"The eldest son of the Liu family is a bit less foolish during the day, appearing simple-minded, but by night, he becomes a complete madman."
So said the village Party branch secretary.
Gu Yunche was taken aback for a moment before asking, "Then has Comrade Xiao Mu married him?"
"No, Guiying won't turn eighteen until the 23rd of next month. She doesn't even have a household registration."
The village Party branch secretary tossed his tobacco pouch into the basket, slipped on his shoes, and headed toward the side room where Gu Yunche was staying to check on Mu Guiying.
He rambled on, "That child Guiying has had a hard life—no father, no mother, fostered in the village without a birth certificate, an unregistered person. Her days with the Liu family have been even tougher. That Liu E wants her to marry the fool, but did she ever ask whether I'd issue Guiying a letter of introduction? She's not yet of legal marriageable age, and without a household registration, she can't get a letter of introduction. Ironically, this spares her from being bound by the village's custom of early marriage. You could say misfortune has turned into a blessing for her."
Gu Yunche's heart trembled.
So, he had misunderstood her.
As soon as they stepped into the side room, the two saw Mu Guiying collapsed beside the kang. Her face was pale and ashen, and her white blouse with red floral patterns bore dried bloodstains.
"Regiment Commander Gu, quick, save her!"
The village Party branch secretary's shout snapped Gu Yunche back to attention.
Gu Yunche strode over in large steps and picked Mu Guiying up.
A graduate of military academy, Gu Yunche had always been aloof and unapproachable in the army. This was the first time he had ever held a girl, and he hadn't expected Mu Guiying to be so soft, so light.
Her pale, bloodless face remained beautiful, yet like a rose on the verge of withering, it carried a piercing sorrow.
A wave of guilt surged within Gu Yunche.
Holding Mu Guiying, he called softly, "Comrade Xiao Mu, wake up!"
The village Party branch secretary was about to fetch the village doctor when Gu Yunche stopped him. "Old Secretary, Comrade Xiao Mu seems to be suffering from low blood sugar. Do you have any white sugar at home? Make her a cup of sugar water to drink."
The village Party branch secretary said he did and hurriedly asked his wife to prepare the sugar water.
When a bowl of sugar water was brought over, Gu Yunche found himself in a dilemma.
Mu Guiying was unconscious, and the sugar water simply wouldn't go down.
Gu Yunche tried feeding her with a spoon twice, but the liquid just trickled out from the corners of her lips.
The village Party branch secretary grew anxious, rubbing his hands together.
"Regiment Commander Gu, have you ever listened to the storytelling tale 'The Generals of the Yang Family'?"
Gu Yunche didn't understand why the village Party branch secretary had brought up "The Generals of the Yang Family."
He replied somewhat impatiently, "No, I haven't."
"After Mu Guiying rescued Yang Zongbao, to save his life, she drank the medicine herself and fed it to Yang Zongbao mouth-to-mouth. How about… how about you try that method?"
As soon as the village Party branch secretary made the suggestion, he saw Gu Yunche's cold gaze sweep over him, yet the tips of Gu Yunche's ears flushed with embarrassment.
Looking at Mu Guiying, whom he had propped against the headboard by pressing on her shoulders, Gu Yunche felt conflicted.
Since childhood, he had received strict family education and orthodox schooling. After entering military academy, he adhered strictly to military discipline and national laws, following the orders of the organization.
After graduating from university, he was assigned to the army as a deputy company commander. Relying on solid military theoretical knowledge, scientific and technical skills, and leadership abilities, he steadily climbed the ranks step by step to become the youngest regiment commander in the entire army.
Before this, Gu Yunche had never held a girl's hand, let alone embraced one. And now, the village Party branch secretary was suggesting he feed Mu Guiying sugar water mouth-to-mouth.
Gu Yunche couldn't bring himself to do it!
He stared at Mu Guiying's porcelain-white face, her delicate skin so fine he could see the tiny downy hairs, while her pale lips resembled snow-white jasmine blossoms, carrying the sweet fragrance of a young maiden.
Gu Yunche's mind was in turmoil; it seemed if he kept gazing at her a moment longer, he would throw caution to the wind and want to kiss her. Her frail shoulder, which he was supporting, felt as if it had burst into flames, scorching his fingertips.
He quickly lowered his eyelids. "Comrade Party branch secretary, I can't do it. Let's think of another way!"
As soon as the words fell, Gu Yunche released Mu Guiying.
But the unconscious Mu Guiying slipped down like a boneless snake, about to fall off the bed.
Gu Yunche swiftly caught and steadied her.
With this commotion, Mu Guiying ended up nestled in Gu Yunche's embrace once more. The sensation of her soft, pliant form made him instantly straighten his spine. He looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms, his heartbeat quickening.
Gu Yunche felt like a fleeing soldier trampled by wild horses—his body sweating, feverish, his face flushed, even his gaze somewhat dazed.
The village Party branch secretary watched Gu Yunche's indecisiveness, while Mu Guiying's complexion grew increasingly worse.
"Regiment Commander Gu, where am I supposed to find someone else now? Hurry up! If you keep dawdling, Guiying's life might really be lost. The People's Army serves the people—what's wrong with making a little sacrifice for Guiying?"
Prolonged hypoglycemia could easily lead to shock.
At this thought, Gu Yunche cast aside his reservations. He grabbed the porcelain bowl, took a sip of sugar water, pinched Mu Guiying's chin, and pressed his thin lips to hers, transferring the sugar water from his mouth into hers.
Was this a kiss?
Did that mean his first kiss had been given to Mu Guiying?
Gu Yunche pursed his lips, the warm, moist sensation of Mu Guiying's lips startling him so much that he immediately pulled back. He took another sip of water and transferred it to her.
Repeating this process, he had just finished feeding the last mouthful of sugar water when Liu E's shouting erupted.
"The big official from the capital is harassing my Guiying! Folks, wasn't I telling the truth?"
Gu Yunche turned to see a crowd of villagers gathered at the door.
The village Party branch secretary, seeing Liu E crying thief, was furious.
"Liu E, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you really think I don't know what you've done?"
The village Party branch secretary revealed the truth: Mu Guiying had fainted from hypoglycemia, and Gu Yunche had fed her sugar water to save her—there was no harassment involved.
Seeing the village Party branch secretary's anger, Liu E toned down slightly.
She rubbed her hands. "Regiment Commander Gu, I actually came to take Guiying home."
Gu Yunche's face was as dark as still water.
After settling Mu Guiying, he stood up and looked at Liu E.
"You're taking Xiao Mu back so your foolish son can continue to bully her?"
Liu E, feeling guilty, muttered under her breath, "My eldest likes Guiying—how could he bully her?"
Gu Yunche let out a cold sneer, his authority palpable even without anger.
"Violating women and children is against the law. Liu E, your son may be mad and foolish, but you can be held responsible."
His words intimidated both Liu E and the villagers.
The women crowding at the back to watch the commotion were dragged away by their sensible husbands. "Stupid woman, blindly joining in the fuss! Come home with me. What kind of person the officer from the capital is, wouldn't the village Party branch secretary know?"
They didn't know Gu Yunche well, but seeing how respectfully the village Party branch secretary treated him, they were also apprehensive.
Liu E glanced at Mu Guiying lying on the bed.
She threw a tantrum, sitting on the ground, slapping her thighs as she spoke.
"I don't care, Guiying was raised by me. I can't let her sleep in Regiment Commander Gu's room without a clear explanation. I'll wait right here until she wakes up."
Liu E wailed like she was mourning the dead, then turned to the villagers who hadn't left and said, "When my Guiying wakes up, she'll tell us exactly what happened."
Several villagers who had been about to leave stayed behind—some genuinely concerned about Mu Guiying, others simply wanting to watch the drama unfold.
Gu Yunche looked at Liu E's confident declaration with concern, his gaze shifting worriedly to Mu Guiying.
Would she resort to her old tricks to escape Liu E's family? Would she insist he had taken advantage of her, then cling to him, demanding he take her back to the capital?
He had already decided to take Mu Guiying with him. He hoped she wouldn't disappoint him, wouldn't scheme against him again.
The Party branch secretary was furious and began earnestly urging the bystanders to go home, but a few stubbornly refused to leave.
Just then, Mu Guiying woke up…