Chapter 11

Jiang Yao had followed Xu Shaojun a good distance away from the Public Security Bureau before suddenly remembering she’d left her bicycle outside the state-owned restaurant.

She stopped awkwardly, and just as Xu Shaojun was leading her to a nearby jeep, she said, “Comrade Xu, I left my bicycle at the state-owned restaurant.”

In this era, people were still honest and simple, so Jiang Yao wasn’t too worried about her bike getting stolen.

But she couldn’t even imagine the kind of stir she’d cause riding back to the Qianjin Brigade in a jeep—a rare luxury in the 1960s.

She didn’t want to draw that much attention or invite gossip. It was far better to quietly ride her own bike back.

Xu Shaojun halted mid-step as he was about to get in the jeep. He turned to her and said, “It’s fine. We’ll go back to the restaurant and grab your bike. I’ll put it in the back of the jeep.”

His sudden stop made Jiang Yao nearly bump into him. When she halted, there was only a fist’s width of space between them.

From the outside, it looked like Xu Shaojun was raising his arm to pull Jiang Yao into an embrace.

Jiang Yao wasn’t used to standing so close to others. His scent filled her nose—strange, but oddly comforting and safe.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. She took a small step back, but Xu Shaojun remained calm and acted like he hadn’t noticed.

When she moved back, he casually stepped forward, maintaining the close distance.

“Comrade Xu, I can ride the bike back myself. Taking a jeep is just too flashy.”

Xu Shaojun considered this and understood her concern. In a gentle tone, he said, “Wait here for a bit. I’ll be right back.”

Then he turned and walked back toward the Public Security Bureau, tossing the jeep keys to a fellow soldier who had been watching them from the entrance.

“You all can drive back first—no need to wait for me.”
Originally, Xu Shaojun had planned to escort Jiang Yao back to the Qianjin Brigade and then return to pick up his comrades.
But since she had her reservations, he had to change his plan.

After giving instructions, Xu Shaojun quickly went inside and returned shortly, pushing a bicycle.

“Commander, are you into that little comrade?” teased Ji Yi, who was fairly close to Xu Shaojun and the first to speak up.

He didn’t quite get it—if Xu Shaojun really liked her, wouldn’t it make more sense to use the jeep to make a good impression? Riding a beat-up bicycle wasn’t exactly impressive.

He had never seen Xu Shaojun treat a woman so patiently. Normally, if something like this happened, he’d either ask his subordinates to comfort the woman or use his usual stern military tone to “discipline” her.

Since when did their famously stone-faced commander become so gentle with a female comrade?

“She’s pretty and kind-hearted. It’s not surprising the commander likes her,” added Jiang Bing, who also knew of Xu Shaojun’s unusual background—rumor had it his family included a general from the Anti-Japanese War, and his parents held high positions in Beijing.

His assignment in this small town was just a form of training.

But that girl wasn’t just from a small town—she was from a remote farming brigade. Marriage between them would be extremely difficult.

“Quit talking nonsense. Comrade Jiang is a decent, innocent young lady—don’t gossip about her behind her back.”

Though they were standing far away and couldn’t hear what Xu Shaojun and Jiang Yao were saying, they could tell the two were standing quite close.

Xu Shaojun’s serious denial made them skeptical, but seeing the faint shift in his expression, they wisely dropped the topic.

Pushing the bicycle, Xu Shaojun returned to Jiang Yao’s side.

“Comrade Jiang, since you feel uncomfortable riding in the jeep, I’ll follow behind you on this bike. Once I see you safely into the Qianjin Brigade, I’ll head back.”

Since she wanted to avoid suspicion, it was better not to be seen entering the brigade together.

“Alright.”

Jiang Yao thought it over and agreed. She had declined the jeep ride to avoid attention—but even more than that, she was worried that if her family saw Xu Shaojun, they’d become even more anxious to marry her off.

Even if she could refuse the arranged marriage with Deng Hongda, her family might turn their sights on Xu Shaojun.

From his bearing and the quiet authority he carried—not to mention that expensive-looking watch on his wrist—Jiang Yao guessed that even if Xu Shaojun wasn’t of high rank himself, his family must be very well-off.

It was best not to let the Jiang family get any ideas. It would only bring her trouble.

Once she agreed, Xu Shaojun pushed the bicycle and walked beside her. Since they were on a public street, they kept a respectful distance between them.

Watching this, Xu Shaojun’s comrades felt a twinge of disappointment.

They had thought maybe their aloof commander—who normally avoided women like the plague—had finally taken a liking to someone after just one meeting.

Turns out it was all in their heads. Commander Xu was still the same emotionally oblivious man as ever. He probably didn’t have a single romantic thought about her.

On the way back to the state-owned restaurant, Jiang Yao and Xu Shaojun grew more comfortable with each other. Xu Shaojun gave off a calm and respectful aura—neither overly familiar nor distant.

Just as Jiang Yao was unlocking her bike from the tree outside the restaurant, a woman in an apron rushed out from the kitchen and called out to her. She pulled Jiang Yao into a corner of the building.

“Little sister, are you looking for a job?”

“I’ve got a good lead for you. I’m only offering it to you because you look trustworthy.”

“A good lead?” Jiang Yao’s heart skipped. Could this be one of those under-the-table job sales?

“My aunt just became a grandma to a fat baby boy this year. She wants to quit her job and go home to help raise him. But her daughters and daughters-in-law all have jobs, and she doesn’t want to give the position to any relatives.”

“She asked me to help find someone quickly to take over. Are you interested?”

Jiang Yao was thrilled. It was like someone handing her a pillow just as she was dozing off.

“Sis, how much is your aunt asking for it?”

The woman in the apron—Chen Fan—shielded her hand with her clothes and held up all five fingers. “This much. What do you think?”

“If you’re interested, we can settle it today.”

Seeing that Jiang Yao didn’t show hesitation, she figured the deal was as good as done.

After all, the girl had arrived by bike, and the comrade soldier with her had one too. Whether they were a couple or siblings, a family that could afford two bicycles should have no problem coming up with the money for a job transfer.

If it weren’t for her aunt’s son and daughter-in-law pushing her to come help with the baby, her aunt wouldn’t be in such a hurry to let go of the job.

Her aunt didn’t get along well with the rest of the family and would rather sell the job cheaply to a stranger than let greedy relatives take advantage.