Chapter 4: A Rare Gem

When Lin Yiqiao came downstairs, she realized she’d gone the opposite direction from how she came up. A little disoriented, she had no choice but to feel her way out of the building.

“Attention! Right dress!”
The voices she had faintly heard earlier were now getting clearer.

Behind the building was a large training field. Rows of tall, upright soldiers were still in training, all drenched in sweat. Their army-green T-shirts were soaked and clinging to their bodies, outlining defined muscle lines. Their faces bore the heroic fierceness of soldiers.

It was Lin Yiqiao’s first time seeing so many men since arriving in the capital. She quietly observed them from the corner.

Tsk.

Except for the one leading them — who looked a bit wild — the others were too green.

Still, that Commander Qi was the real deal.

Thinking of him, she couldn’t help but glance back up toward the building.

Smack! A young recruit got his head tapped.
“Eyes right — what are you staring at?” barked Company Commander Xiao Guohua.

The soldiers tried to suppress their laughter, their faces turning red from holding it in. Xiao Guohua glanced in the direction they’d been peeking at.

A stunning beauty.

Slim waist, long legs, curvy and graceful, her hair shimmered golden under the sunlight.

But when she turned her head, her eyes were pure and innocent — with a hint of seduction. Upon realizing everyone was staring at her, she gave an awkward little smile, like a harmless tabby cat.

Lin Yiqiao didn’t think much of it — this was nothing new to her.

She smiled and turned to leave through the rear gate.

---

Back home, Qian Ru was tidying up the dishes and insisted on taking Lin Yiqiao out for a walk.

The outer ring of the military compound was filled mostly with families from the countryside. They liked to gather and chat. Qian Ru was an exception.

She was quiet and didn’t enjoy too much socializing. After her daughter Zhang Xiao got married, she stayed home more and more, feeling suffocated. That’s partly why she agreed when Lin Yiqiao wrote asking to come to the capital.

“Big Sis Qian, what brings you out today?”
Their neighbor Gong Chunhua saw the two approaching arm-in-arm. “This young lady your niece? She’s a real beauty.”

“This child just arrived. I’m showing her around.”

“Hello, Auntie Gong,” Lin Yiqiao said, smiling sweetly. Before heading out, she had asked her aunt about the neighbors, and quickly matched the warm-faced woman to the name.

“Ay!” Gong Chunhua responded warmly, grabbing Lin Yiqiao’s hand. “Such a pretty and elegant girl. These soft, plump hands — definitely the kind men would adore.”

Lin Yiqiao smiled politely. She did look pretty, but “elegant” wasn’t exactly accurate.

Her figure was full and curvy, her skin porcelain white, delicate like congealed cream.

Soft and alluring — she knew just how to catch the eye.

No one could look away.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Gong Chunhua asked.

“Not yet,” Lin Yiqiao replied, lowering her eyes, cheeks turning pink.

Auntie, you’re the only one here who knows the truth — hold that laugh in.

“Then your aunt can introduce you to someone later,” Gong Chunhua chuckled. “Such a lovely and lively girl — I wonder which lucky lad will get her.”

Lin Yiqiao kept up the act, blushing and shy. Playing the role of the wholesome, innocent comrade wasn’t easy.

After making rounds and greetings, Lin Yiqiao was already getting familiar with the compound wives. Even Qian Ru was chatting and laughing.

If Lin Yiqiao had one true talent, it was her silver tongue. She could charm anyone and make people naturally like her.

The aunties started fighting to introduce her to young men, and Lin Yiqiao graciously accepted — but always added, “No rush.”

This was her comeback story. She had to choose wisely.

---

On the way back, Qian Ru gently patted her hand.

“Child, you’ve had a tough time. Stay here in Beidu. Find a good man, live a simple, honest life.”

No way am I living simple and honest.

“Thank you, Auntie,” Lin Yiqiao lowered her head, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Qian Ru rubbed her back, “Good child. I used to listen to others and thought you were a wild one. But now I know better.”

“I always thought — how could a clever and lovely child like you turn bad?”

Yes… How could a little porcelain doll turn bad?
But if a hungry burden doesn’t learn to fight back, she’ll never survive.

“You’re the best, Auntie,” Lin Yiqiao said, hugging her.

Everyone thought she had reformed. But she had never changed — not even once.

As evening fell, the central building of the compound was already glowing with lights.

From her corner of the courtyard, Lin Yiqiao could only see a porcelain vase with perfectly even glaze on an antique shelf.

She could hardly imagine, in a time when most people still struggled to eat, what kind of people lived like this.