The courtyard was not large. There were two brick-and-tile rooms on each side, separated by a small open space that served as a yard. Above it stood a grape trellis, and beneath it sat a stone table, giving the place a simple yet lived-in charm.
The two rooms on the eastern side consisted of one occupied by Lu Chengjing, while the other stood empty. It had now become Lin Shuyao’s temporary residence.
On the western side, Bai Qiaolan lived in the innermost room. The other was used as a washroom and storage room, while a simple mud-brick kitchen had been built outside.
Everything was spotless and neatly arranged, making it obvious that Bai Qiaolan was a capable homemaker.
As for why Bai Qiaolan had followed her younger brother-in-law to the military district, there was a story behind it.
Nominally, she had come to take care of Lu Chengjing. In reality, much like Lin Shuyao, she had come seeking refuge.
The Lu family was a genuine military family. Three generations had served in the army, and the family was renowned for its loyalty and sacrifice.
By Lu Chengjing’s generation, only he and his older brother, Lu Chenghuai, remained. The brothers had grown up together, enlisted together, and shared a deep bond.
Two years earlier, Lu Chenghuai had tragically died during a mission. Not even his remains were recovered, leaving Bai Qiaolan alone as a widowed woman.
At the time, the elders of the Lu clan had urged Lu Chengjing to marry his brother’s widow. It would preserve the Lu family bloodline and provide Bai Qiaolan with security for the rest of her life.
However, Lu Chengjing was stubborn, loyal, and deeply principled. His brother’s sacrifice was already a painful loss. He could never bring himself to do something he considered morally wrong, and he firmly rejected the proposal.
It was around that time that, through an introduction, he met Lin Shuyao. Seeing that she came from a respectable family, was educated, and was also attractive, he promptly agreed to marry her and obtained a marriage certificate.
For Lu Chengjing, it was the most straightforward way to reject the arrangement and give both his family and the organization an answer.
Bai Qiaolan understood this as well. Lu Chengjing respected her only as his elder sister-in-law. There had never been any romantic feelings between them. Her decision to come to the Southwest was simply because he was the only remaining relative from her husband’s family, and she wanted them to be close enough to support one another.
But now Lin Shuyao had arrived.
This nominal younger sister-in-law, regardless of her past behavior, was still Lu Chengjing’s legally wedded wife. As the widowed sister-in-law, Bai Qiaolan suddenly felt like the unnecessary one.
The thought left her extremely uncomfortable.
“Then… I’ll go boil some hot water for you. Comrade Lin has traveled a long way. A wash will help you feel better.”
Seeing that neither of them responded, Bai Qiaolan suppressed her complicated emotions and headed toward the kitchen.
The room’s interior was much as Lin Shuyao had imagined—simple but clean. Against the wall stood a wooden bed, while a wardrobe occupied one corner. Aside from those, the room was empty.
“It’s very nice. Thank you, Battalion Commander Lu.”
Lu Chengjing glanced at her and spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t call me that.”
Lin Shuyao paused.
“Hm? Then what should I call you?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. After a long silence, he finally uttered two words.
“…Comrade.”
Lin Shuyao was speechless.
Just moments ago, they had been husband and wife. Now they were comrades?
Fine. Comrade it was. Stabilizing her position was more important than anything else.
“Thank you for taking me in, Comrade Lu. I truly appreciate it.”
Her gratitude was sincere. Even though they had never met before, everything Lu Chengjing had said and done deserved her thanks.
He hadn’t made things difficult for her.
He hadn’t pursued responsibility.
He hadn’t held a grudge.
He was definitely a good person.
Lu Chengjing looked at her deeply.
“No need.”
After leaving those two words behind, he turned and walked away.
Lin Shuyao didn’t mind. He was simply the type who looked cold but had a warm heart.
Before she could even begin unpacking, Lu Chengjing returned carrying a basin of water. He had rolled up the sleeves of his military uniform, exposing firm wrists. After wringing out a cloth, he immediately began cleaning.
“You should go outside first. This room hasn’t been lived in for years. There’s a lot of dust.”
“Comrade Lu, I can do it myself. You accompanied me to the hospital and pushed me all the way back. You’ve already worked hard enough.”
His hand paused briefly while wiping the edge of the bed.
“Your health is poor. Just rest.”
His tone left no room for argument.
Lin Shuyao pressed her lips together and stopped insisting. She obediently stepped back to the doorway and watched his tall figure move about the small room.
Lu Chengjing worked quickly and meticulously. The cloth swept over every surface, even the corners and hidden spots. Every movement was orderly and precise.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling across the side of his handsome face. His features were sharp and resolute, while his eyelashes cast faint shadows. Unexpectedly, the scene softened his otherwise stern appearance.
Lin Shuyao found herself staring.
This man might seem cold and tough on the outside, but he was incredibly thoughtful.
The original owner of this body must have been blind. She had failed to cherish someone this good and instead chased after Chen Zhiheng, that ungrateful wolf.
Before long, the room was spotless, and even the air felt fresher.
Lu Chengjing then brought over two brand-new cotton quilts. They had recently been issued by the military, and as a battalion-level officer, he had only received two.
People often said that girls from Kyoto were delicate. Since the wooden bed was hard, he planned to use one quilt as a mattress pad and the other as a blanket.
He also brought a new enamel cup, enamel basin, toothbrush, peony-patterned towel, and other necessities.
While Lu Chengjing’s attention to detail was remarkable, Lin Shuyao simply felt that he was being overly polite.
Since he was such a good person, getting his signature for her work assignment should be practically guaranteed.
She had no idea how scarce these items actually were.
Lin Shuyao came from the twenty-first century, where daily life was convenient. She had spent most of her time focused on scientific research and rarely concerned herself with household matters.
Although she knew the Southwest of the 1970s was impoverished, her thoughts were always on land and crop varieties rather than shortages of living supplies.
Even after entering the novel, she had never suffered much hardship in the Lin family. Their circumstances were good. Both her parents held official positions, and her two older brothers had respectable jobs. The family had always spoiled her.
“All right. Finish unpacking, wash up, and get ready for dinner.”
Lu Chengjing glanced at her luggage, indicating that she should organize it herself before turning to leave.
“Comrade Lu, thank you!”
His footsteps paused briefly.
Without turning around, he simply responded with a soft “Mm” before disappearing through the doorway.
Looking around the refreshed room and then at her heavy luggage, Lin Shuyao smiled and shook her head before getting to work.
Once she opened her bags, she found everything inside. There were several expensive and beautiful outfits, all packed by Mother Lin, who believed that a reunited husband and wife should always present themselves properly.
Lin Shuyao didn’t care much about clothes. She casually hung them in the wardrobe before carefully organizing her agricultural research notes.
Those notes were the culmination of her life’s work from her previous world and the foundation of her confidence in conducting research in the Southwest.
The moment Lu Chengjing stepped outside, he encountered Bai Qiaolan standing at the kitchen entrance.
There was a trace of hesitation in her eyes as she spoke softly.
“Chengjing, Comrade Lin just arrived, and her health is still weak. We didn’t have time to prepare much food. I was thinking of making some porridge and stir-fried shredded potatoes. What do you think?”
“Big Sister-in-law, cut up the ham sent over from the military farm and add another dish.”
Bai Qiaolan froze.
A lump formed in her chest.
That ham…
It had been a reward for Lu Chengjing’s meritorious service, something earned at the risk of his life. He had never been willing to eat it, even during holidays and festivals.
So why was Lin Shuyao receiving such treatment the moment she arrived?