Chapter 2

Deep, piercing eyes scanned the room, and his thin lips pressed together, giving off an intimidating aura.

“Commander, Company Commander Deng is inside. Should I call him out?”

“No need. I’ll go myself.”

At his command, the man strode forward with a serious expression.

The soldier driving the car furrowed his brow, secretly wiping sweat for Company Commander Deng.

If he angered the superior, military law wouldn’t let him off easily.

Pushing open the door to the auditorium, it was noisy and chaotic. The man stood at the entrance, tall and imposing, almost filling the doorway.

Looking around, it was full of young men and women of marriageable age, chatting in small groups.

His sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the room and finally settled on Deng Lijun by the window, facing him.

“…Comrade Zhao, my aunt told me about your situation beforehand. Talking to you has been very pleasant; I think you’re quite wonderful. How do you feel about me?”

Deng Lijun smiled, but a hint of shyness flashed across his eyes as he lowered his head slightly.

Zhao Yunsheng froze. She was taken aback—he actually liked her, even with a child?

She glanced at her son, Yuanbao, sitting beside her, nibbling on a biscuit like a little squirrel, blinking and muttering to himself.

“Uncle, it takes a lot of money to marry my mom. Will you spend all the money you earn on us? Mom loves wearing pretty dresses, but our wardrobe is already full. Will you buy her more?”

“She loves eating meat too. She doesn’t like doing chores; I do all the housework. I even have to put on her shoes for her in the morning…”

Though the boy spoke the truth, Zhao Yunsheng couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. She quickly covered Yuanbao’s mouth and forced out a dry laugh.

“Comrade Deng, don’t listen to my son, he’s just joking… ha ha ha…”

Yuanbao frowned like a little caterpillar, not struggling, just looking at Deng Lijun with big, expectant eyes.

Zhao Yunsheng gave him a glare and pinched his small bottom, signaling him to stop, then turned to Deng Lijun to refuse.

“Comrade Deng, I’ve enjoyed talking to you, but I really have no intention of remarrying. Just the two of us, my son and I, are quite comfortable. I’m sorry.”

Deng Lijun looked up, dumbfounded.

He had such good conditions, and yet… he was rejected?

Wasn’t his aunt told that she’d be very willing?

Before he could ask, a deep male voice rang from behind.

“Company Commander Deng!”

Just three words, but icy and full of killing intent.

Deng Lijun straightened immediately and saw the man walking over.

His face changed, and he stood up to salute.

“Commander!”

The sudden commotion also startled Zhao Yunsheng. Holding her son instinctively, she turned around.

Her eyes met a familiar face. Her breath caught, and her whole body felt like the blood had drained.

She opened her mouth, and her back was nearly drenched in sweat.

Their eyes locked, and Pei Hechuan froze in place, utterly disbelieving.

It was the face he had thought of day and night. Five years had passed.

He thought it would become vague in his memory, but it was surprisingly vivid.

Pei Hechuan’s eyes reddened, fixed on her without blinking, tears threatening to spill.

Deng Lijun, unaware of the tension between them, scratched his head, feeling awkward like he had been caught red-handed.

“Commander, why are you here? I’m just on a blind date.”

Interrupted, Zhao Yunsheng’s eyelids twitched. She quickly straightened up, not daring to look at Pei Hechuan, and stammered out a few words.

“Comrade Deng… I… I have something to do. I’ll go first…”

Before anyone could respond, she bolted, forgetting even her son.

After a few steps, Yuanbao called from behind.

“Mom, why did you forget me? Don’t you recognize your son?”

The little one, mischievous as ever, jumped off the chair holding two candies in his pocket and quickly ran after her.

The two of them—a big and small pair—passed by, while Pei Hechuan followed without taking his eyes off her. His heart, which had been as solid as rock, now seemed to be ripped open, soft and fragile.

For so many years, he had lost his beloved and lived like a walking corpse. Suddenly, a woman appeared, identical to the one in his memory. He couldn’t help but hope… could it really be her?

But the person he buried… how could they return?

The fire had burned everything clean. He saw the charred body himself and buried it with his own hands.

How could this be happening?

Before Deng Lijun could figure it out, he called from a distance.

“Comrade Zhao! Shall I see you off?”

Comrade Zhao?

She had the same surname?

Pei Hechuan’s hands trembled uncontrollably at his sides. He widened his eyes and called out the name he had dreamed of a million times.

“Yun… Yunsheng…”

Just two words, choked with emotion.

Zhao Yunsheng’s heart skipped a beat. She kept running, not daring to slow down.

He was the heroine’s… and if she got involved, her life could be at risk, not to mention her son’s.

Thinking this, she ran faster.

Yuanbao, held in her hand, glanced back. His big, round eyes were fixed on Pei Hechuan, and his lips were pressed tight, unable to speak.

Pei Hechuan’s heart ached. No matter if this was really Zhao Yunsheng, he had to know for sure. He pushed through the crowd, elated and desperate, chasing after them.

The commotion drew attention. Deng Lijun stood frozen, dumbfounded, then muttered an apology and hurried after them.

“Commander!”

Pei Hechuan didn’t hesitate and grabbed Zhao Yunsheng’s arm.

“Zhao Yunsheng!”

His voice trembled as he looked at her matured face, unable to blink.

He held her slender arm, feeling her warmth through her clothes, making his eyes redden.

“Is it really you?”

His voice was hoarse, full of fear—afraid this was a dream, afraid she would vanish. He pressed her close, as if wanting to merge her into himself.

Zhao Yunsheng didn’t dare look at him. They had a history of two years, and the feelings were still there.

She felt guilty, silently trying to break free.

But he was too strong. After struggling for a long time, she couldn’t escape.

Seeing his behavior, Yuanbao thought his mother was in danger. He kicked Pei Hechuan’s leg with his tiny legs.

“Let go of my mom! You’re a bad guy!”

Deng Lijun finally caught up. From afar, he saw the usually taciturn, decisive Commander Pei holding a woman so clingingly in broad daylight. He nearly dropped his jaw.

“Commander, you… you know Comrade Zhao?”

Before Pei Hechuan could answer, Zhao Yunsheng seized the opportunity to struggle free, straightening her wrinkled clothes, and quickly denied.

“No, no, we don’t know each other…”

She shot Pei Hechuan a glance. “Comrade, I think you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not… the Yunsheng you’re looking for.”

Pei Hechuan didn’t answer either. His expression was a mixture of joy, sadness, and a little disappointment.

His deep gaze stayed locked on her, making her nearly suffocate.

Deng Lijun stood beside them, awkward, unsure whether to stay or leave, wishing he could slap himself twice.

Why did he even come out?

Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Pei Hechuan gradually calmed his face, took a deep breath, and watched as Zhao Yunsheng pulled Yuanbao along.

Looking into the boy’s clear black-and-white eyes, his chest tightened almost to suffocation.

“Not… her?”