The next morning.
After the rain, the sky over Huaibei was as blue as freshly washed glass.
Huo Yan had woken very early.
Or rather, he hadn’t really slept at all.
He brought a paper bag in from outside and tossed it onto the bed.
“Get up. Change into this.”
Jiang Li groggily crawled out from under the covers, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
She opened the bag.
Inside was a brand-new Lenin-style uniform.
A gray jacket, dark blue pants, and a pair of black cloth shoes.
This was the most common, plain outfit of the era.
But also the best for hiding one’s figure.
“Take off that shirt.”
Huo Yan turned his back to her, fastening his discipline buttons, his tone a mix of disdain and a subtle, barely noticeable possessiveness.
“From now on, you must wear this when you go out. No flashy clothes.”
Especially anything that exposed your waist—forget it.
Jiang Li obediently nodded, retreating under the covers to change.
When she emerged,
Huo Yan glanced back.
He paused.
This girl… really knows how to wear clothes.
Even in that plain, rustic Lenin suit, she somehow exuded a pure, cold, almost ascetic elegance.
Though the baggy uniform hid her devilish curves, her face was too striking.
Skin pale and radiant, set off by the dark clothing, soft enough to make one want to pinch.
“Button it all the way up.”
Huo Yan walked over and buttoned the collar himself, almost wishing he could cover her long neck entirely.
“Let’s go.”
He checked his watch. “Time to report to the troupe.”
…
The troupe was on the east side of the division headquarters compound.
All along the way, she turned heads—everyone was staring.
Huo Yan strode ahead, his military uniform crisp, the two-star insignia on his shoulder gleaming in the sunlight.
His stern face, coupled with an aura that kept strangers at bay, made every passing soldier stand at attention, afraid to breathe.
Yet their eyes inevitably flicked to Jiang Li trailing behind him.
“Who’s that girl?”
“Beautiful, like a magazine model.”
“Following the division commander… could she be that legendary fiancée of his?”
Whispers reached Huo Yan’s ears.
He frowned and suddenly stopped.
He turned.
A cold sweep of his gaze scanned the area.
Like a tiger patrolling its territory.
Instantly, everyone went silent.
Heads bowed, pretending to be busy, too afraid to look again.
Jiang Li kept her head down, like a shy little wife, trailing half a step behind Huo Yan.
She could feel the protective aura radiating from him.
Overbearing, yes—but incredibly reassuring.
Just as they reached the troupe’s entrance,
A group approached.
Leading them was a woman in a tightly tailored military uniform, her waist cinched to highlight her curves.
Her hair styled in fashionable waves, light makeup on her face, and lips painted bright red.
This was Lin Man, the current star of the troupe.
She was chatting with a few female soldiers and looked up as she saw Huo Yan. Her eyes lit up instantly.
A glow of admiration and surprise she couldn’t hide.
“Division Commander Huo!”
Lin Man hurried forward, her voice sweet, almost cloying, deliberately familiar.
“What brings you here today? Watching our rehearsal?”
She completely ignored Jiang Li trailing behind, her sultry eyes fixed on Huo Yan, body leaning subtly toward him.
Huo Yan stepped back half a pace, avoiding her closeness.
His brow slightly furrowed.
He was allergic to perfume.
The scent of his little troublemaker at home was far more pleasant.
“I’m here for something with your troupe leader,” Huo Yan said coldly, businesslike.
Lin Man didn’t lose her composure, still smiling brightly.
Then, she finally noticed Jiang Li behind him.
In that instant, Lin Man’s smile froze.
As a woman, especially one proud of her beauty, her radar was sharp.
The girl in the rustic Lenin uniform—head down, no makeup—
Her face…
Too beautiful.
Pure, unadorned beauty, like a sword cutting through Lin Man’s carefully maintained façade.
Especially the skin, so pale it drove her mad with envy.
Lin Man’s internal alarm bells rang.
She appraised Jiang Li from head to toe, critical and sharp.
Finally, her gaze settled on Jiang Li’s plain black cloth shoes.
A sneer curled her lips.
“Oh? Division Commander, this is…”
Lin Man feigned surprise, covering her mouth, her voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Your new housekeeper, perhaps? Looks diligent, but… this outfit… our division emphasizes professional appearance. Someone might think a rural relative came visiting.”
Her words were poisonous.
Openly and subtly belittling Jiang Li as a country bumpkin, a servant.
The female soldiers nearby covered their mouths, giggling, full of mockery.
Jiang Li’s face turned pale.
She was already insecure.
Lin Man’s words made her feel like she’d embarrassed Huo Yan.
She instinctively shrank back, trying to hide herself.
However…
The next moment,
A strong hand suddenly wrapped around her shoulder.
Huo Yan pulled her into his arms, the fierce protective gesture leaving everyone stunned.
“Housekeeper?”
Huo Yan sneered, eyes like knives cutting across Lin Man’s delicate face.
“Lin Man, are you blind?”
Lin Man’s smile cracked instantly.
She hadn’t expected Huo Yan to humiliate her so openly.
“D-Division Commander, I was just joking…”
“Joking?” Huo Yan’s voice grew colder. “My family member is something you can casually joke about?”
Family member.
Those words hit Lin Man like a heavy hammer.
And they struck Jiang Li’s heart.
Jiang Li looked up in disbelief at the tall man beside her.
Family member…
He admitted she was family in front of all these people?
A warm rush spread through her, and her eyes watered.
Lin Man turned pale as if she’d swallowed a dead fly.
“F-family member? You’re married?”
“Paperwork’s in progress.”
Huo Yan didn’t waste words. He held Jiang Li’s hand tighter.
“Move aside, a good dog doesn’t block the way.”
With that, he barged past Lin Man’s shoulder, carrying Jiang Li, striding into the office.
Not a single extra glance.
Lin Man staggered, nearly falling.
She stood there, watching the pair leave intimately, fingers clenched into her palm until her nails nearly broke.
Why?
She, Lin Man, had both family status and beauty, had chased Huo Yan for three years, and never gotten so much as a smile.
Why could this country girl instantly be recognized as “family”?
“Man… who’s that girl? So arrogant, right?” a junior follower whispered cautiously.
Lin Man took a deep breath, jealousy like a venomous snake in her eyes.
“Doesn’t matter where she came from. She wants to soar in the troupe?”
She snorted and turned toward the rehearsal room.
“Dream on.”
…
Troupe Leader’s Office.
Huo Yan sat on the sofa; Jiang Li stood obediently at his side.
The troupe leader was a plump man in his fifties, smiling, and friendly with Huo Yan.
“Old Huo, so this is the… promising talent you mentioned?”
The leader studied Jiang Li and nodded. “Appearance is decent, but the troupe isn’t just about looks. Must have real skill.”
“She has skill,” Huo Yan said calmly. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought her here to embarrass you.”
“Alright, then let’s follow procedure.” The leader took out an assessment sheet. “There will be an internal evaluation. Let her show her skills. If her basics pass, I’ll accept her.”
“However…” the leader hesitated, “the current star is Lin Man. If this girl joins, she might…”
“Skills decide,” Huo Yan interrupted. “Whoever is capable, goes on stage.”
“Good! Straightforward!”
After leaving the office, Huo Yan had to attend a division meeting and couldn’t accompany her.
“Prepare yourself in the rehearsal room.”
He escorted Jiang Li to the stairs, whispering: “Don’t be afraid, dance well. I’ll be in the next building. If anything happens, have Zhao Gang call me.”
“Mm!” Jiang Li nodded vigorously. “I’ll do my best!”
Watching Huo Yan leave, she took a deep breath, psyching herself up.
She must not embarrass Huo Yan!
Following the signs, she found the dressing room.
It was empty.
Jiang Li found the locker with her name, and inside was a pair of brand-new white dance shoes.
Huo Yan had specially prepared them for her.
Holding the shoes, her heart felt sweet.
However…
What she didn’t know:
Just five minutes earlier,
Lin Man had left this very spot.
And under the seemingly new insoles of those dance shoes lay several sharp thumbtacks.