Chapter 26: Passing the Days

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Passing the Days

"What’s wrong?" Lu Zhengchuan sat up with a single, swift motion. The movement was so forceful that it made the bed frame shake twice.

Su Wan, who had been covering her mouth to suppress her morning sickness, quickly braced herself on the bed frame. It took her several seconds to steady herself.

"Are you okay?" Lu Zhengchuan placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her anxiously.

Su Wan had seen how agile and powerful he could be before, so she was only stunned for a moment before snapping out of it. She waved her hand. "I’m fine. It’s just a sudden bout of morning sickness."

"So before, it was morning sickness and not carsickness?" Lu Zhengchuan had already gotten up, poured a cup of hot water, and was holding it to her lips.

"Mhm." Su Wan nodded and took a small sip. The bland taste of the plain water completely killed any desire to drink more.

"I don’t want any more." Su Wan frowned, pushing the enamel cup away.

"What’s wrong?" Lu Zhengchuan looked at the enamel cup, then thought for a moment before mixing some malted milk into it.

He brought it back and sat on the edge of the bed. "Try this. I’ll buy more when you finish it."

Su Wan took a sip, and her brow unfurrowed. A healthy blush returned to her slightly pale cheeks.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were pregnant before. Good thing I didn’t just buy you some random medicine... Medicine, wait." Lu Zhengchuan shot to his feet and took her hand. The soft, delicate feel of her palm made him pause. He lowered his gaze and asked with concern, "That cold medicine you took before? No, this won’t do. I have to take you to the clinic for a check-up."

Su Wan raised a pretty eyebrow. "I didn’t take it back then. I spat it out."

"I’m not an idiot. If I was already worried you might bully me, of course I was going to protect myself." Su Wan’s lovely eyes curved upward as she let out a proud little huff.

Lu Zhengchuan’s expression flickered. After she finished drinking, he took the enamel cup from her.

"I’m sorry," Lu Zhengchuan apologized proactively.

"So, are you ready to settle down and live a proper life with me now?" Su Wan asked, taking the opportunity. She was leaning against the pillow, looking up at him.

’The matter with Zheng Zhizhi was more or less cleared up. Since it was just her one-sided infatuation, I’m certainly not foolish enough to push Lu Zhengchuan away.’

’He’s handsome and has money, and he dealt with Zheng Zhizhi and Zhang Yun without any hesitation.’

’He’s much better than a lot of the men in the village.’

"Of course. I married you to build a life with you." Lu Zhengchuan nodded, making his stance clear. He turned and brought in a washbasin. "Do you want to wash up again?"

Su Wan reached out for her toothbrush and toothpaste. After she finished washing up, Lu Zhengchuan took the washbasin and everything else away.

Hearing the sound of running water and something being washed outside, she glanced over curiously. She saw Lu Zhengchuan, wearing a tank top, washing the basin by the water vat in the moonlit yard.

Moonlight spilled across his sexy back, and a few scars were faintly visible on his bronze skin.

Just as Su Wan tilted her head to get a better look, Lu Zhengchuan finished cleaning up and turned around, his eyes meeting hers.

Su Wan didn’t feel the least bit guilty, continuing to gaze at him openly.

Her bold gaze made Lu Zhengchuan involuntarily straighten his back, his posture becoming as ramrod-straight as a poplar tree. Water droplets trickled down his bronze arms. The front of his white tank top was slightly damp, revealing the distinct lines of a few abs underneath.

His black belt cinched his olive-drab military pants tightly, accentuating a waist that tapered like a deadly scimitar, standing in stark contrast to his broad shoulders.

Su Wan’s heart began to race as she watched him. Even a buzz cut couldn’t hide Lu Zhengchuan’s outstanding features.

’No wonder he’s so popular.’

"What is it?" Lu Zhengchuan could faintly feel the burning heat of her gaze.

The corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably.

Su Wan deliberately averted her gaze and pointed at his belt. "Your belt looks like it’s tearing."

Lu Zhengchuan looked down and saw that, sure enough, the area around the buckle was somewhat worn from years of use.

"It’s fine. It’ll last another six months. I’ll apply to my superior for a replacement then." Lu Zhengchuan had no intention of changing it.

Su Wan hadn’t expected him to be so frugal with himself. Before living with him, she really hadn’t known what Lu Zhengchuan’s personality was truly like, only that he was aloof, taciturn, and made a lot of money.

"...After we get back the money and things that Zheng Zhizhi took..." Before Su Wan could finish, Lu Zhengchuan cut her off.

"It will all be yours, of course."

"My stipend and my savings—they’re all for you." Lu Zhengchuan stated his intentions plainly. He turned, went into the room, and squatted down. A moment later, he pulled a small iron box from inside the modest wardrobe.

Su Wan recognized the iron box at once. It was the one kept under his military uniform, along with his medals.

Knowing they were valuable items, she had never touched them.

Lu Zhengchuan opened the iron box and took out a cloth pouch. This old-fashioned way of keeping money felt incredibly familiar to Su Wan.

’Her mom used to keep money the same way.’

Sure enough, when Lu Zhengchuan opened it, there was a stack of "Great Unity" ten-yuan notes and a passbook.

There were also some ration coupons with long expiration dates.

Seeing the coupons, Su Wan was suddenly reminded of something. "Lu Zhengchuan," she asked, "Xiao Li said you were issued military grain coupons. Why did you go out of your way to exchange them for national grain coupons to send to me?"

"Xiao Li?" Lu Zhengchuan handed her the money. At the mention of the name, he seemed to be grinding his teeth as he spoke. "He doesn’t know anything and just spouts nonsense."

"Then why don’t you explain it to me now?" Su Wan wiggled her brows and gave a delicate huff.

Lu Zhengchuan handed her the money, coupons, and passbook. He hesitated at her words, but under Su Wan’s stare, his brain finally kicked into gear this time. "Military grain coupons are more valuable than national or local ones, so some people are willing to trade for them. After I exchanged them for national coupons, I sent the extra ’hardship fee’ the other party gave me to the families of my comrades who died in action..."

"I should have told you this before we got married. I’ve been doing this for ten years."

After saying this, Lu Zhengchuan pressed his lips together and lowered his head, having made his confession.

"Actually, the army provides subsidies to the families, but too many comrades have died. Some were only children, and there are always gaps in the support, so I would..."

"But aside from that ’hardship fee,’ and before I married you, I used to give them most of my stipend. That was all."

"After marrying you, I’ve only sent the ’hardship fee’ and haven’t used my stipend for it anymore."

After listening to his explanation, Su Wan saw him with his head bowed as if he’d done something wrong. She looked up at him and beckoned. "Come here."

"Hm?" Though Lu Zhengchuan was confused, he obediently moved closer and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"You did a good thing. I’m not angry." Su Wan had already glanced at the passbook and seen the five thousand yuan balance. The fact that he could help the families of his comrades with his limited means and still save so much money proved that he was truly good at managing his life.

’Seeing this passbook also completely dispelled any suspicion that Lu Zhengchuan liked Zheng Zhizhi.’

’If he truly liked her, with his kind and generous nature, how could he possibly refuse to marry her over the so-called high bride price in the village?’

’Of course, what satisfied her even more was Lu Zhengchuan’s proactive honesty now.’

"Is there anything else you haven’t been honest about?"