First Night with the Army: The Stoic Big Shot Is Done Pretending

At these words, Su Guilan was completely stunned. Her eyes filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of bewilderment. When she had first learned that her biological daughter had been suffering in the countryside, they hadn’t investigated too thoroughly.

They had only asked Wen Ci if she had gotten married in the countryside.

Wen Ci’s answer had been: No. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

But now...

Wen Ci took Xiao Chuan by the hand and walked over to Jiang Zhenjun. He was sitting on the sofa, his every move exuding the oppressive air of a superior.

"I found him on the side of the road yesterday. He was trafficked to Beijing. It looks like the work of a gang, and it involves the welfare system’s screening process."

With just a few simple sentences from Wen Ci, Jiang Zhenjun understood her purpose for coming.

"I’ll have someone assigned to investigate this case. You..."

He paused, then changed the subject. "Have you been to the hospital to see Jingyuan?"

"I have."

Their conversation felt less like one between a father and daughter, or even a superior and subordinate, and more like two complete strangers, mechanically answering each other’s questions.

Wen Ci fell silent.

A heavy silence descended upon the living room, broken only by the sound of their even breathing.

"Why don’t you stay for lunch?"

After a long moment, it was Jiang Zhenjun who finally broke the silence. He paused before continuing, "Try some of your mother’s cooking."

Su Guilan quickly chimed in, "Ah Ci, is there anything you’d like to eat? I can go to the market in a bit and get the ingredients to make it for you."

Wen Ci refused. "That won’t be necessary."

’She didn’t quite understand Mr. and Mrs. Jiang’s behavior, but she didn’t want to judge them too harshly. After all, this body was related to them by blood.’

"This child needs to come with me to the military base."

Xiao Chuan tensed up instantly. He looked up at Wen Ci and gently tugged on her sleeve. "Can you come with me?"

Wen Ci thought for a moment. She didn’t have anything else to do that afternoon, so she could go with him.

Her eyes curved into a smile. "Okay."

Jiang Zhenjun stood up from the sofa, tucked his briefcase under his arm, and left. Wen Ci and Xiao Chuan followed close behind. It was almost six-thirty in the morning now.

Many women from the family courtyard were gathered outside, chatting.

The bright sunlight made Wen Ci’s palms a little sweaty. She let go of Xiao Chuan’s hand, her expression as gentle as ever. "Stick close to me, okay?"

"Okay," Xiao Chuan nodded softly.

"Minister Jiang, who’s this? She’s so lovely."

The families living in the Beijing Military District Family Courtyard were all those of officers and cadres. Almost every household knew each other, and they had all heard that the Jiang Family’s daughter was especially lovely.

But no one in the compound had ever seen the Jiang Family’s daughter.

Not long ago, they’d heard that the Jiang family and the Huo family had become in-laws.

This made them even more curious about what the Jiang Family’s daughter looked like.

Jiang Zhenjun smiled faintly. "My daughter. She’s back for a family visit."

"Then is that child with her Old Commander Huo’s great-grandchild?"

"No. He’s the child of my daughter’s neighbor from the Northwest Military Region. She brought him to Beijing to see the big city during the holiday." He explained very clearly.

Gossip spread quickly among the women in the family courtyard. If he didn’t explain clearly, who knew what kind of rumors would be flying around in a couple of days.

Halfway there, Wen Ci asked thoughtfully, "Are you tired?"

They had walked from the military base to the family courtyard that morning, and now they were walking back. Wen Ci was worried that all the walking would tire Xiao Chuan out.

Xiao Chuan broke into a smile. "I’m not tired!"

Jiang Zhenjun, walking a few steps ahead, heard Wen Ci’s concern for Xiao Chuan. Staring straight ahead, he asked casually, "When are you and Jingyuan planning to have children?"

He could see that Wen Ci seemed to like children. A key reason for having wives accompany the soldiers was to encourage them to get pregnant quickly and provide heirs for their families.

Wen Ci paused for a moment before answering, "We’ll let nature take its course."