Chapter 3

Chapter 3: This Girl Is So Delicate Zhou Lixiao knew Jiang Zhenni was beautiful. But he hadn’t expected Jiang Zhenni to look even more delicate and radiant after bathing, her skin so pink and dewy it seemed a pinch would make water bead on it. Her eyes and brows were misted with moisture, hazy and soft, like… a gentle Jiangnan rain wrapped around her. No wonder everyone said southern girls were made of water. It really was true. Zhou Lixiao felt a tickle in his throat. He looked away and cleared it. “If you’re done washing up, put your things down and hurry over to eat.” Jiang Zhenni wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest. She gave an “oh” and followed Zhou Lixiao to put down the washbasin. Then she followed Zhou Lixiao to the mess hall. Jiang Mingyue and Zhou Jingchuan had been waiting there for ages. When they saw Jiang Zhenni walk in with her hair down, wearing a white dress, Jiang Mingyue’s eyes widened in surprise. “You even went to take a bath? Do you know everyone’s been waiting for you?” More than surprise, though, she felt jealous. Jiang Zhenni was so calculating—she’d even taken the time to bathe and change into a pretty dress. Who was she trying to seduce?! Jiang Zhenni looked puzzled. “Everyone? Isn’t it just you and Brother Zhou? If you were hungry, you could’ve eaten first.” Zhou Jingchuan smiled warmly. “It’s all right. There aren’t many people around right now, so you two won’t feel uncomfortable.” This was the mess hall at Zhou Lixiao’s Battalion Headquarters. The soldiers had already eaten and left. The Kitchen Squad had left food in the kitchen. Zhou Lixiao ignored them and went straight to the kitchen to bring out the meal. A few soldiers from the Kitchen Squad were squatting by the doorway, sneaking glances outside. As soon as Zhou Lixiao came in, they hurriedly whispered, “Battalion Commander, is the one in the white dress Sister-in-law? She’s really beautiful.” Zhou Lixiao kicked the soldier in front of him in the backside and glared. “Got nothing to do, have you? Get out there and scrub the pigsty.” In a very good mood, he picked up a basin of food and half a basin of steamed buns from the table and carried them out. Lunch was pretty good today: pork stewed with green beans and vermicelli, with steamed white-flour buns as the staple. After he set the food on the table, Jiang Zhenni was still standing beside it, frowning. Zhou Lixiao followed her gaze. There was a damp mark on the stool. He understood. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the stool. “Sit down.” Jiang Zhenni sat without a second thought. Zhou Jingchuan went to get four sets of bowls and chopsticks. Zhou Lixiao served Jiang Zhenni a large bowl of food first and placed it in front of her. Watching them, Jiang Mingyue felt deeply uncomfortable. It hadn’t been long at all, and Jiang Zhenni already had the man wrapped around her finger, doing whatever she wanted! Her eyes shifted, and she smiled gently. “Battalion Commander Zhou, my sister’s always been a bit delicate. Sorry to trouble you.” Zhou Lixiao glanced at her but said nothing. He liked Jiang Zhenni. He was happy to wait on her hand and foot, as if she were royalty. Jiang Zhenni looked at the large bowl of pork stewed with green beans and vermicelli in front of her and frowned. Zhou Lixiao handed her a bun and noticed. “Don’t like it? Not used to it?” Jiang Mingyue put on an apologetic expression again. “My sister’s been a picky eater since she was little. She doesn’t eat fatty meat.” Jiang Zhenni looked up at Jiang Mingyue. She was really making a show of herself. Without a word, Zhou Lixiao took the bowl and set it in front of himself. He picked up his chopsticks and gently separated the meat: he put the fatty pieces in his own bowl and the lean ones in Jiang Zhenni’s. Once he was done, he pushed the bowl back in front of Jiang Zhenni. “There. Hurry up and eat.” Jiang Zhenni smiled at Zhou Lixiao, her eyes curving. “Thank you.” That smile made Zhou Lixiao’s heart beat faster again. Even the tips of his ears turned red. He quickly ducked his head and began eating in big mouthfuls. Across from them, Jiang Mingyue watched, furious. The two of them had barely spoken, so how had things progressed between them so quickly? She was the female protagonist of the book. Everyone was supposed to revolve around her! But when she saw Zhou Lixiao wolfing down his food, she felt a little better. He really was a country bumpkin, a peasant who’d never seen a proper meal—so unbelievably uncouth. By comparison, Zhou Jingchuan beside her was much more refined. He ate unhurriedly and had the air of a young gentleman. Jiang Mingyue’s mood lifted further. Zhou Lixiao had trained hard all morning and had held out until now to eat. He was so hungry his stomach was practically touching his back. Only after polishing off four buns in one go did he notice that Jiang Zhenni hadn’t even finished half a bun. She was eating a tiny piece of green bean in two bites, chewing each mouthful for ages. Zhou Lixiao glanced at her a few times, then at Jiang Zhenni’s slender waist. No wonder she was so thin. Eating like that, how could she ever put on weight? After the meal, Zhou Lixiao and Zhou Jingchuan had to go to Regimental Headquarters for a meeting. They told Jiang Zhenni and Jiang Mingyue to return to the guesthouse and rest. Once the meeting was over, they would come find them and take them around the area. Zhou Jingchuan was the Regimental Deputy Political Commissar. He was five years older than Zhou Lixiao, but only one rank higher. Jiang Mingyue didn’t understand the details. She only knew Zhou Jingchuan was just thirty and already a deputy political commissar, with a higher rank than Zhou Lixiao. She couldn’t help feeling smug again. “I didn’t expect Zhou Jingchuan to be so young and accomplished. He’s really impressive.” Jiang Zhenni glanced at her. “You’re so pleased with yourself! Next time, keep your mouth shut. If you say something I don’t like again, I’ll slap you.” Jiang Mingyue nearly choked with anger. “What did I say? I was only trying to help you. It was your first time having a meal with a prospective match, and you were so fussy. What would he think?” “People might think you weren’t raised right.” Jiang Zhenni gave her a look. “Wasn’t Mom busy raising you? So it’s only natural I wasn’t raised right, isn’t it?” “You…” “Jiang Zhenni, that’s so ungrateful. Your godmother cares about you so much…” Jiang Zhenni raised a hand and smacked Jiang Mingyue hard across the mouth. “Shut up! If you love acting so much, why not join the circus? You didn’t take in what I just said, did you?” Jiang Mingyue fell silent at once. She was furious, but she didn’t dare make a scene with Jiang Zhenni here. Watching Jiang Zhenni walk away briskly, she stamped her foot, her eyes full of spite. Jiang Zhenni! Just wait until you marry a man whose family is crawling with bloodsuckers. Let’s see how arrogant you are then! … Zhou Lixiao and Zhou Jingchuan headed toward Regimental Headquarters. Zhou Jingchuan looked at Zhou Lixiao, who had a cigarette dangling from his lips but hadn’t lit it. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “You’ve taken a fancy to that girl?” Zhou Lixiao answered with an easygoing “Mm.” Zhou Jingchuan clicked his tongue. “Will your family agree? Besides, haven’t you always hated delicate girls and thought they were a bother?” Zhou Lixiao gave another “Oh,” then said with a faint smile, “Other people’s girls are a bother. When she’s your own, it’s different.” Zhou Jingchuan laughed. “Then after the meeting, let’s go find Old Jiao and get your marriage application approved.” Zhou Lixiao paused, thinking of the way Jiang Zhenni had rolled her eyes. “Probably not. She’s not interested in me.” Zhou Jingchuan looked surprised. “Who could turn down a man from one of Beijing’s residential compounds…” Zhou Lixiao frowned. “Don’t say things like that…” Zhou Jingchuan smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep your background confidential, so everyone won’t give you special treatment.” “But I asked Jiang Mingyue, and they brought all the political vetting forms and paperwork with them this time. Once we stamp them here, they can go get their marriage certificate.” “After they’re married, you can apply for family housing through the Logistics Section.” “I think you could get the marriage certificate first, let them settle in with peace of mind, and then take your time building a relationship.” “Otherwise, if two young women stay at the guesthouse too long, it won’t be good for their reputations…” Zhou Lixiao slowed for a moment, then picked up his pace. “Come on. Let’s find Old Jiao first and get him to approve the marriage application form quickly…”