Chapter 27: Something Happened to Lu Feng

"Sister-in-law, is everything taken care of?" Wang Lu stood by the military vehicle, watching as Fu Xiaoxiao emerged with Lu Chen. Not seeing Lu Lin, he guessed that the registration must have already been completed.

"Thank you for your trouble," Fu Xiaoxiao said with a faint smile toward Wang Lu.

"Don't mention it, sister-in-law. If you need anything, just call me!" Wang Lu laughed, opening the car door for her.

On the return trip, Wang Lu hesitated several times, seemingly wanting to say something but unsure how to begin.

"Is something the matter?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at him, noticing his reluctance.

"It’s like this... Battalion Commander Lu performed exceptionally well on this mission; even the Division Commander praised his execution," Wang Lu said, glancing at Fu Xiaoxiao in a low voice.

If it were good news, why was he acting so guilty? Fu Xiaoxiao watched him, waiting for the rest.

"It’s just... please don't be angry, sister-in-law. Battalion Commander Lu performed a great service and will surely have a chance to be promoted to Regimental Commander!" As Wang Lu continued to put in a good word for Lu Feng, Fu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow.

"Is Lu Feng injured?" As soon as she asked, Wang Lu’s expression shifted.

*Oh, so that’s it. He guessed right. The boss is wounded.*

"Yes... in order to protect other soldiers, Battalion Commander Lu was caught in an explosion. He is fine, but he is currently unconscious and is on his way back. The Division Commander asked me to tell you so you wouldn't worry." Wang Lu carefully observed Fu Xiaoxiao, relieved to see she wasn't angry.

"I understand," Fu Xiaoxiao nodded. "Tell the Division Commander not to worry. I am not angry. He is a soldier; saving others in a moment of danger is his instinct. How could I be angry because of that?"

*If he was blown away by an explosion, he must at least have a concussion.*

"Sister-in-law," Wang Lu was touched. He had delivered messages like this many times, and every other wife would have been furious or distraught, as if the sky were falling. None had ever been like Fu Xiaoxiao, offering such thoughtful words.

"Is Daddy Lu hurt?" Hearing that Lu Feng was injured, Lu Chen threw himself into Fu Xiaoxiao’s arms, his body trembling with fear. "That’s what happened to... and then he never came home again."

Fu Xiaoxiao and Wang Lu were stunned. Wang Lu hurriedly slapped his own mouth. How could he have forgotten about little Lu Chen? Speaking like that in front of a child... it was inexcusable.

"When Daddy Lu comes back, we will go see him together. He will be fine, okay?" Fu Xiaoxiao hugged Lu Chen, soothing him gently.

"Okay," Lu Chen nodded slightly, leaning into her embrace.

Back at the base, Fu Xiaoxiao carried Lu Chen home. Once back in familiar surroundings, Lu Chen gradually regained his cheerfulness.

"Chen, what should we have for lunch? What do you want to bring for your brother?" Not knowing what to cook, Fu Xiaoxiao decided to let Chen choose.

"As long as you make it, brother likes it. I like the pancakes and the meat you make," Lu Chen immediately thought of the egg pancakes. He loved those soft, savory crepes the most.

"Is there any meat left at home?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked into the kitchen and saw none.

"Yes! I'll take you!" Lu Chen’s eyes lit up, and he pulled Fu Xiaoxiao into another room.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked around the room. The military-green sheets and quilt covers were folded into neat squares. Beside them sat a desk and a wardrobe—that was all there was. Compared to the brand-new wooden furniture and abundant supplies in her own room, the difference was like night and day. She was taken aback; Lu Feng really had given her the best he had.

"The meat is in Lu Feng’s room?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Chen, confused, as the room didn't look like a place where food would be kept.

"Hehe." Lu Chen beckoned with his finger and walked to Lu Feng’s wardrobe, opening it right in front of her. Instead of clothes, the wardrobe contained several pieces of cured meat wrapped in oil paper.

Fu Xiaoxiao was speechless. *What a sly guy.* Was this a case of the most dangerous place being the safest? No matter how much Auntie Li suspected them, she would never have guessed that Lu Feng would store cured meat in his own wardrobe.

Fu Xiaoxiao took out a piece of cured meat, and Lu Chen smiled triumphantly.

"Did you and your brother put this here?" Fu Xiaoxiao guessed.

"Yes, Auntie Li steals the meat every time she comes over. My brother and I didn't want the meat Daddy Lu bought to go to her, but she searches the whole house whenever she visits. She’s the only one who doesn't dare enter Daddy’s room," Lu Chen said, puffing out his small chest. "So, my brother and I hid the meat in Daddy’s wardrobe. Auntie Li couldn't find it and got so angry she scolded us. It made her so mad, hehe! This was my idea!"

"You two really worked hard to come up with that," Fu Xiaoxiao said, patting Lu Chen’s head, hoping that when Daddy Lu returned, he wouldn't be too surprised to find meat in his closet.

"Hehe!" Lu Chen raised his nose proudly.

"Since we have meat, how about I make you some cured meat rice?" Looking at the meat in her hand, Fu Xiaoxiao decided it was time to add some richness to their diet.

"Then I’ll go pick some vegetables for you!" Upon hearing there was meat, Lu Chen rushed to the backyard without hesitation. Both brothers were now very skilled; they knew Fu Xiaoxiao always added greens to her dishes.

Fu Xiaoxiao went to the kitchen, washed the rice, saved the rice-washing water, and started the fire. At the cutting board, she sliced a piece of cured meat, wrapped the rest back up, and put it in the cupboard. She diced the meat into small cubes, ready for cooking.

After a while, Lu Chen walked in looking unhappy, tugging gently at her clothes.

"What's wrong?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked, worried.

"I couldn't pull it out," Lu Chen said, lowering his head in disappointment. He used to watch his brother go to the backyard and pull vegetables out with ease, but after trying hard for a long time, he had only managed to tear the leaves without uprooting the vegetable.

Fu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh at the adorable little boy. "Come on." She grabbed a small knife and followed him to the backyard.

In the middle of the patch was a clearly "abused" cabbage. Lu Chen pouted and pointed at it. Fu Xiaoxiao identified the target, smiled, and stepped forward to slice through the base with her knife. She then beckoned for Lu Chen to try pulling it.

Lu Chen, still skeptical, walked over to the cabbage that had refused to budge. He pulled with all his might, and as soon as he applied force, the cabbage came right out. Taken by surprise by his own strength, he started to topple backward.

Fu Xiaoxiao laughed, caught his shirt to steady him, and set him down gently. "Thank you, my little helper!" She patted his head and took the mangled cabbage from his hands.

"Hee hee!" Seeing that he had truly been helpful, Lu Chen finally smiled happily.

Back in the courtyard, Fu Xiaoxiao stripped the cabbage leaves one by one and washed them with water from the well. Lu Chen pulled up his little stool and sat beside her, washing the vegetables along with her.

"This little stool of yours is a perfect fit, isn't it?" Fu Xiaoxiao had noticed long ago that the stools used by Lu Chen and Lu Lin seemed custom-made to their height.

"Waaaah..."

Just as Lu Chen was about to answer, a shrill, heart-wrenching cry erupted from next door, startling them both.