Lu Zhengchuan looked up, his tone firm. "Sir, I have absolutely not been involved in any improper relationships. When I heard this gossip myself, I just found it absurd."
Seeing his earnest expression, Master Ji slowed his movements as he drank his tea, and the stern look on his face softened.
This was his favorite subordinate, one he had promoted himself, a pillar of the troops. He didn’t want the man’s future to be affected by relationship problems.
"Then what’s this all about?"
"These rumors can’t have come from nowhere. I heard that girl, Zheng Zhizhi, even wrote a letter encouraging you to get a divorce and marry her instead?" This letter was what gave Master Ji a headache.
If this wasn’t clarified, it could easily damage Lu Zhengchuan’s reputation.
"I don’t know why she would write such a letter. The truth is, I have no relationship with her at all, other than being from the same village." Lu Zhengchuan thought for a moment before adding, "I need to go back and ask my wife about the village gossip. She might know something."
"Alright. Go home and handle it. Let me know once it’s resolved. The sooner you can clear this up, the better. Don’t drag it out."
"Yes, sir."
Lu Zhengchuan nodded in agreement. After leaving the office, he wasn’t the least bit flustered. He stuck to his original plan, first going to the service store to buy oil, flour, rice, and the other things Su Wan had asked for.
On his way back from the store, he also took out the other two letters to read.
One of them was from Su Wan. In addition to the usual accusations and disdain, this one added a line about divorce.
Lu Zhengchuan couldn’t help but think about how Su Wan had brought up divorce to his face recently.
Ripples disturbed his previously calm heart.
He pressed his lips together. Weighed down by his thoughts, he returned to the military compound with a grim expression.
His appearance was noted by quite a few of the families, and many turned to each other to whisper.
"I’m afraid the rumors are true. Battalion Commander Lu looked awful just now. He must be going back to ask Su Wan for a divorce."
"They’re not going to get into a fight, are they?"
"Who knows? They got married so quickly, they probably don’t have any real feelings for each other."
Zhao Qing was coming back from picking up her child when she overheard the other wives talking under the large banyan tree, and she frowned.
She thought for a moment and said, "Little Hao, you go on home. Mom’s going to the mailroom to see if there are any letters from home."
Wang Hao didn’t understand all this adult gossip. He threw his schoolbag down and said, "Okay, Mom! I’m going to play until six before I come home!"
"Fine, fine, I know. Just don’t leave the family compound."
Here in the compound, and even in the wider military district, she wasn’t worried about her child getting lost. There were plenty of patrolling soldiers to prevent any danger.
"Su Wan."
When Lu Zhengchuan got home, he first put the groceries in the kitchen, then turned and walked to the bedroom door, giving it a knock.
Su Wan had started experiencing backaches during her pregnancy. When she had nothing to do, she would usually lie in bed and read, resting whenever she got tired.
She was sleeping when Lu Zhengchuan knocked.
She woke up groggily, yawned, and sat up. She slowly changed out of her pajamas and into a simple, plain-colored dress.
She picked up a comb, tidied her hair, and then walked over to open the door. "What is it?"
"You were sleeping?" Lu Zhengchuan frowned, walking into the room with a stern face. His tone was initially harsh, but upon seeing her pretty face and confused expression, his lips twitched, and his voice involuntarily softened.
"I was just asking."
"Yes, I was sleeping." Su Wan didn’t feel the least bit guilty, her voice calm. "I went with Aunt Liu to the Victory Team down the road to buy firebricks this morning. I was tired when I got back, so I rested for a bit."
"What? Am I not allowed to sleep now?"
"No, that’s not it. Rest if you want to rest. I just wanted to know if you’d heard any of the idle gossip going around the compound."
Lu Zhengchuan took it upon himself to pull over the stool from the vanity, sat down in front of the bed, and looked up at Su Wan.
"Gossip?" Su Wan paused, asking curiously, "What gossip?"
"The rumor that we’re getting a divorce so I can marry Zheng Zhizhi." Lu Zhengchuan summarized it succinctly. As he spoke, his expression grew cold, and he tightened his already stern features, giving him an air of authority without any show of anger.
Su Wan had expected him to get angry, to yell or even say something harsh, but she was surprised that he could remain so calm.
’No wonder he reached such a high position at a young age. He really is capable.’
"So that rumor has already reached the compound," Su Wan said, her big, beautiful eyes wide. "So, are you here to divorce me?"
"What are you talking about?" Lu Zhengchuan frowned, looking completely baffled. "I have never, from start to finish, planned to divorce you."
Hearing this, Su Wan didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed.
"Lu Zhengchuan, you’re going too far. How can anyone talk about two-timing with such confidence? If you were any kind of man, you’d make a clean break with me before going off to marry the girl you love."
Lu Zhengchuan pointed a finger at himself, his voice hesitant. "The girl I love?"
"Zheng Zhizhi, of course."
Su Wan drew out the name, her charming voice filled with provocation and contempt.
"Nonsense!"
Lu Zhengchuan suddenly shot to his feet, his loud voice making Su Wan jump.
"Why are you shouting like that? You scared me!" Su Wan couldn’t help but place a hand on her lower back to support it.
Lu Zhengchuan didn’t notice her small movement, but he saw her brow furrow in discomfort and subconsciously sat back down.
"Sorry, I’ll be more careful next time." Lu Zhengchuan cleared his throat, taking the initiative to apologize.
"I’m just very confused as to why you would think that." Lu Zhengchuan clearly had no intention of letting the topic go easily. "I can tell you, unequivocally, that there is nothing going on between me and Zheng Zhizhi."
"Back in the village, the story was that you and Zheng Zhizhi were childhood sweethearts. They said you were originally going to the Zheng Family to propose, but they demanded a high bride price of five hundred yuan and a sewing machine, so the marriage didn’t happen."
As Su Wan said this, she kept a close eye on Lu Zhengchuan’s expression. She saw that he was just watching her, and she didn’t back down. ’After all, Aunt Liu might be willing to help me once, but she couldn’t possibly help me a second time.’
’I have to use this public outcry to deal with Zheng Zhizhi and successfully divorce Lu Zhengchuan.’
"Actually, when you came to my family to propose, I had already heard this rumor."
After saying this, Su Wan looked up at him and asked, "Do you know why I still agreed to marry you?"
"...Why?" Lu Zhengchuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He placed his large hands on his knees, listening intently.
"Because I thought the fact that you refused her meant you were looking for someone practical to build a life with. I also wanted to find someone to settle down with—three meals a day, a family of three. As for other things, like a bride price or a house, those are things we could work hard for together over time. I didn’t want a relationship based on scheming."
Lu Zhengchuan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Your thinking is sound."
"So, when I found out that you still had feelings for Zheng Zhizhi, I decided to come to the military base to find you and get a divorce. We’re not right for each other," Su Wan said.