Lu Weidong had sent Lu Xiaojun to the guesthouse across the street to find Ye Wenxi.
He instructed the boy to relay the explanation he had prepared, so that when Ye Wenxi came home later, there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings between the two sides.
Although they had only known each other for a little over a day, he instinctively felt that Ye Wenxi wouldn’t allow him to shoulder everything alone.
As he walked home from the guesthouse, his mind was busy with calculations.
How should he explain this to his family?
No matter what Ye Wenxi herself felt, the moment the words “administered something” came out of his mouth, the family’s impression would be ruined.
Once that happened, it would be almost impossible to repair.
She would also have to endure endless suspicion and whispers.
Technically, Lu Weidong was the “victim” in the situation.
But he was a man.
By his principles, once Ye Wenxi was to become his wife, it was his responsibility to protect her.
A real man protects his wife.
As Lu Xiaojun rushed downstairs, he bumped into his grandfather, Lu Zhenghua, returning home, hands clasped behind his back.
Seeing his grandson dart past, the old man bellowed with full force:
“Brat! Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”
Without turning back, Lu Xiaojun, carrying his uncle’s “important mission,” ran straight toward the courtyard gate.
He silently praised: Second Uncle, you really are a real man! This family, when it comes down to it, you’re the one who handles things!
Lu Zhenghua entered the house. He hadn’t seen Lu Weidong yet but had heard the gist from Aunt Sun.
Though he didn’t show as much outward joy as his wife, he also considered this good news.
“Where’s Weidong?” he called out, voice firm.
Lu Weidong appeared from his room, expression calm, walking steadily down the stairs.
Lu Zhenghua saw his son’s serious, slightly tense face and frowned.
This didn’t look like the expression of someone with only happy news.
Having spent his life in the army, he had seen all kinds of situations.
He could read his son’s emotions at a glance.
Liu Xiuyun, oblivious to the tension, continued urging happily:
“Son, your father’s back! Come on, tell us about your wife properly!”
Lu Zhenghua remained silent, simply observing his son, waiting for him to speak.
“Dad, Mom, please sit first,” Lu Weidong said evenly, his voice carrying calm determination.
“I am indeed getting married.”
“Good! Wonderful!” Liu Xiuyun clapped her hands, overjoyed.
“But the circumstances were unusual. You two need to prepare yourselves mentally.”
Liu Xiuyun froze mid-motion, hand raised to clap again.
Lu Weidong continued explaining to his parents.
He told them he had originally planned to return to the unit but came across Ye Wenxi, a girl who had just escaped from traffickers. He helped her.
Initially, he intended to hand her over to the authorities, but the girl refused, tearfully recounting the horrific abuse and trafficking she had endured at her foster father’s hands.
Seeing she hadn’t eaten all day, he found a place for them to have dinner together that night.
“While eating, we talked. She drank quite a bit. We got along really well. And… I acted impulsively that night and made a mistake.”
Hearing this, Liu Xiuyun’s head spun; she almost fainted.
She couldn’t imagine her normally steady, dependable son would create such a scandal.
“But since it happened, I must take responsibility.”
“I brought her home because her household registration situation is special.”
“Opening official documents, marriage registration, political review—it all takes time.”
“In the meantime, she has nowhere to go. So…”
He paused, looking at his parents.
“I want her to stay with us temporarily.”
Lu Zhenghua, who had been silent and composed, finally spoke.
He didn’t ask anything else—only focused on his son.
“Does the girl agree to marry you?”
Liu Xiuyun blinked at the old man, utterly confused.
Who wouldn’t want to marry her son? He had looks, prospects—everything!
“What are you looking at?!” Lu Zhenghua shot her a sharp glance.
“You think your son is a treasure? This matter depends on the girl!
If she refuses and reports him, he would become a criminal! His life would be ruined!”
The words “criminal” hit Liu Xiuyun like a thunderclap.
Only then did she realize the gravity of the situation.
Yes—if the girl didn’t agree and reported it, her son’s life would be completely over!
She turned sharply, panic-stricken, toward Lu Weidong.
Meeting his parents’ gaze, Lu Weidong’s voice remained calm:
“She agrees. She’s already at the guesthouse waiting.”
“She asked me to come back first and explain everything to you.”
While his parents absorbed this heavy news, he went on to recount, in full detail, what had happened on the train back to the city.
Lu Zhenghua listened attentively, eyes showing undisguised admiration, nodding repeatedly.
The girl was impressive—bold, intelligent, quick-witted.
Liu Xiuyun, avoiding sensitive topics, muttered: “She isn’t… a spy, is she?”
At that time, infiltration and espionage were real concerns.
Especially for a family of senior military officers, vigilance was crucial.
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Lu Zhenghua frowned, tone stern.
“Do you think political vetting in the army is a joke? I’ll coordinate with Old Li to have the situation thoroughly investigated.”
Liu Xiuyun nodded. It was serious; verification was necessary.
Lu Weidong didn’t object.
The more you hide now, the more suspicion grows.
Let them investigate; once they confirm everything, suspicion naturally disappears.
In the guesthouse room, Ye Wenxi had just taken a hot shower and changed into clean clothes.
Exhaustion and sleepiness immediately swept over her.
Just as she was about to lie down, there was a knock at the door—“knock, knock, knock.”
She wondered: Had the discussion finished so quickly? Or had Lu Weidong returned?
She opened the door and saw not Lu Weidong, but a half-grown boy.
The boy’s eyes lit up, and he grinned widely:
“Second Aunt!”