“He’s not here.” The fact that his former unit was stationed in Jianghe Village needed to be kept confidential.
“I’m the Regimental Commander of the 21st Regiment, 16th Division, South Military Region of Jingzhou City,” Zhou Jihuai said slowly. “Little sister, memorize this well so you don’t call the wrong person when making phone calls.”
Wen Zhile’s eyes curved into smiles: “Okay.”
It was good that he was in Jing Zhou.
“What if you’re away on a mission when I need to find you?”
Zhou Jihuai opened the car door: “My comrades in the army will say I’m not available.”
Wen Zhile committed this to memory.
It wasn’t appropriate for her to ask too many questions.
There was already a natural understanding between Qi Luck Holders like her and Zhou Jihuai, and she feared asking too much would arouse his suspicion.
After dropping the young girl off at the hotel, Zhou Jihuai drove away.
His father Zhou Zhanqi was the commander of the South Military Region, and their home was in the Military Family Compound there, making it more convenient for him to stay at home.
At this hour, only his grandmother Ye Qin and the maid Gu Xiaoyu were home.
The maid was a young relative Ye Qin had brought from her hometown when she returned to Jing Zhou a few days ago. They were somewhat related but beyond the five degrees of mourning, and she was eighteen this year.
Gu Xiaoyu came from a poor family, often not knowing where her next meal would come from. Ye Qin couldn’t bear to see this and, noticing she was diligent, had her come work as a maid to earn some money.
When Zhou Jihuai entered, Gu Xiaoyu hurried forward: “Regimental Commander Zhou, you’re back! Let me make you some tea.”
“No need.” Zhou Jihuai walked toward the living room sofa. “Grandma, has Grandma Qu returned so early?”
“I gave her some tea leaves, and she said she wanted to bring some to her daughter and son-in-law.” Ye Qin shifted her gaze from the television. “Are you heading to the military base now?”
Zhou Jihuai grunted in agreement: “I’ve already discussed it with Dad.”
“Please keep an eye on things. I’m going upstairs to change.”
“Go ahead.” Ye Qin wanted to remind him of something, but those words had been repeated many times in letters. Neither her son nor her grandson paid much attention—both were the type to go all out during training—so she didn’t bother repeating herself.
She only said as Zhou Jihuai was about to leave: “Come home for lunch.”
Having accompanied Old Zhou in their hometown for over ten years, during which they rarely ate together as a family, she placed extra importance on shared meals.
The Military Family Compound wasn’t far from the military region, and Zhou Jihuai arrived quickly by car.
He first reported to the commander’s office, then went to the 21st Regiment of the 16th Division on his own.
The former regimental commander of the 21st Regiment had recently been promoted to brigade commander, so Zhou Jihuai’s appointment here was essentially a parachute appointment.
Zhou Jihuai was well aware that many in the regiment would not accept him. Today would be a tough battle, but fortunately, he had eaten a full breakfast.
Thinking of Wen Zhile, who had been consistently eating hard to grow stronger recently, the deliberately stern coldness on his face nearly cracked.
Zhou Jihuai refocused on the soldiers before him, rolling up his sleeves: “Anyone who doesn’t accept me, step forward!” I’ll spar with you!”
While things were heating up there, Wen Zhile was preparing to go to school. It was about time; she needed to see her parents for the second time.
“Sister Xiuxiu.” Around noon, the young girl came downstairs holding two plump oranges.
Fang Xiuxiu waved her over: “You came down at the right time. I was just about to look for you. Fang Xue is here; you two should head to school now.”
“Ah, alright.” She stuffed the oranges into Fang Xiuxiu’s hands and ran out of the hotel.
Fang Xue was waiting for her in front of the hotel. Wen Zhile ran over, and after they crossed the street, she pulled a fountain pen from her pocket: “Brother Fang, I have to trouble you again.”
Fang Xue hurriedly refused: “No, no, I can’t accept this.”
Wen Zhile paid no heed to his protests, directly shoving the fountain pen into his hands. “Take it, this is my thank you gift.”
Her new outfit and shoes had cost thirty yuan altogether. She knew Xiuxiu-jie’s salary wasn’t high, yet that day she’d insisted on paying despite Wen Zhile’s objections. Wen Zhile had taken note of this kindness.
Fang Xue scratched his head. “Well then, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, you deserve it.”
Wen Zhile didn’t place much importance on material possessions.
In her previous life, she’d never lacked for money. Since starting work in 1996, she earned a thousand yuan per month herself, occasionally taking on translation jobs that paid handsomely. She’d never been hesitant about spending money.
After entering the school grounds, Wen Zhile found an excuse to part ways with Fang Xue.
It was nearly lunchtime, and she was feeling somewhat hungry. Pausing by the school bulletin board, she scanned today’s cafeteria menu, murmuring the dish names under her breath.
After going through the list, she realized her palate had become rather spoiled.
Zhou Jihuai had been taking her to exquisite restaurants with skilled chefs – the cafeteria’s mass-produced meals simply couldn’t compare to private kitchen cuisine.
“Young lady, what’s written there?”
A voice came from beside her. Wen Zhile stared blankly at the bulletin board for a moment before turning to look.
That voice… Grandma!
Her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Qu Jinghong.
Qu Jinghong looked back at her, immediately struck by her resemblance to Wen Shuren.
She’d been passing by when she noticed this young girl, bundled up in thick clothing, muttering to herself before the bulletin board. Curious about what was posted, she’d come over to look.
Turned out it was just the menu.
“It says cabbage stew with vermicelli, eggplant with minced meat…” Wen Zhile’s lips curved into a smile. “Grandma, are you alone too? Why don’t we have lunch together?”
How lucky she was – she’d just entered the school and already encountered the grandmother who doted on her most!
Qu Jinghong was somewhat surprised. Seeing Wen Zhile was about the same age as her own granddaughter, she didn’t refuse and kindly agreed: “My treat.”
Wen Zhile was too busy beaming happily to respond, but of course she wouldn’t let her grandmother pay for her meal.
Once inside the cafeteria, she helped Qu Jinghong sit down and took charge of getting their food.
She always carried her backpack with enough food coupons inside. Wen Zhile selected dishes she knew her grandmother liked, filling two trays so completely that it took two trips to bring everything over.
Watching her every smile and expression, Qu Jinghong couldn’t help but marvel at the striking resemblance.
She didn’t dwell on it though. When Wen Zhile sat down, she smilingly took a handkerchief from her small bag: “Wipe your sweat.”
Fanning the girl with her hand, she said: “Take off your jacket, it’s too stuffy in here.”
Wen Zhile accepted the handkerchief but kept her jacket firmly on, her smile unchanged: “No need, Grandma, I’m not hot.”
“Please eat, don’t worry about me.” She gently moved Qu Jinghong’s hand aside, then used fresh chopsticks to serve her food.
By the end of the meal, Qu Jinghong’s fondness for her had grown considerably.
Perhaps because she was the same age as her own granddaughter, she found this child particularly endearing.
“Young lady, are you a student at Jingzhou University?” The two walked out of the cafeteria after eating, strolling and chatting in the shade.
Wen Zhile shook her head. “Grandma, I’m only sixteen, still in my second year of high school.”
“What a coincidence, you’re the same age as my granddaughter. Are you here to visit your older siblings?”
Wen Zhile repeated the story she’d told Wen Shuren and Shu Ying.
Qu Jinghong had been a renowned guzheng performer in Jing Zhou in her youth, having met countless people and possessing sharp wits.
After hearing Wen Zhile’s story about fleeing an arranged marriage and learning she was called Dai Zhi with parents Zhang Danhua and Dai Rong, she began to grow suspicious.
She looked carefully at Wen Zhile: “If you don’t mind, you can stay at Grandma’s house instead of a hotel.”
“I live alone, my children and grandchildren aren’t around. If you come, Grandma will have company and be happy.”
Wen Zhile’s heart clenched.
In her previous life, her parents and uncle’s family would often visit her grandmother, and she would rush to her grandmother’s house after school, staying there during holidays to keep her company.
But even so, her grandmother often slept and ate alone. They all had their own lives and couldn’t be with her every moment.
Wen Zhile’s eyes stung. She lowered her head to wipe away tears: “Okay, Grandma.”
“Where do you live? I’ll check out of the hotel and come find you.”
Hearing her agreement, Qu Jinghong felt delighted: “Grandma lives nearby. I’ll go with you to check out.”
Knowing she was checking out, Fang Xiuxiu felt somewhat reluctant.
Qu Jinghong spoke up: “I live in the last house in Mudan Hutong, not far from here. After Xiao Dai moves in, you can still see each other often. You’re welcome to visit.”
Fang Xiuxiu peeled an orange for Qu Jinghong: “So close? Then Grandma, Xiao Dai, I’ll go with you. I want to learn the way so I don’t get lost when I go to play with Xiao Dai later.”
Wen Zhile understood the deeper meaning in her words, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips as she moved the remaining three bottles of soda along with the crate to her feet.