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After leaving the military base, Jiang Zhi Ning and Song Yuzhou walked in silence.
Jiang Zhi Ning snuck glances at his side profile, unable to guess what he was thinking.
It wasn’t until he stopped walking that she turned to face him. “Sorry… I caused you trouble.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yuzhou said seriously, “You’re my wife. I won’t allow anyone to bully you.”
Jiang Zhi Ning held his hand and warned, “Sheng Hao’s extremely jealous. He’s always had a superiority complex. I used to chase after him, but now that I’ve rejected him, he’s mentally unbalanced. Be careful—he might try something underhanded.”
She remembered clearly—in the novel, the person Sheng Hao envied most was Song Yuzhou.
A flicker of amusement passed through Song Yuzhou’s eyes. “Are you worried about me?”
Jiang Zhi Ning huffed playfully, “Who else would I care about? That piece of trash? I’ve never seen anyone more tasteless. And to think someone like that could be called a male lead!”
“Male lead?” he repeated.
Realizing her slip, Jiang Zhi Ning quickly laughed it off. “I just mean… based on his background, he fits the usual mold of a male lead. Too bad his character’s garbage.”
Ever since he’d verbally attacked her, all she felt toward Sheng Hao was disgust.
Although Song Yuzhou didn’t fully understand her meaning, he didn’t pry.
“Just ignore him,” he said gently.
“Yuzhou,” Jiang Zhi Ning asked with a bit of pride, “you’ve known I was close to him for years. Now that he’s said such terrible things about me, don’t you feel anything?”
“I don’t need anyone else to tell me what kind of person you are. I can see it for myself, and I can feel it in my heart,” Song Yuzhou said earnestly.
Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes shimmered with emotion. She replied proudly, “I, Jiang Zhi Ning, am worthy of your love.”
“I know.”
His affirmation made her heart feel sweet and warm.
Suddenly remembering something, she looked up. “Yuzhou, I want to start a business.”
“A business?” Song Yuzhou looked surprised.
She nodded. “Yes. I want to get into the spice business. Like hot pot soup bases and seasonings.”
She was worried he might object, thinking she wouldn’t have time to care for Xixi. But even if he did, she’d still go ahead with it.
Once she decided on something, she rarely changed her mind.
“Alright,” Song Yuzhou said with firm support. “If you want to do it, go for it. I’ll support you. Is there enough money in our savings? If not, I can figure something out.”
Jiang Zhi Ning stared at him in shock. “You’re saying… I can use your savings?”
“Mm.”
Her heart rippled. “I’ve never done business before. Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose it all?”
“Then I’ll earn more,” Song Yuzhou replied simply.
Her eyes instantly turned misty. No one had ever trusted her so unconditionally.
Throwing her arms around him, she whispered emotionally, “Thank you. I still have the betrothal money. It’s enough.”
He embraced her and gently stroked her head. “No. Keep that as your personal savings. You’re my wife. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.”
Her grip on his clothes tightened instinctively.
After a long pause, Jiang Zhi Ning looked up, her eyes smiling. “Don’t worry. I won’t lose money.”
Seeing the dazzling light in her eyes, Song Yuzhou’s gaze softened. “Mhm. I’ll always have your back.”
She beamed. “Good.”
With Song Yuzhou’s support, she now had the courage to go all-in.
She was confident—with her knowledge and the help of her spatial abilities, the risk of failing in the spice business was low.
After watching Song Yuzhou return to the base, she was about to head home when she spotted Shen An’an.
Sigh. Bumped into two misfortunes in one day. Bad luck, Jiang Zhi Ning thought with a sigh.
Shen An’an looked at her mockingly. “What, here to visit your old man?”
Jiang Zhi Ning ignored her and walked past.
Annoyed, Shen An’an grabbed her arm. “Hey, I’m talking to you, Jiang Zhi Ning. What’s with the attitude?”
“Geez, with that mouth of yours, you really ought to let your precious Sheng Hao see what kind of shrew he’s getting.”
Noticing guards nearby, Shen An’an quickly let go of her hand with a scowl.
Then, as if thinking of something, she suddenly smirked. “Sheng Hao’s marriage application just got approved. We’re getting married soon. I’ll be the Battalion Commander’s wife!”
Jiang Zhi Ning blinked innocently. “Oh? Not Company Commander?”
Shen An’an answered proudly, “He’s being promoted next month. Then I’ll be the noble Battalion Commander’s wife.”
“Battalion Commander is just a non-commissioned officer… noble? Pfft…”
Seeing the disdain in her eyes, Shen An’an raised her chin. “Hmph. My man is a Battalion Commander. Yours is just some regular soldier. And you still dare act arrogant around me? Jiang Zhi Ning, don’t test me. You couldn’t handle my wrath.”
A trace of malice gleamed in Shen An’an’s eyes. She was convinced Jiang Zhi Ning’s man had no rank at all. Once she married Sheng Hao, she’d make him bully Jiang Zhi Ning’s husband.
She figured that would sour his mood and—given how macho most soldiers were—he’d probably go home and beat Jiang Zhi Ning too.
The more she imagined it, the more she looked forward to it.
“Oh, how scary,” Jiang Zhi Ning said, covering her mouth with a laugh. “But what if… I married a Regiment Commander?”
Shen An’an scoffed without hesitation. “With your background? A woman without even a family? Dream on! If your man turns out to be a Regiment Commander, I’ll eat shit on the spot!”
“Wow~” Jiang Zhi Ning grinned. “So confident, huh?”
Shen An’an didn’t think much of her reaction. In her mind, Jiang Zhi Ning was just a pretty face with no brains. There was no way someone like that could marry a Regiment Commander.
Especially not an old guy with three kids. If he really had status, why would his wife run off?
Had to be some broke, washed-up man who couldn’t even keep a woman.
Thinking this, Shen An’an felt smug. She was determined to step on Jiang Zhi Ning and climb to the top.
“Hmph! You stole twenty years of my happiness,” she sneered. “Once I marry Sheng Hao, you’ll get what’s coming to you. But if you kneel and beg, I might consider letting you off.”
Jiang Zhi Ning said coldly, “Better remember what you just said.”
“I remember perfectly,” Shen An’an said confidently. “Once I’m Battalion Commander’s wife, if I want you to kneel and kowtow, you won’t even dare fart.”
With that, she strutted into the base like a proud fox.
Jiang Zhi Ning chuckled with a glint in her eye. “I’m really looking forward to watching you eat shit in public.”
As soon as Shen An’an stepped inside, she saw Sheng Hao—his face bruised and swollen—and gasped, “Sheng Hao! Who did this to you?!”
She wasn’t quiet either, and nearby soldiers all turned to stare.
Before she could finish her sentence, Sheng Hao slapped her across the face. “Shut up.”
Dazed from the slap, Shen An’an stammered, “I’m sorry… I was just worried about you…”
Sheng Hao stormed off angrily.
Flustered, she ran after him. “Sheng Hao, my parents said tomorrow is an auspicious day. They think we should go get our marriage certificate.”
But thinking about how Jiang Zhi Ning’s husband turned out to be Song Yuzhou, Sheng Hao was burning with rage.
“No marriage!”
Shen An’an froze, eyes wide in horror. “What? No marriage? Then how will I become Battalion Commander’s wife?!”