Chapter 5: Three Rules for the Wedding Night – The Living Yama Actually Agreed to Them All!
Stepping into the house, a stuffy smell mixed with the faint scent of soap and a long-unventilated atmosphere hit me.
Lu Zhanting tossed Su Wanqing's bag to the corner by the door, then strode over to the window.
"Whoosh—"
He ripped open the heavy curtains.
The afternoon sun burst in like a dam breaking, illuminating every corner of the room and exposing even the fine dust particles in the air.
Su Wanqing stood at the door, quietly surveying the place that was about to become her "home".
The standard configuration for a battalion-level officer is two bedrooms and a living room.
The cement floor was swept very clean, and the walls were freshly painted white. In the center of the living room stood a square wooden table with four long wooden benches.
There was nothing else besides that.
Everything was in order, but it was also deserted, like a temporary barracks rather than a warm home.
The house was filled with the atmosphere that belonged to Lu Zhanting alone—simple, rugged, and even somewhat rough.
"The master bedroom is on the left, and the study is on the right. You will stay in the study."
Lu Zhanting's voice rang out in the empty room, breaking the deathly silence.
Su Wanqing looked up at him.
He stood against the light by the window, his tall figure outlined by the sunlight with a dazzling golden edge, his face hidden in the shadows, indistinct.
His words were so frank they were almost an order, yet they completely put Su Wanqing's mind at ease.
She was still pondering how to deal with the awkwardness of having to share a room with him tonight.
"Okay," she replied softly, accepting the arrangement.
Lu Zhanting seemed unsurprised by her calmness. He walked to the wall and pointed to a brand-new military green water bottle and several enamel cups.
"Pour your own water."
"The kitchen is over there, it has all the pots and pans. You can cook dinner yourself, I'm not picky."
After saying that, he glanced at his watch: "I'm going back to the camp to cancel my leave. I'll be back before dinner."
After explaining everything, he didn't look at Su Wan-qing again, turned around and strode out.
"Bang."
The heavy wooden door was closed, completely isolating the noise outside from the tranquility inside.
Only after Lu Zhanting's footsteps disappeared outside the courtyard did Su Wanqing feel her tense body relax.
She walked to the door of her own room and looked inside.
The study was small and extremely simple. A standard military-style wooden bed stood against the wall, covered only by a bare straw mat. Opposite the bed was a worn-out wooden wardrobe, and next to it was a small desk.
This is her new life, a new beginning.
Su Wanqing didn't rush to pack her luggage, but instead carefully walked through the entire house first.
The living room connects to a small balcony, beyond which lies a secluded little yard overgrown with weeds. In the kitchen, the stove is spotless, and several cooking pots and a set of enamelware are neatly arranged, but it's clear that it hasn't been used for cooking in a long time.
The door to the master bedroom was closed, so Su Wanqing didn't go over to peek.
Standing in the center of the empty house, she felt less flustered than when she first arrived.
Although it was simple, it was a haven from the wind and rain for her, and a brand new beginning.
An idea sprouted in her mind: she wanted to turn this place into a real home.
With a thought, her consciousness sank into her personal space.
The space remained vibrant with life. Vegetables thrived on the black soil, and water gurgled from the spring. In a corner, piles of supplies she had accumulated in her previous life and replenished after her rebirth were stacked.
Su Wanqing's gaze swept over the pile of supplies.
She couldn't bring out anything too outrageous, but small items that could improve her life without arousing suspicion were acceptable.
My gaze quickly settled on several bolts of fabric.
That was a piece of substandard cloth that she had exchanged with cloth coupons at the county supply and marketing cooperative. One of the pieces, a light blue cotton cloth, had subtle flaws, which was perfect for making curtains and tablecloths.
There's also a piece of soft cotton cloth that can be made into two comfortable cushions.
She also found some dried mugwort she had brought from home and used it to fumigate the house, removing dampness and odors.
The kitchen was too empty, so she took out a brand new set of ceramic bowls and plates, as well as basic seasonings such as salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
These can all be interpreted as dowry given by the bride's family.
After doing all this, Su Wanqing exited the space.
Seeing the fabric and odds and ends that had reappeared on the living room floor, she began to work.
She first found a broom and a rag and cleaned every corner of the house again.
Then, she lit the mugwort and placed it in a broken bowl, letting the fragrant smoke slowly fill the room, dispelling the stale and oppressive atmosphere that had lingered for so long.
After doing all this, she took out scissors and needle and thread and cut the light blue cotton cloth according to the size of the window.
Her movements were very skilled; with her fingers flying across the paper, two simple curtain outlines appeared.
Once hung up, it instantly softened the bare window. The originally glaring sunlight filtered through the thin cotton cloth, casting dappled and gentle shadows on the floor.
She quickly cut out a tablecloth from the remaining fabric and laid it on the cold wooden table in the living room.
The sharp edges of the table were covered, which made the atmosphere in the entire living room much warmer.
Then, she used the cotton cloth to stuff the cotton she had brought from her luggage and sewed two thick square cushions, which she placed on the two wooden benches.
That way, it won't feel uncomfortable when you sit on it.
She went into her room and took out a brand-new quilt and sheets that her mother, Liu Lan, had prepared for her from her bag. The festive red peony-patterned quilt cover, spread on the bare wooden bed, immediately added a touch of brightness to the monotonous room.
By the time she finished all that, it was already getting dark.
Su Wanqing straightened her slightly sore back and looked around.
The house is still the same house, and the furniture is still the same furniture.
But now, it has completely changed.
Pale blue curtains and tablecloths, soft cushions, splashes of red in the room, the lingering scent of mugwort in the air... all these details give this space, which was originally as cold and hard as a barracks, the warmth and atmosphere of "home".
A smile appeared on her face—the first one she'd shown since arriving here.
This is not only about transforming a new environment, but also about taking control of her future life.
She went into the kitchen, washed the dishes she had brought, and took out a small piece of cured meat and a few green vegetables from her storage space.
Consider this our first dinner to celebrate moving into our new home.
As the sun set, the shouts on the training field gradually subsided.
Lu Zhanting returned home in the afterglow of the setting sun.
He habitually took out his keys, but his hand stopped just as he touched the doorknob.
The door was unlocked.
He frowned slightly and pushed open the door.
The expected desolate scene did not appear. Instead, the aroma of food, mixed with a faint fragrance of herbs and trees, wafted towards us.
Lu Zhanting stopped at the entrance.
The lights were already on inside. Under the dim yellow light, the once empty living room had been transformed.
Pale blue curtains hung in the windows, and a matching tablecloth covered the dining table. In the center of the table sat an enamel mug containing a few small wildflowers that had been picked from somewhere.
The house, which felt cold and hard like an empty shell when I left home that afternoon, is now filled with a warm and gentle atmosphere of life.
His gaze slowly swept across the house, finally landing on the kitchen doorway.
Su Wanqing was carrying a plate of food out of the kitchen.
She wore a makeshift apron, and her wisps of hair, damp with sweat, clung to her smooth forehead. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the stove fire, and glowed alluringly in the lamplight.
When she saw him return, she paused for a moment, then said, "You're back. Dinner is just ready, wash your hands and eat."
Her tone was so natural, as if they were a couple who had been together for many years.
Lu Zhanting looked at her, then at the drastically changed room, his Adam's apple bobbing as he let out a low syllable.
"Um."
He walked to the basin of water by the wall, rolled up his sleeves, revealing a section of his bronze forearm. The arm was muscular and covered with scars of all sizes, exuding explosive power.
He rinsed his hands and face with cold water, the cool water calming his chaotic thoughts a little.
By the time he sat down at the dining table, Su Wan-qing had already set out all the dishes.
Three dishes and one soup.
A plate of vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, a plate of glistening cured pork stir-fried with garlic sprouts, and a plate of golden scrambled eggs. The soup was a simple seaweed and egg drop soup.
The dishes were simple, all home-style fare. But in this era of relative scarcity, seeing so much oil and green vegetables in a dinner was already considered quite a feast.
Lu Zhanting's gaze lingered on the plate of stir-fried vegetables for a couple more seconds.
He remembered that the seasonal vegetables at the military service station had long been sold out.
Su Wanqing served him a bowl of rice and placed it in front of him: "I didn't know your taste, so I just made something simple."
Lu Zhanting didn't say anything, picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of green vegetables and put them in his mouth.
Tender, crisp, and with a natural sweetness.
He had never tasted anything like it before.
He picked up another piece of cured pork with his chopsticks. The cured pork was salty and fragrant, fatty but not greasy. The rice was steamed perfectly over the stove, with each grain distinct and chewy.
He eats very quickly, a habit he developed in the army, but he is not rude.
He ate one bite after another without saying a word.
Su Wanqing ate her meal quietly, observing him out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing that he didn't comment on the changes to the food and the room, she was a little unsure of his thoughts.
The meal ended in this quiet and somewhat subtle atmosphere.
Lu Zhanting ate three large bowls of rice and devoured nearly two-thirds of the dishes on the table.
This was the most satisfying meal he had eaten in recent years.
He put down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, watching Su Wanqing deftly clear the dishes from the table.
"The food is delicious," he suddenly said, his voice a little hoarse.
Su Wanqing paused in her tidying up, looked up at him, somewhat surprised.
She thought he would remain silent forever.
"Thank you," she replied politely.
"Where did those things come from?" Lu Zhanting asked directly, his gaze sweeping over the curtains and tablecloth in the room.
Su Wanqing's breath hitched for a moment, but she remained calm: "I brought these from home. My mother was worried that I wouldn't be used to it, so she prepared some fabric and daily necessities for me."
She had already come up with this excuse; it was perfectly reasonable.
Lu Zhanting gave her a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions.
He nodded, which meant he accepted the explanation.
"Let's talk after we've finished packing."
He stood up, walked to the living room window, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, but didn't smoke it, just letting the smoke swirl between his fingers.
Su Wanqing's heart jumped.
Now, let's get to the main point.
She quickened her pace, taking the dishes to the kitchen to wash them. When she returned to the living room, Lu Zhanting had already stubbed out his cigarette.
He sat on the wooden stool, his tall frame making the stool seem somewhat small. He patted the seat opposite him, gesturing for her to sit down.
Su Wanqing sat down opposite him, with a wooden table covered with a blue tablecloth between them.
Under the lamplight, the contours of his face appeared even more defined. His deep eyes, which had been sharp during the day, now held a quiet, imposing presence as he looked at her.
“Su Wanqing,” he spoke first, calling her by her full name, “I know this marriage is sudden for you. We are getting married by agreement, and we both agree on that.”
Su Wanqing nodded without saying anything, waiting for him to continue.
"If I marry you, I need you to play the role of a military wife well, take care of the family affairs for me, and let me have no worries. In exchange, I will keep my promise and protect you and your family. In the army, no one dares to bully my wife, Lu Zhanting's wife."
His words were simple and direct, like reading out an order that left no room for argument.
“I understand,” Su Wanqing said.
“However,” Lu Zhanting changed the subject, “marriage is not a game. Once you’ve registered your marriage and are living under the same roof, there needs to be some rules.”
This was exactly what Su Wanqing wanted.
She looked up, meeting his gaze, her tone more serious than ever before.
"Battalion Commander Lu, actually I also have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Since you've brought it up, how about I go first?"
Lu Zhanting was surprised that she would take the initiative to make the request. He raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling her to continue.
Su Wanqing clenched the hem of her clothes and said what she had been thinking about all afternoon.
"I want to make three rules with you."
Her voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet night, every word was crystal clear.
"First, mutual respect. I won't ask about your military affairs, and please don't pry into my past or my private life. We are husband and wife, but we should also be two independent individuals."
This is her bottom line, the absolute barrier protecting the secrets of the space.
Lu Zhanting listened quietly, his face expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Su Wanqing steadied herself and continued, "Secondly, financial independence. I will keep track of the living expenses you give me and use them for household expenses. But at the same time, I hope to retain the right to earn my own money; I don't want to be completely dependent on you."
She didn't want to be a caged canary. Having her own source of income gave her true confidence.
“Third,” Su Wanqing’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes became even more determined, “regarding our…relationship. We are in a marriage of convenience, without any feelings for each other. So I hope that until real feelings develop, we will continue to sleep in separate rooms. Any…physical contact must be based on mutual consent.”
After saying these three points, Su Wan-qing felt her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
She looked at Lu Zhanting nervously, awaiting his verdict.
She didn't know how he would react, whether he would think she was ungrateful and delusional. In this era, her demands, especially the third one, could be considered unconventional.
Lu Zhanting remained silent for a long time.
Those deep eyes lingered on her face, as if reassessing her as a person.
The air in the room seemed to have been sucked out, making it hard to breathe.
Just when Su Wanqing was about to give up, he slowly nodded.
"Can."
He uttered those two words in a clear and steady voice.
Su Wanqing suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise.
Looking at her astonished expression, Lu Zhanting's lips seemed to curl into a very subtle smile, so quick that it was impossible to catch.
He continued, "Your three rules are very reasonable. I agree to them all."
He leaned back in his chair, relaxing, and added, "First, I respect your privacy. Second, I will continue to provide you with living expenses. If you want to earn your own money, as long as you don't break the rules, I have no objection."
He paused for a moment, his gaze becoming exceptionally serious.
"Third, Su Wanqing, although I, Lu Zhanting, am a rough man, I know that forced relationships are never sweet. I married you to find a partner with whom I can live a peaceful life, not as a tool to satisfy my physical needs. I will not touch you until you truly accept me."
His words were so frank that they shocked Su Wan-qing.
She had assumed that a man as domineering and assertive as him would consider her three-point agreement offensive. To her surprise, he not only accepted it all but also offered a more direct and compelling guarantee than she had.
This man seems quite different from the rumors surrounding him as a "living Yama."
Beneath his rugged exterior lies an unexpected level of respect and depth.
Su Wanqing's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, causing ripples to spread across it.
"Thank you," she whispered, this time with genuine gratitude.
“There’s no need for thanks between us.” Lu Zhanting repeated what he had said during the day, but his tone seemed a little gentler. “From today onwards, we are comrades-in-arms. We’ll eat from the same pot, sleep under the same roof, and face problems together. If there are any problems, we’ll put them on the table and talk about them. I don’t like guessing games.”
Comrades-in-arms.
This word instantly made Su Wanqing's definition of their relationship clear.
Yes, they are not lovers, but more like allies who have formed a united front.
With shared goals and shared responsibilities.
This positioning made her feel more at ease than ever before.
“I understand.” She nodded solemnly.
Outside the window, the night was deep, and the loud sound of lights out could be heard in the distance.
The room was warmly lit. A negotiation that would determine how the two would interact in the future reached an agreement in an unexpectedly smooth manner on this quiet night.
Looking at the man opposite her who had just become her husband, Su Wanqing finally felt a huge weight lifted from her heart.
Perhaps this marriage, which began as a transaction, will not be as difficult as she imagined.
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