Chapter 72: The Gu Family’s

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Gu Family’s

"...Do you like the baby in my belly?" Su Wan couldn’t resist asking.

Her mother had told her that for a happy marriage, it was best if her husband doted on their children. Generally speaking, men who liked children were family-oriented, and only a family-oriented man could provide a good life for a woman who wanted to settle down.

The logic was a bit convoluted, but it made sense. After all, it was wisdom passed down from the older generations.

"I do," Lu Zhengchuan nodded without any hesitation. "I’m very happy we’re having a child."

"This must be hard on you." Lu Zhengchuan seemed to fear she would misunderstand, so he reached out and took her hand. "When the baby is born, I’ll find someone to help take care of them, so it won’t affect your studies."

Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief after getting another firm "yes." She had to admit, Lu Zhengchuan’s best qualities were his love for children and his devotion to family.

’In that case, it seemed her initial goal in agreeing to his marriage proposal had been achieved.’

’As for how much Lu Zhengchuan actually liked *her*... she found she didn’t care as much anymore.’

’It seems a husband and wife really do need to be intimate more often. The more they are, the more feelings will naturally develop.’

As Su Wan thought this, she said aloud, "Okay. Then let’s take care of the baby together. If we need anything, we can discuss it."

"Alright." Sensing her softer attitude, which was much better than her previous coldness, the corners of Lu Zhengchuan’s mouth turned up uncontrollably.

"I’m going to take a bath first. You should get some rest."

Su Wan was indeed a bit tired. Hearing this, she yawned. "Okay."

Su Wan had no intention of waiting for him. By the time Lu Zhengchuan returned with a basin of water after washing up, she was already fast asleep.

「The next morning.」

Su Wan awoke to the sound of the training bugle, feeling incredibly hot. However, her body wasn’t sticky, and her private areas, in particular, had clearly been wiped clean.

The moment she realized Lu Zhengchuan was the only one who could have done such a thing, she couldn’t help but turn her head to sneak a glance at him.

Lu Zhengchuan was highly alert and opened his eyes the instant she looked over. His unfocused pupils slowly widened as they registered her, and he regained full consciousness.

"Wanwan? You’re awake? Don’t you want to sleep a little longer?"

Su Wan shook her head and sat up. "It’s too hot. I’m going to take a bath. We’re having millet porridge and boiled eggs for breakfast. If you want something else, you can go buy it at the mess hall."

"My back has been getting sore if I stand for too long recently, so I can’t look after you. You’ll have to sort out your own meals."

Su Wan’s single sentence of concern instantly energized Lu Zhengchuan. He got out of bed, grabbed the army pants from the stool at the foot of the bed, and pulled them on. His upper body was bare, revealing several scars across the smooth lines of his back.

’Those were Lu Zhengchuan’s medals of honor. He must have gone through a lot to get from being an ordinary person to where he is today.’

Before Su Wan could think any further, Lu Zhengchuan had already put on his shirt in the blink of an eye. He meticulously buttoned his military uniform all the way up to the collar. Not even the sweltering heat could detract from his sharp appearance.

"I’ll go boil some water."

Lu Zhengchuan turned and went into the kitchen.

Hearing the sounds from the kitchen, Zhang Yun quickly scrambled out of her simple wooden plank bed. She had just put on her shoes.

Just then, Xiao Li’s voice sounded from outside.

"Sister-in-law, I’m looking for the Battalion Commander." Xiao Li’s face was beaming.

"Xiao Li, what’s the happy occasion? You look so pleased." Su Wan was still in yesterday’s clothes, planning to change into a clean set after her bath.

Xiao Li smiled and took out two tickets. "Sister-in-law, here are the train tickets to the Capital that you and the Battalion Commander asked me to buy. I got them. They’re for the sleeper car, departing on August 17th."

"It was really hard to get them."

Su Wan took the train tickets and confirmed the date. She was satisfied, and at the same time, she thought that Lu Zhengchuan worked really fast.

’He only decided yesterday to go to the Capital with her, and today he already had Xiao Li buy the tickets.’

"Thank you for your hard work. Stay and have breakfast with us."

"I can’t, Sister-in-law..."

"Tickets? What tickets?" Zhang Yun leaned in curiously, having just overheard them, and pressed for details.

Xiao Li briefly explained that Su Wan and Lu Zhengchuan were going to the Capital.

Zhang Yun’s face fell. "Sister-in-law, if you’re going to the Capital, does that mean I have to go back to the village?"

At the thought of having to go back so soon, a pained expression nearly took over Zhang Yun’s face.

"Yes. I was going to ask Xiao Li to buy your ticket back to the village, too. You’ll go back once he gets it." This was the first time Su Wan had explained this to Zhang Yun.

"Sister-in-law, I don’t want to go back! Can I go to the Capital with you?"

Su Wan looked at her, confused. "What would you do in the Capital?"

"To take care of you!" Zhang Yun put her hands on her hips. "I think my cooking has suited your tastes lately, right? Hiring help in the Capital must be expensive. It’s no problem for me, I’ll cook for you for free. I don’t need any money."

’Sticking with Sister-in-law is the only way to have a good life,’ Zhang Yun thought. ’I don’t want to go back. And when the time comes, if I take good care of my little nephew or niece, Mom and Dad will definitely praise me.’

Seeing her confident expression, Su Wan was momentarily speechless. "You need to discuss this with your cousin."

Su Wan directly passed the buck to Lu Zhengchuan.

Hearing this, Zhang Yun turned and darted into the kitchen.

From a distance, Su Wan could still hear Zhang Yun trying to coax Lu Zhengchuan into letting her stay and take care of her.

"Sister-in-law, should I still buy Comrade Zhang Yun’s train ticket then?" Xiao Li asked, scratching his head.

"Just wait for now. When there’s an update, contact Lu Zhengchuan. He’ll give you an answer."

Su Wan didn’t get involved in Zhang Yun’s affairs. After all, she was Lu Zhengchuan’s relative, not hers.

It was more appropriate for Lu Zhengchuan to handle it himself.

"Okay."

Xiao Li gave a military salute, turned, and left.

Su Wan supported her lower back with her hand, about to put her clothes in the bathroom to use after her bath, when another knock came from the door.

Su Wan walked over, opened the courtyard gate, and saw Aunt Liu standing at the entrance.

Su Wan noticed that Aunt Liu didn’t look well.

She asked with concern, "Auntie, what brings you here so early?"

"Wanwan." Aunt Liu forced a smile, staring at her. But her words were aggressive. "Were you the one who told people in the compound about Xiangju?"

"Xiangju? What about her?" Su Wan was baffled.

But Aunt Liu had lost her patience. She grabbed Su Wan’s wrist. "Wanwan, I’m begging you, please. Come with me and explain things to Song Feng. My foolish girl doesn’t really have lingering feelings for Liu Lang, she just wanted to return a favor."

Feeling the pull, Su Wan frowned slightly and drew herself back.

"Auntie, please calm down first. I don’t understand a single word you’re saying."

Su Wan’s calm and steady demeanor made the anxious Aunt Liu stomp her foot. "Wanwan, just stop denying it."

"Last night, you were at your door and heard me talking with Xiangju. I thought you weren’t the type to spread gossip, but who knew..." Thinking of the two who had been arguing, Aunt Liu’s face filled with anger.

"Last night?" Su Wan thought back carefully, then shook her head. "Auntie, I think you must be mistaken. After dinner last night, I was in the bedroom writing a report the whole time. I went to sleep right after I finished. I didn’t hear you talking at all."