Fang Shuqin was decisive, dragging Song Tian straight outside.
“This is Xiao Tiancai—she’s really amazing. The fact that you’re driving this car now? She’s the one who fixed it.”
Zhou Yi was surprised. “You repaired this car? It drives even better than a new one! I asked Beizhen several times, but he wouldn’t tell me. Today I’m finally lucky enough to see the real deal!”
Song Tian was praised, and Fang Shuqin beamed with pride, craning her neck like a rooster.
“Master Tiancai, would it be too much trouble to go with me to the military base to help fix some cars?” Zhou Yi asked. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay according to an engineer’s rate—thirty yuan per session. Is that alright?”
Thirty?!
Song Tian was thrilled.
She had married Lu Beizhen for a dowry of just ten yuan.
Fixing a car? That’s enough to marry three Lu Beizhens!
She immediately clenched her fist. “I’ll fix it! I’m fixing cars, specifically the military’s broken cars. It’s not about the money—mainly, I want to contribute my part to construction!”
After a pause, she added, “I’ll get paid as soon as I finish, right?”
“Yes, immediately after the repair,” Zhou Yi nodded.
Then what’s there to wait for?
A chance to earn money was right in front of her—she had to seize it!
Climbing into the car, Song Tian went with Zhou Yi to the military base.
She was immersed in the joy of earning a big sum all the way there. When they arrived at the training ground and came face-to-face with Lu Beizhen in full uniform, her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no—she forgot this was Lu Beizhen’s turf.
Wouldn’t he be annoyed to see her?
Sure enough, Lu Beizhen strode over, frowning into a dark scowl. “Who told you to come here?”
Zhou Yi asked, “Beizhen, do you two know each other?”
“No!” Song Tian replied firmly, crisp and decisive.
Lu Beizhen’s face darkened in an instant.
“But I clearly saw you come out of Beizhen’s house. And Aunt Fang spoke highly of you, recommending you to fix the cars.”
Song Tian glanced at Lu Beizhen’s expression and sighed inwardly.
See? He really doesn’t want anything to do with her—just being asked a few questions has him looking as dark as ashes at the bottom of a pot.
Makes sense—if they were associated and divorced six months later, there would definitely be gossip.
Better not to make Lu Beizhen unhappy.
Song Tian said, “I came to rely on Aunt Lu. I’ve only met Commander Lu once before—barely acquainted, not really ‘known’ him.”
Lu Beizhen’s face was expressionless, but his eyes were like a bottomless icy pool.
“Barely acquainted? Not really ‘known’ me?”
Hmph!
This woman really changes her tune—one moment she says she wants to marry him and live a good life, the next she completely cuts off the connection.
Beside them, Zhou Yi heard this and subconsciously assumed she was a distant relative of Fang Shuqin.
“I was wondering why you look so delicate—Jiangnan, right? Aunt Lu’s hometown always produces beauties!” Zhou Yi said.
“Go get your eyes checked at the military doctor when you have time,” Lu Beizhen said flatly, though his face showed irritation.
Zhou Yi was confused.
Aunt Lu’s relative should be Lu Beizhen’s relative, right?
He praises Lu Beizhen’s relative for being beautiful, so why is Lu Beizhen angry?
After a moment, he understood.
“Jealous I stole your line, huh? Fine, fine—go ahead, praise her more,” Zhou Yi urged.
Lu Beizhen was pushed forward slightly, almost bumping into Song Tian.
His handsome face stiffened further, his dark eyes narrowing as he stared at her, complex thoughts swirling.
Song Tian quickly stepped back. “Better get to work fixing the cars. Once I’m done, I’ll go home. Brother Yi, where’s the car?”
Zhou Yi led Song Tian to the vehicles.
Watching them walk away, Lu Beizhen resumed training the soldiers. “Run twenty laps first, crawl one hundred meters, then climb the wall fifty times with weights.”
Originally, he was watching the soldiers, but for some reason, his gaze drifted to the west side of the training field.
Eight vehicles were parked there, and a slender figure moved between them—peering under hoods, crawling beneath cars—busy as a little eel.
Zhou Yi and some new recruits stood nearby, laughing continuously at her antics, their smiles visible from afar.
“Commander, how much longer?” one recruit asked, panting after completing his drill.
Lu Beizhen glanced at his stopwatch.
He realized he hadn’t even started the timer from the beginning.
After so many years, this was the first time he made such a rookie mistake!
His eyes dark as ink, Lu Beizhen tossed the stopwatch aside and strode toward the west side.
By the Jeeps, he tapped a hood with his knuckles. “If it’s not fixed, move on—no slacking off here.”
“Almost done!” Song Tian’s voice came from under a vehicle.
A minute later, she emerged, wrench in hand, sleeves rolled to her elbows, a coil of pipe tape dangling from her mouth. Her rough mechanic stance combined with her sweet appearance made a striking impression.
Zhou Yi started a car to test it—it worked perfectly.
“All these vehicles had different problems, and you fixed them all. And you say you’re not a professional? You’re too modest!”
Song Tian smiled softly. “These problems were just easy to solve. I was lucky.”
Then she started thinking about her payment.
After all, working was about earning cash!
Lu Beizhen was nearby, so she couldn’t ask outright—she could only hint.
She raised her fair arm. “Fixing so many cars at once is tiring. I’m all dirty.”
The new recruits misunderstood, thinking she meant wiping off dirt, and hurriedly offered handkerchiefs.
Lu Beizhen’s pupils contracted. “Dirty? Go wash up.”
Zhou Yi grinned. “I’ll take you to the faucet.”
“Alright,” Song Tian agreed cheerfully.
Perfect timing—she could get her payment settled while washing her hands. Thirty yuan!
Seeing the two leave, the recruits looked disappointed.
“Master Tiancai is really beautiful, and she’s so good at fixing cars.”
“She’s really called Sweet Beet? Surname Tian, given name Cai? What a unique name.”
They were chattering when suddenly a deep, hoarse voice cut through:
“Song Tian.”
The group turned, puzzled. “Commander, what did you say?”
Lu Beizhen paused, then quickly suppressed the surge of emotion in his eyes. “I said, ten extra laps.”
Distraction must be punished!
The recruits went off crying to run more laps.
Lu Beizhen ran with them, his long legs and straight posture creating a striking contrast to the panting soldiers—though his expression remained dark and solemn.
Zhou Yi caught up and stopped him.
“I know you’re eager to regain your peak fitness, but don’t overdo it—your body can’t handle it!”
Lu Beizhen paused, adjusted his breathing, and glanced past Zhou Yi at the empty area behind them.
“Where is she?”
“Who?”
Zhou Yi realized slowly. “You mean Master Tiancai? She left. Want me to call her back?”
“No need,” Lu Beizhen said coldly.
What could he possibly say to that unpredictable woman?
He refocused on training, but somehow his breathing went wrong—after just a few steps, a stitch in his ribs stabbed like a knife.
Unable to continue, Lu Beizhen switched to patrolling.
As he reached the base gate, he saw a familiar figure outside, and his pupils dilated instantly.