What a coincidence.
For once, Jiang Lai was genuinely stunned.
Soldiers these days were considerate and attentive—so dedicated to serving the people.
But she had to admit, the moment he stood there with his tall frame, broad and powerful shoulders, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, sincerely grateful.“Comrade, you’re such a good person!”
To her surprise, his dark eyes flickered, looking away for a moment.
A good person?
That was the first time anyone had called him that.
Qi Huaiye turned aside, as though realizing he’d been too distant; he shifted back to look at her again.“Do you need me to do anything else?”
This was the first time Jiang Lai had heard him speak—his voice low and cool, just like him.
“Yes!”
A smile blossomed on her lips, a faint dimple appearing on her cheek.“Could you help me lift the hoof? I can’t manage both the weight and the trimming on my own.”
Qi Huaiye’s gaze dropped to her slim arms—thinner than the horse’s hoof.
His lips pressed into a tight line.
With long strides, he stepped to her side. One hand on the horse’s leg—and he lifted the hoof with ease.
The black horse was completely cowed by his presence, motionless and obedient.
That made it easy for Jiang Lai to examine the hoof.
Conditions were basic. Most draft horses of the era didn’t wear iron shoes. This one had been carrying heavy loads for too long—its hoof had cracked, and the sole was uneven.
After finding the problem, Jiang Lai disinfected the hoof with strong tea, then began trimming away the keratin with a hoof knife.
That hard layer was like a human fingernail—growing irregularly, and too much of it would hinder the horse’s gait.
Her movements were swift and precise—one stroke was enough to show she wasn’t a novice.
Gradually, the keratin was shaped neatly, and she smoothed the sole with a rasp.
Thankfully, aside from the crack, there was no sign of infection—fortunate, given how hard it would be to treat an abscess here without tetanus antitoxin.
She rinsed the wound again with tea water, then applied sulfa powder. The powder stung; the black horse snorted in pain.
But it didn’t fight, letting her handle its leg without fuss.
“Tsk!” the aunt marveled. “This horse really understands—it knows you’re helping it.”
Others stared in amazement, unable to underestimate the small girl any longer.
She made it look effortless—skill like that didn’t come from talent alone, but from years of experience.
“This little comrade is incredible.”
“Just as good as the old master at the vet clinic.”
Amid the praise, a soldier asked, curious,“Comrade, where do you live? If we need something like this again, we’ll come find you.”
Before Jiang Lai could reply, the aunt answered for her,“Isn’t it obvious? Comrade Jiang’s fiancé is a soldier. She came all the way from the south to join him. You can find her in the family quarters from now on.”
Hearing that, the soldier’s regard for Jiang Lai deepened.“Comrade Jiang is skilled and beautiful—whoever married her is a lucky man.”
Qi Huaiye’s thin lips tightened. He lifted his gaze, voice faintly cold,“On duty, don’t gossip about female comrades.”
The soldier stiffened, hands and feet snapping together.“Yes, Comrade Commander Qi!”
So he was a commander. No wonder…
Jiang Lai pondered quietly.
So young, already a commander—how many medals had he earned for that rank? She hadn’t misjudged him; Commander Qi was a soldier who truly served the people and the nation.
She wondered what her so-called fiancé was like.
Either way, Qi Huaiye had raised her standards for soldiers.
Sensing her burning gaze, Qi Huaiye’s expression didn’t change—but his spine subtly straightened.
“Do you have rubber or an old belt?” Jiang Lai pointed at the hoof. “Tie it over the crack—it’ll work like a boot.”
Qi Huaiye nodded. “I’ll have someone look.”
The bus station had plenty of discarded rubber. Soon, someone returned with an old inner tube.
Jiang Lai cleaned it, cut it to size, and without nails, tied it tight around the hoof with rope.
“All done. Try it.”
Qi Huaiye obediently led the horse for a trot.
The hoof was smooth now, cushioned by the rubber. The black horse raised its head and tail, visibly happier.
After a few circles, he returned—still in that white shirt, back straight and strides firm, walking toward her.
His expression was cool, but impossible to look away from. Hard to imagine how handsome he’d be in uniform.
Of course, that was only her opinion.
To everyone else, Qi Huaiye was fierce, cold, always wearing a scowl—someone strangers avoided.
At the time, the most admired men were the rugged, heroic types like movie star Wang Xingang, the nation’s ideal soldier.
“We’re heading back to the base now,” Qi Huaiye said. “Will you come with us, or take the bus tomorrow?”
“With you!” Jiang Lai waved at the aunt. “There are two of us.”
Qi Huaiye’s mouth almost curved—but flattened the instant she looked.“Follow me.”
The supply wagon was piled high. Qi Huaiye unloaded a sack of rice to clear space for the two women.
Once everything was settled, he hefted the sack again and jogged ahead to lead the way.
Marching with weight was routine for soldiers; that load was nothing to him.
The convoy set out.
Once past the town, the dirt road grew rough.
At noon, Jiang Lai had skipped the bland fast food and only bought two eggs; now they’d been long digested.
Maybe that was fortunate—otherwise she’d have vomited for sure.
Even so, by the time they reached the base an hour later, the jolting had her stumbling as she got off the wagon. The aunt caught her just in time.
“Girl, you’re pale. You okay?”
She had wiped her face clean during the ride; beneath the grime was a bloodless complexion.
“I’m fine, just carsick.”But the moment she spoke, bile surged up. She pulled free and ran to the bushes to vomit.
There was nothing in her stomach—only bitter water.
The aunt rubbed her back. “You didn’t eat enough.”
Her touch revealed just how thin the girl was.
Up front, Qi Huaiye was reporting supplies, but the noise made him frown. He sent someone to fetch the medic and strode over, eyes sharp on Jiang Lai.“What happened to her?”
“Carsick,” the aunt sighed.
He had forgotten—after watching her handle the horse so neatly—that she was still a fragile girl. Seeing her in discomfort, he didn’t think twice; he uncapped his canteen and held it out.“Water. It’ll help.”
“Thank you.” Jiang Lai wiped her mouth and drank.
Her soft red lips pressed to the rim—the same place he had—Qi Huaiye’s fingers curled, painfully slow.
He turned his head away, and the tips of his ears quivered gently in the wind.