Ji Nanxi’s returning grasp seemed to straighten Lu Zhiyan’s back even more. His steps remained steady, but the hand holding hers unconsciously tightened a little further.
The canteen was still filled with the mingling sounds of chatter and the aroma of food.
Once inside, Lu Zhiyan led Ji Nanxi to the serving window to get their meals.
Dinner consisted of coarse mixed-grain rice, a spoonful of stir-fried cabbage with minced meat, a spoonful of fried tofu with pickled mustard greens, and a boiled egg.
The food was served in aluminum lunchboxes, steaming hot.
The two found an empty seat in a corner.
Lu Zhiyan ate quickly, but his manner was not crude—a habit developed from years of military life.
He naturally placed the boiled egg from his own lunchbox next to Ji Nanxi’s.
Ji Nanxi was taken aback and looked up at him.
Without meeting her gaze, Lu Zhiyan said with concern, “Supplies on the island aren’t easy to come by, and fresh eggs are scarce. You’re delicate, so eat more.”
Ji Nanxi lowered her head, peeled the eggshell, and then handed it to Lu Zhiyan. “Husband, you eat it!”
Lu Zhiyan was momentarily stunned. “You…”
Ji Nanxi explained, “One egg is enough for me. You train hard every day and shouldn’t neglect your health.”
With that, she directly brought the egg to Lu Zhiyan’s lips.
As the egg touched his lips, he noticed the teasing glances from people around them directed at the couple. He quickly took the egg. “I’ll eat it myself.”
Ji Nanxi smiled. “Alright.”
She also peeled her own egg and began to eat.
For her, this was the first egg she had eaten in nearly four years!
As Ji Nanxi ate the egg, the light in her eyes grew even softer.
Mmm!
Rice, eggs, vegetables!
So delicious!
In the Interstellar era, drinking Nutrient Solution every day was enough to drive a foodie to the brink of madness.
After Ji Nanxi finished eating, Lu Zhiyan picked up both aluminum lunchboxes, went outside to wash them clean, and returned them to the canteen.
Then, he said to Ji Nanxi, “Let’s go back and rest early. We’ll set off for Gu Family Village at dawn tomorrow. Taking the shortcut there means walking a stretch of mountain road.”
Ji Nanxi nodded. “Alright.”
The couple walked back toward the old courtyard.
When they reached the courtyard gate, Ji Nanxi suddenly stopped, turned to Lu Zhiyan, and said, “Lu Zhiyan, thank you for being willing to marry me.”
Lu Zhiyan paused, his back to her. His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and his voice was somewhat hoarse. “Why do you say that?”
Ji Nanxi’s voice was soft. From the System, she had learned about the original host’s background. “My family background is problematic, yet you were willing to marry me despite the pressure.”
“Thank you for being willing to protect me and give me a home.”
The Ji family had been merchants for generations. Due to being framed, Elder Ji, Ji Nanxi’s father, and her mother lost their lives.
The original host indirectly bore the accusation of betraying the country—she was the one who slipped through the net of the mastermind behind it all.
Elder Lu’s willingness to have Lu Zhiyan marry the original host at such a time was already providing her with a protective umbrella.
The original host, being immature, insisted on divorce, which ultimately led to her starving to death on the streets.
Lu Zhiyan looked at Ji Nanxi’s lowered eyes, feeling as if something had struck his heart hard.
He took a step forward and gently pulled Ji Nanxi into his embrace. “Ji Nanxi, today you chose not to divorce.”
“So, from now on, I won’t give you any chance to leave my side.”
Upon hearing his words, Ji Nanxi was momentarily stunned, then gently returned his embrace, a tender smile curling at the corners of her lips. “Then you must keep your word!”
“Let’s not talk about divorce anymore, okay?”
Lu Zhiyan nodded firmly. “Okay!”
Even if I am the illegitimate child of the Ji family, my honor and disgrace are shared with you.
You chose to stay yourself!
Don’t blame me for being despicable and shameless, for cruelly pulling you down to sink with me.
Ji Nanxi, please, stay by my side for the rest of your life and never leave!
…
The next day.
Before dawn had fully broken, Lu Zhiyan and Ji Nanxi set off.
Lu Zhiyan carried a somewhat worn military-green satchel containing money, ration coupons, and a military canteen.
Ji Nanxi wore a small cloth bag slung across her shoulder, holding some dry provisions inside.
After holding hands the previous night, the atmosphere between them had subtly changed.
Lu Zhiyan still walked ahead but would occasionally slow his pace, glancing back to check if Ji Nanxi was keeping up.
When encountering steep slopes or slippery patches, he would naturally extend a hand to pull her along.
Ji Nanxi had grown accustomed to it, offering her hand to be helped up, after which the two would naturally walk side by side for a stretch.
After crossing the hill, they finally saw the village of Gujia, with wisps of cooking smoke curling into the air.
Upon reaching the village, Lu Zhiyan headed straight for the tile-making workshop with clear purpose.
The workshop owner was a lean middle-aged man. Upon hearing they wanted to buy tiles to repair their roof and learning that the house was a two-story old courtyard, he spoke frankly.
“Regimental Commander Lu, I have a rough idea about the roofs of the old military housing. Just patching the leaky tiles won’t be enough—many of the rafters are likely rotten. It’d be best to replace a few.”
“Otherwise, I’m afraid the roof won’t hold up when typhoons come and might collapse in the end!”
“I have ready-made blue tiles here, sturdy and durable. As for the rafters, Old Zhang’s family at the east end of the village just cut down a few fir trees a few days ago. The wood is good. Shall I take you to have a look?”
Lu Zhiyan thought for a moment and nodded. “Thank you, Second Uncle Gu.”
After inspecting the wood and negotiating the price, they settled on enough tiles and several fir rafters, agreeing that they would be delivered to the family quarters that afternoon.
Lu Zhiyan paid a partial deposit, and Second Uncle Gu patted his chest, promising that his oxcart would follow them when they left at noon.
Next was the carpenter’s house.
The carpenter, Old Mei, was planing a wooden board in the yard, wood shavings flying like snowflakes.
Seeing them, he immediately stopped his work and greeted them warmly. “Regimental Commander Lu is here!”
“Come take a look! The wood for the bed and wardrobe you ordered earlier is all prepared—well-dried, good-quality timber!”
He led the two to see the wood stacked under the eaves to dry, then brought out smoothly planed sample components to show them the mortise and tenon joints.
Lu Zhiyan inspected carefully, running his fingers over the joints and testing the thickness and hardness of the boards.
He smiled with satisfaction. “Uncle Mei, make another set of beds and wardrobes like these for me. Make the bed larger—one point eight meters wide. The bed boards should also be half an inch thicker.”
Old Mei was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. “No problem! It’ll just be a bit heavier and use more material…”
“That’s fine. Make them thicker as requested.”
Lu Zhiyan said, then pointed to the wardrobe beside him. “The wardrobe should also be enlarged, and it must be smooth—no splinters to prick the hands.”
“Don’t worry! I, Old Mei, always prioritize quality in my work!”
Uncle Mei patted his chest, then turned to Ji Nanxi with a smile and asked, “This must be Regimental Commander Lu’s wife, right? Do you have any preferences for the wardrobe style? We can carve a simple pattern on the doors too!”
Ji Nanxi hadn’t expected to be asked and quickly waved her hand. “Uncle Mei, you’re too kind. The wardrobe doesn’t need any carvings—simple and sturdy is just fine.”
She was already quite satisfied with the smooth wood and the intricate mortise-and-tenon joints.
Lu Zhiyan, meanwhile, picked out two ready-made five-drawer cabinets and asked Uncle Mei to arrange for Uncle Niu to deliver them together.
As for the custom-made bed and wardrobe set, it would need to be delivered to the military district gate seven days later.
Lu Zhiyan paid for everything promptly and without hesitation.
This wasn’t his first time on the island. He had lived at the Base for two years during a previous mission, so he was familiar with Gujia Village.
The villagers of Gujia Village had a very good impression of Lu Zhiyan, knowing him as a soldier with a stern face but a warm heart!