“Regimental Political Commissar Hóng Meishēng,” Chen Qilan explained with a smile, having no intention of hiding anything from Qin Shuyao.
“Commissar Hong and Uncle Liao were both under my uncle’s command previously. Uncle Liao must have been worried you’d be too tired taking a public bus after the train, so he arranged this with Commissar Hong ahead of time.”
At this point, Chen Qilan looked rather mournful. “Since graduating from the military academy and joining this company, which trip home hasn’t involved walking and public buses? Forget about a dedicated car service—I never even got a ride that was going my way!” He leaned back into his seat, enjoying the comfort, and squeezed Qin Shuyao’s hand. “Hmm, this is a first since the dawn of creation! I’m basking in your glory!”
Regrettably, Qin Shuyao would not have the chance to experience Zhang Lingzhi’s suffering from the previous life.
The car drove along a smooth road initially, but after about an hour, the road conditions gradually deteriorated. The initial bumps were within Qin Shuyao’s tolerance, but as the road grew worse, she finally couldn’t hold it in. Before the car even stopped completely, she rushed out and squatted by the roadside, throwing up violently.
Chen Qilan patted Qin Shuyao’s back to help her breathe, while instructing Xiao Tong to bring a kettle of water for his wife to rinse her mouth. Xiao Tong looked slightly flustered, thinking he had driven too aggressively and made his sister-in-law sick. But truly, this trip was the slowest and gentlest drive of his career. Driving for high-ranking officers was far more intense!
“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry!” Xiao Tong handed the kettle to Qin Shuyao, mumbling an apology.
“It’s not your fault, your driving is very good. My own physical condition just isn’t up to par!” Qin Shuyao, having nothing left to vomit, stood up, rinsed her mouth, and smiled reassuringly at the apologetic Xiao Tong. This was just how it was!
“How about that, Xiao Tong? Isn’t your sister-in-law perfectly sensible and educated?” Chen Qilan was as proud as a peacock displaying its feathers, bragging loudly to Xiao Tong. Qin Shuyao felt embarrassed and reached out to give the annoying man a hard pinch on his waist. “Can you shut up?”
After resting for a moment, Qin Shuyao looked at the increasingly bright sun, gritted her teeth, and prepared to get back into the car to continue. She couldn’t delay Xiao Tong’s time just because she was a useless weakling. What if he had another assignment afterward?
“This stretch of road is terrible. Don’t ride; let’s walk!” Chen Qilan grabbed Qin Shuyao’s wrist and pulled her to his side. “Xiao Tong, drive ahead. Wait for us on the paved road up front. I’ll walk with your sister-in-law for a while.”
Xiao Tong drove off quickly.
Wind blew from all directions, swirling dust across the desolate fields. Under the blazing sun, Qin Shuyao felt an indescribable sense of barrenness. No wonder Zhang Lingzhi had looked disgusted whenever the military post was mentioned—this place truly was desolate.
“Are you tired? I’ll carry you!” Qin Shuyao accidentally tripped over a stone, and Chen Qilan immediately steadied her. “Let me check your feet. Did you scrape the skin?” Regardless of Qin Shuyao’s willingness, he had already knelt down, removed her shoes and socks, and delicately held her small, fair feet to inspect them thoroughly, not missing even the spaces between her toes.
Qin Shuyao was ticklish, especially on the soles of her feet. With Chen Qilan holding her feet like this, she couldn’t help but tremble, trying to pull away several times. However, the man held her tightly, and the calloused pads of his fingers occasionally brushed against her soft feet, creating an intense, intimate sensation.
“Oh, look, it’s rubbed red here!” Chen Qilan felt heartbroken as he gently rubbed the red mark on Qin Shuyao’s little toe.
Qin Shuyao wasn’t so delicate, but the new leather shoes Grandpa Shepherd had specially bought for her journey weren’t a perfect fit. Walking this distance did make her feet ache a bit, but she could bear it.
“It’s fine, I’m not hurting!” Qin Shuyao snatched back her shoes and socks, quickly put them on, and was about to stand up and walk, but Chen Qilan pulled her toward him. This man was truly domineering; ignoring her refusal, he simply hoisted her onto his back.
“Why insist on arguing with me when you don’t have to suffer or be in pain?” Chen Qilan’s daily training was intense, giving him immense strength over time. Carrying Qin Shuyao felt like child’s play; it was utterly effortless. And he loved carrying her. She was so light and soft. When her delicate body pressed tightly against his back, his very bones melted.
Xiao Tong had already passed the bumpy section and parked the car by the roadside, waiting for Chen Qilan and his wife. The sunlight was bright and intense. Standing on a slight rise, he looked around and immediately saw Company Commander Chen carrying his new wife, walking through the haze of light. The wind lifted Qin Shuyao’s long hair, and strands curled around Chen Qilan’s face, like the Red Thread of Fate tying them together.
Qin Shuyao got back into the car and resumed the journey. Although she still felt slightly unwell, she didn’t vomit again and arrived smoothly at the town where the military post was located. This was a small border town where military personnel and civilians lived side by side. The southwestern area of the town was a military management zone, but the military families lived within the town itself, without a separate designated family compound.
Just as the car drove into the town, they heard the loud sound of gongs and drums.
“Sister Gěng Sà is getting married today…” Xiao Tong explained casually, but then seemed to remember something, immediately closed his mouth, and nervously glanced into the rearview mirror several times.
Qin Shuyao heard the name “Gěng Sà,” and Xiao Tong called this person “Sister”!
“Gěng Sà is a local model of supporting the military. I was injured during a mission one year and recovered at her house,” Chen Qilan explained, his expression normal and his eyes clear and honest.
After driving less than a hundred meters, the car was completely blocked by the lively wedding scene. Lanterns and streamers decorated a house up ahead, gongs and drums roared, and people were pushing and shoving to grab wedding candies and watch the fun, making the already narrow road impassable for vehicles.
“Let’s get out and walk a few steps. Our home is just around the corner, a right turn down that alley,” Chen Qilan said. When he mentioned “our home,” there was a hint of warmth and satisfaction in his eyes. He had a home of his own now—that was wonderful!
The town wasn’t large, and the sudden appearance of a stranger could easily cause a stir, especially one with such stunning beauty that she overshadowed the bride! People scrutinized Qin Shuyao. These looks included curiosity, amazement, and also some uncomfortable amusement and mockery.
“Company Commander Chen, you’re back!” Several military men who happened to be outside saw Chen Qilan and immediately gathered around him, laughing and greeting him. As a result, Qin Shuyao was left alone.
Several women seized the opportunity to surround her, chattering in a local dialect that Qin Shuyao couldn’t understand. “Company Commander Chen sure picked a convenient time to return!” one of the women said in broken Mandarin. This time, Qin Shuyao understood. “Not too early, not too late, deliberately rushing back on the very day Gěng Sà is getting married… Oh, what a pity!”
After saying this, the woman looked directly at Qin Shuyao, clearly trying to pique her interest and prompt her to ask questions. However, Qin Shuyao was in no mood to pry, even though these women’s comments strongly implied that today’s bride had an inappropriate relationship with Chen Qilan.
After a brief silence, the woman who spoke Mandarin looked slightly displeased. “Don’t think that just because you married Company Commander Chen, you won. If Gěng Sà’s mother hadn’t refused to accept a soldier as a son-in-law, where would you even fit in?”
“Everyone in town knows Gěng Sà and Company Commander Chen were involved! They even have a child together!”