Volume One, Chapter 12: That Damn Fragrance!

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Shen Qingran was momentarily surprised when he spoke like that.
Well, it made sense—she was representing his dignity now.
She nodded, “Understood.”
Huo Tingxiao said no more.
He picked up her suitcase and walked toward the room on the right.
Shen Qingran glanced around the layout: the living room in the center, the kitchen to the left, and two bedrooms with a washroom to the right.
There weren’t many belongings inside, but all the necessary furniture was there.
The overall style was cold and rigid, very much like someone she knew.
At the doorway, she saw Huo Tingxiao rolling up the bedding on the bed and putting it into a large woven bag.
His sleeves rolled up, the defined lines of his arm showed; with a light lift, he hoisted the heavy bag.
“I’ll come by tomorrow to take these.”
Seeing his distant demeanor, Shen Qingran remained silent.
Not living here was just as well—if she had to live with such a cold person, she’d have to stay tense all the time.
When he approached, she quickly stepped aside to let him pass. He placed the bag in the study.
He closed the door, returned to the bedroom, and pulled out two army green quilts from a wooden chest, laying them on the bed.
Then he set the keys on the table.
“I’m going back to the dorm now.”
Listening to the door closing behind him, Shen Qingran sighed deeply.
Finally, she could take a shower.
The sticky discomfort on her chest made her feel extremely uneasy.
She took off the military coat and set it aside.
The stiff garment, like its owner, was all sharp lines and rigidity.
Shen Qingran gathered her thoughts and boiled several kettles of water.
She went to the washroom and enjoyed a relaxing shower.
Afterwards, she found a basin and soaked the military uniform in it.
She looked around and found no detergent.
From her suitcase, she pulled out a bar of sandalwood-scented soap and slowly rubbed it over the clothes, especially on the chest area.
She wondered if Huo Tingxiao would still wear it after she had worn it.
After finally cleaning the entire uniform, Shen Qingran felt her hands tremble.
She stood up, rubbed her sore waist, bent down to carry the basin, and headed outside.
There was too much water for her to carry dry, so she left it outside to drain.
Summer nights had no worry of dew.
Opening the door, the warm summer breeze brought a slight chill.
She hung the clothes on the line and gently tugged them to reduce wrinkles.

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“Shen Qingran?”
Suddenly, a voice came from under the big tree, startling Shen Qingran so much that her face changed; she stepped back half a pace and quietly muttered refined Mandarin.
Huo Tingxiao noticed her fright and stepped two paces into the light.
Under the moonlight, she wore a simple camisole and loose shorts, her slender white arms and long legs swaying, unsettling the heart.
Perhaps because she had just showered, her cheeks were faintly flushed.
Her damp hair clung to the snow-white skin of her neck, water droplets sliding gently down into the hollows between.
Sensing his gaze, Shen Qingran grew slightly embarrassed.
Such attire was perfectly normal in modern times, but in this era, standing in the courtyard at night dressed like this was somewhat inappropriate.
She lifted her eyes and pointed to the clothes hanging on the line.
“I’m drying clothes. Why are you back so soon?”
Huo Tingxiao’s eyes darkened; his voice remained cold. “Came back to get some things.”
Seeing his unflinching gaze, Shen Qingran instinctively slipped back into the room.
Huo Tingxiao grabbed some documents from the study and glanced at the closed door next to it.
He quickly walked out.
He looked at the dripping wet uniform hanging on the line.
He went over and twisted it; the scent of sandalwood, jasmine, and citrus fruits wafted faintly to his nose.
This familiar fragrance sparked a memory.
Suddenly, his ears flushed red.
He composed himself, picked up the clothes, and walked into the darkness.
Not far away, Zhao Cuifang saw Huo Tingxiao carrying something out of the courtyard.
She grumbled, blaming Huo Tingxiao for marrying a country bumpkin, causing her to be scolded by Old Kong.
“If you’re fine, just go back to your hometown.”
Hometown?
No way—she had no intention of going to the countryside.
Feeling stifled, she had come out for a stroll and didn’t expect to witness this scene.
Zhao Cuifang muttered a few words. Why wasn’t he staying home at night, living in the dorm instead?
Her interest piqued, she stood at Huo Tingxiao’s doorstep, peering inside.
Such a wasteful woman, the lights blazing so bright as if they were free.
She looked again at the silhouette reflected on the window and cursed quietly once more.
Shen Qingran was unaware that someone was so bored late at night.
She rubbed out her clothes and went to bed.
Meanwhile, Huo Tingxiao returned to the dorm.
He hung the soaking wet uniform on the modest clothes rack.
Yet that unique fragrance quietly filled the entire dorm like an elusive mist.

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The scent wafted delicately through the air, making Huo Tingxiao flush all over.
He suddenly stood up with a snap.
Grabbing the uniform, he headed to the laundry room.
Just then, Song Chuxiao was coming back from outside.
Looking down, he saw the dripping clothes. “Where are you taking those wet clothes?”
Huo Tingxiao’s voice was cold, “To wash them again.”
“Why?” Song Chuxiao leaned in to smell.
“They smell good. That’s a special scent. Did your wife wash them?”
Huo Tingxiao shot him a cold glance, annoyed, “If you’re so bored, go run laps.”
Song Chuxiao chuckled at his simmering resentment, “I’m not bored. My little fish is waiting for me at home. You can stay here washing clothes!”
The soap in Huo Tingxiao’s hand slipped down with a swish.
He didn’t know what that woman had used, but after washing it three times, it finally felt a bit better.
With a serious face, he walked back to the dorm. The fragrance hit him again as he opened the door.
Huo Tingxiao slammed the door shut and headed to the training ground.
Late at night, many young soldiers watching felt ashamed. The regiment commander was so diligent, training and running laps even at night.
No wonder he was so strong!
Look at that dedication and execution.
The next day.
As dawn broke, the hazy morning light spilled in from the east.
Outside Huo Tingxiao’s small courtyard, a figure prowled stealthily.
“Zhao Cuifang, what are you wandering around the regiment commander’s door so early for? Looking to pick a fight with his little wife?”
Chen Hong’s sharp retort made Zhao Cuifang’s face darken; she stiffened her neck.
“I’m just out for a morning walk. What’s it to you?”
“This road belongs to your family?”
Chen Hong snorted lightly. This person surely had no good intentions.
Zhao Cuifang ran toward the dormitory side and saw Huo Tingxiao come out; she couldn’t hide her smile.
It was as if she had uncovered a secret.
On her way back, she strutted like a victorious rooster.
Now, she was determined to disgrace that country bumpkin!
And just wait to see how blind Huo Tingxiao would be to remain so arrogant!
Better yet, she hoped the leadership would discipline him!