Night had fallen, blanketing the surroundings in quiet, broken only by the sound of the jeep rolling along the road.
Inside the car, after exchanging a greeting, Shen Ran fell silent.
The awkwardness between them was palpable—neither knew what to say.
Qin Lie paid her no attention, focusing entirely on driving.
Half an hour later, the jeep entered the military compound.
Where darkness had ruled, red lanterns now glowed warmly at the entrance, casting soft light on the tidy rows of independent houses.
Shen Ran peeked curiously out of the half-open window. The houses were neat and uniform, each with its own little courtyard, quaint and charming.
Soon, the jeep came to a stop.
From the neighboring house, a cheerful voice called out:
“Xiao Qin’s back? Want to come in for dinner? We just started eating!”
Qin Lie replied casually, “No need, my wife is here. I’ll grab something from the mess hall later.”
It was only a little past seven in the evening, and the base mess hall was still open.
The neighbor laughed heartily: “Oh, your wife is back! Fine, fine, you two just go eat together!”
Shen Ran’s face flushed slightly as she got out of the car.
Being called “wife” by Qin Lie in front of others—especially with divorce looming tomorrow—felt strange and surreal.
The military compound houses were modest: three rooms with a small courtyard made of stone.
The left room was the bedroom, the middle was the living/dining area, and the right was the kitchen.
In one corner of the courtyard, a bamboo-structured toilet stood, and on the other side was a water well beneath a large tree.
It was a small, simple layout—but cozy, forming a tiny home.
Shen Ran followed Qin Lie into the living room.
He pulled a match from his pocket, struck it with a “scratch,” and lit the kerosene lamp hanging on the wall.
The pitch-black room instantly brightened.
“Rest in here for a bit. I’ll go grab some food from the mess hall,” Qin Lie said.
Shen Ran nodded. “Okay, you go ahead.”
He left, and Shen Ran’s eyes roamed the room.
The living room was simply furnished—a square table with four benches, and a portrait of a great figure on the central wall.
A red “Double Happiness” thermos sat on the table with two enamel cups, labeled “Serve the People.”
Shen Ran lifted the kerosene lamp and walked into the bedroom.
She had a flashlight from her space, but couldn’t rely on it recklessly—if Qin Lie asked, she wouldn’t be able to explain.
The bedroom was spacious and cozy.
A red wooden bed was covered with light green floral sheets, the pillow in the center matching the pattern.
Beside it, a vanity table held neatly arranged creams, oils, and lotions—modern skincare products from the department store.
Although the original Shen Ran disliked Qin Lie and chores, she cared about her personal space and appearance.
The redwood wardrobe was filled with her clothes, and under the window stood a single military cot—Qin Lie’s sleeping spot.
The beds were two meters apart, a clear boundary between them.
Sometimes, when annoyed by Shen Ran at night, Qin Lie would move his cot into the living room.
Most of the time, they didn’t share the same room.
Shen Ran wandered into the kitchen, inspecting the cupboards, stove, and coal oven. Everything was neat and clean—Qin Lie valued tidiness.
She set the kerosene lamp aside, took out the metal lunchbox, and reheated the “Four Happiness” meatballs.
The aroma made her mouth water.
Thinking of her little gourmand from her space, she called it out.
“Meow?”
The little creature had been playing on the grassy floor inside the space.
It tilted its head in surprise, then ran to rub against Shen Ran, tail flicking with joy.
[Ran Ran! Pet me! I demand pets!]
Since joining her, it had become inseparable, craving her attention constantly.
During the day, it could only nibble on dried fish or beef inside the space.
When bored, it would watch a cartoon called Cat Chases Mouse, which Shen Ran had taught it to operate last night.
The cartoon cat was hilariously inept, constantly outwitted by the mouse.
The little cat, however, was a master hunter, capable of catching any mouse on the street.
Its fur gleamed—unlike ordinary stray cats.
[Ran Ran, when can I go into that “TV” thing? I want in!]
The cat nudged her hand, eyes wide and pleading.
Shen Ran couldn’t resist. She stroked its soft head and laughed. “Why? What do you want to do in the TV?”
[The mouse in that cartoon is evil! I’m gonna catch it and munch it!]
The tiny creature puffed up, flailing its little paws, fierce yet adorable.
Shen Ran laughed out loud—this little fellow was too entertaining.
“Not possible. That’s just a machine, the images inside aren’t real.”
Hearing this, the cat sulked and lay motionless.
Shen Ran waved a meatball in front of it:
“Yum! Who wants this delicious meatball?”
“Me! Me! Me!”
[Me! I want it! I love it!]
The cat leaped up eagerly, stretching its paws toward the treat.
Shen Ran teased it, moving the meatball from left to right. The cat’s head followed mechanically.
After about ten rounds, Shen Ran stopped.
The little cat kept moving its fluffy head, unable to resist.
“Ha ha ha~”
Shen Ran laughed heartily.
Suddenly, the sound of movement came from the courtyard.
Qin Lie had returned.
Shen Ran quickly silenced the cat, placed it back into the space, giving it two meatballs as a consolation.
She then picked up the plate with the remaining meatballs and the kerosene lamp, heading out…