The military doctor arrived quickly and took Jiang Lai to the reception room for a physical examination.
“Your partner is a bit malnourished. I’ll give her a bottle of glucose first. If conditions allow, you should give her some meat from time to time after you go home.”
People in this era all had problems with malnutrition—simply put, everything stemmed from the lack of resources.
Qi Huaiye nodded. His voice was cool and indifferent: “She’s not my partner.”
The military doctor’s jaw dropped. He snuck a glance at Qi Huaiye. The soldier’s brows were as sharp as unsheathed blades; tall and imposing, just standing there was oppressive.
The little girl in the room looked like she had been pampered by her parents since childhood. If she really dated him, wouldn’t the first thing she did every morning upon waking be crying in fear?
There was nothing else requiring Qi Huaiye’s presence, so after paying for the IV drip at the infirmary, he returned to the dormitory, quickly washed up, and changed into his uniform.
He had just taken out pen and paper to write a mission report when the dorm door was suddenly knocked.
“Come in.”
“Old Qi, I heard you got injured during this mission?”
A square-faced man strode in, grinning as he reached to lift Qi Huaiye’s shirt hem, teasing, “You wouldn’t let the nurses treat your wounds—let me see, where exactly are you hurt?”
Qi Huaiye slapped his hand away, voice cold: “It’s a minor injury. Save the medical resources for those who actually need them.”
Chen Jianguo stroked his chin, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Qi Huaiye looked energetic, his appearance completely lacking signs of injury.
But Qi Huaiye was like a stubborn mule who seemed incapable of feeling pain. On the battlefield, he had once cut open his own wound with a small knife to dig out shrapnel.
Even at the brink of death, he would remain expressionless.
“The commander ordered me to personally supervise you going to the infirmary. You going on your own, or should I tie you up and drag you there?”
Qi Huaiye leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, sword-like brows raised: “Go on, try it. Let’s see who ends up tying up whom.”
“I don’t believe I can’t take down an injured man! This time, I’m turning the tables.” After being defeated by Qi Huaiye for years, Chen Jianguo only grew more determined. He lunged forward immediately.
Ten minutes later—
Chen Jianguo was lying on the ground, arms twisted behind his back and tied up like a zongzi.
Through personal experience, he confirmed that Qi Huaiye truly wasn’t seriously injured—and showed no mercy despite their meager camaraderie.
Lying there, staring blankly at the chair leg, Chen Jianguo’s mind suddenly cleared: “Hold on—what injury? Don’t tell me the rumor was fake and you spread it on purpose?”
This time Qi Huaiye had applied for leave to visit home, received intel that there were spies in Huai County, then went alone to investigate.
Barely half a month later, the rumor of his serious injury had spread.
Qi Huaiye gave a soft grunt in acknowledgment.
“I found quite a lot. Officer Gao is watching from the shadows.”
Back when his father retired from the army, he named his son ‘Gong’an’—Public Security—hoping he’d become a police officer. In the end, his son really did.
“Tsk.” Chen Jianguo hissed in shock. “Where’s the guy hiding?”
Qi Huaiye narrowed his eyes, tapping the table with bony fingers. “The meat processing plant.”
Knock knock!
The dormitory door was knocked again.
A communications officer walked in, only to freeze at the scene on the floor. After a moment, he finally found his voice: “Commander Qi, someone is waiting for you in the reception room. They say she is… your partner.”
Chen Jianguo gasped. “His partner?”
He exchanged looks with the communications officer—who nodded emphatically. “That’s what she said on the phone.”
Chen Jianguo was even more horrified.
After more than ten years as comrades, he had never seen a single female around Qi Huaiye.
Yes, he was so indifferent to women that he didn’t even eat hens.
In Qi Huaiye’s world, there was only the army and the country. No personal feelings whatsoever—which was why he was already twenty-eight and still single.
He remembered last year’s commendation ceremony—they had deliberately arranged for the star performer of the performing troupe to present him flowers. The intent was obvious.
The old commander ordered him to be friendly that day.
Qi Huaiye did obey. He forcibly softened his expression and lifted the corners of his lips.
Result? The forced smile that looked more like a threat scared the poor woman so bad she collapsed on the spot.
Was that a smile?
Anyone watching would think they had a blood feud!
And now—his fiancée had shown up.
“You didn’t… kill someone and get found out, right?” Chen Jianguo felt that was far more likely.
Qi Huaiye ignored him and walked out.
Seeing he wasn’t even looking back, Chen Jianguo—nosey as ever—hurried to have the communications officer untie him.
The two headed to the reception room one after the other.
Hearing that Qi Huaiye’s fiancée was receiving glucose inside, Chen Jianguo peeked through the window—and was instantly stunned. “Where’d this fairy come from?”
Just sitting there, she lit up the entire room.
Hearing “glucose,” Qi Huaiye’s heart thumped. He followed the line of sight, and indeed, Jiang Lai was the only one inside.
She had taken off her headscarf, revealing a fair and beautiful face.
Even in patched-up clothes, her beauty made them look fashionable.
“You lucky bastard, she’s gorgeous. If she came for revenge, dying would be worth it.” Chen Jianguo whistled.
Qi Huaiye’s eyelids lifted. “Don’t spout nonsense. Comrade Jiang is here to find her fiancé. That person is not me.”
Chen Jianguo’s shoulders slumped—only to lift again as a realization struck. He stared at his friend in disbelief. “How do you know that so clearly? Something’s off!”
Qi Huaiye’s expression remained perfectly calm.
Chen Jianguo’s eyes rolled with scheming intent. He patted his shoulder. “I’ll help you ask. If you’re not married, there’s still a chance to steal her away.”
“……”
Qi Huaiye was principled and disciplined. But clearly, his friend loved chaos more than peace. Like a loach, he slipped right into the room.
Qi Huaiye followed, cold-faced.
“Hello, comrade. I’m Chen Jianguo, Qi Huaiye’s friend.” Chen Jianguo approached Jiang Lai, introducing himself enthusiastically.
There were no shoulder boards on the uniform, but the four pockets indicated he was an officer.
Jiang Lai straightened up respectfully. “Hello, Comrade Leader Chen.”
She looked behind them, searching for a third person.
Her gaze landed on Qi Huaiye, and she immediately found her explanation: He must have come to protect her from being bullied.
He was such a good person!
Feeling an icy stare down his spine, Chen Jianguo quickly corrected her, “He outranks me. Just call me Comrade Chen.”
Jiang Lai understood the strict hierarchy of the military. Her misty apricot eyes turned to Qi Huaiye for help.
Qi Huaiye spoke, “Call him Battalion Commander Chen.”
Chen Jianguo whipped his head around in shock.
It was more terrifying than seeing a ghost in broad daylight.
Good lord—Qi Huaiye actually helped a female comrade out of a social bind?
Could it be that this iron tree was finally blooming—and on a married woman, no less?
Tragic.
Truly tragic.
But faced with his brother’s oppressive gaze, everything he wanted to say died in his throat.