Chapter 18: Chapter 18: A Job Is Lined Up

As Su Tang spoke, she scooped a bowl of chili sauce for Zhang Cui and told her to take it home.

“Before you came to the family compound, we all thought you were some delicate young lady who’d never had to lift a finger.”

Zhang Cui said with a laugh, sighing, “You really can’t believe the rumors. You and Lu Xiao are a perfect match.”

Before Su Tang arrived, her husband, Wang, had come home on leave and said Lu Xiao wouldn’t be able to handle a pampered young lady like her.

Everyone says city folks are delicate and high-maintenance.

Lu Xiao is just a rough-and-tumble guy; none of them could have imagined he’d marry someone so dainty.

But now that they’d actually spent time together, Zhang Cui understood that whether or not they could make it work wasn’t entirely up to Su Tang.

Lu Xiao might seem cold on the surface, but in reality, he doted on Su Tang more than anything.

Su Tang simply smiled without a word upon hearing Zhang Cui’s comment.

’She and Lu Xiao were just getting by together, partners in a marriage of convenience.’

’Here in the vast Northwest, she was in a strange land, surrounded by strangers. The only person she knew at all was Lu Xiao.’

’According to the timeline, the hardest times would begin in another two years.’

’Mr. and Mrs. Su had sent her to the Northwest for safety, but they themselves couldn’t leave.’

’She didn’t know what would happen to them then.’

’Even though Su Tang wanted to help, there was nothing she could do.’

After seeing Sister-in-law Zhang Cui off, Su Tang portioned out the remaining chili sauce, planning to give some to Aunt Wang and Sister Li later.

In a place like the family compound, maintaining good relationships was everything.

A little give and take was essential for getting along.

By the time Su Tang returned from making her deliveries, Lu Xiao had finished his training and just gotten home.

He washed his hands and placed a letter on the table.

“It’s from Shanghai.”

Hearing this, Su Tang’s eyes lit up, and she hurried over to open the letter.

’Who else could a letter from Shanghai be from, if not her parents?’

In truth, Su Tang wasn’t that close to Mr. and Mrs. Su.

After all, almost as soon as she’d arrived in this world, they had put her on a train.

But when she thought about the ending in the book and what the original Su Tang’s life was like without her parents… she couldn’t help but think how tragic it was.

’In any case, I’m here now, taking the place of their daughter. That makes me Su Tang.’

After finishing the letter, Su Tang slowly let out a breath.

Lu Xiao watched her and asked, “Are Professor Su and your mother alright?”

“My parents are planning to go to my aunt’s place in a while. She and her family live on an island.”

Most importantly, Su Tang’s uncle was stationed on that island. If they went there, things would at least be a little easier for them.

“That’s good. Once things settle down, your family will be able to reunite.”

Lu Xiao sensed her spirits were low, so he offered a few words of comfort.

Su Tang turned to look at him and suddenly asked, “Our family? Aren’t you included?”

Her words struck him, and for some reason, his mouth went dry.

It was the first time the word “our” had ever sounded so intimate to Lu Xiao.

It was as if that single word bound him and Su Tang together completely.

“When we get the chance, I’ll take you to see Shanghai.”

Seeing his unreadable expression, Su Tang wanted to laugh. ’He’s so easy to tease.’

’But it’s also kind of cute. It’s a surprising contrast.’

Su Tang got up to start dinner. Lu Xiao watched her back, his fist clenching, unclenching, and clenching again.

During training that afternoon, Chang Jia noticed that Lu Xiao seemed a bit distracted.

Even Chen had noticed it.

“What’s with you?”

Chang Jia walked over during a break to ask.

Lu Xiao was wiping his face with a towel. He heard the question and looked a little confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been distracted this whole time. What’s wrong? Is your ’young lady’ giving you a hard time again?”

Chang Jia thought Su Tang was actually quite sensible.

Since arriving at the family compound, she hadn’t caused Lu Xiao any trouble.

’So Lu Xiao probably wasn’t in a bad mood because of her, right?’

“It’s nothing.”

Lu Xiao paused mid-sip. He thought of Su Tang’s words and shook his head.

’He felt that she’d said it as if he were just a friend she could invite along.’

’Not as… her husband.’

And what truly bothered Lu Xiao was the realization that, deep down, a part of him actually wanted Su Tang to see him as her husband.

That was the real reason he’d been distracted all afternoon.

’Their first meeting hadn’t exactly been pleasant.’

’She had proposed that they not fulfill their marital duties, and he had agreed, saying he would send her back once things stabilized.’

’Wasn’t that basically telling Su Tang they would get a divorce in the future?’

“Hey, don’t sweat it. I’ve got some good news for you. I heard the hospital is looking for a nurse.”

“Didn’t your ’young lady’ study medicine?”

Chang Jia reached out and patted Lu Xiao on the shoulder, sharing the tidbit he’d picked up.

He was a smooth talker and single, so it was ridiculously easy for him to pick up on gossip.

Lu Xiao looked up, seeming hesitant to speak. Chang Jia laughed and said, “Don’t worry, it’s not an assigned position. To get into the hospital, she’ll have to pass some kind of exam.”

A hospital isn’t like other workplaces; it’s a place for saving lives and healing the sick.

To work in a hospital, you need to have genuine skills.

Chang Jia wasn’t worried, though. Lu Xiao had mentioned before that Su Tang had studied medicine abroad.

Her university was one of the best overseas, so there was no way Su Tang lacked the necessary knowledge.

“Thanks, man.”

With this news from Chang Jia, a rare smile spread across Lu Xiao’s face.

Although Su Tang hadn’t brought up the subject of work lately, Lu Xiao felt that she really wanted a job.

’She’s educated and has seen the world. Coming to the vast Northwest must have been a shock.’

’There’s no way she’d be happy cooped up at home all day with nothing to do.’

Chang Jia waved it off. He and Lu Xiao had been brothers for years.

He was happy to see things going well for Lu Xiao.

After training ended, Lu Xiao hurried home to tell Su Tang the news.

Su Tang was in the house making coffee. The moment he walked in, he caught the faint, alluring aroma.

“Oh, you’re back?”

Seeing Lu Xiao, Su Tang greeted him with a smile and went back to making her coffee.

She had found a bag of coffee beans in her trunk earlier while unpacking.

But since they didn’t have a coffee grinder, she had to use a mortar and pestle to grind the beans into powder.

The grind was a bit coarse, but after filtering it through a piece of steamer-cloth, it was a decent substitute.

She was idle anyway, so she figured she’d give it a try.

The beans were incredibly pure, even better than the coffee she used to drink in the modern era.

“It’s called coffee. Want to try some?”

Su Tang held an enamel mug, offering it to Lu Xiao.

The East-meets-West combination looked a little funny, but Su Tang didn’t have any other cups.

If she had brought a proper coffee set with her, she could have kissed her peaceful life goodbye.

Lu Xiao clutched his hat in his hand as he stepped forward and took the mug.

“It smells pretty good.”

After his brief comment, he took a sip and almost spat it right back out.

’Is this Chinese medicine? It’s so bitter.’

Seeing Lu Xiao’s expression, Su Tang had to struggle to keep from laughing.

“Too bitter? Probably not enough sugar. Let me add some more for you.”

With that, Su Tang added another spoonful of sugar to the enamel mug.

Lu Xiao frowned, not wanting to drink any more, but when he met Su Tang’s eyes, he braced himself and took another sip.

It was much better this time, but the bitter taste still lingered.

“By the way, Chang Jia told me the hospital is looking for a nurse.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep