Chapter 444: It’s Really a Misunderstanding

Chapter 444 It Really Was a Misunderstanding

The saying "enemies cross paths often" holds true.

Xu Li hadn’t visited the residential compound many times—this was only her second visit—yet she already ran into the person who had humiliated her last time.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Where did this bicycle come from?"

Lu Hanchuan casually glanced at Xu Li. Of course, he recognized her, but there was no need to say anything.

"Last time, I saw someone with a bicycle and thought you should have one too, so I bought it."

Though he said it casually, bicycles weren’t sold on the island. Transporting it all the way from the mainland must have taken considerable effort.

Xu Li examined the bike—it was the exact same brand as hers.

Her face burned with shame. So, that day really had been a misunderstanding.

"You’re back early today. Perfect timing to prepare the fish."

Xiao Xiao handed the big fish tied with straw rope to Lu Hanchuan while steadying the bicycle.

She had been carrying the fish with both hands and had long grown tired of it. She’d been struggling with its weight for a while.

Ye Changyuan shook his head slightly. The island’s tiny—barely big enough to need a bike.

Comrade Lu really dotes on Xiao Xiao too much.

Kong Xuelan: "The bicycle is very nice."

"Were you assigned a job? Having a bike will make commuting easier."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Yes, I’ll be working at the medical clinic."

Kong Xuelan had guessed as much. Since Ye Xiaoxiao was a doctor, she would naturally go to the medical clinic.

"That suits you perfectly. Were you just doing free clinic work earlier?"

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Not exactly. I was just lending a hand where I can to help others."

Xu Li looked at Ye Xiaoxiao. At first, she had thought this lady didn’t seem the type to tough it out.

But now, seeing her actions—doing good deeds and being capable—Xu Li gained new respect for her.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t chat much longer. She hopped on the bicycle.

"I’ll wait for you all at the house."

Lu Hanchuan reminded her, "Take it slow. Dismount if you see steps."

Ye Xiaoxiao waved him off and rode away.

Meanwhile, the four of them barely knew each other. They walked in silence.

The air was awkward.

Both Lu Hanchuan and Ye Changyuan were carrying loads. Though they didn’t understand why Ye Xiaoxiao, who had the bike, didn’t load the items onto it,

since Lu Hanchuan didn’t point it out, no one else brought it up either.

Though Xu Li now understood what happened earlier was a misunderstanding, she still didn’t want to speak to Lu Hanchuan.

He wasn’t easy to talk to anyway.

So she turned to Ye Changyuan instead, “Do you need help? You can put your things in my bike basket.”

Ye Changyuan: “Thank you, but no need. I can manage.”

Finally, someone broke the silence. Kong Xuelan quickly asked, “Comrade Ye, where are you usually in the military? Did you come to the island specifically to visit family?”

Ye Changyuan: “I’m usually in the military too. Since it’s nearby, I came to see Xiao Xiao.”

Hearing he was a soldier, Kong Xuelan felt a sense of familiarity.

Noticing he was still young, she asked a few more questions.

Back in the military, Ye Changning often received concern about his marital status.

Unexpectedly, even on this unfamiliar island, he could still encounter eager matchmakers among military wives.

“Well, I’m not really looking.”

Luckily it wasn't far to home, or Ye Changyuan wouldn’t have known how to keep up with the conversation.

When they reached the courtyard gate, the two women went next door.

Only then did Ye Changyuan finally relax.

Lu Hanchuan raised an eyebrow at him teasingly. “Really not in a hurry? If you want to get married, I can introduce someone to you.”

That's how people are about marriage these days.

Of course, that was what Lu Hanchuan said to others—when it came to himself, it had to be love at first sight.

“No, no, I really have no such thoughts.”

After repeated refusals from Ye Changyuan, Lu Hanchuan let it go.

Though Ye Changyuan was Lu Hanchuan’s younger brother-in-law, he was much younger.

In the military and at a stage where he was focused on moving up in his career, there really was no rush to marry.

Lu Hanchuan went to boil water and cook the fish.

Since the elderly woman had already cleaned the fish thoroughly, it saved a lot of trouble.

...

Next door, Kong Xuelan and Xu Li were discussing lesson plans together.

In casual conversation, they inevitably brought up Ye Changyuan.

“Looks definitely run in that family. Xiao Xiao is beautiful, and her brother is quite a good-looking guy too.”

As an unmarried woman, Xu Li hadn’t looked too closely earlier.

But from her quick glance, she could tell he was handsome.

“Yeah, he is.”

Xu Li thought for a moment and asked, "Is the relationship between Regiment Commander Lu and the Regiment Commander’s wife very good?"

Kong Xuelan: "Of course it is! Not to mention they started fixing up the bathroom as soon as they arrived. Just look—Regiment Commander Lu’s always the one doing the cooking at home.

You saw for yourself—it’s just a short walk from our compound to the clinic, yet they even bought a bicycle."

Kong Xuelan couldn’t help feeling a little envious, but she also understood that you shouldn’t go comparing lives.

The more you compare, the worse you feel.

As long as her family was doing alright, why worry about other people’s business?

Xu Li pondered this. Last time, he’d mentioned that his wife was very beautiful.

She’d thought he was just making excuses, but now it seemed she had indeed misunderstood.

She ought to apologize when she gets the chance.

With so many people around earlier, Xu Li hadn’t wanted to bring it up.

...

The fish in Ye Xiaoxiao’s house was so big that even three people couldn’t finish it.

It was summer, and without a refrigerator at home, they never kept food overnight.

Lu Hanchuan asked Xiao Xiao to take some fish over to the neighbors.

Ye Xiaoxiao took a bowl over next door, first to Gao Yanfei’s house, then to Kong Xuelan’s.

Kong Xuelan said, a little embarrassed, "You two are always thinking of me. I’m always eating your food—I should really buy meal tickets."

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled brightly. "Don’t mention it. The fish was too big for us to finish, and it’d go to waste otherwise. Think of it as doing us a favor."

Kong Xuelan couldn’t refuse the fish.

Lu Hanchuan’s cooking skills were excellent—the fish was perfect—looked, smelled, and tasted amazing.

After delivering the food, Ye Xiaoxiao returned home, where they sat down to eat.

The fish was large and had hardly any bones, making for a very satisfying meal.

...

Deputy Regimental Commander Li returned home a little later, after already eating.

"You didn’t go for dinner today?"

These days, the two of them still mostly ate at the canteen, rarely cooking at home.

Kong Xuelan: "Xiao Xiao brought over some fish—a huge piece that was more than enough for me. No need to go to the canteen."

Deputy Regimental Commander Li: "No wonder Regiment Commander Lu rushed home—just to cook for his wife."

As a somewhat chauvinistic man, Deputy Regimental Commander Li found this behavior highly inappropriate.

Kong Xuelan glared at him. "What’s that supposed to mean? If I could just get one meal cooked by you, I’d die without regrets."

Deputy Regimental Commander Li: "I’m a grown man—why would I cook..."

"So you’re saying Regiment Commander Lu isn’t a man?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down—you can’t say things like that!"

Deputy Regimental Commander Li quickly covered his wife’s mouth.

Kong Xuelan swatted his hand away. "Oh, shut up! I think Regiment Commander Lu is more of a man than you! Tomorrow morning, you’re fetching water for me!"