But she was also realistic.
Since she had been transmigrated here and had no independent wealth to live idly, Jiang Mengning knew she couldn’t laze around doing nothing.
At the very least, she had to wash her own dishes and clothes.
She figured she should buy a few pairs of gloves too—then she wouldn’t have to worry about her hands getting rough.
Sigh, the life of a noble lady was really harsh!
The sunlight outside was glaring. Jiang Mengning glanced at Niannian.
The little girl seemed to be scratching her head—it looked like her scalp itched badly.
“What’s wrong? Is something on your head? Let me see.”
Niannian’s clothes were filthy, looking like a little street urchin. Jiang Mengning worried there might be bugs in her hair.
She gently moved the girl’s hands aside to check—and sure enough, there were a few small bugs crawling on her scalp.
Looking closer, the whole head was dotted with tiny white specks.
Even someone who liked symmetry or neatness would shudder at the sight.
“Ah! Sweetie, you’ve got lice on your head!” Jiang Mengning recognized the pests—she had read about them in books but had never seen them in real life. She had always thought lice were something far away, but here they were, right under her nose.
She wasn’t being picky—it was just… way too many.
She didn’t even know where to start.
Niannian didn’t seem surprised at all.
Innocently, she said, “Lots of people have lice. I’m lucky I have so few.”
Jiang Mengning: “…Uh, okay, but this won’t do. Too many lice and your scalp will itch terribly. We have to get rid of them.” She couldn’t stand the thought of living in a place infested with such pests.
“No, we’re going to town. First, we’ll find a barber shop and cut your hair short, then get something to drive the bugs away!” Jiang Mengning was decisive. She went back to her room, grabbed a bag, and prepared to leave.
When she checked her money, she ran into a little problem—only two yuan left in her bag. Two yuan?
What could she do with that! According to the book, Huo Jinyan’s monthly salary was 150 yuan, and he gave her 100 yuan for living expenses.
In that era, 100 yuan was a huge amount. But she still couldn’t resist spending.
Less than half a month had passed, and she was down to just two yuan.
Sigh!
She really was a spendthrift!
This strengthened her resolve to make money.
She urgently needed cash—life without money was truly hard.
After stashing the two yuan, she rummaged in her wardrobe for a large hat and put it on, then took Niannian and left.
She had wanted to get a hat for the little girl too, but couldn’t find one that fit, so she let it go.
Leaving the residential compound, they passed by the military training and shooting grounds.
Along the way, they encountered several military wives.
Whenever Jiang Mengning went out, she became the subject of gossip.
“Look, she’s out again, dressed in all red. You’d think she’s getting married today!”“See her makeup? I bet she’s off to secretly meet some random man in town!”“Who knows? She’s so improper… Poor Commander Huo, marrying such a headache. You better watch your men or she’ll steal their hearts.”
Ever since marrying Huo Jinyan, these whispers had never stopped.
Jiang Mengning was famous in the military compound—everyone knew her.
Passing the shooting range, she noticed the soldiers training under the blazing sun.
Right at the front stood Huo Jinyan.
Seeing only two yuan in her purse, she decided to boldly ask to borrow some.
She changed her course and walked toward the shooting range.
The training ground was a monotone of earthy yellows—muddy roads, dusty mountains, yellowish buildings everywhere. Only Jiang Mengning, in a bright red dress with a wide white lace hat, stood out like a noble lady fresh from studying abroad.
She was dazzling.
Even the soldiers, who were fully focused on training, were instantly distracted by the striking red.
Although Commander Huo’s wife had a notorious reputation, she was undeniably beautiful—enough to make people stop in their tracks.
Huo Jinyan, facing his troops with his back to her, didn’t notice Jiang Mengning approaching. But he did notice his soldiers’ attention wandering.
He frowned. “Attention!”
All the soldiers snapped back to formation and looked at the commander.
Huo Jinyan’s face was cold. “Are you even training? Look at yourselves—half-hearted and distracted. If you go to the battlefield like this, I wonder how many of you will survive. Everyone, five-kilogram load march. Do not return until the task is complete.”
He was always strict—nicknamed the “living devil” among his men.
Despite that, many respected him for his abilities and discipline.
At the front, Duan Xiaowu cautiously raised his hand. “Report, Commander. Uh… your wife is here.”
He pointed behind Huo Jinyan.
Huo Jinyan’s heart skipped a beat.
He turned—and sure enough, saw Jiang Mengning, holding a little girl, walking toward him.
How did she get here?
“Ah!” Before he could ask, Jiang Mengning twisted her ankle and fell onto the ground.
Laughter erupted across the shooting range.
Huo Jinyan’s gaze swept over the crowd, and the laughing soldiers quickly fell silent.
He frowned and strode toward Jiang Mengning.
She hadn’t been watching where she was going, stepping right into a bowl-sized pit.
Her ankle twisted, she fell spectacularly—right in front of everyone.
Niannian gasped.
“Mom!” she called, looking at Huo Jinyan. “Dad, Mom fell down!”
Huo Jinyan looked down from above. “Why are you here?”
This was a training ground, not a stage for comedy.
And seeing his noble-lady wife humiliated in front of everyone, his temper flared.
Jiang Mengning puffed her cheeks, irritated. “What kind of road is this? I twisted my foot!”
She was wearing white high-heeled sandals—totally inappropriate for uneven, rocky ground.
Huo Jinyan was helpless. “Get up. You can’t be here.”
“I want to get up! Help me! Don’t you see I fell?” she snapped, stretching her hands toward him.
Niannian chimed in: “Daddy, help Mom!”
Finally, Huo Jinyan bent down, slipped his hands under her arms, and lifted her.
Once she was upright, he immediately stepped back to put distance between them.
Jiang Mengning pouted. “Hmph, you don’t understand tenderness at all, you brute.”
Huo Jinyan: “…Do you know where you are?” Perhaps thinking she looked pitiful, he asked casually, “Is your foot okay? Should we go to the infirmary?”
Jiang Mengning shook her head. “It’s fine, really.”
“Then let’s go back. You can’t stay here.”
“No! I want to take Niannian to town to buy things.” She leaned close to his ear, whispering, “Lend me some money, I’ll pay you back when I make money.” The warmth brushed his ear, sending tingles through him.
Huo Jinyan’s heart skipped again. “Speak properly. Don’t be grabbing at me. This is the military!”
Jiang Mengning “Oh”ed softly, stretching out her delicate hand. “Come on, give it to me.” Her voice was sweet and coquettish, almost like a child pouting.
Huo Jinyan, unable to resist, saw that she had blown through half a month’s allowance already.
Well, she was leaving anyway—he’d let it slide.
Coincidentally, a young soldier had just repaid him twenty yuan. He handed it to her.
Jiang Mengning took it, smiling brightly. “Thank you!” She reminded Niannian: “Say thank you to Daddy.”
Niannian obediently raised her little face, eyes shaped like crescent moons. “Thank you, Daddy!” Her voice was sweet and chirpy.
Hand in hand, the two walked off. For a moment, the scene looked surprisingly heartwarming.
Huo Jinyan’s chest felt slightly tight.
Realizing the sentiment was slipping, he quickly regained his composure and returned to the troops.
The soldiers, who had been snickering before, now didn’t dare move a muscle.
Silent and serious, they obeyed immediately.
“Ten-kilogram load march! Start immediately!” The “living devil” barked. No one dared disobey.
Zhang Long, the deputy commander, approached with a grin. “Everyone says you two don’t get along, but look! Seems like the commander is already under the beauty’s spell?”
Huo Jinyan ignored him. “Mind your own business.” Then he turned and left.
Zhang Long clicked his tongue. “What’s there to be proud of? Married a rich girl and think you’ve found a treasure? This will be your lifelong embarrassment.”