Chapter 32: The Performing Troupe’s Female Soldier Confesses — Fu Tuan Refuses

For the next month, Fu Tingzhou not only went to the phone room three or four times a week, but he also frequently received and sent letters.

With so many experienced people in the army, everyone more or less understood what that meant.

Even without direct confirmation from him, they were sure he was seeing someone.

There were even rumors that his girlfriend was from Beijing.

Because his grandmother often sent him packages, and comrades who helped pick them up from town saw the address. They assumed the packages were from his girlfriend — and that’s how the rumor started.

When Lu Yanzhi heard that Fu’s girlfriend was from Beijing, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t Li Zhi, it was fine.

Lin Xuewei’s hanging heart was finally at ease.

She always thought Li Zhi couldn’t compare to herself — just a pretty vase with no substance.

How could someone like that end up with a man like Fu Tingzhou — top-tier in family background, looks, and career?

If Li Zhi really got together with Fu Tingzhou and ended up living on base, future encounters would be extremely awkward.

One day, after a meeting ended—

Commander Li asked Fu Tingzhou, “I heard our Commander Fu has a girlfriend now? When are you submitting the marriage report? Your career’s stable; it’s time to think about marriage.”

Fu Tingzhou answered honestly, “Reporting to Commander — I’m still in the pursuit phase. We’re not ready for a marriage report yet.”

“Try to get married before you’re thirty,” the Commander said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Yes, sir!” Fu Tingzhou replied.

The louder his voice, the more uncertain he felt.

Li Zhi was still young, had to go to university, and marrying before he turned thirty would be difficult.

But he respected her wishes.

At the end of January, after Li Zhi finished her final monthly exam, the school began winter break. But since she was in her final year of high school, they only got three days off before having to return for review sessions.

They’d only get a proper half-month holiday during the week before Lunar New Year.

As soon as Fu Tingzhou was on leave, he packed up to head out.

Just then, He Cheng came to get him from the dorm.

Qin Ruxue said, “Old Fu, come out for a sec. Someone’s looking for you.”

“Who is it? Just let them come in.” Fu Tingzhou thought it was something official and kept packing — the sooner he was done, the sooner he could go see his future wife.

He Cheng stammered, “It’s a female comrade. It’s… inconvenient for her to come in.”

Fu Tingzhou frowned. “What female comrade?”

There weren’t any women in their unit — who could it be?

“I can’t explain. She’s waiting outside. Just go take a look; it won’t take long,” He Cheng urged, then pulled him outside.

Outside stood a woman in uniform with her back turned to them.

When she heard them coming, she turned around.

Fu Tingzhou found her face vaguely familiar, but didn’t really recognize her.

She was a little over 160 cm tall, with a tall and straight posture. Her green performing troupe uniform highlighted her spirited demeanor. She had a slim face, strong features, and sun-kissed skin. Her brows radiated heroism.

Why would a performing troupe member be looking for him?

He took the initiative. “Comrade, are you looking for me?”

He was eager to finish packing and go see the girl who filled his thoughts.

Qin Ruxue remained cheerful and introduced herself, “Fu Tingzhou, don’t you recognize me? I’m the head of the dance team in the performing troupe. Deputy Commander Qin is my father.”

She had only been with the troupe for a year, but had noticed Fu Tingzhou from the start.

Every time she performed on stage, she tried her best to stand in the center — hoping he would notice her.

She befriended his comrades just to get more information about him.

Half a year ago, she had written him a love letter — and asked He Cheng to deliver it.

The reply she got was that he wasn’t considering relationships yet, wanting to focus on his career.

So she waited, only to hear recently that he was seeing someone — and gave up hope.

But she wasn’t willing to accept that. She had come to ask: what did this girl have that she didn’t?

After He Cheng brought her over, he left them alone to talk.

“Sorry, you don’t seem familiar to me. But now that I know — what’s the matter?”

Qin Ruxue looked hurt. “You really don’t remember? Half a year ago, I wrote you a letter and confessed. You said you weren’t thinking about settling down yet and wanted to focus on your career.

So I followed your footsteps, worked hard to go from a supporting dancer to center stage. Now, suddenly, you’re seeing someone. How am I supposed to accept that?”

“I’m sorry. I already have someone I like.”

Hearing him admit it, her heart shattered. Her eyes turned red as she tried not to cry, but still refused to give up.

“I heard you two aren’t official yet. Doesn’t that mean I still have a chance? Commander Fu, please — give me a chance. Let me compete with her fairly.”

Even if the other woman was from Beijing and had a strong family background…

Her family wasn’t bad either. Her father was a deputy commander.

Fu Tingzhou replied firmly, “I pursued her. She’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted to marry. I won’t like anyone else. I’m sorry — you’re an excellent person. You’ll meet someone who loves you.”

“She doesn’t like you? Is that why she hasn’t accepted your pursuit?” Qin Ruxue grasped at one last thread of hope.

“We’re still in the trial phase. But I’m confident I’ll become official.”

In other words: You have no chance. Don’t wait for me.

Qin Ruxue’s eyes dimmed, heart breaking in two. “I’m really jealous of her — to be loved by someone like you. Is she really that good? I just want to know where I lost.”

Fu Tingzhou replied, “There’s no reason for loving someone. Whether she’s excellent or not doesn’t matter — I love her. If there’s nothing else, I need to finish packing. Goodbye.”

Qin Ruxue chased after him, calling out from behind, “Wait! Commander Fu — if she rejects you, will you consider me?”

Fu Tingzhou paused. “She won’t reject me. Our feelings are mutual. Thank you for liking me, but I’m sorry.”

Qin Ruxue’s long-held tears finally fell. She crouched down, burying her face in her knees, letting out wounded sobs like a small injured animal.

In the corner, He Cheng watched but didn’t go comfort her.

Fu Tingzhou finished packing, left for town to catch a ride home, dropped his things off, and then rode his bike straight to the area near Li Zhi’s school where they had agreed to meet.

Li Zhi’s classes ended in the afternoon, starting her three-day break. Senior year was intense. Many students, especially those from far or rural areas, hadn’t gone home in a month. Now with a rare break, everyone rushed home as soon as the bell rang.

Fu Tingzhou waited from afar.

Li Zhi had asked him to come an hour later. She didn’t want to be seen with him and have it cause trouble if rumors spread in school.

After staying back for another hour of study, she finally packed up and left.

Two streets away, she saw Fu Tingzhou waiting by the roadside, facing the cherry blossom avenue. There were many young people strolling — couples, students.

In this era, people started school late. Most high schoolers were already adults, so dating was normal.

His profile was striking — high forehead, sharp upturned eyes, strong nose bridge — gazing steadily ahead.

He didn’t seem to notice her approaching.

Li Zhi tiptoed quietly behind him, reached out to cover his eyes. “Guess who?”

Fu Tingzhou was a trained soldier with excellent reflexes. He’d already spotted her from the corner of his eye and saw her playful approach — but played along.

He chuckled and answered, “My future wife.”

Li Zhi muttered softly, “Who’s your wife? Shameless.”

Still annoyed, she slapped his shoulder.

It was rock solid — hurt her hand! She shook it out.

Fu Tingzhou caught her hand and pulled her in front of him.

She stumbled and fell right into his arms.

He gently rubbed her reddened palm. “Zhizhi, that must’ve hurt. My fault — my shoulders are too hard.”

Li Zhi looked up into his soft, affectionate eyes. “Commander Fu, has anyone ever told you you’re really handsome?”

“Plenty. But none sound as good as when you say it.”

“You’ve changed. You used to be all serious. Now you’re spouting sweet talk nonstop. Be honest — have you been secretly reading romance books?”

If her emotional maturity really was just nineteen, she would’ve fallen hard by now.

Fu Tingzhou asked in a low voice, “Do you like it?”

Li Zhi urged, “I do. Now hurry — lots of people walk this way. If someone sees us, it’ll be bad.”