“What?!!!”
Wen Zhengyang refused to believe that the wise and capable Song Yunli could be fooled so completely.
But seeing the hurt and aggrieved look on his sister Wen Fang’s face, he couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.
“Fang, get some rest first. I’ll go see what’s really going on.”
If Song Yunli had truly been deceived, he couldn’t just stand by and watch a bad person get away with it.
Meanwhile, Tang Jin and Song Yunli had already arrived at the military family housing compound. Song Yunli handed the vehicle over to a young soldier to return, then carried their luggage and bedding as he led Tang Jin inside.
“Ajin, all our neighbors are military families. On the right lives Deputy Battalion Commander Wan and his family. On the left is Battalion Commander Mo’s family.”
As he introduced the neighborhood in a gentle voice, they arrived at their new home. By then, the residents of the compound were already secretly observing the newlywed couple.
“I heard Battalion Commander Song applied for housing overnight. Is that his wife?”
“My goodness, that female comrade looks like a fairy! No wonder Battalion Commander Song wasn’t interested in the women from the military performance troupe.”
“…”
“Battalion Commander Song, bringing your wife home?”
The woman next door, Sister-in-law Wan, opened her door and stepped out with a friendly smile toward Tang Jin. Song Yunli nodded slightly.
“Yes. Ajin, this is Sister-in-law Wan. Sister-in-law Wan, this is my wife, Tang Jin. She’s new here, so I’d appreciate it if you’d look after her.”
Sister-in-law Wan looked as though she’d seen a ghost. This was the first time she’d ever heard Song Yunli say so many words at once—and in such a sincere tone.
Laughing heartily, she said,
“Don’t worry. Your wife is so beautiful, I already like her a lot.”
She quickly walked over to Tang Jin.
“Little sister, how did you get your skin so fair?”
Sister-in-law Wan looked to be around thirty. She wore an apron, had short hair, and gave off a capable, efficient impression. Tang Jin immediately liked her.
“Hello, Sister-in-law. I put on a little Snowflake Cream this morning.”
Since it was their first meeting, Tang Jin naturally wasn’t going to tell her that she used products made by her own Tang family. Those items had already been hidden away in her space.
“Then you’re naturally blessed with beauty.”
Sister-in-law Wan enthusiastically took Tang Jin’s hand.
“Battalion Commander Song was cleaning this place until late last night. If you need any help around the house, just call me.”
“Okay, thank you, Sister-in-law.”
Tang Jin glanced toward the house on the left. The door was slightly ajar, so someone was clearly home, but they hadn’t come out. Tang Jin wasn’t about to force a greeting.
Song Yunli led her inside.
Tang Jin surveyed the one-bedroom layout.
The place was spotlessly clean. The living room contained only a dining table and a wooden sofa. The bedroom held a bed and a small wooden wardrobe. He had also bought enamel basins, enamel cups, and a thermos flask.
“Time was short, so this is all I could find for now. If there’s anything else you need, tell me one by one. I’ll figure something out.”
His tone was sincere.
The slight crease between Tang Jin’s brows relaxed.
“It’s fine. We can slowly add things later.”
Though it couldn’t compare to the life she had lived with her grandfather, it was far better than sleeping in Tang Zhiyuan’s living room.
He had put a lot of thought into it.
And she was satisfied.
Tang Jin didn’t have many belongings. She neatly stored her clothes in the wardrobe and arranged her daily necessities. Meanwhile, Song Yunli busied himself making the bed.
After a while, Tang Jin suddenly realized that none of Song Yunli’s belongings were there.
“Where’s your stuff?”
“I… I’ll go get it right away!”
At first, Song Yunli had worried that Tang Jin might reject him, so he had left all of his belongings in the communal dormitory.
The moment she asked, he became excited and ran off to fetch them before she could stop him.
Watching him sprint away, Tang Jin suddenly wanted to slap herself.
The way he’d rushed off made it look as though she couldn’t wait to live with him.
With Song Yunli gone, Tang Jin quietly took out some household items from her space. The once-empty house instantly felt warm and cozy.
Knock, knock, knock…
A knock sounded at the door.
Thinking it was Sister-in-law Wan, Tang Jin grabbed a small packet of cloud cake and opened the door.
Instead, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger.
“Sorry, I think I may have the wrong place.”
Wen Zhengyang was momentarily dazzled by Tang Jin’s breathtaking beauty.
Based on his sister’s description, Song Yunli’s wife was supposed to be a scheming woman.
She certainly didn’t look like one.
“May I ask where Song Yunli’s home is?”
Tang Jin found him somewhat familiar. Seeing that he was wearing a military uniform, she assumed he might be one of Song Yunli’s comrades.
So she replied politely,
“This is his home. Are you looking for Song Yunli? He went to the dormitory to get some things and should be back soon.”
“You—you—you…”
Wen Zhengyang stammered, his eyes nearly popping out.
“You’re his new wife?!”
He was utterly shocked.
Still, with a face like hers, it was no wonder the normally self-disciplined Song Yunli had lost his reason.
“Haha, this is your first time meeting Sister Tang, isn’t it?”
Hearing the commotion, Sister-in-law Wan opened her door and teased him cheerfully.
“I had the same expression when I first saw her.
I’ve lived this long and never met a female comrade prettier than her. Battalion Commander Song is incredibly lucky.”
Wen Zhengyang: …
He had spent the entire journey rehearsing insults.
But faced with such a beautiful face, he suddenly couldn’t say any of them.
Unfortunately, beauty didn’t change the fact that she was supposedly impure in her intentions.
So he quickly wiped the smile from his face and let out a disdainful snort.
“Sister-in-law Wan, you can’t judge people by appearances. Some people may look bright and polished on the outside, but inside they’re black-hearted. You never truly know what’s in someone’s heart.”
Tang Jin: ???
She was completely baffled.
Before she could respond, Sister-in-law Wan spoke first.
“Comrade Wen, what nonsense are you talking about?”
She frantically winked at him, hoping he’d backtrack.
Unfortunately, Wen Zhengyang was completely oblivious.
“Sister-in-law Wan, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
Tang Jin, however, immediately understood when she heard his surname.
So this was Wen Fang’s brother.
Since he wasn’t giving her any face, she saw no reason to spare his.
Her expression turned cold.
“So you’re Comrade Wen Fang’s brother. No wonder you’re so upset. After all… Yunli not becoming your sister’s husband is a loss for the Wen family.”
Sister-in-law Wan: !!!
She stared at Wen Zhengyang in horror, her gaze carrying a hint of disdain.
Surely not?
Was he really smearing Sister Tang just because Battalion Commander Song hadn’t chosen his sister?
That was completely inappropriate.
Wen Zhengyang: …
He hadn’t expected Tang Jin to be so sharp-tongued.
Instantly annoyed, he snapped,
“Don’t talk nonsense and ruin my sister’s reputation!”
“And when you were talking about me just now, did that thought ever cross your mind?”
Tang Jin let out a cold laugh.
“Your sister is a person, but other people’s daughters and sisters aren’t? Comrade, your political awareness leaves a lot to be desired.”
Wen Zhengyang: …
They had only just met, and Tang Jin had already left him speechless.
No wonder his sister was so angry yet completely helpless against her.
Finally, he resorted to a threat.
“Just keep being arrogant. Once Yunli gets here, I’ll expose your true colors!”
“I didn’t know I had any hidden true colors.”
Crossing her arms, Tang Jin smiled leisurely.
“Go ahead and tell him. If Song Yunli is really the type who can be manipulated so easily, then he’s not worth my attachment.”
“What’s going on here?”
The moment Song Yunli returned, he sensed the tense atmosphere.
And when Wen Zhengyang saw him, his eyes immediately lit up with excitement.