Hello, Comrade. I'm Here to Marry You!

Just as Xie Huaizheng had predicted.

He had just finished a cigarette when he saw Gu Qingran sauntering over from the distance.

Xie Huaizheng narrowed his eyes. He held the cigarette between his fingers, his thin lips pressing into a line.

Gu Qingran had come up empty-handed again today. She hadn’t found Xie Huaizhen, but she was confident she would find him in the next few days.

She usually went for a stroll in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, specifically timing her walks for when the soldiers were on break after training.

She knew that was usually the only time she could catch a glimpse of Xie Huaizhen.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t run into him in the past few days.

’The Northwest Military Region is just too big, and there are so many people here,’ she thought. ’Looks like I’ll have to try harder.’

’If this really doesn’t work, I might have to trouble Lin Shumo.’

Lin Shumo was a doctor at the military region’s hospital. He could probably help her find him.

’I just don’t know how to explain it to Lin Shumo. To be honest, I’ve always known he likes me.’

’But there’s no way I could be with him, because both of our family backgrounds are just average.’

’Even though Lin Shumo is outstanding and will eventually settle down in a big city...’

’...he’s too easy-going. He’s content with just doing his job well and lacks the drive to climb the ladder. You can see his entire future laid out before him.’

Gu Qingran felt that wasn’t what she was looking for.

’But as long as he doesn’t confess his feelings, I’ll just keep pretending I don’t know.’

’I just hope he won’t get jealous when I ask him about Xie Huaizhen.’

Gu Qingran started walking toward the guesthouse. Just as she was about to reach it, she suddenly felt an icy gaze land on her.

Even in the sweltering heat, a layer of goosebumps rose on her skin.

Gu Qingran couldn’t help but stop in her tracks. She saw a man standing under a nearby tree.

He was tall with long legs and a ramrod-straight posture. A white shirt and black trousers perfectly showcased his flawless physique.

In her past life, Gu Qingran had seen plenty of "pretty boys" online. But those carefully cultivated pop idols paled in comparison to the man before her.

And that was to say nothing of the handsome face beneath his buzz cut. His features were sharp and deep, as if chiseled, carrying a soldier’s heroic aura mixed with a hint of roguish charm.

He then strode toward her on his long legs.

Gu Qingran’s heart hammered in her chest. ’Wait, isn’t this the man who was so close with Su Zhaozhao last night?!’

Last night, Gu Qingran hadn’t gotten a clear look at his face, but that aura, that build... it would be hard to find anyone else who matched it.

The coldness radiating from him, along with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through a person’s soul, terrified Gu Qingran.

Her legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

The man stopped in front of her. "Gu Qingran," he said.

His voice was low and frigid, his gaze as sharp as if he were conducting an interrogation.

Gu Qingran had never encountered anyone with such an overwhelming presence. She felt as if she were being crushed by a boulder, unable to move.

Gu Qingran spoke cautiously, "Comrade, are you looking for me?"

’How does he know my name?’

’Could it be that he thinks I’m special? That he likes me?’

"You came here to find Lin Shumo?"

"Yes," Gu Qingran replied.

"Then why were you staring at Su Zhaozhao?"

Gu Qingran’s face instantly paled. ’He knows?’

’Did he see me staring at Su Zhaozhao last night?’

’But I didn’t see him turn around at all. How on earth did he notice?’

"I... I wasn’t staring at her."

"And you’re clearly not happy with her." Xie Huaizheng leaned in, staring at Gu Qingran. "So, why are you really here?"

’This woman seems so frail, with delicate features. A college student.’

’After checking her identity last night, I still can’t figure out her motive for disliking Su Zhaozhao.’

’Is it because of Lin Shumo?’

’I heard that aside from eating meals with Lin Shumo, she spends the rest of her time on her own.’

’It doesn’t look like she’s interested in Lin Shumo.’

’So her animosity toward Su Zhaozhao is very strange.’

Gu Qingran was scared, but then she thought, ’He’s a soldier, and I haven’t broken any laws. It’s not like he can actually hit me, can he?’

She calmed down slightly. "You... What’s your relationship with her?"

Gu Qingran was suddenly curious. ’If I told this man everything, would he believe me?’

’This man is a soldier; he can definitely find Xie Huaizhen.’

’Su Zhaozhao is so shameless. She’s involved with Xie Huaizhen while also hooking up with this man.’

’I have to expose Su Zhaozhao’s true colors.’

"I’m her husband," Xie Huaizheng said.

At the thought of them getting their marriage certificate just a short while ago, a hint of warmth couldn’t help but soften Xie Huaizheng’s cold eyes.

Gu Qingran had been ready to tell Xie Huaizheng everything, but his words turned her to stone.

"What... you... what did you say? You’re... married?"

’He’s her husband?’

’They’re already married?’

’He’s not Xie Huaizhen! Didn’t Su Zhaozhao come here to marry Xie Huaizhen?’

’Could it be... I misunderstood her...?’

"Yes. Is there a problem?" Xie Huaizheng narrowed his eyes, watching the play of emotions on Gu Qingran’s face.

’Gu Qingran’s reaction is just too strange. There must be some ulterior secret behind this.’

"No, no, it’s nothing! Really, I don’t have anything against her. It’s just... I think my childhood friend might have a thing for her, but I don’t know her very well. When I saw you two together last night, I thought she was cheating on him."

Gu Qingran quickly spun a lie.

Hearing this, Xie Huaizheng sneered. "Lin Shumo? A toad lusting after a swan?"

Gu Qingran froze for a second. ’Lin Shumo is handsome and has a good job. How is he a ’toad’?’

’Besides, judging by the man’s expression, he didn’t seem at all surprised that Lin Shumo liked Su Zhaozhao.’

Gu Qingran found this very strange, but Xie Huaizheng’s next words cut off her train of thought.

"You can go tell Lin Shumo that Zhaozhao and I are officially married. I’ll be sure to send him some wedding candy."

With that, Xie Huaizheng turned and left.

’For now, it seems the suspicion around this Gu Qingran has been lifted.’

’Her surprise and... joy... upon hearing that Su Zhaozhao and I were married didn’t seem feigned.’

’If she’s hostile toward Su Zhaozhao because she likes Lin Shumo and is worried about him...’

’...then everything makes sense.’

’Still, I’ll investigate a little more, just to clear up any lingering doubts.’

Xie Huaizheng had no idea that after he left, Gu Qingran could no longer contain her emotions and burst out laughing.

’What was that all about?’

’So I misunderstood?’

’I thought Su Zhaozhao was here for Xie Huaizhen, but she’s actually with this man.’

’Or maybe this isn’t the same Su Zhaozhao I was thinking of?’

’But I’ve seen pictures of Su Zhaozhao from when she was younger. She’s so beautiful, it’s a face you can’t forget.’

’She’s even more beautiful in person than in the photos.’

’A moment ago, I was about to tell that man that Su Zhaozhao was two-timing him.’

’But after he said he was her husband, I decided against it.’

’If they’re married, doesn’t that mean Xie Huaizhen won’t be with Su Zhaozhao?’

’That means I have a chance!’