Chapter 4: Is Our Deputy Regiment Commander’s Wife Really Here?

　　

“Comrade, where are you headed?” Yang Zhengtu asked Jiang Ning with a smile.

The girl’s eyes seemed to cast a spell on him, making his heart race every time she looked at him.

Only the ‘living Tang monk’ next to him showed no interest in women at all.

Jiang Ning could tell that he was interested in her, but her voice remained calm. “I’m going to the capital to find my husband.”

Yang Zhengtu pouted. “Ah? You’re married?”

Jiang Ning nodded. “Yes, he’s serving in the capital. We’ve been married for three years, but I’ve never met him.”

Yang Zhengtu scratched his head. “Three years without meeting? Soldiers usually get annual leave to visit their families. That’s unusual. Tell me his name. I’m also from the Capital Military District, so I might know your husband.”

“Yang Zhengtu,” Shen Mo said coldly, giving him a sharp look.

Yang Zhengtu realized his mistake and quickly stopped talking, understanding that some things were better left unsaid.

Jiang Ning had no intention of telling them Shen Mo’s name. If they found out she was there to get a divorce, they might prevent her from finding Shen Mo.

Jiang Ning smiled charmingly. “Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll find the military unit on my own. I just don’t know how to get there.”

Shen Mo said, “When you arrive at the capital station, go to the Capital Railway Police. Once they confirm your identity, they will arrange a car to take you to the unit.”

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. “Thank you.”

She wasn’t very familiar with this era, and without guidance, she might end up taking many wrong turns in the capital.

This man seemed cold and detached, but perhaps he wasn’t entirely so.

After the commotion on the train, many people realized that Jiang Ning’s claim that the human trafficker was her partner was actually a self-rescue tactic.

The bravery of the two men sitting opposite her also deterred any ill-intentioned individuals from approaching Jiang Ning.

An older woman in the neighboring seat gave Jiang Ning a thumbs up. “Young lady, you were really clever just now. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a smart and beautiful girl.”

Being praised for her beauty made anyone happy. “Thank you, Auntie.”

The next afternoon, the train arrived at the station.

After sitting on the train for so long, Jiang Ning couldn’t take it anymore. Her back and waist were aching, and it was truly uncomfortable.

As the train was about to stop, Jiang Ning took out the last two scallion pancakes from her bag and handed them to the two men opposite her. “Thank you for protecting me all the way.”

Thanks to these two men, she had been able to sleep peacefully on the cramped and hard train last night.

“This… we can’t…” Before he could finish his sentence, Yang Zhengtu found himself holding two pancakes.

Before he could refuse, Jiang Ning had already quickly grabbed her bag and got off the train.

Yang Zhengtu scratched his head. As a soldier, he wasn’t supposed to accept food from civilians.

He elbowed Shen Mo. “Brother Shen, what should we do?”

Shen Mo’s eyes followed Jiang Ning’s retreating figure until she disappeared. “Keep them.”

“Alright, I’ll eat them then. I’m starving.” With Shen Mo’s approval, Yang Zhengtu took a bite of the pancake without hesitation.

Their mission had come up suddenly, and they had boarded the train without bringing anything. They had been hungry for a whole day.

The two men remained seated, waiting for the others to disembark first.

When most of the people in the carriage had disembarked, the two men finally got up and left the train. Yang Zhengtu, munching on his second pancake, walked beside Shen Mo. “Brother Shen, I think you should change this habit of not accepting food from girls. Wouldn’t you even eat something given by your wife?”

Yang Zhengtu sighed. “It’s a pity you’re married. So many female comrades in the art troupe like you. If you weren’t married, you’d have your pick, wouldn’t you? That female comrade from earlier was also very pretty. I think she’s even prettier than Li Fei, who is considered the most beautiful in the art troupe.”

Shen Mo’s sharp eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his voice carried a hint of coldness. “Yang Zhengtu, people are not objects. Do you want to go back for double training?”

Yang Zhengtu felt a chill down his spine and immediately stood at attention. “Reporting, I do not want double training.”

—

When Jiang Ning got off the train, she asked the train attendant for directions to the railway police. By the time she found the railway police station, it was almost dark.

She didn’t keep the police officers from their off-duty time and asked them about nearby guesthouses. In this era, strangers couldn’t be trusted, but the police officers’ recommendations would be safer.

A night at the guesthouse cost two yuan. Jiang Ning paid the fee and quickly washed up.

Before going to bed, she found a wooden stool and placed it diagonally against the door as a makeshift barricade. She also put a cup on the stool. If someone tried to enter the room, the cup would fall and wake her up.

The next morning, Jiang Ning woke up, feeling hungry.

Since arriving in this world, she had only eaten half a pancake.

Stepping out of the guesthouse, the fresh air was invigorating. The sounds of street vendors calling out to customers filled the air.

Jiang Ning walked out and experienced the bustling life of this era.

“Dingling,” a sound came from behind her. “Comrade, please move aside.”

Jiang Ning stepped to the side as someone rode past her on a 28-inch bicycle, the sound of the pedals whirring by. Everything was so busy yet full of life.

Jiang Ning took in everything, eventually arriving at a steaming bun shop. The hot steam and aroma mixed together, creating an enticing scent.

She bought five delicious meat buns. After eating three, she felt full. Looking at the remaining two buns, Jiang Ning felt a bit helpless. When you’re extremely hungry, you tend to overestimate your ability to eat.

She carefully wrapped the remaining two buns and put them in her bag.

After strolling around the streets to digest her food and experience the hustle and bustle of this era, she finally headed to the railway police station.

In this era, the proof of identity was the household registration booklet. Jiang Ning handed over her household registration booklet to the railway police and explained her purpose. They only looked up at her when she mentioned that she was a military family member.

The police officer took out a record and asked, “Your husband’s name.”

Jiang Ning replied, “Shen Mo.”

The officer wrote down the name and said, “We will contact the unit. You can wait in the rest area for a while.”

Jiang Ning nodded. “Okay.”

Two hours later, the sound of a car engine could be heard from outside.

Looking up, she saw a military green jeep stop in front of the railway police station. A young man in military uniform jumped out of the driver’s seat and strode into the building, speaking loudly, “Is our Deputy Regiment Commander’s wife really here?”

Since Jiang Ning was the only one waiting there, and the car outside clearly belonged to the military, she reasonably suspected that the “Deputy Regiment Commander’s wife” he was referring to was her.

Deputy Regiment Commander?

Shen Mo was the Deputy Regiment Commander?!

The man’s next words confirmed Jiang Ning’s guess.

The person who had registered Jiang Ning earlier pointed to her location, and the man turned to look at her.

When he saw Jiang Ning, his face showed unconcealed surprise.

He was amazed that the Deputy Regiment Commander was really married and even more shocked that the woman claiming to be the Deputy Regiment Commander’s wife was so beautiful!

The man took two steps towards Jiang Ning, a friendly smile on his determined face. “Hello, may I see your identification, please?”