“Warm, what’s wrong? Did someone trouble you again?” Aunt Wang asked, her eyes filled with concern.
The village head’s wife, with a righteous expression, added, “If you encounter any difficulty, tell me. I’ll handle it. And if I can’t, your uncle will step in.”
Her husband was the village head, and there were few things he couldn’t handle.
Jiang Nuan looked at the two of them gratefully, her voice tinged with unease.
“Actually… it’s not a big deal. It’s just… I don’t know why, but I kept feeling like someone was sneaking around the gate today.”
The village head’s wife and Aunt Wang exchanged a glance, their hearts sinking slightly.
Observing them, Jiang Nuan continued, “Maybe I was imagining it. Lu Daqiang’s door has been smashed to pieces, and his work-issued food and meat coupons are inside.
I was worried that someone with ill intentions would take notice, so it kept weighing on my mind.
Perhaps I was too nervous and started seeing things.”
The village head’s wife patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Warm. I’ll inform your uncle and the militia team to keep an eye out during tonight’s patrol.
Our houses aren’t far apart. If anyone dares to come near, just call out—we’ll come immediately.”
Aunt Wang added, “I’m right next door. If anything happens, your grandpa, your eldest brother Wang, and I will be there immediately.”
Wang Da Niu, Aunt Wang’s son, was tall and strong enough to scare anyone.
Jiang Nuan felt moved by their concern, thanking them repeatedly.
The village head’s wife laughed heartily. “No need to thank us! We’re neighbors. Your Lu Lin is a hero protecting the country; this little favor is nothing.”
Aunt Wang nodded in agreement. “Yes, we’re neighbors. If you ever need help, just ask.”
Seeing how sincerely they cared, Jiang Nuan felt a twinge of guilt for bringing up her worries.
The village head’s wife noticed her downcast expression and said, thinking of the sunflower seeds Jiang Nuan had pocketed, “I’ll go inform your uncle about this right now.”
“Thank you, Auntie. It’s getting dark, so please be careful on your way back.”
Jiang Nuan watched her leave. Grandpa Wang finished cooking and called Aunt Wang home for dinner.
“Warm, I’m going back too. Don’t be afraid, and call out if anything happens.”
Jiang Nuan nodded. “Okay, Aunt Wang, thank you.”
After sending them off, she lingered at the gate for a while before returning inside.
As soon as the Lu family gate closed, a man stepped out of a nearby box.
Lu Erlong sneaked a glance at the Lu family gate, recalling that Jiang Nuan had mentioned Lu Daqiang’s room held meat and grain coupons, and rubbed his hands excitedly.
Lu Daqiang was the head of the meat processing plant, so there had to be more valuables in the room.
Earlier, Old Madam Lu had wailed that she didn’t take any money. She seemed sincere.
Perhaps the money was still in the house. Thinking of this, Lu Erlong’s eyes gleamed.
As for what the village head’s wife and Aunt Wang said, he hadn’t paid it any mind.
Anyone could give polite words—no one would interfere at midnight.
Humming a tune, Lu Erlong leisurely walked off, planning to drink some alcohol.
Tonight, he intended to make a big score.
Night fell quickly, shrouding Hehua Village in darkness.
Jiang Nuan hadn’t locked the gate tonight.
She took some wood ash from the kitchen and sprinkled it in front of Lu Daqiang’s room.
Then she hid several handy sticks.
After setting everything up, she clapped her hands, hands on her hips, double-checked for any oversight, and returned to her room, feeling pleased.
Whenever she entered the room, Lu Lin could always spot her immediately.
They exchanged a glance. Jiang Nuan hesitated but decided to tell him about this, to prevent him from panicking if something happened.
“Well… there’s something I need to tell you.”
Lu Lin noticed her hesitation, and seeing her sit beside him, gave her his full attention.
“No rush, take your time.”
Looking into his gentle eyes and handsome face, Jiang Nuan felt her heart race.
She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, calming herself before speaking about Lu Erlong.
She stared at him anxiously, afraid to miss any expression on his face. “Lu Erlong is my biological brother. Do you think what I’m doing is too unfair?”
His expression remained gentle, shaking his head without hesitation. He grasped her hand firmly. “I told you, whatever you do, I’ll support you.”
Jiang Nuan was surprised; she expected him to question or even scold her for being so harsh to her own brother.
“You… don’t have anything to ask me?”
He shook his head again. “With me, you are always right. Surely he hurt you first, which is why you acted this way.
Do whatever you need, as long as it doesn’t endanger you, I fully support you.”
Jiang Nuan blurted out, “Why are you so good to me?”
Even though they had just officially registered their marriage, it felt like they had been a couple for decades.
Lu Lin looked at her seriously. “Because you are my wife, the closest person in my life.
Even if everyone else thinks you’re wrong, I will stand by you.”
Jiang Nuan froze. She had thought their marriage was only due to the child in her womb, a matter of responsibility.
But seeing him so earnest now, the word “affection” suddenly sprang into her mind.
Impossible!
Quickly, she dismissed the thought. She and Lu Lin had no prior romantic connection.
“Affection” was too heavy a word—couldn’t apply to them.
And besides, she thought herself too chubby for any man to love her.
Jiang Nuan lowered her eyes, letting her eyelashes shield her disappointment and insecurities.
She knew Lu Lin wouldn’t necessarily like her—he said these words because he was inherently a good man.
Even with someone else, he would act the same.
“Thank you,” she said, gripping his hand. Lu Lin was a man she could entrust her life to.
Even if they had married out of responsibility, she was willing to try.
Hoping one day, responsibility could turn into love.
Even after a painful past life, she was willing to gamble.
Hope ignited in her heart, and her smile returned.
Lu Lin watched her smile, sensing something off, but couldn’t pinpoint what.
He was glad she had confided in him—it meant she already considered him part of her life.
Under the dim kerosene lamp, they gazed at each other.
“We are husband and wife—the closest people in this world. Don’t ever speak so formally again.”
Jiang Nuan nodded, smiling. “Okay, we won’t. It’s getting late. I’ll help you apply your medicine.”
She had been controlling her meals these past few days, losing several catties in weight.
To her surprise, losing a pound could be exchanged for ten catties of meat or fifty catties of grain!
Without hesitation, she exchanged it all for spiritual spring water.
Some went into Lu Lin’s meals, visibly improving his complexion.
Some she mixed with medicine, and his acne began to scab over.
Seeing him improve day by day, Jiang Nuan felt more energetic.
If Lu Lin hadn’t been concerned about her eating too little and kept feeding her, she could have lost even more weight.
While thinking of the weight-loss system, she helped him clean up.
After applying the medicine and tidying everything, she showered herself before getting onto the kang bed.
Tonight was important, so they turned off the lights early.
Moonlight filtered into the room, with only the ticking of a clock audible.
Before nine o’clock, there was movement outside…