The old general was eager to acknowledge his future granddaughter-in-law, but he also understood the regulations governing military marriages.
Glowering at his grandson, he asked,
“Where are the girl’s household registration and personnel file? We can’t go into this blind. We’ll follow the proper procedures when registering the marriage.”
Su Jiuyue hesitated.
“Grandpa, I… we…”
She wanted to buy herself a little time. After all, she and Huo Zhixing barely knew each other—they certainly weren’t at the point of getting married.
But then she remembered their agreement… and how he had saved her that night.
The words of refusal simply wouldn’t come out.
If she caused his reputation as a soldier to be tarnished, if questions arose about his conduct and jeopardized his future, she couldn’t bear that burden.
Suppressing her own wishes, she decided to follow his arrangements.
“Her file is in Su Village, Qingyuan County,” Huo Zhixing answered before she could.
Then, as if remembering something, he added,
“We need to move quickly. If her stepmother gets hold of her file first, it’ll complicate things.”
The old general snorted.
Earlier downstairs, he’d already questioned Xiao Zhang and learned about Su Jiuyue’s background.
“As long as I’m here, who dares lay a finger on her?”
Turning toward one of his guards, he barked,
“Xiao Liu! Call the military hospital immediately. Tell them I’ve taken a liking to Su Jiuyue’s acupuncture skills and am specially recruiting her into the army as my military physician. Have her personnel file transferred from the village to the military district at once!”
His tone left no room for argument.
“As for the marriage certificate…”
He shot Huo Zhixing a fierce glare.
“I’ll personally speak to Political Commissar Wang. This is a special case—we’ll expedite the marriage approval. Once they’re legally married, anyone who tries to take her away will be interfering with a protected military marriage!”
Xiao Zhang and Xiao Liu immediately snapped to attention and saluted.
“Yes, Commander!”
Only after issuing his rapid-fire orders did the old general realize he hadn’t asked the young woman’s opinion.
Turning back, his expression softened as much as possible.
“Child, you don’t object to Grandpa handling it this way, do you?”
How could Su Jiuyue object?
The problem that had troubled her most—her identity and legal status—had been solved by the old man with just a few commands.
Deeply moved, her voice became slightly hoarse.
“Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll do whatever Grandpa thinks is best.”
“Good. Such a good child.”
The old general liked her more with every passing moment.
“Get plenty of rest. Once you’ve recovered, you can start work.”
“Mm.”
Su Jiuyue nodded obediently.
After giving his grandson a few more instructions, the old general left with his guards to find Political Commissar Wang and arrange Huo Zhixing’s marriage approval.
Once he was gone, an awkward silence settled over the room.
Just then—
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The shrill ringing of the old-fashioned telephone echoed through the quiet house.
Within seconds, a sentry came rushing upstairs, panting.
His face was deathly pale.
Standing stiffly in the doorway, he kept his head lowered, hardly daring to look up.
“R-Report, Commander!”
Huo Zhixing frowned, the icy aura around him instantly returning.
“Speak.”
Under the overwhelming pressure, the sentry swallowed hard.
“A crowd has gathered outside the military compound… They’re accusing you of abducting a young woman and driving her mother to death. More and more people are gathering to watch. The gate guards want to know… if you can come out and explain the situation.”
Seeing Huo Zhixing narrow his eyes, the sentry hurriedly continued,
“That woman claims the person who took her daughter away was driving a military jeep. She memorized the license plate, and the gate guards confirmed that it’s your vehicle. She says that if her daughter isn’t returned, she’ll report the matter to the County Revolutionary Committee.”
Huo Zhixing’s fingertips tapped rhythmically against the tabletop.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
A murderous chill flashed across his eyes.
On the bed, Su Jiuyue couldn’t help trembling.
The color drained from her face in an instant.
Deep down, she wasn’t actually worried.
Perhaps it was simply the original owner’s body remembering its fear—a conditioned terror toward her stepmother.
Li Guilan.
That woman…
A bloodsucking parasite.
She actually dared to stir up trouble at the military compound?
Bonus Mini Theater
Director of the Military Hospital (staring blankly at the transfer order):
“Commander, you’ve specially recruited Comrade Su into the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department. Which specialty does she excel in? Acupuncture? Tuina massage? Herbal prescriptions?”
Old General Huo (dead serious):
“She specializes in the ‘Treating Huo Zhixing’s Stubbornness’ school.”
Director:
“…That’s a recognized medical discipline?”
Huo Zhixing (walking past with a cold expression):
“It’s called beast taming.”
Old General Huo (whacks him with his cane):
“Exactly! As long as she can tame this stubborn mule, she’s the Commander imperial physician of our military district! Let’s see who dares object!”
Director (immediately salutes):
“Understood, Commander! I’ll have the sign made immediately—”
‘Exclusive Therapy Room for King Yama Huo.’
Unauthorized Personnel Keep Out!