Chapter 37: Chapter 37: A Pounding Heart

Geng’s look left Lu Xiao feeling a little helpless. Of course he knew what it meant.

Geng clearly thought that he and Su Tang were a complete mismatch.

Back in the day, a guy like him probably wouldn’t have even gotten the chance to marry her.

At that thought, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but straighten his back. ’Let them say what they want,’ he thought. ’The fact is, I’m the one who married her.’

Everyone said Su Tang’s background was no good, that he shouldn’t marry her. But what did that matter?

He, Lu Xiao, wasn’t the type to be scared off by things like that.

Besides, after spending all this time with Su Tang, he felt like he was the one who’d truly lucked out.

No one else knew how wonderful Su Tang was.

And if he had his way, he wouldn’t want anyone else to find out, either.

’He’d rather just keep this treasure all to himself.’

“Geng, I owe you for this one.”

Lu Xiao glanced around the narrow little shop. “How’s business?”

“Making do. It keeps me from starving.”

Lu Xiao’s words seemed to put Geng’s mind at ease.

He turned to Su Tang, his expression softening with the warmth of an elder looking upon a junior.

“That’s all in the past. As for Lu Xiao… he may seem cold on the outside, but he’s got a warm heart. With him around, nothing’s a big deal. You wouldn’t know, but back in the day, he…”

“Geng.”

Lu Xiao suddenly spoke up. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a clear intent to stop him, and the tips of his ears seemed to turn a little red again.

Geng, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing his story with a touch of sentiment.

“Back on the battlefield, he almost got himself killed covering a wounded comrade’s retreat! The bullet grazed right past his back, tore straight through his uniform! But this kid just gritted his teeth without making a sound and insisted on carrying the man back.”

“He was laid up in the hospital for the better part of a month, and he nearly worried his company commander to death! That’s just his personality—once he’s set on something, wild horses couldn’t drag him away. He’s fiercely protective of his own! And as for the people he cares about, even more so…”

“COUGH, COUGH!”

This time, Lu Xiao coughed loudly, his embarrassment obvious, and shot a warning glare at Geng.

Su Tang’s eyes went wide as she stared at Lu Xiao.

She didn’t know much about him; her understanding of Lu Xiao came partly from the original book and partly from their recent time together.

But she had never heard any of these details.

Still, what Geng said felt absolutely right to Su Tang.

Lu Xiao really was a very dependable and responsible man.

“Alright, alright, I’ll drop it.”

Seeing Lu Xiao was getting genuinely flustered, Geng chuckled and changed the subject. “So, are you getting used to it here? This part of the Northwest is a bit trying, I know. It’s no Shanghai.”

It was, however, safer here.

Su Tang nodded quickly. “I’m getting used to it. The other sisters-in-law have all been very good to me.”

She couldn’t resist sneaking another peek at Lu Xiao, who had his head lowered, staring at something on the ground.

They stayed in Geng’s shop for about half an hour, during which Lu Xiao and Geng spoke in low tones about what to do with Scarred-eyed Old Black and a few other matters.

Su Tang couldn’t make out the specifics, but she saw Lu Xiao’s eyes turn cold. Geng slapped his own chest in assurance. “Don’t you worry. That punk won’t be running free for much longer.”

After bidding farewell to the warm-hearted Geng, the two started for home, pushing the bicycle between them.

The sun was sinking in the west, stretching their shadows long.

Lu Xiao pushed the bike, and Su Tang walked at his side.

Geng’s words still echoed in her mind. Gazing at the silent, determined profile of the man beside her, Su Tang felt her heart beating fast.

“Lu Xiao…”

Su Tang said softly, breaking the silence.

“Hm?” Lu Xiao turned his head to look at her.

“What Master Geng said before… about your back…”

Her voice was hesitant, cautious. “Does it still hurt?”

Lu Xiao clearly hadn’t expected her to ask about that. He paused for a second before shaking his head, his tone nonchalant as if discussing something utterly trivial.

“It healed a long time ago. Just left a scar.”

“Oh…”

Su Tang murmured, but her heart felt a little tight.

She fell silent for a moment. Then, remembering what Geng had said about him being protective, her face grew a little warm. Searching for something to say, she added, “Master Geng is really nice. And he knows you so well.”

“Yeah. We’re old comrades. We’ve been through life and death together.”

Lu Xiao’s voice grew a little deeper. “He… talks a lot. Don’t pay any mind to what he was saying.”

“I don’t mind!”

Su Tang immediately shook her head, her voice unconsciously rising a pitch. “I think what Master Geng said was wonderful!”

She paused, then, mustering her courage, added in a softer voice, “It helped me get to know you better.”

Lu Xiao’s hand on the bicycle faltered for a moment. He didn’t respond, but the corner of his mouth seemed to lift in a nearly imperceptible smile.

’She wants to get to know me. Does that mean she’s starting to like me?’

’Or at the very least, she’s interested.’

The warm afterglow of the sunset washed over them.

Su Tang watched their two shadows on the ground, cast side by side, so close they almost touched.

“By the way, do you know that woman, Lin Qian?”

Her words carried a sour note that she herself didn’t even notice.

Lu Xiao didn’t break his stride, but his brow furrowed in concentration. “Lin Qian? Who’s that?”

’The name sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t put a face to it.’

Seeing his reaction, the inexplicable sourness in Su Tang’s heart instantly vanished, and she almost wanted to laugh. “She’s the one who offered to come visit the baby.”

“The great beauty who brought you those snacks last time.”

“Oh.”

Lu Xiao remembered now, but his tone was completely flat.

“I don’t know her. I might have seen her at the arts festival or something.”

He turned his head to look at Su Tang seriously and added, “Her visiting a baby has nothing to do with us.”

’After all, it’s not like they had a baby for anyone to visit.’

His words were like a small pebble dropped into the lake of Su Tang’s heart, sending ripples spreading through her.

She lowered her head, unable to suppress a smile, and hummed softly in agreement.

“Want a ride?”

Lu Xiao steadied the bicycle and patted the rear seat.

Su Tang felt an inexplicable flutter of joy. She was much more nimble this time, hopping onto the seat sidesaddle.

Once she was balanced, her hands wrapped naturally around Lu Xiao’s waist.

’This man really has a great physique,’ she thought. ’Even through his shirt, I can feel his abs.’

At some unknown thought, Su Tang’s face suddenly flushed red.

The moment her fingers brushed against his shirt, Lu Xiao’s body visibly stiffened before slowly relaxing.

“Hold on tight.”

His deep voice reached her, laced with an almost imperceptible huskiness.

Su Tang’s hands, clutching the hem of Lu Xiao’s shirt, swayed gently with every bump of the bicycle.

Beneath the fabric was the solid feel of his waist.

Lu Xiao pedaled steadily, keeping a leisurely pace.

As they returned to the compound, they saw a figure in the distance.

It was Zhang Cui, but a man stood beside her, his face a mask of impatience.

Su Tang got off the bicycle and craned her neck to see.

“That’s Wang, Sister-in-law Zhang Cui’s husband.”

Lu Xiao explained. Seeing the tension between them, he sighed and elaborated in a hushed voice.

“Sister-in-law Zhang Cui’s marriage to Wang was arranged by their families.”

“That was also why Sister-in-law Zhang Cui couldn’t join him at the post for so many years.”

“It wasn’t because of Wang’s position. It was because whenever housing allocations were available, Wang never applied for one.”

“They rarely saw each other and lived so far apart that his parents back home were afraid their marriage would run into trouble.”

“So, after Zhang Cui gave birth to Mai Sui, they pressured Wang to quickly apply for family housing.”

“With his parents back home forcing the issue, Wang had no choice but to let Zhang Cui come, no matter how unwilling he was.”

“The sad part is, Zhang Cui never knew that deep down, Wang was completely and utterly against their marriage.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep