“What a coincidence—my family is from Qingshan Production Team too.”
Luo Zhiyao hadn’t expected that this soldier would also be from the same team. She just didn’t know whose family he belonged to—she hadn’t been there long enough to learn which households had sons serving in the army.
“It really is a coincidence. Could I trouble you to help carry this to Old Man Li’s place? I’m planning to take his ox cart back later.”
“With such a large package, and the ox cart already carrying people, there probably won’t be room for it. I’m heading back to the team anyway—I can take you along.”
“That… wouldn’t be very appropriate, would it?”
Although Luo Zhiyao hadn’t grown up in this era, she knew how strict people were about relations between men and women. One had to be careful to avoid gossip—especially…
“It’s fine. It won’t be just the two of us—my comrade will come along too.”
He Lingyun had no intention of letting such a good chance to get to know the girl slip away.
“In that case… alright. I’ll go tell Old Man Li I won’t be taking the ox cart.”
Luo Zhiyao nodded and went to inform Old Man Li, then returned to where she had been.
While she was gone, Li Yunzhao had arrived and even driven over the army vehicle.
“The girl left? What a missed opportunity…”
But when Li Yunzhao saw He Lingyun holding her package, he immediately shut up.
Alright, his worries were unnecessary. This reserved man was even more calculating than he’d thought.
Luo Zhiyao jogged back, cheeks flushed, breathing lightly. The sight made He Lingyun’s gaze flicker, and he unconsciously curled his lips into a faint smile.
Li Yunzhao almost couldn’t bear to look—wasn’t that gaze a bit too obvious?
“Ah, I don’t even know your name yet,” Luo Zhiyao asked belatedly.
She looked a bit absent-minded, the kind who might help count money for someone even after being sold.
“My name is He Lingyun. This is my comrade, Li Yunzhao.”
“Oh—Commander He, Battalion Commander Li! My name is Luo Zhiyao. I’m an educated youth from the capital.”
She knew about military ranks—after all, this body’s older brother and grandfather had both been soldiers, so she had picked up some knowledge over time.
“Alright, hop in. I’ll take you back,” Li Yunzhao said from the driver’s seat. The sun was rising, and it was getting hotter.
He Lingyun silently repeated her name in his mind—Luo Zhiyao… Zhiyao… Zhizhi…
Luo Zhiyao had originally wanted to buy some seasonings, but after thinking about it, a free car ride was much better than the bumpy ox cart. She could buy things next time.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Battalion Commander Li.”
She consciously sat in the back seat, not daring to take the front passenger seat.
For the sake of her reputation, He Lingyun also avoided sitting in the back and took the passenger seat instead.
The car started, and the warm breeze flowed in through the windows, easing the heat a little.
The three of them sat in silence. Luo Zhiyao felt incredibly awkward—she regretted agreeing to ride in the car.
Well… mostly because the ox cart was uncomfortable.
From the rearview mirror, He Lingyun saw her pitiful expression and asked gently, “Comrade Lu, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, no!” she shook her head awkwardly. She just felt embarrassed—the car was too quiet.
After watching her for a moment, he seemed to understand. She was just feeling awkward, so he started a conversation.
“How long have you been in the countryside?”
Luo Zhiyao suddenly felt like she was being questioned by an instructor. She straightened her posture.
“I’ve only been here a few days…”
They chatted casually for a while, and she realized Commander He wasn’t as intimidating as she had thought.
She vaguely remembered that Aunt He had once mentioned her youngest son had joined the army—this must be him.
What would take an hour by ox cart only took twenty minutes by car. When they arrived at Qingshan Production Team, several older women were already sitting under the big tree at the village entrance, chatting and enjoying the shade.
When they saw a car drive in, their eyes widened.
“Oh my, a car! I’ve never seen one in my life!”
“That’s a military vehicle, isn’t it? Did the He family’s boy come back? He even has a military car now?”
“There’s a woman inside too—did he bring a girlfriend back?”
Someone immediately ran to the fields to find Aunt Wu.
“Wu Guifen! Your son brought a girlfriend back!”
“Really?” she asked excitedly.
“Really! Your Lingyun came back in a car—go take a look!”
The car couldn’t move any further—not because it broke down, but because it was surrounded by villagers.
Captain Wang had to come out to disperse the crowd.
“What are you all doing? Don’t touch it—if you break it, you can’t afford to pay! Move aside!”
He Lingyun got out of the car and greeted him, “Uncle Wang.”
“Ah! Good lad—you’re riding in a military vehicle now! Not bad, not bad!”
Seeing so many people gathered, Luo Zhiyao hesitated—should she get out or not?
In the end, since the car couldn’t go further, she opened the door and stepped out.
“My son! I heard you brought a girlfriend back—where is she? Let me see!”
Aunt Wu craned her neck toward the car—and saw Luo Zhiyao stepping out.
The surroundings instantly fell silent.
“This… this…”
“Which fool started that rumor? How could Comrade Lu be my son’s girlfriend?” Aunt Wu immediately scolded loudly.
She truly didn’t like Luo Zhiyao—too delicate, too troublesome. Even though she had improved over the past couple of days, it didn’t change her dislike.
Luo Zhiyao felt awkward too. She had only taken a ride, yet ended up misunderstood.
“Aunt Wu, I… I just—”
“Mom, when Comrade Lu was carrying her package, she fell. It was too heavy, and Old Man Li’s ox cart couldn’t take it, so I brought her back along the way,” He Lingyun explained.
He didn’t want others to misunderstand her—or see her embarrassed.
Hearing this, Aunt Wu immediately changed her expression and called He Lingyun and Li Yunzhao home. As for Luo Zhiyao, she wasn’t even in consideration.
Luo Zhiyao knew she wasn’t welcome. She picked up her package and headed toward the educated youth courtyard.
The package was incredibly heavy. She struggled, dragging it step by step.
She grumbled inwardly: If there weren’t so many people around, I’d just toss it into my space and be done with it. But there are too many eyes!
Seeing her pitiful struggle, He Lingyun felt a pang in his heart. How could such a delicate girl carry something so heavy?
He gave Li Yunzhao a look. Years of understanding made him catch on instantly.
“Commander He, Comrade Lu’s package is too heavy. As soldiers, we should help the people.”
“Mm. Let’s go.”
At Li Yunzhao’s words, He Lingyun immediately moved toward Luo Zhiyao.
“My son, where are you going?” Aunt Wu called out.
“Mom, Yunzhao and I are going to help Comrade Lu. She can’t carry that package by herself.”
Seeing she wanted to object, he quickly added, “Mom, I’m a soldier. Helping the people is our duty.”
At the mention of “soldier,” Aunt Wu had nothing more to say. She never interfered in matters concerning her son’s duties—she only hoped that Luo Zhiyao wouldn’t cling to him.
With her silent approval, the two men strode over, took the package from Luo Zhiyao, and hoisted it onto a shoulder.
“Ah!” Startled, she quickly thanked them upon recognizing who it was. “Thank you, Commander He. Thank you, Battalion Commander Li.”
“No need to thank us—we’re soldiers,” He Lingyun replied as they walked with her toward the educated youth courtyard.
Luo Zhiyao let out a sigh of relief. This was such a blessing—if she had carried it back herself, her arms might have fallen off.