Early in the morning, Xu Zhicheng arrived at the guesthouse. With stricter regulations now, anyone visiting had to first register at the front desk before going upstairs.
Yesterday, when he delivered the divorce report, he had gone upstairs directly. Expecting the same today, he wrote his name and prepared to go up.
But the front desk stopped him. “You’re here to see Comrade Lin Xun? You cannot go upstairs directly. You have to call her first, and she has to agree before you can go up.”
Xu Zhicheng frowned. “Is this a mistake? Yesterday I went up directly.”
The clerk shook her head. “Because Comrade Lin Xun moved to the third floor last night.”
The guesthouse had three floors. The bottom two were for ordinary guests, while the third floor was reserved only for officers with higher military ranks. The environment upstairs was better. The beds were larger, there were telephones, free hot water, and heating, making it much warmer for sleeping.
Huo Yanzhou had a high rank and could open two rooms at once. When Lin Xun returned yesterday, Lü Yuzhi had helped her move to the third floor.
Having spent so long at the hospital, Xu Zhicheng knew that the third floor was not for ordinary people. Even he, a doctor at the military district hospital, did not qualify.
So how could Lin Xun be staying there?
Could it be that Director Xiong pulled some strings? But he was just a small director. How could he arrange officer-level privileges?
While Xu Zhicheng was puzzled over this, the front desk had already connected the call. Hearing someone trying to reach her, Lin Xun assumed it was something from the farm and hurried downstairs.
She saw the person and was immediately unhappy. “What are you doing here?”
Xu Zhicheng looked at her, and his confusion vanished, leaving only awe in his eyes.
He had been captivated by Lin Xun’s beauty at first sight.
But after their marriage, because they had no children and Lin Xun was constantly nagged by Cai Jinhua, she grew paler and more haggard each day, and her once-beautiful face seemed covered by a layer of illness and lifelessness.
Since their divorce, freed from the pressure to have children, Lin Xun felt relaxed. Especially after earning her first wage last night, life seemed full of promise. Her energy and mood improved, her face radiated joy.
Like a pearl long buried in dust, finally cleaned of its grime, she shone even brighter than when Xu Zhicheng had first seen her.
After the initial shock, Xu Zhicheng’s heart filled with bitter resentment. This beautiful woman had once belonged to him, but now she was heading into another man’s arms, someone far inferior to him in every way. Was Lin Xun insane?
“You’re getting married?”
Lin Xun frowned. “Who told you that?”
She had just made arrangements with Huo Yanzhou yesterday. How did Xu Zhicheng know? Could it be that someone overheard them at the hotel and passed it along?
Xu Zhicheng wondered on his way over if Yuan Yaqing had misheard. Seeing her admit it, he felt extreme disappointment and anger. “Lin Xun, are you crazy? You would actually go for a man like that?”
Yuan Yaqing had told him. That man, surnamed Xiong, was ugly, repulsive, and illiterate. Was he even worth a hair on Xu Zhicheng’s head?
Lin Xun thought Xu Zhicheng was absolutely delusional.
“What do you mean, ‘a man like that’? Huo Yanzhou, in terms of character, family background, looks, height, and abilities, surpasses you by miles. Compared to him, you are nothing but a petty clown.”
“I don’t care who I marry. Even if I married a tree by the roadside, he would be a hundred times better than a hypocrite like you.”
If it were not for knowing that scrapie did not infect humans, Lin Xun might have thought Xu Zhicheng had gone mad to say such things so early in the morning.
“You!” Xu Zhicheng was furious. He had come with good intentions to advise her, but she refused to listen, leaving him no choice but to act decisively.
“I am getting married soon too. I came to invite you to the wedding,” he continued.
Though she knew the male and female leads would soon be together, Lin Xun was still surprised by how quickly it was happening. But this was fine. Troublesome people like them should be settled quickly to avoid harming others. She certainly would not attend the wedding, having just freed herself from these people. Why would she willingly put herself in harm’s way?
Lin Xun rolled her eyes. “Sorry, I do not enjoy watching monkey shows.”
With that, she slammed the door, leaving Xu Zhicheng fuming in the hallway.
Ah, Lin Xun had called him a monkey.
Lin Xun had originally planned to wait until Xu Zhicheng left before going to breakfast, but shortly after, there was a knock at the door.
Thinking it was Xu Zhicheng trying to persist, she opened it, only to see a tall figure in military green.
“Surprised to see me?” Huo Yanzhou raised an eyebrow at her astonished expression.
Lin Xun shook her head. “Why are you here so early?”
“My mom asked me to bring you breakfast.”
Huo Yanzhou had just spoken when Lü Yuzhi’s teasing voice came from behind. “You, clearly thinking of Xiao Lin, still need an excuse?”
Lü Yuzhi had gone to the hotel early, intending to let Lin Xun sleep longer and bring her breakfast on the way back.
When she arrived at the hotel, Huo Yanzhou, without needing her to say a word, had ordered an extra portion of lamb noodle soup and borrowed a thermal container from the staff.
Lü Yuzhi had been pleased to see her ‘iron tree finally bloom,’ but Huo Yanzhou remained as stiff as a block of elm wood.
Caught off guard, Huo Yanzhou’s ears turned red as he lightly cleared his throat. “Eat while it is hot.”
Lin Xun smiled as she took the container and opened the lid. The rich aroma of the lamb noodle soup filled the air.
The lamb was naturally raised, making it more fragrant than lamb fed with commercial feed, and the broth made from lamb bones added to the flavor. This breakfast alone was mouthwatering.
Huo Yanzhou followed her into the room and sat across, watching Lin Xun eat with eyes full of light, a smile he did not even realize appeared on his face.
He said, “Comrade Lin Xun, your political review has passed.”
Lin Xun was surprised. “So fast?”
Usually, political reviews did not happen this quickly.
But Huo Yanzhou’s rank was high. At twenty-eight, not only was he unmarried, he did not even have a partner. The unit leadership was more anxious than Lü Yuzhi. Upon learning he was submitting a marriage report, they immediately jumped up, urging the office to give green lights and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Because Lin Xun had previously been married to Xu Zhicheng, the hospital had already done a review. With precedent, the process was faster than usual.
Huo Yanzhou nodded. “Political review passed. Next is handling the marriage report.”
He lowered his gaze, his deep eyes focused on Lin Xun, voice full of seriousness. “So, Comrade Lin Xun, do you really wish to become my revolutionary partner, stationed in the Northwest, and serve as part of the unit?”
Huo Yanzhou knew that Lin Xun had gone out yesterday. He had not stopped her or offered to drive her, wanting her to understand this area better.
The Northwest was harsh, cold, and underdeveloped compared to her southern home. If Lin Xun wanted to back out, now was the last opportunity.
Lin Xun tightened her grip on the chopsticks and nodded seriously. “I do. Don’t worry, I will live well and will never cause you trouble.”
She wore a dark green coat today. The color was a bit old-fashioned, but her fair skin made it look fresh, like a gardenia budding in the snow, pure and delicate.
Huo Yanzhou, though unmarried, knew many military families disliked the environment, constantly complaining and wanting to leave. He had assumed Lin Xun would be the same.
But the resolute light in her eyes proved him wrong. This gardenia seemed delicate but was actually resilient. She was beautiful, but no mere vine.
Suddenly, Huo Yanzhou felt his heart beat faster. He did not know why. Could it be too warm inside?
He abruptly stood and walked to the door.
Lin Xun was startled. “What is wrong?”
“Nothing, just a bit warm. I am going to get some fresh air.”
Outside, snowflakes danced. Lin Xun looked at Huo Yanzhou with admiration. A real soldier, so cold outside, yet feeling warm. His body was like that of an ox.
Huo Yanzhou did not yet realize that in his future wife’s eyes, he was already as sturdy as an ox. Walking to the door, he was called back by Lü Yuzhi. “Why are you out here? You have not upset Xiao Lin, have you?”
Huo Yanzhou said helplessly, “Mom, I am not that unlikable.”
Nearby, Xiao Wang thought that might not be true. The regiment commander was notorious, and the soldiers below treated him like a cat seen by a mouse, running away as fast as they could.
In Lü Yuzhi’s room were the items she had brought for Lin Xun yesterday. Aside from the furniture, most of the essentials had been brought back. But Huo Yanzhou looked around and suddenly noticed something amiss.
“Mom, why did you not buy a watch or a radio?”
At the time, meticulous households would prepare a small radio and a wristwatch. On the grasslands, bicycles were not convenient. Lin Xun could not sew, so a watch and radio were essential.
Lü Yuzhi said mysteriously, “Silly boy, if I had prepared everything, what would be left for you to show off in front of Xiao Lin?”
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Xun finished breakfast. Huo Yanzhou suddenly said he would take her somewhere.
Xiao Wang immediately offered, “Commander, I will drive.”
Huo Yanzhou took the keys first. “No, I will do it.”
Letting you do everything, what else do you need me for.