Chapter 12: The Villain?

Xu Kaifeng was usually unreliable, always wearing a careless, nonchalant expression no matter who he was with. Orphaned, he had grown up in the military. Among a group of rough men gathered together, no one held their tongue. Although Xu Kaifeng had received some education, none of it seemed to have truly sunk in.

Shen Qingyao pondered Xu Kaifeng’s name but found no trace of him for the time being. After dinner, Jiang Yan called Chen Zheng to send Shen Qingyao back.

“There are some things I’ll explain to you when I have time.”

“All right, I’ll wait for your explanation.”

Shen Qingyao didn’t know what Jiang Yan intended to clarify, but she trusted him—an inexplicable trust.

Chen Zheng drove Shen Qingyao away from the military district. Throughout the journey, he kept calling her “sister-in-law” over and over. At first, Shen Qingyao didn’t mind, but as Chen Zheng’s enthusiasm grew, she began to feel awkward.

The whole matter of marrying Jiang Yan had caused countless misunderstandings. What Jiang Yan was thinking now, she hadn’t quite figured out. Yet it seemed he hadn’t ruled out marrying her.

Shen Qingyao chuckled to herself and asked, “Did your squad leader never have someone he liked before?”

Not understanding Jiang Yan was one thing, but it didn’t mean others didn’t know him at all.

After speaking, Shen Qingyao patted Chen Zheng, signaling him to slow down.

“Our squad leader was either in the military or on missions. When would he have time to like someone?” Chen Zheng answered sincerely.

Sister-in-law was here to check on him! That had to be it—otherwise, why would she ask me to drive slower?

Chen Zheng, harboring his little secret, deliberately eased the speed.

Though his words were true, Shen Qingyao felt as if she had boarded a sinking ship.

So Jiang Yan really hadn’t found a suitable person to marry? Was he just settling?

But on second thought, she was also looking to gain something from Jiang Yan.

In a way, they were on equal footing.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. We all recognize you as our sister-in-law. The entire unit can vouch for the squad leader’s integrity!”

Why had it escalated to needing to prove his innocence?

“Actually, that might not be necessary...” Shen Qingyao gave an awkward smile.

The military vehicle wobbled along the mountain road, and Shen Qingyao, prone to motion sickness, nearly tossed up everything she had eaten. Fortunately, they finally arrived.

After getting out, Shen Qingyao rubbed her temples and went upstairs.

Chen Zheng watched Shen Qingyao enter the compound, then stepped on the gas and returned to the military district.

The Shen family’s gate was still open; Shen Dongsheng was sound asleep inside.

Wang Guihua crouched on the floor, wiping bloodstains. She didn’t say a word when she saw Shen Qingyao return.

Shen Qingyao went into her room and closed the door.

After a day of turmoil, a wave of drowsiness swept over her, and she slept for a long time.

When Chen Zheng returned to the unit, he ran into Jiang Yan, who had just finished seeing Jiang Feng.

“Reporting to the regiment commander, the madam has been safely delivered.”

Jiang Yan nodded and was about to leave, but Chen Zheng called out again.

Jiang Yan’s dark eyes fixed on Chen Zheng.

In the military, the ranks were clear. People addressed each other formally in public, but behind closed doors, their bond from shared life-and-death experiences mattered most.

Especially since these men had been reassigned to Xi’an for various reasons, they had become tightly knit.

Chen Zheng put on a mysterious air. “Brother Jiang, sister-in-law asked me if there were any other girls you liked. I covered for you.”

“Why do I need you to cover for me?” Jiang Yan glanced at him.

Chen Zheng stomped anxiously. “Brother Jiang, did you forget Miss Zheng? She’s coming back to Xi’an in a few days and said she’d go wherever you go.”

Of course, Jiang Yan hadn’t forgotten Zheng Manli.

Her grandfather had earned great merit in battle and was considered a founding figure.

The Zheng family was small, with only her as the heir.

To find a suitable son-in-law, the family had searched the military for a long time.

At a cultural performance, Zheng Manli took a liking to Jiang Yan.

Marriages between performers and soldiers were well received.

Thanks to her grandfather’s connections, Zheng Manli had met Jiang Yan a few times privately.

But Jiang Yan had never shown any interest.

Whenever he was with Zheng Manli, not a flicker of feeling stirred in him.

Thinking of her face, Jiang Yan hesitated unusually.

“Once I get the marriage certificate, she should calm down.”

“That’s uncertain, brother. Women’s matters are unpredictable.”

“And that Miss Zheng...” Chen Zheng saw Jiang Yan’s expression darkening and held back his words.

“Reporting to the regiment commander, I’m off to punishment running!”

Jiang Yan didn’t stop him.

Why did Chen Zheng always say things he didn’t want to hear?

Turning away, Jiang Yan changed into his fitness gear and led a group for training.

...

[Host, if you don’t get up soon, you’ll delay Shen Qingye’s story line.]

[What time is it? What time is it?]

Rubbing her eyes, Shen Qingyao sprang out of bed.

The room was pitch dark. She wondered when her room had become so well lightproof.

Opening her eyes, it was only around four or five in the morning.

Gripping her alarm clock, a surge of frustration rose within her.

[Damn it, waking me up at this hour to send me out into the streets?]

[Host, don’t forget, you still need to investigate the false accusation against Shen Qingye.]

[But this early?]

Shen Qingyao felt her mind unraveling.

At this hour, not a single light shone on the streets.

If anything happened, there would be nowhere to turn.

She crept out of her room and quietly found a flashlight in the house.

Before turning it on, she noticed someone stirring on the sofa.

Looking over, she saw Shen Mengyi.

Wrapped in only a blanket, she shivered from the cold.

As Shen Qingyao approached, Shen Mengyi opened her eyes and looked at her.

“What are you doing up so early?”

“Why are you sleeping here?”

“You locked your room yesterday. I came back too late.”

Well, well, the sun must have risen in the west.

Shen Qingyao bluntly asked, “Are you really this kind-hearted?”

[Is Shen Mengyi truly the antagonist? She’s the female lead, but aren’t they supposed to be rivals?]

[Host, people’s hearts are complicated; you need to discern carefully.]

True enough.

“What exactly are you going to do?”

Shen Qingyao picked up half of the blanket from the floor. “I’m heading out for a bit. I’m taking the flashlight, so don’t let Wang Guihua call me a thief later.”

“Thanks for yesterday. Otherwise, Shao Jun might have...” Shen Mengyi’s voice faltered.

“Don’t thank me. I actually preferred how you treated me before.”

Shen Qingyao smiled faintly and strode out with flair.

Shen Mengyi sat on the sofa, biting her back molars.

If she hadn’t extracted Jiang Yan’s true identity from Lu Shaojun yesterday, she wouldn’t be treating Shen Qingyao like this now.

This Shen Qingyao was truly walking on a streak of luck!