Although she still had a poor impression of Zhou Qiqi in her heart, Zhou Shuhua had prepared everything she needed.  

After breakfast, she hurried to the logistics department and scavenged a secondhand coal stove that was about 80% new. Then, from her own stockpile of coal briquettes, she picked out two baskets of well-shaped honeycomb coals. She polished the barely used kettle and aluminum pot until they gleamed and packed a small portion of rice and flour.  

After calling over a few orderlies to help carry the items, she headed to Shen Huaichuan’s courtyard. The whole process took quite a bit of effort, and by the time she arrived, it was already past ten. She knocked on the door repeatedly, but no one answered. She thought maybe the person had gone to the restroom.  

But after waiting left and right, there was still no sign of anyone.  

“Where did this person go?”

Just as she was puzzling over it, a familiar military wife passed by and said,  

“Sister Qiu mentioned seeing the new bride hitch a ride on the supply truck to go out. She said she took a lot of money with her too! And she was all dressed up like a peacock!”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Zhou Shuhua’s face instantly darkened.  

Wasn’t she supposed to be some country girl?

And here she was, spending money on her very first day here.  

She was more and more convinced that her first impression had been right—this Zhou Qiqi was definitely trouble!  

…

Meanwhile, at the People’s Hospital…  

“Number 18, Zhou Qiqi!”

The small pharmacy window slid open with a clatter, and a nurse in a white coat handed out several bottles of medicine.  

“Here, thank you~!”

Zhou Qiqi took the medicine and smiled sweetly at the bespectacled woman beside her.  

“Sister Yingying, I’m so lucky to have you! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even know how to find my way around!”

Zhu Yingying’s ears turned red as she twisted the strap of her cloth bag nervously. “I-It’s nothing…” she murmured softly.  

“Then let’s head to the supply and marketing cooperative now. My house is completely empty, and I’m not familiar with this area. I’ll need Sister Yingying’s help to pick out the right things.”

Zhou Qiqi naturally looped her arm through Yingying’s, startling the shy woman. But Yingying didn’t refuse—instead, the corners of her lips curled up ever so slightly.  

Noticing this hint of a smile, Zhou Qiqi tightened her grip on Yingying’s arm, relieved to have met such a kind neighbor.  

…

Though she had gone to bed early the night before, Qiqi still slept in late, not waking until past nine in the morning.  

Shen Huaichuan had already left, leaving only a note tucked under a can of malted milk on the table, saying he had gone to the military base to report for duty. Next to it was a thermos flask.  

When Zhou Qiqi opened it, the water inside was still warm. She quickly used it to mix some malted milk in a lunchbox, sipping it contentedly. It was so much better than the compressed biscuits she had been eating.  

This Shen Huaichuan… he may seem cold as ice on the outside, but he’s actually quite thoughtful.

It was the first time Zhou Qiqi had been quietly cared for like this, and she couldn’t help but feel a little more fond of Shen Huaichuan.  

For the first time, she thought that maybe transmigrating into this world wasn’t such a bad thing.  

But less than two minutes later, she changed her mind.  

What kind of lousy place is this? There isn’t even a toilet in the house!

The original host’s body was already weak from long-term malnutrition, and the malted milk immediately upset her stomach, making it churn ominously—as if ready to unleash a storm at any moment.  

Panicking, Zhou Qiqi rushed out to ask for directions.  

The neighbor on the left clearly had someone inside—she could hear movement—but no matter how much she knocked, no one answered.  

Luckily, the resident on the right was just heading out. When Qiqi asked for the restroom, she quickly led her there, even kindly providing toilet paper. Afterward, she waited at a distance to guide Qiqi back home.  

The entire time, the woman didn’t say a word, keeping her distance and immediately lowering her head whenever Qiqi glanced her way.  

Another person might have assumed she was being avoided out of disdain, but Zhou Qiqi could tell at a glance—this woman was just socially awkward.

Back in college, she had a socially awkward roommate just like this. At first, when they weren’t close, the girl was like a timid little rabbit—whenever she had to talk to someone, it was like her brain short-circuited.  

But once they got to know each other, Zhou Qiqi realized she was actually a really kind person—just a bit sensitive and fragile, overly concerned about others’ opinions and afraid of inconveniencing people.  

And people like that, once they become your friend, will pour their heart out without reservation, instantly transforming into social butterflies.  

Dealing with them wasn’t hard—all it took was sincerity.  

So without hesitation, Zhou Qiqi strode forward, claiming she had hurt her foot and asking if the woman could take her to the infirmary.  

Unfortunately, the doctor at the military family compound’s infirmary had gone on maternity leave, and no replacement had been assigned yet. If she needed medical attention, she’d have to go to the People’s Hospital in town.  

“If you want to go, you can catch the supply truck… it’s not too late, it’s over… over there…”

The woman pointed while trying to hide the small bag in her hands, clearly eager to retreat back home.  

But Zhou Qiqi wasn’t about to let her escape. She boldly grabbed her and dragged her along to the truck.  

The soldier driving the supply truck seemed to recognize the woman and didn’t ask questions before letting them board.  

On the way, Zhou Qiqi introduced herself, and the woman did the same.  

Her name was Zhu Yingying, five years older than Qiqi at twenty-five. Her husband was also a regiment commander, Wang Tiejun, from the same division as Shen Huaichuan—though much older, already thirty-five.  

Despite Yingying’s social anxiety, she was strikingly pretty—tall, slender, and effortlessly elegant.  

Qiqi couldn’t help but wonder: How did such a beauty end up married to a man ten years her senior?

And judging by the name Wang Tiejun (“Iron Army”), he was probably some rough-around-the-edges country guy?  

She was curious but didn’t press further.  

…

At the hospital.

The medicine Shen Huaichuan had given Qiqi worked surprisingly well—overnight, her foot had stopped hurting.  

But the burn infection was more troublesome and required long-term treatment.  

After picking up her medicine, the two headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.  

In her past life, Qiqi was used to online shopping—she hadn’t set foot in a physical store in ages. And since she wasn’t familiar with current prices, she had to rely on Yingying’s help.  

Despite Yingying’s social awkwardness, she was meticulously organized. She pulled out a notebook, had Qiqi list what she needed, and then guided her through each counter.  

The house was missing everything—pots, pans, bowls, chopsticks, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, bedsheets, quilts… the list went on.  

They shopped until evening, finally emerging from the cooperative with armfuls of bags—only one containing a slab of pork belly for Yingying, the rest all Qiqi’s purchases.  

Rushing back, they barely made it onto the supply truck in time to return to the military compound.  

…

By the time they neared home, it was past four in the afternoon. Passing through the central square, they spotted a group of military wives gathered under a big tree, sitting on small stools while sorting vegetables and gossiping.  

“Really? They hugged right in front of everyone?”  

Qiu Chunfang tossed aside a celery stalk, her sharp eyes narrowing as she nodded emphatically.  

“Absolutely! She’s a real man-snatcher! Not just me—even the security team saw it! And then she refused to walk, made Regimental Commander Shen carry her all the way home! I saw it with my own eyes!”  

“Shameless!”

“Why else would Regimental Commander Shen choose some country girl over Lin Yao, a college graduate? And look at her—skinny as a bean sprout, no chest, no hips, not even as pretty as Zhu Yingying!”

Qiu Chunfang’s words grew increasingly outrageous. A middle-aged woman in a blue cotton jacket beside her sneered, craning her neck to add:  

“And that Zhu Yingying’s no saint either! Acts all high and mighty just because she’s a city-educated college grad—never talks to us, can’t do a thing at home, dumb as a rock, yet somehow she’s got Regimental Commander Wang wrapped around her finger! Both of them are fox spirits!”

A younger military wife, listening quietly, finally chimed in:  

“What do they even look like? I haven’t seen them yet—I’d love to get a look! Anyone who can tame two regiment commanders, especially that living demon Shen Huaichuan, must be something else!”

Qiu Chunfang smirked. “Next time, I’ll make those two fox spirits stand side by side so all you sisters can get a good look! Maybe we can all learn a thing or two!”

The group burst into laughter. Qiu Chunfang basked in the attention—until she suddenly felt a sharp poke in her back.  

She turned around to find Zhou Qiqi looming over her, a sweet but dangerous smile on her face.  

“Still laughing? Well, here’s your chance!”