Xiao Hei: 【Comrade Jiang Yao, this is the 1970s—a time when enemy agents are very active.】
【Are you sure they’re enemy agents? Can you make money catching them?】
She didn’t know much about this era yet and was still slowly learning and adapting.
Xiao Hei felt helpless toward this money-obsessed host. 【Of course you can make money. But I think you should tell your husband about this. He earns merit, you get paid—what a perfect arrangement.】
Jiang Yao thought that made sense, but Qin Mu still didn’t trust her. If she said it rashly, wouldn’t that only make her more suspicious?
While Jiang Yao was talking with the system, she didn’t realize Qin Mu had already heard everything.
People operating underground?
Enemy agents?
Qin Mu didn’t believe it for now. At the very least, he would confirm things after seeing Grandma.
On the second floor of the guesthouse, Song Yulan was anxiously waiting in the room.
Outside, when Jiang Yao saw Qin Mu about to knock, she quickly stopped him and whispered, “Let me.”
She knocked in a pattern—three long, two short.
Soon, the door opened from inside. When Song Yulan saw Jiang Yao, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Yao Yao, why did you come back so late? Did you eat lunch? I packed some food for you.”
Jiang Yao quickly reassured her. “Grandma, I went to find Qin Mu. Look—he’s right behind me.”
When Song Yulan heard this, she raised her head and saw that familiar yet thinner face. Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall. Her aged, withered hand slowly lifted.
“Xiao Mu—” Her trembling fingers brushed across the man’s face. “You’ve lost weight. Haven’t you been eating well?”
Qin Mu let his grandmother’s hand trace his face. His voice was slightly choked. “Grandma, it’s me. I’ve been unfilial. I couldn’t come back to take care of you.”
Qin Mu had been raised by Song Yulan, and their bond was deep. Jiang Yao didn’t go over to disturb them and gave them space.
Xiao Hei: 【You’ve finally met. Does this mean you can now move to the army with him?】
【Of course. There’s nowhere left to live back home. How could he bear to let me and Grandma live out in the open?】
Xiao Hei: 【What if he doesn’t allow it?】
【Then I’ll take Grandma to his superiors and make a scene. Anyone can throw a tantrum—I have the moral high ground.】
Xiao Hei: 【That’s so like you.】
Jiang Yao looked proud. Wandering around the village every day, she had learned most of the tricks of throwing a fit on the ground and acting shamelessly.
More than enough to deal with troublesome people.
After catching up, Qin Mu told them to pack their things and go with him to the base.
“Grandma, you two will come live in the family compound with me. I just got the courtyard assigned a couple of days ago. It’s not fully furnished yet, but it’s livable. If you need anything, I’ll take you to buy it tomorrow.”
Song Yulan nodded and turned to pack with Jiang Yao.
Fortunately, they didn’t bring much, so they finished quickly.
Qin Mu first took them to a state-owned restaurant for a meal, then drove them back to the camp.
Jiang Yao sat in the back chatting with the old lady. The car was filled with her light, lively voice, occasionally sweet and soft.
Qin Mu, driving in front, glanced at them from time to time, a trace of emotion flickering in his eyes.
After a while, the old lady grew tired and fell asleep.
Jiang Yao was still energetic, so she looked at the man’s profile and chatted with Xiao Hei about future plans.
Xiao Hei: 【Do you think you’ll still be able to sneak out after moving to the army? The base must be strict.】
【It’s fine. When Qin Mu goes on missions, we’ll sneak out at night. With my skills, climbing over a wall is nothing.】
Xiao Hei: 【Hah—then how did you get caught?】
Jiang Yao tried to defend herself. 【I had barely stuck my head out when over a dozen guns were pointed at me. Should I have gone back in?】
Compared to bullets, her body was definitely slower.
If she moved, her brains would probably be blown out the next second.
【And if I went back, wouldn’t I have missed finding my husband?】
【Sigh, these days you really need a man at home to hold things together. Otherwise, how could two women like me and Grandma survive?】
【The original host and Grandma depended on each other for three years. No money was sent home. The original host worked herself to exhaustion while constantly guarding against the fake father-in-law stealing the compensation money. Later, even the house deed was stolen, and they were driven into a broken house. She eventually died from a fever.】
【Tsk, and she was a victim the whole time. Her parents even plotted to push her into the water just to sell her off. She happened to run into Qin Mu returning home—what a profitable push.】
【Xiao Hei, imagine—saving someone can get you stuck for life. It’s hard to be a hero these days, and even harder to be a woman.】
【The modern world is better. You can hire male models without being forced to marry. Love is free.】
Xiao Hei: 【Sister Yao, forget about male models. We’re not going back. You might as well spend your effort building a relationship with your husband. Soldiers have great stamina—better than those models.】
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
Jiang Yao suddenly noticed the car had stopped and looked confused.
Qin Mu: “We’re here.”
To enter the family compound, they needed to register. Qin Mu woke Grandma and showed his documents to the guard.
The guard saluted Qin Mu. After checking the documents, he opened the gate.
Song Yulan, now refreshed from her nap, looked at the rows of houses and the dormitory buildings in the distance.
She asked what kind of house Qin Mu had been assigned.
“Grandma, the dormitory buildings are already full. I got a small courtyard.”
“A courtyard? That’s great. We can even grow vegetables in front.”
With a screech, the car stopped at the courtyard gate.
It was only around seven o’clock, and in the summer, it was still bright. Many military families and children were walking around.
Seeing Qin Mu get out of the car, people came over to greet him.
“Commander Qin, this is—?”
“Bringing my family over.”
Qin Mu walked to the back, opened the door, and helped Song Yulan out, heading straight inside, leaving Jiang Yao far behind.
Jiang Yao generously didn’t get jealous of the old lady. Her legs worked just fine anyway.
But she would settle this account with Qin Mu sooner or later.
【Hmph, just wait until you fall for me—then I’ll show you how I’ll torment you.】
Xiao Hei: 【How are you planning to torment him?】
【Hmph, I’ll turn into a little temptress and tease him to death. Let him see but not touch—that’s the ultimate torture for a married man.】
Xiao Hei: 【……】
Qin Mu: ……
Qin Mu helped Song Yulan inside first. Jiang Yao grabbed their things and jumped out of the car. After only a few steps, she was stopped by a woman holding a child.
“Little girl, what are you to Commander Qin’s family?”
Jiang Yao felt disgusted by the way the woman looked her up and down like merchandise. She suppressed her nausea and forced a smile.
“Miss, I’m Commander Qin’s wife.”
“Miss?!”
Li Cuicui said unhappily, “I’m only twenty-three. Who are you calling ‘Miss’?”
Ignoring her reaction, Jiang Yao continued, “What rank is your husband?”
Li Cuicui replied, “My husband is a battalion commander. Why do you ask?”
Jiang Yao curled her lips into a mocking smile and said in a sarcastic tone:
“Oh~ your husband is only a battalion commander~ Then why are you calling me ‘little sister’? Remember to call me ‘sister-in-law.’ Don’t mess up the seniority.”
Li Cuicui’s face instantly turned the color of liver. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Qin Mu walking out of the house and quickly ran off with her child.