Wang Defang’s excited voice came from beside her.
Su Su turned her head and saw a sharply defined face. His nose was high, lips thin, thick black eyebrows tapered upward like swords, and his jawline was perfectly strong. His eyes were dark and deep—truly flawless.
Their gazes met, and Su Su raised an eyebrow slightly, neither avoiding nor looking away.
The man frowned, his broad fingers gripping the steering wheel. “Done staring?”
Wang Defang hurriedly waved at Su Su. “Little sister, get in the car! It’s freezing outside.”
Once Su Su got in, Wang Defang joked with a smile, “Little sister, Captain Qin must be here to pick you up. My son and I are really lucky to benefit from you today! My husband used to come pick me up in an old ox cart back home. It was so bumpy, nothing like this smooth, warm car ride.”
Su Su glanced at the man, puzzled. How did Qin Xutao know she would be arriving in Black City today?
As if reading her mind, Qin Xutao glanced at the rearview mirror, his thin lips pressing together slightly. “Wang Shu wrote me a letter.”
After Su Su left on the train, Wang Shu, still worried, had written to Qin Xutao, reminding him to take good care of Su Su, for the sake of the late Grandpa Su.
Knowing which train she was on, Qin Xutao had taken a two-hour leave to arrive at the station to pick her up.
At the station entrance, he spotted the girl bundled up like a dumpling—smarter than the last time, wearing more layers.
The car quickly drove to the military district compound.
Outside, a tall, solid wall surrounded the compound, plain slogans painted on it. The main gate was a red lacquered iron door, flanked by armed sentries. Though young, their posture was upright and expressions serious.
Seeing Qin Xutao, they saluted but didn’t immediately let the car through. They recognized Wang Defang as a military wife, but there was also a very pretty girl in the back seat who required routine questioning.
Qin Xutao said, “She is my fiancée, Su Su, here to live with me at the military compound.”
The two young soldiers’ eyes widened with surprise, and they kept watching as the car drove in.
Captain Qin’s fiancée is coming to live in the military compound? This is huge news!
No doubt there would be many broken hearts among the young women living in the compound.
Qin Xutao parked at the entrance to the military family housing and handed Su Su a bare key. “This is the key to my room. Rest here for a while. Once I finish work, I’ll take you to a hotel in the city.”
Then he drove off immediately.
Su Su raised an eyebrow—this man was interesting. He must have assumed she’d complain about the military compound’s environment and wanted to reassure her in advance.
It was evening, with a beautiful sunset hanging in the sky. She followed Wang Defang into the compound and saw military wives sitting under a large tree, chatting while mending shoes.
Seeing Wang Defang, they greeted her warmly.
“Defang, you’re finally back!”
Noticing Su Su behind her, they looked puzzled. “Who’s this little sister? She’s so pretty!”
“Is she your relative? Does she have a boyfriend? I have a nephew who’s great—want to meet him…”
Wang Defang laughed and scolded, “Stop matchmaking! She’s Captain Qin’s fiancée.”
“What! Fiancée?”
“Captain Qin’s fiancée isn’t supposed to be Fang Yingqiu from our compound?”
Wang Defang’s face turned slightly awkward. She hurriedly led Su Su to Qin Xutao’s room. Seeing Su Su wasn’t upset, she hesitated a bit and said,
“Little sister, don’t mind them. They talk nonsense—they mean nothing, just ignore it.”
Su Su nodded. “I understand.”
Wang Defang relaxed, but then Su Su asked, “Who’s Fang Yingqiu?”
Meeting Su Su’s gaze, Wang Defang felt troubled inside but answered reluctantly, “Fang Yingqiu is Fang Sao’s niece. She’s just staying here temporarily, don’t misunderstand.”
Su Su squinted. Hmph, seems this man is quite popular.
After sending Wang Defang off, Su Su inspected the room.
Qin Xutao lived in a one-bedroom, one-living-room, one-bathroom suite, with simple furniture.
In the living room, directly facing the door, was a worn chest of drawers. By the window was a desk with two books and an enamel jar, a metal thermos at the corner, and a low dining table with a slightly tattered single sofa nearby.
Entering the bedroom, Su Su couldn’t help but groan. Against the wall was a bunk bed—bottom bunk with blue-and-white checkered coarse sheets, the blanket folded neatly into a “tofu block,” and the top bunk was just bare wood.
What kind of life is Qin Xutao living? No wonder the original Su Su had complained about the place!
Su Su immediately took a soft, pretty tablecloth from her space, covering up the peeling table in the living room. She restrained herself from throwing away the enamel cup, placed the books back, and added a delicate teacup and teapot in the corner—already looking better.
Then she took out some paint from her space, tied her hair up, and started touching up the chest of drawers, quickly making it look brand new.
The thing that bothered her most was that metal bunk bed! She wanted to replace it with a soft, comfortable bed from her space, but couldn’t explain where it came from, so she temporarily gave up.
At least she could make it comfortable to sleep on. She put a single mattress on the top bunk, which made it less hard, then laid cotton sheets and a fluffy quilt over it. Now it felt much better—though the contrast between the top and bottom bunks was obvious.
Sighing, she changed the sheets on the bottom bunk as well. After unpacking, she was sweaty all over. Three days on the train without a shower had left her feeling grimy.
She tried the water in the bathroom and took a hot shower, washing away her fatigue.
Humming a song, she didn’t notice footsteps upstairs.
After finishing, she realized she had left her clothes and stepped out in just a towel.
At that moment, the door suddenly opened.
Cold air rushed in, making Su Su shiver. Before she could react, she was wrapped up in a thick military coat.
Qin Xutao looked at her in his arms. Seeing her just after her shower, with fair, delicate skin tinged with pink, hair draped over her shoulders, wrapped only in a towel—her curves were unmistakable.
Her wet feet stepped directly on the floor without a care for the cold.
“You’ll catch a cold! Quickly get dressed. I’ll wait outside, call me when you’re ready.”
Saying this, he pushed the door closed and went outside.
Su Su was a bit dazed, cheeks burning. Although they had been honest with each other before, it was still embarrassing. She quickly dressed and opened the door.
Qin Xutao then noticed the changes she had made in the room. He frowned and asked in a low voice,
“Did you do all this?”