Chapter 76: Xia Yan Is Angry: Lin You, Do You Think I'm the Kind of Woman Who Would Steal Someone's Man?

“Lily, I’m not really sure who Huo Ting married. You’ll probably have to ask him yourself. I have some things to take care of—why don’t we chat another time?” Xia Yan truly didn’t want to converse with Zhuang Lily any longer.

Although Wang Guilan and Li Yuanchao weren’t the gossiping type, if Zhuang Lily kept talking and someone overheard, rumors would soon spread all over the compound.

“Don’t rush off, An Yan! Let’s talk a little longer. If you didn’t marry Huo Ting, why are you here? Are you here for the countryside assignment too? That can’t be—it’s not like your family would allow it, given how well-off you are.”

Zhuang Lily could clearly sense Xia Yan’s impatience, but she was intent on talking more. Back in the classroom days, Xia Yan had always been aloof, relying on her beauty and her family’s wealth to speak without care for others.

“I’m here as a military spouse. And I don’t go by An Yan anymore—it’s Xia Yan now.”

Xia Yan really didn’t want to waste more words, so she said this directly.

Zhuang Lily was clearly taken aback. She had imagined many possibilities, but never that Xia Yan would be here as a military spouse, let alone that she’d changed her name.

It was then that she noticed Liu Yuanchao standing nearby. “And this is...?”

“No, I’m not. Sister-in-law is the wife of our battalion commander,” Liu Yuanchao hurriedly clarified, waving his hands. What a joke—the battalion commander’s wife wasn’t someone just anyone could claim.

Battalion commander?

Zhuang Lily was surprised to hear that. She’d assumed Liu Yuanchao was Xia Yan’s partner, but with him holding the reins of a horse, it was obvious he was just an ordinary soldier.

In that moment, her mind raced with ways to throw subtle barbs at Xia Yan, but she hadn’t expected the situation to reverse so quickly. Xia Yan’s partner was the battalion commander.

“And which battalion are you from, comrade?” Zhuang Lily asked instinctively.

“The First Battalion,” Liu Yuanchao replied immediately.

“The First Battalion? Commander Lin Youlin?”

After some time on the mountain, Zhuang Lily had become familiar with the compound, especially Lin You, famed as the army’s toughest man. When she first arrived, the unit had even had him give a speech.

That had been her only time seeing Lin You, but just that once, she’d never forgotten him.

She’d assumed Xia Yan’s partner would be someone else, but it turned out to be Lin You. But hadn’t the rumors in the unit said that Dr. Zhu at the infirmary was Lin You’s girlfriend? How could this be...

“Yes, Commander Lin. Sister-in-law, it’s getting late. How about I help load the clay and start hauling it back?” Seeing the position of the sun, Liu Yuanchao suggested. Even though it was chilly on the mountain, hauling soil was hard work, and it got even hotter around noon.

“I’ll go with you. Zhuang Lily, let’s catch up another time,” Xia Yan seized the opportunity to say her goodbyes.

Zhuang Lily was still reeling from the revelation that Xia Yan was Lin You’s partner, and she nodded mechanically, murmuring an “oh.”

They entered the pasture, where Wang Guilan took Xia Yan to see the manager. Upon hearing they were from the family compound collecting clay, he agreed without hesitation and led them over.

When they finished and were on their way out, they didn’t run into Zhuang Lily again.

On the way back, Xia Yan felt fortunate to have run into Liu Yuanchao. Without him, she and Wang Guilan would have had no idea how many trips it would take to haul all that clay to the compound.

Liu Yuanchao pulled the cart from the front, Xia Yan pushed from behind, and Wang Guilan led the horse, allowing two children to ride atop.

At home, Xia Yan hurried to open the courtyard gate. The cart just barely fit through, and she dumped the clay into a corner of the yard.

She ran inside to fetch a large enamel mug, filled it full of water, and even added a spoonful of sugar. When she came back out, she saw Liu Yuanchao sweating profusely. “Comrade Liu, you’ve worked hard. Have some water.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.” He was parched and didn’t stand on ceremony.

He took the mug and drank deeply. After a cup of sweet water, he couldn’t help but burp. “This sugar water’s really sweet.”

Seeing him so satisfied, Xia Yan felt a bit embarrassed. “Comrade Liu, when your commander comes back, come over for a meal. I’ll cook something nice for you.”

Liu Yuanchao wiped his brow, his eyes lighting up with joy as he looked at Xia Yan. “Sister-in-law, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. I’ve wanted to try your cooking for ages. You have no idea—Li Guoxiang hasn’t stopped bragging at the company about the last two meals he had here.”

“Uh...” Xia Yan didn’t know how to respond. She could cook well enough, but there was no need to exaggerate like that.

As they spoke, Wang Guilan approached, carrying a wooden mold. “Xia, this is for you. You’ll need this to shape the clay bricks for your kang stove.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wang. I’ll need your help when the time comes.”

“No need to be so polite.”

That evening, as usual, Xia Yan called Lin You. Her heart was uneasy, hoping for some good news.

Lin You had just returned to the hospital. The nurse at the front desk called him to the ward. “Commander Lin, you two are truly enviable—calling each other every day without fail.”

Lin You smiled, sweetness blooming in his heart. He didn’t know when it had started, but he now looked forward to nightfall, just to hear her call.

Xia Yan told him in detail about their day hauling clay from the pasture, talking on and on.

“In the future, wait for me to come back before you do that kind of heavy work. If it hadn’t been for Xiao Liu today, who knows how many trips you and Aunt Wang would’ve made.”

“I know. That’s why when you come back, I’m planning to invite Xiao Liu to dinner.”

Lin You paused. “Xia Yan, I went to see the commissar and the commander. They said...”

“What did they say?” Xia Yan tensed.

Lin You hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was near before speaking. “Xia Yan, have you really thought it through about Huo Ting?”

“Huo Ting? Didn’t I tell you the other night? I was young and foolish then...” Xia Yan trailed off, suddenly guessing his meaning. “Is this marriage application being held up because of that? Huo Ting is already engaged to An Xin now. I have nothing to do with him.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me about your suicide attempt? Was that also because you were young and didn’t know better?” Lin You’s voice carried a trace of accusation.

“Suicide...” Xia Yan was at a loss for words. How could she have known the original Xia Yan was so lovesick as to attempt suicide? “It was indeed because I was immature. Lin You, the person I am now is not the person I used to be.”

“I know... That’s why I assured the two leaders myself, but they don’t believe me. They say you tried to kill yourself for another man. If I’m ever away on a mission, who knows what you’ll do at home—”

“Or what? Steal someone’s man? Lin You, do you really think I’m that kind of woman?”