"Hello, everyone."

In Anong County, Yue Yihan might as well have had no name. People called him "Changning’s partner" or "Changning’s husband."

In short, no one ever used his actual name.

He was known by his wife’s name. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Yes, my mission is over, so I’m back for a couple of days." Yue Yihan wasn’t the least bit displeased by their enthusiastic greetings. On the contrary, he was quite happy.

’This means my wife’s workers approve of me,’ he thought.

’If they didn’t approve, they probably wouldn’t even talk to me, right?’

He remembered a battalion commander from the neighboring military district who got married last year. His wife wasn’t accepted by his soldiers—they wouldn’t even call her by the respectful term for a commander’s wife. The wedding had been painfully awkward.

If that had been him, he probably wouldn’t have been able to save face.

With this thought, Yue Yihan’s gaze toward the people around him grew even warmer.

When they returned to their quarters, Yue Yihan settled Xie Changning in the room. "Honey, sit on the edge of the kang for a bit. I’ll go add some fuel to the fire pit. You can lie down once the kang warms up."

The kang hadn’t been heated for a few days and was a little damp.

Xie Changning didn’t refuse. "Alright. I need to write something. Could you also heat some water for me? I’d like to wash up."

"Sure."

Xie Changning sat in a chair and placed her things on the desk, and Yue Yihan obediently went to tend to the fire.

By the time Wang Guofu and the others arrived, Xie Changning was sitting propped up on the kang, reading a book. Hearing footsteps, Yue Yihan went to the door. He broke into a smile when he saw it was Wang Guofu. "Uncle Wang."

On his way over, Wang Guofu had heard the workers mention that the factory director’s husband, Mr. Yue, had returned with her.

"Mr. Yue."

Yue Yihan poured Wang Guofu a cup of water, set it aside for him, and left the two of them to talk.

"Factory Director, how did it go?" He was asking about the plastics factory. The translation work for Chuncheng First Auto was Xie Changning’s personal business; however curious he was, he wouldn’t pry.

He just wanted to know if the plastics factory could manufacture the items from their director’s design drawings.

He couldn’t wait for those exquisitely designed buttons to be produced; the anticipation was killing him.

"Yes, it’s basically settled. They said the samples will be ready in two or three days, and I’ll go pick them up then." The two discussed the printer inside the room.

Yue Yihan listened in from the kitchen.

When he heard how smoothly the printer project was progressing, a happy expression spread across his face.

’That’s great! I knew my wife could do it! She’s amazing!’

When Wang Guofu finished speaking and was about to leave, Yue Yihan tried to make him stay. "Uncle Wang, why don’t you stay for lunch? I’m almost done cooking."

Yue Yihan came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a spatula.

"No, thanks. My wife has lunch waiting for me, so I’ll head home to eat." The factory workers were free during the noon hour; they could either go home to eat or eat at the cafeteria.

However, eating at the cafeteria required signing up a month in advance, and once you did, you had to eat there for the whole month.

Wang Guofu hadn’t signed up, so he went home for lunch.

Since Yue Yihan couldn’t persuade him to stay, he could only walk him to the door.

After lunch, Xie Changning suddenly thought of how quiet Xie Changyu had been recently. She turned to Yue Yihan and asked, "Has Xie Changyu come to the base to cause trouble for you all lately?"

’If she finds out her husband has no chance of being promoted, she’s bound to cause a scene.’

Yue Yihan shook his head. "No. I heard she’s been unwell recently and is confined to her room."

Yue Yihan didn’t know the full story about Xie Changyu, so he didn’t make the connection to domestic abuse. He was just relieved she was finally lying low.

"Xie Changyu is sick right now...? Isn’t her husband a bit hot-tempered?" Xie Changning suspected that because of Xie Changyu’s recent antics, her husband blamed her for his missed promotion—and had probably hit her.

At the thought of domestic abuse, Xie Changning’s brow furrowed for a second, but then it smoothed out again.

Xie Changyu herself was no saint, and Xie Changning wasn’t kind-hearted enough to visit her. She couldn’t even be bothered to go watch the spectacle, lest she be expected to bring a gift.

To Xie Changning, spending a single cent on Xie Changyu was unbearable.

She had only asked Yue Yihan about it on a whim, to get an update on the situation. That way, if Xie Changyu caused trouble again in the future, Xie Changning would know how to handle her.

"He is a bit... Wait, honey, why are you so curious about her husband?"

Yue Yihan’s question earned him a cool look from Xie Changning. He pouted, looking wronged. "My mistake. I shouldn’t be so jealous of him. It’s just that you were the one to bring him up."

Under Xie Changning’s stare, Yue Yihan’s voice trailed off, becoming almost inaudible.

Xie Changning frowned. "What are you mumbling about?" His voice was like the buzzing of a mosquito.

"Nothing! Just thinking how smart you are, honey! He *is* hot-tempered, and I feel... there really is something suspicious about your cousin’s sudden illness." Yue Yihan composed himself and spoke up.

’It’s fine if she mentions his name,’ he thought. ’I’m the one with the red marriage certificate. I’m her legally recognized husband!’

’Besides, Xie Changyu’s husband is a real piece of work. My wife would never have her eyes on someone like that.’

Yue Yihan chastised himself.

’My wife’s judgment is perfect. The problem is me and my jealousy!’

’I shouldn’t be so pointlessly jealous. As a punishment, I’ll wash my wife’s feet later!’

Yue Yihan had a dark complexion, so when he was lost in thought, Xie Changning couldn’t read his expression even when staring right at him. It was like he had a permanent poker face.

"I was just making an observation. What happens between them has nothing to do with me, as long as they don’t come bothering me. You’re the one who has to see her husband all the time at the base. It must be difficult for you."

’Can’t be helped,’ she thought. ’My adoptive family is full of nutcases.’

’Every single one of them is a little off.’

"Not at all, not at all."

Hearing Xie Changning’s concern, Yue Yihan shook his head so vigorously it was like a rattle, betraying his delight.

A flicker of confusion crossed Xie Changning’s eyes.

’He looked so unhappy a moment ago. How did he get so cheerful all of a sudden?’

’Is his mood like April weather?’

’Changing in a flash.’

"Oh, alright then. I’m going to take a nap." Unable to figure him out, Xie Changning decided not to dwell on it and went to sleep.

Her body felt so heavy lately; at night, she couldn’t sleep soundly without the body pillow Yue Yihan had made. She needed to catch up on her rest.

"Of course, honey."

Xie Changning gave him a hesitant look, then nodded.

Xie Changning went into the bedroom, grabbed the body pillow, and lay down comfortably to sleep while Yue Yihan tidied up the house.

He was efficient, getting everything neat and tidy in less than half an hour.

After finishing the housework, Yue Yihan gazed at Xie Changning’s sleeping face, his eyes filled with satisfaction and joy. He could tell how much his wife loved the body pillow he had made for her.

’This is wonderful!’

’My wife is beautiful even when she’s sleeping! I can’t take my eyes off her.’