The moment Su Wan thought about how much of her money was gone, she couldn’t help but glare at Zheng Zhizhi.
’This thief. She must have been jealous of my good life, to be so brazen as to steal money.’
"Then I bought a set of spun-glass tumblers, towels, a tea mug, a washbasin, and a thermos, thinking I’d get Su Wan a new set."
Su Wan quietly interjected, "I only received a one-hundred-yuan allowance."
Zhang Yun, looking utterly devastated, staggered back. With a sob in her voice, she said, "The glass tumblers... the towels... the tea mug, the washbasin, the thermos... Zhi Zhi, didn’t you say your relatives gave you all of this?"
"Enough! Shut up!" Zheng Zhizhi snapped, now the focus of everyone’s stares because of that remark.
Furious and embarrassed, she threw her handbag at Zhang Yun.
"I really misjudged you."
With a swift movement, Lu Zhengchuan intercepted the handbag.
"Xiao Gao," Master Ji called out. The young soldier who had been taking notes on the side snapped to attention and saluted.
"Take Comrade Zheng away and get to the bottom of this."
"Yes, sir." Xiao Gao gave another crisp salute.
"Where are you taking me?" Zheng Zhizhi was finally scared. No matter how cunning she thought she was, she had only ever been a bully in her village. Here in the military, not only was her scheme seen through in an instant, but she also had to face the consequences.
"Comrade Zheng, don’t you worry. After the military completes its investigation and decides on a punishment, your case will be transferred to the appropriate Public Security Bureau. You’ll find out exactly what responsibilities you have to bear then."
Xiao Gao explained the disciplinary process to her in a calm, almost gentle tone.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhizhi fainted on the spot.
Su Wan saw her eyelashes twitch after she fell and knew she was faking it.
Zheng Zhizhi was quickly led away by Xiao Gao.
After leaving the commander’s office, Lu Zhengchuan stopped Zhang Yun directly. "Zhang Yun, you, come with me."
Hearing her cousin’s words, Zhang Yun was all out of tears. Her eyes were swollen like peaches.
Su Wan glanced over but didn’t follow. Zhao Qing linked arms with her, looking as satisfied as someone who had just binged on a juicy piece of gossip.
"Ah, Wanwan, I was wondering why things were so strange between you and Battalion Commander Lu. It turns out it wasn’t your bad temper, but that Comrade Zheng Zhizhi causing trouble."
"Thank goodness I could tell you were a good girl from the start and didn’t misunderstand you."
Zhao Qing patted her arm and lowered her voice. "You and Battalion Commander Lu need to live well together. Once you get that money back, you hold onto it tight. Keep the Battalion Commander happy. He’s young, so it’s normal for others to have their eyes on him. But after this incident, your position is definitely secure."
Listening to her well-intentioned advice, Su Wan nodded. "I understand, sister-in-law."
Zhao Qing didn’t stay long. She said a few more words and then left.
Lu Zhengchuan walked back just in time to see Zhao Qing leaving. "Su Wan, I’m sorry. This whole thing was my fault."
Su Wan turned around. Seeing how grudgingly he said it, she knew the time was right.
She lowered her gaze and placed a hand on her stomach. "Are you still angry that I didn’t trust you?"
"No." Lu Zhengchuan pressed his lips together, still being stubborn. He glanced at her. "Like you said, we barely knew each other before we got married, and we’ve been living apart since. It’s normal for you not to know me well and to have your doubts."
"As long as you’re not angry, that’s all that matters. Now I don’t have to worry about our baby not having a father."
Lu Zhengchuan froze, his head snapping down to stare at her abdomen. "Baby?"
"Mhm, our baby is three months along." Su Wan looked up, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents as she smiled at him.
Lu Zhengchuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He could barely contain his smile, all his previous anger completely gone.
He surged forward, carefully steadying Su Wan by the waist. He placed a hand on her stomach, barely daring to apply any pressure, his touch incredibly gentle.
"I’ll take you home to rest." With one smooth motion, Lu Zhengchuan scooped her up into his arms.
Su Wan instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. When she came to her senses, she simply found a comfortable position and snuggled into his embrace.
"What about Zhang Yun?"
Su Wan glanced behind him and saw that Zhang Yun had been led away by Xiao Li, who had appeared at some point. She asked the question deliberately.
"Xiao Li took her. She also needs to cooperate with the investigation. Justice will be served, I promise. You don’t need to worry about her. She’s made so many mistakes. Since my uncle isn’t here, I’ll teach her a lesson myself."
Lu Zhengchuan’s voice was stern, showing no sign of going soft on her.
He even added, "And don’t worry about her meals. Xiao Li will handle it. You don’t have to do a thing."
’It’s not like I was planning to,’ Su Wan thought. Zhang Yun had caused her so much trouble. Although she vaguely knew from her dream that Zhang Yun was merely foolish, not malicious, why should she care about someone who clearly didn’t accept her?
"Okay. As long as you don’t feel bad for her."
Lu Zhengchuan looked down at her. Seeing that she wasn’t angry, he dropped the subject.
Quite a few of the other military families in the compound witnessed Lu Zhengchuan carrying Su Wan home.
This time, however, no one came forward to ask questions. They just waited for the couple to leave before gathering to whisper amongst themselves.
Back home, Su Wan looked at the firebricks in the corner and ordered Lu Zhengchuan, "Lu Zhengchuan, I want to build a small earthen kiln. You’re going to help me."
"Alright. You tell me how to build it, and I’ll do it." Lu Zhengchuan immediately took off his jacket, leaving him in just a white undershirt that did little to hide his excellent physique.
Su Wan relaxed in a chair. A wooden stool sat beside her, holding an enamel mug, a few peach crisps, and some oranges.
All prepared by Lu Zhengchuan.
This was clearly the ’pregnant woman’ treatment.
"Just build it like... that..." Su Wan had no intention of refusing this special treatment. She directed Lu Zhengchuan’s work while eating an orange that was a little sour, just how she liked it.
Lu Zhengchuan turned into a master builder. In no time, his undershirt was soaked with sweat, and the bulging muscles on his arms were a beautiful sight.
The small earthen kiln before them gradually took shape.
By evening, the small kiln was finished. However, it needed to be completely dry before it could be used. A typical earthen kiln would require months to cure.
But Su Wan’s was very small—only about the size of two washbasins and meant for firing small objects.
Besides, she had a secret drying technique. By laying out several specific types of hay, she could accelerate the drying. She could also create the right conditions using a charcoal fire and a grass shelter at a distance. With the addition of the sweltering summer heat, three days should be enough.
「That night.」
After washing up, Lu Zhengchuan saw her lying in bed. Holding a washbasin and towel, he said, "I’ll head back to my single-person dorm for now. I’ll bring breakfast over tomorrow morning."
Su Wan wasn’t asleep. Hearing his voice, she turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow. "You’re not staying?"
"...I can stay?" Lu Zhengchuan’s grip on the washbasin tightened, the surprise on his face obvious.
Su Wan let out a playful little huff. "You’re the baby’s father. If you don’t stay and take care of us, are you really going to let Xiao Li do it?"
Without a word, Lu Zhengchuan put down the washbasin, walked into the bedroom, and lay down on the outer edge of the bed.
Su Wan instantly felt the presence of another person beside her. The familiar yet strange sense of closeness made her chest tighten, and she shot up into a sitting position.