Chapter 22 Doubt

Gu Zhiye stiffened for a moment, then subconsciously turned his gaze toward the girl in his arms. His expression gradually grew gentle, his eyes filled with affection.
“Very good.”

Jinchuan passed by them, a sneer tugging at the corner of his lips.

Walking toward them were Gao Jianshe and Jiang Xiaofei — the former was gloating: “Xiaofei still doesn’t believe you came back from Heisheng. She barely even glanced at you during the performance. Hahaha, Comrade Jinchuan, your charms are fading…”
The three of them were from the same academy.

Jinchuan pressed up his glasses. “Comrade Xiaofei’s dancing is improving by the day! The last time we performed at our research institute, many male comrades kept inquiring about you. So… are you still single?”

Jiang Xiaofei, who hadn’t yet removed her stage makeup, forced herself not to rub her eyes and casually responded, “You already know.”
But her gaze kept darting toward Jinchuan. Did she just see Gu Zhiye holding a small troupe member as he slipped out the back? What was that supposed to mean? Was he… harassing someone? Did Jiang Xiaofei not deserve the opportunity to be that person?

…
As soon as they stepped outside, Su Niannian suddenly pushed Gu Zhiye away. Her voice trembled as she said, “Go away.”

Gu Zhiye stood there, a wall blocking her path. He lowered his gaze, lifted her chin, and asked quietly, “Did you cry?”

Just now in the corridor, there was only them and a strange man. When that person left, Gu Zhiye, with his keen observation, noticed Su Niannian let out a visible sigh of relief — as if a cornered rabbit darting toward him in search of refuge.

He didn’t get a response. His expression grew heavy. “Did that man bully you? If you won’t tell me, I’ll go and get to the bottom of it myself…”
He turned to leave, advancing with purposeful strides.

An anxious Su Niannian grabbed his hand. “Wait, wait! It’s not that! I… I don’t even know him.”
“？”
Clearly not a man easily deceived, Gu Zhiye fell silent. Su Niannian bit her lip and said in a somewhat petulant tone, “It’s your fault! Today was my first time on stage, yet you went to visit someone else. Is Jiang Xiaofei’s performance really that much more charming? Do you even know what’s more important and what’s not? How can you be a husband like this…”

She let the last two words trail off quietly — with a softness, a nervous appeal — in a bid to ease his suspicion.
Gu Zhiye’s breathing grew heavy. Breaking precedent, he explained, “I came to see you, but you slipped away faster than a rabbit.”

The back entrance was not a place without people. Gu Zhiye was a renowned figure in the neighboring military region — even without him uttering a word, just his presence drew many pairs of eyes.
Su Niannian sheltered herself in his shadow. After clearing up the confusion, she decisively slipped away.
Gu Zhiye turned back toward the main hall. The monotonous performance was putting Commander Yan — a plain, somewhat rough man — to sleep. Sensing someone sitting down beside him, he opened his bleary eyes. “So… soon?!”
Gu Zhiye kept his back straight, his gaze resting quietly upon Jinchuan, who was entering alongside Gao Jianshe. After a moment, he said in a calm but somewhat perplexed voice, “Comrade Yan, do me a favor. Help me look into someone — I owe you a favor.”
He certainly didn’t believe a word of Su Niannian’s clumsy lie.

…
After the tour, the troupe was rewarded with a day off. Uncharacteristically, Liao Yu invited Su Niannian and Liu Tao to eat breakfast together. Liu Tao, normally a big, carefree person, knew Liao Yu was proud and kept her distance from everyone, even choosing to eat her own meal. This was the first time Liao Yu was this warm and welcoming — a helpful opportunity for future missions — so Liu Tao quickly and cheerfully fell in alongside them.

Over breakfast, the trio grew close friends.
Liu Tao boldly suggested, “How about we go shopping afterwards? My mom says their workplace just got in a batch of flawed fabrics. Employees can buy them without needing ration coupons. I’ll ask her to keep a few nice ones for us to try…”
The other two nodded eagerly.

Su Niannian was a little tempted. The western-style dresses that she had brought from the Chen family were not really appropriate for wearing in the army, which was why Gu Zhiye immediately slipped her some cash and fabric stamps — so she could buy whatever she wanted and feel just like other girls. This small consideration filled her with warmth.

But plans can’t keep up with reality. Just as they were about to leave the troupe, Su Niannian was interrupted by a phone call.
It was Su Jianshan. He was already waiting at the train station and called to check where she was. The moment she heard he was here, her first thought was: Jinchuan is in Ning County — the two mustn’t bump into each other.
All plans for food and new clothes fell by the wayside. Su Niannian rushed to the train station after asking for leave from Liao Yu.

It had been nearly half a month since they’d last met. Su Jianshan’s skin was a bit darker, his large hands heavy with bags as he stood on the platform, frantically waving when he saw her.
Su Niannian’s lips curved into a smile. “Brother—!”
“Sister!”
“Why did you bring so much? Anyone who doesn’t know might think you’re moving everything from home. This will make Second Aunt talk nonsense. I’m fine in the army; you should take these back…”
Su Niannian hurriedly turned over her brother’s luggage, a rush of bitterness in her heart.

Su Jianshan grinned, his big, white teeth glimmering. “All these preserved foods were prepared by Grandma for Brother-in-law — she said not to be mad and not to blame you.”
“Aunt and the rest daren’t gossip these days. Zhaodi was married off to a hunter in the neighboring county, but she tried to run away on her wedding day — their family made a mess, and Grandma nearly used a broom to chase Second Uncle’s family out! Hahaha…”