Chapter 4: Do You Want to Come to the Military District with Me?

“Qiqi learned to cook especially for you.”

That sentence echoed in Rong Jingchen’s ears.

“Ack—no, no, that’s not it…” Ye Muqi choked and waved her small hand. “I just enjoy cooking, that’s all.”

Seriously, thank you very much!

That was the original body’s doing—please don’t blame her for it.

“Still know how to get embarrassed, huh.”

Rong Jingchen glanced down at Ye Muqi, who was quietly eating beside him. He hadn’t expected that she would actually learn how to cook just for him.

“Qiqi even burned down the kitchen when she first started. Now she can make a full spread of dishes like this—it’s clear she put in the effort,” said Yin Lan, who definitely had the authority to speak on this.

Half a year ago, her daughter-in-law had burned down their kitchen. She never expected that six months later, the same person would be able to cook such good food!

Since she had learned to cook especially for him, Rong Jingchen picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs.

“It tastes really good.”

That wasn’t just flattery.

Back at the military base, he usually ate whatever was available—just enough to fill his stomach. They didn’t pay much attention to flavor, and sometimes on missions, he even ate bugs raw.

This meal was, without a doubt, the best thing he had eaten all year.

Ye Muqi felt a little proud upon hearing his praise, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

You have good taste. This is seven-star chef level right here!

…

After dinner, Yin Lan took the initiative to help clear the dishes.

“Jingchen, why don’t you and Qiqi go for a walk?”

Her son rarely came home. Now that he finally had some time off, and since Ye Muqi had been busy in the kitchen earlier, they barely had a chance to talk. Plus, with all the elders around, they hadn’t had any private time yet.

“Okay,” Rong Jingchen agreed and withdrew his hands from helping. He turned to Ye Muqi. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

It was time to have a proper talk with this girl.

Ye Muqi: “…”

No escaping what’s coming.

Inside the house, her parents and mother-in-law were all watching her.

“I-I’ll just go to the bathroom and then head out.”

Outside, it was already getting dark. Walking beside Rong Jingchen, Ye Muqi realized that she barely reached his shoulder.

This guy is really tall…

“Let’s go walk by the little park.” After walking aimlessly for a while, Rong Jingchen finally suggested.

“Okay,” Ye Muqi nodded.

They walked toward the small park, both remaining silent.

“Are you feeling better now?” Only once they reached the lake in the park did Rong Jingchen finally speak.

“I’m fine now.”

She was fine—but the original body’s owner was gone.

“Leaving you here while I returned to the base alone… That was careless of me. I apologize,” Rong Jingchen said seriously. “I’m sorry.”

Even though he had been tricked by a young girl, and was initially very angry, figuring he could just let things be since he’d be away at the base most of the year anyway and wouldn’t have to see her.

But when he got the call from Yin Lan saying Ye Muqi had jumped into the river, even Rong Jingchen had been shocked.

Thinking about it, he realized he really had just walked away and left a young girl behind to deal with gossip and ridicule from the neighbors. That was pretty cruel.

“It won’t happen again,” Ye Muqi said gloomily.

Not only had the original body not actually jumped into the river, even she herself had no suicidal tendencies.

“You…” Rong Jingchen hesitated, as if making up his mind, and then asked, “Would you like to come with me to the base?”

Since the paperwork had already been filed and their marriage certificate issued, she was his wife. He couldn’t just continue to neglect her. Maybe it was time to try and build some sort of relationship. And besides, from the time they’d spent together today, things didn’t seem all that bad.

“Come with you… to the base?” Ye Muqi looked at him in surprise.

“Yes. There’s a family housing compound there—you can live in it. You won’t lack anything,” Rong Jingchen explained.

Ye Muqi was completely caught off guard. She never expected Rong Jingchen would want to take her to the base.

After all, based on the original owner’s memories, Rong Jingchen didn’t like her at all. Taking her to the military compound would mean they’d be living together.

“If you’re not willing, that’s okay too.” Under the dim streetlight, Rong Jingchen looked at the girl in front of him. Her big almond eyes sparkled under the warm light, giving her a touch of liveliness.

“I’m willing!” Ye Muqi snapped out of it and nodded.

This era wasn’t as competitive as the future. With her cooking skills, she could definitely make a name for herself—and earn good money.

Although the original owner’s parents were kind, they were the ones who knew the original owner best. Being around them would make it harder to hide her true identity.

But going with Rong Jingchen was a different story. He didn’t really know the original owner and they had no emotional ties. He wouldn’t interfere much in her life.

And besides, the base was in Beijing—far bigger than Bada Town!

“It might be harder in the family housing area. You’ll have to do everything yourself,” Rong Jingchen warned, thinking she might not realize the full implications.

“I know. Self-reliance—I can handle it.” That’s how she had always lived in the modern world.

“…” So she really was full of enthusiasm to follow him, huh.

Rong Jingchen gave a slight nod. “I’ve got 10 days off this time. We’ll go together after that.”

This trip home was mainly to deal with family matters, so he’d applied for a few extra days off.

“Okay.”

“It’s getting late. Let me walk you back.” With the matter settled, Rong Jingchen felt relieved.

She might not be very bright, but at least she listened.

Ring ring—

A loud, piercing bell suddenly rang out—it was the horn of an old-style bicycle, extremely loud.

Ye Muqi looked up just in time to see two figures racing toward them. They were about to crash into them.

Maybe it was the dim lighting or because the couple hadn’t been speaking, but the bikers didn’t notice anyone was in their path.

“Watch out.” A strong arm, radiating warmth, wrapped around Ye Muqi’s waist and pulled her away from the path of the oncoming bicycle.

Ye Muqi fell right into Rong Jingchen’s chest—hard and firm, strong and powerful, giving her a sense of complete security.

“Hey, someone’s there? Sorry, didn’t see you!” The two bicyclists were startled too, but since they hadn’t hit anyone, they just mumbled a quick apology and rode off.

“Whew… that scared me.” Acting on instinct, Ye Muqi’s hand landed on Rong Jingchen’s muscular chest. The muscles beneath her palm were 100% real—not some fake tech-enhanced abs.

This was the result of true military training!

“Thanks,” Ye Muqi quickly steadied herself and withdrew her hand from Rong Jingchen’s chest—realizing she’d basically copped a feel.

“It’s nothing.” Rong Jingchen also let go of her waist.

He walked her back to her building, watching as her figure disappeared up the stairs. His fingers, hanging at his side, slowly rubbed together.

It wasn’t until the light came on in her stairwell that Rong Jingchen finally looked away, put his hands in his pockets, and turned to leave.

Under the night sky, the tips of his ears seemed to turn a little red.

After spending all that time around rough, sweaty men at the base, Rong Jingchen had never really interacted with women. He never realized a girl’s waist could be so slender—so slender he could wrap one hand around it.