Chapter 29

Lu Ping noticed Han Zheng’s look of shock and also turned to glance at Su Yue. He immediately covered his mouth and said, “Captain, she looks a bit like Qingqing, doesn’t she?”

Lu Ping’s comment solved the mystery for Han Zheng.

Indeed, this Su Yue did resemble Huo Qingqing, especially around the eyes.

His mind turning, Han Zheng bent down slightly and asked gently, “Comrade, how badly are you hurt? Do you need us to drive you to the hospital?”

Su Yue immediately took a liking to the gentlemanly Han Zheng.

Whether in height, looks, or rank, he was far superior to the man beside her, Fu Mingjun.

“Thank you, Comrade Officer. My leg seems unable to move. I might need some help, but I know everyone’s busy, and I don’t want to hold anyone up.”

Su Nian could tell at a glance that she was putting on an act again.

But this Han Zheng also seemed suspicious. She had initially thought it was just a cliché love-at-first-sight thing, but now it seemed like there was more to it.

She had noticed both Han Zheng and Lu Ping’s reactions when they saw Su Yue.

Could it be…

In her mind, a whole dramatic love-hate saga was already playing out. She hadn’t realized before, but that Yao Xiaojun must have had some serious connections—probably secretly hooked up with some powerful figure.

Otherwise, why would someone like Han Zheng suddenly do a complete 180?

Sure enough, Han Zheng said, “Tingchuan, Lu Ping and I were just here to look around anyway. Why don’t you all head up the mountain while we stay back and take this injured comrade to the hospital?

After you’re done, we can all meet at the private room on the second floor of the state-run restaurant. How does that sound?”

Even Fu Tingchuan could now tell something was off. “No need for all that trouble. This Comrade Su is my nephew’s wife. Her husband is right here. He can take her to the hospital.”

Han Zheng didn’t respond directly. Instead, he looked to Su Yue for her opinion.

Su Yue glanced fearfully at Fu Mingjun, then turned her head toward Han Zheng with a pleading expression. “My husband… he twisted his ankle too just now. I don’t think he’s in any condition to help…”

Han Zheng got the message.

“In that case, let Comrade Fu’s nephew rest. This comrade’s leg seems seriously injured—it might be too late for proper treatment if we delay. Commander Ji, what do you think?”

Ji Pingshan couldn’t reasonably refuse.

“In that case, I’ll have to trouble Captain Han and Captain Lu. You’ve come such a long way and even have to help out—really, we owe you. Tingchuan, you must thank them properly!”

Although Fu Tingchuan was displeased, he couldn’t show it. After all, Han Zheng’s commander was right there.

If his superior had no issue with it, what could a small-time regimental commander like him say?

“Mingjun, go have your ankle looked at at the clinic. Huo Chen, help him out. Call your father later—he’s worried about how you’re doing.”

Fu Tingchuan was hinting that Fu Mingjun should ask his father to investigate the situation. But clearly, Fu Mingjun didn’t get it.

Completely…

Huo Chen had grown up in Beijing, and he definitely knew Han Zheng. But he had never liked him, so he didn’t even greet him—just pulled Fu Mingjun away.

The middle-aged man standing beside Ji Pingshan remarked with amusement:

“Ha! Huo Lao’s grandson still has that temper—exactly like his grandfather. But he seems to be doing okay out here. I’ll mention it when I go visit Huo Lao.”

Ji Pingshan chuckled along.

“Exactly. He’s been here a while and hasn’t gone anywhere or said anything.”

Su Nian was snapping photos while feeling shocked. All these people were spoiled young masters from powerful Beijing families—not to be trifled with. Thankfully, she’d kept her head down and stayed out of trouble.

She glanced at Su Yue, who had cried her eyes red. Hadn’t she offended Huo Chen before?

Han Zheng personally helped Su Yue away, completely disregarding propriety between men and women. Was he doing it on purpose? Could it be that Su Yue’s identity was something Han Zheng couldn’t afford to offend—or wanted to curry favor with?

Maybe she should have Su Daqiang look into it.

After all, she and Su Yue were enemies. Best to know one’s opponent thoroughly.

She hadn’t expected the plot to derail so much, yet the male and female leads of the original novel still managed to meet ahead of schedule. It looked like things were still moving in that original direction—but she couldn’t remember exactly how that plot was supposed to unfold.

Maybe Fu Mingjun was about to be dumped.

After all, Su Yue’s scheming perfectly aligned with Han Zheng’s ambition.

The little episode passed quickly. Everyone tacitly resumed their hike up the mountain without mentioning what had just happened, and Su Nian played along, continuing her photography.

By the time they came back down, it was already dark.

In Heilongjiang, night fell earlier.

As they were getting in the car, Fu Tingchuan told Su Nian to sit in the front passenger seat. “Didn’t you say you had other errands to run? Let’s handle those first before going to the restaurant—places will be closed otherwise.”

Su Nian genuinely appreciated Fu Tingchuan’s thoughtfulness.

Who could resist a handsome, protective, slightly jealous man? Especially one this good-looking?

What Su Nian didn’t know was that the moment she sat in the car, Fu Tingchuan’s expression darkened. He clenched his fists and silently cursed Ji Lin—how dare he make his wife do errands?

If Ji weren’t Ji Pingshan’s nephew, he would’ve already “exchanged views” with him.

He couldn’t even bear to trouble her.

As soon as he opened the door, he forced a grin. “Wife, are you comfy? I specially asked a local to make a goose-feather cushion so you wouldn’t feel sore.”

His eager-for-praise look made Su Nian burst into laughter.

“Alright, alright, Comrade Fu, you’re so thoughtful. Marrying you was truly the best decision of my life. Good thing I listened to my mom. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Fu Tingchuan blushed.

His subtle plea for praise had been seen through—how embarrassing. He fiddled awkwardly with his hair, checked the rearview mirror, wiped the windshield…

“Let’s go!”

Su Nian ended his awkward moment with a smile.

By the time they reached the café, there was only one table of customers left. The place was about to close. Thankfully, Su Nian’s sweet words charmed the owner into staying open and even gifting her a packet of coffee bean seeds.

Su Nian treated the seeds like treasure and carefully tucked them into her bag.

This stuff was gold. She didn’t know how to plant them, but her magical space surely did. With spiritual spring water, she could probably grow a uniquely Chinese variety of coffee.

It might even rival imported brands.

When reform and opening-up hit, she could become the “Coffee Queen” of China—and maybe even bring glory to the country! The very thought made her grin like a fool.

Fu Tingchuan, seeing her so happy, assumed she just liked coffee.

“If you want to drink it, I’ll have some sent over from Yunnan through a comrade. Their stuff’s pretty good.”

Su Nian nodded. “Get me some seeds, too. I want to study the differences between ours and the foreign kinds.”

Fu Tingchuan happily hit the gas pedal—yet another day of being helpful to his wife!

When they arrived at the second-floor private room in the state-run restaurant, Su Nian was surprised to see Su Yue there too. So, she’d already gotten Han Zheng under her thumb?

Not bad at all.

“Su Yue, your injury healed up fast. Your husband cried like you were dying—I was even considering calling your stepmom.”

Han Zheng stepped in front of Su Yue with a sharp look.

“Miss Han, that’s a bit much, isn’t it? Yueyue’s already in such a pitiful state, and as her sister, you don’t care about her injury, but instead say things like that? Rather heartless, don’t you think?”