Xiao Wang froze. Just now, Director Lü had almost had an accident on the farm. When they arrived at the hospital, he had been ready to call Commander Huo, but Director Lü stopped him, saying not to disturb Huo. Why the sudden change of mind?
Director Lü waved her hand. She thought Xiao Wang was still too young. Other matters aside, marrying a daughter-in-law is no small matter in life.
Xiao Wang was Huo Yanzhou’s guard. Since Huo could not leave the military district, Director Lü had sent him to pick someone up. Now that she spoke, Xiao Wang dared not say anything more and hurried to the military district.
Once he left, Director Lü could no longer sit still. She put on her coat and went to find Lin Xun.
“Ah! Xiao…” Seeing her, she hesitated, not knowing how to address her. Lin Xun recognized her and smiled, “I’m Lin Xun. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine, Xiao Lin. Thank you so much for saving me today!”
This was Director Lü’s first time in the northwest military district. She worked at a Beijing publishing house and had never encountered such emergencies. When the male goat suddenly went mad and charged, she was terrified and felt her legs go weak.
Even though Xiao Wang was a guard, he had been entangled by the flock as well. If Lin Xun had not intervened, given the sharp horns, she might not have survived or could have been maimed.
The more Director Lü thought about it, the more grateful she felt. She decided she must thank Lin Xun properly. As she looked her over, she noticed the young woman was not only decisive and brave but also extremely beautiful.
Lin Xun’s complexion was pale, and she was thin. Her health looked poor, but her facial features were striking. Her large, clear almond eyes, a small red mole at the corner, and a slight dimple on her smile made her seem radiant.
Having worked years at a publishing house, Director Lü had seen many models and actresses, but the girl before her seemed even more beautiful.
Fearing someone else might swoop in first, she spoke directly: “Xiao Lin, I overheard what you said to your mother-in-law in the ward…”
Lin Xun’s expression changed. She thought Director Lü might say something disparaging, as historically, women who could not bear children were looked down upon.
But what she said next left Lin Xun stunned.
“My son also cannot have children. Xiao Lin, if you don’t mind, would you be willing to try marrying him?”
Lin Xun: “Ah?”
She was dumbstruck. She had expected Director Lü might sympathize or console her, but she never imagined she would propose marriage—and to her son!
“My son is Huo Yanzhou, 28, commander of the northwest military district regiment. Though infertile, he has a good character and a high allowance. I heard regimental commanders get a small courtyard after marriage. Xiao Lin, you would have enough to live on…”
The topic seemed to run away on its own, and Lin Xun quickly interrupted, “Auntie, I truly appreciate your consideration, but I am not thinking about marriage right now. Sorry.”
Having lived two lives, Lin Xun immediately recognized that Director Lü came from a well-off family. The fact that people called her “Director Lü” indicated she was likely from a cadre household.
Huo Yanzhou, a regimental commander, held a position significant at any time, especially now in peaceful years. To raise a level was difficult. At 28, he had already become a commander, showing exceptional ability.
Someone like him, even if infertile, was beyond what Lin Xun could aim for.
Furthermore, her marriage with Xu Zhicheng had hurt her too much. Finally out of that mess, she did not want to get trapped again.
Director Lü was momentarily surprised but quickly understood Lin Xun’s hesitation. It was normal for someone recently divorced to resist such matters.
But she was determined. Having finally found a daughter-in-law she liked, she would not let go.
“Fine! Let’s not talk about that now. But since you saved me, you must let me treat you to a meal. Otherwise, you are disrespecting me.”
With this, Lin Xun had no choice but to agree: “All right.”
The state-run restaurant was not far. It was not yet mealtime, so there were few people. Director Lü chatted with Lin Xun for a while, then found an excuse to step outside, waiting for Huo Yanzhou, who rushed from the military district.
“Mom, are you hurt?” Huo Yanzhou had learned of the incident from Xiao Wang but was still worried.
“I’m fine,” Director Lü said, pointing toward the restaurant. “Thanks to Xiao Lin. Otherwise, I might not have made it this time.”
“I heard from Xiao Wang. Don’t worry. I’ll handle a proper thank-you gift,” Huo Yanzhou said.
Before he could finish, his mother interrupted: “It’s not just the gift. There’s something more important.”
“What is it?”
She pulled him aside. “My son, Huo Yanzhou, is also a good person, and Xiao Lin is not only kind and capable but very beautiful. Even though she’s divorced and infertile, these don’t matter. If she is willing, you should consider it. Life together depends on character, the rest is secondary.”
Seeing his mother so animated, Huo Yanzhou relaxed. “I see Xiao Wang wasn’t exaggerating. You’re really unharmed.”
Though he expressed concern for her health, Director Lü knew he was pretending not to understand.
“Huo Yanzhou!” she scolded. “You also cannot have children, yet you dare to dislike Xiao Lin?”
Huo Yanzhou said helplessly, “Mom, I don’t dislike her. But you’re jumping ahead with matchmaking.”
“How is this jumping ahead? You are 28. Before, you delayed finding a partner, saying you could not have children and didn’t want to inconvenience others. Now Xiao Lin appears—this is fate! Besides, she is beautiful, kind, and saved my life. If she weren’t divorced, you wouldn’t even have this chance.”
The Huo family in Beijing was part of the military household compound. To outsiders, Huo Yanzhou was the young elite of his generation, but Director Lü found him unsatisfying in personality: quiet and rigid, with his mind consumed entirely by the military.
A man like this would not appeal to ordinary girls.
“You know your grandfather’s health has worsened every day since your father passed. His greatest wish is to see you married,” Director Lü sighed.
Huo Yanzhou frowned.
Not wanting to linger, she glared at him: “Are you going or not?”
He nodded. Before she could smile, he added quickly, “But I need to speak clearly with her first. Marriage is not a trivial matter.”
“All right, hurry up!” Director Lü urged. “Speak gently. Don’t be cold and stern as usual. Xiao Lin is not one of your soldiers.”
Lin Xun, visiting the state-run restaurant for the first time, was curious about the menu. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and turned, seeing a tall, upright figure.
The man was over 1.9 meters tall, with deep features, broad shoulders, and narrow waist. His olive-green uniform accentuated his strong build. Even in the cold, the thick coat could not hide his power.
With his sharp aura, he radiated authority.
“Comrade, I am Huo Yanzhou. Thank you for saving my mother.”
Lin Xun was about to say it was nothing when he continued, “May I sit down to talk?”
Lin Xun shook her head: “Not at all.”
“My mother said you saved her from a nearly fatal goat attack. Are you a farm sent-down youth?” Huo Yanzhou’s gaze was inquisitive.
“No, I’m here looking for work.” Lin Xun explained that she was originally visiting, and her veterinary skills helped her subdue the rampaging male goat. Suddenly appearing in the northwest, it might seem suspicious.
Even in peaceful times, spies had been known to use military families to infiltrate the district. Lin Xun hurriedly explained her veterinary background and that she was visiting relatives.
Huo Yanzhou nodded, his long fingers tapping the table. “You want to stay and work?”
“Yes, there are many livestock here, which suits me better.”
“Indeed, but everyone trusts the farm office veterinarians. Even the casual barefoot doctors are locals. If you want to work here, without local registration, it will be difficult to get the opportunity.”
Lin Xun understood perfectly. Livestock were precious, everyone’s livelihood depended on them. Who would trust an outsider to treat them? If the treatment failed and the animals died, there would be nowhere to complain.
As an outsider, she needed local registration to stay, and registration required employment—a catch-22.
Huo Yanzhou spoke again: “The military district has been stationed here for years and is trusted by local herders. Any accompanying military family member can transfer their registration the day after marriage is approved.”
“So, Comrade Lin Xun, will you marry me?”
Lin Xun was stunned.
How did the conversation suddenly shift to marriage?
She instinctively wanted to refuse, but meeting Huo Yanzhou’s deep gaze, she altered her words: “Commander Huo, may I ask why you want to marry me?”
Director Lü probably wanted her as a daughter-in-law to repay her for saving her, but Huo Yanzhou had no reason to act like this on his own.
“I am infertile and had no plans to marry, but my family has always hoped for this. Marrying you should meet both our needs,” Huo Yanzhou explained.
“You can rest assured, Comrade Lin. We are only partnering in life. If later you find a better path, you can leave. I will not stop you.”
Lin Xun felt moved.
Huo Yanzhou was right. She needed a household registration and a job. Marriage would solve both.
Moreover, from Huo Yanzhou and Director Lü’s attitudes, she saw that the Huo family accepted infertility. Even married, she would not have to suffer as before.
No children meant no binding obligations. They would simply live together as partners, and once Lin Xun was settled and earned enough, she could divorce immediately.
“All right.” She no longer hesitated and softly agreed.