Chapter 31: Rumors in the Unit — Commander Fu Is in a Relationship

Fu Tingzhou had been frequenting the communication room to make phone calls every few days in the army.

There was a phone in the office of the Party Committee.

Officers were occasionally allowed to use the office phone to call home once or twice a month for brief greetings, but if it became too frequent, it wasn’t allowed — the phone couldn’t be used for personal matters.

Fu Tingzhou, however, often ran to the communication room.

Even the usually slow-witted He Cheng sensed something was off.

One day, the three of them were about to go eat when someone came calling for Fu Tingzhou, saying he had a phone call.

He Cheng asked Zhou Yufeng, “Old Zhou, what’s with Commander Fu lately? Why’s he always rushing to the communication room every few days? He even skips meals. Something wrong at home? But he doesn’t look worried. Every time he hears there’s a call, he looks delighted — the corners of his mouth lift higher than an AK-47’s recoil.”

The three of them used to eat together often.

But Fu Tingzhou had missed quite a few meals just to make phone calls. Every time someone said there was a call for him, he would drop everything and rush over, skipping meals entirely.

“No idea, maybe… possibly he’s seeing someone?” Zhou Yufeng replied uncertainly — every time he asked, Fu Tingzhou would say he was still pursuing her.

He Cheng suddenly gasped, his eyes widening like bronze bells. “He’s seeing someone? What? He’s really dating someone?”

Everyone nearby overheard and looked over curiously. “Company Commander He, who’s dating? Spill it!”

There wasn’t much entertainment in the army, so gossip was gold.

Whatever happened today would be known throughout the entire base by tomorrow.

For example, when Lu Yanzhi got dumped and was written up — and the girl even demanded over 1,000 yuan in compensation — that story spread throughout the base that very night.

“Sit down!” Zhou Yufeng quickly pulled the still-stunned He Cheng into his seat and smiled at the other soldiers around them. “It’s no one, just joking with him. Let’s keep eating.”

“Oh!”

Lu Yanzhi was also nearby eating with a few officers.

Since he and Fu Tingzhou were close, it was possible that He Cheng had been referring to Fu Tingzhou?

If it were someone else, He Cheng wouldn’t have reacted so dramatically.

So who was Fu Tingzhou dating?

Could it be… Li Zhi?

He suddenly remembered the day at the cinema when he saw Fu Tingzhou with a girl in his arms — and from the back, she really looked like Li Zhi.

The seed of suspicion took root in his heart, and now he couldn’t wait to confirm it.

There was no way he’d let Li Zhi marry Fu Tingzhou. Otherwise, things would get awkward — they’d always be bumping into each other.

They might not care, but he did.

At the communication room—

Fu Tingzhou’s family had sent him some specialty snacks from Beijing.

He then had the deliveryman send the package to a post office near Li Zhi’s school.

Li Zhi called the next day to let him know she had received it.

“Commander Fu, I got the package, but there’s way too much stuff. I can’t finish it all.”

“You can share it with your family or classmates.”

He didn’t really like snacks himself — his grandmother had sent them, worried he wasn’t eating well.

Li Zhi teased, “Hmm… what about male classmates?”

Fu Tingzhou immediately became alert. “What male classmates?”

“I’m in the science stream. There are only about ten girls in my class — the rest are all boys. Aside from my seatmate, it’s boys in front, behind, left, and right. If I’m going to share, it’s probably going to them.”

Wang Jingyi came from a wealthy family and always had her bag and desk full of snacks — she wasn’t lacking any.

Fu Tingzhou asked sourly, “Zhizhi, are you close with them?”

Li Zhi could tell what he was thinking and laughed. “They’re just regular classmates. We only talk about studies. Don’t overthink it. I won’t share with them — I’ll eat it myself.”

She knew it wouldn’t be right to give away something he’d sent her.

“That works. Once opened, most of the snacks are good for a few months. Zhizhi, I’ll have two days off at the end of the month. I want to come see you and have a meal together. Is that okay?”

“I’ve got weekend classes. Might not have time. How about during the winter break next month?”

“Alright, I’ll go with whatever you say.” His voice was low, pleasant, and full of warmth.

Hearing it made Li Zhi’s ears tingle — it felt like an electric current ran through her.

They chatted a bit more, but calls were expensive, not suitable for long heart-to-hearts.

“I’m going to pack up now. Evening study is about to start. You just finished training, go get something to eat.”

“Wait. Zhizhi, how have I been performing lately? When can I become official?”

Fu Tingzhou thought Li Zhi was too pretty — there were always guys around her. Last month, when he visited, several boys were chatting with her about the monthly exam and grades.

There were way more boys than girls in her class, and he couldn’t be with her all the time. At best, he could get two days off a month.

What if someone stole her from him?

Would he stay single for life?

He really didn’t want that. He wanted to hold his wife and sleep soundly every night.

Li Zhi playfully scolded him, “We said six months. It’s only been a bit over two.”

“Can’t I go official early? In most jobs, three months of probation is enough. Six months is too long — I want the title so I can chase off those boys.”

Once he had the title, he could righteously shoo away all those kids hovering around her.

“I spend all my time studying and taking exams. I’m too busy to pay attention to any boys, so don’t worry.”

Fu Tingzhou grinned to himself at her reassurance. “Alright. Zhizhi, I’ll miss you. If you have time, miss me too.”

He was afraid she’d be too busy and forget about him.

“Okay! I’ll miss you. Hanging up now.”

“Mm~”

Reluctantly, Fu Tingzhou hung up the phone, already counting the days until he could see her again — more than a month. He’d never felt time pass so slowly.

Zhou Yufeng brought him food from the cafeteria and handed it to him in the dorm.

Unmarried officers stayed in the bachelor dorms.

Zhou Yufeng lived right next door.

He asked, “So you made it official? When are you going public? Even Old He noticed something’s up. You’ve been running to the communication room so often, anyone who isn’t a fool can guess. Everyone’s asking me if you’re seeing someone, and I don’t even know what to say.”

“Not official yet, so what’s the point of announcing anything? Just say you don’t know.” Fu Tingzhou dug into his meal.

He wanted to make it public, but Li Zhi hadn’t agreed to make it official yet. That meant no label.

Zhou Yufeng: “So you’re still in the pursuit stage?”

“Mm.”

“It’s been over two months — how are you not official yet? I’m anxious for you.”

Fu Tingzhou: “You think I’m not anxious? She said six months.”

“Want me to give you some tips?”

Fu Tingzhou paused mid-bite and shot him a skeptical look. “You’ve never even dated. You haven’t held a girl’s hand. What tips could you possibly have?”

Probably bad ones.

“I’ve read a lot of books!”

Fu Tingzhou didn’t want to pressure her and preferred to respect her pace.

“You want to hear it or not? If not, I’m leaving. This opportunity won’t come again.” Zhou Yufeng stood up, pretending to leave.

“Wait. Let’s hear it.”

He quickly returned and sat down beside him. “It’s simple — three steps: showcase your charm, increase interaction, and create romance. Use casual eye contact and touches, show off your face, your figure, and your cooking. Occasionally throw in a small gift or surprise…”

When he finished, Fu Tingzhou nodded seriously. “Got it. Thanks, brother. Once I make it official, I’ll give you a big red envelope.”

“No need for that. Just let me and Old He be your groomsmen. Make sure there’s plenty of booze.”

Fu Tingzhou promised, “Absolutely!”

He wasn’t official yet, so he didn’t dare to think too far ahead about marriage.

Li Zhi still had university ahead of her — maybe it would take a few years. Rushing would only scare her off.