Jiang Shuyi hadn’t intended to hide her name.
Sooner or later, Song Chutong would find out anyway. What she was curious about, though, was this—once the girl knew who she really was, would she still dare to act as boldly as she had today?
Unexpectedly, Song Chutong simply frowned, thinking for a moment… then nodded lightly.
“Oh. That’s a nice name.”
On the surface, she seemed calm.
But in truth, the surname Jiang had just sent her mind into a storm.
She searched through her memories—then replayed fragments of that strange dream.
There was no “Jiang Shuyi” in the Jiang family.
Not one.
In fact, the Jiang family was even more extreme than the Wei family. At least the Weis had one daughter each generation—but the Jiangs? From top to bottom, their direct line had produced nothing but sons.
Even in the future she had seen in that dream, when Song Weiran married Jiang Zhixing, she bore him three children—all boys.
And yet…
Jiang Shuyi stood right in front of her. A girl.
Granted, she carried herself with a boyish ease, but there was no denying her identity. And more importantly—her features bore no resemblance to the Jiang family at all.
So… it must just be a coincidence.
From the subtle look of relief on Song Chutong’s face, Jiang Shuyi could tell—
She hadn’t made the connection.
Strangely, that made things easier.
With a relaxed smile, Jiang Shuyi extended her hand. “Thanks for helping me out today. How about we be friends?”
Truth be told, she wasn’t exactly a “proper” member of the Jiang family anyway. Her father was the youngest brother of the old master of the Jiang family.
By seniority, that technically made her Jiang Zhixing’s aunt.
Even though she was a year younger than him.
Song Chutong paused for a heartbeat before taking her hand. “Sure. If you ever need anything, just call me—Song Chutong.”
“I know,” Jiang Shuyi said with a grin. “You’re pretty famous.”
That earned a laugh.
“Yeah,” Song Chutong replied dryly, “just not for anything good.”
Jiang Shuyi found herself genuinely surprised.
Whether at home or outside, she had often heard rumors—Song Chutong was said to be difficult, petty, always stirring up trouble.
Hearing it so often, she had formed her own impression long before meeting her. That was why, earlier, she had casually called her a “pretty idiot” in jest.
But compared to those rumors, the girl standing before her now was open, straightforward… even likable.
For the first time, Jiang Shuyi felt a hint of guilt.
“I was a bit rude to you earlier,” she admitted. “And today you helped me out… how about I treat you to a meal next time?”
She paused, then added quickly, “Actually, why wait? I’m free this weekend—let me take you to a state-owned restaurant.”
This month’s Jiang family gathering was coming up, and her granduncle had repeatedly insisted she attend.
But Jiang Shuyi had never liked crowded banquets.
Worse, her cousins-in-law would either mock her for being too boyish—or try to set her up with some distant relative.
She was already fed up with it.
Song Chutong, meanwhile, found herself quite fond of Jiang Shuyi’s straightforward nature. And, admittedly—she was good-looking. At a glance, she could almost pass for a young man, but not like the rough, rugged soldiers in the unit. There was something refined, almost gentle about her features.
Song Chutong had always enjoyed being around good-looking people.
Still…
“My uncle promised me crabs this weekend,” she said reluctantly. “I might not be free. How about next time?”
Jiang Shuyi didn’t think much of it and was about to continue the conversation—
When suddenly, someone called out:
“Song Chutong.”
The voice wasn’t loud. Nor was it urgent.
But the moment it reached her ears, Song Chutong’s face turned pale.
She hurriedly stepped back, words tumbling out in a rush. “Alright, Jiang—”
“She’s Jiang Shuyi,” the other girl reminded her patiently.
Jiang Shuyi couldn’t help but find it amusing.
This girl was something else—careless, absent-minded, as if nothing in the world truly weighed on her.
And yet, people called her scheming?
Where exactly were those so-called “deep calculations” hiding?
The truth was, Song Chutong hadn’t even connected Jiang Shuyi to the Jiang family at all.
She stuck out her tongue sheepishly. “Your name’s a bit of a tongue-twister. Anyway—Xiao Yi, my second brother’s here. I’ve gotta go. See you next time!”
And with that, she turned and ran—so fast it was as if she couldn’t spare even a second more.
Jiang Shuyi was left standing there, momentarily speechless.
Xiao Yi…?
Wait—since when were they close enough for nicknames?
“Who was that?”
Song Chutong hadn’t even reached him yet when Wei Lin spoke. His voice was calm, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Shuyi in the distance.
Song Chutong’s heart skipped.
Out of all her cousins, Wei Lin was the hardest to fool—sharp, perceptive, frighteningly so. He was the same age as Jiang Zhixing, yet had already become a regiment commander last year—a year earlier than Jiang Zhixing himself.
The Wei family was known for their striking, sharp features. Song Chutong herself leaned toward a bold, radiant beauty—but Wei Lin was different.
He had taken after his maternal grandmother.
It was said she had been an opera performer back in the old Republic era—delicate features, understated yet refined. A classic beauty.
Wei Lin was just like that.
Fair-skinned, clean-cut. Narrow eyes, a high nose bridge, thin lips, a sharply defined jaw. His build, however, was unmistakably Wei—tall and broad-shouldered.
He simply stood there.
And yet, under his gaze, Song Chutong felt as if every thought, every secret she carried had already been laid bare.
He was the one she feared most.
She knew—if she told the truth, Wei Lin would investigate Jiang Shuyi without hesitation. And somehow, that didn’t sit right with her.
So she lowered her voice, almost pleading.
“Second Brother… she’s a friend I just made. She’s really nice, and gentle too. She was being bullied just now.”
She hesitated, then added softly, “Don’t go looking into her, okay? You might scare her off—and then she won’t want to be friends with me anymore.”
After a pause, her gaze dropped. “You know… I don’t really have many friends.”
At first, Song Chutong hadn’t taken this “friendship” too seriously.
But after saying it out loud—she found herself believing it.
It was true.
She didn’t have many friends. And the ones who had approached her before always wanted something in return.
But Jiang Shuyi?
That girl was a little foolish—getting bullied without fighting back—and still offering to treat her to a meal.
Wei Lin watched her quietly.
Watched as she acted… and somehow ended up convincing herself.
He let out a faint sigh. “A girl?”
Song Chutong nodded vigorously. “Yes! I mean—she’s pretty handsome, but she’s definitely a girl!”
“Hopeless,” Wei Lin muttered, rolling his eyes. Since it was a girl, he didn’t press further. His main concern had been that she’d fallen for some smooth-talking man again.
His tone softened slightly. “I asked around. Got punished again, didn’t you? And I heard from those two this afternoon—you’re living alone now?”
He paused. “Come on. I’ll take you to get what you need.”
Song Chutong let out a quiet breath of relief when he didn’t pursue the matter further. Conveniently, she had been worrying about how to leave the base anyway—Director Liu hadn’t given her a leave slip.
“Okay! Thanks, Second Brother!”
She brightened immediately, walking ahead with light steps.
Behind her, Wei Lin suddenly spoke again, almost casually—
“Oh, right. I went to see Jiang Zhixing earlier.”
Song Chutong froze.
For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then, at last, she let out a quiet, indifferent, “Oh.”
She felt him step closer behind her, his tall figure casting a shadow that seemed to swallow her whole.
A chill ran down her spine.
“Explain everything to me later,” Wei Lin said mildly.
“You know me—I’m not as easy to fool as those two idiots.”