Chapter 39

Dong Yao was the hospital director’s daughter. At twenty-four years old, she had spent two years furthering her studies at the military academy before transferring to her father’s hospital for an internship. Female military doctors were already rare, and one as beautiful as her was even more uncommon. However, because of her good looks and solid family background, her standards were naturally higher.

At twenty-four, she was still unmarried—not only because studying medicine had been demanding and time-consuming, but also because, despite meeting many men, few had caught her eye.

There weren’t many suitable candidates in the military. The decent ones were either already taken or married. As time passed, the older she got, the fewer matches she found. That’s why meeting someone who was the right age and also met her standards was so rare.

Just like the man before her—Commander Yan. He had both background and ability. At two years older than her, he was a perfect match. He was also highly competent—his regiment had performed exceptionally well in the recent flood relief effort, earning commendations. It was likely that his position would be further elevated after this.

Rumors in the hospital said that he had nearly lost his life while driving into the disaster zone to rescue people. A man who was so fearless and devoted to his duty—what woman wouldn’t admire that? Dong Yao certainly did. She found him a perfect fit in every aspect, which was why she had developed feelings for him.

She set the meal box down on the table. Having spent years handling surgical instruments and eating at the canteen, she rarely cooked for herself. This was one of the few times she had personally prepared food for a man—her boldest act of pursuit yet. Her cooking skills might be rusty, but she was confident. After all, as the saying goes, “A woman’s pursuit of a man is like a thin veil.”

“Doctor Dong,” Yan Zeyang glanced at her briefly, his voice calm and emotionless. “Take it back. I’ve already eaten.”

The smile on Dong Yao’s face faltered for a brief second. This was the first time she had been rejected so directly by a man. But she wasn’t a naïve seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl anymore.

She tilted her head and observed Yan Zeyang, who was sitting on the hospital bed. His brows were slightly furrowed as he focused on a military strategy book in his hands. He flipped a page, his sharp eyebrows and star-like eyes radiating an air of authority. His lips, neither too thin nor too full, were pressed into a firm line. His entire face was strikingly handsome, with a strong, chiseled profile exuding an air of defiance.

Yes, that unmistakable arrogance of a cadre’s son.

Dong Yao was determined. She hadn’t had many chances to interact with him before because she had been at the military academy. But now, she was stationed at her father’s hospital, and he would only be here for twenty days. She had just five days left to win him over.

So, she didn’t bother beating around the bush. She pulled up a chair and sat by his bedside, speaking frankly:

“Commander Yan, I think we should have a proper conversation and get to know each other better. You already know my name—Dong Yao. I’m Director Dong’s daughter, twenty-four years old, and hold the rank of major.”

“I also know about you. I’ve heard that you’ve been dedicated to military service and that you’re still single. I completely understand—it’s hard for soldiers to find time for personal matters. But since I’m also in the military, I understand this lifestyle. I think we should get to know each other and see if we’re compatible. If you find me suitable, I hope we can develop a relationship beyond mere comradeship…”

Dong Yao had always been straightforward and efficient. If she wanted something or had something to say, she would express it boldly. After all, years in the military had shaped her into someone direct and unafraid to speak her mind.

Yan Zeyang listened to her without the slightest change in expression. His demeanor remained icy, his gaze unwavering as he looked at her. As soon as she finished speaking, he replied in a distant and serious tone:

“Comrade Dong Yao, I have no interest in you. And once again, I’ve already eaten. Please take your food with you.”

Dong Yao’s face stiffened instantly. The wounded commander in front of her had shown absolutely no reaction while she spoke—not even a flicker of emotion. It was clear he had no interest in her at all.

She hadn’t expected this. She never thought he would reject her outright, without hesitation. She had thought at the very least, he would say something like “I’ll think about it.” But instead, he had refused so bluntly, leaving her feeling humiliated.

She had never encountered someone like this before. With a sharp movement, she stood up.

As a female military doctor, she had always been admired in the army. Her background as a cadre’s daughter made her even more esteemed. Now, she had lowered herself to personally bringing him food and making her intentions clear—only to be turned down without the slightest consideration. How could she not be furious?

Standing outside the hospital room, Political Commissar Ye Jianzhou had been listening in for a while. He had hesitated to knock, sensing the tension inside. But seeing Dong Yao’s expression turn darker and her brows nearly knitting together in anger, he decided it was time to step in.

Knocking lightly, he opened the door and smiled in his usual diplomatic manner.

“Commander Yan, how’s your leg doing? I happened to be passing by and picked up some fruit for you.” Then, he turned to Dong Yao and said, “Oh, Doctor Dong, you’re here too?”

Dong Yao took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. “Yes, Political Commissar Ye. Since you’re here, I’ll be heading out then.”

With that, she turned on her heel, her leather shoes clicking against the floor as she stormed out, the hem of her doctor’s coat fluttering behind her.

Ye Jianzhou watched as she left, her face still taut with anger. Then, he turned back to look at Yan Zeyang, who remained seated calmly on the bed, expressionless as ever.

Shaking his head, Ye Jianzhou sighed. There wasn’t much left to guess.

Doctor Dong was an excellent woman—good family, good background, and highly capable. But at the end of the day, she wasn’t the one in his heart.

Liking someone had nothing to do with how outstanding they were.

Glancing again at Yan Zeyang, who looked utterly unfazed, Ye Jianzhou recalled a very different scene—one in which this same man had held Wen Xin in his arms, coaxing her gently, rubbing her arm, his eyes practically melting with warmth.

Where was that man now?

It was clear—Dong Yao never had a chance.

Yan Zeyang had a type. He liked women who were beautiful, sweet, charming, and coquettish—women who would smile at him with bright, starry eyes, who knew how to tease and soothe him.

Ye Jianzhou still remembered that day in the office, the way Yan Zeyang had doted on Wen Xin. The difference in his demeanor now was stark.

Cold as ice.

Political Commissar Ye placed a bag of fruit on a side table, which was already piled high with various nutritional supplements. It was unclear how many visitors had come before, but it seemed that some of the items had already been dealt with.

“How’s the investigation at the train station coming along?” As soon as Ye Jianzhou set the fruit down, Yan Zeyang immediately closed his book and fixed his gaze on him.

Of course. He had probably been waiting for an update all day.

“With such a large crowd at the train station, finding one person is no easy task,” Ye Jianzhou sighed.

“How could she just disappear? Which ticket window did she use? Which carriage did she board? Get the train attendants, the conductors, and all the passengers from that day—track them all down!” Yan Zeyang’s tone grew urgent, his previous calm completely gone.

Ye Jianzhou thought to himself, Does this young master think he can overturn the whole city just to find one person? Not even a criminal investigation gets this much manpower.

Fortunately, he had some contacts among the station inspectors.

“I had someone look into it. Wen Xin bought a ticket to Xianghai—that’s a city in the far south. But she never arrived at Xianghai Station. It seems she got off at a random stop along the way.” Ye Jianzhou had spent days digging into this. If not for the fact that Yan Zeyang was under Commander Yan’s command, he wouldn’t have bothered going to such lengths.

“A train attendant selling food on board remembered her. She said Wen Xin bought quite a lot of snacks but didn’t disembark at Xianghai. Instead, she got off with an elderly couple somewhere in the south. The train was crowded that day, so the attendant doesn’t remember the exact location. But she does recall that Wen Xin was very pretty and, right before getting off, she bought a pack of pastries, saying she wanted to take them home to eat.”

Ye Jianzhou sighed and continued, “That girl is way too reckless. How could she just follow strangers off the train like that? She’s still too young, too naïve, and has no sense of caution. She didn’t even bring an introduction letter with her—where’s she going to stay? What’s she going to eat? Sleep on the streets? If something happens to her, what then? There have been reports of human traffickers targeting young girls on trains, luring them away and selling them as brides in remote villages. You know how beautiful she is—if someone set their sights on her and took her away, the consequences…”

Ye Jianzhou trailed off, feeling genuine concern. He had a daughter himself, and just imagining her in Wen Xin’s situation made his heart clench.

“Find her!” The veins on Yan Zeyang’s temples bulged as he clenched his fist and pounded the bed. “Find her, no matter what!”

“How exactly do you propose we do that? We don’t even know the names of the elderly couple she left with, let alone which city they went to. Where do you expect me to start?”

Before he could finish speaking, a panicked voice erupted from the hospital bed.

“Zeyang! Zeyang, calm down! You can’t get out of bed yet! Do you want to ruin your leg completely? Stay put! Fine, fine! I’ll keep looking, alright? I promise we’ll find her! Don’t worry, Wen Xin isn’t foolish—she may look sweet and innocent, but she knows what she’s doing. But really… why did she leave in the first place?”

…

Wen Xin stepped off the train and arrived at the elderly couple’s home. It was a water town in the south, where the air was thick with humidity, and the stone-paved roads glistened with moisture. It had just rained, leaving behind damp imprints on the ground. On either side of the narrow streets stood traditional courtyard houses, exuding an ancient charm.

Technically, she shouldn’t have called them an “elderly couple.” People of this era had endured too much hardship, making them appear older than they actually were. Though they looked like they were in their sixties, they were only in their fifties. Their youngest son, twenty-two years old, was serving in the military—specifically in the capital’s military district. He was even a squad leader.

Wen Xin clicked her tongue in surprise. Wait… could it be… the same 146th Regiment as Yan Zeyang?

Then again, there were multiple regiments in the capital, and she had never paid much attention to the squad leaders anyway. She had only visited the military base a handful of times and didn’t recall noticing anyone in particular.

But thinking about Yan Zeyang again soured her mood.

In the end, she never even got to say a word to him before he shut her out completely—shut her out by simply stepping through those imposing military gates.

All he had to do was go inside and never look back, and she would never be able to reach him again.

The pain of heartbreak hit her hard. She didn’t dare dwell on those memories; they hurt too much. With reddened eyes, she explained her situation to the elderly couple, though she didn’t tell them the full truth.

She told them that her family had tried to force her into marriage with a fool—a man whose previous wife had been beaten half to death. She had no choice but to run away.

Wen Xin was no fool herself. In this era, there were fewer bad people compared to later times, but caution was still necessary. She had chosen to follow this elderly couple precisely because she had overheard them at the train station telling someone, “Shunzi, you should head back. We’ll send you a telegram once we return. I remember your unit’s name.”

She had listened carefully. Though she had no idea who “Shunzi” was, she caught the mention of the military. That meant these two had just returned from visiting a soldier in their family and were likely heading back home. They wouldn’t be criminals. The old man even carried a military-style bag, and both had kind, honest faces.

People’s appearances reflect their hearts, she thought. She instinctively trusted them.

Stepping off the train, Wen Xin had no choice but to seek their help. Elderly people tended to be more compassionate, and they also thought more carefully about things. Since she was unfamiliar with the area, it was safer to rely on someone she had observed than to blindly seek assistance from strangers.

“Oh, you poor girl! Why didn’t you say something sooner? Don’t worry, don’t worry. It’s a good thing you got off the train with us. You can stay at our place for now,” the old woman assured her. “We’ll just say you’re our distant niece visiting from out of town. Make yourself at home. I’ll have my husband think of a way to help you settle down.”

Since they were lifelong residents of Longcheng, they had friends and relatives all over. Getting an urban residency permit would be difficult, but securing a rural one wouldn’t be too hard. If all else failed, they could even add her to their household registry and take her in as their adopted daughter.