Chapter 8: A Variety of Miseries

Gu Shuchen had been burning with rage for days.

“No organization or individual shall in any way disparage or denigrate the honor of soldiers, nor insult or defame their reputation...”

Gu Qingye’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind. Before leaving, his eldest brother had even said he had already filed a marriage report; from now on, Lu Youyou would be considered military family, and he should think carefully before doing anything.

A few days ago, he dreamed that everything went according to his wishes, yet in reality, every single thing turned out the opposite.

Gu Shuchen had endured for several days, waiting to see how Lu Youyou would act as military family, but more than ten days passed without a single word.

He could no longer bear it; some matters, if left unresolved, would rob him of sleep.

As Gu Shuchen approached, Lu Youyou couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Sunken eyes, drooping bags underneath; even as a half-trained doctor, she could tell this man was suffering from kidney-yang deficiency and lacked vitality.

He had grown even more withered in just a few days. Could his condition really be cured?

How enormous was Gu Qingye’s military pension? Or could there truly be a miraculous healer in this world?

If it were her grandfather, there might be hope, but judging by Lu Youyou’s unprofessional eyes, it was hardly likely.

“Lu Youyou, have you been scheming with Gu Qingye from the start, playing me for a fool? You fickle, unfaithful harlot!”

Lu Youyou grabbed a dry branch and hurled it at Gu Shuchen; it struck squarely between his two rows of teeth, silencing his foul-mouthed tirade.

“I warn you, I’m holding back for the sake of your family’s dignity—don’t push your luck!”

All Lu Youyou wanted was to leave this place quickly and cast these senseless scoundrels far behind.

After all, as Gu Qingye’s immediate family, if things escalated, it might affect his life trajectory, and naturally, her mission as well.

Gu Shuchen was terrified, desperate to keep his dark secrets hidden from Lu Youyou.

“What dignity? What do you even know?”

People harboring secrets are like birds startled by the slightest noise; a careless word from others can pierce their sensitive hearts.

Lu Youyou sneered. “I’ll walk my bright path; you cross your precarious bridge. Isn’t that fine? Or are you hiding secrets you’re afraid I’ll uncover?”

“What secrets do I have?! You’re the one who’s dating me then turns around to hook up with my brother! You should be the one scared someone finds out!”

Gu Shuchen denied it outright; he couldn’t bear to admit that truth, his deepest wound.

Lu Youyou wanted to unleash a torrent of curses but hesitated for a moment.

Mainly because she wasn’t sure when she could leave and didn’t want to stir up trouble.

Perhaps the heavens loved a good drama; finding their quarrel insufficiently entertaining, it delivered another spectator.

“Lu Zhiqing, what are you doing here?”

Sun Pan’er stared at Lu Youyou like she was an enemy of the class. If it weren’t for appearances, she would have dragged Gu Shuchen away from this dangerous woman.

Earlier, when Lu Youyou said she had nothing to do with Gu Shuchen, Sun Pan’er secretly observed for a while and seemed to see no further contact.

She relaxed for the day—only to see these two together again!

Fearing Gu Shuchen was being deceived by a fox spirit, she feigned casualness.

“Comrade Gu Shuchen, the other day I saw your brother escort Comrade Lu back to the youth cadre compound. Are they dating?”

Gu Shuchen’s eyes bloodshot as if he had heard something filthy.

The scenes that had tormented him for so long were being recalled again!

Dating? Ha! Lu Youyou dating his brother!

Sun Pan’er was intimidated by Gu Shuchen’s gaze, thinking he only just found out, so she added fuel to the fire.

“I saw Comrade Gu and Comrade Lu talking for a long time that day...”

Not satisfied with the amount of oil she poured on, she continued in a strained voice.

“Dating without the purpose of marriage is just playing around. Comrade Lu, you should be hearing wedding news soon, right?”

Lu Youyou could barely bear to look at Gu Shuchen’s expression, struggling to suppress a smile.

Left jab, right jab—sister, are you chasing a man or making an enemy?

Gu Shuchen truly could not bear it anymore and didn’t even want to mock Lu Youyou further.

His beloved left, and Sun Pan’er’s voice returned to normal.

“You said you didn’t like him, so what’s this about now?”

“I don’t like him, but I am getting married. So you don’t need to keep your eyes on me.”

Ignoring Sun Pan’er’s shock, Lu Youyou turned and left.

She reached inside her garment to touch the promise letter but instead felt her ribs.

Good grief, her worries had made her grow thin!

Lu Youyou’s words did nothing to ease Sun Pan’er’s concerns.

She began appearing casually at the village gossip spots, spreading the news of Lu Youyou’s relationship as quickly as possible.

Soon, Lu Youyou’s love life became the hottest topic in Qiaoshan Village.

The aunts’ greetings had shifted from “Have you eaten?” to “Have you heard?”

Some said Gu eldest brother and Lu Zhiqing had fallen in love at first sight; others claimed the two families had long had an understanding, waiting for Gu Qingye’s return to fix the betrothal. After all, why else would the Gu family treat Lu Zhiqing so well?

As for the previous rumors of Lu Zhiqing and Gu family’s second son being close? That was just because Gu Qingye rarely came back; even a proxy wedding for the brother wasn’t out of the question.

Lu Youyou listened, amused, longing to award Sun Pan’er the title of “Love Security Officer.”

Were rumors scary?

Lu Youyou wished everyone knew she was to marry Gu Qingye. She just didn’t like to broadcast it herself; it was so considerate of Sun Pan’er to handle it.

The more who knew, the more cautious the Gu family had to be. The eldest son was getting married, yet no word came from the Gu household—what schemes were they plotting?

Lu Youyou always wore a demure, shy face; anyone who asked got a bowed head, blushing, and a gentle “Mm.”

The gossips’ curiosity was instantly soothed.

Look how sensible Lu Zhiqing was, unlike the squad leader’s wife: a scowl at every question. We’re not stealing a groom; why wouldn’t she even like to hear congratulations!

Zhang Caifeng indeed disliked it; the second son’s choice had been snatched by the eldest. What kind of business was that!

Gu Shuchen pounded the table and wall at home, growing more and more haggard. Zhang Caifeng’s lips had developed a painful blister that stung at every touch.

“Shuchen, aren’t you breaking your mother’s heart? Hiss... if there’s anything, your mother will... hiss... find a way for you. Don’t fight against yourself... hiss...”

Zhang Caifeng grabbed Gu Shuchen; the bloodstains on his hands brought tears to her eyes.

“If you’re angry inside... hiss... smash cups or bowls all you want, but don’t... hiss!”

Her words trailed off as blood began to seep from the corner of her mouth. Mother and son were both a sorry sight.

“Mother, why does Gu Qingye come back and steal my woman? Why can’t he just die out there!”

Gu Shuchen spoke without restraint, but Zhang Caifeng bore no blame. In her heart, only the youngest son was truly her child.

“That wretched woman thinks being with the military is so easy? She might become a widow any day now!”

Gu Shuchen raised his fist to smash the wall again.

This brick-and-tile house was built with money Gu Qingye had sent home; it was comfortable to live in, yet now it seemed that the cold gaze of Gu Qingye seeped from every crack in the walls.