“Little sister, don’t be nervous. Our Battalion Commander Ji may look fierce, but actually he’s also very fierce…”
Yang Chunjiang spoke too quickly. It wasn’t until Su Qiuyun shot him a glare that he realized what he’d said.
“Hahaha, what I mean is, Battalion Commander Ji may be strict, but he takes great care of the men under him. Your brother is a soldier too. Soldiers are comrades-in-arms. If a comrade encounters difficulties, Battalion Commander Ji won’t just ignore it.”
Shen Yueliang understood.
This was comradeship.
It sounded like there was hope after all.
She had never really interacted with soldiers before and had no experience dealing with them.
After thinking for a moment, she stood at attention and gave what she believed was a fairly standard salute.
“Thank you for your help, Comrade People’s Liberation Army.”
Ji Yanchuan had already recognized her as the young woman they had passed on the road.
As a soldier, he possessed at least that much observation skill.
The envelope in his hand clearly proved that she was a military family member.
Naturally, he had no reason to doubt her motives.
Now that he saw her in person, her attitude was proper and straightforward. She wasn’t overly humble, nor was she blushing or saying anything strange.
Other than her terrible military posture and the incomplete salute, there was little to criticize.
Of course, Shen Yueliang had no idea what this officer was thinking.
But she genuinely admired soldiers.
Yes.
From the bottom of her heart, she respected military personnel.
“Commander, can you contact my brother? I want to make a phone call, or…” She closed her eyes, determined to throw caution to the wind. “Is there any other way for me to see him as soon as possible? My family is very worried.”
Ji Yanchuan glanced at her.
“There is no phone. Your brother’s unit belongs to a different military district from ours. We have no way to contact them either.”
Shen Yueliang’s heart sank.
Sure enough, the worst-case scenario had arrived.
Pressing her lips together, she hesitated over whether to mention the jeep.
It felt too presumptuous.
Honestly, even she thought so.
“Then… is there any other way?” Even Su Qiuyun looked concerned.
She was a military wife herself now.
Just imagining Yang Chunjiang getting hurt somewhere far away while she remained uninformed made her anxious.
The moment Yang Chunjiang met his wife’s delicate face, his heart softened.
“It’s not that there aren’t any options. The military does have jeeps, but…”
He looked toward Ji Yanchuan.
This wasn’t something a company commander of his rank could decide.
Especially not for a trip that would require a vehicle for such a long time.
Ji Yanchuan understood what he meant.
He was still considering it when his gaze landed on Shen Yueliang.
The little girl looked dusty and bedraggled.
There were several scrapes on her cheeks, and her face was covered in dirt.
Still, she was holding up remarkably well.
She wasn’t crying.
Her fists were clenched tightly.
If she had burst into tears, he might have found it irritating.
Instead, although she looked fragile, there was an unexpected toughness about her.
More importantly, her brother was a soldier.
Even if they weren’t in the same unit, they were still comrades.
“I have an assignment tomorrow. The destination isn’t far from your brother’s station. There’s only about another hundred kilometers between them.”
Tomorrow.
And still another hundred kilometers away.
Too late!
Shen Yueliang made her decision instantly.
“Thank you for your kindness, but… I need to see my brother before dawn tomorrow. I’ll think of another solution.”
Maybe she could find a transportation company.
If she paid enough, perhaps a truck driver would be willing to make the trip.
There wasn’t much time left.
But as long as there was still a chance, she had to fight for it.
“Thank you all for helping me. I’ll be leaving now.”
Without wasting another second, she grabbed her bundle and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Even Ji Yanchuan didn’t know why he stopped her.
Perhaps he simply couldn’t bear seeing a comrade’s family member so anxious and distressed.
With that thought, he couldn’t be bothered explaining further.
“Take your luggage and come with me right now.”
Shen Yueliang froze.
She almost couldn’t believe her ears.
Who would’ve thought that this cold-faced officer was actually so enthusiastic?
Even Yang Chunjiang hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly.
Being naturally straightforward, he slapped his thigh and laughed.
“Haha! Didn’t I tell you Battalion Commander Ji has a warm heart? Little sister, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank him!”
Thank him?
Of course she would!
The surprise came too suddenly.
Shen Yueliang was excited too.
She reached into her pocket and fished something out.
Under the watchful gazes of the three people present, she pulled out…
A handful of money.
Then she shoved it all toward Ji Yanchuan.
“Commander, this is all for you. Consider it gas money and compensation for your trouble. I know it probably isn’t enough, but it’s all I have. You need to know that I’m truly grateful. Really, really grateful.”
Seeing such an absurd scene, Su Qiuyun couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Yang Chunjiang scratched his head.
“You really are an honest comrade.”
In Shen Yueliang’s mind, asking someone for such a huge favor naturally required some form of compensation.
Just because he was a soldier didn’t mean she should take his help for granted.
But the way this soldier was looking at her…
How should she describe it?
She couldn’t tell whether it was shock or disdain.
Either way, it was strange.
Ji Yanchuan was indeed shocked.
And somewhat speechless.
He had never met a female comrade who behaved so oddly.
A fistful of money was one thing.
But mixed among the bills was a single White Rabbit milk candy.
Noticing where he was looking, she quickly snatched the candy back.
Well…
Even Ji Yanchuan didn’t know how to describe it.
One corner of his mouth twitched into a half-smile.
“Put your money away.”
Not daring to offend him, Shen Yueliang hurriedly stuffed the money back into her pocket.
Then she realized that accepting money might put him in an awkward position.
She really hadn’t thought things through.
“In that case, when I come back, I’ll present your unit with a banner! The biggest and reddest one possible!”
Ji Yanchuan: …
There was no time to explain further.
As for properly thanking Su Qiuyun and her husband, that would have to wait until she returned.
Carrying her small bundle on her back, Shen Yueliang hurried after Ji Yanchuan.
Her legs weren’t as long as his.
And he walked incredibly fast.
She practically had to jog just to keep up.
Still, she was so happy that she didn’t feel tired at all.
Later, Ji Yanchuan told her to wait beneath a tree while he completed the paperwork required for an official trip.
Shen Yueliang obediently stood outside.
This area appeared to be part of the military compound.
Soldiers in uniform occasionally passed by.
Each one stood as straight as a poplar tree—spirited, upright, and impressive.
Shen Yueliang secretly enjoyed the view.
Later, she noticed some of the soldiers glancing her way.
Not wanting to cause trouble for Officer Ji, she lowered her head.
What if he already had a girlfriend?
Or was married?
It would be bad if misunderstandings arose because of her.
So she simply lowered her head and made herself as inconspicuous as possible.
After completing the travel procedures, Ji Yanchuan exited the office.
What he saw was a woman facing the wall with her head lowered, looking like an ostrich trying to hide itself.
It wasn’t exactly dignified behavior.
Yet somehow, when she did it, it appeared playful instead.
Interesting.
Before he even realized it, a small smile had already formed at the corner of his lips.
“Are you leaving or not?”
Hearing that authoritative voice, Shen Yueliang immediately looked up.
But all she caught was his tall, straight back.
Ji Yanchuan had already turned around and started walking in another direction.
Shen Yueliang thought to herself that this officer truly was cold by nature.
He spoke very little, always using just a few words at a time.
But despite his cold exterior, he had a kind heart.
Once this matter was settled, she would definitely make him a huge appreciation banner.
An especially huge one.
And especially red.
The jeep drove out of the military compound.
Shen Yueliang sat in the passenger seat with her bundle resting on her lap.
Leaning comfortably against the seatback, she reflected on how eventful the past half-day had been since transmigrating.
Fortunately, things were finally looking up.
As she relaxed, she became aware that the man sitting beside her was a soldier.
She wasn’t sure whether all soldiers naturally carried such a powerful aura, or whether the military uniform itself was simply too awe-inspiring.
Whatever the reason, she found that she could freely admire soldiers from a distance.
But once one was sitting right next to her, she became nervous.
Her hands and feet suddenly didn’t know where to go.
She didn’t even dare stare at him.
Quietly shifting her position, she straightened her back until it was perfectly upright.
“Are there ants biting you in that seat?”