Chapter 8: Aunt Li's Guilty Conscience

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“First of all, those two kids didn’t catch bugs—they caught bee pupae, and it must have taken quite some effort to catch them,” Fu Xiaoxiao said as she picked up what Aunt Li had called bugs. They were clearly just bee pupae, harmless in themselves. After all, bees are far more dangerous; if they really wanted to harm her, they could have just brought the bees themselves rather than going through all the trouble of collecting pupae.

“Besides, what exactly did you say to them this morning? Please be honest—otherwise, why would you think the kids went out just to catch bugs to scare you?” Fu Xiaoxiao’s sharp question left Aunt Li stunned and blushing with embarrassment.

She couldn’t very well admit that she told those brats their father was about to marry a stepmother, and that soon there’d be no place for them at home—that the stepmother would surely kick them out since they were so unlikeable…

“Captain Lu, who is this lady?” Aunt Li, unwilling to answer, turned to Lu Feng, hoping he would intervene.

“This is my wife, Fu Xiaoxiao,” Lu Feng introduced her to Aunt Li. Prompted by Fu Xiaoxiao’s questions, Lu Feng had also grown suspicious of Aunt Li.

His gaze swept the room; although there were pupae scattered on the floor, not far off was a bamboo sieve with many more pupae on it. This didn’t quite match Aunt Li’s claim that she was deliberately using pupae to frighten her.

“Aunt Li, could you please explain?” Fu Xiaoxiao stepped forward, locking eyes with Aunt Li.

“I’ve already said everything. If you think those two kids are so easy to care for, then take care of them yourselves. I’m done,” Aunt Li snapped, furious and stomping away. “If it weren’t for Captain Lu begging me, do you think this old woman would come all this way? No matter how much you ask in the future, I won’t come again.”

Fu Xiaoxiao watched her scurry off, a faint snort escaping her lips as she walked into the house.

Lu Feng glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao, then carried the luggage inside. He saw her carefully gathering the scattered pupae and placing them back on the bamboo sieve.

“Who did you hire?” Fu Xiaoxiao asked after tidying up.

Lu Feng carried her luggage into the room, noticing the place was messy and unkempt, nothing like the neat and tidy condition it used to be when he came back before.

“I found someone from the neighboring village, one dime a day,” Lu Feng answered truthfully.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at him but said nothing.

It was as if the words “big spender” were written all over his face.

Lu Feng rubbed his nose, admitting to himself that he really wasn’t good at childcare. Being a bachelor who was often away on missions, he had indeed neglected the children’s upbringing.

“Where will I be staying?” Fu Xiaoxiao asked without further comment; after all, Lu Feng was doing his best. Since she had agreed to his terms, the children’s care was now her responsibility.

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“You’ll stay in this room. I’m right across from you, and the kids have their own rooms next door,” Lu Feng said, pulling out a key to unlock a door that had been kept closed, showing Fu Xiaoxiao the space.

“Looks like you had everything prepared in advance,” Fu Xiaoxiao remarked as she entered the room and saw the brand-new furniture, likely recently installed, with fresh bedding on the bed.

Lu Feng nodded. He had gone to the matchmaking meeting with this goal in mind and naturally didn’t want to shortchange the woman. Having everything ready would let him focus on his missions without worry.

“By the way, here’s the three hundred bride price I promised you. I’ve already entrusted the sergeant to handle the three transfers and one ring. This is all the remaining cash and tickets I have. My monthly allowance is eighty yuan, and I’ll give it all to you,” Lu Feng said, handing Fu Xiaoxiao an iron box.

Inside was his entire fortune, including all bonuses and tickets.

“Eighty yuan a month—forty is yours to spend however you like, and the remaining forty is for you and the kids’ living expenses,” Lu Feng arranged as best as he could.

Hearing she would receive forty yuan each month, Fu Xiaoxiao’s eyes brightened.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the two little ones—make sure they grow up plump and healthy,” she promised, patting her chest confidently.

“Thank you for your hard work,” Lu Feng said, dazzled by her bright eyes. Others might think marrying a man like him was a misfortune, but to her, it felt like finding treasure. Even if she couldn’t bear his own children and had to raise two others, she accepted it willingly.

“I... cough, leave it to me!” Fu Xiaoxiao nearly blurted out “Serve the people!”—the ingrained phrase almost slipped from her lips.

“Alright, pack your things, I’ll take you to meet the sergeant,” Lu Feng nodded and stepped out of the room.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked fondly at her sudden fortune, full of admiration for her “new boss,” who didn’t waste words but was generous with money right away.

Since Lu Feng’s money and tickets were for household expenses, Fu Xiaoxiao planned to keep daily accounts of all food, clothing, and necessities, so she could keep proper records for the boss.

After putting her things away in the closet, Fu Xiaoxiao felt even more satisfied with the room prepared just for her.

Free meals and lodging, a good salary, and a boss who was often away.

She stepped out of the room to find Lu Feng waiting at the door, and she walked up to him.

“Let’s go. The sergeant is waiting for us.”

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Lu Feng led Fu Xiaoxiao to the sergeant’s office, and suddenly Fu Xiaoxiao felt as if she were meeting her in-laws for the first time.

Especially since the sergeant looked at her with the eyes of a prospective son-in-law’s mother. Upon seeing her face, his expression shifted to one of sympathy mixed with suspicion.

The suspicion was directed at Lu Feng.

“Come with me,” Sergeant Liu Hongjun said, hands behind his back, motioning for Lu Feng to follow him out. Lu Feng gave Fu Xiaoxiao a reassuring glance before stepping outside.

Fu Xiaoxiao was left alone in the office.

She was drawn to the map on the wall, just as Liu Hongjun’s muffled anger echoed from outside.

“Did you deceive this comrade woman? With her qualifications, she came to be your stepmother and care for your kids? What were you thinking?” Liu Hongjun’s suspicion of Lu Feng was clear after seeing Fu Xiaoxiao’s appearance. With such good looks, surely she could marry any man she chose. Was Lu Feng tricking her?

Fu Xiaoxiao paused, then smiled quietly.

“No, she agreed of her own accord,” Lu Feng replied, puzzled himself but understanding why Fu Xiaoxiao was so eager to marry after learning about her family background.

“Are you sure you didn’t trick her?” Liu Hongjun pursed his lips. If Lu Feng weren’t a soldier he personally trained, he would seriously investigate.

“I’m sure,” Lu Feng said earnestly.

“This kind-hearted comrade is too good for you,” Liu Hongjun scolded him, clearly displeased. “You’re about to leave on a mission and don’t know when you’ll return. Make sure you leave enough money and tickets for her.”

“...I already have,” Lu Feng obediently stood before Liu Hongjun, accepting the reprimand.

Seeing that Lu Feng had made proper arrangements, Liu Hongjun relaxed and returned with him to the office, pulling out their marriage certificate.

“Comrade Fu, Lu Feng is a soldier I personally trained, almost like a son to me. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me—don’t be afraid,” Liu Hongjun said kindly to Fu Xiaoxiao.