Chapter 205: Being Cared For

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Being Cared For

Lu Zhengchuan’s sharp brows furrowed in displeasure. "No. I am defending you. My wife will only ever be you."

"Oh? And shouldn’t you be defending me anyway? You’re just saving your own face." Su Wan stepped on his foot, motioning for him to let go. She had to soothe the baby.

Lu Zhengchuan glanced at Yuanyuan, who was stirring and about to wake. He knew better than to keep talking, but while he loosened his hold on Su Wan, he didn’t let go completely.

Su Wan couldn’t break free and was getting uncomfortably warm, so she stepped on his foot again.

She couldn’t bring herself to strike his body. Even when they argued, she knew where to draw the line.

Lu Zhengchuan pretended he didn’t feel it. "Wanwan, I understand what you’re saying. Anyway, they look down on me. Why should I go and see them?"

"Just don’t act on impulse," Su Wan shot him a look.

Frustrated that she didn’t believe him, Lu Zhengchuan simply shut his mouth, deciding to prove his intentions through his actions instead.

"Let’s get ready for bed. I’m back now, yet you’re still working so hard taking care of the kids, waking up at night to feed them and change their diapers."

Lu Zhengchuan wanted to say that his injury wasn’t serious and that he was perfectly capable of taking care of the two children.

But Wanwan, Father Su, and Mother Su all disagreed. What could he say? They were only doing it because they cared about him.

It was precisely this feeling of being cared for, so unfamiliar to him, that he found so intoxicating.

He also understood why Wanwan was angry.

He sometimes found himself involuntarily lost in this warm family atmosphere, to say nothing of Wanwan, who had always just wanted a simple, stable life.

Lu Zhengchuan knew he was slowly changing. He couldn’t suppress his yearning for a family, and he couldn’t bear the thought of being without Wanwan and their children.

"Okay, let’s sleep." Su Wan finished soothing the baby and put the used diapers in the hamper. Aunt Zhao would take them to be washed tomorrow. She set aside the milk bottle and checked the two thermoses to make sure one had hot water and the other had cold. Only then did she lie down on the bed to sleep.

Lu Zhengchuan subconsciously leaned toward her.

Su Wan turned to face him, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "You need to sleep flat on your back because of your injury. Or do you just not want to heal? Do you not care that we’re worried about you?"

"Wanwan, you’re worried about my injury?" Lu Zhengchuan’s eyes lit up as he happily grabbed her slender, fair fingers.

Su Wan was speechless. "Was that really the main point of what I just said?"

Lu Zhengchuan just smiled. "I’ll lie flat right now. I promise I won’t move an inch all night."

"Hmph. See that you do." With that, Su Wan pulled her hand back, turned away from him, and went to sleep.

Lu Zhengchuan discovered that when he lay properly on his back, he could no longer see Su Wan beside him.

Only then did he realize what she had meant.

But it was too late for regrets. He could only stare silently at the ceiling, thinking, ’A perfectly good bed, and I can’t even make proper use of it because I’m injured. So pathetic.’

The next day, Su Wan went back to her classes.

Father Su and Mother Su continued to run their business.

Not knowing anyone in the military compound, Aunt Zhao stayed home to look after the two children. She didn’t dare venture out. The compound seemed too neat and orderly; it felt like there were more rules here than in the alleys outside.

When Lu Zhengchuan returned from having his wound redressed, Aunt Zhao hurried over to him. "Zheng Chuan, a soldier just dropped off some fresh vegetables and meat. It wasn’t Xiao Liu. I tried to refuse, but he just left the things here and took off. What do I do?"

"What was his name?"

"I think his surname was Liu."

’Surname Liu?’

Lu Zhengchuan was certain he had no close friends named Liu in the Capital Military District, though he couldn’t be sure about the soldiers under his command.

But logically, none of the soldiers under him would dare to just show up and drop things off without a word. Even if it was just vegetables and meat, it was a violation of regulations. If that was truly what happened, he would have to discipline the man as soon as he recovered and returned to duty.

"I’ll go ask around. Just leave the things here for now."

"In the future, you can buy vegetables and meat at the commissary. Aunt Zhao, if you go out and ask some of the other families living nearby, they’ll show you where it is."

Aunt Zhao nodded. Since she was now in the military compound, she would have to slowly get used to the way of life here.

Lu Zhengchuan went out to find out who had delivered the items.

It should be easy enough to figure out; he just had to go to the camp area and ask. It would also be a good opportunity to familiarize himself with the administrative side of the Capital Military District.

Lu Zhengchuan reached the administration building, but before he could head to the camp area, he was stopped by a leader.

"Xiao Lu, come to my office."

Seeing Commander Zhang, Lu Zhengchuan snapped to a standard military salute before stepping inside.

"Commander, did you need something?"

"Xiao Lu, how’s that injury of yours healing up? You did an excellent job this time. You can expect a medal from the military," Commander Zhang said, patting his shoulder with appreciation.

Lu Zhengchuan stood straight. "I was only doing my duty, sir."

"Xiao Lu, what are your thoughts on the special forces?"

Lu Zhengchuan’s heart sank at those words. He hadn’t expected He Rong’s speculation to come true so soon.

"Commander, I... I’d like a more stable life," Lu Zhengchuan said, lowering his gaze. It was unclear if he was testing the waters or choosing his family.

"Oh?" Commander Zhang was surprised. "You want to transfer to a desk job?"

Lu Zhengchuan choked on his words. The thought of actually doing a desk job made him feel restless; after all, while he wasn’t in the special forces, he was still a combat soldier.

Lu Zhengchuan was still trying to figure out how to respond.

Commander Zhang mused, "...A desk job could work for you, too."

Lu Zhengchuan hesitated but ultimately didn’t object. He didn’t know if the commander had already made arrangements or if he was genuinely going along with his suggestion.

Whatever the reason, he had to follow military orders. That was the only way to avoid leaving a bad impression on his commander.

"Commander, I will follow your orders."

A broad smile spread across Leader Zhang’s face as he clapped him on the shoulder. "I know you young guys love the front lines and aren’t even afraid of sacrificing your lives for the country. But you need to understand that serving the nation isn’t just about fighting on the front. Building up the organization from the rear is just as important."

"Besides..." Commander Zhang’s tone became more sincere. "If you only ever lead troops into battle on the front lines, you’ll be nothing more than a warrior. Without political experience, your future will be limited."

This was the unvarnished truth. In this country, having both military and political experience opened up much more room for advancement. The higher the position, the more your overall record mattered. You couldn’t get promoted on military achievements alone; you also had to put in the time and build up your seniority.

The Lu Zhengchuan of the past had never considered such things. He simply loved the sense of accomplishment that came from leading his men into battle.

No matter his rank or position, his focus had always been on completing the missions assigned by his superiors. He never gave a thought to his own future achievements. His leaders had a plan; he just had to carry out his orders.

"Commander, just give me my assignment. I will follow orders."

Seeing that Lu Zhengchuan had taken his words to heart, Commander Zhang said earnestly, "Zheng Chuan, you’re only in your twenties. You’re still young, and you’ve already spent so many years on the battlefield. It’s time for you to rest a while and give the younger soldiers a chance."

That was as clear a hint as he was going to get.

His commander wanted to transfer him to a desk job.

Although the idea felt foreign to him, Lu Zhengchuan still saluted and accepted the arrangement.

"Yes, Commander!"