Volume 1, Chapter 5: What Kind of Decent Woman Could She Be?

In the courtyard, Mother Shen was rubbing corn kernels off the cob, while Shen Qingran sat nearby eating a cucumber.

"It’s my fault, really. I should have stopped you back then."

"Mom, what are you saying! Don't worry, with me looking like this, are you really afraid I won't have a good life?"

Zhang Hong laughed and pinched the tip of her daughter's nose.

"You're right, you're right. A face and figure like yours, my girl, are impossible to find even if you searched with a lantern. If he doesn't love you in the future, I'll let you use my head as a footstool."

"Men are all the same. Once the lights are out at night, you just need to be a little proactive—they’ll be moved soon enough."

"Unless he’s not interested in women at all, it’s bound to work."

"And once you’ve had seven or eight kids, you’ll have him tied down tight."

"By then, you’ll be an old married couple; love or no love, it will just become a way of life."

Hearing Mother Shen’s bold and uninhibited remarks, Shen Qingran nearly dropped the cucumber from her mouth. To keep her mother happy, she laughed and echoed the sentiment.

"Mom, you’re absolutely right. Men are easy to handle."

Zhang Hong giggled. "Of course. You’re just like me, smart. Later on, I’ll come help you with the kids, and I guarantee you’ll recover so well you’ll look like you never even gave birth."

"Right, right, I’ll make sure he’s completely bewitched."

The mother and daughter were laughing and chatting happily, unaware that Huo Tingxiao, standing outside the gate, had a face as dark as a storm cloud. His black eyes were filled with disdain.

This was typical of her behavior. It seemed that even after returning to the military base, he could not let her live in his home. He had to avoid falling into her traps. Her head was filled with nothing but schemes to snare men. Could she really be a decent woman? All the inexplicable guilt he had felt earlier vanished into thin air. Under the moonlight, Huo Tingxiao’s expression grew even colder.

—

The marriage approval came through quickly. Huo Tingxiao’s leave was short, so he had to return soon. Naturally, Shen Qingran was notified that she would be moving to the military base in three days.

The day of the move arrived. Early in the morning, a military jeep pulled up at the entrance of the village. Many people gathered around the vehicle, looking on with envy, though some muttered sour remarks.

"Oh, what's there to be envious of? It’s not even as good as a regular village engagement! If they really valued her, wouldn't an officer at least provide the 'three rounds and one sound'?"

"Exactly. It’s not even as good as Aunt Yulan’s daughter; she married into the county town and got a bicycle."

Shen Qingran heard these comments as she approached. Her parents’ expressions soured; how could they be happy when their daughter was being treated with such little regard?

Huo Tingxiao, sitting in the car, frowned slightly and stepped out. He saw Shen Qingran standing in the crowd. She was wearing a cream-colored, cinched-waist dress that highlighted a waist so slender it seemed it could be spanned by a single hand. In the sunlight, her already fair skin seemed to glow, as if coated in a soft halo. Her black leather shoes emphasized her delicate ankles.

Their gazes met. Her beautiful eyes lent a touch of purity to her otherwise striking features—they were eyes that could make one's heart ache. Thinking of the words he had overheard, Huo Tingxiao lowered his gaze. "It's time to go."

Shen Qingran bit her lower lip. At that moment, her father led her toward Huo Tingxiao. His voice was slightly hoarse. "Young Huo, Ranran has been pampered since she was a child. If she loses her temper, please teach her patiently, but don't ever raise a hand to her." As he continued, his voice carried a hint of pleading.

Huo Tingxiao pressed his lips into a thin line, glanced at Shen Qingran, and nodded. "Uncle, give the luggage to me."

Mother Shen turned back, touching her daughter’s cheek with reluctance. "Don't mistreat yourself when you get there. If anything happens, send a telegram."

Shen Qingran felt tears welling up in her eyes and reached out to hug her mother. "Mom, once I’m settled, I’ll bring you over to stay for a while."

Her mother’s eyes were red. "All right, I’ll be waiting."

Shen Qingran gently hugged her father. "Dad, I’m leaving."

Her father’s eyes reddened. "Now that you’re someone’s wife, be well-behaved. Don't be as willful as you were at home."

Shen Qingran felt a surge of warmth in her eyes, and her vision blurred with moisture. "Dad, Mom, go back now. I’m going."

Standing on the hillside, watching the car drive away, Shen Zhaoxi gave a faint laugh. *Sister, see you in a while. I hope you have a "wonderful" time at the military compound.*

Shen Qingran sat in the car, staring blankly at the figures growing smaller in the distance. When she lowered her head, Huo Tingxiao noticed the glisten of tears in her eyes. Her slight frame leaned to one side, as if she wished she could melt into the car door.

Just as he was watching her, the car braked sharply. Shen Qingran was thrown forward, instinctively reaching out for something to grab. Before she could find support, an arm with lean, defined muscle and prominent tendons on the back of the hand pulled her back gently.

The sudden proximity left Shen Qingran rigid, her breathing shallow. His rough palm rested against her soft, boneless waist. He was taken aback—her waist was so thin it felt as if it might snap under the slightest pressure. Did she not eat? Because they were so close, a faint, sweet fragrance drifted into his nose. He had pulled her in out of military instinct, never expecting such a situation.

Shen Qingran let out a soft, delicate gasp. Huo Tingxiao, perhaps remembering something, his face darkened instantly. He pushed her away abruptly.

Seeing his stern expression, Shen Qingran shifted to the side and sat upright. Feeling the pressure of his gaze, she sat even straighter, perfectly embodying the phrase "sitting like a bell."

"I'm sorry, Regiment Commander, someone suddenly darted out."

"Sister-in-law, you weren't frightened, were you?"

Shen Qingran smiled. "No, I'm fine."

"I'm glad you weren't scared, sister-in-law."

Huo Tingxiao glanced at Xiao Sun, his voice low. "Just drive the car."

Shen Qingran looked at Huo Tingxiao’s "do not disturb" demeanor; he was like a refrigerator. She knew better than to continue the conversation. The road was bumpy, and she drifted into a light nap, leaning against the window. The sun spilled onto her face, making her skin look like jade. Perhaps the light was too harsh, for she raised her slender, tapering fingers to shade her eyes.

Soon, they reached the county town. The car came to a stop.

"Regiment Commander, we're at the station."

Huo Tingxiao nodded and stepped out with his long legs. Shen Qingran jumped out as well and ran to the back of the car, wanting to unload her luggage herself. She didn't know what her mother had packed, but it was so heavy she couldn't even lift it! Shen Qingran gasped—this was the weight of maternal love! She shook her arms and tried again.

Huo Tingxiao turned around to see her standing behind the car, on her tiptoes, trying to pull the suitcase out. She looked like a clumsy child unable to pull a radish from the ground. He strode over, but before he reached her, Xiao Sun moved from the other side of the car.

"Sister-in-law, let me help you with that."

Shen Qingran had no choice but to resign herself to the help. "Thank you, Comrade Sun, I really appreciate it."

Xiao Sun gave a shy smile. "Don't mention it, sister-in-law. This suitcase is quite heavy; I’ll carry it onto the train for you later."

Shen Qingran was just about to tell him he was a kind soul when she saw Huo Tingxiao’s face, dark as the bottom of a scorched pot. She pouted.

"Xiao Sun, I'll handle it myself."

Xiao Sun seemed to notice something by following her gaze and chuckled. "Then be careful, sister-in-law. This really is very heavy."