Volume 1, Chapter 11: Fulfilling One's Duty

Huo Tingxiao noticed Xiao Sun standing there frozen and asked in a stern tone, "Is there a problem?"

Xiao Sun shook his head hurriedly. "No, Regiment Commander, I'll take your things to the dormitory right away."

In the ensuing heavy silence, Shen Qingran spoke up. "Comrade Xiao Sun, sorry for all the trouble on this trip. I'll treat you to a meal later."

Sun Feng immediately smiled. "That's fine, sister-in-law. I'll go drop off the commander's things first, see you next time."

Although he didn't know what the commander was thinking, obeying orders was his duty. The vehicle gradually drove away, kicking up a light trail of dust.

"Go on in." Huo Tingxiao bent down to pick up her luggage and the other bag, heading toward the family quarters.

Shen Qingran said nothing, knowing full well why he was acting this way. It was nothing more than a fear that she might try to crawl into his bed. A trace of grievance welled up in her heart—not because he wasn't living at home, but because being misunderstood was truly difficult, and any attempt at explanation felt utterly futile.

She followed behind him with small steps. A tall, handsome man followed by a petite, beautiful woman in a military uniform naturally drew frequent sideways glances. Many of the older women and young wives in the compound craned their necks to look.

After walking for a distance, Shen Qingran was already drenched in sweat. In the sweltering heat of summer, she felt as if she were being steamed alive. Finally, they reached a small courtyard, and Huo Tingxiao stopped. He pushed open the fence and walked inside.

He turned back as if to say something to her, but stopped. Her naturally fair skin seemed to glow as if bathed in milk; the oversized military green jacket she wore rose and fell with her breathing, and the calves exposed beneath the hem were straight and slender. Realizing where his gaze had wandered, he immediately looked away and strode into the house.

Shen Qingran didn't follow. Seeing a stone bench, she sat down to rest for a moment and take in the layout of the place. Suddenly, a strange, jarring voice rang in her ears.

"Oh my, so you're the country girl that little Huo married?" A pair of eyes scanned Shen Qingran up and down. "In the middle of summer, wearing a man's military uniform—what kind of look is that? A man's uniform shouldn't be worn so carelessly; it ruins it. Little Huo really is clueless."

Her voice was so loud that it naturally drew a crowd of onlookers.

The more senior military wives in the compound knew the history. Huo Tingxiao had once rejected Zhao Cuifang’s daughter. That girl had made such a scene, threatening to end her life, that she eventually ruined her own reputation and hastily married a laborer. Zhao Cuifang had been harboring a grudge ever since.

When she heard two days ago that Huo Tingxiao had married a woman from the countryside, she felt she had finally found her opening. She had all but grabbed a megaphone to broadcast it to everyone, badmouthing Huo Tingxiao for being blind enough to pick a country bumpkin. But when she saw Shen Qingran’s face at the gate today—so beautiful she looked like a fairy descended to earth—she was rendered speechless.

Several people who didn't get along with her couldn't resist making snide remarks. "No wonder Commander Huo hasn't married for so long. Turns out he likes them this pretty; an ordinary person just can't compete."

Stung by these words, Zhao Cuifang charged over, teeth gritted. What was beauty worth if she was just a country woman? She said in an overbearing tone, "What decent woman runs around wearing a man’s clothes? Looks indecent to me. A little seductress."

Shen Qingran glanced at her. Is this woman crazy? She stood up, her tone still restrained. "Auntie, the clothes I'm wearing belong to my husband. My own clothes were soaked by a drink. Should I run around outside in wet clothes instead?"

Zhao Cuifang was choked by the retort—what a sharp-tongued little harlot. She had never been treated like this and immediately started scolding her. "People from the countryside have no manners. Did your family never teach you to respect your elders?"

"Zhao Cuifang, you really have no shame. Since when did you become anyone's elder? Aren't you afraid of biting your own tongue saying that?"

Shen Qingran turned to look at the woman who had spoken up for her—a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a floral blouse and navy trousers, possessing a kind and wholesome face.

"Chen Hong, stop pretending to be a good person. I'm a veteran military wife, how am I not an elder?"

Although Shen Qingran was not the type to argue, this was her first day in the compound. If she showed weakness now, everyone would walk all over her in the future. She nodded earnestly, feigning a teachable attitude. "Auntie, I just arrived today and didn't know there was such a rule. I'll go ask the Political Commissar later how many elders I have in this compound, and I will be sure to visit each and every one of them."

Zhao Cuifang hadn't expected the newcomer to strike back so hard, even threatening to go to the Commissar. She was a cunning one. "Look at that sharp tongue. Today, I'll teach you some manners."

At that moment, a cold, deep voice cut through the air. "Who are you planning to teach manners to?"

Shen Qingran turned to see Huo Tingxiao, his eyes chillingly sharp and filled with an intimidating pressure that made people tremble. It was the aura of authority he had cultivated over years of service. Zhao Cuifang took a few steps back. "L-Little Huo, you're here."

Huo Tingxiao glared at her. "Later, I will invite Regiment Commander Kong to join me in visiting the Political Commissar. Right in front of him, we will clarify exactly how many elders I, Huo Tingxiao, have."

When Zhao Cuifang heard that Huo Tingxiao intended to drag her husband, Old Kong, to the Commissar, she immediately withered. She knew he was absolutely capable of doing it. "That's not what I meant, Little Huo. It's all a misunderstanding. My mouth just runs away from me." She even slapped her own face a few times, then turned to Shen Qingran with a forced smile. "Sister, I was just joking with you. You're broad-minded, don't hold it against me."

Shen Qingran looked at Zhao Cuifang and offered a cold smile. How shameless. What, if she minded, she was narrow-minded? Just as Shen Qingran was about to speak, Huo Tingxiao’s thin lips moved. "In that case, I'll go find Regiment Commander Kong shortly. I hope you, sister-in-law, will be broad-minded and not hold a grudge against me."

Caught in her own trap, Zhao Cuifang was completely deflated. She had no choice but to lower her head and apologize to Shen Qingran, however unwillingly. "I'm sorry, sister!"

Huo Tingxiao gave her a cold glance, then turned and took hold of Shen Qingran’s arm, pulling her toward the house. The onlookers, having seen a good show, naturally dispersed.

Once inside, Huo Tingxiao let go of her hand. Shen Qingran stood to the side, watching him frown with a dark expression. After all, he had helped her. She said sincerely, "Thank you for today. I'll steer clear of her in the future." She would try her best not to cause him any more trouble.

Huo Tingxiao looked at her downcast, submissive appearance, his eyes lingering on her with careful scrutiny. His brow furrowed slightly. He didn't know if she truly meant it or was just putting on a show for him. But none of that mattered. He had simply fulfilled his responsibility.

"No need," he said coldly. "Just act as you normally would."