Ye Aihua shuddered slightly. She simply closed her eyes and blurted everything out in one breath. “Su Man is so beautiful, why don’t you like her? The whole Military Unit is spreading rumors about you two. They’re saying you dumped her.”
One of Ye Aihua’s biggest hobbies was gossip. Yesterday, she had just spread the news about Su Man and Qi Xiaoyuan’s engagement. Who would have thought that by the next morning after her shift change, she would already learn the latest development—the news had turned into Su Man being abandoned.
She could not help but think, had Regiment Commander Qi gone blind? Otherwise, how could he not like Su Man?
It was precisely because Ye Aihua had been the one to spread the engagement rumor early that things became complicated. The issue lay in the order of events.
Qi Xiaoyuan’s explanation on the road had originally been enough to clear things up. After all, no one believed Qi Xiaoyuan would lie. But Ye Aihua had already spread the engagement news beforehand.
So when Qi Xiaoyuan later explained himself, it looked like he was dissatisfied with the marriage arrangement and trying to distance himself from Su Man. Combined with the awkward atmosphere at the canteen, everyone had seen their unpleasant expressions, and the rumors only grew worse.
Qi Xiaoyuan was completely stunned. His face darkened as if water could drip from it.
“Aunt Xu!”
Aunt Xu was sweeping the courtyard. When she heard the clear voice, she looked up and immediately met Su Man’s smiling face.
Aunt Xu happily welcomed Su Man inside. Seeing the breakfast she brought, she quickly said apologetically: “You’re a guest I like, so I invited you over. Why did you bring things? Besides, you just arrived in Ha City, you really didn’t need to.”
“It’s just breakfast. I thought it was still early and you probably hadn’t eaten yet. I hope Auntie doesn’t mind.”
Su Man did not take polite words seriously. It was improper to visit someone empty-handed; it was etiquette and goodwill, not about how expensive the gift was.
As expected, Aunt Xu’s smile deepened when she heard this.
Porridge was simmering on the stove, and with the buns and fried dough sticks Su Man brought, Aunt Xu’s family quickly finished breakfast.
Aunt Xu’s son-in-law, Qin Dajun, was a spirited young soldier. After finishing breakfast, he went out for duty, nodding to Su Man before leaving.
Aunt Xu’s daughter, Li Qingqing, was a shy, round-faced woman. Seeing that Su Man clearly had something to discuss with Aunt Xu, she took her two-year-old daughter back into the room.
“So, you met Regiment Commander Qi. How was it?” Aunt Xu asked curiously.
“I came today mainly to visit Auntie, and also to ask about finding work and renting a place here.” Su Man smiled but did not answer directly.
However, Aunt Xu already understood. It was likely that Regiment Commander Qi was unwilling; otherwise, Su Man would not be rushing to find work. She had also heard some rumors yesterday, but she had thought they were untrue because Su Man was so likable. Now it seemed the rumors were not entirely false.
Aunt Xu felt both heartache and anger. “That Regiment Commander Qi has no luck and no eyes! He deserves to stay single forever! Auntie will introduce you to someone better in the future.”
Su Man could not help but feel amused. She had no intention of giving up on Qi Xiaoyuan, but she did not know how to explain it to Aunt Xu, so she quickly changed the subject and asked about work opportunities instead.
In this era, jobs were considered iron rice bowls and extremely valuable. Every position was tightly filled; there were rarely any vacancies. Neither Aunt Xu nor her daughter Li Qingqing had jobs, so they did not know of any recent openings. However, Aunt Xu was well-connected, so it was not difficult for her to ask around.
As for renting a house, housing inside the family compound could not be rented out. To rent, one had to go to the residential area near the Military Unit, which was not far from the compound.
After sitting and chatting for a while, they agreed on future contact, and Su Man left.
Aunt Xu soon went out to gather information. She even learned the latest version of the rumors and returned home furious. When her son-in-law Qin Dajun came back at noon, Aunt Xu came up with a plan.
“Dajun, there are so many single young men in your regiment. Introduce some to Su Man. They must be outstanding ones.”
Qin Dajun paused mid-bite, looking slightly hesitant. “This… isn’t very appropriate, is it?”
Qin Dajun was under Qi Xiaoyuan’s command. The matter between their Regiment Commander and Su Man had already quietly spread within the unit. Of course, he had heard about it. But it was still just a rumor—no one dared to ask Qi Xiaoyuan directly, and no one knew if it was true. Who would dare dig at Regiment Commander Qi’s corner?
Besides, when it came to being outstanding, who could compare to their Regiment Commander?
Aunt Xu said: “It’s true. Su Man told me herself today. She even wants to find a job here, but jobs aren’t easy to get. It’s better to introduce her to a soldier. Once she marries, she won’t have to go back home and suffer anymore.”
Qin Dajun had heard from his mother-in-law about Su Man’s background. She was indeed a pitiful girl. “Alright, I’ll ask around this afternoon.”
Maybe there were bold ones. He would just pass the message along. Regiment Commander Qi probably could not blame him.
Aunt Xu finally felt satisfied. Su Man was so beautiful and had such a good personality—there were plenty of young men who would like her. When that Regiment Commander Qi regretted it later, it would be too late!
After leaving Aunt Xu’s house, Su Man wandered aimlessly. It was not yet noon, and those with jobs had already gone to work, so there were not many people on the road.
Suddenly, she stopped and looked toward a building by the roadside.
It was somewhat old. A rusted lock hung on the door, and the words on the sign above were blurry, but she could still vaguely make out the word “Bakery.”
Su Man felt a surge of excitement and quickly walked to the window to look inside.
Everything inside was covered in a thick layer of dust. It looked abandoned. But what surprised her was that there were actually two large ovens, a dough-kneading table, and baking trays and molds piled beside the table.
In modern times, her greatest hobby had been baking bread. Suddenly seeing these familiar tools in the 1970s made her unable to contain her excitement.
“Comrade, hello.”
A voice suddenly came from beside her ear.
Su Man turned around. It was a very young soldier, looking at her with an astonished and excited gaze.
Su Man straightened up and smiled. “Hello.”
Xie Wei had been sent by Qi Xiaoyuan to the Commander’s office. Passing by, he casually glanced over and saw a girl bending down to look inside the bakery. Her figure was graceful and beautiful, so striking that it was impossible to look away. When he saw her face clearly, he was even more stunned. Since when had such a beautiful girl appeared in the Military Unit?
“Comrade, my name is Xie Wei. May I ask your name?” Xie Wei said.
“My name is Su Man.” As soon as she spoke, she saw obvious disappointment on his face, and she felt a little confused. Was her name that unpleasant?
“So you are Su Man. I’ve heard of you.” Xie Wei’s tone was full of regret.
Su Man immediately thought of the gossip spread through Ye Aihua at the guesthouse front desk. This man probably heard it that way.
“Are you off duty right now?” she asked.
He was in uniform; it should still be working hours.
Xie Wei suddenly slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot!” Then he ran off.
Su Man did not take the episode to heart. When she returned to the guesthouse, it was already afternoon. Passing the front desk, she smiled and greeted Ye Aihua.
Watching Su Man’s figure disappear, Ye Aihua suddenly remembered she had forgotten to mention that Qi Xiaoyuan had come to deliver breakfast that morning only to miss her. But after thinking for a moment, she decided not to say it. She was not going to help Qi Xiaoyuan.