Waking up to see Qi Chengyan first thing in the morning made Cheng You feel a sense of unreality.
Especially watching him busy in the kitchen, Cheng You couldn't bring herself to look away, just sitting by the doorway and watching.
After sitting for a while, she couldn't help but walk in and hug him from behind.
His warmth was palpable.
"I wish you could always be here."
Qi Chengyan said, "If I can get reinstated, would you like to live in the military compound?"
It wasn't far from school, just a bus ride away.
Cheng You seemed to ponder the feasibility.
"In the military compound, will I be able to see you every day?"
Qi Chengyan shook his head, "Not necessarily. If I'm on a mission or out for field training, no. But normally, in the mornings and evenings, yes."
In the military, he would mainly be leading training, and would still be able to come home for meals.
Cheng You felt that this was good enough, much better than living by herself and not seeing him at all.
"Then we won't be able to live in the courtyard house anymore."
She really liked this place, it was spacious and had good sunlight.
"I'll try my best to apply for one with a yard for you too."
If things could be clarified, due to his guilt and as compensation, they should be able to approve better housing for him.
Cheng You's smile bloomed like a flower, "Then it's settled!"
After breakfast, Qi Chengyan personally escorted her to school.
It was the first time he had taken her to school, and Cheng You was overjoyed, unable to stop smiling on the bus.
When they arrived, Qi Chengyan got off with her.
He had originally planned to get off at the school entrance, but Cheng You tilted her head and asked him, "Don't you want to meet my classmates? You still don't even know where my classroom is."
Qi Chengyan chuckled, "Alright, I'll go with you."
The two walked into the school hand in hand.
Many people taking the college entrance examination were already married, so their presence wasn't unusual.
However, with the handsome man and beautiful woman, they looked like a perfect match, and many couldn't help but glance at them a few extra times.
As they neared Cheng You's classroom, Fang Yunbao's voice was heard, "Cheng You, is he your boyfriend?"
Cheng You smiled brightly and waved at her, "He's my husband."
Fang Yunbao exclaimed, "You're married? When did you get married?"
Cheng You said, "I got married before I started university. It's been over a year now."
These words broke the hearts of many.
Fang Yunbao couldn't hide her surprise and discreetly observed Qi Chengyan.
"Your husband is so handsome, and you two look so compatible. What does he do?"
Cheng You said with pride, "He's a soldier."
"No wonder, he looks the part."
Fang Yunbao was full of envy. It seemed like all the good men were snapped up early.
Otherwise, she wouldn't even have a chance to compete.
Feng Xue, watching from not too far away, couldn't help but stop and stare at Cheng You.
She had heard he married a country woman, but she hadn't expected it to be Cheng You.
"Feng Xue, what are you looking at?"
Cao Yanyan followed her gaze and saw Cheng You.
"That must be Cheng You's husband, right? I heard she was married."
Her father, Cao Jingui, often mentioned Cheng You recently, and since Cheng You was her roommate,
Cao Yanyan was already very familiar with her affairs.
"With that bearing, he must be in the military, they really are a good match."
Feng Xue scoffed, "Just a soldier with a stain."
Cao Yanyan looked at her in surprise.
She and Feng Xue had only recently met and she had never heard Feng Xue speak like that.
"Do you know him?"
Feng Xue realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly shook her head. "Let's go."
Meanwhile, Cheng You was waving goodbye to Qi Chengyan.
"You go home. If you don't want to eat at home for lunch, you can come find me."
Qi Chengyan gently stroked her head and smiled.
"Study hard. I'll come find you at noon."
Hearing that he would really come for lunch made Cheng You even happier.
Qi Chengyan's presence had dispelled quite a bit of her romantic attention.
Fang Yunbao directly exclaimed her regret.
Cheng You found it amusing, "What's there to regret? My man is very excellent."
"Is he an officer?" Fang Yunbao asked curiously.
Cheng You shook her head, "Not yet."
If he had a chance to be reinstated, then he would be.
Fang Yunbao actually felt that Qi Chengyan and Cheng You weren't that well-matched.
After all, Cheng You was a university student, and her grades were excellent, earning her praise from the teacher multiple times in class.
But she didn't say it out loud. Perhaps love was blind.
When it was time for lunch, Qi Chengyan came again.
Cheng You hurriedly put away her textbooks and was the first to rush out of the classroom.
"Let's go, we're going to eat."
Qi Chengyan asked, "Do you have class in the afternoon?"
"Yes, two more classes. Don't come over this afternoon. I'll go straight home after school."
She still had to catch up on the notes she missed while taking leave.
Qi Chengyan didn't reply and followed her to the canteen, picking up a tray.
"What do you want to eat? I'll get it."
"Yuxiang shredded pork is good, and also eggplant with garlic sauce. And some meat, any kind of meat will do."
After giving him the meal tickets and dish tickets, Cheng You found a place to sit.
Qi Chengyan was quick, as if in a military canteen, he efficiently got several dishes without hesitation.
"Eat up."
He had ordered five dishes. At first glance, it seemed like a lot, but with him there, they could finish it.
Cheng You usually didn't dare to order too much because she couldn't finish it alone and it would be a waste.
Today, she could finally eat more.
After the meal, Qi Chengyan escorted her back to the dormitory for her afternoon rest, and then headed home himself.
Watching Cheng You disappear into the dormitory, he turned around and heard someone call out, "Yan Ge!"
Qi Chengyan frowned and turned to look.
Feng Xue, panting slightly, ran up to him.
"Yan Ge, long time no see." She looked at him with urgency.
Qi Chengyan stepped back, putting distance between them.
"Comrade Feng, is there something you need?"
Feng Xue shook her head, "No, I just saw you and thought I'd come say hello."
Qi Chengyan didn't even acknowledge her, turning to leave.
But Feng Xue clung to him like a piece of sticky candy, running after him.
"Yan Ge, are you still angry with me?"
Qi Chengyan remained silent, but his furrowed brow clearly indicated his displeasure.
"I know you must think I was avoiding you, but that's not the case. When you were in trouble back then, I wanted to find you, but your parents wouldn't let me. You know, I'm just Feng family's adopted daughter, I don't have much say at home..."
"Comrade Feng!" Qi Chengyan interrupted her rambling.
He lectured her with a stern face, "You don't need to explain this to me. There is no relationship between us, there never was, there isn't now, and there never will be in the future. Please stop saying these misleading things. I don't want my wife to misunderstand."
Feng Xue looked hurt, "You really are angry with me..."
Qi Chengyan found her baffling and strode forward.
He had exchanged no more than ten sentences with Feng Xue, so where would the anger come from.