Good heavens, what kind of luck did she have? She had actually crossed paths with two important figures!
The astonished expression on her face did not escape the man in the driver’s seat.
“You know me?”
Wen Jiaojiao shook her head. “No.”
Jiang Ting looked at her sharply. “Then why were you so surprised when you saw me?”
Before the headlights had even been turned on, he had already gotten a clear look at her face. As a reconnaissance soldier, darkness did not hinder his ability to recognize people.
The young woman was very beautiful. Her bright, watery eyes seemed to sparkle with every glance, and even the slightest movement she made naturally drew people’s attention.
Judging from how Zhang Shaobing kept turning his head to look back, it was obvious just how captivating she was.
Wen Jiaojiao felt a little embarrassed. She hoped he would forgive her for looking so obviously impressed.
“I… I was just surprised by your appearance. You’re unexpectedly handsome.”
That wasn’t a lie. He really was handsome. At 1.9 meters tall, he had a slender yet well-built figure. If he took off his clothes, she couldn’t even imagine how attractive he would be.
His straight brows, cold eyes, sharply defined features, and thin lips pressed into a hard line gave him an imposing appearance. If there was one flaw, it was that he seemed far too cold.
But for some reason, such an outstanding man had never married in her previous life.
Her answer made Jiang Ting’s brows crease slightly, while Zhang Shaobing looked astonished.
Only after realizing what she had said did Wen Jiaojiao feel even more embarrassed.
People at this time weren’t nearly as open as those in the future. Was it too forward for an unmarried young woman to openly compliment a man’s looks?
She lowered her head shyly and said nothing more.
Zhang Shaobing had also found the medicine and was about to hand it to her when Jiang Ting said, “Give it to me.”
He then got out of the driver’s seat, opened the rear door, and took the medicated alcohol, apparently intending to treat her injury himself.
Wen Jiaojiao was startled. “Just tell me how to use it. I can do it myself.”
Jiang Ting’s voice was firm and cold. “Your ankle is swollen. You’ve slightly sprained the tendon. If you don’t put it back into place, it’ll take longer to heal.”
“Uh… then I’ll trouble you.”
Embarrassed, Wen Jiaojiao raised her leg.
Thankfully, her feet didn’t smell. Otherwise, she would have made an even worse impression.
The moment his large, calloused hand wrapped around her ankle, a sensation like an electric current shot straight through her body and into her head.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
A future regiment commander was bending down to treat her injury.
This was simply too much for her heart to handle!
There was a soft click.
Wen Jiaojiao couldn’t help crying out from the pain, causing the man to look up at her.
That single glance made her heart pound like a little drum.
She quickly turned her face away, not daring to entertain a single improper thought.
If he were an ordinary soldier, perhaps she could allow herself to indulge in a little daydreaming.
But this man was different.
Their statuses were worlds apart. She couldn’t—and didn’t dare to—have any thoughts about him.
Jiang Ting only glanced at her before lowering his head and continuing to apply the medicine.
Outside the vehicle, Zhang Shaobing stood there with his mouth hanging open, staring at the scene in complete disbelief.
Who had said that Colonel Jiang didn’t know how to treat women gently?
It turned out that he simply hadn’t met a beautiful woman before!
At that moment, Zhang Shaobing was so excited he could barely contain himself. If this got back to the others, it would definitely leave them completely stunned.
Just as he was getting excited, he suddenly felt a chill.
When he looked toward the source of that coldness, he grinned silently, his eyes filled with teasing.
Jiang Ting shot him a cold glance before looking away.
He really needed more training.
“All right. Be careful for the next few days. It should be fine after another couple of days.”
Wen Jiaojiao gratefully said, “Thank you.”
The vehicle started moving again.
Sitting in the back, she was jostled around by the uneven road until she became drowsy. Since she was the only one in the back seat and there was plenty of room, she lay down on her side and closed her eyes.
Her steady breathing reached the front.
Zhang Shaobing lowered his voice. “Commander, should we give her something to cover herself with? It’ll get cold in the latter half of the night. The young lady might catch a chill.”
At that, Jiang Ting glanced at him.
Zhang Shaobing hurriedly added, “I don’t have a jacket. I remember you have one, Commander.”
“Cover her with it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zhang Shaobing eagerly took out the jacket and gently draped it over her.
At that moment, Wen Jiaojiao was sleeping soundly.
When she woke again, it was because of the sound of the brakes.
She opened her sleepy eyes and felt something heavy covering her. When she moved her head, her chin bumped into something.
Wen Jiaojiao froze.
She was covered with a man’s jacket, carrying a faint smell of cigarette smoke.
Her instincts told her it was Jiang Ting’s jacket.
She looked at the man and thanked him again. “Thank you.”
Jiang Ting nodded, got out of the vehicle, and opened the rear door. His expression remained as cold as ever.
“We’re here. It’s still dark, so I’ll take you to the guesthouse first.”
The guesthouse was specifically provided for military family members who came to visit their relatives, and they could apply to stay there for several days.
Since he had arranged everything so thoughtfully, all Wen Jiaojiao could do was thank him again and again.
She picked up her small cloth bag and carefully climbed out of the vehicle.
But the moment her injured foot touched the ground, she was lifted off the ground again.
She let out an instinctive cry, completely unsure where to put her hands.
Embarrassed and flustered, she said, “You can just help me walk.”
Jiang Ting’s expression remained stern. Although his actions might seem inappropriate, his hands were placed very properly.
“To prevent you from injuring yourself again.”
His explanation was brief and straightforward.
Wen Jiaojiao’s embarrassment reached all the way to her neck. Her fingers clutched his clothes awkwardly.
The man carried her without slowing down at all, striding toward the guesthouse with long, steady steps.
Zhang Shaobing, who had gotten out behind them, watched the tall figure and became even more certain.
The cold-faced devil was looking for a wife!
In order to create an opportunity for his commander, he stopped at the entrance of the guesthouse and didn’t go inside.
Wen Jiaojiao was settled into a room on the first floor.
There was only a bed, a table, and some chairs inside. It was merely a temporary place to stay.
After setting her down on the bed, the man’s deep, rich voice came from above her.
“My name is Jiang Ting. What’s your name?”
“My name is Wen Jiaojiao. Thank you so much. If I get the chance, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
The words slipped out almost instinctively.
As soon as she finished speaking, she realized that something seemed off.
Given his status and position, he certainly wasn’t lacking a meal.
Jiang Ting said, “You don’t need to take it to heart. It was just a small favor.”
“…”
Wen Jiaojiao lowered her head, not knowing what else to say.
The man checked his watch before giving her a few brief instructions.
Most importantly, he told her which direction the military unit where female soldiers were being recruited was located, as well as where she could find places to buy food and other necessities.
Finally, he said, “If you run into any difficulties, you can come to the military unit in the north and look for me. I’m Jiang Ting, commander of the Sharp Blade Regiment of the 42nd Division.”
Wen Jiaojiao memorized everything he told her.
“I’ll remember. Thank you.”
The man gave a slight nod.
“I’m leaving. Take good care of yourself.”
With that, he left.
Sitting on the bed, Wen Jiaojiao stared at the closed door. Only then did she completely relax and lie back on the bed.
She didn’t take his final words to heart. She didn’t think the two of them would have any further interaction in the future.
Besides, she was already embarrassed enough to have troubled him this time. She couldn’t possibly bother him again.
She took the letter of introduction from inside her clothes.
As she read it, she couldn’t help smiling.
Wonderful!
She was going to become a soldier!
……
Dahe Village
Except for the carefree Wen Shi, Wen Laosan and his wife hadn’t slept a wink all night. Their faces were frighteningly grim.
Even after the police came and failed to find her, Li Chunhua had gone from house to house searching for their daughter.
But everyone said they hadn’t seen her.
The couple were so anxious that they hadn’t slept all night.
Just after dawn, Lu Cuifen and her husband arrived with their daughter.
And today, it wasn’t just the three of them.
Wen Jiaojiao’s grandmother—the mother of Wen Laosan—had come along as well.