After Awakening, She Tore Apart Her Enemies and Joined the Army on an Island - Chapter 44

Wang Qinglin chuckled softly, gave him a meaningful look, shook his head, and walked away.

Oh, this stubborn and sharp-tongued regiment commander, may you stay this unyielding forever.

Hearing his footsteps following, Wang Qinglin continued his verbal jab: “I think I’m more suited for Comrade Su than you are.

Good-tempered, diligent, and down-to-earth.

Most importantly, I know how to consider a female comrade’s feelings, I can understand her thoughts and share her worries.

I won’t hurt others with my words.”

Unless someone was a masochist, who would enjoy listening to such sarcastic remarks?

Huo Zhenhua raised an eyebrow, strode to catch up with him, then took two steps backward to walk ahead while sizing him up.

Then, he ruthlessly spat out three words: “You’re too ugly!”

Wang Qinglin: “…”

Annihilated!!!

“Though I may not have your dashing eyebrows, starry eyes, high nose bridge, or captivating gaze, you can’t resort to personal attacks.

I’d say I’m at least the refined, scholarly type, just not as sharply defined as you.

You… I challenge you to a one-on-one.”

Men generally don’t care much about appearances, especially rough-and-tumble soldiers.

But when faced with a direct provocation, no real man would take it lying down.

Wang Qinglin glanced at Huo Zhenhua’s bandaged arm and let out a heavy “hmph.” “Once your injury heals, we must have a match.”

Fighting now would be an unfair victory.

He wasn’t interested in that!

Seeing Wang Qinglin’s irritated expression, Huo Zhenhua laughed heartily: “Why so impatient?

Even if you were better-looking than me, she still wouldn’t fancy you.”

“…” Wang Qinglin didn’t want to talk to him anymore and abruptly changed the subject. “Let’s go, let’s go. Comrade Su is waiting over there.”

Su Meng leaned against the railing of the pier, gazing at the passenger ship ticket hall in the distance. Thinking of her injured elder brother at home, she said to Huo Zhenhua and Wang Qinglin as they approached, “Gentlemen, let’s part ways here!”

Huo Zhenhua took a long stride and blocked Su Meng’s path, standing tall and imposing like the Qinling Mountains. In a deep voice, he said, “I believe I mentioned to you that someone higher up wants to see you. Shall we go together?”

Su Meng frowned, tilting her head back in displeasure to protest, her tone firm. “No! I must go back. I…”

Before she could finish, she unexpectedly met his cold gaze as he turned toward her.

She faltered.

Her confidence waned considerably. She shrank her neck, averted her eyes, and murmured weakly, “Who is it? Do I have to see them?”

Huo Zhenhua chuckled softly at her timid demeanor, his gaze resting on her delicate, porcelain-like face. He said earnestly, “Of course!

I happen to be heading back the same way. I can get you a sleeper ticket and double as your protector. No need to thank me!”

Su Meng was speechless. “…Thank you so much!”

From what he said, the person who wanted to see her was also in Shanghai.

She really didn’t want to sit in a hard seat and was afraid of running into danger again. Traveling with them seemed more comfortable and safer.

So, why not go together?

Huo Zhenhua hadn’t expected her to agree so readily to return with him to the Southeast Military Region. He had thought it would take more persuasion.

He gave the timid Su Meng a deep look, the corners of his mouth lifting, his eyes sparkling brightly.

Perhaps she didn’t want to part ways either.

The two of them, foolishly and presumptuously, reached a temporary understanding. The atmosphere was harmonious, tinged with what Huo Zhenhua perceived as a hint of ambiguity.

Wang Qinglin cast a teasing glance at Huo Zhenhua, whose eyes were smiling, and snorted disdainfully.

Hah!

Some people have lips thicker and more stubborn than a city wall’s corner.

Their Southeast Military Command and Shanghai weren’t even on the same route, but after a few turns, it happened to be along the way.

This old man, liking someone but not daring to speak up, afraid of being rejected, huh?!

Wang Qinglin thought he’d figured it out. He leaned closer to Huo Zhenhua and shot him a disdainful look. “Bro! Just look at yourself, your sneaky little schemes.”

“Hah! Maybe the young lady hasn’t even picked up on your signals. That’d be hilarious!”

Huo Zhenhua was in such a soaring mood that he snapped, “Shut it, you!”

He believed that the camaraderie they’d built over the past few days, if not enough to make the girl like him, at least meant she wouldn’t outright dislike him.

Her going with him to Zhou City was the perfect start.

He glanced at the vibrant, lovely figure, curled his lips, and waved at the approaching jeep.

Then he opened the rear door and stood to the side, casually smoothing the cotton fabric on his sleeve while secretly stealing glances at Su Meng.

He was waiting for her to join him in the back seat.

Just then, Wang Qinglin opened the passenger door.

Su Meng smiled and stepped forward, intending to slip past him into the car. “Thank you, Comrade Wang!”

Wang Qinglin’s eyes shifted, and he immediately tossed his luggage onto the passenger seat. Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he said, “Comrade Su Meng, my apologies! I think I’ve caught a cold and I’m feeling a bit carsick. Would you mind if I sat in the front? I’m worried I might throw up in the car, and then…” He glanced fearfully at Huo Zhenhua behind him. “I’m afraid he’d kick me flying!”

Su Meng: “…”

She eyed the sturdy Wang Qinglin suspiciously, his healthy complexion, steady breathing, and agile movements. Before she could say anything, he swiftly slid into the passenger seat.

“Fine,” she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes inwardly.

This Wang Qinglin had no gentlemanly manners at all. Couldn’t he see she wasn’t exactly on good terms with his regiment commander?

Hah!

Carsick? That was just an excuse.

He probably didn’t want to sit next to that sharp-tongued guy either.

Resigned, Su Meng turned and headed for the back seat.

She glanced at the man standing like a door god, nerves taut as she brushed past him and struggled to climb in.

The jeep was rather high.

Su Meng hooked one leg into the vehicle and pushed off hard with the other on the ground.

After three or four attempts, she still couldn’t haul herself up.

“Need a hand?”

A low voice sounded just above the back of her head.

Su Meng flushed with embarrassment and spun around to glare at him fiercely. This clueless man was just… utterly infuriating!

Did he really have to ask?

Huo Zhenhua kept a straight face, his deep eyes fixed on the girl who resembled a little mouse stealing oil from the kitchen stove. Inside, he was chuckling.

He just wanted to see how long she’d stubbornly refuse help.

“Really don’t need it?”

Su Meng stayed silent, pushing off with her legs again. Suddenly, she felt a hand support her waist, allowing her small hands to grip the seat and finally muster some strength.

She slipped into the car effortlessly.

But because she’d pushed too hard, her head accidentally bumped toward the roof.

Just as her scalp was about to hit the ceiling, she felt it press against something warm and firm.

Surprised, she turned and saw Huo Zhenhua pressing his lips together as he withdrew his hand.

The calluses on his palm had caught a few strands of her hair, creating a lingering, almost intimate connection.

Blushing, she tugged her hair back and whispered, “Thank you.”

Huo Zhenhua’s fingers curled, tightening around the long strand of hair left in his hand. His gaze shifted away from her porcelain-white face as his thin lips parted slightly: “No need to thank me!”

Their exchange was so polite, it was as if they were strangers who had just met.

Wang Qinglin glanced teasingly into the rearview mirror, noticing the invisible boundary between them. The corner of his mouth twitched.

Ah! It seems Comrade Su Meng has no romantic interest in our regiment commander at all.

Poor regiment commander!

Poor bachelor!

And still so stubborn, when will he ever win the beauty’s heart?

Su Meng pressed herself tightly against the car door, doing her utmost to ignore Huo Zhenhua’s scent and presence.

But in the cramped space, his familiar scent seemed to permeate everything, as if even the air she breathed carried his essence.

Unbidden, memories of their first meeting surfaced in her mind, it felt as if his scent still lingered on her face and body.

Flustered and annoyed, she covered her flushed cheeks with her hands, biting her lip as she stared out the window.

Huo Zhenhua stole a glance at her, noticing the pink skin peeking out from behind her palms, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint smile.