They had long heard their men talk about Lu Chenyuan’s fearsome reputation as the “Living King of Hell.”
Stories about how every soldier under Lu Chenyuan’s command was pushed to the brink; how he would randomly punish people by making them run dozens of kilometers; how Lu Chenyuan had never been seen smiling…
They were curious what kind of woman could marry such a “Living King of Hell.”
Previously, some guessed that Lu Chenyuan’s wife must be a rough, domineering woman; otherwise, with Lu Chenyuan’s harsh treatment of soldiers, no ordinary woman could survive.
But no one had expected that Lu Chenyuan’s wife would be such a delicate, charming, beautiful young woman.
“Wow, sister-in-law is really pretty!”
“Look at that skin! It’s as white as a peeled egg!”
“Our base has never had such a beautiful girl! Commander Lu, you’re really lucky!”
Su Wanxing felt a bit embarrassed under their gazes and politely greeted them: “Hello, sisters-in-law.”
Lu Chenyuan couldn’t hide the proud curve of his lips and kindly came to her rescue: “Everyone, Wanxing has had a hard journey. Let her rest for now.”
“Oh yes, yes! We completely forgot about that.”
A short-haired sister-in-law helped bring out bedding and pillows from her bag, set up the bed in the bedroom, then returned with the others to help clean, open windows for ventilation, and organize items…
The sisters-in-law worked efficiently. They were skilled at labor, and soon the room was tidied, a fire was lit, and a meal was cooked.
Hearing the clattering outside, Su Wanxing felt a bit shy and went out to help.
The short-haired sister-in-law pressed her onto a small stool: “Rest, rest. With your delicate skin, you can’t be doing this heavy work. Just wait to eat!”
Another sister-in-law brought the dishes to the table: stir-fried pork with chili, onion-fried eggs, green water spinach, and white rice.
Su Wanxing and Lu Chenyuan hadn’t brought food, so these were all brought by the sisters-in-law from home.
Conditions at the base were harsh; people usually ate sorghum rice. White rice, meat, and eggs were rare luxuries.
The short-haired sister-in-law said: “Since it’s your first time here, you probably won’t be used to the local food. We all chipped in to make this meal—eat while it’s hot.”
Fearing Su Wanxing might feel embarrassed, she pulled the other sisters-in-law back outside.
Su Wanxing was touched: “Lu Chenyuan, these sisters-in-law are so kind.”
Lu Chenyuan was happy she liked the people here, and he placed a piece of meat on her plate: “Eat.”
As Su Wanxing took a bite of rice, a young girl entered.
She had two long braids and wore a military uniform, though it was tailored at the waist, showing off her slender figure.
In her hands were two lunchboxes wrapped in white towels.
“Brother Lu, I heard you arrived!”
The girl’s eyes immediately focused on Lu Chenyuan as she entered.
Lu Chenyuan froze: “Qin Mianmian? What are you doing here?”
“I was transferred here last month as an intern medic!” Qin Mianmian was excited.
Finally, she saw him again!
She unwrapped the towels and aluminum lunchboxes to reveal glossy, braised pork.
Excitedly, she said: “Brother Lu, you must be starving after the journey. I specially made braised pork for you, with white rice—eat while it’s hot!”
Braised pork was a delicacy.
Even in the city, ordinary families would rarely have it more than once a month; here, in such harsh conditions, it was even more precious.
Lu Chenyuan wasn’t naïve; he could sense Qin Mianmian’s feelings went beyond mere comradeship.
He politely declined: “No, our meal is ready. Wanxing, eat.”
He added eggs to Su Wanxing’s bowl.
A woman’s sixth sense made Qin Mianmian instinctively realize that this woman wasn’t ordinary and might even pose a threat.
She stared at Su Wanxing with hostility: “Brother Lu, this is…”
Lu Chenyuan ignored her and continued adding meat to Su Wanxing’s bowl: “My wife, Su Wanxing.”
“My… wife?”
Qin Mianmian’s face went pale; her hand loosened, and the lunchbox fell.
“Oh no, the braised pork!”
Zhou Ting, who had just entered, dashed forward and almost caught the lunchbox.
He grabbed the largest piece and popped it into his mouth: “Mmm, tastes great! Commander, sister-in-law, you should try some too.”
He offered the lunchbox to Su Wanxing.
Seeing Qin Mianmian almost in tears, Su Wanxing guessed what was happening.
She politely smiled: “Thanks, but I don’t really eat braised pork. How about you, Lu Chenyuan?”
He shoved a big bite of vegetables into his mouth and clearly said: “I like vegetables.”
Zhou Ting shook his head in regret, but ate another piece of braised pork: “Such good food, and you don’t like it? Then I’ll eat it! Thank you, Comrade Qin. I’ll wash the lunchbox later for you!”
He carried the lunchbox away.
Qin Mianmian wanted to kick Zhou Ting from behind!
This braised pork had cost her six yuan and two meat coupons, and she had even spent another two yuan to store it in the cafeteria fridge because of the heat. She had even burned her arm making it!
And Lu Chenyuan hadn’t eaten a bite, letting that sly Zhou Ting have it!
Suppressing her emotions, Qin Mianmian reluctantly asked: “Brother Lu, when did you get married? Why didn’t I know?”
Lu Chenyuan put down his chopsticks and looked at her.
Qin Mianmian’s heart raced like she had been rewarded.
Lu Chenyuan said calmly: “We’re not close enough for me to notify you about my marriage. Also…”
“You skipped work! Did your supervisor know?”
Shame and anger overwhelmed Qin Mianmian. She held back tears and ran off.
That evening, Su Wanxing sat on the bed reading under the dim light.
Lu Chenyuan stretched, grabbed a pillow, and walked outside.
Su Wanxing put down her book and suddenly called out: “That Qin Mianmian…”
“I’m not close to her.”
Good. She was already trying to answer.
There’s something suspicious about that!
Su Wanxing squinted her eyes, scanning him like a lie detector.
“Not close? I think she’s… very, very familiar with you.”
She poked his chest repeatedly with her fingers.
Lu Chenyuan’s heart ached and flustered.
He swore: they really weren’t close.
“Tell me! What’s your relationship? Was Qin Mianmian your former lover?”