Chapter 23: Company Commander?!

The morning sunlight was glaring. The distant reveille bugle echoed in her ears. Lin Yiqiao groaned and turned over, listening to her roommates rustling as they got up and began their morning routines.

She kept her eyes closed, mentally counting the minutes. Then suddenly, she sprang out of bed and completed her wash-up in five minutes flat.

She had already mastered a set of survival tricks in the military—stretching her rest time to the max.

She wolfed down breakfast in ten minutes, then jogged straight to the training field.

On the way, she ran into Instructor Wang Xue. Lin Yiqiao jogged past her with a cheerful “Good morning!”

The women’s company was already lined up. Lin Yiqiao, used to arriving at the last second, quickly straightened her cap and stood at attention.

Wang Xue walked over, hands clasped behind her back, and swept her gaze slowly over the troops.

“Today we’re heading into the mountains for field training!”

All the light drained from Lin Yiqiao’s eyes—her whole body deflated at once.

“Right turn! Jog—march!”

The women’s company began jogging at a steady pace out of the training field, joining the male soldiers for the mountain training exercise.

From early morning to evening, they didn’t stop. Lunch was hastily eaten on the mountain. Lin Yiqiao was too exhausted for words.

The mess hall wasn’t open yet, so the troops reassembled on the training field. Each company sat in a circle.

Some male soldiers suggested putting on a show, and everyone immediately turned to heckle the women’s company.

Lin Yiqiao’s face flushed with heat. She fanned herself with a small hand, secretly took out a compact mirror from her pocket, and checked her reflection, smoothing her damp bangs.

“Yiqiao, want to go up?” Li Xiumei nudged her shoulder, winking at her.

Lin Yiqiao quickly shook her head. “No way, too tired.”

Unexpectedly, He Yujie was the one who got up amid the coaxing crowd. Though a bit awkward, she struck a pose and danced a short routine.

When she finished, cheeks flushed, she quickly ran offstage. Everyone generously applauded.

Lin Yiqiao, cheek resting on her hand, watched from the side.

“You really not going up?” Liu Hongying came over and tried to coax her too.

Lin Yiqiao thought for a moment, rolled her wrists, then stood and stepped out of the circle. Instantly, she could feel all eyes turn to her—burning hot gazes.

Her face glowed like a peach blossom, and her bright eyes sparkled under the sunset. With a sweet smile, she said, “I’ll perform the Red Detachment of Women for everyone.”

She paused and turned toward her own company. In a soft voice, she asked, “Can you accompany me?”

“Yes!” the women chorused in unison.

Lin Yiqiao grinned and turned back. Her two neat, glossy braids made her face appear even more fair and flushed. As she danced under the golden dusk, her movements were elegant and supple—graceful, yet full of strength.

Her comrades softly hummed the tune behind her. Everyone clapped along, their eyes fixed on her graceful figure.

Qi Jun arrived just in time to see this scene. He and Commissar Xu walked to the crabapple tree at the edge of the training field. The tree was in full bloom.

But as he watched the dancing figure, one phrase kept echoing in his mind: “More beautiful than the flowers.”

“So full of life—what a great training atmosphere,” Xu Zhibin remarked beside him.

Noticing Qi Jun didn’t reply, Xu turned and asked, “What do you think, sir?”

“Very good.” Qi Jun didn’t linger and walked ahead.

Lin Yiqiao, surprisingly, didn’t feel tired after her dance—she only grew more energized. Amid thunderous applause, she stepped offstage, cheeks flushed, and returned to sit with her team.

Li Xiumei leaned over and gave her a thumbs-up. “That was amazing! You really made our women’s company proud!”

“Hmph, of course.” Lin Yiqiao pouted smugly, looking so adorable Li Xiumei wanted to pinch her cheeks.

As dismissal neared, the male soldiers stood and lined up to head to the mess hall. Lin Yiqiao’s company also began standing up to join them.

“Women’s company, at ease! Attention!”

Wang Xue walked over from the side, casting a complicated glance at Lin Yiqiao.

Lin Yiqiao was confused—she didn’t understand the look.

“Our mealtime is postponed. We’re heading to the auditorium first.” Wang Xue paused, then looked at Lin Yiqiao again. “—There’s something to announce.”

It was an order. Everyone quickly formed two columns and jogged toward the auditorium.

The hall wasn’t large, but the bold red slogans made the space feel solemn and dignified.

Lin Yiqiao followed the others to sit in the front row. The first and second rows were separated by an empty aisle.

Once seated, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The sound of heavy boots echoed from outside the door.

“Stand!”

The women’s company stood in unison, eyes forward.

Qi Jun led the group into the auditorium. Lin Yiqiao was seated at the outermost edge of the second row. He stopped right in front of her.

Her heart thudded, and she couldn’t resist glancing up at him.

Then, suddenly, he took a step back—closer to her. Lin Yiqiao’s gaze fell to his waist, her mind already wandering.

Qi Jun didn’t look at her. Instead, he gestured to Xu Zhibin to proceed. Xu quickly stepped forward to take the lead.

Lin Yiqiao slightly lowered her head, not daring to look again. She didn’t even notice when Qi Jun had taken his seat.

“I’ll say a few words,” Xu Zhibin began, motioning everyone to sit.

“Our women’s company has been established for some time now. You’ve performed well on various tasks and have greatly boosted the morale of our regiment.”

He paused to take a sip of water.

Lin Yiqiao couldn’t help but look up—and met Qi Jun’s eyes.

Her courage swelled a bit. Seeing that no one else noticed, she sneakily winked at him.

Xu Zhibin continued speaking. Qi Jun, watching her wink, allowed a smile to flicker in his eyes. His whole demeanor softened.

“After discussion, it has been decided: Comrade Lin Yiqiao is hereby appointed Company Commander of the 32nd Regiment’s Women’s Company.”

Like thunder on a clear day.

Lin Yiqiao had been busy exchanging glances with Qi Jun and only registered her own name. Liu Hongying had to nudge her arm.

She stood up on reflex. Everyone looked around in astonishment.

Clap! Clap! Qi Jun was the first to start applauding. Xu Zhibin glanced at him and joined in.

The women’s company followed, at first scattered, then increasingly enthusiastic—clapping in rhythm with their commanding officers.