Chapter 26: The Watch
When did those two get together?!

He Yujie was shocked and furious, her mind spinning.

“What’s wrong, Yujie? What are you looking at?” Zheng Xin walked over and followed her line of sight toward the shaded trees—but the two people she was staring at were already gone.

“It’s nothing, Zheng Xin. I’m just overheated,” He Yujie forced a stiff smile.

---

Outside the shooting range by the wall, a petite, delicate woman leaned into a man’s embrace, whispering sweet nothings.

“Ajun, can I call you Ajun from now on?” She looked up at him, her eyes filled only with him.

“Mm,” the man responded.

“The moment I saw you, I wanted to run up and hug you and kiss you. From now on, whenever you show up, you have to give me a heads-up, or one day I might just pounce on you and take advantage of you in front of everyone,” she said, half-unreasonable, half-playful.

“Then go ahead and hug me,” he replied, wrapping his arm around her shoulders in a gesture full of male possessiveness.

Lin Yiqiao blinked her big eyes and entwined her fingers with his, holding his hand tightly on her shoulder.

Then she tilted her head and kissed his lips. Caught off guard by the sudden kiss, Qi Jun lowered his head, trying to deepen it.

“Your watch is so pretty,” she said, touching the polished face of his watch with fascination.

“You like it? I’ll buy you one,” Qi Jun murmured next to her ear.

“Really?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and seemed to think for a moment before suddenly shaking her head. “Actually, better not.”

Qi Jun looked down at her. “You sure you don’t want one?”

“Mm…” Her words were silenced by another kiss.

Qi Jun was clearly enjoying the moment. He wrapped one arm around her waist, kissing her until her legs nearly went weak.

---

When the two re-emerged, their clothes were tidy, but Lin Yiqiao’s lips were unusually rosy.

The women’s company had just finished target practice. She calmly walked over, her gaze sharp and collected as she called the troops together.

Qi Jun stood nearby, watching her before finally leaving.

---

Now that Lin Yiqiao had been promoted to company commander, her training duties had become heavier. Still, the upside of holding rank was that she could slack off openly—and the meals were better, too. After a few days, she looked noticeably more radiant and delicate.

Her new single dorm was quite comfortable—small but fully equipped and private.

Today was a rare rest day. After dressing up a bit, she rushed downstairs where a jeep was waiting near the wall.

Qi Jun sat in the driver’s seat, sleeves rolled up, resting one lean arm on the window.

Lin Yiqiao climbed into the passenger seat, leaned toward him with a bright smile, and asked, “Miss me?”

“Mm.” Qi Jun glanced down and pulled her into his arms.

“It’s only been a few days.”

Since people could walk by at any moment, Qi Jun started the engine. Lin Yiqiao leaned back into her seat.

“One day feels like three years apart,” she said, smiling mischievously.

Qi Jun turned his head and the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly.

---

The jeep drove out of the military zone and onto a wide road. The fresh air poured in as Lin Yiqiao rolled down the window, her hair blowing wildly in the wind. She played with her hair for a bit before asking, “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” Qi Jun replied with a smile.

They soon turned onto a small path. A guard took one look at their license plate and opened the iron gate.

It looked like a backlot parking area, with few cars inside. Qi Jun parked in a shady spot. Lin Yiqiao hopped out of the car and followed him into a four-story building.

The inside was simple but stylish.

Curious, Lin Yiqiao looked around. Qi Jun suddenly grabbed her hand.

Startled, she tiptoed and whispered in his ear, “What if someone sees?”

“Then they see,” he said flatly and kept holding her hand as they walked down the hall.

They soon entered a large, well-lit showroom. Lin Yiqiao didn’t have time to look around before Qi Jun pulled her to a glass display case—inside were rows of dazzling wristwatches.

“Which one do you like?” he asked, turning to her.

Her eyes sparkled. She clung to his arm and bounced a little in excitement. “You’re buying me one?!”

“Mm.” Qi Jun looked toward the counter. “Let’s see these four.”

A salesperson silently unlocked the case and carefully laid out the selected watches.

“Try them on,” he said, pulling her soft little hand forward. It was pale and dainty, slightly plump and very smooth to the touch.

He pinched her fingers. Lin Yiqiao pouted, “I don’t know how to put it on… Help me.”

The salesperson, who had started to move forward, respectfully stepped back.

Qi Jun patiently tried the watches on her: a small rectangular leather one with tiny diamonds, and a few round-faced ones that were more modern and elegant.

She chose the rectangular one, which sparkled beautifully on her wrist.

She took Qi Jun’s hand and held their wrists side by side. “Look! A matching pair!”

Qi Jun poked the dimple on her cheek. “Yes, a matching pair.”

“Keep it on,” he said as they walked out.

Lin Yiqiao glanced back. “Don’t we need a receipt or to pay?”

Qi Jun ruffled her hair, smiling. “Can you afford it?”

“I…” she turned away, embarrassed. “I don’t have any money!”

Qi Jun laughed. “Then don’t worry about it.”

---

Back in the car, Lin Yiqiao admired her watch—finely crafted, with a diamond-studded frame.

She glanced around at the refined, quiet surroundings and felt a sudden unease.

“This watch is so beautiful. I really love it.” She snuggled into Qi Jun’s arms.

“Thank you, Ah Jun-gege (big brother Jun).”

Qi Jun raised an eyebrow. “Who’s your big brother?”

“I just like calling you that. I like Ah Jun-gege.” She kissed him again.

His eyes darkened, and he cupped her chin and kissed her back deeply.

At some point, she ended up straddling him, breathless.

“But… I can’t wear this out in public.” She shook her wrist.

Qi Jun was silent for a moment, then kissed her forehead. “I’ll take you to get one you can wear out.”

---

They soon arrived at a department store near Hangfu Street. The place was bustling, and couples kept a polite distance from one another.

Inside, the store was packed. Qi Jun grabbed Lin Yiqiao’s wrist and guided her through the crowd.

Nervous, Lin Yiqiao looked around. Luckily, it seemed the store had new inventory today and everyone was busy shopping. No one noticed them.

Upstairs on the second floor, it was less crowded. Qi Jun finally let go of her wrist.

They reached the watch counter—there was even a line. The spending power of Beidu citizens was no joke.

Lin Yiqiao stood properly in line but was secretly playful. She nudged Qi Jun’s arm and, when no one was looking, squeezed his hand.

Qi Jun looked at her, and she pretended to glance around innocently.

---

Meanwhile, Xu Yu was out shopping with her sister-in-law, Zhang Jiahua. She wanted to check out the new watches and pulled Zhang along upstairs.

“Visit the Qi family more often these days. Try to get the engagement set before the New Year,” Zhang Jiahua advised.

“I know, sis,” Xu Yu replied with a smile.

“I heard… the eldest grandson of the Qi family isn’t married yet?”

“Qi Ran gege? His fiancée died in the line of duty. He probably hasn’t moved on,” Xu Yu explained.

Zhang Jiahua scoffed, “Men like him? Please.”

“Don’t blame me for saying this, but if Qi Ran weren’t from the Qi family, our family wouldn’t consider him. Compared to his brother, he’s got no looks, no future, and no sense of purpose. Everyone knows the old master favors the eldest grandson.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, “Qi Jun is about to be promoted, and he’s sharper than his father. The real future of the Qi family lies with him. Don’t be fooled by how they coddle Qi Ran now. It means nothing. Real benefits are what matter. I just don’t want you to marry into the family and end up living under someone else’s thumb.”

She squeezed Xu Yu’s hand.

Xu Yu was silent for a while before smiling, “I understand, sis.”

As they chatted and went upstairs, they spotted Qi Jun.

“Isn’t that… Qi Ran gege?” Xu Yu said.

Her sister-in-law nudged her, “Your big cousin-in-law? Go say hi!”

Xu Yu hesitated—last time, Qi Ran hadn’t seemed fond of her. But he did say that if his brother agreed, the rest of the family wouldn’t oppose it.

But just as she was about to step forward, she saw a fair, delicate arm wrap around Qi Jun’s elbow.