Lu Chengjing had never been good at expressing his emotions, nor did he easily reveal what was on his mind. Yet the sense of ease he could no longer hide still showed through in his subtle movements, and the soldiers noticed.
Only when the whistle signaling the end of training sounded did Lu Chengjing withdraw his gaze.
His tone remained calm, but it lacked its usual severity.
“Dismissed. Get some rest. Training resumes as normal tomorrow.”
The soldiers answered in unison and began packing up their equipment, quietly discussing their battalion commander’s unusual behavior.
Without another word, Lu Chengjing turned toward the battalion headquarters. Just as he reached the entrance, Old Zhang from the mess hall called out from afar.
“Battalion Commander Lu! The canteen stewed beef today. The logistics department just delivered fresh meat. You should come try some!”
People in the Southwest loved beef and mutton, but in these times of scarce supplies, cattle were valuable farming animals. Very few were slaughtered, and those that were were usually old or injured.
The military canteen normally served common vegetables, pickled dishes, steamed buns, or coarse rice. A pot of stewed beef was considered a rare treat.
Lu Chengjing paused.
Lin Shuyao’s face immediately appeared in his mind.
She was, after all, a pampered young lady from Kyoto. Since arriving in the Southwest, she hadn’t had a proper meal, and her health was still fragile…
The thought flashed through his mind.
Without hesitation, he turned and headed toward the military compound, not even bothering to return to headquarters to wash up or change his clothes.
Watching his hurried departure, Old Zhang was puzzled.
Where was Battalion Commander Lu rushing off to?
Meanwhile, in the military compound, Lin Shuyao was crouched beside a stone table, carefully organizing the grain seed samples she had brought with her.
She separated the different varieties, attached labels to each one, and covered them with clean gauze to keep dust away.
Sunlight fell across her profile.
Her expression was focused, and she had even forgotten to brush away the loose strands of hair hanging over her forehead.
She looked exceptionally gentle and serious.
Bai Qiaolan sat on a small stool outside her room, sewing clothes.
Though she appeared busy with her needlework, her eyes frequently drifted toward Lin Shuyao, filled with disdain.
She had already heard that Chengjing not only withdrew the divorce application but had personally submitted Lin Shuyao’s employment documents.
The news had left her simmering with anger.
However, after yesterday’s incident, she no longer dared openly make things difficult for Lin Shuyao and could only compete with her in secret.
“Hmph. Putting on an act. She really thinks she’s some scientific researcher now?”
Bai Qiaolan muttered quietly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“I’d like to see how long she lasts here and whether she can actually get into the experimental station.”
Lin Shuyao heard her muttering but paid no attention.
She continued sorting the grain seeds.
She had no time to argue with Bai Qiaolan.
Her focus needed to be on the upcoming interview and securing a good position.
Besides, the truth would speak for itself.
As long as she had the ability, every insult and doubt would eventually collapse on its own.
At that moment, familiar footsteps sounded from the courtyard entrance.
Looking up, Lin Shuyao saw Lu Chengjing returning.
He was still wearing the same dust-covered military uniform, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
Instead of going inside to clean up, he walked straight toward her.
“Comrade Lu, you’re back.”
Lin Shuyao immediately stood up and brushed off her hands.
“How did things go at the experimental station?”
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Lu Chengjing’s voice softened slightly.
“The documents have been submitted. They were very satisfied. They’ll notify you in advance about the interview.”
“That’s wonderful!”
As long as she was given a chance, she was already halfway to success.
“The canteen stewed meat today. Clean up a bit, and I’ll take you there for dinner.”
Lin Shuyao froze in surprise.
“You’re taking me to eat at the military canteen? Isn’t that inappropriate? I’m not part of the army…”
In her view, the canteen was meant for soldiers.
Even military families rarely ate there.
As an outsider, going there would inevitably attract gossip.
Besides, her relationship with Lu Chengjing was still delicate. Getting too close might not be a good thing.
“It’s fine. You’re my wife. Eating at the canteen is perfectly reasonable.”
The moment Bai Qiaolan heard that, the needle and thread slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.
Her expression instantly darkened.
She had never imagined that Chengjing would take Lin Shuyao to the canteen for meat.
No one understood the value of meat better than she did.
Chengjing had never taken her there, yet he was voluntarily taking Lin Shuyao?
“Chengjing.”
Bai Qiaolan quickly stood up, her voice carrying both grievance and dissatisfaction.
“The meat in the canteen is meant to nourish the soldiers. Comrade Lin is an outsider. It’s not appropriate for her to go, is it? Besides, there’s food at home. This isn’t Kyoto. There’s no need to be so delicate…”
Lu Chengjing turned toward her.
The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by his usual indifference.
“Sister-in-law, would you like to come as well?”
“Of course not. That’s the soldiers’ food ration. Anyone with a conscience among the military families wouldn’t go take it from them.”
“Then Sister-in-law can make do with something at home.”
A single sentence left Bai Qiaolan speechless.
Watching the way Lu Chengjing treated Lin Shuyao differently felt like needles stabbing her heart.
Yet she couldn’t think of a single response.
With a wronged expression, she picked up her needle and thread.
The hostility in her eyes deepened even further.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere between them, Lin Shuyao felt somewhat helpless.
“Comrade Lu, maybe we should forget it. I can just eat something at home. I don’t want to cause you trouble…”
“The experimental station thinks very highly of you. Consider it an early celebration in your honor. Hurry and get ready. If we wait any longer, the meat will be gone.”
Faced with his firm, unquestionable gaze, Lin Shuyao could only nod.
“Alright! I’ll be right there.”
She returned to her room, quickly washed her hands, straightened her clothes, and followed Lu Chengjing outside.
As she passed Bai Qiaolan, the woman shot her a vicious glare.
The malice in her eyes was completely undisguised.
Lin Shuyao ignored it and jogged after Lu Chengjing, her mood exceptionally bright.
Walking ahead, Lu Chengjing maintained his upright military posture.
Yet he deliberately slowed his pace, waiting for the person behind him to catch up.
The sunlight stretched their shadows long across the ground.
The shadows overlapped slightly, as though quietly breaking through some of the distance that had existed between them.
Along the way, they encountered several groups of soldiers and military family members.
Every one of them stared when they saw Lin Shuyao.
As expected of a young woman from Kyoto.
Her skin was fair, her features beautiful, her waist slender, and her legs long. Even her clothing looked fashionable and refined.
“Battalion Commander Lu’s wife is so beautiful. She looks like someone from a magazine.”
“She’s a college graduate from Kyoto. Of course she’s beautiful. Look how much Battalion Commander Lu treasures her.”
“Hey, haven’t you heard? That woman isn’t exactly a good person. I heard her personal conduct has problems…”
Where there was praise, there was naturally criticism.
In an era with few forms of entertainment, rumors and gossip became everyone’s favorite pastime and spread quickly.
Especially stories about Lin Shuyao’s infamous past.
Lu Chengjing noticed the stares.
Without drawing attention to it, he shifted slightly and positioned himself beside Lin Shuyao, shielding her from those probing gazes.
Warmth spread through Lin Shuyao’s heart.
She looked up at his profile.
Before she realized it, the corners of her lips curved gently into a smile.