A lonely, unlucky military officer with a stubborn fate insisted on marrying me.

Li Jianjun couldn't sleep, and neither could the person in the lower bunk. The next morning, they went to get food with dark circles under their eyes.

Zhao Qiang from the First Regiment and Zhao Wenzhi from the Second Regiment were from the same hometown and had a very good relationship.

Zhao Wenzhi immediately noticed his dark circles and laughed out loud: "What's wrong? Did you steal watermelons last night?"

Zhao Qiang waved his hand with a bitter face, "Don't even mention it. Our battalion commander stayed in the dormitory last night and kept tossing and turning, so I couldn't sleep either."

"Battalion Commander Li? Didn't his elderly father just pass away? Why is he back in the barracks? Could there be something going on?"

"There's a lot more to it than meets the eye!"

Zhao Qiang looked around and lowered his voice even further, "It's true that his father passed away, but the important thing is that his sister-in-law is here, and she's a real handful!"

I heard that he beat up his sister-in-law as soon as he arrived at his house, and yesterday evening he had a heated argument with the battalion commander's mother in the family compound, causing quite a scene. The battalion commander had no choice but to retreat to his dormitory.

"How can you, a grown man, be more gossipy than the cooks in the kitchen?" Zhao Wenzhi teased with a laugh.

"Who's gossiping!"

Zhao Qiang panicked. "This morning, as soon as I got to work, the battalion commander suddenly asked me to come to his house for dinner tonight! Isn't that weird?"

"what?"

Zhao Wenzhi's eyes widened. "It's neither a holiday nor a festival, and he's sending you to his house? Given his stingy nature, could it be... that he's taken a liking to you?"

"I think it's probably true! I'm scared!" Zhao Qiang said with a bitter face.

"What's so scary? If you don't like it, that's fine too."

"Do you remember the last time you set up a blind date for his sister?"

His sister took a liking to Battalion Commander Zhang, but he refused on the spot. However, she couldn't resist his advances, and it's said that he even went to gamble on her gate a while ago.

"Tell me, this sister-in-law is the kind of person who's always fighting with her, what kind of person is she to be friendly with?"

"Hmm, what you said makes some sense," Zhao Zhiwen began to offer him advice.

***

Lin Yinyin had a good night's sleep. When she woke up, she saw a steamed bun and an egg on the table.

She figured it must have been left for her by her sister, so she took out the last bit of braised pork knuckle from her storage space and ate it.

While eating, she was thinking about how she had forgotten to ask her sister for the jade pendant yesterday, and she would definitely ask her sister for it when she got off work.

In addition, it seems that she won't be able to leave anytime soon.

She was worried about her sister being alone here, so she couldn't just sit around and do nothing; she had to find a way to earn some money and get some supplies.

After Lin Yinyin finished eating, she put on the clothes her sister had left her.

The crisp white shirt with white jasmine embroidered on the collar, paired with well-tailored black trousers, surprisingly complemented her overall style.

When I opened the door to leave, I was surprised to find no one home; my sister had gone to work. As for the other two, well, let them live or die as they please! It's none of her business; it's just a pity she didn't get a chance to fight this morning.

She remembered meeting Chi Tinglan yesterday, who was also from this military region. She had an elegant demeanor and spoke eloquently. She decided to visit her later to see if there was any good opportunity.

So Lin Yinyin took out the bag of apples from her spatial storage, then took out ten brown sugar mooncakes, wrapped them in newspaper, and went out the door.

She hadn't walked two steps when she bumped into a group of women whispering to each other, their eyes constantly glancing at her.

Lin Yinyin frowned. She didn't know any of these people. Where did this great hostility come from?

As she passed by the jujube grove in the center of the courtyard, she indeed saw Old Lady Li talking animatedly to five other old ladies.

"Hehe, Old Lady Li definitely didn't say anything nice."

Lin Yinyin sneered inwardly, but put on a polite smile and walked over quickly.

"Good morning, Auntie. Good morning, everyone." Her voice was clear and her manners impeccable.

Grandma Li was in the middle of her story when she suddenly heard this shout, which startled her so much that her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Why is this girl suddenly so polite?

The five elderly women next to her also stopped talking and looked at Lin Yinyin with curiosity.

Lin Yinyin introduced herself generously: "Aunties, my name is Lin Yinyin. I just arrived at the military region yesterday to visit relatives."

As she spoke, she deliberately moved closer to the group, "By the way, I brought some brown sugar mooncakes from my hometown. I asked my aunt to share them with the ladies in the compound. Did you get any?"

"Brown sugar mooncakes?"

A plump auntie instinctively asked a question, her eyes instantly glancing at Old Lady Li.

In those days when even wheat flour was rationed, brown sugar mooncakes were a rare treat that could only be enjoyed during festivals. Who wouldn't covet them?

"These are local specialties from my hometown that I brought specifically, and I told my aunt to share them."

Lin Yinyin spoke sincerely, then subtly changed the subject, "Oh dear, could it be that Auntie is too busy and forgot?"

As she spoke, she opened the newspaper, "I happen to have a few pieces left here. I was originally planning to give them as gifts, but I'm letting all the aunties have a taste first."

As soon as the mooncakes were handed over, the five old ladies were all delighted, but their eyes were filled with dissatisfaction as they looked at Old Lady Li.

So, after listening to her curse this girl as a "jinx" all morning, she turned around and pocketed the rare gift that the girl had given her?

The group accepted the mooncakes, and sweet words immediately flowed from their mouths: "Little Lin is such a sensible child!"

"These mooncakes look so precious, thank you!"

Old Mrs. Li's face flushed red and then turned pale. She clutched the hem of her clothes, unable to speak. She knew these people wouldn't believe her if she denied it, and she was seething with hatred for Lin Yinyin.

An older woman tried to smooth things over, saying, "Xiao Lin, where are you going with those things?"

"I'm going to visit another relative of mine, and I'll drop off some things from my hometown on the way."

It's getting late, I have to catch my bus and leave now. Goodbye, aunties!

Watching her graceful departure, Old Lady Li was surrounded by five other elderly women. "Where are the Lin family's specialties?"

"No!"

After saying that, Old Lady Li slunk away.

She has a ghost-themed specialty!

That little bitch is setting a trap for her!

They give such good things to outsiders instead of their own family! It's infuriating!

***

Upon arriving at the registration desk, Lin Yinyin took the initiative to speak, "Comrade, hello, do you know where Comrade Chi Tinglan lives?"

The gatekeeper looked up and recognized her as the girl who had been stopped yesterday when she was looking for Battalion Commander Li.

"Comrade, are you sure the person you're looking for is Comrade Chi Tinglan?"

"Yes, I know her, and I came here specifically to visit her."

The gatekeeper became increasingly suspicious. This girl was stopped at the gate yesterday when she was looking for a battalion commander, but today she wanted to see the brigade commander's wife. The change was too big.

He picked up the intercom on the table and dialed while confirming, "What's your name? I need to verify it with Mrs. Chi."

My name is Lin Huiyin.

When the call connected, a tense atmosphere filled the living room of the military family quarters.

Chi Tinglan's chest heaved slightly with excitement, while the face of Brigade Commander Zheng opposite her was so dark it could drip water.

The two were arguing fiercely about the matter of Zheng's family relatives. Chi Tinglan was holding back her anger when she heard the nanny come in saying that the doorman had a phone call. She waved her hand impatiently and said, "Who is it? Can't you see I'm busy!"

The nanny quickly whispered, "Madam, the gatekeeper said someone named Lin Huiyin is looking for you."

"Yinyin?"

Chi Tinglan stopped abruptly, her anger instantly replaced by surprise.

The girl I met by chance at the state-run restaurant yesterday was straightforward and tactful. I felt an instant connection with her, and I didn't expect her to find me so soon.

She immediately raised her voice, "Quick! Tell the security guard to bring her in right away. I'll wait for her in the living room!"

Seeing her sudden change in attitude, Brigade Commander Zheng frowned and asked, "Who is someone you're in such a hurry for?"

Chi Tinglan ignored him, quickly walked to the entrance and straightened her clothes, thinking to herself: This girl Yinyin dared to come directly to the military region, she is more courageous than I thought.

She just happened to be thinking about getting a divorce, so I'll ask this girl how to bring it up better.

A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

But to their surprise, it was someone else who opened the door.

"brigadier!"

"Jinye is here, have a seat!"

"Old Zheng, you guys go to the study. I need to entertain guests in the living room and don't want to be disturbed."

Brigade Commander Zheng was now genuinely curious.

His wife came from a scholarly family and was always aloof and picky. Apart from necessary family social engagements, she never took the initiative to interact with others.

Even her own family rarely visits, let alone "entertain guests" in such a solemn manner.

Who exactly is this "Yin Yin" that makes her treat her differently?

Considering the two had just argued, he refrained from saying anything further, and simply replied, "Okay!"

"Li Jinye and I are going to the study."

As soon as Li Jinye entered the living room, he keenly sensed the subtle atmosphere in the air. He guessed that the brigade commander had argued with his wife again. So, he replied with a "okay".