Jiang Li arrived at the military base.
After registering at the guard post, she was quickly escorted by a sentry to the office building.
Her fresh and refined beauty drew frequent glances along the way.
When she reached the lobby, she happened to run into the director of the propaganda department—a woman in her thirties—who was about to leave with several female soldiers. The moment they saw her, they were visibly impressed.
“Whose family member is this? She’s really pretty. In our unit, she’d definitely rank among the top. Look at her figure—did you study dance before?”
Jiang Li blushed under their gaze but responded openly,
“My fiancé is named Si Nancheng…”
Before she could finish, everyone’s expressions suddenly changed.
The female soldiers looked at her with scrutiny and displeasure.
“So you’re the one who wanted to break off the engagement, refused to come to our unit, and even called the political commissar’s office to insult him?”
“What’s the use of being pretty? I heard she’s lazy, gluttonous, and has a terrible reputation. Who knows what she’s here for all of a sudden?”
The previously warm atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Jiang Li hadn’t expected Lu Xiaoxiao’s bad reputation to have spread this far.
She was just about to explain.
When the political commissar came downstairs.
Everyone quickly greeted him with respect.
The propaganda director pointed at Jiang Li, clearly displeased.
“Commissar, this is that Jiang Xiaoxiao.”
The commissar was obviously surprised.
His square, authoritative face showed suspicion.
“Comrade Jiang, didn’t you firmly refuse to come to the army for relocation?”
Jiang Li hurriedly took out her identification and letter of introduction.
“Commissar, I’m not Jiang Xiaoxiao. My name is Jiang Li. We were switched at birth and have now returned to our rightful identities. I’ve come to fulfill my marriage agreement with Si Nancheng.”
As soon as she said this, everyone was stunned.
The commissar immediately took her documents and verified them. Only then did his expression improve.
He promptly reached out to shake her hand, speaking excitedly,
“Comrade Jiang Li, on behalf of the Sixth Regiment stationed in the North, I welcome your arrival. Come, I’ll take you to Nancheng’s quarters.”
He had thought that boy’s marriage was hopeless again—who would have expected such a turn of events? He absolutely couldn’t let her slip away!
Especially since this young lady looked so delicate and lively!
Jiang Li was momentarily stunned—why was he so enthusiastic?
But then she thought of Si Nancheng’s injury and inability, and it made sense…
With the commissar warmly guiding her, she didn’t say much and quickly followed.
Watching the two leave,
One of the female soldiers stomped her foot.
“The commissar is too hasty. He actually believes such an absurd explanation—this is harming Commander Si!”
The propaganda director patted her shoulder.
“Xiao Ya, pay attention to unity between the military and civilians. If Comrade Jiang Li is truly here to marry and relocate, you must not make things difficult for her.”
Xiao Ya was the most beautiful female soldier in the propaganda department and a key member of the arts troupe.
Before Si Nancheng was injured, she often lingered around him.
After his injury, the commissar had intended to match them, but Xiao Ya didn’t want to live like a widow and never agreed.
Unexpectedly, Si Nancheng took out a marriage contract first and rejected her.
Everyone in the propaganda department knew about it.
In front of Xiao Ya, they only said Si Nancheng was stubborn and that it was a pity.
Later, when Jiang Xiaoxiao called to insult Si Nancheng, they became even more convinced he would regret rejecting Xiao Ya.
Xiao Ya had been waiting eagerly for him to come back and beg her.
Now that Jiang Li had arrived—and was so beautiful—Xiao Ya naturally felt displeased.
She spoke with a sour tone,
“Director, you’re overthinking it. I’m just worried Comrade Jiang Li doesn’t understand Commander Si’s condition and might cause a scene, damaging his reputation.”
The others couldn’t help but look concerned.
Meanwhile,
Jiang Li followed the commissar to the family housing compound and opened the door with a spare key.
“Nancheng is still out on a mission. You can settle in first. If you have any difficulties, come to me directly. I’ll approve your marriage application as soon as I get back.”
As he spoke, the commissar even praised her.
“Comrade Jiang, you are truly a good comrade!”
“Thank you, Commissar.”
Jiang Li hadn’t expected that Si Nancheng wasn’t even there, but she didn’t say much and quickly agreed.
Her obedient and sensible demeanor made the commissar even more satisfied.
He placed the key in her hand and left with a smile.
He looked visibly relieved.
Jiang Li stood at the door to see him off. Only after he left the courtyard did she close the door.
The tension she had been holding in her chest finally eased.
Although it wasn’t ideal to move into someone else’s home while they weren’t present, she decided to make the best of it. She would familiarize herself with the environment and try to leave a good impression so future cooperation would be easier.
She turned and looked around.
The living room furniture was simple, yet exceptionally clean and tidy.
Sunlight streamed in through the glass window.
The unfamiliar environment somehow felt reassuring.
At least, Si Nancheng wasn’t a sloppy or rough man.
Getting along with him shouldn’t be too difficult.
As her thoughts wandered, she suddenly heard a weak, complaining voice in her mind,
“It’s so hot! Don’t you know tomatoes can’t be exposed to the sun nonstop? I’m about to dry out!”
Jiang Li followed the sound outside.
Only then did she notice a patch of land in the courtyard, with one section set up on a trellis.
Tomatoes were growing there,
But they had already wilted from the sun.
Looking closer, she saw a simple automatic watering device, but the water tank at the inlet had run dry.
She had seen this kind of device in foreign publications—it hadn’t been introduced domestically yet.
In a couple of years, it would become one of the most advanced supports for breeding hybrid crops.
She hadn’t expected Si Nancheng to also study plant breeding.
Did that mean they now had something in common?
She couldn’t help but smile slightly as the voice in her head burst out again,
“You woman, what are you staring at? Hurry up and give me water, you idiot!”
Jiang Li snapped back to her senses.
“You’ve got quite the temper!”
But the tomato plant didn’t respond, clearly unable to hear her.
She rolled up her sleeves, about to fetch water, when she remembered her special ability and placed her hand directly on the tomato vine.
In no time,
She saw the tomato plant begin to grow rapidly.
Curious about the limits of this energy,
She didn’t withdraw her hand and continued.
Vigorous energy flowed between them.
Her skin soon emitted a faint, sacred white glow.
Like a celestial being.
Under her palm, the tomato plant stretched out its branches.
It blossomed, bore fruit.
The green tomatoes turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
They weren’t large—judging by their shape, they seemed like a new variety.
Jiang Li was astonished and quickly pulled her hand away.
Fortunately, the courtyard was surrounded by walls—otherwise, if someone saw this, it would be disastrous.
She stared at the bright red tomatoes for a long moment before finally picking one.
Breaking it open with both hands, it was juicy and pulpy, releasing an intensely sweet aroma.
It made her mouth water instantly.
The tomato plant’s chatter still echoed in her mind,
“My fruit, my seeds! You woman really have bad intentions—giving me energy just to eat my fruit!”
“Hahaha, but I’m the tallest one now! You bunch of shorties!”
It swayed proudly, bumping into the neighboring plants like a grinning fool.
Jiang Li brought half the tomato to her mouth and took a bite.
The perfect balance of sweetness and acidity was irresistible.
Not only that,
After swallowing, the energy it provided was even purer and richer than what she gained from touching plants.
After finishing the entire tomato, she suddenly felt an itch on her neck.
She raised her hand to touch it—
Only to find that the wound she had previously received from a spy’s cut had disappeared.
She quickly got up to find a mirror.
In the decorated glass mirror above the washstand, her neck appeared smooth and fair.
The wound was completely gone—not even a scar remained.
Could that energy also heal physical injuries?
She suddenly recalled what the village head had said about Si Nancheng being unable due to his injury.
She wondered whether her energy could restore that man to normal.
At that moment, a slightly familiar deep voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
“Commissar, I must cancel this marriage! Since you brought her here, you take her away. I will not see her.”