Volume One, Chapter 13: How Could I Be Distracted by Her!

For two consecutive days, Shen Qingran did not see Huo Tingxiao. He hadn’t returned to collect his quilt or anything else. When she tidied up her things, she consciously avoided touching them. She didn’t even step into the study, fearing it might cause misunderstandings.

Once she finished organizing, she could finally rest for a while. Over the past two days, she had gathered some information—though scarce, it was quite useful. Jobs in places like the military district canteen or the school were out of the question. She couldn’t even get a foot in the door. There were military wives with more seniority waiting in line.

Her last hope lay in the military district service center. She hadn’t forgotten her important mission during her errands these two days—finding a job and supporting herself. Forget about working as a doctor for now; who would trust her? She had to plan carefully and first find a job to earn money.

With these thoughts, she slung her small bag over her shoulder and stepped out. Soon, she arrived at a bustling street. In 1982, many places still viewed small private vendors with suspicion. But in Ningshi’s military district, they were pioneers, and roadside food stalls were common.

Following the crowd, she queued at a stall selling plum blossom cakes and bought one. The rich aroma wafted toward her. Shen Qingran couldn’t resist and took a bite. The delicate red bean paste slowly melted on her tongue—sweet but not cloying, with a smooth texture.

Eating as she walked toward the service center, she recalled coming here a couple of days ago, only to buy some daily necessities. Today, she was here to inquire about jobs. She noticed a yarn counter nearby where a female clerk, her hair braided, was knitting a sweater.

She approached slowly. “Comrade, do you still have that pink yarn you sold yesterday?”

“The yarn…” The clerk looked up, her smile faltering as she studied Shen Qingran’s face. There was suddenly an ambiguous expression in her eyes.

“Are you Captain Huo’s wife?”

Shen Qingran was momentarily stunned. Was Huo Tingxiao really that well-known? She nodded.

The woman gave her a strange look again. “That yarn is sold out.” Then she lowered her head and resumed knitting, refusing to engage further.

Shen Qingran felt inexplicably uneasy. She tried to strike up a conversation but was met with cold shoulders three times in a row. As she turned to leave, she overheard the knitwear clerk whispering, “She doesn’t look like that kind of person, does she?”

“Appearances can be deceiving. A country girl like her wouldn’t rise without some tricks.”

“Exactly. I heard Captain Huo doesn’t live at home, and now she’s staying in the dormitory. It’s obvious she’s been taken advantage of.”

Listening to these words, Shen Qingran turned to leave but caught a sarcastic remark from nearby women: “With a daughter like that, her parents can’t be saints either.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Having been a doctor in her past life, Shen Qingran had seen all manners of patients and possessed extraordinary patience. She could endure insults aimed at herself, but when they slandered her father and mother, she could not stand it.

Turning sharply, she approached them.

“Did you see it with your own eyes?”

The female clerks looked at her, some with guilt.

“Comrade, you must have misheard.”

Shen Qingran fixed her cold gaze on the woman who spoke most. “Auntie, did you secretly eavesdrop on my parents from under their bed at night?”

The woman’s face flushed crimson. Shen Qingran stepped closer, her eyes piercing.

“Besides, we don’t know each other, do we?”

The woman was utterly mortified—gossiping about strangers she didn’t even know was shameful.

Glancing at the customers nearby, Shen Qingran warned, “I advise you all to think carefully before spreading rumors that my parents are bad people.”

The crowd’s expressions changed. “Forget it, no need to buy. Let’s go. This clerk has a sharp tongue.”

The woman’s face went pale as Shen Qingran walked out. Her shoulders sagged instantly. That was it—the service center was completely off-limits now. She forced a bitter smile and headed out toward the residential compound.

Passing the training grounds, she saw a group of shirtless, muscular soldiers sweating profusely. Their bronze skin gleamed under the sun, radiating raw vitality. No wonder many joked these days about living near the sports institute’s retirement home with their best friends. Seeing this scene every day wasn’t retirement—it was paradise.

Though not prone to lust, Shen Qingran felt a bit better in her mood watching them. The solid muscles, when flexed, had such beautiful texture. She clicked her tongue twice and turned away.

Unbeknownst to her, as she turned, a young soldier shouted to Huo Tingxiao, “Captain, it’s your wife!”

All the soldiers’ eyes immediately focused on the figure outside.

“Wow, sister-in-law is so beautiful!”

“Damn, is she a fairy?”

Huo Tingxiao’s expression darkened. “What are you all staring at? Want me to organize a full inspection for you right now?”

His furious reprimand instantly tensed everyone’s skin.

“Twenty extra laps for all of you. No finishing, no meals!”

His sharp gaze followed the slowly receding figure, his brows knitted tightly. Under the dappled sunlight and shade, his eyes lingered on her slender, dejected silhouette for several minutes.

For some reason, he saw sadness and loneliness in her—was it an act or something truly happened?

“Captain, Commander Song is calling you.”

The sudden voice snapped Huo Tingxiao back to attention. How could he have been distracted by her?

His face darkened like a stormy sky heavy with clouds, oppressive and gloomy.

—

Meanwhile, Shen Qingran reached the entrance of the residential compound just as Chen Hong appeared, carrying a large bag with another slung over her neck.

She hurried over. “Sister-in-law, let me help you.”

Hearing the gentle, clear voice, Chen Hong turned and saw Shen Qingran smiling warmly, reaching out to help.

With her slender arms and legs, was she trying to scam people?

Chen Hong quickly withdrew her hand. “It’s okay, I can manage.”

Shen Qingran caught the genuine disdain in her eyes. It was unmistakable.

She was suddenly speechless. Judging by how heavy the bags looked, Chen Hong probably couldn’t carry them.

“Sister-in-law, then let me take your bag.”

Without hesitation, she swiftly took down the military green cloth bag hanging around Chen Hong’s neck.

Chen Hong suddenly laughed. Being from the northeast, she was straightforward and unpretentious.

Cheerfully, she said, “Thanks a lot.”

Shen Qingran smiled gently, walking quietly beside her without saying a word.

Chen Hong looked at her serene, delicate face and felt a pang of sympathy. This girl was so well-behaved and obedient. Why didn’t that bastard Huo Tingxiao like her?

Thinking of something, Chen Hong’s voice dropped. “Have you heard about the rumors circulating in the compound recently?”