Chapter 304 Boundaries

The next morning, before the sun had even risen above the treetops, there was a knock on the door.

Wang Ma was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise. She wiped her hands and went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, Qiao Lingling stood outside with a smile, holding a purple clay stew pot in her hand.

"Wang Ma, I've stewed some bird's nest porridge for Madam Lu to nourish her body."

Wang Ma looked at her, and the smile on her face faded a little.

"Mrs. Qiao is very kind."

She took the stew pot, said nothing, and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Qiao Lingling stood at the door, stunned for a moment.

Usually, Aunt Wang would warmly invite her in for a chat, but why today...?

She bit her lip and then smiled.

"Wang Ma, is Madam Lu awake? I'd like to go in and see her."

Wang Ma didn't even turn her head.

"Miss hasn't gotten up yet, you should go back first."

Qiao Lingling's smile froze on her face.

She stood at the doorway, unsure whether to go in or back out.

Just then, Meng Wan came downstairs, feeling awkward.

Upon seeing Qiao Lingling, Meng Wan paused, her expression less enthusiastic than usual.

"Xiao Qiao, you're here so early?"

Qiao Lingling sensed the distance in her tone and her heart skipped a beat.

"Mrs. Lu, I... I just wanted to come and see Mrs. Lu..."

Meng Wan walked into the living room, sat down, and picked up the teacup on the table.

"Wantang is currently pregnant and in poor health, so it is inconvenient for her to receive guests."

She spoke politely, but the meaning behind her words was very clear.

Qiao Lingling's face paled.

She stood at the doorway, twisting the hem of her dress with her fingers, her eyes slowly reddening.

"Mrs. Lu, did I...did I do something wrong?"

Her voice trembled slightly with tears.

"I just wanted to get along well with everyone, I didn't expect it would upset Mrs. Lu..."

Meng Wan looked at her without saying anything.

Qiao Lingling's tears fell.

"I know I come from a poor background and don't have much education, but I really didn't mean anything by it..."

As she spoke, she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

"I just feel that we are all military dependents and should help each other..."

Meng Wan frowned.

She has a soft heart and can't bear to see others cry.

Just as he was about to say something, footsteps came from outside the door.

Gao Jianjun walked in carrying a bag.

"My sister-in-law asked me to deliver some..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he saw Qiao Lingling crying and froze.

What happened?

When Qiao Lingling saw him, she cried even more pitifully.

"Chief of Staff, did I...did I do something wrong?"

Gao Jianjun looked at her, then at Meng Wan, somewhat bewildered.

"No, what could you have done wrong?"

Qiao Lingling sobbed.

"I just wanted to get along with Mrs. Lu, but... but it seems she doesn't like me very much..."

Gao Jianjun scratched his head.

He didn't understand these things very well, but seeing Qiao Lingling crying like this, he felt a little sorry for her.

"Your sister-in-law wouldn't do that. Are you overthinking it?"

Meng Wan sat on the sofa, listening to their conversation, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Just then, footsteps came from the stairs.

Lu Jingyan came downstairs.

He was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his face was expressionless.

His brows furrowed as soon as he saw Qiao Lingling standing at the door.

"Who let you in?"

His voice was cold.

Qiao Lingling stopped crying when he asked her that question.

She looked up at Lu Jingyan, her eyes filled with grievance.

"Commander Lu, I... I just wanted to see Mrs. Lu..."

Lu Jingyan walked over and stood next to Meng Wan.

"Need not."

He put it simply and directly.

"My wife doesn't need you to see this."

Qiao Lingling's face turned even paler.

"Brigade Commander Lu, I... I really didn't mean anything by it..."

Lu Jingyan looked at her, his eyes as cold as knives.

I don't care whether you mean anything by it or not.

He paused, then said:

“But my wife is pregnant now and needs some peace and quiet. No one, no matter who, should disturb her.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Gao Jianjun.

Gao Jianjun immediately understood.

He had felt sorry for Qiao Lingling just now, but now he realized that there must be a reason why his sister-in-law didn't like her.

"Comrade Qiao, you should go back first."

After Lu Jingyan finished speaking, he turned around and went upstairs.

He didn't even glance at Qiao Lingling again.

Qiao Lingling stood at the door, her face alternating between pale and flushed.

She hadn't expected Lu Jingyan to be so ruthless.

"Commander Lu, I..."

Lu Jingyan stopped and turned around.

"Haven't I made myself clear enough?"

His voice grew even colder.

“I don’t want to see you bothering my wife again.”

After saying that, he went upstairs without looking back.

Qiao Lingling stood there, tears streaming down her face.

Meng Wan sat on the sofa, looked at her, and sighed.

"Xiao Qiao, you should go back."

Qiao Lingling bit her lip, turned around and ran out.

Gao Jianjun watched her retreating figure and scratched his head.

"Mom, what's going on?"

Meng Wan put down her teacup.

"Your brother knows what he's doing, so don't ask any more questions."

Gao Jianjun paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Then I’ll go upstairs to find my brother.”

He carried his things upstairs.

Lu Jingyan was standing at the bedroom door when he pushed it open and went inside.

Su Wantang sat on the bed, holding a glass of warm water in her hands.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up at him.

"Was that Qiao Lingling just now?"

Lu Jingyan walked over and sat down next to her.

"Um."

Su Wantang smiled.

"You kicked her out?"

Lu Jingyan reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"She comes too often."

His voice was very low.

"Besides, I don't like the way she looks at you."

Su Wantang leaned against him, her smile widening.

You noticed?

Lu Jingyan lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

“You are my wife, of course I can tell.”

Su Wantang raised her head and looked at him.

"Jingyan, you are so smart."

Lu Jingyan pinched her nose.

"You figured it out a long time ago, why didn't you tell me?"

Su Wantang smiled slyly.

"I just want to see if our Commander Lu can withstand the 'gentle knife'."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingyan's expression darkened.

"Are you testing me again?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head and bit her lip.

"It seems I've been too good to you, which has emboldened you to act so presumptuously."

Su Wantang laughed out loud.

"It hurts, it hurts..."

Lu Jingyan released her, his eyes full of doting affection.

"If you dare do this again, I'll..."

Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door.

"Brother, I'm coming in."

Gao Jianjun pushed open the door and walked in carrying his things.

Seeing the two embracing, he paused for a moment, then quickly turned around.

"I...I didn't see anything."

Lu Jingyan looked at him, his brows furrowing.

"Can I just knock and come in?"

Gao Jianjun gave an awkward smile.

"I'm just bringing something to my sister-in-law."

He placed the bag on the table.

"Sister-in-law, these are free-range eggs sent from our hometown. I heard they're good for pregnant women."

Su Wantang smiled.

"Thank you, Brother Jianjun."

Gao Jianjun waved his hand.

"Of course, of course."

He paused, then said:

"Sister-in-law, that Qiao Lingling just now..."

Lu Jingyan interrupted him.

"You don't need to worry about her."

Gao Jianjun nodded.

"I see."

He looked at Lu Jingyan and said:

"Brother, I checked, and there are indeed problems with Qiao Lingling's file."

Lu Jingyan's gaze darkened.

"What's the problem?"

Gao Jianjun lowered his voice.

"Her file was so clean, it was like it had been redone."

Lu Jingyan nodded.

"Continue the investigation."

"yes."

After Gao Jianjun finished speaking, he turned and walked out.

Lu Jingyan looked at Su Wantang.

"Wantang, who do you think she's after?"

Su Wantang thought for a moment.

"uncertain."

She paused, then said:

"But she definitely wasn't coming for me."

Lu Jingyan frowned.

"Why?"

Su Wantang smiled.

"Because every time she looked at me, her eyes were scrutinizing me, not like she was there to make friends, but more like she was confirming something."

Lu Jingyan reached out and hugged her even tighter.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Su Wantang leaned against him and closed her eyes.

"I'm not afraid."

She paused, then said:

“I just feel that she came at the wrong time.”

Lu Jingyan lowered his head and whispered in her ear:

"Jianjun will investigate this thoroughly."

Su Wantang nodded.

"Um."

The two of them just hugged each other, neither of them saying another word.

That evening, Lu Jingyan went into the kitchen again.

He made a pork rib soup following the recipe.

When the soup was served, Su Wantang took a sip.

It's still a bit salty.

But she still finished it.

Lu Jingyan looked at her, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Is it good?"

"It tastes good."

Su Wantang said.

Lu Jingyan smiled.

"Then I'll do it tomorrow."

Su Wantang nodded.

After dinner, the two sat in the living room.

Lu Jingyan held her, his hand on her stomach.

"Was the little one good today?"

Su Wantang smiled.

"They're only a few weeks old, how could they feel anything?"

Lu Jingyan lowered his head and planted a kiss on her stomach.

"Dad's here."

His voice was very soft.

Su Wantang's heart softened.

She reached out and touched his hair.

The two of them just sat there.

No one spoke.

At night, Lu Jingyan carried Su Wantang to bed.

He lay down beside her and reached out to hug her.

"Wantang".

"Um?"

Was I too fierce today?

Su Wantang opened her eyes and looked at him.

Why would you think that?

Lu Jingyan thought for a moment.

“I kicked Qiao Lingling out, and Mom seems a little unhappy.”

Su Wantang smiled.

"You did the right thing."

She paused, then said:

“That Qiao Lingling comes too often. And the way she looks at me is strange.”

Lu Jingyan lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

"I know."

He paused, then said:

"That's why I kicked her out."

Su Wantang leaned against him and closed her eyes.

"Jingyan, thank you."

Lu Jingyan's hand slipped inside her pajamas.

"No need to thank me."

His voice was hoarse.

"You are my wife, it is my duty to protect you."

Su Wantang's breathing became erratic.

“Jingyan…”

Lu Jingyan lowered his head and kissed her lips.

"Wan Tang, to express my apology, I'll give you a proper 'service' tonight..."

His hand slowly slid down.

Su Wantang blushed.

"You...you mustn't do anything rash..."

Lu Jingyan smiled.

"I don't do anything reckless; I'm very serious."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her earlobe.

Su Wantang's body went limp.

“Jingyan…”

Lu Jingyan's hand stopped at her waist.

"Wantang, do you want it?"

Su Wantang bit her lip and remained silent.

Lu Jingyan smiled.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her collarbone.

Su Wantang's breathing became more and more rapid.

"Jingyan...be gentle..."

Lu Jingyan's voice became even hoarse.

"I will."

As he spoke, he slowly removed her pajamas.

The lights in the room were turned off.

Only the sound of their intertwined breaths remained.