Chapter 15: He Was Rugged and Sexy

Shen Sisi did not have many belongings; much of what she owned was still back in the countryside. As she packed, she made a plan: once they were settled in the city, she would return to Jinfeng Village to retrieve everything she needed. In particular, she could not afford to leave behind "that" item, as it held the key to the clues regarding Niu Niu's biological father.

Soon, her and Niu Niu's clothes were packed. Standing at the doorway with the bags, she saw Gu Chengfeng clumsily making funny faces just to make Niu Niu laugh, and she couldn't help but smile herself. A warm, silky feeling overflowed in her heart, and she spoke with a hint of anticipation: "Gu Chengfeng, Niu Niu, let's go!"

Gu Chengfeng’s ears twitched; he excitedly lifted Niu Niu into his arms and spun her around. "Off we go, let’s head home..."

Taking the 700 yuan in dowry money provided by her aunt’s husband, they traveled for several hours by train and finally arrived in Jiangcheng, the provincial capital. As soon as they exited the station, a large green Jeep parked on the side of the road honked its horn.

Feng Yanzhou rolled down the window, his eyes immediately drawn to the matching scarves worn by Shen Sisi and Gu Chengfeng. Tsk-tsk, it was enough to make anyone envious! He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Sister-in-law, Niu Niu, over here..."

Shen Sisi, not expecting him to come, quickly turned her steps toward the car. "It’s so late, why are you here?"

"Naturally, it’s because Old Gu ordered me to pick you up. It’s the dead of winter; I couldn't let you and Niu Niu walk back."

Shen Sisi was pleasantly surprised, not expecting Gu Chengfeng to be so thoughtful. "Thank you, Gu Chengfeng, and thank you, Political Commissar Feng. I'm so sorry for the trouble."

Feng Yanzhou waved his hand with a smile, his expression filled with relief. He had assumed that a rough man like Old Gu would remain a bachelor for life, but it seemed he was quite adept at this, wasn't he? "Heh heh, it's a small matter."

Gu Chengfeng was less talkative than his friend; he simply took the cloth bag from Shen Sisi and opened the car door for her. "Get in."

As Shen Sisi slid into the vehicle, he instinctively reached out his palm to shield her head. Soon, the door closed, sealing out the cold wind.

Feng Yanzhou exchanged a few pleasantries, then his expression darkened slightly. "Sister-in-law, regarding the registration of your marriage, I have already reported it to the Commander. It will take some time to process the paperwork—you understand how it goes... In the meantime, please feel at ease staying at the family compound."

Is it really okay to move in before being married? Will it affect Gu Chengfeng? Shen Sisi was filled with worry, her hands tightening around Niu Niu.

Gu Chengfeng glanced at her calmly. Seeing her furrowed brows, he assumed she was just shy. "Rest easy and stay there. I will sleep in the military barracks at night and come over during the day."

***

Feng Yanzhou, driving the car, was nearly driven to distraction. He had just thought Old Gu was finally getting the hang of things, and now he was being dense again. If they didn't live together, how were they supposed to cultivate their relationship? Keeping his eyes on the road, he let out an "Oh!" and said, "My apologies, Old Gu. Several comrades from the Northwest Military Region arrived today for training. Your bunk is gone!"

Gu Chengfeng knew the Northwest Military Region had sent people for training, but he hadn't expected them to take his dormitory spot. Since they had already taken it, what more could he say?

Seeing him remain silent and his expression turn gloomy, Shen Sisi realized he was worrying about accommodation. "Student Gu... why don't you move back in? Niu Niu and I can find somewhere else to stay."

"That won't do!" Gu Chengfeng’s expression grew even sterner. "If anyone goes, it will be me. You two stay in the house."

Feng Yanzhou laughed. "Neither of you needs to go. The new house is spacious enough..."

Prompted by this, Gu Chengfeng remembered that he had been promoted to Regiment Commander, and his housing was no longer the single-room unit he had before; there were plenty of rooms.

"A new house?" Shen Sisi asked curiously.

Feng Yanzhou couldn't help but laugh; Gu Chengfeng hadn't even told her about his promotion. He really was tight-lipped. He intentionally kept the suspense alive: "You'll see in a moment..."

The Jeep drove on and soon arrived at the military family compound, stopping in front of a courtyard. The rectangular yard wasn't huge, but it was sufficient—plenty of space for planting flowers. The blue-brick house was square and solid; although it was only one story, it was a detached building, quiet and spacious.

Seeing the place, Shen Sisi was stunned. Is this how well a Battalion Commander is treated? Gu Chengfeng also raised his brows in surprise; it was his first time seeing it as well, and he was quite taken aback.

Feng Yanzhou got out to open the gate and helped with the luggage. Shen Sisi, holding Niu Niu, followed him hesitantly. Upon entering, she saw that it was empty with very little furniture, but fortunately, the house was brand new inside and out and kept very clean.

"From now on, this is our little home." Gu Chengfeng set the bags down and looked at Shen Sisi and Niu Niu with a broad smile.

Shen Sisi couldn't suppress the excitement in her heart as she looked up at the large house. Yes, she finally had a home...

Feng Yanzhou also felt a bit choked up. He had worried that Gu Chengfeng would be lonely living in such a big house by himself, but now, things were looking up—a wife, a child, and a warm hearth.

"Well, sister-in-law, make yourself at home. I need to discuss something with Old Gu..." Feng Yanzhou gave Gu Chengfeng a meaningful look, and the two walked into the yard one after the other.

Shen Sisi held Niu Niu and walked around the house.

***

The house looked quite large, but in reality, there were only two bedrooms. One for her and Niu Niu, and one for Gu Chengfeng—it was just right.

Niu Niu tilted her head in wonder, looking left and right, her eyes wide with amazement. The new home was so pretty; the walls were snowy white, and there were glass windows. It wasn't like their home in the countryside, where the wall plaster peeled off and one of the windows was covered in paper, leaking wind in the winter and rain in the summer. Most importantly, the new house had electric lights; she finally didn't have to use a kerosene lamp.

Niu Niu scampered around in excitement, and Shen Sisi let her be, busying herself with making the bed. The bed was new, and there were two sets of bedding in the cupboard. She would make do with them for now and go out tomorrow to buy more sheets and quilt covers.

Just as Shen Sisi finished her chores, she saw Gu Chengfeng walk in with a grim look on his face.

"Sisi, there's an emergency. I have to go out tomorrow. I should be back in two or three days."

"So urgent?" Seeing him never getting a moment's rest, Shen Sisi worried about his health.

Gu Chengfeng nodded, pulling out the door key, his bankbook, and some food and cloth coupons from his pocket. "This is my saved allowance, along with these coupons. Take them. Buy whatever you need these next few days, and wait for me to return."

The mission order had come down suddenly; he didn't want to leave the mother and daughter behind. Shen Sisi didn't even look at the bankbook, only taking the coupons. "You've already been good enough to me; I can't take this money. By the way, I'll give you back the 700 yuan from my aunt's husband... You spent so much on the bride price, this money should be yours..."

Gu Chengfeng frowned slightly. "That is your dowry. If I, Gu Chengfeng, were to touch your dowry, what kind of man would that make me?" What would be the difference between that and being a kept man?

His attitude was firm. With a wave of his hand, he stuffed the bankbook into Shen Sisi's hand. "Take it. These things are yours. From now on, my allowance is yours, the house is yours, and even I... I am yours too!"

Shen Sisi's heart skipped a beat. Why did that sound so intimate? Was he really entrusting himself to her just like that?

She looked up and met the man’s handsome face, half-hidden in the shadows. His brow was sharp, his features rugged, and the faint stubble on his chin made him look both wild and sexy. For a moment, she was dazed, unable to look away.