Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Good Daughter-in-law

"Good, good. It’s good you’re back."

An Hui gazed at him with tears in her eyes, her face filled with an indescribable joy.

Lu Deyao was more composed. He looked him up and down and asked, "Are your injuries all healed?"

"They’re all healed."

An Hui then noticed Jiang Moli standing beside them. Seeing her small, palm-sized face was pale from the cold, she quickly took her hand in concern. "You must be cold. Alright, let’s not stand around talking. We’ll talk more at home."

An Hui led Jiang Moli ahead, their arms linked intimately. They looked less like a mother- and daughter-in-law and more like a real mother and daughter.

Lu Deyao and Lu Cheng walked side-by-side behind the two women.

Jiang Xiaoguang and Jiang Peng followed at the very back, carrying the luggage and chatting idly.

Lu Cheng gave half-hearted replies to Lu Deyao, his eyes fixed on his wife and mother up ahead.

He recalled how, when they had just gotten married, he had been quite worried that his wife and mother wouldn’t get along and would end up fighting at home.

But in the six-plus months since the wedding, the two of them had never once argued. In fact, they were getting along better and better.

’He really has good taste,’ he thought. ’He picked a good wife who brings prosperity and stability to the family.’

Up ahead, An Hui was also talking to Jiang Moli. "Moli, it must have been hard on you, taking care of the Third Son for so long. Look, you’ve gotten so thin from exhaustion. I had my cousin’s wife stew some of that lamb you like. You should eat more and build your strength back up."

"Of course, Mom. Has your back been hurting? I bought some more of those medicinal plasters for you. When we get home, I’ll have Dad put one on for you."

"You’re so thoughtful, always thinking of me wherever you go."

An Hui felt incredibly warmth in her heart. ’I must have accumulated good karma in a past life to be blessed with such a wonderful daughter-in-law.’

「Back at the Military District Courtyard.」

Fan Wenfang, Xu Xiuzhen, Lu Tingting, and several other nieces and nephews—the whole extended family—were standing at the courtyard gate to welcome them.

Yesterday was the Little New Year, but since Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng hadn’t been able to make it back in time, the family had postponed the celebration to today, also using it as a welcome-home party for them.

Next to Fan Wenfang stood an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

The man was of medium build, wearing a military greatcoat. He had thick brows, large eyes, and stern features, exuding an air of righteousness and integrity.

’This must be the eldest brother of the Lu Family, Lu Yuan, whom I’ve never met,’ she thought.

Lu Yuan was forty-two this year. Although he was an adopted son, his eyes and brows bore a slight resemblance to the brothers Lu An and Lu Cheng.

"Mom, you’re back. This must be Third Brother’s wife, right?"

Before they could get closer, Lu Yuan strode forward to greet them.

Jiang Moli smiled and called out, "Big Brother."

Lu Cheng also walked up and happily called out, "Big Brother."

Lu Yuan clapped him on the shoulder. "Good lad. I heard you earned another merit this time?"

Lu Cheng laughed. "The organization trusted me and gave me the mission. I couldn’t bring shame on our Lu Family, could I?"

"Alright, we’re at the door. Let’s save the talk for inside."

With Lu Deyao having spoken, the large family all headed into the house.

A charcoal brazier was burning in the living room, making the house toasty warm upon entry. Several hearty main dishes were already laid out on the dining table.

Ma Hongmei came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, a broad smile on her face. "Xiao Cheng, Moli, you’re back! I made some sweet fermented rice with brown sugar. I’ll bring it out for you to warm up."

"Grand-aunt, I want some too!"

Ma Hongmei quickly replied, "Yes, there’s enough for everyone. Come to the kitchen and get a bowl."

Lu Nana and a few others ran into the kitchen, but Lu Tingting, uncharacteristically unenthusiastic about food, slowly walked over to the charcoal brazier to warm her hands.

Fan Wenfang helped by fetching a basin of hot water for Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng to wash their faces and hands.

After they washed up, Ma Hongmei brought the two of them bowls of the sweet fermented rice soup.

Lu Cheng took a bowl and handed it to Jiang Moli first.

Although Lu Yuan had heard from his wife how much his third brother doted on his new bride, seeing it in person was still a novel sight.

Growing up, his third brother had always been stern and aloof with girls, but now he was eagerly fawning over his wife.

Jiang Moli ate her fermented rice soup and sat down next to Lu Tingting.

"You’re not having any?"

Lu Tingting shot her a glare and didn’t say a word.

Fan Wenfang scolded, "After a whole semester, she came in dead last in both her practicals and her written exams. Even a pig isn’t this stupid. What face does she have to eat? Don’t let her waste food."

’So she bombed her final exams,’ Jiang Moli mused. ’No wonder she’s so sullen.’

Lu Tingting retorted indignantly, "I wasn’t even there for a whole semester, only half a semester!"

After saying that, she shot another glare at Jiang Moli.

She was clearly blaming Jiang Moli for sending her to Menghai to be a volunteer teacher, which caused her to miss classes.

"You dare talk back to me again? We provide you with the best of everything for you to go to university, and you come back with these rotten grades. If you can’t study properly, then don’t study at all! You can come with me to the army next year!"

Lu Yuan had been immersed in the army for many years. His presence was strict and imposing, and when he reprimanded someone, he showed no mercy.

Lu Tingting was both furious and humiliated. With tears welling in her eyes, she got up and ran outside.

"We’re about to eat! Where are you running off to?"

An Hui shouted after her granddaughter’s retreating figure. When she got no response, she turned to scold the couple, Fan Wenfang and Lu Yuan.

"Honestly, you two. Did you have to scold her in front of so many people? She’s a grown girl now, doesn’t she need to save face?"

Fan Wenfang couldn’t help but feel wronged. "Mom, if Tingting keeps being so lazy and negligent with her studies, I’m afraid she won’t even be able to graduate next year."

Lu Deyao said, "If she can’t graduate next year, she can study for another year and graduate the year after. It’s not a big deal."

’Another year of study and she’ll be twenty-two,’ she thought. ’She’ll be an old maid by then.’

That was what Fan Wenfang thought, but she didn’t say it out loud.

Ma Hongmei said worriedly, "It’s so cold outside, and Tingting didn’t even take her coat. I hope she doesn’t catch a cold. Why don’t I go out and look for her?"

Fan Wenfang glanced out the window. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes betrayed her worry.

Jiang Moli spoke up. "I’ll go."

An Hui quickly urged her, "Moli, put your coat on. Don’t get cold."

Jiang Moli put down her bowl, got up, and went to put on her coat.

Lu Cheng also stood up. "I’ll go with you."

"You should just stay here and rest. Tingting is afraid of you."

Rejected by his own wife, Lu Cheng couldn’t help but reflect. ’Have I been too strict with my niece?’

After leaving the courtyard and seeing no sign of Lu Tingting, Jiang Moli headed toward Lu Tingting’s house.

...

Lu Tingting was squatting at her front door, hugging her arms and shivering from the cold.

She had forgotten to bring her keys and was too proud to go back and get them.

Just as she felt like she was about to pass out from the cold, she heard footsteps in the stairwell.

She turned her head and was stunned to see Jiang Moli appear, holding a military greatcoat.

"What are you doing squatting here, hatching an egg?"

"None of your business! What are you doing here?"

Jiang Moli tossed the military greatcoat to her.

Lu Tingting didn’t argue, catching the coat and putting it on.

"Grandpa and Grandma were worried about you, so they sent me to find you."

Hearing this, Lu Tingting’s eyes couldn’t help but turn red.

’There are still people who care about me, dote on me, and love me after all.’ SOB SOB SOB.

Jiang Moli took out a key, unlocked the door to her house, and walked inside.

Lu Tingting followed behind her, grumbling, "Entering someone’s house without even asking."

"Where do you keep your cold medicine?"

Lu Tingting opened a drawer, took out a bottle of cold medicine, and handed it to her.

Jiang Moli took the bottle. "Go get a glass of water."

’That damned woman,’ she cursed internally. ’Ordering me around just to get a glass of water. She’s so high-maintenance.’

Though she was cursing inwardly, she still picked up the kettle and poured half a glass of hot water.

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