Chapter 9

Maybe it was because the original owner had left such a deep impression on everyone, or what, but few people in the entire compound believed Song Ci could get into college. They’d say things like, “You’re amazing,” but their expressions were full of laughter.

Song Ci was speechless, but she played along, appearing pleased. Not only her, but Li Yannian as well, had been implicated. If she hadn’t been so confident in herself, she’d have suspected she was unwittingly fulfilling the original owner’s fate as cannon fodder. Ever since the original owner publicly apologized to Song Zhen, it was like she’d been deified. The pride she’d once felt as a high school student and her face had vanished, becoming the very reason for ridicule.

For example, she’d overheard several times people saying things like, “Don’t be fooled by her fairy-like looks; you don’t know what she’s like in private,” or “So what if she’s in high school? She just likes to lie behind people’s backs.” Some people would give her an embarrassed smile when they realized she’d heard, while others, fearing she couldn’t hear, would insist she was telling the truth.

Song Zhen, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. With her excellent cooking skills and natural demeanor, she had successfully changed everyone’s perception of her. If she hadn’t come, the original owner would have been a perfectly effective control group, having helped divert a lot of hatred. Of course, these were just her idle thoughts, and she didn’t take them seriously. However, she became increasingly wary of the male and female protagonists. It wasn’t that she had any personal issues with them, but simply worried about being influenced by the plot of the book.

Thinking that after going to college, she would have less and less time to spend with Xiaoshu, she often took Xiaoshu for strolls when she had free time. Whether playing in the mud, kicking shuttlecock, climbing trees and playing hopscotch, she enjoyed it all. After half a month, she almost became the king of the children in the family compound. Every day, a large group of children gathered in the yard, making it very lively. Because of this, Wang Pozi even came to her, complaining that her house was too noisy and often disturbing her to rest.

It turned out that Wang Po would take a short nap every afternoon. Song Ci was not unreasonable. She would welcome the children to play in the morning, but in the afternoon she would let them go play somewhere else. So on June 20th, when Li Yannian came back in the evening, he told her a message saying that Political Commissar Zhang invited them to dinner the day after tomorrow. Song Ci thought for a while before she remembered who Political Commissar Zhang was, so she asked him, “Why did Political Commissar Zhang suddenly invite us to dinner?”

Li Yannian tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth, and then he whispered: “I won first-class merit on my last mission, and the division may want to promote me.”

“Really? Okay, you.” Song Ci said happily.

“This matter has not been finalized yet, so don’t let anything slip.” Li Yannian hurriedly warned.

“I know, and I won’t tell anyone. By the way, you’re the battalion commander now. If you get promoted one level, won’t you become the regimental commander?”

“You’re dreaming. I’m satisfied as the deputy regiment commander. Why do you think the political commissar invited us to dinner? Gu Yiran is going to be promoted too, and he may very well become the regiment commander. We will be real superiors and subordinates in the future. He wants to help us mediate.” Li Yannian said while glancing at Song Ci’s face.

“Why are you looking at me? Honestly, you’re already doing pretty good. You’re only 29, and you’re already deputy group leader. That’s better than a lot of people.”

“I’m only 29, and now you’re not saying I’m an old cow eating young grass?”

“Am I wrong? I am 8 years younger than you, so just be happy.” Song Ci glanced at him and said.

“I’ve been having fun. No, did you agree to go to the Commissar’s house for dinner?”

“I agree.”

“I thought you wouldn’t agree, and I spent the whole way back thinking about how to convince you. I hope you agree, otherwise it will be difficult for me to do this.”

“What if I absolutely must not go?”

“If you don’t want to go, then don’t go. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

“That would be a shame for all the scars on your body!”

“I told you long ago, that’s a military medal.”

“You turned your back?”

“what?”

“Turn your back?”

Li Yannian turned his back obediently.

Song Ci lifted his vest, revealing several centipede-shaped scars. She zeroed in on the scar on his head that had just healed and pressed hard, causing his back to tense up immediately from the pain.

Li Yannian turned around and looked at her with an innocent look on his face.

“I see you’re quite proud, but you didn’t consider that if the wound was deeper, you might die. Have you ever thought about me, Xiaoshu, and my parents?” Song Ci glared at him.

“I’m sorry.” Li Yannian was silent for a while before saying.

“I also want to say sorry to you. I shouldn’t have pressed your wound in anger. You didn’t want to do that.” Song Ci reacted and said that she had acted purely on impulse.

“It doesn’t hurt, not at all.” Li Yannian shook his head quickly.

Seeing Song Ci glaring at him again, he quickly added, “It does hurt a little, but I can bear it.”

“Do you know what to do next?”

“I know, just train hard!” Li Yannian thought for a while and said.

“That’s good to know.” Song Ci said and asked him, “We are going to eat, what should we bring?”

“You don’t need to bring anything. If you want, just go earlier and help Sister Chen.” Li Yannian waved his hand.

On this side, Gu Yiran was also talking to Song Zhen about going to the political commissar’s house for dinner.

“Is Song Ci willing to go?” Song Zhen asked while lying in Gu Yiran’s arms.

“have no idea.”

“I’m just afraid that things will get awkward and it will be embarrassing for everyone.”

“That’s not your fault. Didn’t you say she’s been pretty quiet lately?”

“I hope she’s really changed.” Song Zhen nodded, and after a moment’s hesitation, he asked him, “Didn’t you just get promoted to deputy leader not long ago? Why are you becoming leader again so soon?”

Hearing this, Gu Yiran frowned, “You also think I’m not worthy of being the leader?”

Seeing this, Song Zhen raised an eyebrow and said, “Really? This is not the time to talk to the sisters-in-law. They all said that you were parachuted in or something. Of course I believe in your ability, but I don’t know how to refute them, so I thought of asking.”

“Sorry! My tone was a little off just now. This involves some confidential information that can’t be shared. Just listen to what they say. With time, they’ll understand.” Gu Yiran said, looking at the ceiling. Because of his family connections, he did have more opportunities than others. What did it matter if someone said a few words? One day, he would prove to everyone that he, Gu Yiran, was worthy of all this.

Seeing that he was feeling a little down, Song Zhen quickly changed the subject, saying, “It’s fine if you’re the leader, but why did you let Li Yannian be the deputy leader? Don’t the higher-ups know that you two had a fight?”

“We were just sparring.” Gu Yiran explained.

“He wouldn’t know what Song Ci did before, right? What if he has a problem with you and refuses to cooperate with your work?”

Gu Yiran didn’t worry about this matter. “He won’t. Work is work. There’s nothing going on between Song Ci and me. He’s just suspicious at best.”

“That’s what you said, but you’d better be careful at the beginning.”

“Um.”