Chapter 22

When Xiao Zixuan said he admired Song Zhuanguo, Xue Miaoyun raised an eyebrow.

“With Comrade Xiao’s appearance, marrying a regimental commander’s niece—let alone a division commander’s or army commander’s niece—should be no problem at all. What’s there to admire in someone else?”

She knew full well that wasn’t what he meant—but she said it anyway, just to be difficult.

The corner of Xiao Zixuan’s mouth twitched. “I don’t have such grand ambitions.”

Xue Miaoyun didn’t miss the flash of disdain in his eyes just a moment ago. She started to form some thoughts.

“I admire that Comrade Song actually managed to break off an engagement with a beauty like Comrade Xue,” Xiao Zixuan said with a slight smile, casting a sidelong glance at her.

“What’s so impressive about that? Career prospects are more important.” Xue Miaoyun had no interest in this topic. Her appearance had only changed in the past half year.

Xiao Zixuan noted with some amusement that she showed no offense at his teasing.

Cang Ling really lucked out, he thought. Just went out on what was practically a vacation assignment and ran into a girl this beautiful and interesting. Totally unfair.

At the guesthouse, Xue Miaoyun was placed in a spacious room.

“Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal,” Xiao Zixuan offered.

Xue Miaoyun shook her head. “I don’t feel like eating. I’m not hungry.”

She’d eaten quite a bit on the train and had no appetite.

Xiao Zixuan looked a little disappointed. “Well, then, get some rest. I’ll take my leave.”

“Take care.”

After seeing him off, Xue Miaoyun collapsed onto the bed. “Ugh, why does this whole thing feel like it’s getting messier by the minute?”

She had a headache.

After a night’s rest, she felt much better. In the morning, she read for a while—some of the books were issued by her school, others she had picked up at a recycling station.

Subjects like math, physics, and chemistry weren’t difficult. Before she transmigrated, she’d stored all her old school textbooks in her space. She had studied science, and most of the core knowledge hadn’t changed.

Still, she didn’t think she could completely slack off. It was good to refresh and review.

She had time. No need to rush.

Knock knock.

Hearing the knock on the door, Xue Miaoyun quickly stowed her books back into her space.

“Comrade Xiao, you’re here early.”

“These are the materials you requested. And breakfast,” Xiao Zixuan said, lifting both hands slightly to show her what he was carrying.

“Thanks.” Xue Miaoyun took the items from him.

“Cang Ling is coming back this afternoon,” Xiao Zixuan said suddenly.

Xue Miaoyun froze, just as she was about to flip through the documents.

“Got it.”

Seeing her only give a simple, two-word reply, Xiao Zixuan felt an odd sense of disappointment. Still, his self-control was strong, and he didn’t let it show.

Xue Miaoyun focused on the documents he’d handed over. Details about Song Zhuanguo, the woman he was pursuing, and most importantly, the item she cared about most.

“Heh.” So that was why he refused to return the keepsake—he’d already given it away as a gift to someone else.

Xiao Zixuan clearly knew what was in those files. Inwardly, he felt contempt for Song Zhuanguo. This kind of behavior really made men look bad. Fortunately, Song wasn’t part of their regiment, but it was still embarrassing.

“This shouldn’t be hard to settle. After Zhao Meihua received the jade pendant, she bragged about it to quite a few people. As long as you can prove it belonged to your family, getting it back should be easy,” Xiao Zixuan said lazily.

“This Zhao Meihua seems to like Song Zhuanguo quite a bit. She knew he had a fiancée back in his hometown, but still insisted on being with him.”

Xiao Zixuan looked at Xue Miaoyun, clearly trying to gauge her reaction.

“Oh? Comrade Xiao means to say the two of them are truly in love?” Xue Miaoyun returned his gaze, her voice calm.

“Ahem… That, I don’t know,” Xiao Zixuan coughed awkwardly. “But I do know that Zhao Meihua used to like Cang Ling. She kept asking Regiment Commander Zhao to set her up with him—but Cang Ling never gave her the time of day.”

He found it rather strange, actually. Liking Cang Ling wasn’t odd; there were fewer women in the army, but not none. The literary troupe, the military hospital, the communications company—there were women in all of them. Not to mention the families of officers.

Cang Ling’s background, looks, abilities, and position were all top-tier. Decorated in battle, with a name known throughout the entire military district.

Plenty of women liked him. Even more people wanted him as a son-in-law—or nephew-in-law.

Zhao Meihua had just been one of many.

But then, a year ago, she abruptly stopped pursuing Cang Ling and jumped headfirst into Song Zhuanguo’s arms. The disparity between the two men was obvious to anyone.

There were plenty of company-level officers better than Song Zhuanguo in every way. So why had Zhao Meihua chosen him?

Was it… really true love?

Xiao Zixuan shuddered, goosebumps rippling down his arms.

“Let’s go,” Xue Miaoyun said, setting down her half-finished breakfast, ready to handle business.

“Go where?” Xiao Zixuan asked reflexively.

“Obviously, to take the item back. What, you think I need to write a formal proposal for something this minor? Just drop me off at their regiment’s base—I’ll handle the rest myself.”

“You’re not going to wait for Cang Ling?”

“Why would I wait for him? This has nothing to do with him. Let’s go,” she said bluntly. Truth be told, if that jade pendant weren’t tied to her golden finger’s integrity and security, she wouldn’t even want it back.

Xiao Zixuan raised a brow. Seems he might’ve misunderstood the relationship between her and Cang Ling. No—Cang Ling must have intentionally created that misunderstanding.

Tch. Truly cunning.

At Song Zhuanguo’s base, Xue Miaoyun stepped out of the car and walked straight to the guard on duty, asking for him by name.

“And what is your relation to Company Commander Song?” the soldier asked cautiously.

“Former fiancée,” Xue Miaoyun replied confidently.

“Ah?” The squad leader looked stunned.

Standing quietly behind her, Xiao Zixuan twitched when he heard the words former fiancée. This girl was fierce.

“Is the term ‘former fiancée’ difficult to understand?” Xue Miaoyun asked, looking at the soldier with puzzled innocence.

“Ahem,” Xiao Zixuan couldn’t help but step forward.

“Sir!” The guard immediately saluted.

“Mm,” Xiao Zixuan returned the greeting. “Go call over Commander Song. Also, have the reception room prepared.”

“Yes, sir.”

In the reception room, Xiao Zixuan glanced at the relaxed Xue Miaoyun.

“You’re really not the least bit bothered by the label ‘former fiancée’?”

“Why should I be?” Xue Miaoyun turned her gaze on him. “Isn’t being able to cut your losses in time a good thing?”

“There’s no way the breakup didn’t affect you at all. Don’t you resent him?” Xiao Zixuan knew he was overstepping, that he was being a bit too intrusive. But he couldn’t help asking. He wanted to see her true attitude toward Song Zhuanguo.

“There’s no need,” Xue Miaoyun replied coolly. “Marriage has never been a necessary part of my future plans.”

She wasn’t sure why she said that. Maybe it was Xiao’s strange expression—or maybe she just wanted to shut him up.

“You…”

Knock knock.

Both turned their heads.

“…Cang Ling,” Xiao Zixuan stiffened slightly.

“Deputy Commander Cang,” Xue Miaoyun frowned. Why was he here? She really disliked having so many people involved in her private affairs.