Chapter 5

Feng Wei also worried inwardly about his old partner.

As the youngest company commander in their military district, Lu Weiguo indeed had military achievements, physique, and character. However, the problem lay with his face.

Lu Weiguo had been fierce on the front lines before, exuding a strong aura due to his innate stern expression. Later, a scar ran from the corner of his right eye to below his cheekbone due to an injury, making him appear even more menacing.

But that wasn’t the most troublesome part. The real issue was his facial features weren’t conventionally handsome. His eyes were slightly narrower than usual, not in a squinting way but in a subtly unsettling manner.

He wasn’t unpleasant to look at, even somewhat attractive, but there was just something unsettling when he squinted at you, giving a chilling feeling.

His appearance was like a tractor, but his demeanor was that of a fighter jet — that summed him up.

Lu Weiguo thought of his countless failed blind dates and had grown indifferent.

“It’s fine being alone. Dealing with a woman is troublesome; can’t even burp or fart loudly.”

Feng Wei: …

Is this guy even speaking human language?

He thought again about the siblings at the restaurant. It was like feast or famine, no comparison without damage.

He had seen how beautiful the young girl was. Yet someone still stood them up. It was truly squandering a precious resource.

However, he had a nagging feeling that he had seen the siblings somewhere before.

Shi Tingyu and her brother were unaware that their simple blind date had become the catalyst for others pushing Lu Weiguo to get married.

After lunch, Shi Muhuan escorted Shi Tingyu home and then went to find Shen Ziming’s aunt.

Shen’s aunt looked at Shi Muhuan in surprise. “Xiaohuan, are you mistaken? Ziming has never been here.”

Unable to find Shen, Shi Muhuan called the military base and learned that Shen Ziming was not there either.

Shi Muhuan tightened his grip on the phone and said to the operator, “Is Commander Shen there?”

He had a feeling that Commander Shen might know where Shen Ziming was.

“Commander Shen is here. Let me go find him. Call back in about ten minutes.”

The call ended, and Shi Muhuan felt disheartened.

He just hoped it wasn’t what he feared.

At the Shi residence,

Shi Tingyu changed out of her dress and slouched on the sofa.

She kept thinking about why Shen Ziming hadn’t shown up.

Actually, their family being reported wasn’t a secret among the high ranks of the military district.

She remembered Shen Ziming’s father was the commander of Shi Muhuan’s military district and likely knew something.

Shen Ziming’s absence today might be due to their impending investigation, and he didn’t want to get involved.

In fact, their family hadn’t hidden anything from Shen Ziming. Shi Muhuan had discussed it with him before coming.

If he was unwilling, he could have simply declined instead of agreeing and then standing them up.

She thought, perhaps he had his own reasons.

But now, given the situation, even if Shen Ziming had his reasons, he was no longer within her consideration.

If the man couldn’t wholeheartedly accept her without reservations, then there was no need to discuss any future together, as future troubles could be even greater.

Everyone has their own aspirations; it’s not something that can be forced.

After digesting the unpleasant experience of being stood up today, Shi Tingyu found herself exploring her own space at home when she realized no one was around.

There were some plants and flowers on the balcony at home. She picked a jasmine plant whose flowers were drooping and gave it some diluted spiritual spring water.

The jasmine plant, which was drooping, seemed to perk up like it had been given a shot of adrenaline, visibly revitalizing.

The plants and flowers on the balcony were all tended to by the original homeowner. Shi’s parents didn’t pay that much attention to them.

Shi Tingyu moved the pot of jasmine to the window in her room where the sunlight was good for observation.

Just then, a earthworm emerged from the soil of the jasmine pot.

The earthworm was very slippery and wriggled towards the jasmine plant, soaking its branches in the diluted spiritual spring water.

Shi Tingyu couldn’t distinguish which end was the head or tail of the earthworm, but she didn’t expect that in her lifetime, she would actually see an earthworm drinking water.

After drinking the spiritual spring water, the earthworm became even shinier, visibly glossy and smooth.

Assured that the spiritual spring water wouldn’t harm plants or insects, Shi Tingyu felt relieved.

Insects themselves are small, and commonly used mosquito coils can kill them. Since the spiritual spring water didn’t kill the earthworm, it could only mean that the water was non-toxic.

Feeling a bit disgusted, Shi Tingyu picked up the earthworm with a piece of paper and released it into the soil downstairs.

Having formed a bond through the spiritual spring water, Shi Tingyu decided to give it a chance at a new life.

Shi Muhuan returned about an hour later.

His expression was not good, and Shi Tingyu had a rough idea of what had happened.

“Brother, what did Shen Ziming say?”

Shi Muhuan hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell her the truth.

“Ziming… his family doesn’t agree.”

In fact, from what Colonel Shen had said and knowing Shen Ziming’s personality, Shi Muhuan could guess most of the situation.

When Colonel Shen answered the phone, he didn’t hide his family’s opinions.

He said he admired his parents and appreciated his abilities, but since Shen Ziming was their only son, and it was time for him to be promoted, they had to consider his future.

Shi Muhuan then asked, “What did Shen Ziming say?”

Colonel Shen replied, “I won’t deny that Ziming likes your sister quite a bit, but compared to his parents, he values us more.”

Shi Muhuan understood at that moment.

Shen Ziming was being stopped by his parents this time.

But as Colonel Shen had said, in Shen Ziming’s heart, his parents were far more important than this ambiguous person he didn’t know well.

Shi Muhuan was disappointed, but he couldn’t blame Shen Ziming.

If roles were reversed, he would also choose his parents. It’s just that now, he felt sorry for his sister.

To prevent his sister from getting hurt, Shi Muhuan emphasized, “If the Shen family doesn’t agree, it’s their loss. Don’t be disheartened. I have plenty of single comrades; next time I’ll find you an even better one.”

Understanding her brother’s concern, Shi Tingyu followed his lead, “Okay, find me a handsome one next time.”

Her tone was light-hearted, showing no sign of the disappointment and sadness from the failed blind date, which temporarily eased Shi Muhuan’s worries.

Back home that evening, when Shi’s parents heard that Shen Ziming hadn’t come, they were furious.

“Why didn’t he inform us? Their family isn’t unreasonable. Couldn’t they just tell us they weren’t interested?”

Without hearing their parents’ complaints, they could tell from their expressions alone how angry they were.

After exchanging glances, the siblings did their best to console their parents, eventually calming them down.

“If Shen Ziming isn’t interested, I’ll ask around the camp tomorrow,” Father Shi said.

He just couldn’t believe that with a daughter as outstanding as theirs, they couldn’t find a good match.

That night, the atmosphere in the Shi household was unusually somber.

The next day, Shi Muhuan was sent back to the camp by his parents, and Shi Tingyu couldn’t stop them.