Chapter 18: Strange Road

Of course Su Niannian was angry. Let’s not even talk about whether their marriage application had been approved — first there’s Gu Zhiye with a Guihua and then a Xiaofei — honestly, it was ridiculous. She valued her time and didn’t want to waste it on these matters.

After putting her belongings in order, Su Niannian soon met her roommates — a group of girls from all over the country. The oldest was twenty-one, and the youngest was sixteen. Apart from Liu Tao and two-round-faced girls who were already in the team, the rest were new. After a brief self-introduction, everyone quickly became acquainted, laughing and chattering until the lights were turned off.

A pockmarked girl from Heilongjiang kept glancing at Su Niannian and couldn’t hold back. “Comrade Su, have we met somewhere before?”
The rest immediately fell into a chorus of banter.
“He Bi, are you borrowing lines from the male soldiers?”
“That’s right, we’re all roommates — just say you want to be friends with her instead of beating around the bush…”

He Bi was from Heilongjiang, but Su Niannian hadn’t crossed paths with her before. She said warmly, “My home’s in Gang District, Qinggang Brigade, A County — I’ve never been to Heilongjiang. As for looking familiar, there are many people who look alike. Nice to meet you, He Bi…”

Usually, many tried to use this kind of tactic to break the ice with her, but this kind of approach fell flat.

He Bi suddenly raised a dramatic question: “Are you married?!”

The atmosphere fell silent.
Liu Tao, Su Niannian’s friend, grew displeased. “He Bi, are you doubting our deputy team’s judgment? We’re a military art troupe — you must be single if you’re a team member. Why would you ask something so ridiculous? Are you trying to make trouble instead of making friends…?”
He Bi turned white but still insisted on an answer.

The smile slowly fell from Su Niannian’s face. She put away her laundry, paused for a moment, then said quietly, “I have a fiancé.”

This made even Liu Tao sit up in disbelief. “What? When? Where’s he from…?”
“He’s from the countryside.” Su Niannian gave a brief answer, sending a clear signal for the rest to back off. Everyone fell silent, and their expressions grew sincere — after all, the most beautiful girl in their team was already engaged.

…

Most of their time was spent training. The new team, team two, trained even more hard-working, eager to make a breakthrough — forward bridges, backflips, high kicks — until their limbs grew weak. But their moods were happier for it.

When the meal call came, Su Niannian rushed toward the mess hall with Liu Tao.
Because the daily meat dishes were limited, they couldn’t miss their chance.

Walking past the fence that separated their camp from the neighboring army base’s training ground, many pairs of eyes turned to look in that direction, and their steps slowed down.
Su Niannian kept walking, tugging at Liu Tao, not understanding: “Didn’t you say we should keep our distance? What’s there to stare at…?”
“Heh… I just like a bit of a show…”

And soon, Su Niannian found out what that show was. To save resources, their mess hall was connected to the neighboring army base’s.
While wrestling with a spare rib in her mess kit, Su Niannian heard Liu Tao’s excited voice. “He’s here! He’s here!”

Curiously, Su Niannian turned her head in the direction Liu Tao was looking — and there was Gu Zhiye’s team, sitting near the mess hall window. A group of muscular soldiers, especially Gu Zhiye, whose tall, sculpted form stood out even more with his piercing expression — many women’s gazes fell upon him.

Su Niannian quickly turned away. “Didn’t you say we should keep our distance…?”
Liu Tao giggled. “Heh… I just like to watch the show…”

About what kind of show — Su Niannian soon saw for herself. Jiang Xiaofei, the team leader from team one, boldly sat down in the seat next to Gu Zhiye.

Jiang Xiaofei had a powerful family background and had always considered Gu Zhiye her own. When she heard that his marriage application had been delayed, she hadn’t been able to sleep for a day or a night. Now, upon his return, Jiang Xiaofei placed a chicken leg on his plate and said with a proud smile, “Company Commander Gu, you must be worn out after your mission. I noticed you’ve gotten thinner…”

He quickly raised his hand to block hers and said coldly, “That’s not appropriate.”
“What’s not appropriate? I care for a comrade, that’s all. Furthermore, I’m trying to keep in shape — wasting food is a shame…”

Gu Zhiye flipped his wrist, letting her chopstick drop — the chicken fell into a nearby soldier’s plate. The soldier was delighted and nearly screamed, “Thank you, Captain Jiang! Thank you, Company Commander Gu!”

Gu Zhiye disregarded Jiang Xiaofei’s stiff expression. He stood up, raised his voice, and said, “I’m married. Please be mindful of your behavior.”

Liu Tao nearly drops her chopsticks in shock. “Whoa! The Living King of Hell is married! Who’s the fortunate woman…?”
Su Niannian nearly choked on the piece of spare rib in her throat.

Then Gu Zhiye turned and walked directly toward their table. The man, spotless and pure, stood in front of Liu Tao with a gentle smile, his voice deep, “Comrade, may I sit here?”