In these times, the kindness of offering help in times of need is priceless.
If she could lend Deng Qin a hand at this critical moment—even if it was just standing up for her or backing her up—wouldn’t their friendship become unbreakable?
There were long days ahead, and as long as she could whisper a few words in his ear, she might also earn some favor from Cheng Yiqiu.
Shen Yu made up her mind: tomorrow, she’d find an excuse to drop by the medical team.
Even if she had to fake a headache or a fever, she’d find a way to build that connection.
But for now, the most urgent task was to placate the one at home.
Thinking of Gu Huai’an’s unruly demeanor made Shen Yu grit her teeth.
Yet he was her only support now, so she had to stroke his ego.
Shen Yu hopped off the bed, tidied the stray hairs at her temples in the mirror, and unbuttoned one button at the collar, revealing just a hint of her collarbone—not too much, not too little.
Too proper, and she’d look like a women’s committee chair; too revealing, and she’d seem like a hussy. This was just the right amount to be enticing.
“So it’s a game of who’s more shameless? Who’s afraid of whom?”
…
Under the scorching sun, a group of greenhorn soldiers, stripped to the waist, were crawling and rolling in the mud.
Gu Huai’an wasn’t participating. He crouched on the parallel bars, chewing on a blade of grass as he watched the scene below.
“Your legs are as weak as noodles. Didn’t you eat?” Gu Huai’an spat out the grass and shouted, “Squad Leader Three, take them for two more laps! One less lap, and no dinner tonight!”
“Yes, sir!”
Lu Jianguo strolled over leisurely, carrying a canteen, and called up to him, “Come down, take a break. I’ve got something serious to discuss.”
Gu Huai’an flipped down, landing silently from over two meters high.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead casually, took the canteen, and gulped down a mouthful of water.
“I pushed back the investigation team again. Lin Qichuan probably won’t dare to retract his testimony now.”
Lu Jianguo looked at Gu Huai’an. “That girl Shen Yu may seem delicate, but deep down, she’s just like you—she won’t take any losses.”
Gu Huai’an screwed the cap back on the canteen and smiled, thinking of the woman who was fierce yet prone to whining.
“Not a damn bit.”
He tossed the canteen back to Lu Jianguo. “She’s just a monkey who knows how to climb the pole when it’s offered.”
Lu Jianguo shook his head.
If this kid really found her annoying, would he have let her hang floral curtains and cause trouble at the regimental headquarters?
“Alright, stop pretending with me.” Lu Jianguo wiped the smile off his face and asked seriously, “Have you told your family about getting the marriage certificate?”
At the mention of “family,” Gu Huai’an’s expression turned colder.
He pulled out a match, lit a cigarette, and took a drag.
“No.”
“You should tell them.” Lu Jianguo frowned. “He’s your father.”
“What does my marriage have to do with him?” Gu Huai’an exhaled a puff of smoke. “He should just mind his own business.”
“With your father’s temper, if he finds out you married a village girl in the mountains without telling him first, you’ll be in for it.”
“Let him try.” Gu Huai’an flicked the ash off his cigarette. “The emperor is far away. Can he reach here and tear apart my bed?”
“What if he really sends someone to drag you back?”
“Then let him send them. I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on me.”
Lu Jianguo couldn’t persuade him and shook his head as he walked away.
These two, father and son, were like stubborn mules—when they clashed, it was bound to end in bloodshed.
As dinnertime approached, Shen Yu ran to the edge of the barbed-wire fence.
The wind blew against her white shirt, outlining her figure.
The marching formation fell into disarray.
“Eyes—right!”
That row of heads swiveled to the right in unison, their eyes glued to the white figure by the wire fence. Their footsteps faltered, creating a chaotic clatter.
"What are you staring at? Never seen a woman before?"
A roar exploded through the air.
One soldier shouted, "Reporting, Regimental Commander! Never seen one this pretty!"
"Get lost! Is she for you to look at?" Gu Huai'an strode over and kicked the lead platoon leader in the rear. "I'll gouge your eyeballs out!"
The platoon leader stumbled from the kick, grinning cheekily. "Regimental Commander, Sister-in-law is here to see you!"
Gu Huai'an turned and locked eyes with Shen Yu from a distance.
The woman wasn't intimidated either. She smiled brightly and waved at him.
Gu Huai'an pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, pulled his cap back on, and strode over with a dark expression.
His undershirt was soaked through, clinging to his spine and outlining the solid muscles beneath.
Shen Yu stared a little too intently.
This man was truly unruly, but he was also undeniably sexy.
Far better than those powdered-up pretty boys she'd seen at the clubs.
"Didn't I tell you to stay in the house?"
Gu Huai'an unhooked the chain on the iron gate to let her in, his gaze sweeping over her thin white blouse. "What are you doing in a place like this? A bunch of men stripped to the waist—aren't you embarrassed?"
"I came to pick you up," Shen Yu said, smiling as she moved closer. "Touched?"
This was the script she had rehearsed in her head several times.
Gentle and attentive, adding charm to his life.
First, make this man happy. Then, money and power would follow.
"Touched my ass."
"Gu Huai'an, don't be ungrateful. I came here under the blazing sun—my skin's burning."
"What's there to be delicate about? I think you're just hungry, looking for a meal ticket."
Gu Huai'an flicked her forehead lightly with his finger.
Shen Yu covered her forehead and immediately latched onto his arm. "So, will you give me this face?"
The moment she pressed against him, Gu Huai'an's arm stiffened.
He tried to pull away, but she held on tighter.
"Let go. I'm all sweaty."
"I don't mind," Shen Yu said. "That's called manly charm."
The soldiers nearby pricked up their ears, their movements slowing by half a beat.
"Enough, stop making a scene here," Gu Huai'an cursed, wrapping an arm around her waist and steering her toward the canteen. "Let's go. Don't delay my training."
At the canteen, Gu Huai'an slapped the lunchbox and meal tickets onto the table, sitting down like a boss.
"Get whatever you want yourself. Don't expect me to serve you."
Shen Yu took the lunchbox, still smiling. "Fine, today I'll serve you."
She hurried to the serving window. The cook, recognizing the regimental commander's wife, didn't skimp with his ladle.
Two lunchboxes filled to the brim—stir-fried pork with potherb mustard and vinegar-sautéed shredded potatoes, both generously oily.
When she returned, Gu Huai'an was talking to He Zheng.
He Zheng glanced at Shen Yu bustling about and winked at Gu Huai'an. "Old Gu, with Sister-in-law being so virtuous, you're in for a lucky life."
"Just eat your meal," Gu Huai'an said, taking the chopsticks.
Shen Yu didn't idle either, eating while also serving Gu Huai'an.
"Here, eat more. Look at how much you've sweated—you need to replenish salt."
"I don't eat potherb mustard."
Gu Huai'an frowned, pushing the chopsticksful of vegetables aside.
"Don't be picky," Shen Yu said, holding the chopsticks right to his mouth. "Be good, open up, ah—"
The soldiers at nearby tables, even with their heads buried in their bowls, were stealing glances out of the corners of their eyes.
Commander Gu being coaxed into eating? This was a sight seen once in a hundred years!
Gu Huai'an shot her a glare, opened his mouth, swallowed the food in one gulp, and gulped it down without even chewing.
The entire meal was eaten under the watchful eyes of everyone.
After eating and drinking their fill, the two walked back side by side.
Once inside, Gu Huai'an picked up the washbasin.
"I'm going to take a quick shower. You rest on your own."
"Don't be like that!" Shen Yu pressed down on the basin. "You're all sweaty, and you can't reach your back properly. You won't scrub clean."
Gu Huai'an stopped and turned to look at her. "What are you trying to do?"
Shen Yu picked up the towel hanging on the rack and smiled. "I'll help you wipe your back first! We're husband and wife, so we should help each other out."
Gu Huai'an narrowed his eyes at the towel in her hand, his gaze deepening.
"Shen Yu, what kind of nonsense are you up to now?"
"That's such an unpleasant thing to say."
Shen Yu nudged him toward the stool. "Sit down quickly. I'm really good at this."
"Who have you wiped for before?" Gu Huai'an asked as he sat down.
"I've brushed the old yellow ox in the village. It groaned with pleasure."
Shen Yu casually made up a story.
Gu Huai'an's face darkened, and he turned his head to scold her. "You're comparing me to an ox?"