Stepping out of the tube-shaped apartment building, the sun was scorching.
Gu Huai’an walked briskly, his military boots hitting the ground with a gust of wind.
Shen Yu had to jog a few steps to keep up, a fine layer of sweat already beading on her forehead again.
She squinted at the figure walking ahead of her.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist—his physique was exceptional.
This “thigh” was indeed thick, the kind that made one’s legs go weak yet feel reassured.
It was just after morning drills, the time when everyone headed to the canteen. Along the roadside, groups of young, shirtless greenhorn soldiers were scattered about.
Spotting Shen Yu from a distance, they stared, eyes glued.
Though the girl wore a shabby, patched-up jacket that looked pitiful, it couldn’t hide the fact that her face was truly striking.
Her skin was pale, a few damp strands of hair still clinging to her neck, making the skin there look even more delicate.
Her walk wasn’t like the village girls or young wives who always hunched their shoulders; instead, she held her chin high, with a wild, untamed air in her eyes and brows.
Walking behind the tall, imposing Commander Gu, she somehow didn’t seem overwhelmed by his intimidating presence.
Huh… huh??
How did she end up following Commander Gu out??
Gu Huai’an stopped in his tracks, turning around with a cold glare. “Not full enough after breakfast?”
The group immediately fell silent, shrinking back and only daring to peek from behind the trees.
Xiao Zhang had already parked the jeep downstairs and was wiping the hood with a cleaning cloth. Looking up and seeing this scene, he was stunned.
Last night, it was too dark to see clearly, but he’d thought this female comrade was bold and fiery.
Now, in broad daylight, wow—this female comrade’s looks were even more eye-catching than the celebrities on the calendars at the county department store.
No wonder the commanding officer had actually brought her back to the dorm and let her stay the night.
An iron tree blooming—and when it did, it bloomed into a thorny red rose.
“…Leaving already?”
Gu Huai’an pulled open the car door, kicking the tire irritably. “Stop wasting words. Drive. To Xiangyang Brigade.”
Shen Yu nimbly climbed into the back seat.
Jeeps from this era relied mostly on flesh for shock absorption. The back seat was just a thin layer of foam wrapped around sheet metal, long since flattened and hard as a rock.
As soon as she settled in, Gu Huai’an strode over with his long legs and got in.
“Sit properly.” Gu Huai’an glanced at her leaning lazily against the door, his brow furrowing slightly. “Want to fly out?”
Shen Yu fiddled with the seatbelt strap a couple of times; the buckle was a bit rusty and wouldn’t fasten after several tries.
Just as she was about to complain, the light above her dimmed.
Gu Huai’an clicked his tongue, leaning over and pressing close.
The man’s face was right in front of her, his short, bristly hair brushing against the tip of her nose. His large hand reached across her front, fumbling around her waist.
Click—it fastened.
Gu Huai’an pulled back, his gaze somewhat intense. “Are you brainless or just missing hands? Can’t even handle something this simple without me serving you?”
Shen Yu blinked. “So what? I’m practically half a wounded person now. My back’s almost broken from sleeping last night, and my legs are weak—where would I get the strength?”
Up front, Xiao Zhang’s hand jerked, causing the car to swerve.
Back almost broken from sleeping?
So intense, he wore the girl out like that?
Gu Huai’an’s face darkened, and he gave Shen Yu’s knee a light but firm slap. “If your mouth has nothing better to do, get out and run there.”
Shen Yu shrugged, knowing when to quit, and turned to look out the window.
…
Xiangyang Brigade, brigade headquarters.
Wang Dashan sat with one leg crossed over the other, holding an enamel mug, listening to Lin Qichuan pledge his loyalty.
Beside him, Wang Zhaodi cracked sunflower seeds, her one-hundred-fifty-to-sixty-pound body making the stool creak and groan.
"Brother Lin, that little bitch probably died in some ditch last night, why are you still bringing her up? It's bad luck."
Lin Qichuan forced a smile: "Yes, yes, Zhaodi is right. I'm just afraid she died outside, which would end up tarnishing our production brigade's reputation."
"She still has a reputation?" Wang Dashan sneered, spitting tea leaves onto the ground. "It'd be better if she died. Just roll her up and toss her in the unmarked graves, pretend we never knew."
Just as they were talking, a rumbling engine sound suddenly came from outside.
Wang Dashan jumped in fright, put down his tea mug, and walked out with a frown.
As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he saw a vehicle kicking up dust, arrogantly driving straight into the production brigade's courtyard, screeching to a halt right in front of him.
A cloud of dust flew up and landed right on his face.
"Cough, cough! Who the hell…"
Wang Dashan waved his hand to clear the dust, about to curse.
He looked up, saw the red characters on the license plate, and swallowed the profanity that had reached his lips.
A military vehicle?
Before he could react, the car door opened.
A long leg clad in military trousers and boots stepped out first.
Gu Huai'an straightened up, pushed his cap brim up, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
The four-pocket military uniform and the sam Browne belt at his waist made Wang Dashan's legs tremble slightly.
He was used to throwing his weight around in the village—where had he ever seen this kind of aura forged in real combat?
"This… this leader, who are you?"
Wang Dashan put on a fawning smile, his back unconsciously bending.
Gu Huai'an ignored him, turning slightly to the side.
Shen Yu jumped down.
"Shen Yu?!"
Wang Dashan and Lin Qichuan, who had run out after him, nearly popped their eyes out.
Shen Yu stood beside Gu Huai'an, head held high, chest out.
Recalling the strong female lead novels she had read before, she put on an expression of three parts mockery, seven parts indifference.
"Everyone's here? Secretary Wang, I was thinking about you all night, worried you couldn't sleep missing me, so I came back specially to check."
Lin Qichuan's face turned pale, his hand pointing at Shen Yu trembling. "You… you really ran off with a wild man? You shameless woman! How could you do this to me?"
Wang Zhaodi stared at the tall, handsome officer beside Shen Yu, her eyes turning green with envy.
"Shameless loose woman! How dare you bring a wild man back here to show off! Dad, hurry up and have her arrested!"
Gu Huai'an snorted, took a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth, looking at Shen Yu with an amused expression. "Wife, this fat woman called me a wild man?"
"Wife?!"
Lin Qichuan cried out, his face full of disbelief.
Gu Huai'an couldn't be bothered with more talk, turning to look at the already dazed Wang Dashan:
"Secretary Wang, right? I want to transfer Shen Yu's household registration. The letter of introduction, household transfer certificate, and grain and oil relations—get them issued for me now."
Wang Dashan panicked.
Shen Yu's father's pension and subsidies were all being collected by him on her behalf—that monthly five-yuan pension was his family's little nest egg.
If Shen Yu transferred away, wouldn't that money fly away?
Gritting his teeth, relying on this being his turf, he stiffened his neck and spoke in officialese: "Leader, this Shen Yu is currently undergoing re-education by the poor and lower-middle peasants. Moreover, she left the village without permission last night and didn't return—this is serious moral corruption! According to policy, forget transferring her household registration, she can't even leave the village! We have to send her to the Commune for criticism!"
Gu Huai'an narrowed his eyes, about to speak, when Shen Yu beside him suddenly moved.
She strode up to Wang Dashan, her smile dazzlingly bright. "Criticize me?"
Wang Dashan looked at her dangerously beautiful face and felt an inexplicable chill. "What? You think a loose woman like you can turn things around? Erliuzi already said…"
Smack!
The slap sent Wang Dashan spinning halfway around. Clutching his cheek, he stared at Shen Yu in disbelief.
Shen Yu shook her stinging hand, baring her teeth as she cursed, "Yesterday I spared you some face. If you don’t want it, just say so. Keep spewing filth, and I’ll knock your teeth out!"
Gu Huai'an watched Shen Yu’s fierce, clawing little display, the corner of his mouth holding the cigarette butt curling slightly upward.
Good. Wild enough, not backing down.
If she were still crying and hiding behind him now, that would’ve been truly disappointing.
"You… you dare hit me?"
Wang Dashan trembled with rage. "Are you all dead? Get her! Arrest this counter-revolutionary for attacking a village cadre! Beat her to death!"
Several militiamen hesitated, wooden clubs in hand, as they considered stepping forward. Lin Qichuan also saw an opportunity to make a show of himself and took a step closer.
Gu Huai'an’s eyes turned cold. He flung his cigarette pack to the ground.
"Let’s see who dares move!"