Ruan Qingzhi poured a cup of tea for the old chief: “Yes, I just arrived in Shengyang and am not familiar with the area yet. The magazine had detailed information, so I bought it.”  

Guan Zhenbang raised an eyebrow: “You can read?”  

Ruan Qingzhi’s heart skipped a beat.  

She sensed a hint of probing in the old chief’s words.  

Maintaining her composure, she replied, “I only attended elementary school, but my older sister and younger brother both went to school, so I learned a lot from them.”  

Guan Zhenbang lifted his head and fixed her with a sharp gaze: “Little girl, aren’t you afraid of me?”  

Ruan Qingzhi narrowed her bright eyes slightly: “Today, I met an uncle who told me that in Shengyang, if I’m ever in trouble, I just need to shout on the street, and everyone will come to my aid. The chief is a hero who defends our country. I figure, if you were in the crowd, you’d be the first to charge forward. So why should I be afraid of you?”  

The man chuckled: “You’re quite sharp-tongued, aren’t you?”  

Ruan Qingzhi lifted her chin proudly: “Chief, your soldiers are outstanding. Now that I’ve married one of them, I’m a military wife. Naturally, my words and actions should be firm and resolute. If I were hesitant or foolish, wouldn’t that tarnish the image of a military spouse?”  

Flattery never fails.  

A few well-chosen words melted the old chief’s icy demeanor. He asked, “Li Kanshan told me it was you who saved Deputy Battalion Commander Shen?”  

Ruan Qingzhi nodded: “Yes.”  

“And who taught you that?”  

“There was an old grandmother in our village, the village guardian. I learned from her in secret. But she passed away a few years ago…”  

Ruan Qingzhi brushed it off casually.  

After some more small talk, Guan Zhenbang picked up his cigarette case and stood to leave.  

Ruan Qingzhi escorted them downstairs.  

…

Lin Ruzhen returned to the barracks in a daze.  

There, she saw her uncle standing at the dormitory entrance, luggage in hand, looking travel-worn.  

Lin Ruzhen’s nose tingled with emotion: “Uncle…”  

Lin Hong hurried over: “Zhenzhen, why are you crying?”  

Lin Ruzhen pouted, complaining, “Uncle! Why did you take so long to get here? Do you know it’s too late now? Today, I was humiliated and pinned to the ground—all because you arrived so late!”  

Lin Hong quickly explained: “I’ve been swamped in the capital.”  

“I went straight to the city hospital after getting off the train, but the doctors told me Shen Zhanwu had already woken up. What happened?”  

Lin Ruzhen’s expression twisted: “It was that wretched woman! I wish she were dead!”  

“Zhenzhen.”  

Lin Hong narrowed his eyes: “Uncle has a way… to make your wish come true!”