Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan frowned and explained, “That was the division commander’s adopted daughter just now. I’m not familiar with her—I’ve only seen her a few times when having meals at the division commander’s home.”
Although he didn’t like Su Nanyue, he still had basic morals. Since he was already married, he naturally wouldn’t get close to other female comrades.
After explaining, he asked, “Haven’t I been sending you money every month?”
Over the years, whenever he received his salary, he would remit a portion to her.
Twenty yuan every month, without fail.
With that money, she shouldn’t have been living as poorly as she claimed.
Su Nanyue was momentarily stunned, then shook her head. “I never received any.”
Of course she knew Jiang Yan had sent money.
Not only that, she also knew that Jiang Jianguo had been withdrawing all those funds.
It was just that the original host hadn’t been aware.
Jiang Yan’s eyes darkened, a shadow crossing his brow. He understood everything now.
When he turned back to Su Nanyue, the coldness in his gaze had vanished. “I understand. I’ll give you an explanation for this matter. Later I’ll apply for the Family Compound—you and the children will live here from now on.”
Su Nanyue stared at him in surprise, then shook her head. “There’s no need. I know you don’t want to see me.”
But Jiang Yan wasn’t actually discussing it with her.
His gaze shifted to the two little ones standing beside Su Nanyue, glaring fiercely at him. Previously he’d only thought they were good-looking children, particularly Da Bao, who seemed clever and quick-witted.
But now, knowing they were his own children, an indescribable warmth surged in his heart. “What are the children’s names?”
Su Nanyue followed his gaze downward, seeing the children’s puffed-up angry expressions, and couldn’t help curling her lips into a smile. “The older one is Da Bao, the younger is Xiao Bao.”
These were names the original host had given them. They didn’t have formal names yet.
The Jiang family members never acknowledged the two children’s status, so how would they bother giving them proper names?
Jiang Yan crouched before them, the corners of his mouth lifting in a gentle smile as he reached out toward them. “Da Bao, Xiao Bao, come here. Let Daddy hold you.”
Xiao Bao remained silent, shrinking further behind Su Nanyue.
Da Bao’s eyes were red-rimmed as he glared angrily. “You’re not our daddy! Grandpa and Grandma said my brother and I are bastards, that we don’t have a daddy.”
Jiang Yan: “…”
A dark fury flashed in his eyes, a cold aura radiating from him.
However, this wasn’t directed at the mother and children, but at Jiang Jianguo and Wang Xiu Lan.
Realizing he was frightening the children, he quickly reined in his cold demeanor.
Softening his voice, he said, “What they said is wrong. It was Daddy’s fault before—Daddy should have come home to see you, shouldn’t have let you suffer so much. It won’t happen again.”
Xiao Bao still hid behind Su Nanyue, peeking out with a mixture of curiosity and fear at Jiang Yan.
Da Bao pressed his chapped lips together, studying the tall man before him. “Are you really our daddy?”
Jiang Yan nodded. “Of course. You can ask your mom if you don’t believe me.”
Da Bao naturally knew he was telling the truth, but still pretended to glance at Su Nanyue, meeting her gentle eyes.
He sighed inwardly. Mom was too soft-hearted—she’d easily get bullied like this.
As for Xiao Bao… well, never mind. He’d just have to spoil his own younger brother himself.
Since he wanted to protect his mother and younger brother, he needed to become stronger. He looked at Jiang Yan and asked, “You say you’re my father. Then if anyone bullies us in the future, will you protect us?”
Seeing him like this, Jiang Yan felt no impatience, only heartache.
He had noticed since the train ride that Da Bao was very clever.
So now he didn’t try to brush off Da Bao’s question, instead answering seriously, “Of course. Both you and Xiao Bao are my children. If anyone bullies you, I’ll protect you.”
He added, “But only on the condition that you didn’t start the trouble first.”
Da Bao pouted. “I wouldn’t.”
He snorted childishly and said discontentedly, “And Mom too. You have to protect Mom too.”
Jiang Yan agreed without hesitation.
Seeing his agreement, Da Bao looked up at Su Nanyue with sparkling eyes, clearly seeking praise.
Su Nanyue felt warmth spreading through her chest. Without minding Jiang Yan’s presence, she bent down and kissed Da Bao on the cheek.
Da Bao immediately became happy and puckered his lips to kiss Su Nanyue back.
Watching this tender scene between mother and son, Jiang Yan’s eyes softened with a warmth he didn’t even notice himself.
But he quickly composed himself. Regardless of anything else, since they had come to find him, he naturally couldn’t send them away.
He still needed to apply for housing in the Family Compound and then get it ready. Time was tight, so he didn’t linger.
When leaving, he initially thought about taking the two children with him to bond with them.
But after glancing at their thin clothing, he changed his mind.
After all, they were here now – there would be plenty of time later.
Looking at Su Nanyue sitting by the bed, he said quietly, “It’s been cold these days, and your clothes are too thin. Better stay inside. I’ll bring dinner over later.”
Su Nanyue murmured agreement without refusing.
After leaving the Guest House, Jiang Yan went to submit his application. Yang Peng had already put in a word for him and asked Wang Jian Guo to help select several well-maintained houses in advance.
So Wang Jian Guo directly took him to see those compounds, telling him on the way about what happened when he brought Su Nanyue and the two children here.
After finishing his account, he hesitated but ultimately told Jiang Yan about Li Da Ni causing trouble that day.
Hearing Wang Jian Guo’s story, Jiang Yan let out a cold laugh.
Walking beside him, Wang Jian Guo couldn’t help shivering.
No wonder he was scared – he’d been disciplined by Jiang Yan too many times.
Jiang Yan was highly capable and showed no mercy during training.
As he often said, “I’d rather they die on the training ground than on the battlefield.”
They all knew Jiang Yan did this for their own good, but the feeling of being pushed to death’s door during training was very real too.
That’s why they secretly called Jiang Yan the Living King of Hell behind his back.
Wang Jian Guo had picked three houses. The first one was right next to Li Da Ni’s home, so Jiang Yan immediately eliminated it.
The second was in the middle of the second row. Their left neighbor would be a Political Commissar from another regiment – the commissar himself was decent, but his wife was notoriously fierce in the compound. The right side was still vacant.
The last one was at the very end of the third row, backed against the mountains. Their right neighbor would be Guo Yuhui, the Regimental Commander of the 701st Regiment, whose wife was Shen Yue – the one who had spoken up for Su Nanyue that day.
All three houses had identical layouts.
After viewing them, Jiang Yan chose the last one.
They were going to live here long-term, and since Su Nanyue had a gentle personality, it was essential to find good neighbors.
After selecting the house, Wang Jian Guo brought five brothers who were off duty that day to help out.
All of them were young men around twenty years old, working with remarkable efficiency. In just two hours, they had cleared all the weeds in the yard and even wiped the furniture in the rooms spotless.
The furniture in the house had been brought back by Jiang Yan from the logistics department earlier.
In the meantime, Jiang Yan also went to the dormitory to move all his belongings back to the house.
After everything was tidied up, Jiang Yan said he would treat them to a housewarming meal once all the essentials were in place.
Once the others had left, it was still early, so he tilled the soil in the vegetable patch in the yard.
When the time seemed about right, he picked up his lunchbox and headed toward the canteen.
After getting his meal, he hurried toward the Guest House with the lunchbox.
Halfway there, someone called out to him.
“Brother.”
Jiang Yan turned around and saw Jiang Che holding a child not far away, with Su Wan Ning standing beside him.
Su Wan Ning also called out, “Brother.”
Jiang Che grinned, beaming brightly, “When did you get back? I was just about to look for you.”