Chapter 19

Lin Xiang had a long dream, during which she learned that the original person whose body she now inhabited was a minor, almost inconsequential, character in this era-based novel.

The only reason her life story was briefly mentioned in the novel was because she happened to be the childhood betrothed of the original female lead’s unattainable, obsessive “black moonlight” love.

That’s right—Lin Xiang’s childhood fiancé, He Hongyuan, was the “black moonlight” of the novel’s original female protagonist!

The two people Lin Xiang met earlier today, Jiang Zhenghao and Meng Jing, were none other than the original male and female protagonists of the story.

Both came from prestigious military families, their fathers holding high-ranking positions. With excellent backgrounds, remarkable abilities, and outstanding appearances, they had grown up as childhood friends.

However, Meng Jing, who had been stationed as a military doctor on Langhua Island three years ago, developed a deep admiration for He Hongyuan. His combat skills were exceptional, and he possessed a rugged and handsome appearance.

Yet, due to various reasons, He Hongyuan had developed a paranoid, cold, and brooding personality. He was resolute and decisive in his actions, vengeful, and hard-edged. He despised being manipulated and always sought to have complete control over everything.

He treated Meng Jing, the original female lead, as well as any other women who showed interest in him, with indifference, rejecting them without mercy. For someone like Meng Jing, who had always been treated like a princess, such rejection was a first. But rather than backing down, it only fueled her determination to pursue him.

Her heart was set on He Hongyuan, while Jiang Zhenghao remained deeply in love with her.

This situation caused a rift in Jiang Zhenghao and He Hongyuan’s comrade-in-arms relationship, as Jiang grew increasingly angry with He’s lack of gentlemanly conduct.

In the original story, the female lead pursued He Hongyuan, while the male lead resented him for it. Yet, He Hongyuan remained steadfast, entirely focused on the battlefield and refusing to let anyone get close to him.

It wasn’t until much later, after Meng Jing was heartbroken multiple times and comforted by Jiang Zhenghao, that the two resolved their years of one-sided love and misaligned affections, finally coming together as a couple.

He Hongyuan, however, was labeled by many readers as a destructive force—cold, unfeeling, and responsible for delaying the original protagonists’ union by years. He was also notorious for doing things that most wouldn’t dare attempt.

Still, the author had endowed He Hongyuan with extraordinary looks and abilities, which attracted a separate group of fans. Some readers favored the lively, humorous Jiang Zhenghao, who got along well with everyone. Others preferred the brooding, steady, yet temperamental He Hongyuan, sparking endless debates.

By the end of the book, the male and female leads had achieved success in both their careers and love lives, becoming a perfect power couple. Meanwhile, He Hongyuan, after retiring from the military, became a business mogul but remained alone. Whether this was a happy ending or a regretful one was left ambiguous.

Meng Jing, who had come to terms with He Hongyuan, later described him as eccentric, paranoid, and cold. She noted how he rejected promotions from his superiors, gave up everything, and later dared to oppose political giants with his stubborn, arrogant ways. These traits both defined his accomplishments and ultimately backfired on him.

In summary, He Hongyuan, as the supporting male character, was extraordinarily accomplished but often walked a fine line with his actions. He was heavily criticized yet equally praised, becoming the most enigmatic and controversial figure in the novel.

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At dawn, a golden ray of sunlight pierced the clouds and scattered like tiny shards of gold through the gap in the poorly drawn curtains.

Lin Xiang squinted against the sunlight, finally waking from her dream.

She sat dazed for a moment, her head aching slightly from the sheer volume of information she had just absorbed. It was hard to piece everything together all at once.

One line from the novel stuck with her: “For various reasons, Meng Jing and the other women were never able to enter He Hongyuan’s heart. Thus, he became the unattainable ‘black moonlight’ of Meng Jing’s youth, while also serving as the witness to the male and female leads’ eventual, unshakable love after years of turmoil.”

Years later, after achieving success, the male and female leads looked back on the past and encountered He Hongyuan again—now also successful but still alone—and felt no lingering emotions.

In the readers’ eyes, He Hongyuan became a contrast to the leads. Despite his outstanding abilities, his eccentric and cold nature left him lonely, seemingly devoid of happiness. Meanwhile, the leads enjoyed both career success and a fulfilling love life.

Even Meng Jing, with all the protagonist’s plot armor, had failed to win over He Hongyuan despite her time and effort. This left Lin Xiang questioning herself deeply.

Could I really succeed?

Am I just overthinking this?

After all, He Hongyuan’s personality grew even more paranoid and brooding later in the book. Anyone who came within five meters of him would feel a chill.

Did I pick the wrong person? This is a little scary!

And he despised being manipulated more than anything. Showing up with a marriage contract to ask him to marry me—isn’t that courting death?

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Lost in thought, Lin Xiang got up and began her day. Today, she planned to pick up her clothes from the tailor and accompany Zhou Yuezhu to buy fabric.

The young woman was excited about buying a pretty outfit for the upcoming military social gathering in a few days. Judging by her demeanor, she likely had someone special in mind.

Before heading to the tailor, Lin Xiang stopped by the state-run restaurant and ordered a small bowl of plain noodles, costing a few ration tickets and eight cents.

After a period of hardship with bad food and restless nights, she was finally able to breathe a little easier.

But she needed to find a way to establish herself firmly in Jinbian City.

The state-run tailor had excellent skills, far better than Lin Xiang’s. The dark red fabric she had brought—a piece seven feet long—was tailored into a fitted short-sleeved blouse with a buttoned front. The stitching was tight, and the cuts were neat, making it look quite impressive.

More importantly, this was the first new piece of clothing Lin Xiang had since arriving in this world!

After trying it on and washing it, she hung it out to dry for half a day. Once it was dry, Lin Xiang changed into the new outfit and couldn’t help but feel the joy she used to experience as a child, wearing new clothes for the New Year.

Before leaving, she grabbed a bag, just in case, and headed out the door.

When Zhou Yuezhu met Lin Xiang, she noticed that her cousin-in-law was dressed in a dark red, short-sleeved, fitted blouse. The bright color highlighted her snow-white complexion, and Zhou Yuezhu’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Sister Xiangxiang, your new outfit is so beautiful!” Zhou Yuezhu’s voice carried a youthful, endearing tone that always seemed to brighten the mood. It felt as though her words held an extra dose of sincerity compared to others. “Wait, no! It’s you who looks so stunning—you make the clothes even more beautiful!”

“Yuezhu, did you eat something sweet before coming out today?” Lin Xiang’s bright, jet-black eyes sparkled like glass soaked in water, revealing her amusement.

“No, I didn’t,” Zhou Yuezhu replied, blinking in confusion.

“I thought you had something sweet; otherwise, how could your words be so sugary?” Lin Xiang laughed.

Zhou Yuezhu was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on and joined in the laughter, her brows arching in delight. “Oh, come on, cousin-in-law! What are you saying!”

Amid their cheerful banter, the two made their way to the supply and marketing cooperative. Zhou Yuezhu carefully browsed the fabrics. Coming from a family with high-ranking military parents, she often had access to high-quality materials, courtesy of the cooperative staff—many of whom were military wives or connected to her family.

“Sister Xiangxiang, which one do you think I should pick? I’ve always liked pink,” Zhou Yuezhu said, enjoying this shopping trip with someone her age far more than with her mother.

Lin Xiang studied Zhou Yuezhu. The girl was slender and fair-skinned, with delicate, charming features—like a small jade beauty. Especially when she smiled, her dimples added a touch of sweetness that made her instantly likable.

“This pale yellow fabric should suit you. It’s lively and bright, perfect for someone as sweet as you,” Lin Xiang suggested.

Her judgment proved spot-on. When Zhou Yuezhu brought the fabric to the tailor and held it against herself for a fitting, she was thoroughly pleased. After settling on the measurements, she arranged to pick up the finished piece the next day.

“Yuezhu, are you planning to wear this beautiful outfit to find someone special at the upcoming military social?” Lin Xiang teased. She’d heard that the annual military social event often helped many people find a match.

“What! No way!” Zhou Yuezhu’s face turned red as she nervously denied it. Her large almond-shaped eyes darted around in embarrassment. “I’m just going to check out the event!”

“Will your cousin be there?” Lin Xiang asked casually.

“No chance! My cousin never attends the big annual socials, and it’s broken many hearts among the female soldiers!” Zhou Yuezhu began talking animatedly about her cousin. “Don’t worry, Sister Xiangxiang—this year, he definitely won’t go, especially since you’re here now!”

Lin Xiang smiled bitterly to herself. Me? Even the heroine of the original story, Meng Jing, with her protagonist halo and countless admirers, couldn’t capture his heart. How could a mere side character like her stand a chance?

“By the way, these are salted duck eggs from Aunt He. Could you bring them to your cousin when you have time?” Lin Xiang asked, referring to Aunt He’s famous homemade salted eggs.

Zhou Yuezhu, having tasted them the night before, lit up at the mention of the eggs. She grabbed Lin Xiang’s hand and exclaimed, “Why wait for later? Let’s bring them to him right now!”

Lin Xiang: ?

Ever since her dream about the story’s plot, Lin Xiang had been analyzing her situation rationally. She realized that the enigmatic and powerful male supporting character was too difficult to approach. She needed another strategy.

Though she felt a bit of regret, she knew she couldn’t force things with He Hongyuan. Instead, she decided to focus on finding work and settling down. If all else failed, there were plenty of eligible soldiers around!

Zhou Yuezhu led Lin Xiang to the military dormitories, using her family connections to gain entry. Zhou’s father was a high-ranking officer, and she was on track to join the military’s logistics department. After registering, she claimed she was visiting a relative.

Lin Xiang, unfamiliar with military dormitories, followed Zhou Yuezhu up to the third floor. The halls were bustling with soldiers—a true “bastion of tough men.”

Their presence caused a stir. Typically, the only women visiting the dormitories were military doctors, nurses, or members of the cultural troupe. Two attractive young women in eye-catching civilian attire drew plenty of attention.

“Zhou Yuezhu, are you here for Shen Jianming or He Hongyuan?” joked a political instructor from one of the regiments, familiar with Zhou Yuezhu and her connections to He Hongyuan.

“Of course, I’m here for Captain He! Don’t make stuff up, Instructor Yang. I don’t even know Shen Jianming that well!” Zhou Yuezhu retorted with a playful glare.

While they chatted, a few younger soldiers, unfamiliar with Lin Xiang, curiously gathered around. “Zhou Yuezhu, who’s this? A relative? Aren’t you going to introduce her?” one asked eagerly.

Zhou Yuezhu quickly shielded Lin Xiang, determined to keep her cousin-in-law safe from the bachelors. “No introductions! You single guys, back off!”

The soldiers: “…”

Lin Xiang: ?

Caught under the admiring gazes of so many soldiers, Lin Xiang felt awkward. While there was no malice in their stares, the appreciation in their eyes was hard to ignore.

“Come on, this is just showing concern for the public!” A bold and dashing young soldier stepped forward with a smile. “Hello, comrade! Are you a relative of Zhou Yuezhu? Where are you from? Do you have a boyfriend? Are you married? I’m Song Wei, deputy battalion commander of the 119th Division’s 2nd Brigade, 3rd Battalion. I’m 22 years old…”

“Song Wei!”

A deep voice echoed through the hallway, interrupting the bold, romantic speech of the handsome soldier, and Lin Xiang let out a sigh of relief.

This soldier was really enthusiastic!

“Captain He!”

Song Wei’s eyes immediately fixed on the beautiful woman standing beside Zhou Yuezhu. A stunning girl had appeared at the military district, and as a single man, he was no longer interested in attending the social event.

He believed in seizing the moment, so he stepped forward to strike up a conversation.

After all, he was surrounded by men every day. It was a rare opportunity to meet a woman who made his heart race with just one glance. He had to act quickly and decisively, or when would he ever find a solution to his personal problems?

But just after he said a few words, his attempt was cut off by the stern voice of He Hongyuan.

He was frustrated!

But when he turned, he could only salute He Hongyuan respectfully.

He Hongyuan gave him a brief, cold glance and said in a low, firm voice, “A soldier should look like a soldier, not like a peacock showing off its feathers!”

Song Wei: … Aggrieved!

He Hongyuan’s words made the other soldiers who had been eager to approach laugh out loud. Looking at Song Wei, who did indeed resemble a peacock… Ha ha ha, it was so funny.

Lin Xiang hadn’t expected that He Hongyuan’s stern reprimand would have such a comedic effect, and she couldn’t help but smile, the corners of her eyes and mouth lifting with amusement.

However, just as she was smiling, a sharp, piercing gaze seemed to land on her face. Unable to bear it, she quietly raised her eyes and met He Hongyuan’s cold, unfeeling gaze.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and Lin Xiang quickly composed herself, no longer daring to smile.

This future big shot was really a bit scary! His presence alone exuded authority and power without a word of anger—his dignity was overwhelming!

Once Captain He arrived, the other soldiers didn’t dare to chat with the women in front of him. They immediately straightened up, saluted, and quickly left.

“Follow me,” He Hongyuan commanded coldly, saying no more and turning to leave.

Zhou Yuezhu and Lin Xiang, realizing they were being summoned, had no choice but to follow. For some reason, Lin Xiang suddenly felt a bit guilty. She hadn’t done anything—Song Wei had approached her, and she hadn’t even spoken a word. Why did it feel like she had done something wrong?

Was this the aura of a future big shot?

Luckily, Zhou Yuezhu was with her. She was always clever and would surely know how to handle her cousin.

But when they reached the door of He Hongyuan’s dorm, Zhou Yuezhu quickly slipped away, leaning close to Lin Xiang’s ear and whispering, “Don’t be scared, Sister Xiangxiang. Use your authority as the cousin-in-law to calm down my cousin. I have other business to take care of.”

She had only come to visit her cousin to talk to Shen Jianming. Her parents wouldn’t approve if they knew.

Before Lin Xiang could respond, Zhou Yuezhu gave her a gentle push into He Hongyuan’s room and vanished in an instant.

Lin Xiang stumbled a couple of steps, then steadied herself. When she looked up, she saw a tall figure in military uniform standing with a posture as straight as a pine tree, his intense gaze locked onto her.