Chapter 44: Notification

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Notification

Seeing his confident tone, Su Wan had a feeling he wasn’t lying and couldn’t resist asking, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"You should all pray nothing happens to me. Otherwise, when it comes to Lu Zhengchuan’s family background... heh heh."

Zheng Hai was about to say more.

But the soldier escorting him cut him off. "Still spouting nonsense? Do you really think that just because the victim forgave you for stealing property, you’re exempt from criminal law? Did you think you could just barge into a military base whenever you pleased?"

After scolding Zheng Hai,

the soldier kindly reminded Su Wan, "Sister-in-law, don’t listen to his nonsense. If Battalion Commander Lu’s identity hadn’t been thoroughly vetted, how could the military possibly have promoted him to his current position? He’s a comrade with an impeccable background."

Hearing this, Su Wan thought it made sense. ’After all, the military would never let someone with a questionable identity become a battalion commander.’

’Zheng Hai is probably saying this on purpose to frame Lu Zhengchuan.’

’If Lu Zhengchuan were to be suspected of having a questionable background, it would inevitably affect his career.’

"Thank you for the reminder, young soldier. I didn’t believe him. Zheng Hai is always spouting nonsense. You’re the ones who have the tough job of interrogating him."

The soldier gave a bright, natural smile. "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. If the army couldn’t even handle something like this, how could we protect the whole country?"

The soldier’s words, however, reminded Su Wan of something.

As she walked out of the office, she asked Lu Zhengchuan, who was walking beside her, "Are you sure it wasn’t Zheng Zhizhi who took the money and goods?"

"Even the Division Commander’s investigation didn’t turn anything up. That can only mean the money and goods passed through Zheng Hai’s hands. She either left no evidence at all, or Zheng Hai was truly in on it from the start and wanted the money for himself. What I know for sure is that he’s spent a lot of money over the past three months."

Lu Zhengchuan offered his rational analysis, then tilted his head to look at her, thinking she was still angry. "Su Wan, I’m sorry. I’m the one who brought this trouble on you."

"Hm?" Su Wan looked up in confusion, her eyes meeting his.

"This business with the Zheng Family..."

"I considered this possibility when I married you. Now we have a child, so we’re a family. There’s no need to talk like we’re not in this together." Su Wan offered a reserved smile.

’Of course, she wasn’t going to say she was annoyed. After all, the Zheng Family had learned their lesson this time; they certainly wouldn’t dare to bully her again.’

’The matter was resolved, and she hadn’t really suffered any injustice, so there was no reason to fight with Lu Zhengchuan.’

Lu Zhengchuan sensed her politeness, but also a lack of intimacy, and his eyes darkened slightly.

"From now on, I just need you to stand up for me like you did today whenever I run into trouble. That’s enough." Su Wan was very pragmatic. ’Looking around at the couples in the village, a husband who both provided for and protected his wife was considered a top-tier catch.’

’No one is perfect; she only focused on what her own dealbreakers were.’

’And so far, in her life with Lu Zhengchuan, nothing had come up that she found unacceptable.’

"Okay." Lu Zhengchuan was instantly happy to hear her state a need, and he readily agreed.

’He was afraid she wouldn’t ask for anything. A request was good. A request gave him a target to aim for.’

"You should get going on your mission. I can get back by myself." Su Wan glanced at her watch; it was already past ten o’clock.

’She had to admit, having a watch made checking the time so much more convenient.’

"I’ll take you back first. I’ll still have plenty of time," Lu Zhengchuan said considerately.

Su Wan shook her head. "I need to go to the mailroom to call my family."

"Then I’ll take you to the mailroom."

Lu Zhengchuan gave an order to Xiao Li, who was following him, and Xiao Li quickly drove a military jeep over.

This was Su Wan’s first time in a jeep.

The vehicle was high, and the interior was spacious. Sitting inside, she could lean back in complete comfort.

Lu Zhengchuan got into the driver’s seat. Xiao Li didn’t get in; he just gave a military salute and left.

"How is it?" Lu Zhengchuan watched her hands as she buckled the seatbelt.

He seemed worried she wouldn’t know how.

"It’s fine. I’m buckled in." Su Wan nodded, signaling for him to drive.

Lu Zhengchuan drove very smoothly. Even on the less-than-even roads, there was only a minimal amount of jostling.

In her peripheral vision, she saw the man’s hands on the steering wheel. His sleeves were rolled up partway, revealing strong, bronze-colored skin underneath. His large, veined hands made the steering wheel look like a mere toy.

Glancing down, she saw his long legs, wrapped in military trousers, looking completely cramped as he sat driving. His military boots had only to tap the clutch lightly to control the car, seemingly without effort.

Perhaps Su Wan was staring too intently, because Lu Zhengchuan noticed and turned his head toward her. "What are you looking at?"

"...Just watching how you drive." Su Wan was flustered for only a second before quickly finding a reasonable explanation.

Lu Zhengchuan merely twitched an eyebrow, apparently not suspicious. "When there’s a chance in the future, I’ll teach you to drive. You can get a license then."

"You can teach me?" Su Wan wasn’t one to turn down a new skill. She knew that getting a driver’s license required a recommendation from one’s work unit just to be eligible. The test covered traffic rules, principles of auto mechanics, maintenance, and what Lu Zhengchuan was now offering to teach her—the hands-on driving.

If you passed the test, you’d get a provisional license with a probationary period lasting a full year.

But becoming a licensed driver meant securing a stable government job—a coveted "iron rice bowl."

’She had no great desire to be a driver herself, but if her older brother could learn, he wouldn’t have to keep farming. It would be a way out for him.’

"Of course. You’re military family. Once I submit a request to my superiors and get it approved, I can teach you. But we’ll have to wait until I’m back from my mission and after you’ve had the baby. It’s not safe to drive while you’re pregnant."

Su Wan didn’t argue with his last point. ’After all, she was mainly asking for her brother.’

’Since Lu Zhengchuan was willing to help her, she could figure out a way to help her brother later on.’

As they spoke, they arrived at the mailroom.

As Su Wan reached for her seatbelt, Lu Zhengchuan leaned across her. All she could sense was his strong, masculine scent, and she instinctively held her breath. Lifting her gaze, she saw his handsome profile, just inches from her face.

She looked closely and discovered an inconspicuous mole on Lu Zhengchuan’s ear. His hair was cut short, and though it wasn’t styled, there was no denying his handsome features. If you looked closely, you could even feel an imposing presence about him.

Before Su Wan could look any closer, Lu Zhengchuan had unfastened the seatbelt and was pulling her long hair back with his fingers.

"Your hair was caught," Lu Zhengchuan explained.

Su Wan turned her head and saw that a few strands of her long hair were indeed caught in the seam of the car window. If she had turned her head without noticing, it would have pulled painfully at her scalp.

"Thank you," Su Wan said instinctively, then swiftly opened the car door and got out.

Lu Zhengchuan pressed his lips together, staring at her simple, white-clad back. He swung his long legs out and followed her out of the car.

Su Wan had only taken two steps toward the mailroom when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned in surprise. "Hm? Why are you following?"

"I’ll wait for you to finish your call, then I’ll drive you home. It’s farther to the family courtyard from here."

Lu Zhengchuan explained.

"Alright." Seeing no reason to make things harder on herself, Su Wan didn’t try to shoo him away again.

She went inside and found the attendant, and the call was connected quickly. After a few minutes, someone from the village commune shouted for the Su family to come take the call.

The first to answer was Third Brother Su, the joy in his voice carrying clearly over the line. "Wanwan! Our acceptance letters are here! This is wonderful!"