That steady voice spoke the words “break off the engagement” with absolute firmness, leaving Jiang Li momentarily stunned.
But before she could even process it, the door was pushed open.
A tall man stepped into the room.
The moment their eyes met, Jiang Li’s heart jolted.
Why is it him?
The soldier who had saved her from the spy’s blade in the cornfield!
Before she could speak, the political commissar had already begun the introduction.
“Comrade Jiang, Nanchen is back. Nanchen, this is Comrade Jiang. Who would’ve thought—you’re quite lucky. That broken engagement might have a chance again. This young lady doesn’t mind and even came all this way to follow the army. You should temper that temper of yours…”
Jiang Li: “…”
He is Si Nanchen?
Thinking of how she had torn half his belt earlier, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Jiang Li’s face, though she also found it absurd.
She never would have imagined that the man who saved her was actually her betrothed.
A hint of surprise also flickered in Si Nanchen’s eyes—he had clearly recognized her as well.
So this girl… is his fiancée?
On the road, she had said she came to follow the army to get married. The person she was going to marry… was him?
Thinking about how he had firmly insisted on breaking off the engagement just moments ago, for some reason, his thin lips pressed together, his throat moved slightly, and he swallowed the rest of his words.
The political commissar observed the two of them, especially noticing the change in Si Nanchen’s expression. A knowing look flashed in his eyes.
He quickly clapped his hands to smooth things over.
“Nanchen, didn’t expect your marriage to be so full of twists. I’ve already talked with Comrade Jiang—she just returned to the Jiang family, so this must be your first time meeting. You two have a good talk. Once you’ve sorted things out, come to me for the introduction letter. I’ll take my leave…”
With that, he turned and left.
Only Jiang Li and Si Nanchen remained, staring at each other.
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
Jiang Li was the first to suppress the complicated emotions in her heart. She had clearly heard Si Nanchen’s attitude just now.
He wanted to break off the engagement.
From what the commissar said, she also knew that her situation had already been explained to him.
He must find this whole matter absurd.
And honestly, most people wouldn’t accept it.
So she decided to take the initiative.
She stepped forward, nodded at Si Nanchen, her face full of sincerity.
“Hello, Comrade Si Nanchen. I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon. About what happened in the cornfield—thanks to you arriving in time, otherwise I wouldn’t have survived.”
He seemed slightly surprised that she brought this up first. His expression softened, and his tone became steadier.
“It was nothing. It’s my duty. You…”
Thinking of how calm she had been when facing the spy, and how she later gave directions, a trace of depth flashed in his eyes.
“You’re very smart. And very brave.”
Jiang Li felt a little embarrassed.
She lifted her hand to tidy the messy hair on her forehead, then continued,
“Comrade Si, I overheard your conversation with the commissar. You’re troubled by the engagement, right? Actually, you don’t need to feel pressured. I came here because I want a fresh start.”
“How about we treat this engagement as a cooperation?”
Afraid her words might not be convincing enough, Jiang Li leaned forward slightly.
With her hands behind her back, she looked obedient yet clever.
Si Nanchen paused for a moment before processing what he had just heard.
“Cooperation?”
Though he didn’t fully understand what she was thinking, the word “cooperation” seemed to instantly create distance between them, as if drawing a clear boundary.
“You need a wife to deal with the organization’s concern and expectations.”
Jiang Li walked around the table and met his gaze.
“You have that need, and I just happen to need a reasonable identity and a stable life.”
“We can maintain the appearance of a married couple in public, but in private, we won’t interfere with each other—just like comrades.”
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Jiang Li guessed he might be unwilling.
But in her current situation, she had to quickly find someone to marry, so she could transfer her political status and household registration.
So even if he was unwilling, she had to persuade him.
Jiang Li touched the tip of her nose, her voice softening.
“I’m not trying to cling to you. We can start like this, and when the time is right—or when I find a better path—we can end the arrangement.”
“I promise I won’t cause you any trouble!”
Holding the cup of water, Si Nanchen looked at her bright, lively eyes and suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Objectively speaking, this was indeed a good solution.
It solved his current problem and also gave the girl a place to stand.
But for some reason, hearing her say this made him feel slightly uncomfortable.
Still, in the end, he nodded.
“Let’s do it your way.”
He had heard a little about the situation between the Jiang and Lü families.
This girl hadn’t had it easy.
Jiang Li immediately let out a sigh of relief, gripping the back of a chair and patting it lightly.
She hadn’t expected Si Nanchen to agree so readily.
She thought it would take much more effort to convince him.
With the cooperation established, the previously awkward atmosphere eased slightly.
Jiang Li glanced outside and saw the sky gradually darkening. She looked toward the kitchen and took the initiative to speak again.
“It’s probably too late for the canteen now, right? I’ll go make dinner. Is there a supply and marketing store nearby? I’ll go buy some groceries.”
Although she had a special advantage now, she wasn’t yet skilled at using it.
And since she had just arrived, she absolutely couldn’t reveal anything suspicious.
Si Nanchen, who was taking out a clean set of bedsheets from the cabinet, pointed toward the window.
“Turn left when you go out, and walk to the end—that’s the supply store.”
“But at this hour, there probably won’t be much fresh produce left. Just make do for now.”
As he spoke, he took out a wallet from his pocket and pulled out some money and ration coupons.
“Take these for now. If you need anything later, just tell me.”
Looking at what he handed her, Jiang Li was slightly stunned.
She hadn’t expected this man to offer her money on his own.
Combined with how he had saved her earlier, she couldn’t help but take another look at Si Nanchen. Her impression of him improved even more.
But she didn’t refuse. Since this was cooperation, keeping things clear would save trouble.
“Thank you! I’ll keep accounts after I come back from buying groceries!”
Jiang Li accepted the money and coupons straightforwardly, without any hesitation.
Her decisiveness made Si Nanchen glance at her again, a hint of warmth deepening in his eyes.
After nodding, he turned back to continue making the bed.
After carefully putting away the money and coupons, Jiang Li took a cloth bag from a hook on the wall and headed out.
Following the direction Si Nanchen had pointed, she walked along the path toward the supply store.
The sky hadn’t completely darkened yet, and from the nearby military district came bursts of shouted commands.
The military area was quite large, so the surrounding facilities were fairly complete—there was a school, a supply store, and even a guesthouse.
Jiang Li narrowed her eyes and stretched.
Living again, in such a lively environment, felt truly comfortable.
The supply store was only a few minutes’ walk from the compound. Several small tiled houses stood side by side, with a large sign hanging at the entrance.
Jiang Li walked in—and paused slightly in surprise.