Volume One, Chapter 10: The Commander Got Married but Doesn’t Live at Home?

Listening to his stiff voice, Shen Qingran forced herself to stand upright. Looking down, she saw that the soda had spilled all over her. Her chest was soaked. Her face instantly flushed like a sunset. Gritting her teeth, she ignored her trembling legs caused by the shock and hurriedly put on his military uniform, buttoning it up tightly to cover her chest.

Fortunately, Huo Tingxiao had noticed just in time; otherwise, she would have been the laughingstock today. She glanced sideways at the elderly woman who had fallen and at Lu Jiajia, who still wore a smug expression despite her misdeed. Shen Qingran quickly walked over and knelt down, asking, “Grandma, are you alright?”

The old woman, wearing a floral headscarf and emanating a certain odor, caused many to step back, but Shen Qingran seemed unaffected. She gently pressed the leg bones and arms of the woman. Thankfully, there were no fractures.

“Grandma, let me help you up.”

“Miss, I’m sorry. I was bumped earlier and lost my balance. Are you alright?” The elderly woman’s eyes, upon seeing the young woman’s delicate and radiant appearance, brimmed with concern. Had she truly fallen, she would have felt deeply guilty.

Shen Qingran shook her head gently. “I’m fine, Grandma.”

Huo Tingxiao cast a sidelong glare at Lu Jiajia, whose body trembled under the oppressive look. “Tingxiao, I’m sorry. I twisted my ankle and couldn’t steady myself. It wasn’t on purpose,” Lu Jiajia said, clearly displeased but aware she couldn’t deny it.

Huo Tingxiao frowned, silent.

“Jiajia, you’re an adult now; how can you not watch your step?”

Su Yi approached the old woman, straightened her wheelbarrow, and took out some cash. “Grandma, sorry about the accident my sister caused. Please take this as compensation for your cart.”

The old woman accepted the money without hesitation and left happily.

Su Yi glanced at Huo Tingxiao’s face, inwardly regretting bringing Lu Jiajia along. He quickly stepped forward, his voice stern. “Jiajia, aren’t you going to apologize to your sister-in-law?”

Biting her lip in reluctance, Lu Jiajia lowered her head and said obediently, “Sorry.”

Shen Qingran looked at her calmly, then turned and followed Huo Tingxiao’s footsteps.

Once in the car, Su Yi warmly began explaining the situation in Ningshi, lightening the atmosphere considerably.

“Tingxiao, how are Auntie and Uncle doing since you got back? Did the donkey-hide gelatin cakes I sent them last time suffice?”

Lu Jiajia spoke to Huo Tingxiao as if they were old friends, acting like she was very close with his parents.

Shen Qingran lowered her gaze and stared out the window, unmoved by the conversation.

Lu Jiajia couldn’t help but feel proud—Auntie had once told her she was the daughter-in-law she had in mind. So what if they were married? Could they divorce? Suppressing her thoughts, she eagerly looked at Huo Tingxiao.

“He told me to thank you and also to stop sending things over; it’s not a good influence.”

Lu Jiajia was stunned, not expecting Huo Tingxiao to dismiss her so coldly. She felt both aggrieved and slightly embarrassed, but maintained a smile and teasingly stuck out her tongue. “Auntie likes me; Tingxiao, you don’t get a say.”

She then playfully tugged Shen Qingran’s arm. “I don’t even know your name.”

Shen Qingran was momentarily surprised, instinctively glancing at Huo Tingxiao. He sat upright at the front, his expression unreadable, but he exuded an aura that warned strangers away.

Frowning, she said, “Comrade Lu, my name is Shen Qingran.”

Lowering her head, Lu Jiajia asked, “Comrade Shen, are you still upset about earlier? I didn’t mean it.”

Damn it, what did that have to do with her? It sounded as if Shen Qingran was the narrow-minded one here. Friends, please don’t put each other down.

Watching Lu Jiajia’s practiced attempt to pile on guilt, Shen Qingran inwardly applauded her acting skills as if watching a drama. After leaving Shen Zhaoxi, now it was Lu Jiajia—was she some kind of magnet for trouble?

She offered a faint, distant smile. “Comrade Lu, don’t overthink it. I was just feeling a bit carsick and uncomfortable, which might have caused a misunderstanding. Sorry about that.”

Lu Jiajia was gently shut down by Shen Qingran’s soft yet firm tone, growing even more irritated inside. Still, she said, “Good that you’re not angry. Our cultural troupe has a performance in a couple of days. Comrade Shen, why don’t you and Tingxiao come watch?”

She wanted this country bumpkin to see the gap between them. Some are born like clouds in the sky, while others are like mud on the ground. She hoped Shen Qingran would feel ashamed and initiate a divorce.

Not wanting to engage further, Shen Qingran replied, “I’ll follow whatever Tingxiao says.”

Lu Jiajia was about to speak, but Su Yi cheerfully interrupted, “Ah, let’s save that for later. We’re almost there. Jiajia, your aunt will definitely be nagging you.”

Lu Jiajia pouted, wanting to kick Su Yi for being a dead weight.

Shen Qingran ignored Lu Jiajia and looked out the window, noticing a familiar splash of red ahead. Her nose prickled with emotion—this world, only that familiar red remained unchanged.

As the vehicle moved forward, rows of barbed wire fences appeared, with eight large characters hanging: “Raise Vigilance, Defend the Motherland.”

Because it was a military vehicle, the guarding soldiers soon let them pass. The car drove steadily inside, and Shen Qingran saw a solemn scene.

This was a sacred place.

“Sister-in-law, the family quarters are just ahead.”

Shen Qingran looked at the rows of houses appearing before her; this was where her new life in Ningshi would begin.

The vehicle soon came to a stop. Xiao Sun got out to help with the luggage, and Shen Qingran jumped down to assist.

Seeing Huo Tingxiao preparing to get out, Lu Jiajia called out, “Tingxiao, do you really want to marry her?”

Without hesitation, Huo Tingxiao opened the door with a cold tone, “If I didn’t want to, why would I have submitted the marriage report?”

Lu Jiajia was stung by his words but followed after him. “Tingxiao, remember to come watch my performance in a few days.”

Huo Tingxiao glanced at her. “We’ll see then.”

Lu Jiajia was his mentor’s daughter; he couldn’t completely disregard her face. Her expression softened somewhat.

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Oh, and remember to bring Comrade Shen along.”

Huo Tingxiao frowned, about to correct her formality when Su Yi quickly covered her mouth with a large hand and pulled her away, wrapping an arm around her neck.

“Huo Tuan, my aunt misses her. I’m taking her back.”

Huo Tingxiao turned toward the rear, where he saw Shen Qingran chatting happily with Xiao Sun.

“So from now on, I can go to the military service center here?”

“Yes, sister-in-law. Rest today, and if you have time tomorrow, the regiment commander can take you around.”

He reached to take down Huo Tingxiao’s luggage from the car, only to hear Huo Tingxiao’s cold command, “Take my things to the dormitory.”

“Ah?” Xiao Sun was surprised. The commander married but not living at home? This was...