Lu Jianguo was shaking a newspaper while reading the news. Hearing movement at the door, he didn’t even look up.
“If you’re here to mooch tea, get lost early.”
“Commissar, you guessed wrong this time—it’s a huge celebration!”
He Zheng rushed in with a grin, clapping his hands. “Old Gu is hosting a feast at the canteen tonight and wants everyone to come.”
Lu Jianguo peeked over the top of his newspaper, frowning. “What kind of feast?”
“A wedding feast, of course!”
He Zheng smacked his lips, beaming with excitement. “They just got back by car. The moment they stepped out from the county town, they must’ve gotten that certificate!”
Lu Jianguo was shocked.
“What did you say? They got the certificate?”
The investigation team had just left for the Xiangyang Brigade, and this kid went and got the certificate right after?
This was acting first and reporting later!
Without wasting another moment, he immediately sent an orderly to summon him.
Soon, Gu Huai’an strode in.
He pulled over a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and casually placed his military cap on his knee.
“Calling for me in broad daylight like summoning a ghost?”
Lu Jianguo glared. “Give it to me straight—did you already get that piece of paper?”
Gu Huai’an pulled the marriage certificate from his breast pocket and slapped it on the table.
“See for yourself.”
Lu Jianguo picked it up, glanced at it, and angrily threw it back.
“You fool! Didn’t we agree to wait until the investigation was clear before handling it? Could you die from waiting a little longer?”
“Wait my ass. I’m cooking the rice first.”
He lit a cigarette, squinting through the smoke.
“Now she’s the legal family member of an active-duty officer. Let’s see who dares to mess with her. Anyone who tries, I’d be justified in shooting them.”
Lu Jianguo was speechless with anger, unable to utter a word for a long time.
With the certificate already issued, this was a done deal. If the investigation team looked into it now, they’d be investigating a military wife—the nature of the matter would change entirely.
“You… you’ll die because of a woman sooner or later!”
Gu Huai’an put away the certificate, a roguish smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“Doesn’t matter where I die. Just make sure you drink tonight.”
Lu Jianguo waved him off. “Get out! Seeing you gives me a headache!”
…
Night fell at the garrison canteen.
Several large round tables were pushed together, and the logistics department had laid out a few red oilcloths over them—the grandest setup possible.
Though called an extra meal, it only meant two extra basins of braised pork, one basin of chicken stewed with mushrooms, and a few plates of peanuts and smashed cucumbers.
Gathered around the tables were Gu Huai’an’s sworn brothers, along with several battalion and company-level officers and their families.
Battalion Commander Liu Qiang was also there with his wife, Sun Caiyun.
Even though the couple had been rebuked earlier, Sun Caiyun had heard there was braised pork and showed up without a second thought.
Now, she was eyeing Shen Yu sideways, cracking melon seeds and spitting the shells all over the floor.
He Zheng thumped a few bottles of Erguotou onto the table.
“It’s the regiment’s tradition: when a new bride enters, the first toast must be drunk! It’s for lasting happiness!”
Several young officers joined in the clamor. “That’s right! Sister-in-law, drink up! No drink, no wedding night!”
Gu Huai’an, who had been shelling peanuts, reached over and covered the small wine cup in front of Shen Yu.
“Drink what? She doesn’t drink. I’ll take this one for her.”
As he spoke, he reached for the bottle.
“Hey! That won’t do!” He Zheng protectively held the bottle, grinning mischievously as he blocked him. “This is the regiment’s rule! If you take it for her, it won’t count!”
Sun Caiyun seized the opportunity to chime in:
"Exactly, Commander Gu, which of us military wives can't handle a few drinks? If we have to hide behind our men's backs even for a glass of wine, wouldn't people laugh at us for having no guts?"
Although the other family members thought Sun Caiyun's words were harsh, they chimed in as well.
After all, when they first joined the families, they all drank that cup of wine—there was no reason for Shen Yu to be an exception.
Shen Yu had originally intended to follow Gu Huai'an's lead and decline, but hearing this, she raised an eyebrow.
In her past life, what kind of business gatherings hadn't she seen?
Those pot-bellied bosses, mixing foreign liquor with baijiu—she, Shen Yu, was famously known as the "Unshakable Drinker."
One jin was just the starting point; two jin was merely a light buzz.
Forget this small cup of Erguotou—even if they brought another case, she could drink them all under the table.
Shen Yu reached out, moved Gu Huai'an's hand aside, and gave He Zheng a generous smile, revealing a row of small white teeth.
"Since it's the tradition, I'll follow local customs. This first cup, I toast to everyone. I'll need your care in the future."
She directly took the liquor bottle, bypassing the small cup, and poured a small half-bowl into the enamel mug.
Everyone at the table was stunned.
Was this a toast or a sworn brotherhood ceremony from Liangshan?
Gu Huai'an turned his head and saw a boldness in her expression he had never seen before.
"Can you drink? This is Erguotou, not cold boiled water. If you get sick from it, I'll have to take care of you."
Shen Yu turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling, and scratched the back of his hand with her finger.
"Who do you think you're looking down on? Today's marriage registration is a joyous occasion—I'm happy."
Gu Huai'an's eyes darkened.
"Fine." He let go of her hand and casually picked up his own wine bowl, clinking it with hers. "Don't cry if you get drunk. I have no patience for comforting drunks."
"My drinking manners are excellent. Whoever cries is a coward."
Shen Yu lifted the enamel mug, tilted her head back, and downed it in one go.
"Bravo!"
Cheers erupted around her.
Shen Yu placed the empty mug on the table, not a drop left, her face unchanged and her heart steady. "Bottoms up!"
She truly felt fine.
She even mentally scoffed at the liquor for not being strong enough—just a bit of warmth in her throat and a gentle heat in her stomach, completely…
Huh?
Completely wrong!
The world in front of Shen Yu suddenly swayed.
The Gu Huai'an before her multiplied from one to two, then to three.
She blinked, and everything spun.
Oh no.
She forgot about the body swap!
"Sister-in-law, you're a heavyweight!"
He Zheng, still unaware of the problem, was about to praise her with a thumbs-up.
Then he saw Shen Yu, who had been brimming with boldness just moments ago, go limp as if boneless and collapse sideways.
Gu Huai'an reacted swiftly, wrapping an arm around her waist and catching her steadily.
"Tsk."
He looked down. The wild energy she had just moments ago was completely gone. Now, her face was as red as a monkey's bottom, her eyes dazed, and she was as soft as a puddle of water.
"One-cup wonder?"
Gu Huai'an sneered, pinching her chin with his large hand and shaking it gently. "Weren't you all tough just now? Still planning to drink me under the table?"
Shen Yu squinted, trying to focus.
A large dark shadow swayed before her, warm and muscular, quite comfortable.
Hmm…
High brow bone, straight nose, thin lips—looked very kissable.
A handsome guy.
She giggled, reaching out to clumsily stroke his face.
"Where'd this handsome guy come from… hic… so good-looking…"
The entire table fell silent.
He Zheng's chopsticks dropped. The men at the table stared at their noses or their bowls, wishing they could bury their heads in them.
This is way too bold.
Publicly touching someone's face like that?
So the regimental commander is into this sort of thing?
Sun Caiyun was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and snickered: "Oh dear, it seems this new bride is truly drunk—she doesn't even recognize her own man anymore?"
Lu Jianguo had remained silent all along, but now his old face flushed red, and he couldn't help but cough heavily a couple of times.
Gu Huai'an, whose breathing hitched as she touched him, grabbed both of her mischievous hands, pulling her even tighter into his embrace to restrain her movements.
"Behave! Take a good look at who I am! Are you really throwing a drunken tantrum here?"
Shen Yu, unhappy at being yelled at, glared at him dazedly.
"What's with all the yelling? I'm just touching you, what's the big deal? Sister has plenty of money… I'll take care of this face!"
"…"