Chapter 3 Register for marriage early

Some people had already started whispering.

“As expected of Deputy Company Commander Cen—holding back for over twenty years, and when he finally makes a move, it’s on two women!”
“Isn’t Deputy Company Commander Cen dating Deputy Regiment Commander Gu’s sister? Then what’s going on with Company Commander Wang’s niece?”
“What’s going on? Just look at that face of his and you’ll understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tsk tsk, you still don’t get it?”

The other man didn’t understand, but Cen Bowen did.

Many in the unit privately gossiped that the only reason he could become a deputy company commander at such a young age was because of his uncle, the political commissar.
They said he had the face of a pampered pretty boy, the type who couldn’t lift a hand or carry a load.

There’s no wall that can block out the wind forever.
He knew exactly what was being said, but since it wasn’t true, he had never cared.
Now, though, they were practically mocking to his face that he even got his girlfriend by relying on his looks.
That was harder for him to swallow.

The murmurs grew louder, and suspicions about the trio’s relationship were becoming increasingly outrageous.
Cen Bowen’s face was already darkening.

In this era, issues of personal conduct were a very serious matter.

“Yiyi, stop talking nonsense. Kang Ying and I are just childhood friends. You misunderstood earlier—there’s nothing between us.
She got sand in her eyes, and I just blew it out for her.
Comrades should help each other out, shouldn’t they?
No matter who it is, I’d lend a hand.”

After speaking, Cen Bowen took a handkerchief from his pocket and walked toward Song Yiyi.
“Where are you hurt? Let me see.”
His tone was firm, clearly intending to put an end to the matter here.

After all, these things were all just a matter of words—explanations could never be fully clear, but the innocent would remain innocent.
Given time, the truth would speak for itself.

Just as he was about to take her hand, Song Yiyi dodged to the side.
Snatching the handkerchief from him, she began wiping herself off.

Her eyes were red from crying, long lashes still heavy with tears.
She didn’t speak again, but those watching could see clearly—this female comrade had been frightened by the warning in Deputy Company Commander Cen’s tone.
She gave occasional little sniffles, looking aggrieved.

The onlookers exchanged glances and found themselves believing Song Yiyi’s earlier words a little more.
This was a threat—a naked, blatant threat.

“Song Yiyi, there’s nothing improper between Bowen and me. Why is your mind so dirty?” Kang Ying said angrily, her nosebleed now stopped with the doctor’s help.
“Making a scene like this—have you even considered Bowen’s feelings…”

She didn’t finish before Cen Bowen cut her off coldly.
“That’s enough! She’s my girlfriend, I’ll take care of her. Kang Ying, go back first.”

Kang Ying had deliberately spoken in front of everyone.
First, to explain herself.
Second, to make Cen Bowen see just how brainless Song Yiyi was—that she wasn’t a good match and would only cause trouble if married into the family.

She hadn’t expected Cen Bowen to snap at her.
After all, she was the one looking out for his best interests.

A wave of bitterness rose in her chest, her breathing uneven as she stared at him, hurt filling her eyes.
But once again, Cen Bowen didn’t look at her.

After a pause, she forced a smile.
“Fine, I’ll go back first.”

At the doorway to the inner room, she turned back to glance at Song Yiyi and forced out an awkward smile.
“Yiyi, I have a straightforward personality. I’ve always spoken like this with Bowen and the other guys—don’t take it to heart.”

She waited a few seconds.
Song Yiyi, head bowed like a timid quail, gave no response.
That submissive, small-minded demeanor was hardly impressive—yet with her pure-and-sultry face, others could only see her as pitiful.

Some even began whispering that Kang Ying had a bad temper.

A sharp pang hit her chest, and she gritted her teeth as she stormed out of the clinic.

With no more drama to watch, the crowd quickly dispersed.
Those there for treatment went back to waiting; the gossip lovers slipped away in small groups to whisper in private.

At Cen Bowen’s request, the doctor gave Song Yiyi a careful examination.

“There’s nothing wrong. If Deputy Company Commander Cen is still worried, you can take her to the military district hospital for a full check-up.”

Once the doctor left, Song Yiyi beckoned to Cen Bowen.
“Brother Bowen, come here.”

He had already composed himself, and his expression had softened considerably.
Looking at her obedient, demure demeanor, all the reproach he’d wanted to voice died on his lips.

“Yiyi, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Gu Chengze wasn’t around, and since he had brought Song Yiyi to the unit, if anything happened to her, he’d have no way to explain to Gu Chengze.

Back when Kang Ying had shoved her, she really had used too much force.

Song Yiyi placed a hand on her head, her eyes clear and bright as she looked at him.
“I’m fine. Brother Bowen, do you believe me?”

Cen Bowen nodded.
“Mm. You’re my girlfriend—if I don’t believe you, who would I believe?”

“The day you brought me back, Sister Kang Ying told me she liked you.”
Song Yiyi stared straight at him, speaking each word clearly.
“She also said that the twenty-plus years you two have spent together is something I could never compare to.”

The words were too blunt.
Cen Bowen was momentarily silent, then after a pause, said,
“That’s not true, Yiyi. You must have misheard. Kang Ying’s outspoken and doesn’t watch her tongue—she talks like that often. Our close brothers all know she’s joking.
You’re not familiar with her yet. In time, you won’t think this way anymore.”

Somewhat flustered, he turned to leave.
“Get some rest. I have to go back. After training this afternoon, I’ll come by your brother’s house to see you. Take care of yourself.”

Sure enough, when faced with this kind of situation, most men’s first instinct was to avoid it.

Was Cen Bowen unwilling to believe that Kang Ying liked him?
Not at all—he simply enjoyed the feeling of having two women revolve around him.

A flicker of disdain flashed in Song Yiyi’s eyes. She pressed her lips together, then quickly said,
“Then what if I insist you choose between me and Kang Ying?”

Strictly speaking, she shouldn’t have said this.
The original her had wanted to maintain this fragile, plastic relationship with Cen Bowen.
But with these words, that thin layer of pretense was torn apart.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling it was unfair for the original her—
to marry Cen Bowen like this would be to throw her life away.

Sure enough, Cen Bowen’s footsteps halted.
He stood with his back to her, seconds ticking by.

It was about two minutes before he finally turned around.
This time, he sat right beside her, his expression deadly serious, his voice gentle:

“Yiyi, when your brother comes back, I’ll go propose! Let’s get our marriage registered as soon as possible, you can move in with me, and we’ll live a good life together.”

Cen Bowen was a little excited.
He thought, with this, Yiyi would surely see his sincerity.

At this moment, Cen Bowen truly did want to marry Song Yiyi.
From the first time he saw her in Songjia Village, he had fallen—
he had never felt this way about any other girl before.

Song Yiyi was beautiful, gentle, and obedient—
the kind of woman he wanted to bring home as his wife.

Most of the people in the infirmary had already left.
Cen Bowen took a deep breath and reached a hand toward Song Yiyi—