Chapter 228: Don’t You Have a Childhood Betrothed?

Xie Huaizheng was very pleased with Su Zhaozhao’s arrangement.

At least, she hadn’t left the skincare set behind.

But at the same time, Xie Huaizheng knew he also needed to get Su Zhaozhao more things.

But here in West State, the shops had such a limited selection, with nothing new or exciting to offer.

So, he had to ask someone to bring things over from Beijing or Hong Kong.

He was so fond of Su Zhaozhao that he wished he could give her every good thing in the world.

’Only by cherishing her and providing for her completely can it truly be called love.’

"Zhaozhao, you should get some good rest. I need to head to the base to report to my superior officer."

Su Zhaozhao nodded. "Go ahead."

She was indeed quite tired. Although she had slept a lot on the train, that narrow bunk was nothing compared to this soft, large bed.

Furthermore, she could go lie down in her space.

After Xie Huaizheng left, Su Zhaozhao entered her space, lay down on her own soft and comfortable bed, and let out a contented sigh.

She closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.

Meanwhile, Xie Huaizheng went to the base first and reported the details of his mission to Li Jian Country.

Li Jian Country nodded and said to him, "Don’t go to any trouble tonight. Come over to my place for dinner."

"I wouldn’t want to impose," Xie Huaizheng said.

"What do you mean, trouble? Huai Zheng, I still have to thank your wife! Wei Chuan... he’s been much more cheerful recently."

Xie Huaizheng froze. ’Su Zhaozhao only treated him for such a short while. How could he have changed so much?’

"I heard from Tian Tian that Zhaozhao gave him an assignment before she left, telling him he had to talk to his family every day. As he kept talking, he started talking more and more. At first, he only chatted with Tian Tian. Later, he started talking more to my wife. Now, he can even chat with me for a bit each day."

As Li Jian Country spoke of this, a blissful smile spread across his face.

A man in his forties or fifties, yet at this moment, his eyes were actually turning a little red.

Xie Huaizheng was also deeply moved.

He had practically watched Li Weichuan grow up, especially since coming here these past few years. He would occasionally go to Li Jian Country’s home for dinner, but he basically never ran into Li Weichuan.

Even when they did run into each other, they would only exchange a brief glance and nothing more.

Xie Huaizheng knew back then that Li Weichuan’s psychological problems were quite severe. He could actually understand him well; after all, his own mental state wasn’t entirely healthy either, just not as severe as Li Weichuan’s.

Now, seeing Li Weichuan getting better, he was deeply touched.

"Alright then. When I get back, I’ll let Zhaozhao know."

"Go on. No matter what, please tell her she must grace us with her presence."

Li Jian Country had long been waiting for this day. As soon as he found out Xie Huaizheng was coming back today, he immediately had his wife go buy plenty of groceries to prepare a lavish feast.

Whether Xie Huaizheng and Su Zhaozhao agreed or not, he was determined to host this dinner.

He thought back to all the top psychologists he had consulted over the years; none had been as effective as Su Zhaozhao.

Thus, Li Jian Country was immensely grateful to Su Zhaozhao.

Xie Huaizheng chatted with Li Jian Country for a while longer before leaving.

At this time, on the training grounds, many soldiers were training. The scorching sun beat down, and you could smell the searing heat in the air.

West State and Jiang City felt like two different worlds.

It was now autumn, and while the weather was generally cooler, the midday sun was still oppressively hot and humid.

Nearby, soldiers who had finished their training were taking a short rest.

As Xie Huaizheng passed by, he glanced over and, as luck would have it, happened to see Xie Huaizhen.

In that instant, the thought that he wasn’t Su Zhaozhao’s fiancé flashed through his mind.

And the real one was very likely Xie Huaizhen.

Xie Huaizhen also saw Xie Huaizheng.

After all, the man was quite striking, and since he wasn’t on duty today, he wasn’t in uniform, making him particularly conspicuous as he passed the training grounds.

His comrades next to him clapped him on the shoulder. "Huai Zhen, look, it’s Camp Commander Xie! Your names are really similar, and you’re both pretty handsome. I bet his family background is a lot better than yours, though."

His comrades started to tease him.

That’s right. His comrades had always compared him to Xie Huaizheng, but he never used to mind.

He only wanted to train hard and make a name for himself in the future.

But now, hearing his comrades compare him to Xie Huaizheng, for some reason, Xie Huaizhen couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.

’He thought of Su Zhaozhao. That woman had cruelly abandoned him, only to turn around and marry Xie Huaizheng.’

’And now, here on the base, even these soldiers were comparing him to Xie Huaizheng?’

’He lost to him in every way, from family background to status and position.’

’Even his fiancée, who despised poverty and chased wealth, had ended up with him.’

Granted, after his recent interactions with Su Zhaozhao, Xie Huaizhen felt she wasn’t quite what he’d imagined.

But that didn’t change her cruel nature, which had led her to abandon him.

’How is any of this fair?’

The comrade beside him was still sighing dramatically. "I heard this Camp Commander Xie is about to compete for regiment commander. He’s only three years older than me, but what about me? Still just a grunt. Ugh, comparing yourself to others is just infuriating."

"Don’t worry about it. Our Huai Zhen is no slouch either! He’s already a deputy camp commander."

"It’s still not the same. Huai Zhen has to rely on himself. But Camp Commander Xie... he’s not only incredibly capable, his family background is formidable too."

He hadn’t even finished speaking when Xie Huaizhen shot him a glare, and he immediately fell silent.

Xie Huaizhen found it all incredibly tiresome.

Just then, he saw Xie Huaizheng walking toward them.

Xie Huaizhen wasn’t sure if Xie Huaizheng was coming for them, not until Xie Huaizheng walked right up to him and stopped.

Xie Huaizhen and the few men with him got up from the ground, saluted Xie Huaizheng, and greeted him, "Camp Commander."

Xie Huaizheng nodded. Under the scorching sun, his brow was tightly furrowed as his gaze fell upon Xie Huaizhen.

Many fragments flashed through his mind.

He remembered the first time Su Zhaozhao saw him, her gaze lingering on him for an extra moment.

He had been a little nervous then, completely unaware that he was already falling for her.

He also remembered the pang of jealousy he felt when he later saw Su Zhaozhao interacting with Xie Huaizhen.

All of it felt so real.

But only now did he realize that the other man was most likely Su Zhaozhao’s true fiancé, and he, the impostor, had unintentionally gotten to her first.

He called Xie Huaizhen aside to talk.

"Xie Huaizhen, you’re from Beijing too?" Xie Huaizheng asked. He already knew this, of course, but he wanted to learn more.

Xie Huaizhen nodded. "Yes."

"Do you have a fiancée from a childhood betrothal in Jiang City?"

Xie Huaizhen’s heart tightened when he heard the question. ’Could it be? Does Xie Huaizheng know?’

He hadn’t known how to broach the subject with Xie Huaizheng—the fact that Su Zhaozhao was actually his betrothed, or the awful things she and her family had done.

’But since Xie Huaizheng has brought it up himself, I might as well be honest.’