After the chorus performance ended, Lin Yiqiao followed the others off the stage.
The soldiers’ gazes trailed after her, reserved yet fervent.
The mountain weather was too unpredictable—at noon, the sun blazed overhead, making everyone sweat, but by evening, a chilly breeze had picked up, leaving people shivering.
Lin Yiqiao rubbed her small hands together. Su Min leaned in close to her. “Have you heard? Regiment 32 is going to establish a women’s company.”
Lin Yiqiao was taken aback. “Really? Weren’t there no female soldiers before?”
“Exactly, that’s why they’re just starting it now. But I think even if the women’s company is just for show and not necessarily very useful, it has to exist.”
“How do you get in, then?”
“Wait, why would you want to join the women’s company? It’s nothing like our cultural troupe—it’s tough, exhausting, and has no future.”
Lin Yiqiao gritted her teeth. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. “You don’t understand. Since I was little, I’ve dreamed of military life. I want to hold a rifle, defend our country, and protect our people.”
Su Min’s eyes widened in surprise, and she sighed helplessly. “Alright, alright. I’ll ask around for you later, for the sake of your military dream.”
Lin Yiqiao put on her sweet, charming act again, coaxing Su Min into a fit of giggles.
The performance soon concluded, and Lin Yiqiao rushed to the front of the stage to help the soldiers pack up the props.
A young soldier blushed, insisting she didn’t need to help.
Lin Yiqiao activated her silver-tongued charm. Her eyes sparkled, and a pair of sweet dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth. Her thick, dark braids paired with her military uniform made her look even more lively and pure, her beauty outshining others.
Passersby stole glances at her. Suddenly, Lin Yiqiao noticed a tall, straight figure.
It was Qi Jun, accompanied by the same Captain Liu from before.
Without overthinking it, she jogged over. “Regiment Commander Qi!”
Qi Jun stopped and turned around, a gentle smile still on his face. “What is it?”
Lin Yiqiao felt something was off. Both times she had seen Qi Jun in public, he seemed approachable and amiable—a stark contrast to the stern, impatient man she had met the first time.
Before she could dwell on it, she spoke up under Qi Jun’s gaze. “Regiment Commander Qi, I want to sign up for our regiment’s women’s company.”
“Women’s company?”
“Yes! I’ve always had a dream of serving in the military to defend our country and protect our people. Especially after this rescue mission, I want to serve the people alongside all of you!”
Lin Yiqiao’s gaze was sharp and resolute, her words firm and decisive. As she met Qi Jun’s eyes, she noticed a hint of scrutiny in his expression, but it vanished almost instantly.
“Alright, you can go sign up directly,” Qi Jun said.
Captain Liu, who had been observing Qi Jun’s expression, finally spoke up cautiously. “It’s good for a young woman to have ambition, but you have to be prepared for hardship. The women’s company won’t be as easy as the cultural troupe.”
“I know, but I’m not afraid!” Lin Yiqiao replied with a smile.
Qi Jun walked away without another word, leaving only his tall, straight back in her view. His lean waist was cinched with a military belt, and his long legs strode in polished military boots.
The ground was muddy, yet his boots remained spotless. Regiment Commander Qi was quite the meticulous one.
Seeing Qi Jun leave, Captain Liu immediately jogged after him.
Lin Yiqiao rubbed her stiffened smiling cheeks. Suddenly, she wasn’t afraid of the hardships of joining the women’s company. Better days were yet to come.
Qi Jun wasn’t as approachable as he appeared on the surface—he was arrogant.
All her usual flirting tactics would have to be put aside for now. Being too forward might backfire.
Lin Yiqiao began to form a plan in her mind.
When dealing with him, she couldn’t let her intentions show too obviously at first. She would wait until the right moment to use her skills to reel him in.
Back at the cultural troupe camp, Lin Yiqiao noticed Wen Hui, He Yujie, and a few others whispering and glancing her way. She hadn’t been close to any of them in the troupe before.
Su Min pulled her aside. “Wen Hui saw you going to find Qi Jun.”
Lin Yiqiao guessed what this was about.
“I went to ask Commander Qi about joining the women’s corps.”
Su Min stared at her for a moment, then teased, “Is that really all it was?”
“What else could it be? Besides, Captain Liu was there too.” Lin Yiqiao turned to make her bed.
“I know that, of course. I’m just worried they’ll gossip.”
“Don’t mind them. People with dirty minds see dirt everywhere.” If I succeed in winning him over later, just pretend I never said this.
Lin Yiqiao lay down on her small bed and slept soundly.
She was the type to take things lightly—what did a few words from others matter? She was only doing what they didn’t dare to.
This was just the beginning. Don’t worry, there would be plenty more for them to gossip about later.