Chapter 20

Lin Xiang looked at the man before her, the dark moonlight that even the female protagonist in the book couldn’t pursue. She thought about his temperament—paranoid and gloomy, hating to be manipulated—and couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.

Until, by accident, she squeezed the oil-paper bag in her hand, and the rustling sound reminded her of something. “The salted duck eggs Aunt He gave you, I brought them over.”

He Hongyuan gave a faint “mm,” his eyes indicating that Lin Xiang should place them on the table.

He Hongyuan’s family had been poor since he was young, and it was only during holidays and festivals that they could enjoy good food. Salted duck eggs were one of the most coveted treats.

Lin Xiang placed the two salted duck eggs on the table and couldn’t help but glance around, noticing the layout of He Hongyuan’s bachelor dorm.

The dorm was small, with only a single wooden plank bed, a wardrobe, and a long table with wooden chairs.

It seemed to reflect the unique nature of a soldier—everything was tidy, the quilt folded into perfect squares, and the books on the table all neatly aligned in the same direction without a hint of disorder.

Lin Xiang thought back to the story in the book. Aunt He was warm-hearted, kind, and gentle. Why was He Hongyuan so cold and obsessive? Could it be that he took after his father?

But she didn’t know what He Hongyuan’s father was like, and Aunt He had never mentioned him.

Before today, Lin Xiang had wanted to spend more time with He Hongyuan, but ever since having that dream, she had become hesitant.

Her time was limited, and she couldn’t afford to waste it.

“I…” Lin Xiang was about to excuse herself when He Hongyuan suddenly interrupted.

“Did you run away because your family treated you badly?” He Hongyuan’s voice was emotionless, even cold.

Lin Xiang wasn’t surprised by his sudden mention of her situation and just nodded. “Yes.”

What Lin Xiang didn’t know was that there was an investigation report in the drawer of the long table in front of her. After He Hongyuan received news that his family had arranged a marriage for him on the island, he immediately had someone look into it in Xifeng City.

The report detailed Lin Xiang’s life history and a series of recent actions. Initially, He Hongyuan had resisted the idea of a childhood engagement, but after receiving the report today, he became suspicious as he read through it.

The investigation revealed that Lin Xiang, the daughter of a steel plant worker, was timid and fragile by nature. However, recently, she had behaved unusually—rejecting the marriage arranged by her biological father and stepmother and traveling alone to the island.

“You used to always listen to your parents, didn’t you? Why the change now? I heard they arranged a marriage for you with the son of the plant manager.” He Hongyuan fixed his gaze on Lin Xiang, trying to read something in her expression.

Lin Xiang’s heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm. She inwardly cursed, This damn man seems to be suspecting me!

The engagement fell through, and there was still some decency, right?

He wouldn’t think I’m a spy, would he?

“My mother passed away early, and after she was gone, no one treated me well. My dad married my stepmother, but he ignored me. I didn’t understand it at first, but then I saw it clearly—there really are fathers who treat their daughters badly. I was too naïve before, fooled around in that family, worked like a horse, but now I’ve finally woken up.” Lin Xiang started out intending to ease He Hongyuan’s suspicions, but as she spoke, her emotions became real. She was an orphan and had always longed for parental affection. She was now revealing her feelings, “As for that son of the plant manager, he’s a pervert and a scoundrel! I reported him!”

She knew that since He Hongyuan had become suspicious, he must have investigated her situation. There was no way to hide it from him, so she decided to be upfront.

With this thought in mind, Lin Xiang calmly met He Hongyuan’s gaze, no longer avoiding or pretending. “It’s not just that. My biological father and stepmother even forced me to give up the job I worked so hard to get for my useless brother. I refused! I’d rather sell my job than give it to them, and I signed him up to go to the countryside as an educated youth.”

She tried to rationalize her actions since crossing over, knowing that in this traditional and conservative era, the things she had done were indeed a bit outrageous. Many people might think she was heartless and ungrateful.

Especially now, facing He Hongyuan, who already disliked her. With her façade now torn, he would probably be even more unwilling to accept it.

Lin Xiang decided to go all in. After all, keeping her life was the most important.

“As for coming all the way here,” she thought for a moment, facing He Hongyuan’s probing gaze and his imposing aura, and suddenly blurted out, “Because I like you!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lin Xiang froze a bit, but at this point, what else could she do? She had to pin the reason on him.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes began to redden. She softly added, “I used to be timid, but when I found out I had a fiancé here, I even saw your photo and thought you were handsome, much taller and more attractive than that son of the plant manager. Plus, you’re a soldier, and you have abilities. That’s why I gathered the courage to come by train. But I also know you don’t like me…”

She paused, hoping that by saying this, He Hongyuan would stop doubting her and calm his suspicions, while also giving up on pursuing him.

“Since you don’t like me, I won’t force you,” Lin Xiang continued, sensing a slight shift in He Hongyuan’s eyes, the deep brow bones above his gaze giving off an air of superiority. She thought to try negotiating, “You don’t like me, and you want to break off the engagement, right? I agree with that, but I want to stay in Jinbian City. Could you help me find a job?”

She knew that jobs were hard to come by these days, even many military wives were waiting in line for job assignments. Lin Xiang weakly added, “It would really help if you could.”

“Or maybe help me find a matchmaker…?”

He Hongyuan stared at the young woman in front of him, noticing that she no longer seemed as gentle and kind as she had in the past few days. Instead, she had openly confessed the things she had done recently: reporting, selling her job, and signing up her useless brother for the countryside work program.

At that moment, he realized that the timid and cowardly Lin Xiang from the investigation report had come to life.

A lively, animated version of her stood here, eyes red, suddenly blurting out that she liked him.

He Hongyuan’s gaze shifted slightly, and an unfamiliar emotion surged inside him. Before he could sort through his feelings, he heard her ask if he could help her find a match after canceling their arranged marriage.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, then remained silent for a moment before coldly replying, “What do you think?”

Lin Xiang: “…”

She had just agreed to annul their engagement and hoped he would, out of some sense of mutual understanding and their shared past, casually help her out with a little favor.

His rhetorical question was essentially a rejection.

It seemed the books had been right—he had a strange personality and was truly heartless!

“Then… forget it.” Lin Xiang felt her breath quicken, and she could no longer stay. She turned and fled.

Not something she could confront, but something she could definitely avoid!

…

Lin Xiang rushed downstairs. Just as she had composed herself, she bumped into Zhou Yuezhu, who was speaking to a soldier downstairs.

Lin Xiang had never seen Zhou Yuezhu look so shy. She must be fond of the soldier in front of her.

The soldier, handsome and dignified, looked slightly awkward at that moment.

Well, her own arranged marriage had failed, so it wasn’t so bad to enjoy someone else’s dog food. It was sweet!

Zhou Yuezhu quickly bid farewell to Shen Jianming and, with a shy smile, said, “Remember to come to the social event the day after tomorrow.”

Shen Jianming blushed and replied, “I remember!”

On the way out of the dormitory, Lin Xiang asked Zhou Yuezhu, “Is that your boyfriend?”

Zhou Yuezhu pretended to hit her but couldn’t hide the smile on her lips. “He’s not!”

Then, in a low voice, she added, “Not yet, anyway.”

Ah, the sweet smell of young love!

Lin Xiang caught the scent!

She was just about to tease her when Zhou Yuezhu gasped. “Sister Xiangxiang, were you crying? Your eyes are red. Did your cousin bully you?”

Zhou Yuezhu stamped her foot in frustration, unsure of how to comfort her. “Cousin’s words were harsh. He has that kind of personality, but don’t take it to heart. I promise he’s a good person with a good heart! He wasn’t like this before—when he was little, he was so good, smart, and obedient. Everyone liked him…”

Lin Xiang reassured Zhou Yuezhu a bit, saying it was just some dust in her eyes, but she also pressed, “Did your cousin change after that?”

“Yes.” Zhou Yuezhu whispered, looking around mysteriously, “It’s all my second uncle’s fault.”

“Your second uncle?” Lin Xiang knew that was He Hongyuan’s father. “What happened to him? I’ve never heard Aunt He mention her husband, and He Hongyuan never talks about his father.”

“He doesn’t recognize him anymore!” Zhou Yuezhu blurted out, then immediately fell silent as if she had said too much. “Ah, forget it, don’t worry about it. Just don’t mention his dad in front of your cousin.”

Zhou Yuezhu was unwilling to elaborate, and Lin Xiang didn’t press further, though she was puzzled about who had stopped recognizing whom.

…

After the “interrogation” experience, Lin Xiang decided not to make any further advances toward He Hongyuan. She began considering other ways to stay in Jinbian City.

Fortunately, she had met the Zhou family, and Zhou Yuezhu, hearing that Lin Xiang was looking for a job, offered to help her inquire. Even Feng Li was willing to assist.

With someone to help, Lin Xiang felt more at ease, but she didn’t sit idle—she still had to put in her own effort.

It would be great if she could find a job and settle in Jinbian City. She didn’t dare provoke someone like He Hongyuan.

If work was hard to find, she could try matchmaking—there were plenty of soldiers here. Although the most handsome one, He Hongyuan, was out of her reach, the others weren’t bad either.

When Lin Xiang had made up her mind about her future, the grand military social event of the 119th division arrived.

The event would be held in the auditorium, where soldiers and women from the military would meet. The singles had no time to relax; they were all eager and excited.

Zhou Yuezhu came to find Lin Xiang early, “Sister Xiangxiang, let’s go check it out. The social event is so much fun!”

Lin Xiang had never seen a 70s-style social event, and she was curious. Since her hopes with He Hongyuan seemed dashed, she had to lift her spirits. “Alright, I’ll go see.”

Lin Xiang wore a dark red top with two shiny braids on her shoulders, looking particularly fair and beautiful.

Zhou Yuezhu wore a newly made light yellow blouse, looking cute and lively.

They bumped into a few soldiers, and they were even stopped for a brief chat, attracting some attention.

The red and yellow figures disappeared into the entrance of the social event, just as Zhang Huafeng spotted them.

Zhang Huafeng had originally been heading to the event to settle things with Yan Min from the art troupe, to make their relationship official.

However, at that moment, he quickly turned back, rushed to He Hongyuan’s dormitory, and barged into the room.

Inside, He Hongyuan was sitting at the table, staring at two salted duck eggs, beside which were six lychees.

“Old He!” Zhang Huafeng knew that He Hongyuan never attended social events, so he tried to coax him into going. “You’re still sitting here? Your wife is about to run off, and you’re still so calm?”

He Hongyuan frowned and looked at Zhang Huafeng, not speaking, simply waiting for him to continue.

“Lin Xiang’s going to the social event. I think she’s decided that since you refuse to agree to the marriage contract, she might as well find someone else in the military. I mean, Lin Xiang is beautiful, and I saw those young wolves practically drooling over her. Maybe she’ll find a boyfriend today and get married tomorrow.”

After speaking, Zhang Huafeng noticed He Hongyuan’s face stiffen, and secretly rejoiced. He immediately turned to leave but didn’t go far. He stood by the door, knowing his brother well enough after ten years, and betting…

The door creaked open.

He Hongyuan walked out of the room and quickly headed forward.

Zhang Huafeng followed him, not forgetting to stoke the fire: “Do you even know where the social event is held? After all, you’ve never been to one before.”

He Hongyuan turned and looked at him, lightly saying two words: “Annoying.”