It was right at mealtime, and the mess hall was packed with noise and activity.
Hundreds of men in green military uniforms sat with huge bowls in their hands, noisily slurping noodles in a lively atmosphere.
“Put me down.”
When they reached the entrance, Su Huaijin, though fond of showing affection, still knew where to draw the line. If he really carried her inside, the political commissar would probably be calling him in for a talk tomorrow.
Cheng Beitang obediently set her down and casually helped smooth the hem of her skirt that the wind had ruffled.
That single gesture shattered countless bachelors’ hearts on the spot.
He spoiled her way too much!
“Come on, let’s get food.”
Holding two lunch tins in one hand, Cheng Beitang naturally took Su Huaijin’s hand with the other and walked toward the serving window.
“Commander Cheng!”
“Hello, Sister-in-law!”
The soldiers along the way finally reacted, standing up one after another to salute them, their eyes filled with curiosity and amazement.
Su Huaijin smiled gracefully and nodded. “Thank you for your hard work, comrades.”
With her poised and elegant demeanor, how could she possibly be the spoiled crybaby described in the rumors? She looked every bit like a refined young lady from a prestigious family.
The two had just reached the food counter when—
“Brother Beitang!”
A crisp, pleasant female voice filled with surprise suddenly rang out.
Su Huaijin raised an eyebrow.
Here it comes.
A woman’s intuition told her the enemy forces would arrive on the battlefield in five seconds.
From another line stepped out a young woman wearing the uniform of the performing arts troupe.
She wore two braided pigtails. Though her skin wasn’t as fair as Su Huaijin’s, she was still considered pretty. Especially those bright watery eyes, full of an air of “simplicity” and “understanding.”
In her hands was an exquisite little lunch box.
This was Lin Xue, the star solo dancer of the troupe.
“Brother Beitang, you’re here for food too?”
Completely ignoring Su Huaijin beside him, Lin Xue walked straight up to Cheng Beitang with a smile that was both admiring and shy.
“I heard from Sister Zhang that… you don’t really cook much at home. I figured you probably aren’t used to the cafeteria food, so I specially made some stir-fried minced pork with pickled long beans from my hometown for you to try.”
As she spoke, she handed over the lunch box and deliberately opened the lid.
A fragrant spicy-sour aroma drifted out.
The soldiers nearby all sniffed the air.
“Comrade Lin Xue’s cooking smells amazing!”
“She really is thoughtful, knowing how hard the commander works.”
Hearing the praise around her, Lin Xue’s smile deepened.
She even shot Su Huaijin a provocative glance.
That look seemed to say: See? What good is a rich young lady like you who only knows how to spend money? A man still needs a woman who can take care of his stomach.
The moment Cheng Beitang saw the lunch box being offered to him, his brows instantly furrowed.
Before he could speak, Su Huaijin moved first.
Letting go of Cheng Beitang’s arm, she stepped forward, perfectly positioning herself between him and Lin Xue.
Smiling sweetly, though without a trace of warmth in her peach blossom eyes, she asked:
“And this female comrade is called?”
Lin Xue froze briefly before lifting her chin proudly. “I’m Lin Xue from the performing arts troupe. You must be… Comrade Su, right? I heard you’re not very good at cooking. Brother Beitang works hard, so as comrades, it’s only right for us to help each other.”
The words were flawless.
At once, she pointed out Su Huaijin’s “uselessness” while also displaying her own “generosity.”
Su Huaijin glanced down at the pickled long beans.
“Oh my, pickled beans.”
Covering her mouth, she gave a fake gasp of surprise.
“What unfortunate timing. My Beitang’s stomach hasn’t been well lately. The doctor specifically warned him not to eat spicy or sour food because it causes heartburn. I’m afraid Comrade Lin’s kind intentions will go to waste.”
After saying that, she turned toward Cheng Beitang, her eyes carrying a clear threat of “If you dare take it, you’re dead,” as she asked coquettishly:
“Isn’t that right, hubby?”
Watching her fiercely protective little expression, amusement flashed through Cheng Beitang’s eyes.
His stomach was healthy enough to digest rocks—what illness could he possibly have?
But since his woman was acting, of course he would cooperate.
“Mhm.”
Keeping a straight face, Cheng Beitang nodded and stepped back, avoiding Lin Xue’s lunch box.
“My stomach’s bad. You can eat it yourself.”
Lin Xue’s smile instantly froze on her face.
Her hand holding the lunch box awkwardly hung in midair, unable to move forward or retreat.
“Brother Beitang… didn’t you used to love spicy food?” she asked unwillingly, biting her lip as her eyes reddened with grievance.
“You said it yourself. That was before.”
Cheng Beitang didn’t even glance at her. His eyes remained fixed on Su Huaijin as he spoke indifferently:
“Now that I’m married, my tastes follow my wife’s.”
Pfft—
Someone nearby couldn’t hold it in and sprayed soup everywhere.
This was way too obedient!
Was this really the infamous cold-faced devil Cheng Beitang?
Su Huaijin was satisfied.
Like a victorious little hen, she wrapped herself around Cheng Beitang’s arm and smiled brightly at Lin Xue.
“Comrade Lin, thank you for your kindness. But there’s no need to trouble yourself with this kind of thing anymore. I may not know how to make pickled beans, but I do know how to supervise him while he eats. After all—”
She deliberately dragged out the ending.
“No matter how delicious food outside may be, it’ll never taste as good as food at home.”
Lin Xue was left completely dizzy from the relentless combination attack, her face cycling through shades of green and white. In the end, she could only force out a smile uglier than crying before leaving in embarrassment.
…
After driving off her romantic rival, Su Huaijin was in an excellent mood.
Pulling Cheng Beitang along, she walked to the serving window.
“Chef, one serving of braised pork!” Su Huaijin boldly pointed at the giant metal tray.
The cook was an honest man. Seeing that it was the commander’s wife, he didn’t even shake the ladle—he scooped out a huge serving of braised pork and piled it onto the rice. It glistened with oil, mouthwatering at first glance.
“Coming right up! Sister-in-law, eat more—you’re too skinny!”
The two found a corner table and sat down.
Cheng Beitang picked all the lean meat from his own lunch box and placed it into Su Huaijin’s bowl, while moving the fatty pieces with skin into his own mouth.
Looking at the little mountain of meat in front of her, Su Huaijin’s heart felt warm.
She picked up the biggest piece of lean meat.
But instead of eating it herself, she held it up to Cheng Beitang’s mouth.
“Ahhh—”
Cheng Beitang froze. “What are you doing?”
“A reward for you.” Su Huaijin smiled sweetly. “You performed well just now. Didn’t get corrupted by sugar-coated bullets.”
Cheng Beitang glanced at the soldiers walking around nearby, his old face turning red.
“Stop fooling around. Everyone’s watching.”
“So are you eating it or not? If you won’t, I’ll feed it to a dog.” Su Huaijin pretended to pull it back.
Cheng Beitang moved with lightning speed and bit down on the meat between the chopsticks.
He even sucked lightly on the tip of the chopsticks in the process.
Su Huaijin instantly blushed, her fingers tingling slightly.
“Is it good?”
“Mhm.” Cheng Beitang chewed and swallowed before looking at her with burning eyes. “Sweet.”
Even though braised pork was savory, he called it sweet.
His flirting skills were practically instinctive.
Just as pink bubbles were filling the air around the two of them, a sudden commotion broke out at the mess hall entrance.
“Emergency assembly!”
“First Battalion! Second Battalion! Grab your equipment and assemble immediately!”
The piercing whistle sounded again, instantly shattering the warm atmosphere.
Cheng Beitang’s expression changed immediately.
He shot to his feet. All the tenderness from moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by the cold, deadly aura of a true soldier.
“What happened?” Su Huaijin stood up too, startled.
“There’s a mission.”
Speaking rapidly, Cheng Beitang grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly.
“Eat your meal. Afterward, go straight home and lock the door. I might not make it back tonight.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he released her hand. Without even looking at her again, he turned and rushed toward the entrance.
“Cheng Beitang!”
Su Huaijin called out instinctively.
He had already reached the doorway. Hearing her voice, his steps paused slightly, but he didn’t turn back.
Because he was a soldier.
Military orders were absolute.
Watching that tall figure disappear through the doorway, Su Huaijin suddenly felt the sense of security she had just built crack open inside her.
She looked at the unfinished braised pork on the table and suddenly lost her appetite.
So this was what it meant to be a military wife?
One second they were flirting and laughing together, and the next she had to watch him run toward the battlefield.
Taking a deep breath, Su Huaijin forced down the worry in her eyes.
Since she had chosen this path, chosen a man who had entrusted his life to his country, she couldn’t back down now.
She sat back down, picked up her chopsticks, and took large bites of the meat Cheng Beitang had picked out for her.
She had to eat her fill.
Only then would she have the strength to stay home and wait for him to return safely.
…
Meanwhile—
Deep within the Gobi Desert, fifty kilometers away from the military base—
An overturned transport truck was billowing black smoke. Several armed smugglers hid behind rocks, firing wildly in their direction.
Rat-tat-tat—
Bullets struck the sand, sending clouds of dust flying.
Cheng Beitang lay behind a dirt mound with a semi-automatic rifle in his hands, his eyes as cold as ice.
“Commander! This is the third wave of border-crossing drug traffickers this week! They’re heavily armed!” the First Battalion commander roared while wiping blood off his face.
“Heavily armed?”
Cheng Beitang sneered and pulled back the bolt, chambering a round.
Su Huaijin’s radiant smile flashed through his mind, along with her words: “You’re not allowed to die.”
In the past, he fought for his country—and because he believed dying honorably was worthwhile.
Now, he had one more reason he absolutely had to survive.
There was still a spoiled little girl waiting for him at home.
If he died, who would sharpen eyebrow pencils for her? Who would carry her to the mess hall? Who would pick the braised pork out for her?
“Tell the men this.”
Narrowing his eyes, Cheng Beitang aimed through the sights at an enemy in the distance who was changing magazines.
“End this fast. I still need to go home tonight and keep my wife company.”
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
The distant figure collapsed instantly.
On this battlefield thick with smoke and blood, the man once known for not fearing death finally found a conviction even stronger than dying—
I have to make it home alive.