Lingering Nightmares and Life-Death Mission

Lu Yu lowered his eyes, sealed the envelope, and his Adam's apple bobbed a few times before he calmly looked at Jiang Nian. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "I'm writing to a comrade; he asked for my help with something."

Thinking of the four words 'take good care of her' she had seen in the letter, Jiang Nian asked, "Is it about his wife?"

Lu Yu didn't answer directly. He just looked at her quietly, making Jiang Nian a bit confused. She touched her face. "Is there something on my face?"

"No." Lu Yu put the letter in his pocket. Seeing that Jiang Nian hadn't read the full content, he breathed a sigh of relief. "It is about his wife." He then asked, "Why are you back so early?"

Jiang Nian: "Xu Yan, Brother Lu, and the kids are settled, so I came back first. What about you? It's not lunchtime yet, why are you back?"

"There was nothing to do in the regiment, so I came back early."

"Oh." She turned toward the kitchen, but after only two steps, she was hugged from behind by Lu Yu. The man was tall and large, and she was almost submerged in his embrace. His arms were like iron clamps, holding her tightly as if afraid she might run away. Jiang Nian didn't know why she had this illusion. She gave a small laugh and looked up at Lu Yu. "What's wrong with you?"

Lu Yu buried his head in Jiang Nian’s neck, his voice deeper and raspier than usual. "Nothing, I just want to hold you."

Jiang Nian’s neck felt itchy. She shrank back, but Lu Yu pressed forward, rubbing against her delicate skin. "Why are you hiding?"

Jiang Nian let out an "Aiya." "It's itchy."

"Is it? Let me try again." Lu Yu pushed further, unbuttoning Jiang Nian’s shirt to reveal her slightly protruding collarbones.

Jiang Nian: ... "Old rogue."

"Who are you calling that?"

"You."

The two played around for a bit before Lu Yu went to make lunch. After eating, he headed back to the regiment.

Early the next morning, Jiang Nian went to the city to deliver her finished embroidery to the director and told her about her situation. At noon, Su Na asked her, "Are you really planning to only embroider one piece a year?"

Jiang Nian said, "Mhm." One piece a year, valued for its exquisite detail and craftsmanship. Her reputation had already spread, and there would be no shortage of people seeking her out in the future. Moreover, with the reform and opening-up coming in a few years, the development trend would only be better than it was now.

Jiang Nian stayed for lunch with the embroidery shop staff and learned that the matter between Jia Yuan and Dong Mei had been resolved. Jia Yuan had been introduced to a worker at a food factory through a matchmaker. The man was on his second marriage and had a son and a daughter. He didn't mind that Jia Yuan couldn't have children; as long as they got along, they could live well.

This summer was hotter than the previous two years. Jiang Nian opened the window for ventilation. On the table was an electric fan Lu Yu had just bought. Such a thing wasn't worth much in the new century, but in this era, it was a rarity. She didn't have any embroidery to do for now, so she had plenty of time. She went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some fabric to make two outfits for Lu Yu.

The noon sun was fierce, and Jiang Nian felt drowsy. She leaned back in her chair and slowly fell asleep.

A dark cliff, a freezing wind—everything was terrifying. Jiang Nian was running through a pitch-black forest, following a tall figure to the edge of a cliff. The cold wind cut like a knife against her face. She saw Lu Yu kneeling by the cliff. His military uniform was shredded, and his cold face was scratched by branches. This was the first time Jiang Nian had seen an aura of death on Lu Yu.

She didn't understand why she was dreaming of Lu Yu like this after six months. In the past half-year, she hadn't dreamed of returning to her home in the new century. She wanted to know the subsequent plot in the book, to know Lu Yu’s fate, to solve these mysteries. She even prayed every night before sleep that she could dream of the other 'Jiang Nian' again.

"Lu Yu..." Jiang Nian walked over cautiously, reaching out to touch him. Her fingers passed through him once more. Just as she withdrew her hand, she saw that cold bullet pierce Lu Yu’s chest again. Watching Lu Yu’s body fall like a withered leaf into the abyss, Jiang Nian also jumped.

"Lu Yu!"

The sudden sensation of weightlessness woke Jiang Nian instantly. She opened her eyes to see the rotating fan and hear its mechanical hum. Jiang Nian closed her eyes and heard the door open. She saw Lu Yu walk in. The man was tall and straight, a faint smile on his cold face—completely different from the deathly Lu Yu in her dream. Jiang Nian’s eyelashes trembled, and the tears she had been holding back fell.

Lu Yu’s movement to close the door paused. His relaxed brow suddenly furrowed. "Why are you crying?"

Jiang Nian dropped the fabric, stood up, and threw herself into Lu Yu’s arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Lu Yu stroked her hair, his voice turning a bit cold. "Who upset you?"

Jiang Nian choked up, her voice very low. "I had a nightmare."

Lu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "What kind of nightmare?"

Jiang Nian said, "I dreamed you were shot."

The hand stroking Jiang Nian’s hair paused almost imperceptibly. Lu Yu patted her back. "Dreams are the opposite of reality. Don't think too much. What are we having for lunch?"

For others, dreams might be the opposite, but for Jiang Nian, could it be real? If 'Jiang Nian' and Xu Cheng could go to the world outside the book, what if Lu Yu dying from a bullet was real? Jiang Nian didn't dare imagine what she would do if she lost Lu Yu. She held him tightly, unwilling to let go. "Are you going on a mission soon?"

Lu Yu said, "No missions this year."

"What about next year?" She wouldn't give up and looked up to ask him. Lu Yu smiled. "We'll know about next year when next year comes."

Jiang Nian’s eyes filled with tears. "Then you must tell me before you go on a mission."

Lu Yu leaned down and kissed her blinking eyelashes. "I'll definitely tell you."

After lunch, Lu Yu went to the regiment. In the afternoon, Shu Xue and Guan Lu came over with their children for a while.

In the blink of an eye, winter arrived. Since that dream of Lu Yu being shot, she hadn't had a similar one, but Jiang Nian still couldn't feel at ease.

On New Year's Eve, Gu Qizhou came over with some things. Jiang Nian made several dishes. Lu Yu and Gu Qizhou talked for a long time, mostly about regiment matters. Lu Yu saw that Jiang Nian looked a bit sleepy and nudged her toward the room. "Go to sleep first. Qizhou and I are going out for a walk."

Jiang Nian rubbed her eyes. "Then come back quickly."

Lu Yu smiled. "Alright." He leaned down and kissed Jiang Nian’s lips before leaving. Jiang Nian lay in bed, hearing the door close. She soon fell into a deep sleep. The dark scene transformed into her home in the new century. Jiang Nian stood outside the house for a long time before pushing the door open. Inside, her family was still sitting at the dinner table talking. Jiang Nian immediately ran upstairs. As expected, the other 'Jiang Nian's' door was still locked.

She stood outside the room for a while, finally ran into her parents' bedroom, tore off a piece of paper, wrote a sentence, and slid it under 'Jiang Nian's' door. Although she didn't know if she would see it, it was the only way to contact her.

Lu Yu returned in the middle of the night, just as Jiang Nian woke from her dream. She turned and snuggled into his slightly chilled embrace, murmuring, "Why are you back so late?"

Lu Yu tucked the blanket around her back. "Just talking with Qizhou."

Jiang Nian didn't ask what they talked about. She found a comfortable position in his arms and went back to sleep.

There was one month left until the Lunar New Year. Usually, this was Lu Yu’s busiest time, but this year he had more free time. He came home almost as soon as he finished at the regiment, spending every moment with her. To Lu Yu, every passing day was one less day he had with Jiang Nian. He wanted to be by her side, even if just sitting quietly.

The next afternoon, Jiang Nian received a letter and a bag of items, delivered directly to the house by a sentry. Jiang Nian opened the letter; it was from Du Jiang. The letter told her and Lu Yu to take good care of each other. In the bag were Xinjiang specialties Du Jiang had sent for her to eat. At the end of the letter, he mentioned Shen Ai. Du Jiang said she and Lu Yu shouldn't take the letter Shen Ai wrote last year to heart, and told them not to worry—he and Shen Ai wouldn't actively disturb them.

Jiang Nian felt Shen Ai didn't deserve Du Jiang, and certainly didn't deserve Lu Yu’s father. She didn't send the items back, storing them in the empty room and giving the letter to Lu Yu when he returned.

This year, Jiang Nian and Lu Yu spent the New Year at the base. Spending it with them were Chen Yao, Shu Xue, and Gu Qizhou. The Yu Liang couple across from them had gone back to their hometown on the 29th. On New Year's Eve, Chen Yao looked after the children while Jiang Nian and Shu Xue prepared the New Year's Eve dinner in the kitchen. Shu Xue asked Jiang Nian, "Sister Jiang, when do you and Regiment Commander Lu want to have a child? You've been married for years; you really should have one."

Jiang Nian’s hand chopping vegetables paused. "Soon." Lu Yu had said three years later, and that year was just beginning.

She suddenly thought of Lu Yu being shot in her dream. He had an aura of death—a sign of impending death she had seen on her grandfather. Jiang Nian’s heart suddenly ached, as if pricked by a needle. She clutched her chest, her brow furrowing in distress, and her breathing became ragged.

Shu Xue supported her, worried. "Sister Jiang, what's wrong?"

The pain in her heart vanished in an instant. Jiang Nian was dazed for a moment, then shook her head. "It's nothing."

Hearing footsteps behind them, Jiang Nian and Shu Xue turned to see Gu Qizhou coming in with a tray. The man was wearing a white shirt and army-green trousers, his tall figure upright, a smile in his eyes. Seeing Jiang Nian’s slightly pale face, he frowned. "Little sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Nian shook her head. "Just got choked by the peppers." Fortunately, she was indeed chopping peppers.

Gu Qizhou said no more. He went to the cutting board and put down the tray. Standing only two steps away from Jiang Nian, he looked at her face for a few seconds, not exposing her lie. "Lu Yu went to get some liquor; he'll be back soon. Go wash your face first; I'll chop the peppers." He took the cleaver from Jiang Nian’s hand without giving her a chance to react.

Shu Xue also said, "Yes, Sister Jiang, go wash your face. You don't look well; don't let the peppers choke you further."

Shu Xue didn't understand, but Jiang Nian understood Gu Qizhou’s intent. He was telling her that Lu Yu was coming back and she shouldn't let him see her like this and worry.

Jiang Nian said, "Alright." She went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. The cold water dissipated the heat on her face, and the pain in her heart was gone. Jiang Nian leaned her hands on the sink and was dazed for a long time. Her mind was a mess, with a thick fog she couldn't clear. Many doubts reached a peak at this moment. Why did she dream of Lu Yu dying in different scenarios? And why did Lu Yu say they had to wait three years for a child? Was there a connection between the two?

Jiang Nian’s head ached from thinking. The door opened, and Chen Yao’s voice sounded outside: "Yuan Yuan, Godfather is back."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian quickly wiped her face with a towel. Her eyes curved into a smile as she walked out. It was snowing outside, and a layer of white had fallen on Lu Yu. He took off his coat and hung it up. Seeing Gu Qizhou chopping vegetables in the kitchen, he raised an eyebrow and teased, "Political Commissar Gu is willing to cook himself?"

Gu Qizhou: ... He finished chopping, put down the cleaver, and walked out. "Little sister-in-law got choked by the peppers, so I helped out."

Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian; her beautiful eyes were indeed a bit pink. "Sit down and rest; I'll cook."

"No need, I'm fine." Jiang Nian wanted to go into the kitchen, but Lu Yu pulled her back and pressed her into a chair. He turned to Gu Qizhou. "You be my assistant."

Gu Qizhou: ...

Shu Xue was also called out of the kitchen. She took the child from Chen Yao and kicked his leg. "You go help too; don't just sit there."

Chen Yao: ... He just wanted to hold his daughter.

The New Year's Eve dinner was made by the three men. With Lu Yu’s skills, the food was quite palatable. They had to stay up for the New Year's vigil, and they agreed to sit together until dawn. Shu Xue couldn't last and went home with the child. Jiang Nian also fell asleep halfway and was carried to the room by Lu Yu. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, murmuring coquettishly, "Sleep with me, okay?"

Lu Yu’s heart softened, and he kissed her lips. "I'll be right there." He went out and told Gu Qizhou and Chen Yao to go home and have their own vigils.

Gu Qizhou: ...
Chen Yao: ...

Lu Yu saw them out. Chen Yao left first. Gu Qizhou stood outside the door. Watching the door close, he whispered, "I asked this morning. The document will be out at the end of the month. This time, the old chief specifically named you for the mission; you can't decline it." He patted Lu Yu’s shoulder. "Actually, this mission is a good thing for you. Maybe it's the opportunity that will let you move up quickly."

Lu Yu’s face showed no expression. He nodded. "I understand."

After Gu Qizhou left, Lu Yu closed the door. He leaned against it in silence for a long time until he heard Jiang Nian’s soft voice from the inner room. He rubbed his face, went to the bathroom to wash up, and then went to the inner room. He lay on the bed and pulled the half-asleep Jiang Nian into his arms. When Jiang Nian snuggled into his chest, Lu Yu, as if possessed, gripped the back of her neck and kissed her urgently.

Jiang Nian was kissed until she couldn't breathe. Her tank top was pushed somewhere unknown. She was like a fish out of water, desperately seeking moisture. She held Lu Yu tightly, opening her eyes in the dark room. After a long struggle, she finally saw the crimson swirling in Lu Yu’s eyes—bloodshot lines creeping up, like long-suppressed emotions finally being released.

"Lu Yu..." Jiang Nian whispered softly, receiving an even deeper response from him.

The battle lasted a long time. It was the only night Jiang Nian didn't feel tired. She suddenly felt a sense of longing, wishing time could stop at this night—just being held tightly by Lu Yu, listening to his strong, rhythmic heartbeat. It was a peace she had never felt before.

Both were covered in sweat. Lu Yu rubbed his nose against hers. "Are you tired?"

Jiang Nian shook her head. Clearly exhausted to the point of her fingers having no strength, she still stubbornly said, "Not tired."

Lu Yu didn't expose her. He got up to boil hot water in the kitchen. After preparing the bathwater, he carried Jiang Nian to wash her. He used the water she had bathed in to quickly rinse himself, then carried her back to bed. Jiang Nian wasn't sleepy now. She rested her head on Lu Yu’s arm, her fingers tracing his abdominal muscles. The man sighed helplessly and caught her hand. "Don't move."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian mischievously lifted the blanket to look. Lu Yu’s expression froze, and he tucked the blanket back to stop her gaze.

Jiang Nian was stunned. "You can't do it?"

Lu Yu: ... He found that this woman was becoming increasingly shameless in her speech.

"Is it true?" Jiang Nian repeated, intentionally teasing him. Sure enough, the man couldn't take the teasing. He rolled over to press her down, his eyes deep as he looked at her. "Want to try?"

Jiang Nian: ... She pushed him twice. Seeing this, Lu Yu didn't make it hard for her. He rolled back and pulled her in, his hand gently patting her back. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I'm going out next month."

The body in his arms trembled slightly. Lu Yu stroked along her fragile spine, trying to ease her trembling. He kissed the top of her head. "The document is out. I must follow orders."

"Jiang Nian, I will return safely."

"With you at home, I will definitely return."

The words were like a monologue, yet also spoken for Jiang Nian to hear. Jiang Nian was in a daze all night and didn't sleep much. She only fell into a deep sleep toward dawn. It was now mid-February, and Lu Yu would be leaving in half a month.

In the remaining days, Jiang Nian hoped every night before sleep that she could dream of 'Jiang Nian'. She wanted to know Lu Yu’s fate in the book, to know the plot's direction. Only by knowing the specific time and plot could she help him.

On February 29th, Lu Yu returned at noon. He was carrying many things—vegetables, pork, chicken, as well as apples, oranges, and bananas. He had replenished everything the house lacked. The table in the outer room was filled with snacks he had bought. He even took out all the "private money" he had saved and put it in a tin box. Jiang Nian stood by the window, her eyes red from crying.

Lu Yu went over and ruffled her hair. "I'll be gone for four to six months. I can't spend all this money out there. Keep it at home for yourself. Keep the savings book safe; use it when necessary. Don't do too much embroidery; it's bad for your eyes. I can support you."