Chapter 22: Commander Han Says He Doesn’t Feel Wronged

Han Zhixu’s straight back stiffened slightly. “Auntie…”

“Zhixu, thank you for your tolerance of Yaqing, and thank you for taking such good care of her,” Qiu Shimin said sincerely, enunciating every word.

Han Zhixu replied, “It’s what I should do.”

Qiu Shimin shook her head. “I know you don’t like Yaqing. In any case, it must’ve been hard on you.”

Back then, when she asked Han Zhixu to marry Luo Yaqing, she had used some moral pressure.

Her son had died on the battlefield while saving a comrade—that comrade was Han Zhixu.

Han Zhixu fell silent.

He glanced at the crowd of passengers around the attendant asking for hot water. “It’s not hard.”

Qiu Shimin smiled. “Life takes time to adjust. I believe you two will get better and better.”

Luo Yaqing returned with an enamel cup and handed it to Qiu Shimin.

She squeezed into the seat beside Han Zhixu. “What were you just talking about?”

“You,” Qiu Shimin replied with a smile.

Luo Yaqing was curious. “Me? What about me? You weren’t gossiping behind my back, were you?”

Qiu Shimin took a sip of the hot water. “You guessed right.”

“…,” Luo Yaqing pouted pitifully.

Qiu Shimin continued teasing, “We said you’re spoiled and have a bad temper.”

Luo Yaqing didn’t get mad. “I was too reckless before, but I’ll work hard to change and be a good comrade.”

Qiu Shimin laughed. “Let’s hope you mean what you say.”

Luo Yaqing hooked her arm around the man beside her and smiled at Qiu Shimin. “Don’t worry, Commander Han will supervise me.”

Han Zhixu sat upright, hands flat on his knees, posture ramrod straight.

When Luo Yaqing suddenly clung to him in public, he nearly lost his balance.

He quickly peeled her small hand off his arm and corrected his posture, looking uncomfortable.

Luo Yaqing pouted. No face-saving, and it was just a little arm-clinging!

The loudspeaker announced the arrival of the train.

Everyone stood up, grabbed their luggage, and rushed toward the platform.

“Auntie, take care on your journey!”

Luo Yaqing waved goodbye to Qiu Shimin on the train.

After sending her off, the two of them left the station and headed straight home.

Two hours later, they arrived in town. Han Zhixu glanced at Luo Yaqing in the passenger seat. “Let’s get something to eat before going home.”

“Okay.” Luo Yaqing nodded.

Earlier in the city, when Han Zhixu had wanted to find a place to eat, Luo Yaqing had declined—mainly because the distance between the city and the town was long, and she was worried about traveling in the dark, which wasn’t safe.

There were no streetlights on the roads in this era.

They got out of the car and went into a small town noodle shop, where Han Zhixu ordered two bowls of meat noodle soup.

Luo Yaqing was truly hungry. She finished everything, including the broth, until her bowl was spotless.

“Want another bowl?” Han Zhixu asked.

Luo Yaqing shook her head. “I’m full, really full.”

They had ordered large bowls, and she was actually stuffed.

After paying, they walked toward the parked vehicle while chatting.

“Commander Han! Commander Han!”

Someone called out from behind. Luo Yaqing turned to look—it was Dr. Zhu from the health station, the male doctor.

Beside him stood a woman in a white coat—Ye Hongping.

Dr. Zhu smiled broadly, shook hands with Han Zhixu, and greeted Luo Yaqing. “Commander Han, Comrade Yaqing, what a coincidence!”

Luo Yaqing smiled. “Dr. Zhu, are you here shopping in town?”

“No, no, I’m here to accompany a patient to the town hospital,” Dr. Zhu explained.

Han Zhixu asked, “How is the patient?”

“Just got settled in, but I have to stay here to keep watch. I was hoping to trouble you, Commander Han, to give someone a ride back to the health station.”

“No trouble at all.”

As a soldier, serving the people was his duty—Han Zhixu would never refuse a civilian’s request for help.

Luo Yaqing wasn’t thrilled.

Because the person hitching a ride was Ye Hongping.

Dr. Zhu smiled, “I’ll leave her to you, then.”

He turned and ran back toward the town hospital.

Ye Hongping kept her gaze fixed on Han Zhixu. “Thank you, Brother Han.”

Luo Yaqing stood with her hands in her pockets, watching silently.

Han Zhixu’s expression remained flat as he simply nodded.

The three got in the car. Luo Yaqing curled up in the passenger seat and closed her eyes to rest.

Han Zhixu focused on driving.

The only sound in the car was the engine’s roar.

Ye Hongping glanced at the passenger seat, then stared at the back of Han Zhixu’s head and asked gently, “Brother Han, how have you been lately?”

Luo Yaqing frowned and opened her eyes. “My husband has been doing just fine.”

Did she really think she was asleep?

Ye Hongping froze, not daring to speak again.

Luo Yaqing leaned against the window, admiring the man’s side profile in the driver’s seat.

Long eyelashes, high nose bridge, sexy thin lips, and a chiseled jawline.

“So handsome,” she murmured, unblinking.

Han Zhixu glanced over. “What did you say?”

“Uh, oh—I want to eat flatbread. Can you make some for me when we get home?” Luo Yaqing sat up.

Han Zhixu gave her another look. “Okay.”

“And stir-fried shredded potatoes with chili and vinegar,” she added.

Han Zhixu agreed again.

In the backseat, Ye Hongping watched the couple flaunt their affection like no one else was there.

She felt miserable.

“Brother Han, stop at the intersection up ahead,” she suddenly said.

Han Zhixu frowned. “We’re not there yet.”

Ye Hongping shook her head. “Don’t trouble you anymore. I can walk the rest of the way.”

“I promised Dr. Zhu I’d take you to the health station,” Han Zhixu replied.

Ye Hongping murmured, “I know the way. Please let me get out and walk…”

Luo Yaqing rolled her eyes and turned to glare at Ye Hongping. “Sit still! We promised Dr. Zhu, so we won’t let you off. Walk by yourself? If something happens, who’s responsible?!”

It got dark early in winter, and outside was pitch-black. The health station was still some distance away.

If anything did happen, Han Zhixu would be held accountable.

She wasn’t stupid.

Ye Hongping was completely speechless.

Though what Luo Yaqing said made some sense, she still didn’t appreciate the sentiment.

Who did Luo Yaqing think she was?

Just because her man was an officer, she dared to yell at her?

Just wait!

Soon enough, she’d move into the family compound too.

The man Ma Xiaolian introduced her to wouldn’t be any worse than Luo Yaqing’s.

…

After dropping Ye Hongping off at the health station, Han Zhixu drove Luo Yaqing back to the family compound.

At the gate, Luo Yaqing jumped out of the car, and Han Zhixu followed.

“You’re not returning the car?” Luo Yaqing asked, surprised.

“It’s too late today. I’ll return it tomorrow,” Han Zhixu replied as he shut the door.

Luo Yaqing thought to herself: Officers of his rank—regimental level—should be assigned a personal vehicle. Han Zhixu’s rank definitely qualified. Why didn’t he have one?

Could it be… he preferred to keep a low profile?

“Let’s go.” Han Zhixu took the flashlight and led the way.

Luo Yaqing quickly moved closer, clutching the hem of his coat and sticking close to him. “Han Zhixu, I’m scared of the dark.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Don’t be afraid, we’re almost home.”

As they neared the door, they ran into Deputy Commissar Jia, and Han Zhixu had to exchange a few words.

The two began chatting about work, so Luo Yaqing took the flashlight and went home first.

She unlocked the door and switched on the light—the room instantly lit up.

But the sight before her made her freeze on the spot.

Had there been an earthquake?!