The moment Xiang Wanwan’s feet touched the ground, she felt truly alive.
How good it felt to have solid ground beneath her feet!
Since the ship was also carrying supplies, several soldiers in white uniforms were waiting at the dock.
She placed her hands on her hips, lifted her head, and breathed in the air, closing her eyes in comfort.
A few female soldiers nearby whispered among themselves:
“Whose family member is she? She’s so pretty.”
“Look at that waist! So tiny! And the hair… long, smooth, jet black.”
“That small face isn’t even as big as my palm.”
…
Xiang Wanwan stretched lazily and looked around.
Wasn’t someone supposed to pick her up? Where were they?
She had come to follow the army—shouldn’t Lu Jingnian already be waiting here for her?
“Sister Wanwan, I found out where my husband lives. I’ll take the kids first. Once we’re settled, I’ll come find you.”
Sister Wang was carrying a bundle of luggage and holding the hands of her two children.
Wanwan frowned slightly. Were military spouses treated this poorly? Didn’t anyone help them?
“Sister, are you sure you can manage? Do you want someone to help you carry this?”
“No, it’s fine! I can handle this.”
No sooner had she spoken than she hurried off with the children.
Watching her leave so swiftly, Wanwan felt a bit reassured. She could really do it!
Xiang Wanwan glanced at the four large suitcases beside her.
She wouldn’t have to carry them herself… would she?
Help!
Just then, a military green SUV pulled up steadily in front of her.
The door clicked open, revealing a pair of long legs in black leather shoes stepping out, pants creased straight.
A tall man followed.
Dressed in pristine white military attire with shoulder boards glinting gold in the sunlight, he had sharp, handsome features, a high nose bridge, and a strong jawline.
Xiang Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat.
So handsome… incredibly handsome!
The man walked slowly toward her, and her cheeks flushed.
This was Lu Jingnian? Her “cheap” husband turned out to be quite good-looking!
The nearby female soldiers erupted in chatter at the sight of Lu Jingnian:
“Is that Commander Lu?!”
“What’s his relationship with this woman? He came personally to pick her up?!”
“I heard Commander Lu is married… could this be his wife?!”
“What? Then I have no chance.”
Lu Jingnian’s gaze fell on her, calm and unreadable.
He swallowed once, his deep, steady military voice carrying a hint of distant coldness: “Xiang Wanwan?”
No extra words, as if the wife he had never met was no different from a target on his training field.
“Yes,” Wanwan replied softly, nodding.
She wasn’t surprised by his indifferent attitude.
They had been living apart after marriage with no real feelings. His coldness was entirely expected.
Fortunately, she didn’t care.
She just wanted to live her life well. Mutual respect was enough.
Lu Jingnian then loaded all the luggage into the SUV and got in first, glancing at her.
“Get in. Let’s go home.”
Wanwan didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the car’s side handle and jumped in, movements neat and efficient.
Lu Jingnian noticed and his eyes flickered with a trace of appreciation.
This woman was not quite what he expected…
The female soldiers watching the scene were surprised.
The commander and his wife… they seemed awkward together. Were they really married? Their relationship seemed so ordinary!
Perhaps this meant a chance for them!
…
On the car, Lu Jingnian didn’t speak a word.
Seeing his silence, Wanwan turned her gaze to the passing scenery.
The salty, briny sea breeze hit her nose. Everywhere she looked, simple stone houses appeared, not even a single streetlight.
It dawned on her: she would have to settle here for a while.
After a short drive, the car entered a compound. The houses here were much better and more densely packed than before.
This must be where higher-ranking soldiers lived!
The houses were much larger.
Finally, the car stopped at a small courtyard gate.
Lu Jingnian got out first, carrying the luggage inside.
He looked at her in the car and said coldly: “We’ve arrived. Get out.”
Wanwan hopped out efficiently and looked at the house.
Not bad—a single-story courtyard, red tiles, white walls, and a large yard, though it was empty.
Next to it was a similar house—she wondered which officer lived there.
Would they get along? How did their ranks compare to Lu Jingnian?
He opened the gate and carried a suitcase inside without waiting for her.
Wanwan stared at the two remaining suitcases.
Left for her? Fine—she’d carry them herself.
Dragging the suitcases, she stumbled inside.
After a few steps, Lu Jingnian reappeared, frowned slightly, and took the suitcase from her.
“Come in.”
Wanwan smiled faintly at her now-empty hands.
Not too cold after all!
Once inside, Lu Jingnian prepared to leave.
“I have matters to attend to. If you’re hungry, there are noodles in the kitchen. Tidy up yourself. Don’t wait for me tonight.”
With that, he left, getting into the SUV and driving off without looking back.
Who would wait for him anyway?
It was actually convenient—she could freely take things from her space.
She first examined the house layout: a master bedroom at the back, two guest rooms, a study, a bathroom, and then the living room, with the kitchen on the other side.
Four rooms, a living room, and a bathroom—pretty good for this place.
She checked each room. The master bedroom had a bed and a wardrobe; the study had a desk and a cabinet; the other rooms were empty.
The cabinet surfaces were thick with dust.
The bathroom wasn’t as good as city ones, but functional enough.
In the kitchen, the stove held a large pot with visible rust—clearly unused for a long time.
The noodles Lu Jingnian mentioned were in the cupboard… already moldy.
There was only one set of bowls and chopsticks.
All signs pointed to Lu Jingnian never cooking.
Wanwan sighed deeply.
This was going to be a huge project!
She was parched after the trip. The water in the kitchen’s jar was murky, far inferior to her space’s spring water.
She went straight into her space.
Holding her spring water, she drank deeply several times, finally feeling refreshed.
Looking at the big tree across the yard, she noticed something different.
She walked to its base. A small house that had previously opened its door now had another door in a branch-level house open as well.
Could another elf have appeared?
Sure enough, two tiny elves—a green one and a blue one—flew over.
Except for their color, they were identical.
Xiang Wanwan extended her hand, and both elves landed on it.
Previously, the green elf could find treasures and explore paths. She wondered what the blue one’s ability was.
After a few minutes in her space, she came out, ready to clean the house.
But she couldn’t find a broom or rag anywhere.
Standing in the living room, she sighed.
Suddenly, the blue elf flew out from the space.
Curious, Wanwan watched it fly around the living room. A flash of white light, and in the next moment, the living room was spotless.
The dust was gone, so clean that her reflection showed clearly.
Wanwan was stunned.
So the blue elf could clean for her?
She then looked at the kitchen, smiling. “Can you clean this too?”
The blue elf circled the kitchen twice, another flash of white light, and the kitchen was sparkling clean.
Even the previously rusted iron pot gleamed like new.
In no time, Wanwan had cleaned the entire house effortlessly. She discarded the moldy noodles and the old bowls and chopsticks.
She replaced the kitchen water with spring water from her space.
The whole house looked brand new.