Chapter 15: Eager to Sever Ties

“She’s gone! She left the money,” Lin Xuan stuffed the money into Shen Chunfen’s hands.

“Gone? Where did she go?”

Lin Xuan didn’t offer much explanation. For some reason, his heart felt blocked, uncomfortable, and breathless.

He said to Shen Chunfen, “Mom, I have something to do at the base. There’s noodles on the bedside table, eat yourself!” After saying this, he got straight into his car and drove away.

Six months later – Yandu City

Lin Xuan’s unit was stationed in Yandu City.

One day, his Captain, Zhao, came to him with a form. “Captain Lin,” he said, “the base’s special supplies aren’t reaching our company.

The battalion commander ordered us to purchase tents and picnic mats from a third-party external supplier. As long as they meet the standards and are usable for the soldiers, that’s fine. Just for this season!”

Lin Xuan took the form and examined it carefully. “So expensive?”

Captain Zhao: “That’s the market price. Because our company is large, others are limiting purchases. Xiao Zhang, who’s in charge of procurement, negotiated the lowest price possible.”

“Captain Lin, they said if we haggle any further, they’ll compromise on quality. They’ll use inferior materials for the tents. Otherwise, they can’t even afford the labor costs. So we can’t lower the price anymore.”

Lin Xuan looked at the price, “It’s still high.”

“Captain, they’re an external factory. They have material costs, material loss, labor costs, manufacturing costs, round-the-clock rush work, and water and electricity fees – these are unavoidable. Just sign it.”

Lin Xuan stared at Zhao Cheng, his Captain. “Zhao Cheng, how do you understand this so clearly? You even know about material costs, manufacturing costs, and labor costs? Who told you?”

Zhao Cheng gestured towards the company meeting room. “The people over there calculated it all, a clear account.”

Lin Xuan stood up, “Let’s go take a look!” He wanted to see who could explain things so clearly and account for everything so meticulously.

Every detail was explained so clearly by Zhao Cheng, who barely knew how to read.

Seeing him go in person, Zhao Cheng said, “Captain, this way!”

Zhao Cheng led Lin Xuan there. Around the corner, they ran into Li Chunqiu, a nurse from the medical station. She walked over and smiled at Lin Xuan.

“I brought you some Vitamin C.”

Lin Xuan nodded and took it, quickly walking on. Zhao Cheng hurriedly opened the meeting room door.

Li Chunqiu was still carrying Lin Xuan’s clothes. Before she could finish what she was saying, she saw Lin Xuan rushing into the meeting room.

She followed a couple of steps. She knew she shouldn’t just enter, so she waited outside.

After Lin Xuan entered, he saw the back of a woman in a bright red short-sleeved shirt. She had large, glossy, wavy black hair, and was wearing what looked like six-inch stiletto heels.

Even worse – the woman was wearing a black, high-slit, bodycon dress.

Even though she was sitting, some of the young, naive soldiers passing by couldn’t help but steal glances.

So, the high price wasn’t unreasonable.

What a mess!

Using her beauty to make money? And making it off him, no less.

As soon as Zhao Cheng saw her, he smiled and said, “Supervisor Shen, this is our leader. Captain of the Third Company!”

Shen Yuchu heard the commotion and stood up politely, extending her hand to shake. “Hello, I’m Shen Yuchu. It’s a pleasure to meet you…” The words “please take care of me” got stuck in her throat.

Upon seeing Lin Xuan’s face, she froze.

Their eyes met instantly. She hadn’t expected to see him here.

She had heard he was in a remote military region, not in the bustling Yandu City.

Clearly, Lin Xuan hadn’t expected to see her either. His initial dissatisfaction with the price turned into surprise.

And that surprise quickly turned to anger.

What was she wearing like that?

The base was mostly men, didn’t she know?

Lin Xuan’s dark eyes fell on Shen Yuchu’s V-neck red shirt. Before, she had always dressed conservatively.

Even when she falsely accused him by the haystack back home, he hadn’t looked at her closely. He’d only been angry.

But now, he saw her exquisite figure.

A strange anger instantly filled his chest.

Zhao Cheng, however, rinsed a large green teacup several times, poured a cup of clean water, and offered it to Shen Yuchu. “Supervisor Shen, some water.”

“Thank you, Captain Zhao, you’re too kind.”

“My pleasure, my pleasure. Please sit, hehe~” Zhao Cheng said, then leaned closer to Lin Xuan, “Captain.”

Lin Xuan looked down at Zhao Cheng. He only poured water for Shen Yuchu, not for himself or Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan pursed his lips, his index finger tapping on the smooth meeting room table. He lowered his voice, “Get out.”

“Captain!” Zhao Cheng didn’t want to leave; his feet seemed glued to the floor.

“Get out!”

“Yes!”

Lin Xuan quickly unbuttoned and took off his jacket. He was about to put it on Shen Yuchu when…

However, just as he reached the meeting room door and turned back, Zhao Cheng, lingering with a reluctant gaze, suddenly saw Lin Xuan taking off his clothes.

He immediately rushed back to stop him, “Captain, Captain, what are you doing?”

“Captain, you can’t make a mistake! Sister-in-law, sister-in-law…”

Zhao Cheng shouted towards the door at Li Chunqiu, “Sister-in-law, come quickly!”

Li Chunqiu heard the commotion and rushed into the meeting room.

Lin Xuan pushed Zhao Cheng away and kicked him. “What are you shouting about?”

Then he threw his jacket to Shen Yuchu: “Put this on!”

Zhao Cheng: …

Li Chunqiu: …

Women are emotional creatures. Seeing Shen Yuchu, she stepped forward, a “hostile smile” on her face, walked to Lin Xuan’s side, and said to Shen Yuchu, “Miss, what are you doing dressed like this at our base?”

Zhao Cheng couldn’t stand it anymore, “Sister-in-law, who are you calling Miss? She’s the sales supervisor of a large factory. Supervisor Shen!”

Shen Yuchu chuckled, “Thank you, Captain Zhao, for your consideration. I’m just here on company business. Have I offended your leader’s sister-in-law?”

Before Zhao Cheng could speak, Lin Xuan pushed him aside, took a step forward, and explained to Shen Yuchu, “She’s not my sister-in-law, nor is she anything to me. Just a college classmate. Don’t spread rumors.”

Li Chunqiu: … Why was Lin Xuan so eager to distance himself? He wasn’t like this before!