She was being picky now?
Just as expected of someone from a capitalist background—admiring foreign things and worshipping the West. She didn’t like real men; she probably preferred those foreign-educated men who were fairer than women.
“Sister-in-law—”
“Liu Qiang, do you have too much free time? Go run ten laps with a weighted pack.”
Liu Qiang let out a miserable wail and shot Lu Jingheng a resentful look.
Commander Lu deserved to stay single forever.
Without the small interruption, the three of them headed toward the parked vehicle.
Watching Lu Jingheng noticeably slow his pace, Liu Qiang silently grumbled:
Commander Lu is such a hypocrite. He obviously likes her but keeps acting tough. Just keep it up. When Sister-in-law gets married to someone else, you’ll regret it.
After getting into the vehicle, Liu Qiang, usually a chatterbox, remained quiet.
The engaged couple, who clearly disliked each other, naturally had no interest in making conversation either.
Both closed their eyes and rested.
Ruan Wen entered her private space and continued studying medicine under the old master’s guidance.
Learning had no limits.
Even with the experience of her previous life, she never dared become arrogant.
In truth, she wasn’t qualified to be proud.
Even after years in her past life, she hadn’t finished reading even half the books in that room.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingheng frowned in thought.
Since neither of them wanted the engagement, they could simply tell Grandpa.
Surely the marriage arrangement could be canceled.
From the rearview mirror, Liu Qiang accidentally caught sight of the scene and couldn’t help muttering inwardly.
Look at that synchronization. What a perfectly matched couple.
Unfortunately…
Shaking his head, he stepped on the accelerator.
Half an hour later, the military-green vehicle slowly stopped inside the military compound.
“Commander Lu, we’re here.”
Lu Jingheng opened his eyes.
He looked toward Ruan Wen beside him and suddenly smiled so brightly that he resembled a blooming flower.
Seeing their expressions, Liu Qiang clicked his tongue.
Commander Lu, stop denying it. You’ve already fallen for that beautiful ‘pile of dog crap.’
“Wake her up.”
“Huh?”
Liu Qiang called out:
“Sister-in-law, we’re here.”
Ruan Wen’s long lashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Sorry, I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay.” Liu Qiang grinned. “Sister-in-law, you’re really beautiful. Do you have any sisters? Introduce one to me.”
“No.”
“Ah… what a pity…”
For some reason, watching Ruan Wen treat his subordinate warmly irritated Lu Jingheng.
“Never ridden in a car before? Can’t bear to move your butt from the seat?” he said irritably.
“That’s true.”
“I’ve never ridden in such a terrible car before, nor met someone with such a foul mouth.”
Ruan Wen opened the door and jumped out.
Childish.
Not steady at all.
Lu Jingheng frowned and followed her out.
Turning to Liu Qiang, he said:
“You go back first.”
“Yes, Commander Lu.”
Liu Qiang drove away.
Lu Jingheng led Ruan Wen to the security checkpoint for registration.
“Commander Lu, who is this?”
“The granddaughter of Grandpa’s old friend.”
Since the engagement would probably be canceled sooner or later, Lu Jingheng didn’t bother introducing Ruan Wen as his fiancée.
He really didn’t want any connection with her.
Ruan Wen handed over her introduction letter.
After walking a little farther, Lu Jingheng pushed open the gate to a courtyard.
A red-brick bungalow with its own yard was standard housing in the military compound.
The moment Ruan Wen stepped inside, she saw a green butterfly emerge from the neighboring courtyard and rush toward her.
No.
Toward the man beside her.
As though she had been waiting there all along.
“Brother Jingheng!”
The young woman was lively and charming.
She wasn’t a breathtaking beauty, but dressed in the era’s fashionable green military uniform, she possessed a spirited and heroic air.
Her bright, sweet voice calling “Brother Jingheng” made Ruan Wen’s thoughts stir.
Is this Lu Jingheng’s first love?
While she was speculating, she met a pair of hostile eyes.
That hostility diminished the girl’s heroic charm and instead made her seem petty.
Coming from the neighboring courtyard.
Well-matched families.
Childhood sweethearts.
Hostility toward her.
This had to be the first love.
Ruan Wen had come to break off the engagement and seek protection, not to cause trouble.
She parted her lips, intending to explain.
Before she could speak, Lu Jingheng suddenly said:
“Qingyu, this is Sister Ruan.”
“I already have a sister. I don’t need any Sister Ruan. My sister is the best in the world.”
Gu Qingyu’s dislike was obvious.
“Gu Qingyu. Apologize.”
Seeing Lu Jingheng become serious, Gu Qingyu reluctantly spoke.
“Sister Ruan…”
Lu Jingheng was twenty-five.
If she was his first love, they should be close in age.
“How old are you?” Ruan Wen suddenly asked.
“Twenty-three. Why?”
“I’m twenty. I can’t accept being called your older sister.”
“Are you calling me old?”
Gu Qingyu finally understood and immediately raised her arm.
Ruan Wen didn’t seek trouble, but neither would she allow herself to be bullied.
She caught Gu Qingyu’s wrist and pushed it aside.
“Isn’t that simply a fact?”
“If you’re angry, you should direct it at your Brother Jingheng. After all, he’s the one who told you to call me sister.”
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Gu Qingyu panicked and hurriedly looked at Lu Jingheng.
“Brother Jingheng, I’m not blaming you.”
But Lu Jingheng ignored her and instead apologized to Ruan Wen.
“Sorry. I made a mistake.”
He truly hadn’t expected his grandfather to secretly arrange a childhood engagement with someone five years younger than him.
He apologizes?
Ruan Wen was surprised.
At the same time, she realized something.
He truly didn’t care about her as his fiancée.
Aside from her name and background, he probably knew nothing about her.
Unable to bear seeing Lu Jingheng apologize, Gu Qingyu protested:
“Brother Jingheng, you didn’t do anything wrong. Why apologize to her? Who knew she grew up so fast?”
Wasn’t she mocking her age?
Then she’d mock her right back.
“Gu Qingyu. Apologize.”
“Or I’ll tell Uncle Gu every detail of what happened today.”
Gu Qingyu immediately wilted.
Reluctantly, she said:
“Sorry, Little Sister Ruan.”
“Sorry, but I’m an only child.”
“You—!”
Gu Qingyu’s temper flared again.
“I already apologized! What more do you want?”
Knowing Ruan Wen’s unforgiving nature and eager to see his grandfather, Lu Jingheng frowned.
“Gu Qingyu, I have important matters to attend to. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
“Go home. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Gu Qingyu hurriedly reached for his arm, but Lu Jingheng stepped aside.
“Brother Jingheng, I really have something important to tell you.”
Under his skeptical gaze, she raised her hand in oath.
“I’m not causing trouble. I really do have something important.”
“Then say it.”
Gu Qingyu didn’t speak immediately.
Instead, she glanced at Ruan Wen.
“Brother Jingheng, there’s an outsider here.”
Before Lu Jingheng could ask her to leave, Ruan Wen voluntarily said:
“I’ll wait in the courtyard.”
To avoid being accused of eavesdropping, she walked from the gate to an osmanthus tree less than a meter from the house.
As expected, she couldn’t hear a thing.
The osmanthus blossoms of September were in full bloom.
Layer upon layer of pale golden petals looked like brushstrokes in an oil painting—vivid and radiant.
Their rich fragrance filled the air and refreshed the spirit.
“Gu Qingyu! Get out of the Lu family home!”
A furious roar shook the courtyard.
Osmanthus blossoms fell from the branches in a shower of golden rain.
Standing amid the pale-yellow petals, Ruan Wen looked beautiful enough to be mistaken for a fairy.
Both Lu Jingheng, who had just driven Gu Qingyu away, and Lu Yongjie, who had come outside after hearing the commotion, froze.
Lu Yongjie recovered first and greeted her warmly.
“You must be Ruan Wen. I’m Jingheng’s father. Just call me Uncle.”
“Hello, Uncle.”
Ruan Wen smiled gently.
“Dad.”
At some point, Lu Jingheng had walked over.
Apparently aware of the situation, Lu Yongjie didn’t scold him.
Instead, he patted his shoulder heavily.
“Don’t act foolish and upset your grandfather.”
“Okay.”
Then he turned to Ruan Wen.
“Ruan Wen, come inside. Your Grandpa Lu talks about you all the time.”
Ruan Wen smiled.
“I miss Grandpa Lu too.”
As she prepared to follow Lu Yongjie inside, a hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
The next moment, she was yanked backward by a powerful force.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
She glared angrily at the culprit—Lu Jingheng.
“Don’t shout. Don’t make noise. Don’t speak loudly, and I’ll let go.”
Ruan Wen bit down hard.
The taste of blood filled her mouth, mixed with sweat and a salty metallic flavor.
Lu Jingheng didn’t even frown.
Instead, it was Ruan Wen who nearly became sick.
Her stomach churned violently.
She genuinely felt like throwing up.
The veins on Lu Jingheng’s forehead throbbed.
He released her.
And this woman wants to be a military wife? She should go home and embroider shoes.
No.
She probably couldn’t even do that.
People like her were parasites on the nation.
Scum.
Though he was criticizing her mercilessly in his mind, he still strode into the house, poured a cup of warm water from the kitchen, and handed it to the dry-heaving Ruan Wen.
“Water.”
At least he still had a conscience.
Ruan Wen accepted it, rinsed her mouth, and gradually calmed her stomach.
After a while, pale-faced, she used the osmanthus tree for support and stood up.
Perhaps because they had been stained with blood, her lips looked even redder than before, making her face appear even paler.
“I’m sorry.”
“If apologies solved everything, why would we need the police?”
“Ruan Wen.”
“What?”
“Let’s not break off the engagement.”
“We’ll get married.”