“Ask your buddy.”
Tang Jin’s expression darkened. Song Yunli’s cold, sharp gaze landed on Wen Zhengyang.
Yet Wen Zhengyang remained completely self-righteous.
“Old Song, I—”
Halfway through his sentence, he shut his mouth.
After all… this concerned Yunli’s dignity. He couldn’t say it in front of so many people.
So he grabbed Song Yunli by the arm.
“Come on. I need to talk to you.”
“We’ll talk right here.”
Song Yunli was already displeased with his attitude. His voice was especially stern.
“Wen Zhengyang, please respect my wife.”
Wen Zhengyang: “…”
Sister-in-law Wan immediately chimed in.
“Comrade Wen, you and Sister Tang have only just met.
You’ve barely exchanged a few words, yet you’ve already been mocking and ridiculing her. No wonder Captain Song is angry.”
“Sister-in-law, there’s a reason for this!”
Wen Zhengyang was so anxious that sweat formed on his forehead as he tried to explain. But seeing all the bystanders watching the drama unfold, he found himself unable to say certain things.
“Old Song, hear me out.”
“Fine. Explain.”
Song Yunli looked as though he was ready to listen carefully.
Even Tang Jin and Sister-in-law Wan quietly waited for his explanation.
Wen Zhengyang: “…”
“Old Song, she’s lying to you!”
After holding it in for so long, that was all he managed to say.
Song Yunli’s mouth twitched.
“Zhengyang, do you really think I wouldn’t know whether she’s lying to me?”
“Old Song, do you trust your brother or not?!”
Wen Zhengyang looked at Tang Jin again.
She sat there calmly enjoying the show, while he was practically dying of frustration.
“You need to give me a reason.”
Song Yunli was already convinced that Wen Zhengyang had been misled by Wen Fang and Song Yunting. He was starting to get angry.
“If I say it, it won’t be good for you.”
Wen Zhengyang kept winking and gesturing meaningfully.
Song Yunli was thoroughly disappointed.
“Zhengyang, I never thought you’d join Yunting and the others in causing trouble.
Tang Jin is my wife. We’ve already registered our marriage.
If you still consider me your brother, then treat her as your sister-in-law.
Otherwise… we can forget about being brothers.”
With that, he took Tang Jin’s hand, led her into the house, and slammed the door shut behind them.
It was an incredibly domineering move.
Sister-in-law Wan couldn’t help but praise him loudly.
“Commander Song did the right thing! That’s how a man should spoil his wife!”
Wen Zhengyang: “…”
He was so furious he nearly coughed up blood.
Pointing at the tightly closed door, he shouted,
“Old Song, one day you’re going to regret this!”
Then he stormed away, clearly seething with anger.
Inside the house, Tang Jin watched as Song Yunli silently organized his belongings.
Softly, she asked,
“Are you angry?”
“I’m angry on your behalf.”
Song Yunli sighed.
“Ah Jin, no matter what they say about you, I believe you.”
After a pause, he added,
“I’ve been thinking. We should hold a wedding banquet after all.”
“There’s no need, is there?”
Since they were planning to divorce eventually, Tang Jin felt it was unnecessary.
But seeing the expectation in his eyes, she tactfully suggested,
“How about we just invite a few of your close comrades and neighbors to get together in a few days?”
“That works too. We’ll do whatever you want.”
Song Yunli nodded.
Many families in the military compound did things this way. Lavish celebrations weren’t really encouraged these days.
“There’s something else.”
Tang Jin hesitated for a few seconds before voicing her thoughts.
“For military family members who move with their spouses, can work assignments be arranged?
I’m home every day, and it’s honestly pretty boring.”
“Did you have a job before?”
Song Yunli carefully considered the matter.
“If you already had a position back home, the military can sometimes arrange a transfer here.
But if you didn’t have a job before, then you’ll have to wait.
There are many family members in the compound, and not everyone can be assigned work.”
“My grandfather got me a job before he passed away.”
Tang Jin pulled out a certificate from her bag.
“I only worked there for two days, though. My parents don’t even know about it.”
Her grandfather had truly loved her.
Before his death, he had used every connection he had to secure her a position as a medical orderly and had specifically told her not to tell her family.
Tang Jin had completed the hiring process before awakening to the memories of the novel’s plot, but after taking bereavement leave, she had never returned to work.
She hadn’t wanted to trouble Song Yunli.
However, after spending the last few days in the city, she had discovered just how difficult it was to find employment.
“I’ll help you apply for a transfer.”
Song Yunli looked somewhat excited.
Then, worried about giving her false hope, he quickly added,
“But it depends on the circumstances. If the clinic here is already fully staffed, they may not be able to place you there.”
“That’s okay.”
Tang Jin was already satisfied.
As long as there was a chance, she didn’t mind waiting.
Song Yunli quietly continued arranging his luggage.
Watching him stuff clothes into the wardrobe, Tang Jin suddenly felt awkward.
Were they really going to sleep together tonight?
The thought alone made her face burn.
As she washed her hands with soap, she found herself lost in thought.
Fortunately, Song Yunli thoughtfully said,
“Ah Jin, I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight.”
“Wouldn’t that be… inappropriate?”
Tang Jin replied generously,
“You still have training every day. Besides, that sofa is made of wood. You won’t sleep well.”
“I’m worried you won’t be used to sharing a bed.”
His consideration only made her feel more embarrassed.
After a moment, she said,
“Then let’s just use separate blankets for now. As for everything else… we can talk about it later.”
“Okay.”
Song Yunli nodded.
“I’m returning to training tomorrow.
If there’s anything you want to buy, you can ask the wives in the compound to go to the supply cooperative with you.
Or you can take the procurement truck into the city in the morning.
Though you’ll have to get up early—it leaves at five.”
“Mm.”
Tang Jin’s storage space was already packed with supplies, so she lacked nothing.
But then Song Yunli suddenly handed her a bankbook.
“This is the money I’ve saved over the years. Keep it.”
“I can’t accept this.”
Tang Jin had already decided she would divorce him after giving birth, so she didn’t want to take his money.
“You should keep it yourself.
My grandfather and maternal grandfather left me some money. I have enough.”
“Why won’t you spend my money?”
For a grown man, Song Yunli looked unexpectedly dejected.
His dark eyes were filled with disappointment.
For some reason, Tang Jin felt as though she were bullying him.
“Ah Jin, you’re my wife.
And you’re carrying my child.
Spending my money is only natural.”
Tang Jin: “…”
It was hard not to be moved by a man like this.
Taking a deep breath, she said,
“Didn’t we agree to divorce after the baby is born?”
“When did I agree to that?”
Song Yunli’s eyes burned with intensity.
“Why do you insist on divorcing me, Ah Jin?
Can you give me a chance?
A child deserves a complete family.”
“I…”
Tang Jin found herself at a loss for words.
She couldn’t exactly tell him that he was the male lead of a novel, while she was merely a supporting female character destined not to stay by his side.
“You keep it for now. I’m going to the cafeteria to get dinner.”
Afraid of hearing an answer he didn’t want, Song Yunli grabbed the aluminum lunch box and hurried out.
Tang Jin opened the bankbook in her hand.
Her pupils immediately contracted.
Good grief.
This man was really good at saving money.
There was a full 4,200 yuan in the account.
In the 1970s, having more than four thousand yuan meant being extremely wealthy.
Tang Jin tucked the bankbook into her storage space.
For some reason, a trace of happiness welled up in her heart.
Meanwhile, Wen Zhengyang returned to the guesthouse.
Wenfang and Song Yunting waited eagerly for him.
“Brother, how did it go?”