Wen Mingyao lowered her gaze, the smile in her eyes instantly fading as she murmured softly, “Zhou Zhuo, his name is Zhou Zhuo!”
As soon as she finished speaking…
Both Wang Xiaoqin and Sun Mai’s expressions shifted. So it was true…
Wen Mingyao understood perfectly well what their expressions meant.
There was curiosity, confusion, pity, and even a hint of regret—everything except the contempt and disdain she was accustomed to seeing.
It was unexpected, yet somehow made sense.
Wang Xiaoqin snapped back to reality and let out an awkward, embarrassed laugh. “So it’s Comrade Zhou… Zhou Zhuo.”
Sun Mai, sitting across from Wen Mingyao, gave her a complicated look, her lips parting and closing as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
In the Yuncheng Division, Zhou Zhuo was a prominent figure.
Although he held a deputy position, a twenty-five-year-old deputy leader was rare not only in the Yuncheng Division but across the entire Northern Theater Command.
Not to mention his handsome appearance, upright posture, and reportedly illustrious family background.
Back then, so many people in the Yuncheng Division had tried to matchmake him, but he had politely declined each time.
Later, during a cultural performance two years ago, even someone as composed and self-restrained as Zhou Zhuo couldn’t help but lose himself in the sight of a graceful, dancing figure.
At the time, everyone thought this marriage was practically guaranteed.
They waited and waited…
But before a month had passed, news suddenly broke that Zhou Zhuo had gotten married.
It was said that his elders had threatened to take their own lives to force him into marrying a capitalist’s daughter, while the unattainable love of his heart remained the most dazzling flower in the compound.
But seeing her today…
This young woman had delicate features, dark hair, red lips, an oval face, and fair, smooth skin. She was radiant and gentle, yet carried an air of intellect and grace.
When she smiled, she was stunningly beautiful; when she didn’t, she was as cool and distant as the moon.
Sun Mai couldn’t help but wonder to herself: Would someone as exceptional as Zhou Zhuo really dislike such a beautiful wife and instead favor that girl from the Ye family?
Perhaps the rumors were mistaken!
Before this, it was probably this young woman herself who hadn’t wanted to join the army.
After a long pause, Sun Mai finally whispered, her voice lowered, “Sister, Comrade Zhou really is quite busy most of the time.”
Wang Xiaoqin, supporting her belly, leaned in closer. “But married couples shouldn’t stay apart for too long. Even though those male comrades earn high allowances, when it comes to daily life, it’s still up to us women to manage things.”
“Exactly!” Sun Mai exclaimed, slapping her thigh emphatically, a smile spreading across her face. “Sister, don’t pay any mind to the gossip others spread. Just focus on building a prosperous life for the two of you.”
Then, with meaningful emphasis, she added, “No one is born knowing how to live well—it’s something you learn step by step.”
Sun Mai’s gaze lingered on Wen Mingyao’s lovely face before dropping to her slender, pale fingers, which resembled tender scallion stalks. She thought to herself: This young woman might look delicate and pampered, but she seems educated. She should pick things up quickly…
Wen Mingyao smiled, knowing full well that the two women had mistaken her for a pampered young lady who had never lifted a finger.
Judging by their earlier remarks, her reputation had already spread throughout the Yuncheng Division before she even arrived.
As for whether that reputation was good or bad, the subtle expressions on these two women’s faces earlier had made it clear enough.
But then again, it was only to be expected.
A capitalist’s daughter and a young leader from a prominent family…
Such identities, extreme to the point of being nearly polar opposites…
Wen Mingyao was well aware that in the eyes of others, her marriage to Zhou Zhuo seemed like the two of them had been forcibly bound together.
Even Zhou Zhuo himself thought the same.
But no one knew except herself—from the very first moment she laid eyes on Zhou Zhuo, she had liked him, for a full five years.
As she dwelled on these thoughts, she felt a surge of emotions clogging her throat, almost suffocating her.
However, it was only for a fleeting moment. Wen Mingyao calmly suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her heart, her smile unchanged. “Yes, with effort, we can always make life work.”
She would spend a year trying to build a good life with Zhou Zhuo.
If it worked out, that would be wonderful.
If it didn’t, they would divorce.
That way, she could give Zhou Zhuo back his freedom and also put an end to her five-year-long affection.
No matter the outcome, good or bad, she would accept it.
Because, from beginning to end, this was the path she had chosen for herself.
Wang Xiaoqin also chimed in with a smile, “Comrade Zhou just seems a bit cold in temperament, but for a man out in the world, being a little cold isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt they were somewhat insincere and couldn’t help but inwardly scold herself.
Zhou Zhuo’s temperament wasn’t just a little cold—it was like an eternally frozen snow-capped mountain.
The young girls in the compound were probably just dazzled by his face. If they really married him, they likely wouldn’t last a year before clamoring for a divorce.
Only this girl could endure it, managing to hold on for two years.
Thinking this, Wang Xiaoqin couldn’t help but shiver.
When it comes to living a life together, you can’t just look at someone’s face. You need to find someone who truly cares for you.
Wen Mingyao’s smile remained unchanged as she nodded in agreement, but a trace of bitterness quietly welled up in her heart.
Yet Zhou Zhuo’s coldness knew no distinction between inside and outside.
The three of them chatted and laughed along the way. The time on the train, which usually felt agonizingly slow and suffocating, didn’t seem quite as long this time.
The next day, the train arrived on time at Yuncheng Station.
Wen Mingyao carried a small suitcase in one hand and an olive-green satchel in the other. She and Sun Mai flanked Wang Xiaoqin, following the crowd as they surged out of the train station.
Only when a cool breeze swept into her collar did Wen Mingyao take a deep breath of fresh air, finally feeling alive again.
Sun Mai set down the bundles in her hands before leaning against the wall and letting out a long sigh.
She glanced at Wen Mingyao, her voice slightly hoarse. “Sis, is Comrade Zhou coming to pick you up today?”
Wen Mingyao lowered her gaze and shook her head, her voice somewhat distant. “I don’t know.”
“A few days ago, when my mother-in-law called, the comrade in the communications room said he was on a mission. I’m not sure if he’s back yet.”
“What’s the big deal about that?” Wang Xiaoqin leaned against the wall to rest for a moment, patting the dust off her clothes. “Today is Thursday, and there’s a supply truck coming.”
“Oh, my memory…” Sun Mai had just started speaking when a loud shout came from not far away…
“Sister-in-law!”
Following the voice, they saw a male comrade in an olive-green military uniform grinning and waving at them.
His bright, enthusiastic smile still carried a hint of youthful innocence.
“Sister-in-law, let me carry that.” He strode forward and took the luggage from Sun Mai and Wang Xiaoqin.
Seeing the three of them walking together, he was about to reach out to take the suitcase from Wen Mingyao’s hand when he heard a familiar voice.
“Wen Mingyao, come here!”
The clear voice carried not a trace of warmth.
Wen Mingyao froze instantly in place.