When a man truly wants to spend money on you.
Jiang Ning blinked her beautiful eyes. “Mom already bought a lot of things for me before. We don’t lack anything at home.”
But He Linzhou shook his head, looking at her indulgently.
“That’s not enough. We’re going to the border soon. It’s inconvenient to buy skincare there. I need to stock up more for you.”
Jiang Ning laughed and didn’t argue further.
Since the man wanted to spend money on her, she might as well let him. After all, this was his way of caring for her.
At the Friendship Store, the variety of goods truly lived up to its reputation—complete and high-quality.
He Linzhou quietly calculated his money. After setting aside five yuan for himself, plus his monthly salary and mission allowance, he could buy plenty.
Anything his wife liked—he would take it all.
Especially violet sandalwood face powder and whitening powder cream. They were said to brighten the complexion. His wife was already beautiful—these would only make her shine brighter.
There was also “Yingfeng Fragrance” perfume—he would buy several bottles. Other women might have it, but his woman could only have more, never less.
It was Jiang Ning’s first time entering a Friendship Store of this era.
Besides skincare products, she was immediately drawn to chocolate and couldn’t walk any further.
Just as the salesperson enthusiastically introduced different chocolates—
A sudden voice interrupted.
“Jiang Ning? It really is you!”
A young man quickly walked over with surprise and excitement.
Jiang Ning frowned and studied him for a moment. She didn’t recognize him.
“You are…?”
“It’s me, Song Jiaxiang!” he said quickly. “My grandfather and Uncle Zhou used to work in the same unit.”
Only after searching through the original host’s memory did Jiang Ning finally recall who he was.
“Your Uncle Zhou even said he wanted to arrange a marriage between us,” Song Jiaxiang said with a smile. “But I was sent away on duty. Now I’m back—Jiang Ning, let’s get married.”
He reached out to grab her hand.
A wave of disgust hit Jiang Ning the moment she smelled his presence. She stepped back sharply.
“Comrade Song, show some respect. I’m already married.”
Song Jiaxiang’s eyes widened. “What? When? Why don’t I know?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Jiang Ning covered her nose slightly, clearly irritated, and turned to leave.
But Song Jiaxiang refused to let it go.
“Jiang Ning! Uncle Zhou clearly promised you’d marry me! How can he go back on his word?”
Jiang Ning waved her handkerchief as if to air out the “polluted” air.
“Zhou Changxun is my biological father—but he’s already been arrested for treason. I personally submitted the report.”
She looked at him coldly.
“You really want to discuss my marriage with a traitor?”
“I’ve already published a statement severing ties with the Zhou family. My marriage is my own decision.”
“No one else has a say.”
Song Jiaxiang froze, stunned. “You… you married who?”
A cold voice suddenly came from behind Jiang Ning.
“Who did she marry?”
He Linzhou.
Jiang Ning immediately turned and hugged his arm, acting spoiled.
“This person was harassing me. He smells terrible.”
He Linzhou’s expression darkened instantly.
In a low, dangerous tone, he said, “Comrade, harassing a military family member in public and interfering in a military marriage—do you want to be court-martialed?”
Song Jiaxiang clenched his jaw, his eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Jiang Ning holding onto He Linzhou’s arm.
“I didn’t know she was already married. My apologies.”
He Linzhou raised a brow coldly. “Best that way. Otherwise, I won’t let it go.”
Song Jiaxiang snorted and left.
Only then did Jiang Ning wrap her arms around He Linzhou’s neck.
“Let’s go home.”
The moment he heard her soft, spoiled voice, He Linzhou’s killing intent instantly disappeared.
“Did you pick everything already?”
“Yes. Four sets of each. Enough for at least half a year.”
“Then I’ll go pay.”
Not far away, Song Jiaxiang had not left completely. He watched everything unfold from the shadows.
Meanwhile—
At a government office, someone sighed.
“Comrade Song, listen to advice. Why are you fixated on Jiang Ning? There are plenty of women in the world.”
Song Jiaxiang lowered his head, smoking silently.
“I’ve liked her since we were young. She must be mine.”
The man warned him, “He Linzhou is not someone to mess with. You should stop these thoughts.”
But Song Jiaxiang’s eyes turned red.
“If He Linzhou dies at the border… then Jiang Ning will be mine.”
The man shook his head.
“Crazy.”
Back at the Friendship Store entrance, Wang Mian was already waiting with a jeep. When he saw He Linzhou carrying bags in both hands, he rushed over.
“My good commander, can’t you just rest for a few days? If the city leader finds out, I’m going to get scolded again!”
He looked pitifully at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning shrugged helplessly. “You know his temper.”
He Linzhou said nothing, loaded everything into the car, and got in with a heavy expression.
Wang Mian noticed immediately—something was wrong—but didn’t ask further.
When they returned home, Zhang Hu and Zhao Long helped carry the items inside. Wang Mian followed He Linzhou into the car.
“Commander, what happened?”
He Linzhou looked toward the courtyard where Jiang Ning stood, his hand tightening into a fist.
“Someone’s thinking about your sister-in-law.”