Lu family’s door early in the morning.
When they entered, the Lu family was still having breakfast, forcing their hosts to cut the meal short to receive them.
“Uncle Lu, Aunt Hu, please finish your meal first. We can talk after you’ve eaten,” Wei Yuanyang apologized. “We came too early and disturbed you.”
“Yes, you go ahead and eat first, we’re practically family.” Wang Hongyan wore a familiar smile. “Back when our Old Wei was still alive, our two families in the barracks would often visit each other carrying our rice bowls—either you’d eat at our place today, or we’d eat at yours tomorrow. We’ve seen each other eating countless times.”
What an act.
Status really does make a difference now.
Putting on airs.
Wang Hongyan smiled warmly on the surface but thought this in her heart.
“Not a disturbance.”
Hu Fenglian didn’t return to the dining table, a trace of weariness between her brows. “Chongfeng had an episode last night and ran a high fever. It kept us up late, so we woke up a bit later this morning.”
But she truly hadn’t expected that just one night after the phone call, the person would show up first thing in the morning.
“Oh! Chongfeng is sick again?” Wang Hongyan immediately feigned concern, glancing around at the double happiness characters on the doors and windows. “Wasn’t it said that Chongfeng got married? How come he fell ill right after the wedding?”
Hu Fenglian was surprised. “Said by whom? How did you know Chongfeng got married?”
Wang Hongyan paused, then quickly forced another smile. “I heard it as soon as I entered the Military Compound. When I said I was going to Chief Lu’s place, the guard leading the way smiled and asked, ‘Are you here for the wedding banquet?’ I was puzzled, and he explained that Chief Lu’s son just got married. I have to say, Fenglian, what’s the relationship between our two families? How could you not notify us about Chongfeng’s wedding?”
“Chongfeng’s wedding wasn’t a formal event. We didn’t even invite folks from our hometown.” Hu Fenglian pressed, “The guard? Which guard?”
“Hey, why focus on that? Regimental Commander Lu…” Wang Hongyan turned to Chief Lu, who had just sat down. “Oh, no, I misspoke. It’s Commander Lu now. Regimental Commander Lu is the Chief of the Military District now, so it should be Commander Lu. Ah…”
Hu Fenglian, who knew why she sighed, really wanted to roll her eyes right then but held back.
And didn’t respond to her remark.
Chief Lu asked, “How is Xiao Li doing now?”
Wang Hongyan’s melancholy instantly shifted to discomfort.
Just two days ago, she had a big argument with her eldest son over her past decision not to work at the service cooperative and instead marrying Old Li.
If it weren’t for Hu Fenglian’s phone call, they would still be locked in a stalemate over the issue.
She never expected Lu Renyi’s first words after sitting down would be about this!
Wang Hongyan glanced at her eldest son’s expression, recalling how she had painstakingly persuaded him before coming, hoping he would stand by her. She immediately squeezed out a few tears and said, “…Sorry, I… I don’t mean to cry, it’s just… I can’t control my tears whenever it’s brought up.”
Hu Fenglian quickly pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over. “Today is for discussing the marriage proposal. Crying like this is so inauspicious. Old Lu, change the subject.”
Wang Hongyan, who had missed her chance to seek help when Chief Lu finally brought it up, only to be cut off by Hu Fenglian’s remark: “……..”
She wiped her tears and blew her nose with her handkerchief. “Fenglian is right. Today, besides the children’s marriage arrangement, we won’t discuss anything else. Chief Lu, Fenglian must have already explained the specifics to you. It might have been my misunderstanding back then—I mistakenly believed that the engagement between our two families would remain valid forever. So after learning Fenglian had given birth to a daughter, I repeatedly emphasized to Yuan Yang: ‘You are betrothed. You must marry Yueji in the future and cannot entertain any other ideas.'”
Lu Renyi maintained a stern expression, showing no emotional fluctuation after hearing this.
Wang Hongyan observed discreetly and understood that whether the marriage alliance would succeed entirely depended on Lu Renyi.
True to his name, Lu Renyi was a man of great benevolence and righteousness.
Just like in the past, for her sake, he had helped Old Li—who, as Old Wei’s guard, found himself unable to stay in the barracks after Old Wei’s death while he remained unscathed—transfer to a military academy.
Later, because of this incident, he was criticized and sent down for re-education.
Meeting again today, not only did he harbor no resentment or blame, but his first question was about Old Li’s situation.
This sufficiently revealed his character and temperament.
So, as long as they could persuade Lu Renyi today, the marriage would be settled, Old Li would be saved, and their whole family’s life would improve!
“All these years, Yuan Yang has never exchanged unnecessary words with any other girl. Even after being sent down to the countryside, no matter how hard or difficult it was, he remained chaste and avoided any interaction with female comrades, all because he firmly remembered that he was engaged.”
Wang Hongyan knew what kind of words could move Lu Renyi. As long as she exaggerated her son’s waiting, there was hope.
“He knew that if he stayed in the countryside forever, there would be no hope of marrying Yueji. After all, we couldn’t let our pampered Yueji, raised in the city, suffer hardships in the countryside. So he worked desperately at the heaviest and most exhausting tasks, performed exceptionally diligently, and finally gained recognition from the brigade and commune cadres after enduring immense hardship. He was recommended by the commune to return to the city and attend university.”
Chief Lu finally showed a reaction. He looked at Wei Yuanyang and nodded with approval in his eyes. “Young people should be like this. There are great opportunities in the countryside too. Both your father and I came from rural areas. The countryside is no worse than anywhere else; talent shines wherever it goes.”
Wang Hongyan was delighted. “Exactly! After Yuan Yang went to university, the school’s Party branch valued him highly. Even before graduation, they had him stay on as a teacher to give lectures. Nationally, university students are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Yuan Yang is now a teacher to these exceptionally rare university students and is very popular among female students at the school. But after class, Yuan Yang always keeps his distance from those female students who have family backgrounds, looks, and talent. I can confidently say that all these years, I’ve kept Yuan Yang pure and reserved for Yueji.”
Hearing this, Hu Fenglian glanced at the fair-skinned Wei Yuanyang but, remembering that Wang Hongyan’s words were usually only thirty percent trustworthy, asked, “Yuan Yang, have you really never had any contact with other female comrades all this time?”
Wei Yuanyang slightly lowered his head, as if embarrassed by the question. “Yes.”
“Oh?”
Wang Hongyan was just feeling excited and satisfied with her son’s cooperation when she suddenly heard an “Oh?” from the staircase. Instinctively, she looked upstairs.
Hearing that voice, Wei Yuanyang also stiffened, then abruptly raised his head to look toward the staircase.