After finishing her meal, Xiang Wanwan stretched in the yard and loosened up a bit.
Suddenly, a burst of angry shouting came from next door.
She walked over to the courtyard wall and listened closely—it was Chen De arguing with Sister-in-law Wang.
“This is all your fault! If you hadn’t shown up without a word, how would I have ended up suspended and under investigation?”
“You and your two kids are nothing but deadweight!”
Then came Sister-in-law Wang’s furious shout, her voice choked with tears.
“Chen De, do you have any conscience saying that? If I hadn’t stayed back home all these years taking care of your whole family, could you have the life you have now?”
“And shouldn’t I come? I’m your properly married wife!”
Next came the sound of two children crying.
“Dad, don’t bully Mom!”
“Mom! Waaa—”
Then the door slammed.
Chen De stormed out, and when he reached the yard, he shot Xiang Wanwan a hard look before leaving.
After he was gone, Xiang Wanwan quickly opened her gate and went next door to Sister-in-law Wang’s place.
As soon as she entered, she saw Sister-in-law Wang sitting on a stool, holding the two children and crying.
Seeing Xiang Wanwan, she wiped her tears and motioned for her to sit.
“Sister-in-law, what happened this time?”
After calming herself, Sister-in-law Wang finally spoke.
“Chen De’s been suspended and put under investigation. They said he concealed his real marital status.”
“He came back and took it all out on me, saying it was because I came here that he got suspended.”
Xiang Wanwan slammed her palm on the table.
Bang!
“Turning black into white! He clearly did wrong first, and now he’s shifting the blame.”
“Sister-in-law Wang, what are you planning to do now?”
If it were her, a man like Chen De would be thrown away without hesitation.
Just cheating alone was already unbearable—let alone his self-righteousness.
But Sister-in-law Wang was different. She had nothing left and two children to raise.
Chen De was her only support.
Xiang Wanwan wanted to tell her to divorce him outright, but in this era, a rural woman with no education, no house, no land, and two children—how could she survive?
Sister-in-law Wang lowered her head, thought for a while, then looked at her two skinny children and slowly closed her eyes.
This humiliation—she could only endure it.
Seeing her expression, Xiang Wanwan understood her decision and comforted her gently.
“Sister-in-law, try to take it easy. Actually, Chen being suspended isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He can help take care of the kids at home. He’s ignored the family for so many years—it’s about time he experienced it himself.”
Hearing this, Sister-in-law Wang felt a little comforted.
She looked at Xiang Wanwan gratefully. She had always thought Wanwan was younger and less experienced, yet her words and actions were steady and sensible.
What a good girl.
After returning from Sister-in-law Wang’s place, Xiang Wanwan took an afternoon nap. She slept until evening, when Sister-in-law Wang came to call on her.
“Wanwan, come eat dinner at my place tonight.”
Xiang Wanwan’s first instinct was to refuse. Sister-in-law Wang’s family also depended on monthly rations—if they went, it would mean even less food for her household.
And she still had two young children to feed!
“Sister-in-law, let’s forget it. I’ll just cook at home.”
Sister-in-law Wang warmly grabbed her hand. “Come on! Chen De got some meat today and told me to invite you and your husband over for dinner.”
Xiang Wanwan was surprised.
That scumbag taking the initiative to invite them?
Was he trying to make up with Sister-in-law Wang and use them as witnesses?
Since Sister-in-law Wang had already said so, Xiang Wanwan nodded.
“Alright then. When Lu Jingnian gets back tonight, I’ll tell him, and we’ll come together.”
“Good! I’ll go back and prepare. You must come!”
“Of course—your cooking is so good, I wouldn’t miss it.”
Xiang Wanwan joked with her.
That evening, Lu Jingnian returned.
“Today Sister-in-law Wang said they’re inviting us over for dinner. Are you going?”
Lu Jingnian frowned slightly, then saw the expectant look on his wife’s face and couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
He nodded. “Alright.”
Since this was Xiang Wanwan’s first proper visit to Sister-in-law Wang’s home, she prepared some candies and snacks that children liked—things she had brought with her before following the army.
When they arrived at the Chen household, Chen De greeted them with a flattering smile the moment they entered.
“Chief, it’s an honor to have you over for dinner. Please, have a seat.”
The moment Chen De said this, Xiang Wanwan froze.
So Lu Jingnian was actually Chen De’s superior?
In that instant, she understood why Chen De had invited them.
Her expression darkened immediately.
She glanced at Lu Jingnian—he looked indifferent, his face expressionless.
Well, since they were already here, it wasn’t possible to just leave.
And since Lu Jingnian hadn’t said anything, she decided to wait and see.
Hearing they’d arrived, Sister-in-law Wang came out of the kitchen in her apron, smiling brightly.
“Oh my, this must be my brother-in-law! Such a fine-looking man.”
“Standing together with Wanwan, you look like a golden couple.”
“Have a seat—dinner will be ready soon.”
At that moment, the two children also crowded over. Seeing Xiang Wanwan, they happily called her “Big Sister.”
But when they saw Lu Jingnian, they were a little scared.
Seeing this, Chen De hurriedly nudged the children, telling them to greet him.
The kids looked at Lu Jingnian’s expressionless face, found him frightening, and timidly called out, “Uncle.”
Xiang Wanwan couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.
“Uncle?”
Hahaha—did Lu Jingnian really look that old?
Lu Jingnian’s face darkened instantly.
The two children were so frightened that they started crying loudly.
Xiang Wanwan quickly took out the candies and snacks and led them aside to comfort them.
Watching her coax the children, Lu Jingnian couldn’t help but smile slightly.
She really was patient.
If they had children in the future…
The thought that suddenly crossed his mind startled him.
They had been married for three years, but they’d only truly spent two days together—how could he be thinking this?
It must have been influenced by Chen De’s children.
Chen De quickly apologized to Lu Jingnian. “The kids don’t know any better, Chief. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“They’re quite cute.”
Lu Jingnian said calmly, not even looking at Chen De.
Before long, Sister-in-law Wang brought all the dishes to the table.
Meat, vegetables, and soup—a rich spread.
Lu Jingnian sat next to Xiang Wanwan. Chen De and Sister-in-law Wang sat apart, the two children together, ready to eat.
Just as they picked up their chopsticks, Chen De poured Lu Jingnian a glass of wine, smiling obsequiously.
“Chief, welcome to our home for dinner!”
“These past few days, it’s all thanks to Madam for taking care of my wife.”
Lu Jingnian didn’t raise his glass. He continued eating calmly.
Xiang Wanwan and Sister-in-law Wang were both stunned.
“Sister-in-law’s cooking is good—very tasty.”
“Ah—oh! As long as my brother-in-law enjoys it, eat more.”
Sister-in-law Wang replied instinctively.
She hadn’t expected Wanwan’s husband to be a chief—and from the looks of it, higher-ranked than Chen De.
The man looked much younger than Chen De, yet he’d already become a chief.
Meanwhile, Chen De’s hand holding the wine glass froze midair, unbearably awkward.
After a moment, Lu Jingnian spoke slowly.
“Chen De, as a soldier—and a regiment commander—you need to handle your family matters properly.”
Chen De broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly explained,
“Chief, you’re joking. My wife and I get along very well. Don’t worry—I’ll definitely handle my family affairs properly.”
“Mhm.”
Lu Jingnian finally lifted his glass, lightly clinked it with Chen De’s, and took a sip.
Xiang Wanwan was stunned.
So Lu Jingnian knew everything!
Did that mean Chen De’s suspension was his doing?
Serves him right!
A scumbag like that deserved a lesson.
Chen De poured himself another glass and tried again.
“Chief, about my suspension…”
Lu Jingnian kept eating, not even lifting his head.
“Settle your family matters first. The organization will make its judgment.”
“Yes—yes! Of course! I’ll drink to you.”
Chen De’s behavior left both Xiang Wanwan and Sister-in-law Wang stunned.
They hadn’t expected him to be so afraid of Lu Jingnian.
Yet Lu Jingnian gave him no face at all.
……
By the end of the meal, everyone except Chen De ate happily.
When they were leaving, Sister-in-law Wang held Xiang Wanwan’s hand and thanked her repeatedly.
She knew today’s dinner only happened because of Wanwan—otherwise, her brother-in-law wouldn’t have shown up.
But Chen De dared to use her relationship with Wanwan…
At that thought, Sister-in-law Wang’s face darkened instantly, and she turned back toward the house.
Xiang Wanwan and Lu Jingnian had just stepped out of the courtyard when they heard a fresh round of Sister-in-law Wang’s furious scolding erupt behind them.