Chapter 52: The Drawings

Luo Jiaojiao sat on a stool, happily placing her finished drawings on the table, waiting for Leng Mohan to return. She couldn’t wait to share her creativity and ideas with him, anticipating his praise and approval.

However, time ticked by, and Leng Mohan still hadn’t come back. Luo Jiaojiao began to worry. Remembering her uncollected clothes, she got up and went over to them.

It was already getting dark. Luo Jiaojiao carefully picked up a clothes hanger, but without seeing clearly, she accidentally dropped it.

She looked closely and found that it was Leng Mohan’s military uniform that had fallen, and she was instantly dumbfounded.

She knew Leng Mohan cherished his uniform, and he needed it for tomorrow. Now that it was dirty, would he have another uniform to wear?

Luo Jiaojiao didn’t dare think too much. She quickly grabbed her keys, rushed downstairs to pick up the clothes.

Her heart beat rapidly, as if it would leap out of her throat. She groped in the darkness, searching for the uniform. Finally, she found it; it lay quietly on the ground, covered in dust and mud.

Luo Jiaojiao gently picked up the uniform, her heart aching.

She knew this uniform was extremely significant to Leng Mohan, and now it was soiled because of her carelessness—he had just cleaned it. She felt extremely guilty and self-reproachful, unsure how to face Leng Mohan.

Her adoptive father, Luo Jiahui, was also a soldier, but he was a clerk. Their assigned housing was in a military compound near the military district, but still some distance away.

Luo Jiaojiao also worried about gossip. After all, the military district was mostly men, and her adoptive mother, Lin Li, didn’t like her interacting too much with other men, so she had never been to Luo Jiahui’s workplace.

Besides being unexpectedly lively, the military district was full of the vitality and fierce energy of soldiers.

Holding Leng Mohan’s uniform, Luo Jiaojiao witnessed two young soldiers fighting in an open area, surrounded by a cheering crowd. The crowd was entirely soldiers, all in uniform, standing tall and exuding a majestic military aura.

Luo Jiaojiao watched from afar for a while. Seeing no one intervene, she thought the fight was quite intense. After watching the commotion for a while, she carried the retrieved uniform and prepared to go back.

“Little girl, are you new here?” Just as Luo Jiaojiao was about to leave, bending over to tidy her clothes, a deliberately lowered but undeniably flippant voice came from beside her.

She looked up in surprise. A young soldier in uniform met her gaze. Two others followed behind him.

He had short hair, a handsome face, deep eyes, and a faint, mischievous smile, displaying a roguish charm.

Luo Jiaojiao inexplicably disliked him. She felt nervous and uneasy.

“Yes, I’m new here,” Luo Jiaojiao tried to keep her voice calm, not wanting to show her panic.

“Oh, new here? Then you have to be careful,” the young soldier playfully scared Luo Jiaojiao, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

“The soldiers here are quite fierce. You, a little girl, shouldn’t let them bully you.”

“I’m not afraid!” Luo Jiaojiao puffed out her chest, showing her courage. Although a little scared, she didn’t want to be looked down upon by this soldier.

“My husband is very powerful. He’s a soldier.”

“You have a husband? You’re married?” A hint of surprise flashed in the young soldier’s eyes; he seemed taken aback by the answer.

“Yes, I’m married,” Luo Jiaojiao avoided his gaze, lowering her head to leave.

She didn’t want to interact with him anymore; she just wanted to go home quickly.

Before she could fully look away, a hand reached out, attempting to lift her chin.

Luo Jiaojiao quickly slapped the hand away and took two quick steps back.

Her eyes turned cold. She realized this wasn’t a flirtation but harassment.

She clenched her fists, wanting to fight back. But she knew she couldn’t be impulsive; it would only worsen the situation.

“Please respect me!” Luo Jiaojiao looked coldly at the young soldier. Her voice held anger and defiance.

“I’m married, please don’t act inappropriately towards me!”

The young soldier clearly didn’t expect such a strong reaction. He was stunned, then quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I just found it hard to believe you’re married.”

“My name is Zhou Minglin. My uncle is the regiment commander of the Second Regiment here. I’m currently a company commander in the army, and I aim for higher positions. My family is quite well-off; my parents only have me, we have urban household registration, and my parents both work. We also have a spacious yard. If you’re willing to marry me, all this will be yours.”

Zhou Lin looked at the charming Luo Jiaojiao.

“Whatever you want, I’ll do my best to satisfy you. I can even have my mother buy clothes for you in the city and send them to you—they’ll definitely be more exquisite than what you’re wearing now.” Zhou Lin confidently listed his advantages. He observed that Luo Jiaojiao’s clothing was also quite refined, inferring that her family background was also good.

This further strengthened his belief that his parents would support him marrying Luo Jiaojiao. He completely didn’t believe that Luo Jiaojiao was already married and had a husband.

“Your kindness is better suited for someone else,” Luo Jiaojiao replied calmly, but she knew that if she didn’t refuse clearly, he might continue to pester her.

She decided to make it clear once and for all. “I have a husband, so please direct your attention elsewhere.”

Luo Jiaojiao thought this answer would embarrass Zhou Lin and make him retreat. However, Zhou Lin was like an indefatigable orator, able to speak endlessly even alone.

“You’re really married?” Zhou Lin seemed unconcerned with her answer, continuing to talk to himself. “Is he better than me? I’m just a soldier, maybe I don’t earn much, but my family is wealthy, and I have my uncle’s support. I can give you a better life.”

Zhou Lin looked at Luo Jiaojiao, his eyes full of confidence.

He felt that his family background and abilities were superior to Luo Jiaojiao’s husband, believing he could give her a better life. However, he didn’t realize that this confidence was actually a disregard and misunderstanding of Luo Jiaojiao’s feelings.

Luo Jiaojiao looked at Zhou Lin, finding it somewhat laughable.