Lin Yiqiao got out of the car at the entrance of the military compound. October in the northern capital was already quite chilly, and a gust of wind whistled down her neck, making her shiver.
She quickly wrapped her clothes tighter and hurried inside.
The lights were still on in her aunt’s house. Lin Yiqiao knocked on the door, and footsteps soon echoed from inside.
“Yiyi, you’re finally back.” Qian Ru quickly pulled her into the house.
“I heard from your uncle that you were taken in for questioning. I was so scared! A young girl like you, just arriving in the northern capital, how could you get caught up in something like this?” Qian Ru said with a worried expression.
Lin Yiqiao felt a strange sense of novelty—this feeling of being cared for was something she had never experienced before.
She told Qian Ru and Zhang Guoqiang about the incident at Hongyun Commune.
Zhang Guoqiang frowned deeply. “This is a serious matter. They dared to act right on the outskirts of the capital. This time, we must root them out completely!”
Lin Yiqiao nodded without saying much.
Qian Ru quickly pulled her upstairs to take a bath.
“You need to wash away today’s bad luck,” Qian Ru said, patting Lin Yiqiao.
Lin Yiqiao was truly exhausted. She took a good hot bath and collapsed onto her small bed to sleep.
The next day, she was awakened by the aroma of food. She hadn’t eaten anything the night before, and her stomach growled with hunger as soon as she woke up.
Qian Ru had prepared some light rice porridge, scrambled eggs, and pickled vegetables—a refreshing and appetizing breakfast.
By the time Lin Yiqiao got up, Zhang Guoqiang had already left for the military base.
“Today, I asked your uncle to take a day off for you. Rest well at home.”
“Mhm, Auntie, you’re so good to me.” Lin Yiqiao’s eyes sparkled, and her sweet words made her aunt beam with joy.
After breakfast, Qian Ru said she had some errands to run, leaving Lin Yiqiao alone at home.
Suddenly, a young soldier in uniform knocked on the door.
“Is this Lin Yiqiao’s home?”
Lin Yiqiao hurried over to open the door. “Yes.”
Looking down, she saw the soldier holding a chicken.
And it was alive!
The chicken stared at Lin Yiqiao with its beady green eyes, sending shivers down her spine.
Birds with sharp beaks were her lifelong nemesis!
“Our Chief asked me to deliver this chicken to you.”
“Who is your Chief? Qi Jun?”
“Yes, he’s our regiment commander.” Under Lin Yiqiao’s gaze, the young soldier grew uneasy, his face flushing from his neck to the tips of his ears.
This living menace!
Lin Yiqiao really didn’t dare to touch the chicken. “Comrade, could you please tie it up and leave it over there?”
The soldier found a rope, tied the chicken’s wings, and placed it against the wall.
Lin Yiqiao had no idea what to do next. She paced back and forth in the living room.
This Qi Jun was something else—did he really want chicken soup that badly?
She stopped the soldier and asked, “Where is your Chief recuperating?”
The soldier’s eyes grew wary, especially since Qi Jun had just been targeted.
But then he replied, “He should be at the military hospital.”
“Alright, thank you.”
Lin Yiqiao wasn’t entirely convinced. When she returned last night, she had noticed movement in the central building.
Her trip to Hongyun Commune had yielded significant progress, but she still couldn’t quite gauge Qi Jun’s attitude. Today, he had even sent someone to deliver a chicken.
With a man like this, you couldn’t push too hard or be too eager, but you also couldn’t let things go too loose.
Unable to figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it. Lin Yiqiao lay back down on her bed.
Her room was a small attic with a tiny balcony right opposite the bed.
In her drowsy state, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
Looking up, she spotted a figure on a distant building—he was lying on a recliner sunbathing, with two guards beside him.
It was Qi Jun!
Lin Yiqiao quickly jumped off the bed and ran out. Not daring to shout loudly, she leaped with both feet off the ground, waving her arms and revealing a bright, toothy smile.
She called out softly, “Qi Jun!”
Qi Jun had been watching her all along. Somehow, this woman seemed to have a magical charm—just seeing her made people happy, and he couldn’t help but smile along with her.
He couldn’t resist smiling back and waved at her.
The guard beside him, Zhu Yang, watched him warily. “Chief, this person…”
“She’s fine.”
Lin Yiqiao truly felt that heaven was on her side. Worried that Qi Jun might not see her clearly, she went back to fetch a pen and paper.
[Why did you send me a chicken?]
Qi Jun had excellent eyesight and could clearly make out Lin Yiqiao’s crooked handwriting.
“Dongzi, bring me a pen and paper too.”
Dongzi went to fetch them without a word, while Zhu Yang continued to watch him hesitantly.
Qi Jun swiftly wrote a few words.
[For chicken soup.]
Lin Yiqiao was speechless, but she smiled and wrote back.
[Can I come over?]
Qi Jun narrowed his eyes. Perfect—he was also curious about what Lin Yiqiao was up to.
He beckoned her over.
Lin Yiqiao eagerly dashed downstairs.
Watching his gesture, Zhu Yang spoke up, “Isn’t this female comrade a suspect?”
“She isn’t really a suspect, but she is… quite interesting.” A smile tugged at the corner of Qi Jun’s lips.
Zhu Yang, however, felt it wasn’t that simple. Having served by the Old Master’s side for so long, he knew exactly what kind of person Qi Jun was.
Far from the kind and upright appearance he projected, Qi Jun was born to navigate the political arena.
For his future partner, he would either choose someone of equal social standing or someone like Zhao Hui—simple and of good reputation.
After Zhao Hui’s sacrifice, Qi Jun had never sought another relationship. Everyone praised Battalion Commander Qi for his loyalty and deep affection.
But how much affection could there really have been between them?
As for this young woman, with her alluring looks and bold, flamboyant demeanor, all Zhu Yang could say was, “Good luck to her.”
Just as Zhu Yang was thinking this, Lin Yiqiao came running over.
Truth be told, she was already astonished on her way up. The living room on the first floor had a television, the kitchen had a refrigerator, and calligraphy and paintings adorned the walls—everything was elegant and tasteful.
To reach the balcony, she had to pass through Qi Jun’s bedroom. His room was simply furnished, but his bed was clearly made of high-quality, intricately carved wood, and the faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.
Lin Yiqiao didn’t consider herself materialistic—she was just a country bumpkin.
She hurried to the balcony and crouched beside Qi Jun’s recliner. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, much better,” Qi Jun replied, looking at her.
Lin Yiqiao had to admit that this man seemed even more handsome in his own home.
With two other people nearby, Lin Yiqiao felt a bit uneasy. Zhu Yang brought her a stool.
She whispered a thank you, then turned to look and froze.
Wow! Sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, broad shoulders, a narrow waist—a handsome young man with a tan.
Lin Yiqiao couldn’t help but smile even more brightly. This was exactly her ideal type. Zhu Yang’s ears turned bright red under her gaze, though his expression remained stern.
Suddenly, Lin Yiqiao felt someone watching her. Turning her head, she met Qi Jun’s gaze.
She wished she could slap herself—she had almost forgotten the real reason she was here.
Seeing Qi Jun remain silent, Lin Yiqiao couldn’t help but lean in closer and whisper, “You really want me to make chicken soup for you?”
The man also tilted his head, leaning close to her ear, “Aren’t you the one chasing after me?”