“What are you doing here?”

The woman’s gaze swept from Yan Ye to Xu Xiaoyue, her tone laced with disbelief.  

Xu Xiaoyue turned toward the voice. *Talk about a small world.*  

This woman was none other than Sun Ningning—the same one who had fought with her over clothes at the state-run department store. Who would’ve thought they’d cross paths again here? *Truly, enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road.*  

“Sun Ningning, you know her?”

The female performers from the cultural troupe had been watching Yan Ye and Xu Xiaoyue’s interactions with keen interest. Though they didn’t dare question their relationship outright in front of Yan Ye, they now turned to Sun Ningning for answers.  

Sun Ningning shot a quick glance at the two sitting so close together. She distinctly remembered this woman wearing dowdy, countryside-style clothes before—how on earth had she gotten involved with Regimental Commander Yan?  

Had she known they were acquainted, she would never have dared snatch those clothes from Xu Xiaoyue.  

Sun Ningning struggled for words before finally forcing out, “No, I’ve just seen her before.”

The group of women instinctively looked toward Ruan Wei, who sat nearby. Her face remained calm, but the tight grip on her chopsticks betrayed her emotions.  

After all, the Ruan and Yan families had once been considered well-matched.  

Ruan Wei’s feelings for Yan Ye were no secret in the military. Yet now, seeing him so intimate with this unknown woman, she hadn’t even lost her temper. *How strange.*  

Xu Xiaoyue had been starving earlier at the clinic, but now, whether it was because she’d waited too long or not, she only took a few bites before setting down her chopsticks and dabbing her lips with a handkerchief.  

“Done eating?” Yan Ye glanced at her stomach. She’d barely eaten anything—even a kitten had a bigger appetite.  

Xu Xiaoyue nodded and stood up, heading for the restroom.  

Ruan Wei watched her leave, then, as if struck by a thought, followed after her.  

…

Xu Xiaoyue examined herself in the mirror, twisting slightly to check her waistline before puckering her lips to see if any grease remained. She had a bit of a cleanliness obsession—always needing to stay spotless.  

This was the scene Ruan Wei walked in on: a woman whose slim waist (barely wider than two palms) was accentuated by her skirt, her full chest and rounded hips swaying with every slight movement.  

“What’s your relationship with Regimental Commander Yan?” 

Ruan Wei stood beside Xu Xiaoyue, turning the faucet on full blast. She stared at the other woman through the mirror, struggling to suppress her displeasure.  

“Huh? There isn’t any.” Xu Xiaoyue shook her head.  

She could admit that she felt *some* attraction toward Yan Ye—a man who’d saved her twice, with his long legs and striking features. But as of now, there really *was* nothing between them.  

Ruan Wei studied that radiant face, her nails digging into her palms. After a controlled breath, she said, “Really? I thought you two were dating.”  

“You do look well-matched, but…” 

She deliberately trailed off, waiting for Xu Xiaoyue to take the bait.  

But Xu Xiaoyue simply washed her hands in silence, the running water cascading over her palms. Under the light, it was hard to tell whether the lather or her skin was smoother.  

Just as Xu Xiaoyue dried her hands and turned to leave—  

Ruan Wei finally snapped. “The Yan family isn’t so easy to marry into. Even though Regimental Commander Yan’s parents are gone, Aunt Liu would never allow some nobody to waltz right in.”  

*Aunt Liu?* Xu Xiaoyue paused, turning the name over in her mind.  

*Liu* wasn’t a common surname. And with ties to both the *Yan* family and a *Liu*…  

Suddenly, it clicked. There *was* such a character in the novel.  

Yan Shuli’s uncle—the infamous “Demon Yan” from the military.  

In the original story, after discovering that Xu Xiaoyue had been living with the Yan family while flirting around, this uncle had personally thrown her into prison.  

She still remembered the book’s description of him: *stern-faced, ruthless methods, old-school discipline.*  

Just a few words, yet they perfectly captured Yan Ye—a character with limited appearances but an overwhelming presence.  

Xu Xiaoyue shivered. She *never* expected that the terrifying Yan Ye from the book would end up saving her *twice.*  

And to think she’d just been shamelessly touching and grabbing him while sitting on the back of his bike…  

Thankfully, he hadn’t made a big deal out of it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be standing here in one piece.  

Exiting the restroom, Xu Xiaoyue peeked toward their table through the crowd.  

Yan Ye was still talking to Wang Jianhua, posture rigid, his expression unreadable.  

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Xiaoyue headed straight for the counter to settle the bill and leave.  

“Excuse me, could you check how much Table 34 owes?”

She rummaged through her bag, pulling out crumpled bills and coins—*one mao, two jiao*—scattered loose change totaling *four yuan and eighty fen.* She wasn’t even sure if it was enough.  

“Steamed perch, two bowls of rice, braised pork ribs… That’ll be six yuan and thirty fen. Call it six yuan flat.”

The abacus clacked sharply, each *click* like a drumbeat against Xu Xiaoyue’s nerves.  

Hearing the total, her slender fingers clutched the money. She was just about to ask if she could pay later when a *ten-yuan note* slid past her from behind.  

“Table 34. Keep the change.”  

Xu Xiaoyue turned and met the man’s gaze head-on.  

She averted her eyes first, fiddling with her bag strap. “I was supposed to treat you.”  

“Where I’m from, men don’t let women pay.” Yan Ye looked away as he spoke.  

Normally, Xu Xiaoyue would’ve bantered back. But now, knowing *exactly* who stood before her, she was docile as a lamb, wishing she could vanish into the ground.  

“Comrade Yan, here’s your change. Come again soon!” The old cashier swiftly handed back the coins.  

Xu Xiaoyue bit her lip. *So much for treating him—now she owed* him *a favor instead.*  

Her fingers twisted the dangling ribbons of her bag, steadying herself before forcing a casual tone.  

“Comrade Yan, thank you. I really didn’t bring enough today. How about… you give me your address? I’ll mail the money once I get paid next month.”

She kept her head down, not daring to look at his face.  

She *was* scared. Now that she knew his true identity, all she wanted was to run—to avoid repeating the novel’s tragedy, to escape the plot’s grip.  

Yan Ye frowned, his dark eyes fixed on her.  

Suppressing the irritation in his chest, he only said, “No need.”

When he refused, Xu Xiaoyue peeked at his sharp profile, then mumbled, “Then… I’ll go first.”  

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried toward the door, her slender waist swaying as if fleeing a ghost.  

Yan Ye pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, watching her retreating figure. He was *this close* to laughing in sheer disbelief.  

*How impressive. Burn the bridge after crossing it? Use me and toss me aside?* 

Wang Jianhua, busy stuffing his face, looked up when Yan Ye returned alone. “Where did Comrade Xu Xiaoyue go?”