The more Bai Qiaolan spoke, the more wronged she sounded, as though everything she had done came from pure concern for Lu Chengjing. In contrast, Lin Shuyao had somehow become the ungrateful sinner.
As she cried, she secretly watched Lu Chengjing’s expression, hoping he would remember old ties and take her side.
But Lu Chengjing’s attitude did not soften in the slightest.
“What happened in the past is already over. I don’t want to bring it up again. Shuyao and I are husband and wife now. I trust her, and I will protect her. That’s enough.”
“Chengjing… how can you be so foolish?”
“I’ll warn you one last time. From now on, you are not to spread rumors in the compound, bring others to my courtyard to cause trouble, or scheme against Shuyao. If it happens again, I won’t show any mercy. I’ll send you back immediately.”
Those words completely stunned Bai Qiaolan.
Her face turned deathly pale as she collapsed onto a nearby stool.
“What did you say? You want to send me back to my family? Lu Chengjing, you know exactly what my family is like! How can you be so heartless? Your brother died young, and I became a widow at twenty-three for the sake of the Lu family. I’ve never done anything to wrong your family! And now, for the sake of that shameless, used-up woman, you want to send me away?”
Bai Qiaolan dared not return to the Bai family.
To her, it was a den of wolves.
She could already imagine what would happen if she went back. If she had anywhere else to go, she never would have sought refuge with her brother-in-law, Lu Chengjing.
The days before she married into the Lu family had been a nightmare.
Bai Qiaolan was born when her parents still lived in the countryside.
When she was eight years old, nationwide reforms began. While many educated youths were sent down to the countryside, her parents were instead recruited to Kyoto because of their ancestral craftsmanship.
But when they left, they only took their three sons.
They left Bai Qiaolan behind.
Their excuse was that their roots were in the countryside and that someone should remain behind to remember where they came from.
So Bai Qiaolan stayed in the village with her grandparents.
The Bai family had always looked down on girls.
Growing up, she was never warm enough, never fed enough, and was worked like an ox. It wasn’t until she was eighteen that she was finally brought to Kyoto.
Bai Qiaolan was clever.
Having endured so many years of hardship, she naturally seized every opportunity she could find.
The moment she arrived in Kyoto, she threw herself into learning how to fit into the bustling city life.
She learned proper table manners.
She learned graceful posture.
She changed her accent.
Marrying into the Lu family was the best move she ever made.
Not only was the Lu family politically respectable, but their family values were impeccable.
The eldest son, Lu Chenghuai, was handsome, capable, and possessed an excellent character.
What nobody knew was that every stage of their relationship—from meeting, to falling in love, to marriage—had been achieved through Bai Qiaolan’s careful efforts and schemes.
After marrying into the Lu family, she finally held her head high.
She immediately distanced herself from her birth family and refused to let them benefit from her position.
Whenever she returned home, she did so proudly and confidently.
Unfortunately, Lu Chenghuai was short-lived.
Her happy life lasted less than three years before he died honorably in service.
Several times afterward, her family demanded that she return.
They even arranged for her to remarry a minor official nearing sixty years old and had already negotiated the bride price.
When the elders of the Lu family suggested that Bai Qiaolan remarry Lu Chengjing, she had been overjoyed.
But Lu Chengjing never looked at her with even the slightest interest.
His heart was as hard as iron.
Instead, he turned around and married a woman like Lin Shuyao.
Fortunately, Lin Shuyao had never appreciated him.
She ignored such a wonderful man and spent her days mixed up in questionable relationships.
Bai Qiaolan believed all she needed was patience.
Given enough time, she could warm Lu Chengjing’s heart.
Some things were not impossible.
Once Lu Chengjing got divorced, his reputation would inevitably suffer. She herself had never had children and knew him inside and out…
“Shut up!”
Lu Chengjing’s voice was icy.
“If I hear another word insulting Shuyao come out of your mouth, I can be even more ruthless.”
“You—”
“If you refuse to return to your family, I can report everything you’ve done to the military immediately and arrange for you to work in the Red Earth Mountains under the military district. Think carefully.”
At last, Bai Qiaolan fell silent.
She didn’t even dare continue crying.
She knew Lu Chengjing always followed through on his words.
If she provoked him again, he would absolutely do exactly what he said.
Returning to her family meant returning to a wolf’s den.
Going to labor in the Red Earth Mountains was no better.
That place was known for its harsh terrain and poverty. How could it compare to the comfortable life she enjoyed in the compound?
Looking at her devastated expression, Lu Chengjing felt no sympathy.
“Take care of yourself.”
He turned and left the main room.
The cold severity surrounding him gradually faded, leaving only guilt and heartache behind.
All the grievances Lin Shuyao had suffered since coming to the Southwest had originated with Bai Qiaolan.
When everything was added up, he could not completely absolve himself of responsibility.
“Shuyao.”
Stopping outside her room, Lu Chengjing raised his hand and knocked lightly.
Lin Shuyao answered and quickly opened the door.
“Is everything settled?”
“Yes… I’m sorry.”
“I’m fine. I didn’t take any of what they said to heart.”
The more understanding she was, the guiltier Lu Chengjing felt.
If he had managed family matters better and prevented his sister-in-law from repeatedly causing trouble, Lin Shuyao would not have had to endure so much frustration.
Nor would she have been forced into a logistics position because of other people’s malicious interference.
After a moment of silence, he stepped closer.
His voice was low and filled with apology.
“I didn’t handle my family properly. You suffered because of it.”
Lin Shuyao blinked in surprise and waved her hand dismissively.
“Oh, it’s really not a big deal. There’s nothing to feel wronged about.”
That was simply the kind of person she was.
The more people challenged her, the tougher she became.
But now, with such a large, imposing man earnestly apologizing to her, she suddenly felt at a loss.
Just look at him.
A towering man over six feet tall.
A decisive and formidable military officer.
And yet, standing before her now, lowering his eyes and apologizing so gently…
“Really, it’s fine.”
“I want to take you into the city. We can look around, relax, and have a good meal at a state-owned restaurant. Consider it compensation.”
Lin Shuyao froze again.
Just as she was about to refuse, Lu Chengjing interrupted her.
“I’ve already requested leave from the battalion, and the military vehicle is ready. We’ll leave now. The military district is far from the city. If we leave early, we’ll have more time to explore.”
Lu Chengjing had always been decisive.
This time, he was determined to cheer Lin Shuyao up and gave her no opportunity to refuse.
In the end, she nodded and smiled softly.
“Alright. I’ll listen to you.”
When she agreed, the tension at the corners of Lu Chengjing’s mouth eased.
A faint smile appeared.
Even his normally stern features softened considerably.
He picked up her coat and carefully draped it over her shoulders.
His movements were gentle and attentive, completely different from the cold harshness he had shown Bai Qiaolan earlier.
While he was being considerate, Lin Shuyao felt increasingly awkward.
“Thank you. I can do it myself.”
The two walked out of the courtyard side by side.
A dark green military vehicle was parked outside the gate.
The vehicle was spotless and neatly maintained, clearly assigned by the military.
Lu Chengjing strode forward and opened the door for her.
He even raised a hand above the doorframe to prevent her from bumping her head.
The care he showed was meticulous.
“Thank you, Comrade Lu.”
The moment she called him “Comrade Lu,” the smile on Lu Chengjing’s face visibly stiffened.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me.”
“It’s only proper.”