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

"In that case, I recommend Sister Jing for the Women’s Association the leader mentioned. Her cooking is fantastic, not to mention she’s incredibly kind and warm-hearted."

Xiang Qin, who was sitting next to Zhu Jing, shot her hand up to voice her opinion. Hou Li and Miao Ling quickly followed suit, raising their hands in agreement.

Wen Ci was quick to agree as well.

Zhu Jing was the most popular person in the residential compound. If she were running for director of the Women’s Association, Wen Ci would have supported her wholeheartedly.

The leader on the stage had a vague recollection of Zhu Jing. She was the new head chef in the cafeteria, and for the past few days, many people had been praising how much better the food had gotten.

Zhu Jing flushed beet-red at the praise and stood up from her stool. "Sir, I don’t think I’m the right person for this. I’m already busy with my work in the cafeteria during the day, so I don’t have time to join a Women’s Association. You should really pick someone else."

As she spoke, Zhu Jing’s gaze darted left and right before locking onto Wen Ci. She grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled Wen Ci up from her seat.

"Wen Ci can join the Women’s Association! She’s Mr. Huo’s wife, and she’s very responsible."

Wen Ci: "..." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Her eyes went wide as she stared at Zhu Jing. Her clear, bright gaze trembled, as if to say, ’How could you just throw me under the bus like that?’

The mention of "Mr. Huo’s wife" left those not in the know completely dumbfounded.

Everyone in the Northwest Military Region’s family compound knew that Huo Jingyuan was the region’s youngest regiment-level officer. At only thirty-one, his future was limitless.

To think this young, beautiful woman was Huo Jingyuan’s wife... It would be a lie to say no one was envious. At her age, she was already living in a three-bedroom apartment.

Wen Ci shook her head. "I’m not the right person for it. I’m too young to take on that kind of responsibility. The Women’s Association needs one of the more senior women from our compound."

She didn’t mean ’senior women’ as a jab at anyone’s age. In a place like the family compound, with so many women, they needed someone who was well-liked and could get along with everyone.

Following her words, several of the older women began to nominate themselves. The Women’s Association sounded quite prestigious, and the scene erupted into chaos.

The leader on the stage felt his scalp tingle from the din. A burst of static from the cheap loudspeaker cut through the air, and the crowd gradually quieted down. "The president of the Women’s Association will be the wife of our military region’s Chief of Staff. She will be arriving in a few days to assume her position."

The top three positions in the Northwest Military Region were: the Director, the Regimental Political Commissar, and the Chief of Staff.

"A list of the other members will be posted on a notice board in the family compound in a few days."

-

When the meeting was over, Wen Ci fixed her gaze on Zhu Jing, pouting. "Sister Jing," she began coolly, "were you trying to set me up back there?"

"Not at all." Zhu Jing waved her hand dismissively. "I genuinely think you’d be a better fit for the Women’s Association than I would."

’Her husband is just an ordinary soldier in the Northwest Military Region. She wouldn’t have any real clout if she joined the Women’s Association; you can’t get things done just by being popular.’

’Unlike Wen Ci, whose husband is Huo Jingyuan.’

’The infamous Living Yama. Anyone would show her some respect on his account.’

Zhu Jing opened her mouth but stopped herself from saying what she was really thinking.

With other dependents still around, it wasn’t the right time to speak so frankly.

Once most of the crowd had dispersed, Zhu Jing lowered her voice and said, "Why did you guys recommend me? You should have recommended the wife of the Fifth Regiment’s commander."

"Why?" Wen Ci asked.

"Her husband has real power."

At those words, Wen Ci looked at Zhu Jing, her expression serious. "Sister Jing, you’re mistaken," she said firmly, enunciating each word. "Women hold up half the sky. We don’t need to rely on our husbands. So what if her man has real power?"

"Forget it! The leaders can just pick whoever they want!"