“Captain He, Battalion Commander Li, thank you both so much.”
Luo Zhiyaostill had tears on her face, making her look especially pitiful and endearing.
If Li Yunzhao hadn’t already been married—and if his good friend hadn’t taken an interest in this girl—he might have been tempted as well.
After all, that tear-streaked, somewhat fragile appearance was simply too captivating.
Li Yunzhao gave a faint smile and looked away.
He Lingyun, on the other hand, was somewhat stunned. With that look… if it were under other circumstances…
“Don’t mention it. It was just a small effort,” he replied.
“It’s getting late. I—I’ll head down the mountain first! Th-thank you both.”
Luo Zhiyáo’s legs were still trembling as she thanked them, then slowly made her way down the mountain.
“They’re gone. Snap out of it,” Li Yunzhao said, pulling He Lingyun back to his senses.
“Yunzhao, this is the first time I’ve realized that love at first sight isn’t a joke. I’ve fallen for her at first sight.”
“I could tell when we were at the restaurant. Otherwise, why would you keep staring at her?” Li Yunzhao narrowed his eyes. A twenty-five-year-old man who had never been in a relationship—finally, he had set his eyes on someone. He was determined to help his friend win the girl over.
But looking at his family, they didn’t seem to like that delicate young educated youth… that might make things difficult.
He Lingyun stared at the direction Luo Zhiyaohad disappeared in, his expression resolute. No matter what, he would marry her home.
Luo Zhiyaohad no idea someone was already thinking about marrying her. At the moment, she was still shaken with lingering fear. If He Lingyun hadn’t arrived in time, she would have been knocked away by the wild boar.
[Host, have you forgotten you can enter the space?]
“Oh right… how could I forget? I guess I’m just not used to it yet. But disappearing in front of others would be strange, wouldn’t it?”
No matter what, she had been thoroughly frightened this time.
He Lingyun and Li Yunzhao waited until nightfall. Under the cover of darkness, they transported the wild boar back home.
“Son… this wild boar… did you go into the deep mountains?” his mother asked.
“Mother, we didn’t go that deep. It ran out on its own. You and Father can handle it. Just save one leg for me—I have use for it.”
“Alright, I’ll have your father cut it for you.”
The wild boar weighed around four hundred jin. Keeping about a hundred jin for themselves, cutting off a leg, and leaving over two hundred jin, the rest would be sold to villagers.
After dividing it up, He Tiancheng went to the brigade leader to announce that their family had hunted a wild boar, and those who wanted meat could come buy it.
Wu Guohua also spread the word among nearby women. Soon, the news reached the entire Qing Mountain Brigade, and those craving meat came to the He household.
He Lingyun took the prepared pork leg and went to the educated youth compound to find Luo Zhiyáo.
“Comrade Luo, are you there?”
Hearing someone call her, Luo Zhiyaoopened the door and stepped out, only to see the tall man standing at her doorway.
“Captain He, what can I do for you?”
She looked at him under the moonlight. Bathed in a soft glow, he seemed somewhat unreal, and his gaze toward her carried a subtle unfamiliar intensity.
“This is a leg from the wild boar. Since it chased you… and as a way to thank you, I think you should have some.”
Luo Zhiyaodidn’t want to recall that terrifying moment at all.
“Captain He, this won’t do. You and Battalion Commander Li killed the boar—I didn’t contribute at all. In fact, you saved my life. I should be the one thanking you.”
“Hmm, so… how do you plan to repay this life-saving favor?” He Lingyun suddenly asked.
Luo Zhiyaofroze, staring blankly at him.
“What did you say?”
He Lingyun took a deep breath.
“Comrade Luo, isn’t it said that one should repay a life-saving favor by offering oneself in marriage?”
Luo Zhiyáo’s face instantly turned bright red. She was flustered and at a loss.
“Captain He, Aunt Wu probably wouldn’t like me. You shouldn’t joke like that.”
She was self-aware. Given how “difficult” the original owner had been, none of the local women would accept her as a daughter-in-law.
“If I can convince my parents, would you be willing to date me?”
Although Luo Zhiyaoin her past life was already in her mid-twenties, she had never been in a relationship.
“Come with me over here.”
Not wanting others in the educated youth compound to overhear, she led him to a secluded spot.
“Captain He, we only met today. We don’t understand each other at all. Isn’t talking about dating too hasty?”
“Hmm, it is a bit,” He Lingyun agreed. He also felt it was improper to expect her to accept him without knowing him.
“Then—”
Before Luo Zhiyaocould relax, he continued:
“So, Comrade Luo, can you give me a chance to introduce myself properly—and a chance for you to understand me?”
!!!
What was this man trying to do? Love at first sight? When did that even happen? How did she not know?
“I…”
Refuse? He was quite handsome—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and especially those long, straight legs that perfectly matched her taste.
But if she didn’t refuse, wouldn’t she seem too forward?
“I’m He Lingyun, twenty-five years old. I serve in the Northwest Military Region as a regimental commander at the rank of major. Single, unmarried, and have never been in a relationship.
I’m the third child in my family—one older brother, one older sister, and one younger sister, all married. My parents are alive, and my grandparents are in good health. After marriage, you can live with me in the military and won’t have to deal with my parents.
My monthly allowance is seventy-five yuan. I can give it all to you to manage, enough to support you. You can do whatever you want—I won’t interfere with any of your decisions.”
As he finished speaking, He Lingyun looked at her intently. There was one more thing he didn’t say—something he didn’t dare to say.
Even Luo Zhiyáo, who usually had a thick skin, felt her face flush.
Honestly, his words were very tempting. In this unfamiliar world, she had no sense of belonging.
She wanted a home of her own—that was why she planned to build a house for herself.
“I… I…”
She didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t want to agree so quickly. Marriage was like a second life for a woman—if the man was good, life would be smooth; if not, it could feel like hell.
She didn’t want to gamble her future like that.
He Lingyun saw her hesitation and looked at her gently.
“You don’t have to answer me right away. I have a month of leave—we can take time to get to know each other.”
Compared to other women—even his own mother—He Lingyun had never been this patient. Yet now, he was willing to wait patiently for a girl’s answer.
“Then… let’s get to know each other first. Don’t tell anyone yet. If we find we’re not compatible, we’ll part amicably.”
“Alright. I’ll listen to you.”
He Lingyun nodded. In his mind, this little “white rabbit” would not escape his grasp. Sooner or later, he would marry her home and cherish her properly. As for parting amicably—that was impossible. In the end, she would only obediently become his wife.