As soon as Xia Yuge stepped into the mess hall, she spotted Gu Nianchen eating. Beside him sat a young woman with a round face and two braided pigtails. The two were chatting about something, and Gu Nianchen was looking at her with an expression of unmistakeable tenderness.
The moment he saw Xia Yuge, that soft look vanished instantly, replaced by sheer awkwardness.
It was exactly like a husband caught red-handed by his wife!
Awkwardness! Utter, unbearable awkwardness!
Xia Yuge, on the other hand, met his gaze calmly, her expression utterly composed—as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.
In truth, she had taken in the whole picture at a glance. This woman was undoubtedly the “white moonlight” Gu Nianchen had always loved—the very person who had indirectly led to the original owner’s tragic end.
But she was not the original owner. She felt no affection for Gu Nianchen whatsoever. Whatever relationship those two had was of absolutely no concern to her.
Perfect, she thought to herself. The Gu family and their overbearing ways? Whoever wants to marry into that family can go right ahead. As for me? I’d rather die than become one of them.
Xia Yuge gave Gu Nianchen a cool, fleeting glance before shifting her gaze away.
“Platoon Leader Gu, do you know that woman?” Lin Feifei asked, frowning slightly, her instincts tingling.
“Ah, Comrade Lin,” Gu Nianchen said quickly. “That is the distant cousin I told you about, Xia Yuge. I’d meant to introduce you properly in a couple of days—what a coincidence to run into you here today. Yuge, let me introduce you—this is…”
“Hello! I’m Lin Feifei,” the young woman interrupted brightly, cutting Gu Nianchen off. She blinked curiously, studying Xia Yuge closely. “I’m an arts and culture soldier at the Longhua Military Region. Comrade Xia, are you truly Platoon Leader Gu’s cousin? If so, what a wonderful stroke of fate! I assume you haven’t eaten yet? Please, allow me to treat you—we can dine together!”
Her intuition told her that this dark-complexioned woman was far from what Gu Nianchen had described. She had no proof—not yet—so she offered a warm, inviting smile, hoping to draw her out and learn more.
One does not turn away kindness offered with a smile. Though Xia Yuge had little desire to engage with them, she knew better than to be openly rude. She had only just arrived and had yet to establish her footing; for now, polite formality was the wisest course.
“Hello. I am Xia Yuge. It is true that I am Platoon Leader Gu’s distant cousin,” she replied evenly. “As for ‘fate’… such things are too vague to speak of. I imagine Comrade Lin and I will have little occasion to cross paths in future. As for your kind offer—thank you, but I must decline.”
With that, she paid no mind to Lin Feifei’s shifting expression, instead casting a sharp, sardonic glance at Gu Nianchen. The corner of her mouth curled into a faint, cold smile.
Hmph. One scheming beauty playing the innocent, and one man who dares not stand by his choices. They are perfectly matched. I only hope they stay tied to one another for life—and never trouble anyone else again.
To make her point—and to repay Gu Nianchen for his duplicity on the original owner’s behalf—she had enunciated the words “distant cousin” slowly and deliberately, letting each syllable land with weight. Gu Nianchen visibly flinched. He knew perfectly well she was doing it on purpose. Yet for all his awareness, he could do nothing. After all—this was the arrangement he had insisted upon.
Fortunately, Lin Feifei did not press the matter further. Xia Yuge had intended to eat here, but the sight of the two of them together now turned her stomach. She collected her meal instead and returned to her quarters to eat in peace.
The mess hall cook was surprisingly capable. That evening, Xia Yuge had ordered braised pork—melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich and sweet, exactly how she liked it. She ate with deep satisfaction.
Just as she was enjoying her meal, someone knocked sharply at the door.
“Who is it?” she called out, brows knitting together. “Has no one taught you that interrupting someone at dinner is terribly rude?”
She could think of no one here who would call on her—no one except Gu Nianchen.
“Yuge… I am so sorry. I assumed you had finished eating.” Gu Nianchen stood in the doorway, looking sheepish and thoroughly abashed.
“Well. If it isn’t Platoon Leader Gu,” Xia Yuge said coolly, her tone dripping with irony. “To what do I owe this honour? Is there something urgent you have come to tell me? Or has your beloved object begun to suspect something, and you need me to come up with yet another explanation?”
“Yuge… please do not call me ‘Platoon Leader Gu’. We may not be destined for marriage, but I shall always think of myself as your elder brother. Would it be so very wrong to call me ‘brother’ just for now?”
“Very well—Brother Gu,” she said, mocking emphasis on the title. “What do you want? Has Comrade Lin begun to doubt you, or have you come to ask me to cover for you once more?”
“Yuge… must you speak to me with such bitterness? This has nothing whatsoever to do with Comrade Lin. I have told you before—what exists between us is pure revolutionary camaraderie, nothing more. Please do not misunderstand.” He paused, then added: “I spoke today with the Political Commissar’s wife. I have asked her to help you find a suitable match. Be patient—all will be arranged.”
“Is that so? Splendid. Anything else? If not, I should like to finish my dinner.” She gestured to the half-eaten plate of braised pork before her.
“Yuge… I know you are still angry with me. But we had reached an understanding! There was no need for you to speak to me as you did in the mess hall—Comrade Lin is a sensitive soul. Remember where we are. This is a military base. If word gets out, it will not end well for you.” Gu Nianchen’s tone shifted from pleading to reproach.
“Oh, indeed?” Xia Yuge gave a cold, humourless laugh.
“Indeed it is!” Gu Nianchen retorted, genuinely perplexed.
“Platoon Leader Gu—need I remind you? It was you who insisted I should pass myself off as your distant cousin. It was you who introduced me as such in the mess hall. Or perhaps… perhaps you hoped I would become better acquainted with your Comrade Lin? That I would make friends with her, chat with her, and all the while keep your secrets?” She leaned forward, her gaze steady and unyielding. “Are you afraid I might say the wrong thing? That your dear sensitive Lin might begin to suspect the truth?”
“You—!”
“What?” she pressed on relentlessly. “Is that what worries you? Very well—I shall go to her right now. I shall explain everything. I shall tell her I am not your cousin at all, but your former fiancée—the woman you cast aside.”
“You—!” Gu Nianchen choked, unable to find words.
“Why so flustered?” she continued mercilessly. “If the truth is what troubles you, then let us speak nothing but truth! Let us go together to your commanding officer tomorrow. Let us tell him plainly: I am Gu Nianchen’s fiancée of ten years. I have come here to join him at his post. How would that suit you, Brother Gu?”
She could play this game of threats just as well as he could.
“Yuge, please—do not speak so recklessly,” Gu Nianchen pleaded, his tone softening into desperation. “I admit it—I have grown fond of Comrade Lin Feifei. I had hoped our friendship might deepen into something more. But I swear to you—nothing has happened between us! She does not even know you exist! Blame me, if you must—but do not hold it against her. After all… we have known one another ten long years. Yuge… I beg you. Just this once. Do this for me.”
Xia Yuge stared at him, and suddenly laughed—a sharp, bitter sound. “Gu Nianchen… and if I say no? What then?”
Ten years of shared history, he says now. Where was that sentiment when he broke their engagement? She felt a surge of pure, unadulterated shame—on behalf of the woman he had so cruelly discarded.
“How can you go back on your word?” Gu Nianchen’s composure crumbled instantly. “You agreed! You promised! If I had thought you would betray me like this, I should never have brought you here!”
“Calm down,” she said, her voice cutting through his panic like a blade. “I was merely teasing you. Our engagement is ended. That is final. Gu Nianchen, I give you my word—what I have said is settled. I do not go back on my promises.”
“Hmph!” Gu Nianchen’s manner shifted yet again—from pleading to menace. “See that you keep it! If you dare harm a single hair on Lin Feifei’s head… I swear… I shall never forgive you!”
“Oh?”
“I mean it!” he declared, his voice rising. “Comrade Lin is nothing like you—coarse, unruly, always throwing fits and overturning tables! She is beautiful, gentle, sweet-natured, and kind. She will make some man a wonderful wife—the perfect mother to his children!”
He spoke with utter conviction, comparing the two women openly, his eyes shining with adoration. Xia Yuge could only look on, speechless with contempt.
Truly, love makes fools of men. To the besotted, every flaw is a virtue.
Her heart ached—not for herself, but for the girl whose place she had taken. Ten years of devotion, thrown away like garbage.
Very well, she thought. If that is how he feels… then let him keep his precious “perfect” woman. I shall do nothing to interfere.
Threats? She smiled to herself. Two can play at that game.