RMM – Chapter 24 Parting

After leaving Zhengjia Courtyard, they visited the military compound in the afternoon. However, they did not stay long at the Su residence before returning to Jingyue Mingdu.

Su Ruo remained absent-minded the entire time until nightfall, and everything that followed seemed to unfold naturally.

Tonight, Xi Yuechen was especially gentle, his movements slow yet lasting, as if he wanted to make this moment eternal. He even asked Su Ruo to call his name. When, in the midst of dizzying sensations, Su Ruo finally whispered “Yuechen,” he, too, released himself completely with a deep, husky breath.

As the room returned to silence, neither of them fell asleep nor spoke. They simply leaned against each other quietly.

No one knew how much time had passed. Su Ruo, still wide awake, blinked at Xi Yuechen’s well-defined chest before finally speaking.

“Commander, how long will you be staying in the army this time?”

Her voice, tinged with post-intimacy hoarseness, carried a warm breath that caressed Xi Yuechen’s chest, making him feel a ticklish sensation in his heart.

“I’m not sure yet. It depends on the duration of the military exercises,” he replied in a deep voice, tightening his embrace around Su Ruo.

After that, neither of them spoke again. Wrapped in Xi Yuechen’s broad and solid arms, Su Ruo felt an unprecedented sense of security. Immersed in this tranquil moment, she had no idea when she finally drifted off to sleep.

Holding the soft and fragrant body in his arms, a faint smile appeared on Xi Yuechen’s sharp and steady face before he closed his eyes and followed her into slumber.

With the passing of time, morning arrived.

“Commander, do you need to bring any clothes? Should I pack for you?”

As time slipped away, Su Ruo felt a little irritated. She turned to look at Xi Yuechen, who was gathering his things and refusing her help.

“No need. Just sit tight. Before I leave, I need to stop by Zhengjia Courtyard and the military compound. You should go back as well—stay at the compound.”

Xi Yuechen gazed at Su Ruo’s delicate face, reminding her with a hint of concern. If he left, she would be alone here, which was not safe and could also be quite lonely. It was better for her to stay with her family.

“Mm.” Su Ruo agreed, but she did not immediately pack her belongings. She had agreed for now, but whether she would actually stay at the Su family home was uncertain. If she had to leave Jingyue Mingdu, it would be better to return to Zhengjia Courtyard.

A soldier was sent from the army to pick up Xi Yuechen. He was a young and handsome officer named Wang Ze. Upon seeing Su Ruo, he immediately called out, “Madam, madam!”

Hearing this title, Su Ruo felt speechless. “Madam” sounded far too formal—she could not get used to it at all.

“Comrade, just call me ‘sister-in-law.’ Isn’t that what you usually call officers’ wives in the army? It sounds friendlier that way.” Su Ruo corrected him with a smile.

“Yes! Sister-in-law!” Wang Ze responded loudly, immediately adjusting to the new title. However, his stance was still overly rigid.

Pressing her lips together, Su Ruo glanced at Xi Yuechen, who had just come downstairs. She wondered whether all the soldiers under his command were as strict and upright as he was, or if she was simply benefiting from his high-ranking status.

“Heh, Comrade Wang, you don’t have to be so serious. I’m not your regiment commander—just be casual.”

Xi Yuechen heard this and glanced at Su Ruo, who was smiling as she spoke to Wang Ze. What did she mean by that?

“Get in the car. We still need to visit my parents, and we don’t have much time.”

Su Ruo checked her watch and raised her voice slightly.

Wang Ze, sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced in the rearview mirror at his regiment commander and sister-in-law in the back. He secretly thought, Sister-in-law is so beautiful, young, and easygoing. Our commander is really lucky to have married such a stunning wife. Once I get back to the army, I have to share this—so far, I’m the only one who has seen her!

They first went to Zhengjia Courtyard. After saying their goodbyes to Xi Jian’an and his wife, as well as Xi Yuehui, they headed to the military compound.

Xi Yuechen was called into the study by Su Feng, likely to discuss the military exercise. Su Feng held a high-ranking position in the army, so he naturally knew a lot.

Meanwhile, Su Ruo sat in the living room, chatting with Zhang Huaqing and Su Heng.

“Sis, I heard this military exercise is quite large, and the higher-ups are paying a lot of attention to it. But that also means the risk factor is increasing. Brother-in-law has to be careful,” Su Heng said with a furrowed brow.

“Even though it’s a great opportunity for him to earn merit, he still needs to be cautious. War is ruthless. Sis, you should remind him later.”

“Isn’t it just an exercise? Is it really that dangerous?” Su Ruo asked.

“Ha! Do you think military exercises are completely safe? They use real ammunition and conduct combat drills—casualties are normal.”

Su Heng explained to her while sighing internally. His sister had really lost her memory completely—she had even forgotten such basic knowledge.

Hearing Su Heng’s words, Zhang Huaqing glanced at her daughter, who looked deeply troubled. She could not help but feel a bit emotional. At last, she has started to care about her husband. Letting them live together really was a wise decision.

“Ruo Ruo, don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense. In times of peace, it’s not so easy for something to go wrong. Besides, Yuechen has participated in plenty of exercises before. He was in the special forces and came out fine, so don’t worry.”

“How is that nonsense? Many countries have casualties in their military exercises. Our country’s exercises are also becoming increasingly realistic.”

Su Heng continued grumbling, but Zhang Huaqing noticed that her daughter looked increasingly uneasy. She quickly stopped him.

“Alright, enough. We all know it’s a real combat exercise, but can’t you say something reassuring? I’m telling you, your brother-in-law will be fine. Instead of worrying about these things, you should focus on your studies. You’re graduating soon!”

“As a passionate young patriot, of course, I care about these things! I’m joining the army in the future, too. Besides, have I ever needed you to worry about my studies?” Su Heng replied nonchalantly.

As expected, as soon as he finished speaking, he received a swift smack on the head.

Amidst the scolding from his mother and Su Heng’s dramatic yelps, Su Ruo felt restless. She could not focus on anything they were saying.

A military exercise… it’s just a drill, right? Someone as skilled as Xi Yuechen shouldn’t be in any real danger…

The lively conversation in the living room had not yet ended when Su Feng and Xi Yuechen came downstairs. Immediately, Su Heng sat up straight, no longer daring to act out in front of them.

The first thing Xi Yuechen noticed was Su Ruo’s unsettled expression. His gaze flickered toward Zhang Huaqing and Su Heng—what had they told her?

Seeing that time was running short, he did not linger. As soon as he came downstairs, he prepared to leave—there were still matters to handle at the base.

When they reached the car, Xi Yuechen quickly grasped Su Ruo’s delicate hand for a moment, speaking in a low voice, “Don’t worry. It’s just a drill.”

“Mm… be careful,” Su Ruo replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of worry.

Xi Yuechen smiled but said nothing more before getting into the car.

As the vehicle pulled away, his gaze lingered on her fading silhouette. His eyes held a trace of warmth as he shifted his focus to planning for the upcoming exercise.

This drill cannot be taken lightly.

_{Frankly. I am not liking this as much as I thought when I first started translating this novel. Let’s see what future holds.}