An Accidental Military Marriage

"Camp Commander Lu, I..."

Lu Cheng was in a hurry to find his wife and had no patience for Qiao Wenjing. He started to walk around her before she could even finish her sentence.

Undeterred, Qiao Wenjing followed behind him. "I heard you went to town for a self-criticism session. We all know it wasn’t your fault—you were dragged down by someone else. I made some wild mushroom and chicken soup to help you recuperate..."

’Chicken soup?’

Lu Cheng stopped in his tracks, his eyes finally landing on the soccer-ball-sized clay pot in Qiao Wenjing’s hands.

"Is that chicken soup in the pot?" he asked.

Qiao Wenjing nodded eagerly and offered him the pot. "It’s made with morels, bamboo fungus, and wild chicken. The broth is savory and packed with nutrients."

Qiao Wenjing was thrilled when Lu Cheng accepted the pot.

This was the first time he had ever willingly taken anything from her.

’Could it be because of today’s self-criticism session? Has he finally realized that I’m more exceptional and understanding than Jiang Moli, a better choice for a supportive wife?’

’For him, I’d do it, even if it’s his second marriage.’

Lu Cheng lifted the lid. Inside was a full pot of chicken soup with a glistening, golden broth and a rich, fragrant aroma that hit his nose.

"How much does this pot of soup cost?"

"It’s no charge. I foraged the morels and bamboo fungus while gathering herbs, and a villager gave me the chicken. It didn’t cost me a thing."

Lu Cheng smiled at her. "In that case, I’ll gladly accept..."

His smile made Qiao Wenjing’s heart flutter, and an involuntary smile spread across her own face.

"I’ll thank you on behalf of my Moli, Doctor Qiao. I’m sure she’ll love it."

Qiao Wenjing’s smile froze. "You... you’re giving it to Jiang Moli?"

"That’s right. She’s been exhausted the last couple of days and could really use a pick-me-up. I’ll take this to her while it’s still hot. See you."

And with that, he was gone.

Staring after his tall, imposing figure, Qiao Wenjing was so furious the rims of her eyes turned red.

’It was bad enough when he gave the food I made to his soldiers, but now he’s giving the chicken soup I slaved over to Jiang Moli!’

’I spent the entire morning watching the stove, and I didn’t even save a single sip for myself!’

Inside the guesthouse room, Jiang Moli was unpacking her clothes.

Menghai was in a tropical mountain forest region with a variable climate. In addition to three summer outfits, An Hui had also packed two spring-and-fall outfits for her, along with underwear, socks, hats, towels, and other necessities, stuffing two large bags full.

She had cleaned the wardrobe when she moved in yesterday, so she just needed to put everything away.

When she heard the door open, she instinctively poked her head out to look.

She had guessed it was Lu Cheng, but seeing him in the flesh still made her face heat up uncontrollably.

Lu Cheng’s gaze softened noticeably as he looked at her. "Awake?"

"Mhm."

Jiang Moli ducked back behind the wardrobe to continue arranging her clothes, her cheeks burning hot.

The blush peaked as the man walked into the inner room and stood beside her, his unique, potent scent completely enveloping her.

’My face feels like it’s on fire!’

’It wasn’t this embarrassing seeing each other naked last night. Now that we’re both dressed, it somehow feels more awkward.’

His large hands took the shirt and bamboo hanger from her. "Let me. You go sit and rest for a bit."

Jiang Moli tilted her head up to look at him. "Do you know where everything goes?"

"You tell me, and I’ll do it. Does this one get hung up here?"

Lu Cheng was far from stupid; in fact, he was highly intelligent.

Seeing two tops already on the rack in the wardrobe, he followed suit and hung the shirt in his hand.

"Mhm. Hang up the fabrics that wrinkle easily. Underwear and socks go in the drawer below."

Jiang Moli was happy to let him take over, so she sat on the bed and watched him work.

There were only a few items left. Once they were put away, Lu Cheng flattened the two duffel bags, folded them, and tucked them into the bedside cabinet.

He then turned his head to look at her.

Since he was crouching, he was at eye level with her as she sat on the bed.

Jiang Moli’s heart pounded under his intense, unreadable gaze. Just as she was secretly wondering if he wanted to do *that* again, he held out a tube of ointment to her.

"Rub this on... down there. It helps with the swelling and pain."

"Oh."

Jiang Moli took the ointment and saw that it was erythromycin ointment.

The seal was unbroken; he had clearly just bought it.

Looking up to see he was still crouching there, she couldn’t help but say, "Why don’t you wait outside."

"Do you need my help?"

"No!"

Seeing her blush, Lu Cheng chuckled and stood up, grabbing the empty lunch box from the nightstand that had held the eggs in brown sugar syrup.

"I’ll go get a thermos of hot water and wash this lunch box. Take your time, there’s no rush."

"Mhm."

After applying the ointment and pulling on her pants, she walked out into the main room.

She saw the clay pot on the small table, and, curious, lifted the lid. The rich aroma of chicken instantly enveloped her.

Large chunks of chicken and whole morels soaked in the glistening, pale-yellow broth. It looked absolutely mouth-watering.

A silent, spreading sweetness filled her heart.

’Last night’s rabbit meat, this morning’s eggs in brown sugar syrup...’

’He hadn’t said it, but I could guess it was all for me.’

By the time she returned from washing her hands, Lu Cheng was already back with the hot water and was pouring chicken soup from the clay pot into a lunch box.

The whole room was filled with the rich fragrance of chicken soup.

"Come sit down and try some of this soup."

Jiang Moli took the lunch box and had a sip. The broth was rich, savory, and delicious.

"This is good. It’s very flavorful."

Seeing that she liked it, Lu Cheng handed her a pair of clean chopsticks.

Jiang Moli picked up a morel with her chopsticks and asked as she ate, "Don’t tell me you got this soup from your commander, too?"

’The rabbit, the chicken, and now this soup... his commander’s pantry must be completely cleaned out by now.’

Watching her eat made Lu Cheng feel more satisfied than eating it himself.

He answered, "The brown sugar eggs were from Sister Wenjuan. The chicken soup is from Doctor Qiao."

His expression was so natural and his tone so frank that it never crossed Jiang Moli’s mind to consider "Doctor Qiao" a potential rival.

"Why would Doctor Qiao give you chicken soup for no reason? Are you two close?"

"We’re not, but I saved her life once."

"Oh."

Jiang Moli wasn’t the type to eat all by herself. After grabbing a chicken wing, she pushed the lunch box toward him.

"You have some, too."

Lu Cheng pushed the lunch box back to her. "You eat. I don’t want any."

Jiang Moli stared at the chicken wing in her hand for a moment. "Is this Doctor Qiao a man or a woman?"

"A woman."

"How old is she?"

"I don’t know."

A smirk played on Jiang Moli’s lips. "You accepted her chicken soup, but you don’t know how old she is?"

"She’s not part of my camp, so I don’t need to know her personal details. Besides, I accepted this soup for you. I’ve already thanked her on your behalf."

Whether he was playing dumb or was genuinely clueless, she wholeheartedly approved of his response.

She picked up a chicken leg and held it to his lips.

"I don’t want it. You eat."

"Open your mouth!"

Lu Cheng obediently opened his mouth and took a bite of the chicken leg.

Jiang Moli gave his ear a little squeeze. "That’s your reward."

The little squeeze seemed to please him immensely, and the corners of his lips curved up high.

"Does this Doctor Qiao bring you chicken soup often?"

"No," Lu Cheng said, chewing on the chicken leg. "This is the first time."

"She used to just bring other food."

Jiang Moli paused mid-bite on her chicken wing and eyed him. "What kind of things? Was it any good?"

"I wouldn’t know. I never had any. I gave it all to the men in the camp."

Although Jiang Moli tried to hide her feelings.

But Lu Cheng was exceptionally sharp, with observational skills far beyond the average person.

"Saving her was just part of my duty. I’ve told her many times not to bring me things, that it doesn’t look good. But she won’t listen, and frankly, I find her quite annoying."

’Damn it, this woman is trying to steal my man!’

In that instant, Jiang Moli’s fighting spirit was ignited.