Chapter 10: The Women’s Company

After the chorus ended, Lin Yiqiao followed the others offstage.

The soldiers’ eyes followed her — shy, yet filled with burning interest.

The mountain weather was unpredictable. At noon, the sun had blazed so fiercely everyone was sweating, but by evening, the chilly wind had them all shivering.

Rubbing her hands together for warmth, Lin Yiqiao felt Su Min lean in close.

“You heard?” Su Min whispered. “The 32nd Regiment is forming a women’s company.”

Lin Yiqiao blinked. “Seriously? I thought we didn’t have female soldiers before.”

“Exactly, this is a new thing. But I think it’s more symbolic than practical — might not be all that useful, but still necessary.”

“So how do we get in?”

Su Min gave her a look. “Wait, why do you want to join? That’s nothing like our cultural troupe — it’s hard work, no comfort, and not much of a future.”

Lin Yiqiao bit her lip. “You don’t get it. Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamed of being a soldier. I want to hold a rifle and protect my country.”

Su Min’s eyes went wide. “Alright, alright. I’ll ask around for you — for the sake of your soldier’s dream.”

Lin Yiqiao batted her eyes and acted cute, making Su Min giggle uncontrollably.

---

After the performance, the crowd quickly dispersed. Lin Yiqiao rushed to the front to help the soldiers pack up props.

The young soldiers blushed and kept insisting they didn’t need her help.

Lin Yiqiao turned on her charm. Her bright eyes sparkled, and sweet dimples appeared when she smiled. Her long black braid and uniform only made her look more youthful and pure — a striking beauty.

Everyone passing by stole glances at her.

Suddenly, Lin Yiqiao spotted a tall, upright figure.

It was Qi Jun, with Captain Liu walking beside him.

Without hesitation, she jogged over. “Comrade Colonel Qi!”

Qi Jun stopped and turned back, a gentle smile on his face. “Yes?”

Lin Yiqiao felt something strange. The past two times she’d seen him in public, he had always seemed approachable and kind — a far cry from the cold, impatient expression he wore when they first met.

But she didn’t have time to dwell on that. Under Qi Jun’s calm gaze, she spoke boldly:

“Colonel Qi, I’d like to apply for the new women’s company in our regiment.”

“The women’s company?” he echoed.

“Yes! I’ve always dreamed of serving my country in the military. Especially after the rescue effort — I want to be part of the team that serves the people.”

Lin Yiqiao’s eyes burned with sincerity, her voice full of conviction. As she looked into his eyes, she noticed a flash of scrutiny in them — quickly masked.

“You can go apply directly,” Qi Jun replied calmly.

Captain Liu, who had been watching Qi Jun’s expression closely, finally spoke up, “It’s good for young women to have ambition. But she has to be prepared for hardship. The women’s company isn’t as easy as the cultural troupe.”

“I know,” Lin Yiqiao said cheerfully. “But I’m not afraid!”

Qi Jun walked off without another word, leaving only his tall, straight back in view. His lean waist was cinched by a utility belt, and his long legs were tucked neatly into gleaming combat boots.

The ground was muddy, yet his boots were spotless. This man’s got standards, Lin Yiqiao thought.

Captain Liu quickly trotted after him.

Lin Yiqiao rubbed her face, which had frozen in a constant smile. She realized then — she wasn’t afraid of the hardship in the women’s company.

The real challenge — the sweet part — was yet to come.

Qi Jun wasn’t as easygoing as he appeared. He was proud. Reserved.

So her usual flirty tactics needed to be shelved — being too forward would only backfire.

She had a plan forming in her mind.

When it came to him, she couldn’t let her intentions be too obvious at first. Once the timing was right, then she’d use her real skills to win him over.

---

Back at the cultural troupe camp, Lin Yiqiao noticed Wen Hui and He Yujie whispering and stealing glances at her. She’d never been close with that group.

Su Min pulled her aside. “Wen Hui saw you talking to Qi Jun.”

Lin Yiqiao figured as much.

“I just went to ask Colonel Qi about joining the women’s company,” she explained.

Su Min stared at her for a moment, then teased, “Was that really the only reason?”

“What else would it be? Besides, Captain Liu was right there.”

She turned away to make her bed.

“I know that — I’m just worried they’ll start gossiping.”

“Let them. People with dirty minds see everything as dirty.” (And if I do manage to charm him, then forget I said anything.)

Lin Yiqiao lay down on her cot and fell sound asleep.

She wasn’t one to stress. A few whispers behind her back? Please — she had the guts to do what they wouldn’t dare.

This was just the beginning.

Don’t worry — soon, they’ll be chirping in envy.