“What do you mean? You’re not letting the brother-in-law in?”
“What kind of brother-in-law comes to see his sister on her wedding day especially when she’s still asleep and not even dressed? Are you sure you want to see her?”
Lu Ye leaned lazily against the wall, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Lin Guangzhuo was momentarily distracted by that slightly roguish smile, then quickly snapped back, his face darkening. “Don’t get cocky, kid! Take good care of my sister, or I won’t let you off!”
After throwing down the threat, he turned and stomped off, his back showing a mix of unwillingness and awkward frustration.
The living room finally fell quiet. Lu Ye turned and went into the kitchen, scooping out the porridge he had kept warm along with a few light side dishes, then carried them upstairs.
He figured Lin Tianxin should be waking up by now. She had been exhausted last night rare for her to get such a restful sleep.
He softened his footsteps. When he pushed open the bedroom door, he saw that she was indeed already sitting up, leaning against the headboard. Her hair was slightly messy, her cheeks still faintly flushed, but her eyes were clear, as if she were deep in thought.
“You’re awake?” Lu Ye walked over, setting the bowl on the bedside table, his voice gentler. “The porridge was just heated. Your stomach’s not great have some first.”
Lin Tianxin looked up at him but didn’t speak. Her gaze wandered over him, from his upright figure down to the watch on his wrist the edges of the dial slightly worn and polished from use. She remembered that watch; she had seen it a few times back in the compound. He always seemed to wear it, like some kind of signature item.
“What are you looking at?” Lu Ye noticed her gaze and lifted his hand, touching the watch casually. “It’s durable easy to wear.”
Lin Tianxin withdrew her gaze and lowered her lashes. “Nothing.”
She lifted the blanket, about to get out of bed, but Lu Ye quickly reached out to steady her. The warmth of his palm passed through the thin fabric of her sleepwear, carrying a slightly rough texture.
“Your legs not weak?” Lu Ye looked at her with a teasing smile.
That smiling face was seriously punchable!
Her cheeks instantly flushed again at his words. She shot him an annoyed glare and tried to steady herself. “I don’t need your help. I’m fine.”
But she really had been worn out last night. As soon as she stood up straight, her knees weakened slightly and she wobbled.
Lu Ye reacted instantly, his hand firmly supporting her waist. “Why act tough? It’s not like your man’s dead. We’ve already slept together what’s the big deal?”
Before she could react, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms.
“Lu Ye! Put me down!” Lin Tianxin cried out, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her cheek pressed against his firm chest.
His arm muscles were strong and well-defined, yet he held her steadily, his steps completely steady.
“Don’t move what if you fall?” Lu Ye looked down at her, amusement in his eyes. “Fool. Someone’s serving you and you don’t even know how to accept it.”
Lin Tianxin thought: As if she doesn’t appreciate it!
The washbasin had already been prepared with warm water, and the toiletries were neatly arranged. Even her usual mint toothpaste had already been squeezed onto the toothbrush.
Seeing all this, the small knot in her heart quietly loosened.
“I can do it myself,” she said softly.
“Not weak anymore?” Lu Ye replied with a faint smile, but he didn’t let go.
Looking at his face so close in the mirror sharp features, long eyelashes, and especially deep eyes when focused Lin Tianxin suddenly felt a little dazed. How had she never realized in her past life that Lu Ye… wasn’t actually that hard to accept?
He was handsome she had always known that. Especially when he smiled.
Just a bit rough. A bit wild.
“What are you spacing out for?” Lu Ye pinched her cheek, his tone teasing. “Not hungry?”
She snapped back to her senses, swatted his hand away, and picked up the toothbrush. But when she glanced up, she caught a fleeting trace of tenderness in his eyes in the mirror.
Her heart stirred slightly. Lowering her head, she brushed her teeth seriously.
The foam was fine, the mint spreading in her mouth with a cool, refreshing sensation like her current mood: a bit chaotic, yet strangely calm.
After washing up, she finished all the porridge Lu Ye had brought upstairs, only to hear him scoff:
“So small, yet you eat quite a lot!”
“Lu Ye!” Lin Tianxin glared at him angrily, her cheeks puffed like an irritated little hamster. “What’s wrong with eating a lot? It’s because of you!”
Because of him, she had used up so much energy of course she was hungry.
Lu Ye never had a kind word to say. That had been one of the reasons she disliked him in her previous life.
To be fair, he wasn’t entirely innocent who told him to have such a sharp tongue?
Lu Ye chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair with a hint of affection. “I held back last night you’re just too weak. But the more my Tianxin eats, the better. Plump and fair looks nicer.”
He thought to himself that once he took her to live with him at the army, he’d have to improve her physical strength. She was too delicate.
If he hadn’t held back two-thirds of his strength last night, her waist might have been broken.
After saying that, he picked up the empty bowl and walked out, leaving Lin Tianxin sitting there, puffing with anger though her ears quietly turned red.
This man… he was getting more and more outrageous with his words.
Just as Lu Ye went downstairs, there was a knock at the door. He set down the bowl and opened it, finding a young soldier in uniform standing there, looking anxious.
“Commander Lu, you have an urgent call.”
The smile on Lu Ye’s face vanished instantly. He nodded. “Got it.”
His heart sank. An urgent call at this time most likely from the army.
Without even telling Lin Tianxin, he hurried toward the phone booth.
The marital home was in a newly built apartment block, but the courtyard still had an old-style phone booth green metal casing, full of a sense of age.
He picked up the receiver. “This is Lu Ye.”
A familiar dispatcher’s voice came from the other end, speaking quickly, reporting mission codes and assembly times. The seriousness in the tone made Lu Ye’s brows furrow deeper.
As expected, it was an urgent mission more urgent than he had anticipated.
“Understood. I’ll be there immediately.” He hung up, gripping the receiver.
On the second day of his marriage, they had to separate under such circumstances. He knew Lin Tianxin had already been reluctant about the marriage. Now, she would probably be even more upset.
Standing by the phone booth, Lu Ye looked up toward the second-floor bedroom. The curtains were drawn; he couldn’t see her inside. He took a deep breath and turned back. No matter what, he had to tell her even if she wouldn’t be happy.
His steps were quick as he thought about how to explain it so she wouldn’t be too angry.
Maybe… when the mission was over, he could make it up to her? Take her to eat her favorite candied hawthorn, then stroll in the park with her?
Thinking this, a slight smile curved his lips, but it quickly faded under the urgency of the mission.
He quickened his pace, wanting to get back to her as soon as possible even if it was only for a few minutes to say goodbye.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Lu Ye pushed open the bedroom door. Lin Tianxin was sitting by the bed, fixing her hair. Sunlight slipped through the curtain gaps, casting a soft golden glow over her hair.
Hearing the noise, she looked up, a hint of lingering annoyance still in her eyes like she was still sulking over their earlier banter.
Lu Ye’s heart tightened. He walked over, crouched down, and held her hand. His rough palm rubbed against her smooth skin, his voice more serious than ever.
“Tianxin, I have an urgent mission. I have to leave immediately.”
Her hand stiffened almost imperceptibly, her fingers curling slightly, but she didn’t pull away. She only asked softly, “…How long?”
A mission?
In her previous life, she had run back to her parents’ house early in the morning and hadn’t known about this at all, since she hadn’t cared about his affairs.
And after she returned home, Lu Ye hadn’t come after her it seemed he had indeed gone on a mission.
“Not sure,” Lu Ye swallowed, his voice rough. “Could be quick, could be long. Don’t stay here pack your things and come to the army with me. I’ve already applied for a family quarters house. Everything’s ready you can move in directly.”
He had long wanted her to live with him, but never found the right opportunity. Now that he had to leave, he couldn’t feel at ease leaving her here alone.
He was worried about her and afraid she might get angry and regret everything.
But Lin Tianxin fell silent, looking down at their joined hands. After a long moment, she gently pulled her hand back and shook her head.
“I’m not going.”
“Why?” Lu Ye frowned, his tone turning urgent. “The family compound is safe. When I finish the mission, I can see you right away.”