Chapter 24 — Return to Xiangnan Military Region

The grape leaves rustled in the wind, covering up the sound of the two people's heavy breathing. A week later, on the wedding day, the Chu family's yard was filled with people. Mai Tu Khanh sat in front of the dressing table with the word Song Hy on it, leaving Tran Thu Lan to comb her hair with a wooden comb soaked in cinnamon flower oil. Tran Thu Lan pinned the last red flower in her hair, her eyes were red: "Tu Khanh, in the future if Tri Luat dares to bully you, I will beat him for you!" Before the words were finished, a bustling noise rang out downstairs. The commander of the Third Battalion led dozens of soldiers to stand on the stairs: "Do you want to pick up the bride? You have to go through our barrier first!" Chu Tri Luat was wearing a neat military uniform, the red flower on his chest was almost interrupted: "Old Truong, last month you lost five yuan in target shooting, I'll just erase it." "Hey! Whatever happens!" The battalion commander refused, took out the prepared piece of paper: "First station, sing a love song! You have to sing until your sister-in-law smiles to pass!" Without hesitation, Chu Tri Luat cleared his throat: "It's a sunny day -—" As soon as he sang, giggles rang out upstairs. Mai Tu Khanh was peeking at the window when she saw his eyes and raised her head to look up. His throat moved slightly, his voice turned gentle: "This eighteen year old brother, waiting for the person in his heart -" While the crowd was laughing, Chu Tri Luat sneaked upstairs. Seeing the fall of the lower floor, two nurses, Vuong Le and Truong Thuy, quickly blocked the door: "If the lucky money is not thick enough, don't try to enter!" Suddenly, I heard a "click" sound and a thick stack of lucky money was stuffed into the crack of the door. Just as Truong Thuy was about to bend down to pick it up, the door was pushed open a crack by a soldier's shoe. Chu Tri Luat leaned his hand against the door frame, smiling brightly: "Wife, I'm here to pick you up!" Amid laughter echoing throughout the room, Mai Tu Khanh slowly stood up. Chu Tri Luat suddenly choked. The girl in his heart was as beautiful as a picture, her crimson cheongsam accentuated her snow-white skin, to the point that he was almost stunned. The deputy captain impatiently kicked him in the knee: "Why are you so stunned? Kneel down quickly!" Chu Tri Luat knelt straight, his eyes only looked at Mai Tu Khanh: "Wife, I'm here to take you home." Fireworks suddenly exploded below, Mai Tu Khanh's eyes stung, she placed her hand in his hot palm: "Yes." Chu Tri Luat carried Mai Tu Khanh across the charcoal furnace and downstairs for the tea offering ceremony. As soon as she called "Mom and Dad", Tran Thu Lan hugged her and sobbed. Chu An Quoc wiped the corner of his eyes and handed over a thick red envelope: "Good boy, dad has already prepared the money to change his name." Waiting until the wedding party and jokes were over, the crescent moon had reached the top of the willow. As soon as Mai Tu Khanh was tired, she suddenly remembered - today was her wedding night. In her previous life, because of Tong Dinh Nien, she refused many marriages and did not marry until death, so her marital affairs made it impossible for her to be as calm as usual. Until Chu Tri Luat stepped out of the bathroom, still steamy, he slowly approached: "Wife, I haven't drank alcohol yet." She relaxed slightly, took the glass of wine he gave her, and as soon as she drank it, she choked until her eyes turned red. Chu Tri Luat laughed, patted her back and comforted her: "Slowly, who would drink in such a hurry? Are you nervous?" Mai Tu Khanh stubbornly shook her head: "What are you nervous about?" He deliberately prolonged his voice: "Aren't you nervous...?" Immediately after that, he bent down and pressed her onto the bright red blanket. A hot kiss slid from her earlobe to her collarbone, making her whole body tremble. She panted and stammered: "The candles are too bright..." Chu Tri Luat smiled softly, hugged her waist tightly, his hand gently lifted her ankle and placed it on his lap: "The ancients said wedding candles must burn until dawn. So let me look closely to see how beautiful my bride is." The candle of joy burst into flames, the cheongsam

I don't know when it fell. The candles dripped red drops, Mai Tu Khanh clung tightly to Chu Tri Luat's strong back, her consciousness hazy amid the surging waves of emotions. It wasn't until midnight, when she quietly asked for forgiveness, that the rain stopped. Chu Tri Luat hugged her, stuffed a silver lock into her hand engraved with the words "Forever together": "Tu Khanh, in this life I only love you." Mai Tu Khanh was so sleepy that she couldn't open her eyes. She mumbled and snuggled into his chest: "Comrade leader, it's useless for you to play emotional tricks." "That's wrong." He laughed, kissing her sweaty sideburns, "I'm expressing my loyalty to my superiors." Five years later. To lead the younger generation, Mai Tu Khanh and Chu Tri Luat were both promoted and transferred to North China. In a four-room house with a gray tile roof, one big and one small are sitting in the middle of the yard playing. Chu Tri Luat held up a butterfly made from grass, patiently coaxing the girl with braided hair in his arms: "Good Ninh Ninh, mom is still busy in the hospital, let's play this first, okay?" As soon as he finished speaking, the yard gate opened with a "squeak" sound. Mai Tu Khanh opened her arms to hug her daughter and rushed over: "Ninh Ninh!" Chu Tri Luat naturally took the medicine bag from his wife's hand, took the opportunity to secretly kiss the corner of her lips: "Three surgeries in a row, aren't you tired?" "It's okay, not as good as two people in the army. The soldiers who just finished surgery are still asking when they can practice again." Mai Tu Khanh lowered her head to kiss her daughter's hair, her eyes glanced at the shoulder of her husband's shirt - where a star had just been attached. Since the beginning of the year, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the North China Military Region, the burden on his shoulders has become even greater, but when playing with his children, he is the most patient in the family. Hearing that, Chu Tri Luat looked up and smiled: "Soldiers are all like that." The sunset lengthens the silhouettes of three people entwined together. Mai Tu Khanh leaned against her husband's warm chest, laughing gently. "Chu Tri Luat, thank you." Thank you, always behind me, helping me become a better version of myself. —– Full text –