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

Huo Jingyuan hopped off the bicycle and stood beside Wen Ci. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and his voice, tinged with a lazy smile, made the introduction:

"This is my wife, Wen Ci."

At his words, Wen Ci’s eyes curved with a gentle smile. She looked toward the men and gave a slight nod in greeting.

"In that case, you’ll need to come to the meeting too, ma’am."

Wen Ci gave Huo Jingyuan a puzzled look. ’I just heard it was a meeting for the new military families. Surely I don’t count as new anymore, right?’

She blinked and asked, "I don’t count as a new family member, do I? Do I need to attend the meeting too?"

"Yep, all family members are required to attend."

Wen Ci nodded obediently.

After the men had left, Wen Ci glanced sideways at his handsome face. "I have no use for this bike," she said slowly. "You should use it yourself."

"Then I’ll take you to and from work."

Wen Ci was speechless.

This Type 28 bicycle was probably the first of its kind in the entire Northwest Military Region. If Huo Jingyuan chauffeured her to and from work on it, she would undoubtedly become the center of attention.

Huo Jingyuan noticed her look of aversion. He raised an eyebrow, his deep eyes thoughtful for a moment before he spoke. "If you really don’t like it, what if I give the bike to the top soldier in Devil’s Week?"

"Okay," Wen Ci nodded.

Devil’s Week was training designed to push soldiers to their physical limits; there were only punishments, no rewards. This bicycle would be a great incentive to unlock the soldiers’ potential.

"You’re not sad to let it go?" Huo Jingyuan asked.

Wen Ci licked her lips. It would be a lie to say she didn’t feel a pang of regret—it was a brand new Type 28 bicycle, after all. It just wasn’t very useful in the Northwest Military Region. "I’m not sad at all."

-

When Wen Ci arrived at the open area in the family compound, quite a few family members had already gathered. Several large, round tables were set out with sunflower seeds, cookies, and tea.

Zhu Jing and a few others had saved Wen Ci a seat. The moment they saw her, they waved her over. "Wen Ci, over here! We saved a spot for you!"

Wen Ci went over, sat down, and asked curiously, "Sister Jing, what’s this meeting about?"

"No idea. The notice just said all military families had to be here."

Zhu Jing replied as she cracked open a sunflower seed. Snacks like sunflower seeds and cookies were treats that an ordinary family might only buy for the New Year celebration.

So, everyone was happily enjoying the free food.

Xiang Qin grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, offering them to Wen Ci. Her face was a mask of gossip as she asked, "I just heard that Mr. Huo rode a Type 28 bicycle into the compound?"

"You don’t like it?"

Wen Ci nodded, lowering her voice. "It’s too conspicuous. In the Northwest Military Region, everything is just a few minutes away on foot. There’s no need for a bicycle."

"That’s true."

As the women chatted, the volume naturally rose, as it does whenever many people gather. Since they were all military family members, they quickly bonded and became one large, lively group.

"That young lady is so pretty."

Suddenly, Wen Ci overheard a few compliments directed at her. She maintained a stiff smile as she felt the weight of many gazes falling upon her.

"Yeah, and look how smooth and fair her skin is. You can tell just by looking she’s a diligent wife. I wonder which man is so lucky."

Wen Ci was speechless.

’She wasn’t the least bit diligent. Huo Jingyuan did most of the cleaning at home. She usually only washed the dishes, and that was after Huo Jingyuan had already done the cooking.’

Among the second wave of families to arrive were several older women in their fifties and sixties who had come to the Northwest to retire, taking advantage of the newly built family compound in the Northwest Military Region.

Zhu Jing explained to Wen Ci, "The woman who just complimented you is the wife of the Fifth Regiment’s deputy commander. The one sitting next to her is the wife of the Fifth Regiment’s commander."

[PS: Keep reading, everyone! I’ve finished editing the Chapter!]