Chapter 18: Weren’t You Chasing Me?

Lin Yiqiao got out of the car at the entrance of the military compound. October in Beidu was already getting chilly—the wind whooshed down her collar and made her shiver.

She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and hurried inside.

The lights in her aunt’s small building were still brightly lit. Lin Yiqiao knocked on the door, and footsteps quickly came from within.

“Yiyi, thank goodness you’re back!” Qian Ru quickly pulled her into the house.

“I heard from your uncle that you were taken for interrogation—I was scared to death! You’re just a young girl, just arrived in Beidu, how did you get tangled up in something like this?” Qian Ru said, distressed.

Lin Yiqiao felt a strange sense of warmth—it was new to her, the feeling of someone worrying about her.

She told Qian Ru and Zhang Guoqiang everything about the Hongyun Commune incident.

Zhang Guoqiang’s brows furrowed deeply. “This is serious. They dared to make a move right on the edge of the capital—we have to wipe them out completely!”

Lin Yiqiao nodded, not adding much.

Qian Ru quickly dragged her upstairs to bathe.

“We need to wash off all that bad luck from today,” she said, patting Lin Yiqiao’s shoulder.

Lin Yiqiao was truly exhausted. She took a long hot shower, then collapsed onto her small bed and fell asleep.

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The next morning, she was woken up by the aroma of food. She hadn’t eaten dinner the night before, so her stomach was growling.

Qian Ru had made some light rice porridge, fried an egg, and laid out some pickled vegetables. A simple yet refreshing breakfast.

By the time Lin Yiqiao got up, Zhang Guoqiang had already gone to his unit.

“I had your uncle take a day off for you today. Just rest at home,” Qian Ru said.

“Mhm, Auntie, you’re so good to me.” Lin Yiqiao’s eyes sparkled, her sweet words like honey, making Qian Ru beam with joy.

After breakfast, Qian Ru said she had errands to run, leaving Lin Yiqiao alone at home.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A young soldier in uniform was standing outside.

“Is this Lin Yiqiao’s residence?”

“Yes,” Lin Yiqiao said as she opened the door.

She looked down—and saw that the young soldier was holding a chicken.

A live chicken!

Its beady little eyes glared at Lin Yiqiao, making her break out in goosebumps.

Sharp-beaked animals were her nemesis.

“This is from our commander. He asked me to bring it to you.”

“Your commander? Qi Jun?”

“Yes. He’s our regimental commander.” The soldier looked awkward under her intense gaze, blushing all the way up to his ears.

What a handful! Lin Yiqiao thought. She didn’t dare grab the chicken.

“Comrade, please help me. Just tie it up and leave it over there.”

The young soldier found a rope, tied up the chicken’s wings, and left it by the wall.

Lin Yiqiao had no idea what to do. She paced the living room.

Seriously? Qi Jun really wants chicken soup that badly?

She stopped the soldier before he left. “Where is your commander recovering?”

The soldier looked a little guarded—Qi Jun had just been the target of a plot, after all.

But after a moment, he said, “He’s probably at the military hospital.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Lin Yiqiao didn’t quite believe him. Last night, she’d seen lights on in the central building.

The Hongyun Commune mission had gone well, but she still couldn’t quite read Qi Jun’s attitude. Yet this morning, he had someone bring her a chicken?

Men like him couldn’t be pushed too hard—or let loose too much either.

Since she couldn’t figure it out, she decided not to think about it. She flopped down on her bed.

Her room was a little attic space with a small balcony facing the bed.

Half-asleep, she suddenly felt like someone was watching her.

She looked up—and sure enough, there was a man lounging on a recliner on a nearby balcony, basking in the sun, flanked by two guards.

It was Qi Jun!

Lin Yiqiao jumped out of bed and ran outside. She didn’t dare shout, so she leapt in place, waving her arms, smiling wide enough to show her white teeth.

Softly, she called out, “Qi Jun!”

Qi Jun had been watching her all along. Somehow, this woman had that kind of magic—just seeing her made him happy, made him smile without meaning to.

He couldn’t help but grin and wave back.

The guard beside him, Zhu Yang, looked on cautiously. “Commander, this woman…”

“She’s fine,” Qi Jun said.

Lin Yiqiao felt the heavens were helping her today. Worried he wouldn’t see, she ran back inside, grabbed pen and paper, and wrote:

“Why did you send me a chicken?”

Qi Jun had sharp eyesight—he read her messy handwriting easily.

“Dongzi, get me pen and paper too,” he said.

Without a word, Dongzi fetched the supplies, while Zhu Yang watched with unease.

Qi Jun scrawled a few characters:

“For chicken soup.”

Lin Yiqiao was speechless—but then she laughed and wrote back:

“Can I come over?”

Qi Jun squinted. Perfect—he was curious what exactly she was up to.

He waved her over.

Lin Yiqiao beamed and dashed downstairs.

Zhu Yang watched, frowning. “Isn’t this female comrade a suspect?”

“She’s not really a suspect,” Qi Jun said, the corners of his lips curling. “But she is interesting.”

Zhu Yang didn’t find it amusing. He’d been by the old man’s side long enough to know exactly what kind of person Qi Jun was.

Beneath his righteous exterior was a born politician.

In the future, his partner would either be someone of equal status—or someone like Zhao Hui, honest and respected.

Zhao Hui’s death had left Qi Jun single since, winning him praise for his loyalty.

But how much affection had they really shared?

As for this young woman—beautiful and bold, yes—but Zhu Yang could only think: Good luck to her.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Lin Yiqiao arrived.

She was already shocked by what she saw—on the first floor, there was a TV in the living room, a refrigerator in the kitchen, calligraphy on the walls—elegant and refined everywhere.

She had to pass through Qi Jun’s bedroom to get to the balcony. The room was simple but tastefully decorated, the bed was clearly high-quality, carved wood, and there was a faint scent of sandalwood.

Lin Yiqiao didn’t think of herself as shallow—just a bit unsophisticated.

She jogged over and squatted beside Qi Jun’s lounge chair. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better,” Qi Jun said, watching her.

Lin Yiqiao had to admit—this man looked even more handsome in his own space.

With two other people around, she felt a little awkward. Zhu Yang brought her a small stool.

She quietly said thanks and turned to glance at him—then froze.

Wow! Sword brows, starry eyes, broad shoulders, slim waist… a handsome, tanned young man.

Lin Yiqiao’s smile grew even brighter. This was exactly her type. Zhu Yang blushed under her gaze but kept a straight face.

Then she felt someone else watching her. She turned—and locked eyes with Qi Jun.

She almost slapped herself. Focus, girl!

Seeing Qi Jun silent, she couldn’t help but lean in and whisper, “You seriously want me to make chicken soup for you?”

The man tilted his head slightly, leaning in by her ear.
“Weren’t you chasing me?”