The Moment of Peril

The guard didn't even stop to catch his breath as he spoke rapidly: "The State-owned Embroidery Shop called. They said Deputy Regiment Commander Lu's sister-in-law is in trouble and you need to get there immediately!"

"Song Bai, go borrow a vehicle from the military district!"

Lu Yu sprinted toward the security office at extreme speed. Song Bai also ran toward the district headquarters. Regiment Commander Song and Battalion Commander Lu, who were standing nearby, frowned. Regiment Commander Song looked at the guard. "What happened to Deputy Regiment Commander Lu's sister-in-law?"

The guard shook his head. "I don't know. The person from the Embroidery Shop was crying on the phone. It must be serious."

Regiment Commander Song's expression shifted. He said to Battalion Commander Lu, "Let's go. We're going too!"

Meanwhile, Lu Yu burst into the security office and grabbed the phone. He heard Lu Xiaojing's sobbing voice and asked in a low, heavy voice, "Where is Jiang Nian?!"

Hearing Lu Yu's voice, Lu Xiaojing felt as if she had found her savior. "She was taken by Hu Zhongming's father! Zhang Xiao's head was split open and she's in the hospital. The police are searching for Hu's father and Jiang Nian, but they haven't found them yet."

Lu Yu slammed the phone down, opened the door, and charged into the pitch-black night. The man's face was grim and cold, his usual stern expression replaced by a chilling frost. Regiment Commander Song and Battalion Commander Lu chased after him for a long time but couldn't catch up. It wasn't until Song Bai drove up and picked them both up that they finally caught up to Lu Yu, who had already run out of the county town. Regiment Commander Song was truly impressed; the young man's physical stamina was incredible.

Song Bai drove very fast. A four-hour journey was covered in two. As they neared the State-owned Embroidery Shop, before the car had even come to a full stop, Lu Yu jumped out and sprinted toward the shop. He burst through the door to find Ge Mai and Lu Xiaojing looking haggard and anxious. "Any news of Jiang Nian?"

Seeing Lu Yu arrive so quickly, Ge Mai was stunned for a moment before snapping out of it. She leaned against the table and shook her head. "Not yet. The police are still searching."

Lu Yu asked coldly, "Tell me Hu Zhongming's father's physical characteristics."

Song Bai opened the door to see Lu Yu walking out with a dark, grim expression. He frowned and asked, "What's the situation?" Regiment Commander Song and Battalion Commander Lu also asked anxiously.

Lu Yu said in a heavy voice, "The man who took my sister-in-law is a middle-aged man with a heavy build, about 1.7 meters tall, with a full beard. We split up and search!"

...

The night was pitch black. Everyone searched until midnight. Father Hu and Jiang Nian had reached the roof of a tall building across from the machinery factory. The building was made of brick, narrowing toward the top, with a small space that could hold at most a dozen people.

Jiang Nian's hair was disheveled, her clothes covered in dirt, and her face was scratched. Small and thin, she looked fragile and helpless in the night, her bright eyes now red from crying. She was worried about Zhang Xiao, wondering if she had been found and if she was okay.

Father Hu deliberately revealed his position, drawing all the police officers in the city to the base of the building. There was only one staircase, right under Father Hu's watchful eye. He held a piece of scrap rebar against Jiang Nian's neck, one arm choking her. He shouted to the police below, "I want to see my son, Hu Zhongming!"

When an officer tried to climb the stairs, Father Hu glared viciously and pressed the rebar harder against Jiang Nian's throat. "If anyone comes up, I'll kill her!"

The pain made Jiang Nian's vision blur. Below the building were police, guards, and some workers from the machinery factory. Lu Yu moved to the side of the building, looking up at Jiang Nian standing on the edge of the roof, looking as if she might fall at any moment. A chilling, murderous light flickered in his dark eyes. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white.

Song Bai also saw Jiang Nian, especially the small indentation the rebar was making in her neck. His brow furrowed coldly. Lu Yu called over the police and told them to keep Father Hu occupied while he and Song Bai circled around the back. Seeing their uniforms, the officers immediately nodded. "Understood!"

Regiment Commander Song said to Battalion Commander Lu, "You follow them. I'll go to the front to coordinate with the police. Damn it, how dare they bully someone from our military compound!"

"I want to see my son!" Father Hu roared down, nearly pushing Jiang Nian off the edge. Jiang Nian closed her eyes in terror, biting her lip hard to keep from crying out.

An officer said, "Even if you're anxious, you have to wait. It's a one-hour drive to the prison. Don't be impulsive. Our people have already contacted the prison; they'll bring Hu Zhongming here as fast as possible."

As the police coordinated, Regiment Commander Song watched Lu Yu and Song Bai circle around the back. Father Hu had lost his mind by now, his eyes bloodshot and filled with murderous intent. "I don't care! I want to see my son within half an hour, or I'll take her down with me!"

He took another step forward. Jiang Nian, who was already near the edge, was now almost hanging off it, her heels barely touching the bricks. She gripped Father Hu's arm tightly, terrified he would lose his grip and drop her.

"Ah—!" The crowd below erupted in screams of horror.

The police officer's expression changed, and he raised his hands to calm Father Hu. "Alright, alright! We'll bring Hu Zhongming here within half an hour."

The building was about 8 meters high, wide at the base and narrowing at the top. Battalion Commander Lu leaned against the wall, knees bent and hands braced above his head. He whispered to Lu Yu and Song Bai, "Go!"

Both were trained soldiers; an 8-meter wall was no problem. Lu Yu used the boost to leap up, his movements fluid and silent. He climbed from the left, while Song Bai took the right. Once they were up, while the police distracted Father Hu, the two moved like wolves stalking in the night.

Song Bai lunged forward, restraining Father Hu's neck and twisting his wrist with force. Lu Yu seized the moment, reaching through the gap between Father Hu and Jiang Nian to grab her waist and pull her into his arms. Using the momentum, he kicked off the bricks and shielded Jiang Nian as they fell back onto the roof.

Song Bai tightened his grip on Father Hu's neck, wrapping his legs around the man's torso. "Don't move!" he growled.

The police quickly charged up the stairs. Jiang Nian lay on top of Lu Yu, her fingers gripping his clothes tightly. The man rolled her onto her side, his fingers threading through her black hair to support her head. Looking at her red eyes and pale face, he whispered, "It's okay, it's okay." He gently stroked her head to stop her from shivering.

Jiang Nian gradually came to her senses. Looking at Lu Yu so close to her, her tightly wound emotions finally snapped. She buried her face in his firm chest and sobbed.

"I didn't know him... he was going to take revenge on me."
"I didn't want to hurt Zhang Xiao."
"Lu Yu, I'm scared..."

Lu Yu's arms tightened around her. Before Regiment Commander Song and Battalion Commander Lu arrived, he stood up, still holding her. Jiang Nian was crying uncontrollably, her body still shaking. Lu Yu lifted her in a bridal carry and said to Regiment Commander Song, "I'm taking her to the hospital."

Regiment Commander Song quickly said, "Song Bai, hurry, get the car!"

Lu Yu sat in the military jeep, holding Jiang Nian. Now out of danger, Jiang Nian's breakdown began to subside. She released her grip on Lu Yu's clothes, placed her hands on her lap, and sat up straight, moving out of his embrace.

Lu Yu looked down at the bowed Jiang Nian, suppressed the urge to pull her back into his arms. Battalion Commander Lu sat beside them, noticing the veins bulging on the back of Lu Yu's hand. He knew Lu Yu had been truly frantic this time. If they hadn't moved quickly, his sister-in-law would have been in grave danger.

Regiment Commander Song turned back to look at Jiang Nian. "How do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Jiang Nian shook her head, her voice nasal. "I'm okay."

Song Bai looked at Jiang Nian through the rearview mirror. She sat by the window with her head down, her black hair falling over her face, hiding her expression.

Lu Yu said, "When we get to the hospital, I'll take you to see Zhang Xiao."

"How is Zhang Xiao?" Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, her eyes wet and her rims red. She looked pitiable. Remembering there were others in the car and that they were still technically in-laws, Lu Yu couldn't be too affectionate. "We'll know when we get there." He had been searching for Jiang Nian since he arrived in the city and hadn't checked on anything else.

Jiang Nian lowered her head, biting her lip. She remembered Zhang Xiao lying alone in the alley when she was taken, her head covered in blood. With so much blood, would she be okay? If anything happened to Zhang Xiao, she would never be able to forgive herself.

At the hospital, Jiang Nian was anxious to see Zhang Xiao and refused to have her own wounds treated until she did. Lu Yu took her to ask a nurse and found Zhang Xiao's room. Di Beibei was by her side. Seeing Jiang Nian and Lu Yu enter, she immediately ran over and hugged Jiang Nian.

"You scared me to death! Are you okay? Did Father Hu hurt you?"

Jiang Nian shook her head and pushed Di Beibei aside to see the unconscious Zhang Xiao. "Sister Di, how is she?"

Di Beibei sighed in relief. "Excessive blood loss and a slight concussion. She just woke up. The doctor said as long as she's conscious, it's not too serious, but she needs to stay for observation in case of other symptoms."

Hearing this, the tension in Jiang Nian's heart finally snapped. Her nerves gave way, and just as she was about to collapse, Lu Yu caught her. The man held her and shouted, "Doctor! Someone fainted!"

...

The events at the building across from the machinery factory spread overnight. Ge Mai and Lu Xiaojing went to the hospital early the next morning to see Zhang Xiao and Jiang Nian. Zhang Xiao woke up at noon, still a bit groggy. The doctor told her to rest and wait for her condition to improve before further tests.

Jiang Nian woke up in the afternoon. She opened her eyes to see Lu Yu sitting by the bed. The man had stubble on his face and was still wearing his olive-green uniform. Seeing her wake up, he leaned in. "Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Jiang Nian looked at him. "I'm fine." As she spoke, she felt as if her throat had been slashed by a blade. She reached up to touch her neck, which was wrapped in gauze. Lu Yu caught her wrist, preventing her from touching the wound. "The rebar cut the skin. Don't touch it yet."

"Okay." Jiang Nian felt pain in her throat, jaw, and neck from where Father Hu had choked her. Recalling the previous night's danger, she felt lucky to be alive, thanks to Lu Yu and Song Bai.

"How is Zhang Xiao?"
"In the next room. She can eat and drink now."
Jiang Nian sighed in relief. "That's good."

"Sister-in-law." Lu Yu leaned over her, his stern face serious.
Jiang Nian's lashes fluttered as she looked into his dark eyes. "What is it?"
The man's breath was almost mingling with hers. "From now on, let me accompany you whenever you come to the city, okay?" He never wanted to go through those two dangerous incidents again.
Jiang Nian said hoarsely, "Okay."

A middle-aged woman and a young woman were in the neighboring beds. They were both watching Lu Yu and Jiang Nian. It was noisy outside, and the two were speaking softly, so they couldn't hear what was being said, but they could see the man's care and concern for the woman.

The middle-aged woman in the middle bed smiled. "You two have such a great relationship." They were so close they were almost kissing. Even for a married couple, they should be more careful in public, she thought, but she didn't say it. The young woman looked at Jiang Nian with envy, wishing her own man was half as caring.

Lu Yu heard her but didn't explain. Jiang Nian felt awkward and looked away. "Where are Regiment Commander Song and the others?"

Lu Yu sat up. "They drove back overnight."
"Oh." Jiang Nian said no more.

She had slept for a long time and wasn't tired, but Lu Yu hadn't slept all night. "Why don't you go to a guesthouse for the night? You can't stay awake like this."
"It's fine." Lu Yu asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."
"No need, we brought dinner."

Lu Xiaojing and Ge Mai entered, carrying two aluminum lunch boxes. Ge Mai handed one to Lu Yu. "Eat quickly. You've worked for a day and a night without sleep. I'll go open a room at the guesthouse later; you should rest."

Lu Yu took the lunch box and sat on a stool by the bed. "No need, I'll just nap here." Ge Mai knew he wouldn't leave Jiang Nian's side, so she didn't push. She spoke with Jiang Nian for a while and then left. Lu Xiaojing stayed for a bit and offered to feed Jiang Nian, which made Jiang Nian shake her head in embarrassment. "I have hands and feet; I can eat myself."

Lu Xiaojing said, "I just want to feed you a bite." Honestly, seeing Jiang Nian on that roof yesterday had scared her to death. When she and Ge Mai reached the hospital, Jiang Nian had fainted. She just wanted to feed her to feel that she was still alive.

Jiang Nian: ... She helplessly opened her mouth and ate a piece of chicken, then reached out to Lu Xiaojing. "Give it to me."

Lu Xiaojing finally handed it over. She felt a sense of relief after the disaster. Seeing Jiang Nian sipping chicken soup, she said, "You don't know, Ge Mai was so scared her legs gave out. It's the first time I've seen her like that."

Jiang Nian stopped drinking. "How is she now?"
Lu Xiaojing smiled. "She's fine as long as you and Zhang Xiao are okay. If she hadn't told me to call Deputy Regiment Commander Lu, I wouldn't have remembered."

Lu Yu stood up to go wash his face. Lu Xiaojing continued, "Jiang Nian, you don't know how worried he was yesterday. If I didn't know you were in-laws, I'd think you were husband and wife."

The room fell into a strange silence. The two women in the other beds looked at Jiang Nian in shock. They couldn't believe they were in-laws. They had been so intimate earlier, and the man hadn't corrected them. Jiang Nian noticed their strange looks and sighed. She said to Lu Xiaojing, "Sister Lu, let's not talk. I want some peace."

Lu Xiaojing said, "Right, you need to rest."

When Lu Yu returned, Lu Xiaojing was gone. He sat on the stool and leaned against the bed. "I'll nap for a bit." Jiang Nian endured the strange looks from the other women and nodded. "Okay."

Dusk fell, and it was pitch black outside. The old-fashioned light bulb was a bit too bright. Jiang Nian saw Lu Yu facing her, half his face pressed against his arm. His sharp profile was visible. He seemed bothered by the light, his brow furrowing slightly. Jiang Nian hesitated, then slowly reached out her hand to shield his eyes from the light. Without the glare, Lu Yu's brow gradually smoothed out. She heard the other women whispering but ignored them, continuing to block the light for him. She wouldn't be living with these people; she'd never see them again after leaving the hospital.

"How shameless."
"A brother-in-law and sister-in-law being so intimate. In the old days, they'd be drowned in a pond."
The young woman added, "Not just in the old days. In the countryside today, they'd be taken to the brigade for public criticism. It's a disgrace to their ancestors."

They kept talking, their voices getting louder. Jiang Nian looked at them coldly. The middle-aged woman wasn't intimidated and glared back. "I'm talking about you!" The young woman was more timid and stopped talking. The middle-aged woman huffed. "And he's a soldier, yet he..."

"Shut up!" Jiang Nian pointed at the woman, then glanced at the sleeping Lu Yu. She whispered a warning, "If you don't stop, I won't be polite!"

A faint, meaningful smile touched the lips of the sleeping man. Jiang Nian lowered her hand. They could talk about her, she didn't care, but they couldn't ruin Lu Yu's reputation. Given Lu Yu's rank and position, he couldn't afford even a single blemish. Although they weren't blood-related in-laws, the title was there. If rumors spread, it would affect his future.

The middle-aged woman, seeing Jiang Nian was serious, backed down and muttered something else to the young woman. Jiang Nian swallowed her anger and looked at Lu Yu. Seeing he hadn't woken up, she leaned against the headboard, staring out the window.

*Lu Yu has feelings for me.* Ge Mai's words echoed in her head. She recalled everything that had happened since she met him. Lu Yu's sense of boundaries had slowly eroded over time. She hadn't thought about it before, never thinking Lu Yu would like her. Even when his care exceeded that of a brother-in-law, she had dismissed it, assuming he was just being kind because of his debt to the Xu family.

Jiang Nian lowered her eyes, feeling a bit lost about the future. Her original plan was to do her embroidery work well and eventually leave Lu Yu to work with Ge Mai. She would have her own life, and Lu Yu would have his own wife and children. They would be relatives, nothing more. But now, she was confused. Did Lu Yu like her, or was he just favoring her because she was Xu Cheng's wife? Her mind had never been so muddled.

Lu Yu woke up at 3:00 AM. Jiang Nian had fallen asleep leaning against the headboard. Her hand was resting near his arm, her fingertips almost touching his clothes. Lu Yu remained in his position, reached out a hand to cover Jiang Nian's cool hand, and closed his fingers around her small, delicate palm.

Jiang Nian stayed in the hospital for two days. The gauze on her neck was removed, and the wound had scabbed over. The scratches on her arm and face were also healing. When she was discharged, she went to see Zhang Xiao. Zhang Xiao was sitting up and could eat and drink, but she was still pale and weak.

Zhang Xiao smiled and asked, "Sister Jiang, did it hurt when you hit the wall before?"
Jiang Nian laughed. "It hurt! It hurt so much I wanted to die." If she hadn't been desperate to transmigrate back, she wouldn't have had the courage.
Zhang Xiao laughed. "It hurts for me too." She grabbed Jiang Nian's hand. "Sister Jiang, I'm glad you're okay. If the others hadn't kept me in bed, I would have come to see you."
Jiang Nian looked at the bandage on Zhang Xiao's head. "It's the same. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have suffered this."
"It wasn't your fault. Father Hu was already planning something bad. Even if you hadn't come, he would have caused trouble at the shop."

Seeing Zhang Xiao didn't blame her, Jiang Nian still felt bad for her. Outside, Zhou Jun's voice rang out: "Deputy Regiment Commander!"
Lu Yu looked at Song Bai and Zhou Jun and nodded. "Zhang Xiao is inside."
Zhou Jun's face was filled with worry. "I'll go in first."
Song Bai and Lu Yu leaned against the hallway wall. Song Bai looked down the long corridor. "How is Sister-in-law?"
Lu Yu said, "Much better. Thank you for this time." If it weren't for Song Bai's coordination, Jiang Nian would have been in trouble.
Song Bai scoffed. "Why be so formal? Besides, she's my sister-in-law too." Lu Yu glanced at him but said nothing.

After Zhou Jun saw Zhang Xiao, Sister Di arrived with lunch. Jiang Nian said goodbye to them and walked out. Seeing Song Bai, she was surprised. "You're here too?"
Song Bai looked at the wound on her neck and smiled. "Are you better, Sister-in-law?"
Jiang Nian smiled. "Much better."
Song Bai was about to say more when Lu Yu stepped between them. "Going back?"
Jiang Nian nodded. "Let's go."

Song Bai and Zhou Jun followed behind. Zhou Jun planned to ask for leave in a few days to see Zhang Xiao again. He had sent a letter home and expected a reply soon. Outside the hospital, Jiang Nian breathed in the fresh air, feeling her lungs clear.

This time Zhou Jun drove, with Song Bai in the passenger seat and Jiang Nian and Lu Yu in the back. As the jeep passed the machinery factory, Jiang Nian stared at the tall building in the distance. It looked exceptionally high now. She remembered being choked and dangled over the edge that night, looking down and feeling dizzy. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Lu Yu. He was talking to Song Bai about regiment business. Sensing her gaze, he turned. "What is it?"
Jiang Nian smiled. "Thank you." She then looked at Song Bai. "Song Bai, thank you too."
Song Bai looked at her through the mirror and smiled. "When a sister-in-law is in danger, it's our duty to save her. Even if it were someone else, we would have done the same for the sake of this uniform."
Jiang Nian felt he was right. In any era, soldiers and firefighters would always step forward to protect lives.

Song Bai and Jiang Nian chatted occasionally, with Zhou Jun chiming in. Lu Yu said to Jiang Nian, "The doctor said you should talk less. Your throat hasn't recovered yet." Jiang Nian coughed, feeling the pain, and nodded. "Mhm."

They reached the Embroidery Shop, where Jiang Nian picked up the fabric she had bought at the department store. After saying goodbye to Ge Mai and having lunch, they drove back to the base. She watched the scenery recede, feeling that this place was cursed for her. Every time she came, something bad happened.

They arrived at the base at 6:00 PM. Song Bai went to return the car. Lu Yu carried all the bags and walked with Jiang Nian into the compound, with Zhou Jun following. At the fork in the road, Lu Yu said to Zhou Jun, "Go back and do an extra five kilometers of weighted running."
Zhou Jun: ???
Jiang Nian was also surprised, thinking it was because of his leave. After parting with Zhou Jun, they walked through the family compound. They ran into several wives and aunties. Everyone already knew about what happened in the city. Regiment Commander Song had told Feng Mai, who had spread the word that Lu Yu and Song Bai had performed a great deed.

As they passed Feng Mai's house, she ran out and checked Jiang Nian over. Seeing the scratches on her face and neck, she asked, "Are your wounds better? That man was so evil! When Old Song told me, I was terrified. I wanted to go see you, but he wouldn't let me. How do you feel now?"
Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian. "Sister-in-law, I'm going in first."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Mhm." She said to Feng Mai, "I'm fine. These are just minor injuries."
Feng Mai said, "Are you cursed in the city?" She quickly covered her mouth and looked around. Seeing no one, she whispered, "Last time you were bullied, and this time too. If you go again, either take Lu Yu or I'll go with you."
Jiang Nian was touched by her offer. "Alright, next time I go, I'll ask you to come along."

After parting with Feng Mai, Jiang Nian went home. Just as she entered her room, Xu Yan's voice came from outside. "Jiang Nian, are you there?"
Lu Yu stepped out and said, "My sister-in-law is in her room."
Xu Yan smiled at him. "Mhm."
Jiang Nian was about to hide when Xu Yan entered with a small basket containing six eggs. She put them on the table and looked at Jiang Nian's wounds. "Are you okay?"
Jiang Nian shook her head. "I'm fine."
Xu Yan sat and chatted for a while. Then Liu Jianwu ran in to find her. He sat on her lap and said in a childish voice, "Auntie Jiang, my mom cried today."
Xu Yan hadn't expected her son to say that. Jiang Nian was also surprised. Seeing Xu Yan's embarrassed smile, she asked the boy, "Why did she cry?"
Lưu Kiến Võ said, "She was worried about you."
Xu Yan smiled. "I heard from Feng Mai and was worried, but I couldn't leave the two kids to go to the city."
Jiang Nian felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you."
Xu Yan smiled. "If you say thank you, I won't know what to say."

After Xu Yan left, Jiang Nian folded her embroidery fabric and put it in the cupboard. As she closed the door, she heard footsteps. She turned to see Lu Yu entering, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Ge Mai's words and Lu Yu's recent behavior flashed through her mind. She couldn't ignore them anymore. "What is it?"
It was dusk, and the room was dim.
"Jiang Nian." Lu Yu approached her, his masculine aura overwhelming her. Her breath hitched as she looked up at him, her fingers gripping the cupboard. The darkness of the room seemed to amplify the tension.
Lu Yu suddenly reached out and pulled Jiang Nian into his arms. One arm tightened around her waist, while his large hand supported the back of her head, pressing her firmly against his chest. Feeling her warm, living presence, and sensing her breath against his white shirt, Lu Yu felt a sense of peace he had never known before!