The onlookers in the restaurant, seeing Ye Zhirou and Jiang Bowen flee in embarrassment, gradually offered a few words of consolation to Ye Li and Duan Jiamu before settling down.
After leaving the state-run restaurant, Ye Li noticed that Duan Jiamu remained silent. Thinking he might be upset, she awkwardly tried to comfort him. “Comrade Duan, a girl like Ye Zhirou, with such poor character, doesn’t deserve you. You’ll surely find a like-minded revolutionary partner in the future.”
Duan Jiamu turned to Ye Li, a subtle shiver running through his shoulders, and a faint laugh escaped his throat—a crisp, delicate sound like snow snapping a bamboo branch under its weight. “You misunderstand! I’m not upset. As you said, a morally corrupt girl like her truly isn’t worthy of me.” His lips curved slightly, a smile spreading from his eyes, making his normally clear and serene features appear even more refined and gentle.
Ye Li was momentarily stunned, thinking how blind Ye Zhirou must be. Jiang Bowen was plain-looking and idle, relying solely on having a father as a factory director—hardly a match for Duan Jiamu, who was not only more attractive but destined for higher positions that Ye Zhirou could only look up to. Truly, she had picked up a sesame seed and lost a watermelon.
Noticing Ye Li staring blankly at him, a trace of amusement flickered in Duan Jiamu’s eyes. “Comrade Ye, what are you looking at?”
Ye Li snapped out of her daze and, meeting the playful glint in his eyes, felt her face flush bright red. Goodness, had she never seen such a handsome man before? She’d been completely mesmerized. Embarrassed, she quickly averted her gaze and mumbled, “N-nothing! As long as you’re not upset, that’s what matters! Comrade Duan, then let’s settle it this way. I figure Ye Zhirou’s mother will come to your house in the next couple of days to break off the engagement.”
Duan Jiamu smiled quietly to himself, finding Ye Li unexpectedly amusing. His expression softened as he nodded lightly. “Good! I’ll go back and report the marriage to the unit.” Thinking about marrying Ye Li, he felt no aversion—rather, a hint of anticipation.
Ye Li, puzzled, asked, “Comrade Duan, I thought you were discharged because of your injury. Why would you need to report to the unit to get married?”
Duan Jiamu’s chest vibrated slightly, a smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Haha… who told you I was discharged? Alright, let’s go back first! I also need to handle some matters.”
Not discharged? Ye Li felt a twinge of suspicion but knew some things were better left unasked. “Alright, Comrade Duan, I’ll head home first! Take your time and be safe. Goodbye!” She waved to him and turned toward Mumian Alley.
“Goodbye!” Duan Jiamu nodded slightly, watching her walk away, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Hey, old Duan, what’re you staring at with that lovestruck look?”
At that moment, a young man of similar age, handsome and energetic, popped out from the roadside. He clapped a hand on Duan Jiamu’s shoulder and followed his gaze. Seeing Ye Li, he exclaimed as if discovering a new world, chattering excitedly, “Tsk tsk tsk… so that’s what old Duan’s looking at—a pretty girl! Spring fever, huh?”
Duan Jiamu gave him a cool glance and continued forward with his cane. “What are you doing here again?”
The young man, a leaf dangling from his mouth, walked alongside him with a mischievous grin. “Old Duan, I missed you, so I came to see you.”
Duan Jiamu immediately saw through him and said impatiently, “Cut it out. Say what you need to say; if not, scram!”
The young man chuckled, then his expression suddenly darkened. “Ah, old Duan! In a few months I’ll be transferred to the East Province. If it weren’t for your leg…”
“We’ve fought together for years. Leaving you now, I’ll admit I’m not used to it,” Duan Jiamu interrupted, frowning slightly. Then recalling what Ye Li had said, a glimmer of hope sparked in his heart. “Xingye, when do you leave?”
Xie Xingye sighed helplessly. “In two months! I have a mission in a few days, then straight to the East Province. I might not have time to say goodbye before I go.”
Duan Jiamu stopped, raising an eyebrow. “Too bad… won’t get to drink my wedding wine!”
The young man’s face went pale. “What? Wedding wine? Old Duan, you’re getting married? To whom? You’re fast, man.”
Duan Jiamu’s mind pictured Ye Li, a subtle smile forming. “To that girl just now. How about that?”
The young man teased with a sly grin. “Oh, so she’s your fiancée, huh?”
“She’s not,” Duan Jiamu shook his head, continuing forward with his cane.
“What? Old Duan, don’t you already have a fiancée? You’re not marrying her and instead going for another girl? You can’t make such a principled mistake!” Xie Xingye shouted, pleading earnestly, as if Duan Jiamu were about to commit some heartless betrayal.
Duan Jiamu, overwhelmed by the noise, abruptly stopped and looked at Xie Xingye. “My fiancée got involved with someone else, became pregnant before marriage, and carries another man’s child. Should I still marry her?”
Xie Xingye froze, stunned as if someone had choked him. After a long pause, he fumed, “This is outrageous! We bleed and fight on the frontlines to defend the country, and she treats her engagement like a joke—such shameless betrayal. A woman like that, morally corrupt, deserves nothing but contempt. Right, this is disrupting a military marriage—shouldn’t we make them pay for it?”
Duan Jiamu shook his head lightly. “I should actually thank her for her betrayal. If I had married a girl like that, that would have been true misery.”
Xie Xingye patted his shoulder sympathetically, then, brimming with curiosity, asked, “Then who was that girl just now? How did you get involved with her?”
Duan Jiamu briefly recounted what had happened at the restaurant, without mentioning the agreement he had made with Ye Li. “She’s Ye Zhirou’s elder sister. The Ye family wanted her to switch marriages with Ye Zhirou and marry me instead. I think she’s a good girl, and I want to marry her.”
Although his arrangement with Ye Li was supposed to be a sham marriage, he intended to turn it into a real one. Though he had only known Ye Li a short time, he could see that she had excellent character and personality. Moreover, he found himself genuinely moved by her.
Xie Xingye stroked his chin, appraising Duan Jiamu from head to toe. “Well, old Duan, this is turning misfortune into fortune. But can the girl really like you? Your leg still isn’t healed.”
Duan Jiamu gave him a sharp look. “I’ll make the effort. Since I’ve decided to marry her, I will treat her well and remain faithful to her for life.”
Xie Xingye patted Duan Jiamu’s shoulder again. “Then I’ll be waiting to drink your wedding wine. Make sure to invite me!”
Duan Jiamu nodded. “Don’t worry. If you’re still here, I definitely will. And if you end up in the East Province, take care of yourself too.”
After chatting a little longer, Xie Xingye left. Watching his departing figure, Duan Jiamu felt a surge of emotions. He already found himself quietly looking forward to his future life. If he could live together with her, it would probably be very happy…