The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead-Chapter 71 - 70 Agreeing on the Subject of Punishment
Chapter 71: Chapter 70: Agreeing on the Subject of Punishment
Chapter 71 -70: Agreeing on the Subject of Punishment
Commander Lu didn’t know that while he was briefly out, someone had already stolen his precious jewel from right under his nose.
Of course, when Lu Jingqiu returned home, she acted as if nothing had happened, holding Hua Hua and continuing with her work.
In fact, her mind was in complete chaos, filled with excitement, joy, and panic. To suddenly have a partner so quickly felt unreal and gave her the illusion of being in a dream.
She also knew that her upcoming task did not allow for distraction, so she forced herself to calm down within twenty minutes.
Thus, she worked through the afternoon with barely a thought for food or rest, producing only two completed pieces. She mainly painted with gouache, waiting for each layer to dry; a hairdryer would have been useful. She decided to ask her second cousin if he could find one for industrial use.
The coloring was the quick part; it was the composition that was more challenging.
But she had lived in the countryside, and many of the scenes in her paintings came from Ten-miles Village.
By the time Lu Xianrun returned, it was very late. Seeing the light still on upstairs, he discovered his daughter still hard at work.
With affection, he went down and made her a cup of Malted Milk.
“What kind of work requires you to stay up so late?” he asked.
Lu Xianrun was completely unaware of her attending the army mixer that day. Smiling, she said, “Dad, I’m working overtime on the series of the ‘Twelve Solar Terms’ illustrations I’m serializing in the West City Daily. They need to be ready by the end of the month for the provincial illustration competition. My superiors hope I can finish the remaining pieces by then. Also, they said that once the competition is over, they will help me get published.”
In Lu Xianrun’s generation, anything featured in the publicity column was considered an honor, let alone being printed in the newspaper or having a book published.
His daughter was so talented that her paintings would be published: “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful. Our ancestors must be bursting with pride, knowing that great talent is emerging from the Lu Family.”
Old Lu had always been called ‘the end of his lineage,’ but what of it? If given the chance to exchange his daughter for three or four sons now, he would refuse a hundred times over.
Which son in this courtyard could outshine his daughter?
Hearing her father’s words, Lu Jingqiu laughed: “Dad, don’t exaggerate. I’m about to float away with all this praise.”
“A little floating wouldn’t hurt; we have the ability,” he said.
“Dad, who praises their child like this?” she asked.
“I, Old Lu, praise like this. Who dares to object?” he said.
“Not me, I’m just Dad’s pride,” Jingqiu replied.
Lu Xianrun, chuckling, hugged Hua Hua and said, “Better go to sleep soon; you have to work tomorrow. Oh, and I’ve rented out the house where I sold ginseng. I’ve asked the neighbor’s wife to help with receiving any potential tenants. If anyone wants to rent, they’ll come to the courtyard to find you.”
“Dad, where is that house? I haven’t seen it yet,” she said.
“Right next to Gao Shu’s old house.”
Lu Jingqiu really hadn’t expected such a coincidence. Lu Xianrun knew how she would react, which is why he hadn’t told her. He also didn’t want his daughter to get too involved with Gao Shu. So, he was planning to sell the house after a year or two.
“Which yard next to him?” she queried.
“The one with three rooms built with green bricks and roof tiles, it has a big yard. It’s just a bit old, but it has a toilet, a well, and is close to the city center. I’ve rented it out for ten yuan a month,” he explained.
“That’s pretty high, is anyone renting it?” she wondered.
“I set the price intentionally high to leave it up to fate. If someone is willing to pay that price to rent, then it’s theirs. If no one rents, we’ll leave it vacant. I don’t want to haggle with tenants over money. Anyone who can afford to spend ten yuan on rent shouldn’t be short on cash,” he replied.
Lu Jingqiu nodded, laughing inwardly. At that rate, the place would probably go unrented for a year.
“Does it come furnished? With such high rent, there should be some furniture,” she asked.
“I hadn’t thought about that. We’ll deal with it once it’s rented out. By the way, I’ll probably be off to the hills for over a month,” he said.
“A military exercise?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Be careful, Dad. I’ll prepare some clothing for you tomorrow, and yes, you’ll need to take some medicine too,” Jingqiu said.
Lu Jingqiu didn’t tell Father Lu about her and Jiang Nanzhou’s affair today, mainly because she didn’t want to distract him while he was working. Besides, Jiang Nanzhou had said he would talk to her father in person.
So for now, she pretended as if nothing had happened and helped her father prepare his things.
Lu Jingqiu was experienced in this; every time her father went out, her mother would prepare his clothing and medicine.
Therefore, early the next morning, she listened to the weather forecast and got the clothes ready.
When she arrived at work, many colleagues asked her about the mixer from yesterday.
Jingqiu smiled and shook her head, neither confirming nor denying.
Instead, it was Wang Meilian who fancied an officer, but unfortunately, that officer had not shown any interest.
Matchmaking events—some are successful, others are not. The person destined for you will always be waiting at a certain point in your life; you can’t force it.
Lu Jingqiu had a lot of work to do today as she needed to design a cover for a book.
Yang Bo had been busy with something lately and was always out on assignments.
In the office, it was just her and Luo Xinyue left. Since their last conversation about Luo Xinyue’s shortcomings, Luo Xinyue wasn’t outwardly stubborn, but Lu Jingqiu had noticed a book about color on Luo Xinyue’s desk these past few days.
When she had nothing else to do, she also practiced drawing.
The picture book she was responsible for last month had been published and was selling quite well.
Many children loved such juvenile cartoon styles.
So, when Zhang Miao came to discuss the illustrations for a children’s safety knowledge picture book today, Lu Jingqiu handed over the task to Luo Xinyue, saying, “I’ve been assigned a task by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yang recently, and I still need to review for the college entrance exam. I won’t have time this month. Luo Xinyue Comrade can handle the illustrations; her concepts are quite innovative.”
Zhang Miao thought of the recently published book, targeting children three to five years old, which the kids did indeed love, nodded in agreement, turned to Luo Xinyue and said, “Editor Luo, this really is up to you, let’s discuss it.” Saying so, she ran over to Luo Xinyue’s place.
Luo Xinyue looked at Lu Jingqiu in surprise. Lu Jingqiu didn’t avoid her gaze and gave her an affectionate, amused look.
Luo Xinyue’s usually tense face almost cracked.
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Weren’t they supposed to be adversaries? Yet, this person was passing an opportunity to her.
Lu Jingqiu wasn’t thinking so much. When she was at work, she was buried in her tasks.
In the afternoon after work, she went to the military hospital and bought some medicine for external injuries.
She had wanted to find Li Huakun, but unfortunately, she couldn’t find him.
Only then did she remember what Jiang Nanzhou had said last time.
These past few days, Lu Jingqiu had been getting up early to line up at the farmer’s market stalls, and over two days, had managed to buy three jin of pork belly.
When she got back, she cooked it into crispy pork and put it in an empty Malted Milk container for her dad to bring along.
Lu Xianrun usually didn’t worry about such exercises, but this time he hesitated because he might miss his daughter’s college entrance exam.
After learning about her dad’s concerns, Lu Jingqiu, instead, comforted him, “Dad, I’m just taking a test, it’s not like the students from the countryside who need to come and stay in a guesthouse the day before. We live so close to the school, it’s just like going to and from school on any other day. Don’t worry about me, I’ll definitely get into a university for you this time.”
Lu Xianrun smiled, “Of course I know my Qiuqiu’s capabilities. It’s just… it’s hard to accept missing out when you need me the most. But, as the family of a soldier, you also need to have this awareness.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. My resolve is very strong. I won’t trouble the country unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Lu Xianrun waved his hand dismissively, “You’re exaggerating a bit. I’m just expressing my feelings. I’m worried about you preparing for the exam on your own, so I’ve already told your aunt and uncle to keep an eye on you during this time.”
Lu Jingqiu nodded, “Okay, I’ll listen to Auntie. Don’t worry, Dad.”
“Alright then, it’s getting late, go to bed. I’m taking Hua Hua with me tonight.”
“Dad, want to bet Hua Hua will definitely come running up tonight?”
Lu Xianrun laughed. When they first got the cat, he had a thousand complaints. Now he was actually competing with his daughter for the cat.
…
Since confirming their relationship a few days ago, Jiang Nanzhou hadn’t come to visit Lu Jingqiu.
It seemed as if nothing had changed between them; they were both living their separate lives.
It wasn’t that Jiang Nanzhou didn’t want to develop a relationship with Lu Jingqiu, but these past few days had been genuinely busy.
He also didn’t dare to disturb Lu Jingqiu, especially as the college entrance exam was approaching and she was busy reviewing.
They had agreed to wait until late July to go on a date.
By then, Lu Jingqiu would have finished her exams.
Even so, Jiang Nanzhou couldn’t help but visit Lu Jingqiu.
Without explaining, he handed Lu Jingqiu a military bag as soon as he arrived.
The bag was stuffed full and heavy in her arms. Lu Jingqiu immediately felt its weight and asked, “What’s this?”
“Some food. You have been working your brain hard; you need proper nutrition. Commander Lu and I are going out for a month and a half. Take care of yourself at home, and remember to call your neighbors if you need anything,” Jiang Nanzhou instructed indifferently, yet his words made Lu Jingqiu feel incredibly warm. She smiled in response, took the things inside, and then brought out a small parcel from the house to give to him, “This is specially prepared for you. It has food and medicine. Take care.”
For Jiang Nanzhou, this was indeed a surprise. He hadn’t expected Lu Jingqiu to have prepared something for him.
No wonder the men in the military said that having a wife and not having one are two different worlds.
