Chapter 146: Her Man, Truly Handsome

"Oh, Teacher Xia, off work already? Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry? Going to see your Battalion Commander Lin? Well, I suppose you have to keep a close watch on a man who goes straying, don't you?"

Xia Yan turned her head to see Qian Yuxiang standing there, cracking sunflower seeds, the ground at her feet littered with shells.

Xia Yan, who had been in a great mood, immediately turned cold. "Qian Yuxiang, don't push your luck. Don't think I don't know you were the one who spread those rumors about the letter. Everything has been cleared up now, yet you still won't let it go. If you say one more word, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Humph, impolite? What? You dare hit me?" Qian Yuxiang shoved the remaining seeds into her pocket and walked over with an arrogant air.

*Smack!*

A crisp sound echoed, and Qian Yuxiang stood stunned, struck dumb by the slap. She hadn't expected Xia Yan to actually dare to lay a hand on her.

Xia Yan brushed off her hands. "That’s the first time I've ever seen someone practically begging for a beating."

"You little bitch, I'll fight you!"

Qian Yuxiang, who had been harboring frustration from home, had nowhere to vent it. Without another word, she lunged at Xia Yan. A crowd of military dependents began to gather.

Hair pulling, stomach kicking—Xia Yan simply let go and wrestled with Qian Yuxiang. However, Qian Yuxiang’s fighting prowess wasn’t even half of Liu Xiuying’s; in just a few moves, she was knocked to the ground by Xia Yan, disheveled and in a pathetic state.

"Qian Yuxiang, let me tell you this: stay out of my business! Do you hear me? If you can't keep your mouth shut, next time, I'll tear it to shreds!"

Looking at Xia Yan, Qian Yuxiang, having suffered the loss, nodded instinctively.

Zhu Yan watched from the side, feeling fortunate that she hadn't gotten into a fight with Xia Yan earlier; she truly was no match for this girl. "I never expected that someone who looks so gentle and frail could fight so well."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"By the way, what was that about a man 'straying' that she mentioned?"

"It’s a long story. I'll tell you over dinner tonight."

That evening, Xia Yan prepared several dishes and recounted everything that had happened recently to Zhu Yan.

"What? That person is this bold?" Zhu Yan was shocked, never imagining that someone would dare to target a military dependent right on the base.

"Who’s to say? But fortunately, Lin You arrived in time..."

As she spoke, Lin You returned home. "Doctor Zhu, when did you get back?"

Seeing Lin You again, Zhu Yan was more composed than before. "This afternoon, with the cultural troupe."

"How is your hand healing?" Lin You took off his military overcoat, hung it on the hook behind the door, and rolled up his sleeves to wash his hands.

Zhu Yan lifted her bandaged hand. "The bone was broken; it will take time to recover."

"As long as you're okay, that's what matters."

After washing his hands, Lin You walked to the dining table. Seeing the spread, he said softly to Xia Yan, "You’ve worked hard preparing all this food."

"You’re the one who worked hard all day. Sit down and eat. Zhu Yan and I were just talking about the situation with Huang Qiang."

Watching the affectionate couple, Zhu Yan felt an indescribable sense of envy. Even the food she ate tasted sour.

"You two really don't treat me like an outsider, do you? Don't you know what it means to be cruel to a broken heart? Especially since I’m a patient—you have no consideration for my feelings at all!" Zhu Yan finally couldn't help but grumble.

"You will find your own happiness."

"Happiness?" Zhu Yan thought of the marriage her family had arranged for her and shook her head helplessly. Where, exactly, was her happiness?

...

The commendation ceremony was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. It was an annual event at the base. A large stage was already being erected on the parade ground, and the performers from the cultural troupe were busy rehearsing.

Lin Ling couldn't even go home without practicing her vocal exercises.

"Auntie, you’re making all that racket every day; you’re disturbing my homework." Lin Hongzhuo, chewing on a large apple, ran into the yard to complain.

"What would you know, kid? This is called warming up the voice!"

"It doesn't sound good," Lin Hongzhuo took a big bite of the apple. "It’s not as good as Mom’s singing."

"Yes, yes, your mom is the best at everything." Lin Ling said with a smile. Deep down, she truly admired her sister-in-law... she hoped that one day, she could become as capable as her.

Days flew by, and soon the commendation ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Lin Hongzhuo was urging them at home early, excited. "Mom, brother, hurry up! If we go late, we won't be able to get good seats."

"You guys go ahead first; Mom still has to feed the pigs." Xia Yan smiled. If Lin You’s name hadn't been on the commendation list today, she might not have even gone.

"Mom, you have to be quick then. Brother, let's go."

"You go first, I'll help Mom feed the pigs." Lin Hongzhe, being very sensible, helped Xia Yan carry the bucket of pig feed toward the back of the yard.

Seeing this, Lin Hongzhuo couldn't just leave either. "I’ll help Mom too!"

By the time they reached the parade ground, it was already packed. Xia Yan had to take the three children to the very back.

From a distance, she saw the soldiers in the front row wearing large red silk flowers, sitting with their backs straight, as if carved from a mold. Looking at them, Xia Yan was reminded of the time she had the privilege of attending a military parade in person—it was a feeling that made one’s blood boil.

Only the soldiers of China could achieve such a presence!

However, among those figures, Xia Yan didn't see Lin You. Just as she was wondering where he was, she heard Lin Hongzhuo shouting excitedly beside her.

"Mom, look! It's Dad! It's Dad!"

"Keep your voice down." Xia Yan stopped him. This was, after all, a formal ceremony; everyone present was a soldier or a dependent, and it was a place of discipline.

Lin Hongzhuo said "oh" and covered his mouth, but he continued to point toward Lin You’s direction.

Xia Yan followed the little boy’s finger. Sure enough, among the sea of military green, she found Lin You. A soldier was currently pinning a large red flower onto him. At that moment, Lin You seemed like a shining star in the crowd, dazzlingly bright.

For a moment, Xia Yan was mesmerized. There was no helping it; in his military uniform, adorned with that large red flower, Lin You was truly handsome.

With the red flower pinned on, Lin You sat in the front row, half a head taller than those around him. In terms of both temperament and appearance, he was simply the best!

Xia Yan noticed that behind the red curtain on the stage, some of the female performers were stealing glances at Lin You, their eyes filled with admiration.

She didn't feel jealous; instead, she felt proud. After all, who doesn't love a hero? Which young maiden could resist the charm of such an outstanding man?

Xia Yan withdrew her gaze, smiling to herself. This exceptional man was her husband!

At that moment, Wang Baoguo’s voice came from behind her: "Sister-in-law, so you're here! I've been looking for you for ages!"