The two of them stood about half a meter apart. Shen Li waved, and Gu Zhaoye stepped a little closer. Looking into her lively eyes, he instinctively lowered his head slightly to better listen to her.
Her voice was soft and gentle, lilting like a sweet song. He liked to hear it.
His slight bow was exactly what Shen Li wanted. But Gu Zhaoye was so tall that she had to tiptoe to reach him. She lightly patted his head and smiled, “Husband, you’re amazing.”
[Beginner task completed. Lifespan +3 days, points +3. Current lifespan: 3 days 30 minutes. Points: 3.]
His wife had praised him again—this was the second time today.
It seemed she was very satisfied with his wages.
Gu Zhaoye, as the regiment commander, had several merits. His monthly wage was over three hundred yuan, plus some special innovation rewards—his annual salary was quite substantial.
Seeing Shen Li’s radiant smile, Gu Zhaoye silently resolved to earn even more merits and innovation awards in the future.
Good news: she was alive.
Bad news: she only had three days to live.
“Comrade Gu, are you thirsty?”
“Hungry?”
“I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Flattery worked on him. Shen Li needed to treat Gu Zhaoye well—this upcoming check-in task required his cooperation.
Originally, this was only a fake marriage. They had agreed to divorce soon, but now she would break that promise.
Gu Zhaoye was her lifesaving medicine!
Without him, how could she “take her medicine”?
Shen Li spoke in a gentle, conciliatory tone, becoming softer and softer.
Just as Gu Zhaoye was about to speak, a voice called out before he could.
“Brother Gu, there’s an urgent call.”
The messenger was one of Gu Zhaoye’s subordinates, a young soldier. Gu Zhaoye treated him like a younger brother. He was carefree and always called him “Brother Gu” even on leave. This time, he accompanied Gu Zhaoye to visit a comrade’s widow.
Gu Zhaoye was technically on leave, but when he applied for the marriage report, the higher-ups had given him an urgent task. This call was exactly what he had been waiting for.
Gu Zhaoye: “Sorry, I can’t accompany you. Get whatever you want to eat. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
The certificate was obtained, but the bride price, wedding banquet, and other matters still needed discussion.
Shen Li didn’t have time to think about the big bundle of gifts and cash shoved into her hands. She grabbed Gu Zhaoye’s hand and nervously asked, “I can see you tomorrow, right?”
“Husband, I really can’t be away from you for even a day.”
Tomorrow’s check-in—she had to succeed, or she’d burn through her lifespan.
Now, when there was nothing urgent, she called him Comrade Gu. When something mattered, she called him Husband.
“Husband” was a regional term in Lingnan. A few of Gu Zhaoye’s soldiers were from Lingnan, and their wives called them that. He used to find it unpleasant, but now hearing Shen Li say it… it was like springtime pear blossoms falling on the lake, stirring gentle ripples. It felt good.
He didn’t even warn Shen Li that this word wasn’t appropriate for the era.
“I will,” Gu Zhaoye promised.
“Then you must, must come see me. I’ll wait for you.” Shen Li was reluctant to let him go—he was her lifesaver.
Her wife was clingy. She needed to be brought back to the island as soon as possible.
Gu Zhaoye: “Wang Qiang, make sure she gets home safely.”
Gu Zhaoye left, and Wang Qiang stayed behind.
Finally, Wang Qiang had time to properly look at the regiment commander’s wife. He hadn’t expected such a cold, aloof man to marry a soft, clingy, coquettish wife.
Shen Li had intended to go home by herself, but Wang Qiang insisted, saying military orders must be obeyed.
In military uniform, Wang Qiang was used to obedience. He called Gu Zhaoye “Brother Gu”—likely because he was a younger subordinate.
Shen Li didn’t make things difficult for him and planned to walk home.
But he waved over a rickshaw.
“Brother Gu called it.”
“Sis-in-law, Brother Gu treats you so well.”
Shen Li felt guilty. Gu Zhaoye treated her so well, and she was about to break their agreement. Her cheeks flushed.
Wang Qiang thought, This wife of the commander is too beautiful. She blushes just saying Brother Gu.
“Don’t worry, sis-in-law. Brother Gu won’t be busy long.”
Gu Zhaoye was the strongest in their unit. In a previous tough border counterattack mission, he had led them to complete it in just a week, and each soldier had gained military merit. In this counterintelligence mission, they would surely finish even faster.
“That’s fine then.”
Shen Li, overly nervous before, now calmed down. Gu Zhaoye wouldn’t be in any real danger. His “most important duty” was just his own territory.
After relaxing, Shen Li felt awkward. She sat in the rickshaw, while Wang Qiang ran alongside.
She wanted to get off, but Wang Qiang said, “Sis-in-law, don’t get off. Brother Gu will blame me.”
“I’m training. We carry loads for five kilometers every day. Today is just the start.”
Soldiers always marched with weight, defending the nation. Shen Li admired them.
Before long, Wang Qiang escorted Shen Li home and prepared to leave.
Shen Li didn’t ask him to stay. She had him wait briefly while she retrieved fruits and vegetables from her space, packing them into a basket for Wang Qiang.
He tried to refuse, but she said, “It’s for my husband’s health.”
The fruits and vegetables were from her space—excellent for restoring stamina.
She gave him plenty. Gu Zhaoye would know to share with Wang Qiang. She sensed Wang Qiang was cold outwardly but kind at heart.
Seeing how considerate he was toward her fake wife confirmed it.
Back at their rented village house, Gu Zhaoye was already tidying up. He didn’t even look up.
“Organize things. We’ll scout the city this afternoon.”
“Understood.”
“Commander, this is from sis-in-law. It’s for your health.”
Even on a mission, Wang Qiang addressed the commander formally now.
“The tomatoes smell wonderful, much better than those back home—bright red. Commander, I’ll eat one.”
Their commander was generous, always sharing treats sent from home, like pastries or milk candy.
Wang Qiang’s hand was swatted away; the basket was taken from in front of him.
The commander, previously tidying up, now carried the basket Shen Li had brought.
“Hungry? Go eat the meat buns inside.”
Wait—commander, do you realize what you’re doing?
He preferred a tomato but would rather give him a meat bun instead?
…
In the afternoon, Shen Li went to the bank with her marriage certificate and ID. The staff escorted her to claim her parents’ inheritance.
Her parents had left dozens of boxes of gold bars and U.S. dollars, plus precious emeralds and diamonds.
This was even more than what Shen Liren had intended to seize—her parents had left her a double safeguard.
Perhaps they feared that without them, her treacherous uncle would swallow her inheritance, so they divided it into two portions: the other portion could only be claimed after marriage, with the marriage certificate as proof.
Shen Li’s eyes reddened. She missed her parents.
To protect the guest’s privacy, the staff had left before she opened the boxes, so they didn’t know what was inside.
Shen Li stored everything in her space, but to avoid suspicion, she had to leave the boxes behind.
While storing her items, she discovered a small wooden box, palm-sized. She opened it. Inside was a jade token, the size of a thumb, suitable to wear. There was also a letter—her parents’ message to her.