Jiang Li shuffled over to the desk, looking like an elementary school student who had done something wrong and was waiting to be scolded by the teacher.
Huo Yan didn’t even glance at her. He roughly pried open the army-green metal tin.
Inside, several compressed biscuits were stacked neatly.
The old-fashioned kind—military rations, hard as bricks.
He twisted open the military canteen on the desk and poured water into the cap.
“Eat.”
A single word—concise, commanding.
Huo Yan casually picked up a compressed biscuit and tossed it into Jiang Li’s arms.
The motion was so careless it was like feeding a stray cat by the roadside.
Jiang Li scrambled to catch it.
When her fingertips touched the stiff packaging, tears almost welled up again.
She really was starving.
She had been locked in the woodshed since noon yesterday without a single drop of water. After that, she’d been running for her life and caught in the rain—her stomach had long since been burning with hunger.
Even though the compressed biscuit looked completely unappetizing, to her right now, it was lifesaving food.
“Th-thank you…”
Jiang Li whispered softly, then hurriedly tore open the packaging.
She didn’t dare take big bites—afraid of choking, and afraid of embarrassing herself in front of Huo Yan.
She could only hold the biscuit—bigger than her face—and carefully bring it to her lips, nibbling bit by bit.
Crunch, crunch.
The crisp chewing sounds echoed through the room.
She ate quickly, yet her movements were delicate.
Her cheeks puffed out, like a little hamster eating.
Because she was so focused, fine crumbs slipped from the corners of her mouth.
Some fell onto the floor.
Some… fell into the loose neckline of the oversized white shirt.
Sliding along her snow-white skin, disappearing deeper inside.
Huo Yan had originally intended to light a cigarette to calm himself down.
But when he looked up—
He saw that scene.
The crumbs resting in the hollow of her collarbones were painfully eye-catching.
Huo Yan’s gaze instantly darkened.
His Adam’s apple rolled once.
This woman…
Was she doing it on purpose?
Even eating could somehow be so… provocative?
He felt the fire he’d just managed to suppress flare up again—burning even hotter than before.
Irritating.
Extremely irritating.
“Drink water.”
Huo Yan slammed the canteen cap filled with water onto the table, splashing a few drops.
“Don’t choke to death in my room. I don’t want to have to deal with your corpse.”
His tone was harsh, like he was losing his temper.
Jiang Li flinched and quickly lifted the cap, gulping down a big mouthful.
She drank too fast and choked.
“Cough—cough—cough…”
She covered her mouth, coughing violently, her small face turning red, tears brimming in her eyes.
The oversized shirt swayed heavily with her movements, the neckline slipping even lower.
The vein at Huo Yan’s temple throbbed twice.
He abruptly stood up and snatched the canteen cap from her hand.
“Are you a pig? You can’t even drink water properly?”
Though his mouth was merciless, he still reached out and patted her back twice.
He didn’t control his strength well—nearly knocking the breath out of her.
“Cough… I—I’m fine…”
Jiang Li finally stopped coughing and looked at him timidly, her eyes misty.
Huo Yan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
This woman was a disaster waiting to happen.
Keeping her here would eventually cause trouble.
Rules had to be set.
Huo Yan pulled out a chair and sat down heavily, legs crossed, looking at Jiang Li coldly.
The pressure of someone in authority was instantly released, suffocating her.
“Listen.”
His long fingers tapped the tabletop in a steady rhythm.
“Since you’re staying here, you follow my rules.”
Jiang Li immediately straightened up, hands clasped behind her back like an obedient child, nodding desperately.
“First—no making noise.”
Huo Yan raised one finger, his gaze sharp.“No matter what you see or hear, keep your mouth shut. If you dare scream, I’ll cut out your tongue.”
Jiang Li’s face went pale. She hurriedly covered her mouth.
“Second—stay away from the windows.”
He raised a second finger.“This is the second floor. There are patrol soldiers outside. If you want to die, I won’t stop you—but don’t dirty my territory.”
Jiang Li shook her head like a rattle drum.
Even if beaten to death, she wouldn’t dare go near the window again.
“Third—”
Huo Yan paused, his gaze sweeping over her before stopping at her bare feet.
“Before I get back, you’re not allowed to sleep, and you’re not allowed to touch my things—especially…”
His eyes landed on the military map hanging on the wall, turning dangerously sharp.
“Those documents. Understand?”
“U-understood…”
Jiang Li replied, her voice trembling.
Seeing her submissive, obedient appearance only made the irritation in Huo Yan’s chest grow heavier instead of fading.
Like punching cotton.
He wanted to bully her.
Wanted to see her cry, see her beg, see her trembling beneath him.
Once such dark thoughts surfaced, they refused to be suppressed.
Huo Yan clenched his back teeth, thinking he must be insane.
Why compete with a little girl like this?
Disgraceful.
“Alright. Go sit over there.”
He pointed to the chair in the corner.
Then he turned around and picked up a document from the desk to read.
The room returned to silence.
Only the sound of rain remained.
Jiang Li held the remaining half of the compressed biscuit, curled up on the chair, hardly daring to breathe.
She secretly glanced at Huo Yan’s back.
Under the light, his figure was broad and solid, exuding a sense of security.
When he read, he was deeply focused. His side profile was sharp as if carved by a blade, brows slightly furrowed, carrying a chilling aura.
He was fierce, and his mouth was vicious.
But he gave her clothes to wear, food to eat, and shelter.
Compared to her stepmother who wanted to sell her, compared to that perverted old factory director—he was far, far better.
A sour wave of gratitude rose in Jiang Li’s heart.
As long as she could live…
Even if she had to work like an ox or a horse for him, she was willing.
Time ticked by.
Though the atmosphere was oppressive, there was an eerie sense of harmony.
Until—
Steady, forceful footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor.
Not just one person.
There were voices.
“The light’s still on in Old Huo’s room. He definitely isn’t asleep.”
A deep male voice carried in.
Huo Yan’s hand flipping through the documents froze.
His expression instantly changed.
That was Political Commissar Liu Jianguo!
Why would he come at this hour?
And judging by the footsteps—he was already at the door!
Jiang Li heard it too, so frightened that the biscuit nearly fell from her hand.
She looked at Huo Yan in terror, her eyes screaming What do we do?
Huo Yan reacted instantly.
He practically sprang up from his chair.
Without time to explain, he strode to Jiang Li, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her up.
“Hide!”
He lowered his voice, sharp and urgent.
“H-hide where?”
Jiang Li looked at the empty room, panic rising to tears.
There was nowhere to hide!
The footsteps outside had already stopped at the door.
Knock knock knock!
“Old Huo? Open up. There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.”
Liu Jianguo’s voice came clearly through the door, like it was exploding right beside them.
Huo Yan’s eyes swept rapidly across the room.
Then locked onto the large wardrobe.
“Get in!”
He yanked open the wardrobe door and shoved Jiang Li inside without discussion.
“Ah—”
Before she could react, she was pushed into a mass of hanging military uniforms.
The wardrobe was dark and cramped.
Filled with clothes.
“Don’t make a sound.”
Huo Yan shot her one last warning look, his eyes fierce enough to devour her.
Then—with a bang—he shut the door.
At the exact moment the wardrobe closed—
The door handle was turned from outside.
Huo Yan had rushed back earlier and hadn’t locked it!
Creak—
The door opened.
Liu Jianguo entered in a raincoat, his expression serious.
“Why did it take you so long to open the door? What shady business were you up to?”
As he spoke, he took off his raincoat and hung it up, his gaze sweeping the room like a searchlight.
Huo Yan stood in front of the wardrobe, his body subtly blocking it.
His expression remained calm—his breathing didn’t even falter.
“I was changing clothes.”
He gestured at his training uniform, his tone flawless.“Old Liu, it’s so late. What urgent matter couldn’t wait until morning?”
Liu Jianguo didn’t answer.
Standing in the middle of the room, he suddenly wrinkled his nose and sniffed hard twice.
Like a hunting dog catching a scent.
Huo Yan’s heart clenched sharply.
Liu Jianguo turned to him, suspicion flashing across his face.
“Old Huo.”
Pointing at the air, Liu Jianguo asked with a half-smile:
“Why does your room… smell like a woman?”