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

Just half a month ago, she had taken a trip to a mall in Sea City. She saw televisions for sale in the third-floor appliance section, and they cost a good one or two thousand yuan.

Even if she didn’t eat or drink, it would take her several years to afford one.

But Wen Ci’s family actually had a television.

The living rooms in the family compound apartments were so small that once you put in a table, there was barely any space left. Yet Wen Ci’s home somehow had room for a television. Zhu Jing was so preoccupied with this thought she couldn’t even focus on eating her meal.

"Wen Ci, who on earth is your husband?"

After her shift at the cafeteria, she thought it over carefully. If Wen Ci’s husband wasn’t Xue Li, then he must hold an even higher rank.

As the self-proclaimed ’intelligence’ director of the family compound, she had never heard a peep about any high-ranking leaders getting married.

Before Wen Ci could say a word, a little rascal piped up, "He’s a super, super, super mean uncle! Taller than Dad, and stronger than Dad too."

Listening to the little rascal’s description, Zhu Jing racked her brain. ’Who in the military is young, high-ranking, and looks fierce?’

’The Living Yama?’

His image surfaced in Zhu Jing’s mind.

Everyone in the Northwest Military Region knew the nickname ’Living Yama’. Even the wives in the family compound had heard their husbands complain about the man himself.

But then, Zhu Jing shook her head.

’Although I’ve never interacted with the Living Yama, I’ve seen him from a distance. He doesn’t look fierce at all on the surface; his features are handsome and well-defined.’

The little rascal continued, "The pretty auntie’s house is really, really big! And she has a soft sofa!"

Zhu Jing’s eyes widened even more. In the family compound, it seemed only the living rooms of the two- and three-bedroom apartments were big enough for a sofa. "Come on, Wen Ci, just tell me. I won’t tell a soul."

Wen Ci’s eyes curved into crescents. "My husband is Huo Jingyuan."

’She had never intended to hide her husband’s identity; it was just that Sister Jing and the others had never asked. They’d just mistakenly assumed Xue Li was her husband.’

"Huo Jingyuan?"

Zhu Jing murmured to herself, "That name sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it before?"

Just then, Xiang Qin, Hou Li, and Miao Ling all happened to walk up to the building, kerosene lamps in hand. The Northwest Military Region wasn’t yet developed enough for streetlights.

As soon as it got dark, you needed a kerosene lamp to get around.

"What are you all chatting about?"

Wen Ci said with a smile, "We’re talking about my husband."

"What’s wrong with Captain Xue?"

Hearing this, the smile on Wen Ci’s face widened. ’So everyone thinks Xue Li is my husband,’ she thought, then asked with a laugh, "Why did you all think my husband was Xue Li?"

"Huh? Isn’t Xue Li your husband?"

Wen Ci smiled and shook her head. "Of course not."

"Then who is?"

"Huo Jingyuan."

Xiang Qin and the others were also unfamiliar with the name Huo Jingyuan. They tilted their heads, thinking, "That name does sound a little familiar..."

Seeing that they couldn’t place it, Wen Ci said slowly, "I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of the Living Yama. He’s my husband."

"You... you."

Zhu Jing was so shocked that the bowl in her hands clattered to the ground. All the women wore the exact same dumbfounded expression. After a long moment, they all exclaimed in unison, "Your husband is the Living Yama?!"

"Is it really that shocking?" Wen Ci blinked. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Zhu Jing nodded. "It is."

The Living Yama was the youngest officer in the Northwest Military Region. He had already reached the rank of regiment commander at thirty, with a limitless future ahead of him. At the same time, was there a single husband who hadn’t complained about him?

The Living Yama was a monster of a man.

Now that Wen Ci had explained, they finally understood why Xue Li was the one running around helping her. It was because the Living Yama was too busy and had asked his subordinate to help out.

A few little rascals walked over to Wen Ci and began to plead, "Mama, after we finish dinner, can we go to the pretty lady’s house to watch cartoons?"

Now that they knew Wen Ci’s husband was the Living Yama, Xiang Qin and the others were no longer surprised that she owned a television. After all, a regiment commander was assigned a three-bedroom apartment.

"No."

A little rascal asked, "Why?"

The Northwest Military Region didn’t have a universal power grid. Because of its remote location, electricity was also much more expensive than in the provincial capital, and televisions used a lot of it.

Wen Ci said, "Besides, I get bored at home after work. It would be nice to have the children over to keep me company."

"How about we let them watch for half an hour after dinner, then?"

Any later and it would be completely dark.

-

「In the building next door.」

Jiang Ye heard the cheerful voices from downstairs. Although she couldn’t make out what they were saying, she could hear Wen Ci’s voice, and her fists clenched.

Suddenly, an idea struck Jiang Ye.

’If Wen Ci is out here chatting, doesn’t that mean Huo Jingyuan is all alone in the three-bedroom apartment?’

’This is the perfect chance for me to make my move.’

At this thought, Jiang Ye glanced back at the clothes in her wardrobe. She had been in a rush when she’d snuck away and had only managed to grab a few of her prettiest dresses.

Jiang Ye’s eyes landed on an elegant white dress. She changed into it as quickly as she could. The moment she stepped outside, a chilling gust of wind hit her.

She couldn’t help but shiver.

The temperature in the Northwest Region dropped significantly at night.

Jiang Ye gritted her teeth, forcing herself to endure the biting chill.

’Beauty is my greatest asset, even if my face isn’t quite as pretty as Wen Ci’s. But thanks to the upbringing I received in the Jiang Family, my aura is completely different from hers.’

’Wen Ci is just a country bumpkin.’

After going downstairs, Jiang Ye made a point of taking a detour to avoid being seen by them.

The fiery clouds on the horizon gradually faded. The family compound was not fully occupied, and an oppressive silence hung over the dark paths.

Only one of the three-bedroom apartments had a light on.

Jiang Ye drew closer and found that the outer gate to the yard was unlocked. As if she were the lady of the house, she pushed the gate open and walked right into the yard.

Looking at the gazebo in the yard, she began to fantasize about a life of comfort and leisure: sunny afternoons spent sitting in the gazebo, basking in the sun, and sipping coffee.

Huo Jingyuan was in his study working on some documents when he heard the iron gate creak. Thinking Wen Ci had returned, he put down his pen and went to the door to greet her.

A gentle smile was on Huo Jingyuan’s face as he stood at the doorway. But when his gaze fell upon the figure lingering in the yard, the smile vanished instantly.

"What are you doing here?"

Jiang Ye was snapped out of her daydream by Huo Jingyuan’s voice. She stared at him intently and began to walk toward him. "Actually, I’m the one you were supposed to marry," she said. "I was raised by the Jiang Family. Wen Ci only married you as my substitute."

She spoke as if she were the victim.

Huo Jingyuan’s gaze lowered slightly.

Wen Ci had already told him all of this. He leaned against the doorframe and asked nonchalantly, "And?"

"Jingyuan, you should divorce Wen Ci. She grew up in some poor mountain village and has no culture. She isn’t worthy of you. Only I..."

Huo Jingyuan laughed.

He had never heard such a ridiculous joke.

’He was even starting to think there was a major problem with the Jiang Family’s methods. Wen Ci, their actual biological daughter, wasn’t raised by them, yet her character was pure and kind.’

’Meanwhile, Jiang Ye, the fake daughter they did raise, was malicious and scheming, deluded enough to think she could convince him to divorce Wen Ci with just a few sentences.’

’In her dreams!’