On the way back to 114 Regiment, they passed through Hongwu and Hong’an counties.
After the evacuated disaster victims had been settled, the jeep at the head of the convoy drove straight into the regiment compound.
Gu Wenshan listened to Xiangzhi’s full account and thought it through carefully. Seeing in the rearview mirror that Xiangzhi was nearly pressed against the window, he said: “Sit properly.”
Xiangzhi immediately straightened her small waist and sat bolt upright, her small hands obediently placed on her knees, her smiling eyes curved so brightly they seemed to overflow with water.
Gu Wenshan had already educated her that the military unit was not a place for her to tell lies. If she continued, he would consider sending her back to the village.
“If everything you said is true, I can arrange for you to stay temporarily to avoid trouble. But if anyone asks about our relationship—”
Xiangzhi said understandingly: “We are friends.”
Gu Wenshan continued: “I arranged work for you because—”
Xiangzhi said playfully: “Because you love me.”
Gu Wenshan frowned: “Say again.”
Xiangzhi said with a dejected expression: “Because you promised Aunt Qin.”
“Very good.” The little girl seemed to be well-behaved and not particularly scheming, satisfied, Gu Wenshan also said: “Then explain it to my mother over the telephone.”
Xiangzhi said clearly: “No.”
Gu Wenshan: “…”
“Hahahaha,” Stone Zhibing, in the front passenger seat, watched their exchange and could not help but laugh. In the minds of the soldiers, Gu Wenshan was as clever as a thousand-year-old fox, now he had met his match in a stubborn little donkey.
Gu Wenshan later did not know whether he was angry or simply focused on driving, he did not speak again.
The military gate stood solemn and imposing, armed soldiers stood guard with real weapons and ammunition.
A large national emblem hung on the red wall, written in characters forged in blood were “Heed the Party’s Command,” “Win Battles,” and “Uphold Good Conduct”—pressure bearing down overhead.
Xiangzhi’s spiritual power was affected, but it did not prevent her from crouching furtively and sneaking glimpses of Gu Wenshan from between the seats, swallowing softly.
What a fine piece of meat she had set her eyes on, even the back of his head was attractively well-proportioned! Xiangzhi suppressed her excitement and secretly rubbed the sesame oil jar in her bundle.
In the front passenger seat, Stone Zhibing saw it all clearly and found it hard to put into words. He thought: Could this female comrade please control that look in her eyes about wanting to swallow Gu Wenshan whole? Though many female comrades harbored such thoughts, you are the first to dare salivate openly behind his back! Does this make sense?!
Gu Wenshan drove the jeep to the military district guesthouse and parked it. He still needed to report the mission situation to Commander Liu.
“Rest here tonight for now.”
Gu Wenshan’s gaze avoided her lustrous red lips and fell upon her autumn-water-like eyes as he spoke carefully: “Tomorrow afternoon I will come find you. If you need anything or get hungry, you can eat downstairs and put it on my account.”
Not knowing if it was intentional or not, he asked a redundant question: “You know who I am, right?”
Xiangzhi pressed down the corners of her upturned lips and said clearly: “You are Gu Wenshan!”
Few people could call his name loudly, Gu Wenshan’s expression showed no reaction, he nodded slightly and prepared to leave.
Xiangzhi, having finally found her target, could not let Gu Wenshan leave so easily. She stood by the car door, blocking it: “Where are you going? Are you not staying here with me?”
She had intended to eat him tonight and return to her carefree flower valley tomorrow.
Stone Zhibing, drinking water in the car, choked at her directness and coughed violently.
Gu Wenshan, his military uniform crisp and orderly, said with a composed expression: “I have quarters here, I do not need to stay here.”
The female receptionist at the front desk kept peering toward the door, in all her years working here, this was the first time she had seen Regiment Commander Gu receive a female comrade…
Could she be the country girl from the rumors? She was beautiful like a delicate flower, no wonder Regiment Commander Gu was taking his time.
While Gu Wenshan spoke with Xiangzhi, he noticed people eating on the first floor of the guesthouse frequently glancing over. Without showing it, he subtly shifted his body, successfully blocking their view toward Xiangzhi.
This small gesture did not escape Stone Zhibing’s eyes, he briefly wondered if Gu Wenshan had been possessed by a ghost when he went out.
If any other female comrade spoke to him this way, Gu Wenshan would have already strode away.
Since Gu Wenshan said he was not going up, Xiangzhi could not press further. She trudged to the stairway, waving goodbye to Gu Wenshan.
Gu Wenshan apparently did not see, he got in the car and left.
Xiangzhi hung her shoulders in disappointment and was led by a service attendant to a room. When the door opened, a surge of warm air poured out. She opened her small mouth slightly, like a young Liu Laolao seeing the world for the first time, heading straight for the heating pipes to marvel.
“Comrade, will you need dinner?” The attendant’s attitude was quite good, after all, this was someone Gu Wenshan had personally brought, so courtesy was necessary. Whether she secretly disdained this country bumpkin was another matter.
Xiangzhi threw down her grimy bundle and politely said: “No dinner, and no breakfast tomorrow either.”
After the attendant left, Xiangzhi instantly threw herself onto the bed and transformed into her pristine, beautiful true form.
Her flower branches stretched uniformly toward the heating pipe, gradually, the room filled with jade-green leaves.
She luxuriously unfurled her petals, golden mist swirling around her delicate little stamens. Transforming back did not require using spiritual power, she curiously surveyed her surroundings and then fell asleep without a care in the world.
Because she was pleased with herself for actually finding Gu Wenshan, even in her dreams she could not help but show off, trembling her leaves and producing a pleasant rustling sound…
On the other side, after Gu Wenshan came out of Commander Liu’s office, it was already past nine in the evening. He called his home in Beijing but no one answered.
He called his older sister’s office at Guyang River, hearing that her leg was broken and she had just finished surgery but was otherwise fine, he finally felt reassured.
Gu Wenshan obtained the telephone number for the Beijing Military Medical University, planning to call again early the next morning.
Back at the quarters, he showered, his muscular upper body was wiped half dry. The unhealed bullet wound on his chest was still quite noticeable.
In the bitter cold, his entire body of beautiful muscle rippled with moisture, loose shorts hung on his lean waist, his thighs were strong and explosive.
Water droplets from his short cropped hair rolled down his neck and fell into the grooves of his abdominal muscles, his entire body emitted an intense aura of testosterone.
Stone Zhibing, glancing at him from the upper bunk, smiled. No wonder Xiangzhi was so eager. Not just women—what man would not envy such a build?
Gu Wenshan lay down and read “Research on Radar Detection Technology” for a while. The past few days had been somewhat tiring, soon he closed his eyes amid Stone Zhibing’s snoring.
Would he dream of her tonight?
***
Early the next morning.
In the family compound, there was fresh gossip over tea and meals.
Regiment Commander Gu had settled a strikingly beautiful young girl into the military district guesthouse and she even knew his name.
Her outstanding beautiful face and coy demeanor when speaking to Gu Wenshan led everyone to speculate that she was the legendary country girl object from Gu Wenshan’s hometown.
Before she arrived, many thought Xiangzhi was plain and lacked cultivated bearing, who knew there would be such a dramatic reversal, slapping the faces of many people soundly.
The matter had fermented since last night, spreading from one to ten and ten to a hundred, by breakfast time the entire military compound was in an uproar.
The country girl, though young, had guts—she had actually chased the regiment commander to the military unit!
Even more remarkable was that she had not been driven away by Regiment Commander Gu!
Everyone who had seen her praised her beauty, the nickname “village flower” soon followed. Later, this title was disputed, having seen Xiangzhi themselves, people felt that merely “village” was insufficient to capture her beauty.
At minimum it should be “township flower” or “city flower”, they had not even seen such a beautiful and elegant-looking actress on movie theater posters.
Regiment Commander Gu’s conduct was even more surprising, though still not particularly affectionate, for female comrades pursuing him, it was already an exceptional state.
Perhaps pressure from his mother? That was unclear.
The guesthouse first floor was a reception restaurant where breakfast traffic surged.
People who normally ate in the cafeteria also came over, all hoping to glimpse the country girl at the center of attention and see if she could indeed win over the heaven-favored Regiment Commander Gu, successor carefully chosen by Commander Liu.
Unfortunately, Xiangzhi slept in and did not get up for breakfast, disappointing many gossip-seekers who came for nothing.
“It cannot possibly be her!”
Mu Ying had little heart for morning drills and stood in the practice room talking to her close friend: “That girl was met during disaster relief, she absolutely could not be her. I personally saw Regiment Commander Gu rescue her.”
Wu Lili, stretching her legs, said: “If it is not her, who could it be? People saw her flirting with Regiment Commander Gu. At that time, Commissar Shi was also present, he did not interfere.”
Stone Zhibing’s random strikes on other pursuers—who knew how many he had “beaten to death” on Gu Wenshan’s behalf—yet he never interfered. This matter was probably more serious than they thought.
Mu Ying, indecisive by nature, leaned against the wall dejectedly: “Could he really be interested in her?”
Wu Lili glanced to the side, the others were all practicing. She whispered: “What is the point of thinking so much? Why not go yourself and probe for information?”
Mu Ying, thinking of Gu Wenshan’s cold manner, said timidly: “He would not even speak an extra word to me.”
Even when she helped transport disaster relief supplies, he had not even given her a smile.
Wu Lili wanted to laugh hearing this, at least Mu Ying could exchange words with Regiment Commander Gu. How about her? She could not even get a word in.
Wu Lili gave Mu Ying advice, slightly provocative: “Who told you to ask Regiment Commander Gu? Why not ask the country girl herself? You said yourself that if she dared come, you would definitely drive her away. If you cannot do it, just wait for others to mock you behind your back.”
Mu Ying said regretfully: “Why would I drive her away when nothing is settled? Regiment Commander Gu’s intentions are still unclear. Besides, I was just being angry, who knew it would spread like that?”
Wu Lili smiled without responding and switched to stretching the other leg, pressing down hard.
Before Mu Ying came, Wu Lili had been the backup lead dancer. In June this year, the Beijing cultural troupe miraculously produced Mu Ying, whose technique and looks surpassed her, naturally, the lead dancer position became Mu Ying’s.
Though there were better development opportunities, Mu Ying had requested transfer here for Regiment Commander Gu.
Wu Lili practiced seriously while Mu Ying chatted with her on and off, she felt Wu’s coolness.
Seeing Wu Lili unwilling to continue the conversation, Mu Ying sat alone in the empty practice room to think. Wu Lili observed her slender arms and legs, such excellent physical conditions were the envy of every dancer. Yet Mu Ying did not know how to treasure it.
Mu Ying was well-protected by her parents, a compound child from the red wall, everyone around her indulged and accommodated her. Pursuing a man with such shamelessness was her first time in life, and would also be her last.
After a moment, Mu Ying appeared in Wu Lili’s sight again.
Her fair, oval face showed a flash of determination. Wu Lili understood her, this young mistress had a simple mind, easy to predict.
Sure enough, Mu Ying reached out to help her press her foot straight: “Will you come with me to talk to her?”
Wu Lili’s eyes rolled as she said: “What needs talking? You just dress up nicely, stand in front of her, and she will definitely feel inferior.”
***
Around noon, Gu Wenshan finally got through to Qin Zhixin on the telephone.
“The situation is this,” she said.
Qin Zhixin told Gu Wenshan about Lu Jianping pestering Xiangzhi, not differing from what Xiangzhi had explained.
She spoke to Gu Wenshan earnestly: “She lost her memory and cannot find her parents. If I had not helped in the hometown, she would have certainly been sold by Cao Xiangqin’s parents to Lu Jianping. In this world, where is there room for a beautiful woman with no one to depend on?”
Xiangzhi’s safe arrival at Gu Wenshan’s side finally put Qin Zhixin’s worried heart at ease. She had made Xiangzhi get off bus number six and call her, when she did not call, she had nearly worried herself to death.
Gu Wenshan did not tell Qin Zhixin where he had found Xiangzhi, Qin Zhixin still thought Xiangzhi had found the military unit herself.
“You must take responsibility for her,” Qin Zhixin whispered into the telephone, covering it: “After taking advantage of someone, there is no reason not to acknowledge it.”
Gu Wenshan, holding the telephone, explained: “I truly did nothing with her.”
Qin Zhixin countered: “Then how did she know about the mole on your chest?”
Gu Wenshan was stunned: “Perhaps she dreamed of it?”
Qin Zhixin said angrily: “Then how did she know you do not snore? Are you going to tell me she turned into a ghost, lingered by your bedside, and found out that way?”
“…” Gu Wenshan was left speechless.
In fact, when he smelled the gardenia scent, he had already merged the woman from his dreams with Xiangzhi into one. Though difficult to digest such a strange matter… Qin Zhixin’s words only confirmed Gu Wenshan’s suspicion.
“If you do not speak, that means you have no argument. If you do not want to be with her as a couple, then I will adopt her as a daughter, and you will have no share in becoming a son-in-law! Beep beep beep—”
“Mom?” Gu Wenshan held the telephone, the other end had already hung up.
“Figured it out?”
Right after setting down the phone, Stone Zhibing, filling out forms at the tea table, pointed at the form: “There is still a one-bedroom-two-room suite, how about making it your wedding room? When a one-bedroom-three-room becomes available, I can switch it for you.”
Gu Wenshan, amused despite himself, said: “Get out of here, focus on distributing your own quarters.”
Stone Zhibing clicked his tongue twice and continued burying himself in the forms.
Gu Wenshan glanced at his watch and walked to the door, planning to pick up his military overcoat. Little Guo knocked and entered: “Report, Commander.”
“Speak.”
Little Guo pulled out photographs of a corpse found on Erfeng Mountain and handed them to Gu Wenshan: “The rescue team discovered a corpse on Erfeng Mountain and asks for your inspection.”
Stone Zhibing looked up: “The rescue operation on Erfeng Mountain was very successful, there were no casualties.”
Little Guo said: “This person died of unnatural causes. The local police, knowing the commander went up the mountain, want to ask if you saw this corpse at the time.”
Stone Zhibing set down his pen, frowning: “If we had seen it, we would have reported it, who would ignore a dead civilian?”
Little Guo continued: “Not a civilian—he is a wanted cadre. He was suspected of kidnapping, his accomplices have already confessed.”
Gu Wenshan paused in putting on his overcoat and asked hesitantly: “What is his name?”
Little Guo checked the file: “Lu Jianping.”
“I never saw him.”
Gu Wenshan naturally put on his military overcoat and said: “Tell them all my actions have records. If there are questions, they can communicate with me through the political department. The local authorities have no jurisdiction over me.”
“Yes, sir.” Little Guo opened the door for Gu Wenshan, just as he was about to exit, Commander Liu happened to pass by on the way down for lunch.
Commander Liu said: “Young Gu, about that female comrade you settled—send her to the greenhouse? Did Old Zhou agree?”
Old Zhou was a retired Beijing cadre whose greenhouse had always been under his management.
Gu Wenshan said: “Old Zhou said short-term is no problem. She does not take a formal position slot, just temporary worker.”
“Old Zhou likes quiet, make sure your… uh, does not make a fuss there, diligent and conscientious is best.”
“Understood.” Gu Wenshan seemed not to notice Commander Liu’s hesitation, standing straight as a poplar tree in the corridor, waiting for Commander Liu to go first.
Commander Liu smiled and patted his shoulder: “Watch your image.”
Stone Zhibing stood in the office stifling laughter, after Commander Liu slowly passed, his face had turned red from holding it in.
Gu Wenshan happened to look back and see this, pointing his finger through the air.
Stone Zhibing immediately said: “Old Gu, I laugh once and you hold a grudge?!”
Gu Wenshan, with a smile that did not reach his eyes, said: “Laughing like that easily lets people misunderstand my relationship with Xiangzhi. If it spreads, it is bad for Xiangzhi.”
Stone Zhibing asked in confusion: “What do you mean? A proper relationship you do not want to be proper, you want to be improper?”
Gu Wenshan turned and kicked Little Guo, he knew the rhythm too well and quickly shut the door and stood guard outside.
The office immediately erupted in ghostly wails, after a full fifteen minutes, Gu Wenshan finally opened the door.
Little Guo peeked in carefully, Commissar Shi lay half-dead on the sofa, barely breathing, saying weakly: “So what exactly is your relationship?”
Gu Wenshan said firmly: “I said it before—friends.”
Stone Zhibing stared at him for a moment, then said teasingly: “Friends? I am afraid there will come a day you regret it.”
Gu Wenshan gave a light laugh: “I will not. I am a person, not an animal. See a pretty girl and hop on?”
Stone Zhibing gave a thumbs up: “A model for our generation.”
At the military guesthouse, Gu Wenshan stood like a proper gentleman at the stairway waiting for Xiangzhi to come down for meals.
He waited and waited but did not wait for her, in full view of everyone, he went upstairs and knocked on her door. Standing at her door, he could even smell the gardenia scent from the crack.
Such a careless little spirit.
Xiangzhi opened the door drowsily, almost instantly, a wave of gardenia fragrance rushed out. She suddenly fully awoke, quickly containing her aura, and observed Gu Wenshan’s reaction with wet, doe-like eyes.
Gu Wenshan seemed not to notice, he stood indifferently at the door: “Come down for meals first, then we will buy living essentials.”
“I can stay here now?” Xiangzhi turned to the bed and put on her quilted military shoes: “Is it far from you?”
Seeing her struggle with pulling on her shoes, her rear end raised high, and her shoelaces getting tangled as she fumbled, Gu Wenshan hooked his fingers, glancing down the hallway.
The two elderly people in the next room had already gone downstairs, the service attendants were all at the restaurant.
He strode into the room: “Sit on the bed.”
After speaking, he untied the tangled laces and quickly retied them. Having just finished the left foot, the right foot shamelessly straightened up onto his knee.
Gu Wenshan: “…”
He finished the right foot’s laces and then exited, continuing to stand in the doorway like a door god. His movements were perfectly standard, unobserved by anyone. Xiangzhi, looking at the pretty laces, said happily: “Thank you.”
Gu Wenshan, seeing her inadvertently emit gardenia fragrance again, said helplessly: “Your perfume smells nice.”
Xiangzhi, suddenly complimented, showed a smile, her curved eyes like a crescent moon: “Do you like the scent?”
Gu Wenshan set his face: “I am a soldier.”
Xiangzhi said, confused: “Soldiers cannot smell nice?”
Gu Wenshan said: “It reveals operational movements.”
Xiangzhi suddenly understood and secretly contained the gardenia fragrance, trying not to let it transfer to Gu Wenshan.
The two of them each calculating their own agenda, one before and one after, went down to the first-floor restaurant.
Gu Wenshan handed the menu to Xiangzhi to order, Xiangzhi twisted and turned, not ordering. Not shyness—she could not read!
“Any foods you dislike?”
“None.”
Xiangzhi did not understand “dislike,” so she left it entirely to Gu Wenshan.
Gu Wenshan thus ordered two meat dishes and one vegetable dish, fulfilling the role of host. But his gaze was not polite as it swept across her face, examining.
Xiangzhi’s small mouth chewed full, her chopstick use clearly rusty. Seeing Gu Wenshan barely using his chopsticks, she unselfconsciously put two cloves of garlic into his bowl: “Gu Wenshan, eat.”
Gu Wenshan looked at the garlic in his bowl—seared, the chef had applied high heat and there was slight char.
“This is rare, I am giving it to you,” Xiangzhi said kindly. In the flower valley, the rarer and more scarce the flower, the more precious.
“Thank you,” Gu Wenshan did not eat, he still stared at her, wanting to know what this little thing was thinking.
The little thing, oblivious, continued eating heartily. She had originally thought Aunt Du’s cooking was quite good, but she had not expected Gu Wenshan’s choice to be even more delicious.
She held her chopsticks and said from the heart: “This is the best food I have eaten in my entire life.”
Gu Wenshan silently set down his tea cup and said after a moment: “You can continue eating here in the evening too.”
“You are really good,” Xiangzhi said sincerely.
Gu Wenshan observed for a while and discovered that Xiangzhi would take a few bites then secretly glance at him, then take a few more bites and glance again. He had no idea what habits this creature possessed. It felt like she was using him as an appetizer. It should be an illusion… probably.
Xiangzhi ate until very full and satisfied, set down her bowl and wiped her oily little mouth in a refined manner.
Gu Wenshan leaned back in his chair, looking at the completely cleared plates: “Full?”
Xiangzhi nodded: “Delicious.”
Gu Wenshan got straight to the point: “I heard you lost all your memories. Have you had any strange dreams?”
Xiangzhi, determined to behave well lest he send her away, said: “No. I never dream.”
Seeing her denial, Gu Wenshan did not press further.
He remembered the gardenia branch that had pressed against him when he was at death’s door. Now thinking back, that he had survived was also because of her. He just had never imagined that the gardenia flower not only could enter his dreams but could also transform into human form and chase after him.
Regardless of her purpose, settling her was the right thing to do. Gu Wenshan propped his temple with one hand, after a night of internal struggle, he had accepted Xiangzhi’s identity as a little flower spirit.
Though Xiangzhi was still trying hard to pass as human and did not want anyone to know this fact.
After settling the bill, Gu Wenshan stood up: “I found you temporary work, the assigned dormitory is also not far. We will buy things first, then I will take you to the dorms. Tomorrow we can go look at the work place.”
Xiangzhi said hesitantly: “I have no education and no refinement, what kind of work would suit me?”
Gu Wenshan could not help but quirk his lips: “The greenhouse.” He carefully observed Xiangzhi’s expression, sure enough, her little face could not hide what she was thinking—it was full of delight.
“The greenhouse? That would be wonderful, I like flowers and plants.”
Xiangzhi cheerfully followed Gu Wenshan, chattering non-stop when they got to the supply store to buy living necessities.
“All of these?” The supply store attendant looked curiously at the items covering the counter, each selection was good quality, quite an expenditure.
Gu Wenshan, at another counter, also bought Xiangzhi calcium milk biscuits and national-brand canned premium infant formula. Xiangzhi clutched them and lowered her head to look at the large shrimp crackers in the glass case.
Gu Wenshan suddenly understood that Old Mrs. Qin had mainly wanted him to buy the shrimp crackers for Xiangzhi.
“There is a pound and a half of shrimp crackers left,” the attendant asked Xiangzhi: “Comrade, at three fen per piece, how many do you want?”
The price was not cheap, Xiangzhi was embarrassed to ask for too many and shyly looked toward Gu Wenshan: “Can I have five?”
Gu Wenshan, behind her, said: “Take them all.”
The attendant was stunned, she picked up the small scale and measured it out, then gave Xiangzhi the bill. Xiangzhi moved aside, Gu Wenshan naturally took it in his hands.
“Anything else?”
Xiangzhi said softly: “Does the dormitory have heating?”
This was about heating, not stupid, then.
“Afraid of the cold?” Gu Wenshan said: “There is no heating in the dorms, you will have to use this kind of stove. I have arranged for the coal to be delivered.”
“All right then,” Xiangzhi was reluctant to leave the warm environment of the guesthouse, but she could not spend all day in her room, the little spirit had to do work at the military unit too.
Gu Wenshan also picked out quality quilted clothing for Xiangzhi to use as replacements, the attendant helping pack the items and the colleagues beside her exchanged meaningful glances.
Regiment Commander Gu was buying things for a female comrade for the first time, he was truly generous, wanting the best in food, clothing, and supplies.
Leaving the supply store, Gu Wenshan carried things all the way, ignoring the probing glances of others, he walked straight-faced as he escorted her to the dormitory—a very proper gentleman.
When they arrived, the orderly assigned to deliver the coal had already neatly stacked the honeycomb briquettes. Seeing Regiment Commander Gu get out of the car, he saluted.
The temporary worker dormitory was in the bungalow area, many temporary workers had already left by year-end. Currently one person per unit meant the units were not fully occupied. Within military jurisdiction, sanitation had fixed standards—not bad overall.
The bungalow was a single-room-one suite with a small six-square-meter courtyard outside for storing odds and ends and drying clothes. Opening the green-painted door, on the left was a cramped kitchen, on the right a ten-square-meter living room, at the end was a single bed.
All necessary tables and chairs were there, besides that… nothing else.
“Temporary workers also receive meal tickets, you can eat at the cafeteria or cook yourself,” Gu Wenshan carried things inside, he lowered his head when passing through the doorway.
Xiangzhi, knowing she could stay, twisted and turned as she moved things, curiously looking around.
Gu Wenshan, seeing the living room had a flue leading outside, moved the stove to the center of the room: “Once connected, the room can keep itself warm. The windows still need to stay slightly open though. Let me get the stove lit for you first.”
Xiangzhi stood nearby learning how to light the fire and maintain the stove. For warmth, she studied very seriously, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Gu Wenshan’s hands.
His hands had veins clearly defined, his fingers were long and nimble. His palm bore visible thick calluses. Lighting the fire, Gu Wenshan checked the smoke flue inside the room to see if there were any leaks.
Xiangzhi felt the room gradually warming and wanted to take off her military jacket. Just as she undid the first button, Gu Wenshan’s cold voice came: “What are you doing?”
Xiangzhi, her small face flushed red from the stove’s warmth, looking confused: “I am hot.”
Gu Wenshan, seeing her remove the military overcoat, the tight sweater underneath outlining a delicate, full figure, her slender waist that could be held in one hand—
The thought suddenly occurred to him and was immediately cut off by himself.
Role model.
Gentleman.
Xiangzhi folded the military overcoat and saw Gu Wenshan’s momentary discomfort. But he quickly regained composure, showing only a reddened ear tip as he said: “I will go borrow a wrench.”
Xiangzhi said “oh” without noticing that Regiment Commander Gu’s departure was somewhat hurried.
After a moment, besides the north wind outside, there were footsteps.
She pushed open the door and called: “Gu Wenshan?”
The flue hissed hot air, Xiangzhi’s small hands rested on the doorframe. On the ground by her feet were unpacked enamel basins and hot water bottles.
Wu Lili let out a sneer and told the sour-faced Mu Ying beside her: “For a girl who keeps calling ‘Regiment Commander’ so sweetly, look at her little voice so tender and sweet, apparently living her days already.”
This was Mu Ying’s second time seeing Xiangzhi.
Compared to her weakness on the camp bed, the young girl before her had eyes like autumn waters, cheeks like pink jade. Her red lips gleamed with moisture, it was unclear whether they had been kissed. Even a shallow call sounded like coquetry, breaking Mu Ying’s heart.
Mu Ying’s eyes swept across Xiangzhi’s full chest and slender waist, even narrower than her own by half a circle.
“Really you,” Mu Ying said with unavoidable resentment. She could not imagine what Xiangzhi and Gu Wenshan did alone in a room.
“Is it you?” Xiangzhi said with surprise: “We unexpectedly meet here, thank you for helping me.”
You Xiu had reminded Xiangzhi to make more friends when she got to the military unit, in human terms, more friends meant more paths. Xiangzhi had taken it to heart, seeing Mu Ying, she was naturally delighted and excited.
Wu Lili, standing to the side, said: “This is the pillar of our cultural troupe, Mu Ying comrade. What is your name?”
Xiangzhi looked toward her and suddenly covered her nose with her hand: “What is my name got to do with you?”
This person emitted a sour, acrid smell, it was pungent and nauseating, she disliked it.
Wu Lili had not expected the country girl to change face faster than turning a book page. Cheerful with Mu Ying one second, then turn sarcastic the next second at her. Could she have discovered that though Mu Ying’s family background was not equal to Gu Wenshan’s, it still surpassed that of ordinary people, so she wanted to climb two big trees at once?
Wu Lili pushed Mu Ying forward, she had specifically had Mu Ying dress carefully to come, wanting to put the country girl in the shade.
But Mu Ying, the renowned pillar performer, appeared shy before Xiangzhi. She could not help but step back: “Never mind, let us go back today.”
Wu Lili, seeing her like this, was frustrated and wanted to push harder, it would be best if Mu Ying and Xiangzhi fought and were both disciplined.
Just then, a large hand blocked her movement, and a low voice sounded from behind: “What are you doing here?”
The words fell as his eyes rested on Xiangzhi, seeing she was unharmed, he put down his hand.
Wu Lili’s soul nearly left her body seeing Gu Wenshan, she suddenly stepped back and bumped into Mu Ying hard. Mu Ying nearly fell!
Xiangzhi exclaimed and reached out, expecting Mu Ying to fall into Gu Wenshan’s arms. But she saw Gu Wenshan quickly step back.
Xiangzhi: “…” Had she seen wrong?
Mu Ying’s arm swung through empty air and twisted as she fell, her face showed pain. Wu Lili quickly tried to help her up, Xiangzhi rushed to stop her: “Do not move her!”
Wu Lili said panicked: “I did not mean to, it was Regiment Commander Gu who scared me and I bumped into her!”
“Do not blame Regiment Commander Gu.”
Mu Ying, after all, was from a cultivated family, she could not say anything too harsh, just held her ankle with reddened eyes, looking pitiful.
Was she asking to be carried?
Gu Wenshan hesitated whether to take her to the medical office, quickly he found he did not need to hesitate.
Xiangzhi’s small body crouched before Mu Ying: “Come, I will carry you.”
Wanting to take the opportunity to make contact with Gu Wenshan, Mu Ying, her heart complicated, stood on one leg and threw herself at Xiangzhi.
After all, a tall girl weighed a good hundred pounds. Before Gu Wenshan could react, Xiangzhi fell with a thump and landed on her head, her rear end thrown up in the air as she catapulted Mu Ying away!
“Ah!”
Xiangzhi was both hurt and mortified, she quickly scrambled up, rubbing her forehead as she glanced around frantically: “Spit spit, nobody else saw, right? You are all right?”
Wu Lili shouted: “Why did you intentionally throw her!”
Xiangzhi, her spiritual power suppressed, had not realized her physical strength was so small, she said aggrievedly: “I could not carry her.”
Gu Wenshan, wanting to laugh but not daring to, pressed his lips hard, he pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Xiangzhi. Xiangzhi wiped her face and looked toward Mu Ying rolling on the ground: “Are you all right?”
Mu Ying, head lowered as she held her ankle, was furious. She had not even done anything yet.
Xiangzhi moved to help again when Wu Lili squeezed in coldly: “You sure are thoughtful, you broke our pillar performer, how will she lead the dance on stage?”
Xiangzhi, honest as always, said: “Sorry, Mu Ying comrade—”
“Fine, responsibility does not lie with you,” Gu Wenshan, having clearly seen, placed it on Wu Lili. Xiangzhi had only been trying to help Mu Ying.
Mu Ying felt Gu Wenshan’s protection, after standing, she limped toward the gate with pressed lips.
Gu Wenshan, seeing them leave, raised his hand and removed the dead grass stuck to Xiangzhi’s hair and threw it away. Xiangzhi, like a child who had done wrong, muttered: “Gu Wenshan, my face hurts.”
More coquetry!
At the gate, Mu Ying heard clearly, she turned despite the pain to see Gu Wenshan using a handkerchief corner to wipe the small wound on Xiangzhi’s face.
“Go to the medical office to get medicine,” Gu Wenshan worried she might scar, and when Xiangzhi refused to go to the medical office, trying to run inside, he extended his long legs and shut the door.
“…” Xiangzhi nearly crashed into the door, glaring at him indignantly.
If she had not given him her flower dew, this small wound “whoosh~” would have been fine! Gu Wenshan locked the big lock and handed the key to Xiangzhi: “Hold it well, do not lose it.”
Xiangzhi was about to take it when Gu Wenshan took it back and pulled out his own shell-casing key chain: “If you lose it, you owe me one.”
Xiangzhi obediently said “oh” and after two steps, forgot she was supposed to be angry, honestly saying: “If it is very expensive, I cannot afford to pay.”
Gu Wenshan, suppressing a smile, said: “Then do not lose it.”
Xiangzhi’s small mouth said “oh” again, she carefully placed the key in her pocket and patted it, then obediently followed him toward the medical office.
Gu Wenshan suddenly laughed.
He discovered that Xiangzhi was actually very easy to coax.
This laugh was seen by Mu Ying, who was also headed toward the medical office. Wu Lili whispered in her ear: “It is settled, those two’s eyes are stuck together.”
Mu Ying’s lips sagged, she clenched her teeth and did not speak, continuing to limp forward. Honestly, it was her own fault for coming today.
Wu Lili lowered her gaze to Mu Ying’s ankle, the trembling of her fingertips betrayed the excitement she was barely suppressing.
At the medical office, a nurse applied iodine to Xiangzhi’s face. Xiangzhi felt the sting, held up her chin with eyes squeezed shut, looking like a little cat.
The on-duty doctor at the door laughed and said: “Regiment Commander Gu, I remember getting injured last year, you did not even use anesthetic before suturing.”
Hearing the teasing, Gu Wenshan said quietly: “Different.”
The little spirit was delicate and tender, how could she bear even the slightest discomfort?
To the on-duty doctor’s ears, this was yet another interpretation.
Mu Ying underwent examination, to confirm there was no bone damage, she had to go to the hospital. Wu Lili accompanied her, before leaving, she glared fiercely at Xiangzhi.
Xiangzhi held a mirror, admiring her pretty little face and barely noticed Wu Lili, she instead looked toward Gu Wenshan with something she wanted to say but dared not.
Gu Wenshan took Xiangzhi back to the dormitory, Xiangzhi still had something she wanted to say but was afraid to say. Her eyes gazed at him hopefully, as if wishing he would volunteer to confess.
Gu Wenshan was confused, could she have discovered that he realized her identity?
Inside the room, Gu Wenshan checked the old window and noticed a piece of broken glass. He naturally began repairing the window for Xiangzhi.
Xiangzhi, afraid of the cold, seeing him like that, swallowed the question she wanted to ask and obediently stayed by the stove, warming water for Gu Wenshan.
Gu Wenshan, seeing her constantly touch the iron pot with her hand, reminded her: “Be careful of your hands, just because it is hot does not mean you can drink it immediately, you have to wait until it boils.”
Xiangzhi said sweetly: “Bubbling, I understand.”
Gu Wenshan smiled and continued repairing the window. Xiangzhi, with her hands behind her back, walked back and forth, Gu Wenshan, to avoid suspicion, stayed standing in the courtyard doing the repair.
Finally, after the water boiled, Xiangzhi eagerly carried a steaming cup of milk to Gu Wenshan in the courtyard. Gu Wenshan took the enamel cup and said gently: “Is there something you wanted to ask me?”
Xiangzhi said through the windowpane without glass: “I took a tumble, it made me remember something.”
Gu Wenshan asked curiously: “What is it?”
Xiangzhi fidgeted and said: “Did you… did you eat my mouth?”
The question was abrupt, but Xiangzhi was unwilling like last night to make no progress, she really could not sleep from craving, after all.
Gu Wenshan nearly dropped the glass, his gaze uncontrollably fell upon her ruddy lips and instantly recalled the soft, sweet feeling.
His throat moved, he carefully corrected her words: “I was performing artificial respiration at the time.”
Xiangzhi, hands behind her back, tilted her head mischievously: “So did you eat or not?”
Gu Wenshan felt some regret at having admitted touching her lips, the skin on his face grew increasingly hot.
Just as he did not know how to answer, Xiangzhi suddenly poked her head through the windowpane without glass, tilting up her chin to offer her lips: “Then it is not fair, I also want to taste your mouth. Will you let me?”