Chapter 47

Yang Mei’s viciousness carried an air of bluff, which is why the few girls talking didn’t feel scared.

“We were just chatting, and you suddenly jumped in and started questioning us. What, are we not allowed to talk? Not allowed to chat?” one girl said, rolling her eyes at Yang Mei.

In the past, they had held back because they thought Yang Mei might really succeed in winning over Commander Cang. Although he had always kept his distance, he’d also never been involved in any rumors with other women. If Yang Mei had actually managed to catch him, none of them could afford to offend her.

But now it turned out their worries were for nothing. Commander Cang had never been interested in Yang Mei—not some act of playing hard to get. All the arrogance she had flaunted around the unit under the guise of being close to him had now blown up in her face. Served her right. Let’s see how high and mighty she’d act from now on.

“You were obviously talking about me! You were laughing at me!” Yang Mei pointed her finger at the group of girls.

“Don’t point at us! You have no manners, no wonder Commander Cang doesn’t want you,” one of the girls with willow-leaf eyebrows slapped Yang Mei’s hand away.

“Exactly! What’s the point of acting so proud in front of us? If you’re so capable, go be arrogant in front of Commander Cang or his wife! Qingqing, let’s go.”

Yang Mei stomped her foot in frustration, wishing she could tear their mouths off. But she couldn’t. Without Commander Cang’s backing, she didn’t have the power to face the consequences.

Why? Why did Commander Cang suddenly get married?

Even though he had always ignored her, Yang Mei had been the only woman ever rumored to be associated with him. That alone had been enough to maintain her status within the troupe.

Yang Mei was unwilling to accept this. After thinking for a moment, she decided to leave the troupe and go find Commander Cang.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on her side.

“Comrade Yang, our commander is very busy and doesn’t have time to meet with you. It’s not appropriate either,” said the soldier who stopped her. Though his tone was formal, the impatience in his eyes was clear.

The truth was, Yang Mei had little to no connection with the commander. Every time she came looking for him, she was turned away. Cang Ling never met with her personally—he always had others intercept her. And yet, for some reason, rumors of a connection between them continued to circulate within the compound.

It was all baseless gossip. As someone who had served closely under Commander Cang, the soldier knew well how the man treated others. Before his wife arrived, Cang Ling had made no distinctions—whether male or female, everyone was simply a soldier to him.

Plenty of people in the compound were interested in the commander, but he paid no attention to any of them. If his wife hadn’t come along, Liu Siyuan would’ve believed he intended to stay single forever.

Now that he had found such a beautiful, capable wife, there was no way Liu Siyuan would let anyone tarnish that.

“I just want to see Commander Cang and explain things to him,” Yang Mei said, putting on a pitiful expression.

Liu Siyuan rolled his eyes openly.

“Comrade Yang, I’ve been with the commander for so many years. I know exactly whether or not he has anything to do with you. We’re also aware of what you did before. He may not care, but that doesn’t mean you can take advantage of his indifference.” He was well aware of who had started the rumors.

“Is it wrong for me to like him?” Yang Mei asked, genuinely upset. “I just want to see Commander Cang and ask—what’s wrong with me? Why would he marry a country girl but not even consider me?” She had liked Commander Cang for three years, despite her selfish motives.

Liu Siyuan’s face turned ugly: “So now you’re looking down on people from the countryside? I remember you’re from a rural area as well. Have you forgotten after a few years in the army? Your mindset is problematic. I should report this to the leadership and let them check if the political education in the troupe is insufficient.”

Yang Mei was stunned. If that report went through, her career would be over.

“No, no! I don’t look down on anyone! I’m leaving now—I’ll go!” she said hastily, turning to flee.

Liu Siyuan let out a cold scoff and walked away.

“Oh, Siyuan, your rhetoric has gotten better and better. You scared that girl off with just a few words.”

Liu Siyuan turned and saw someone walking out from the side, immediately standing up straight and saluting. “Captain Xiao.”

Xiao Zixuan waved his hand. “Where’s Cang Ling?”

“He’s in the office.”

“I’ll go find him.”

Liu Siyuan didn’t say anything, and there was no need for him to guide Xiao Zixuan. He simply watched him leave.

In the captain’s office.

Knock knock.

“Come in.” Cang Ling didn’t even lift his head, finishing the document he was reading before looking up.

He saw his friend sitting in the guest chair, already having poured himself a glass of water.

Cang Ling didn’t speak and continued with his work.

He was calm, but Xiao Zixuan couldn’t hold back.

“I say, Cang Ling, your hospitality is seriously lacking. I’ve been here for a while now, and you haven’t said a single word.”

Cang Ling put down his pen, pinched the bridge of his nose, then rolled his eyes at his friend. “I honestly don’t see how you need any hosting. You’ve already hosted yourself just fine.”

“And what happened to your sense of discipline? You barged into a superior officer’s office without reporting, or saluting.”

“I’m not here to report for duty. I came to visit a friend,” Xiao Zixuan replied without a hint of guilt. “Oh, and I caught quite a show at the door.”

Cang Ling glanced at him. “What kind of show could actually interest the great Young Master Xiao?”

Xiao Zixuan took a sip of tea. “A beauty crying and shouting your name—that kind of show.”

Cang Ling frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense. What beauty? I’m already married.”

“Tsk tsk, if that’s the case, then why haven’t you dealt with it? Don’t tell me you don’t know what that woman’s been doing under your name.”

There was a flicker of irritation in Xiao Zixuan’s voice—though he didn’t want to admit why it bothered him so much.

Cang Ling’s tone was cold. “I know. I used her as a shield, so naturally, I gave her some benefits.”

He wasn’t a soft-hearted man, and his heart was cold. To him, it was just a transaction.

“But you’re married now, don’t you care about Xue Miaoyun?” Xiao Zixuan furrowed his brows.

Cang Ling looked at him. “Yun’er is my beloved. She’s different. No one can hurt her in front of me. If she’s being unreasonable, I’ll naturally take action.”

“She’s my wife, so I’ll protect her.” Cang Ling shot Xiao Zixuan a meaningful look.

Xiao Zixuan didn’t panic. He never deluded himself into thinking he could hide things from Cang Ling. This was just his way of expressing himself. People like them had seen countless women, and in the compound, there were always those trying to get close. Even though the atmosphere was tighter now, some things were still inevitable.

Seeing so much, you cared less. His mentality had become weary.

“Are you going to the cultural performance tonight?” Xiao Zixuan naturally knew Cang Ling’s abilities, and he trusted that his wife could take care of herself.

“Yes, Ah Yun has been looking forward to it for a long time.”

“Huh?”