Chapter 3 “Lao Xu, do you want a wife or not?”

Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to bid higher. In the end, the job was sold to that man for one thousand yuan. After collecting the money, Shi Qingqian handed the certificate to him and said, “I hope you treasure this job.”

The man accepted it with a beaming smile. “Thank you.”

Wang Xiuqin nearly fainted with rage at the sight. “You can’t leave! You can’t leave!” she shouted, rushing forward to block the man who had bought the job, making a scene and refusing to let him go.

Shi Qingqian immediately stepped in front of the man, her eyes cold as she stared at Wang Xiuqin. “What do you think you’re doing? I’ve already sold this job.”

Wang Xiuqin glared at her, cursing, “You wasteful girl! You actually sold the job? You’re going to ruin this family!”

Shi Qingqian let out a cold snort. “This family? When have you ever treated me as part of this family?

Besides, this job was mine to begin with. I have the right to do whatever I want with it. You and Shi Qingyao stole my job, abused me, and now you have the nerve to stop me?”

The onlookers began criticizing Wang Xiuqin.

“It’s her job—if she wants to sell it, that’s her business. What’s it to you?”
“Exactly. You’re just a stepmother, and an overbearing one at that. And you still dare say she’s ruining the family.”
“I used to think Wang Xiuqin was really a good stepmother. Turns out it was all for show.”
“That little girl looks so frail, who knows how much she’s suffered under them.”

Flushed with embarrassment under the crowd’s reproach, Wang Xiuqin still refused to back down. She turned to Shi Qingqian, softening her tone. “Qingqian, let’s talk this through nicely. You can’t sell that job. If you sell it, what’s going to happen to Qingyao in the future?”

Shi Qingqian was unmoved. “Her future has nothing to do with me. I’m not her mother.”

With that, she urged the man to leave quickly. Wang Xiuqin stomped her feet furiously as she watched him walk away. Shi Qingyao’s face was also full of frustration—she hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.

Seeing the two women so embarrassed, Shi Qingqian felt an immense sense of satisfaction. She put away the money and walked out the door.

Shi Qingqian rubbed her growling stomach. “Don’t worry, sis will take you to eat something good now.”

She decided to treat herself at the state-run restaurant—she had certainly earned it after all that.

At the restaurant, after placing her order, she carried the tray to an empty seat. Just as she was about to start eating, she casually looked up—and saw a super handsome soldier walk in.

He had sharp brows, starry eyes, and a tall, upright figure, as though he had stepped right out of a painting. Shi Qingqian was instantly captivated by his looks, her eyes locked on him as if the rest of the world had faded away.

From the moment Xu Huai’an walked into the restaurant, he had noticed several gazes on him. One in particular was especially intense. He turned his head slightly—and met Shi Qingqian’s unblinking stare.

In that instant, a strange feeling stirred in his heart. The girl’s bright eyes and that fiery gaze of hers were impossible to ignore. He wanted to look away, yet inexplicably, he glanced at her again.

“Old Xu, isn’t that—” Chen Chen tugged him over to sit just behind Shi Qingqian. A young woman was already seated there.

Seeing them approach, the woman stood up to greet them. “You must be Regiment Commander Xu and Company Commander Chen?”

“That’s right, that’s us,” Chen Chen replied, before making the introductions. “This here is the famous 19th Regiment Commander of the Southern Military District, Xu Huai’an.”

“My name is Wang Xiaohua. Aunt Chen introduced me to be matched with Regiment Commander Xu,” Wang Xiaohua said, all the while sizing Xu Huai’an up.

Hearing this, Shi Qingqian felt an inexplicable pang of disappointment. So, he already had a prospective wife. Well, that was that.

Though she was a sucker for good looks, Shi Qingqian had no interest in other people’s men. She shook her head slightly, pressing down the stir of feelings in her chest, and focused on her meal instead.

After finishing her food, she left the restaurant—she still had to prepare for going to the countryside.

Meanwhile, inside, Xu Huai’an kept glancing toward where Shi Qingqian had sat. Seeing that she had already gone, he felt an unexpected sense of loss. He couldn’t explain why—she was just a stranger, and he was currently on a blind date.

Wang Xiaohua, noticing his distracted air, was displeased. She tried to strike up conversation, but Xu Huai’an only replied politely and coolly.

The blind date ended in awkward silence, with no outcome.

“Old Xu, what’s wrong with you? This girl’s great, yet you’re acting so lukewarm.” Chen Chen frowned in frustration.

Xu Huai’an frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “I don’t feel anything for her. You can’t force matters like this.”

Chen Chen sighed helplessly. “Honestly, I don’t know what you’re looking for. Wang Xiaohua’s looks are fine, her temperament seems gentle—she’d make a good wife.”

Xu Huai’an shook his head. In his mind flashed Shi Qingqian’s unflinching gaze. “I don’t know either. But she’s not the one I want.”

“Ahh…” Chen Chen let out a long sigh. “Let me remind you, the higher-ups gave me a death order during this leave: I must find you a wife, or I’ll be in big trouble. Don’t get me dragged down with you.”

Xu Huai’an cast him a helpless look. “Still, you can’t just pick anyone. Marriage is no trivial matter.”

“Fine, fine. Handle it yourself. But first, come with me to the supply and marketing cooperative—I need to buy some things before heading home tomorrow.”

After saying that, Xu Huai’an pulled Chen Chen along to the supply store.

At that very moment, Shi Qingqian was also at the supply store, picking out items she might need for the countryside.

She turned around—and unexpectedly came face-to-face with Xu Huai’an and Chen Chen walking in.

Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected to run into that handsome soldier again so soon.

Chen Chen was still rambling on, and from his words, Shi Qingqian learned that the soldier’s surname was Xu, and that the blind date had failed.

Hearing this, the flutter she had just suppressed returned to her heart, stronger than before. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Xu Huai’an.

Taking a deep breath, Shi Qingqian strode straight toward him.

“Old Xu, do you want a wife or not? If you do, just take me with you!”