The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 23

Song Mingyue was completely unaware of the complicated history involving the Colonel’s niece. She simply thought they were attending a formal dinner hosted by Chen Che’s superior.

Since it was a visit to a superior’s home, they couldn’t be late. Moreover, she felt it wouldn’t be right to show up empty-handed for their first visit. However, by early evening, the small shops on the street had long since closed.

She remembered the local specialties she had brought from Pingcheng. “Gift light, meaning heavy”—no matter the value, bringing something would show her sincerity. On the way, she urged Chen Che to pedal faster. “Let’s stop home first. We have some cured meat left; we should bring it for your leader’s family to try.”

Chen Che started to speak several times but didn’t know how to begin. The truth was, he had only met the Colonel’s niece, Qianqian, once—and he hadn’t even known it was a blind date at the time. Since then, he had politely declined every invitation from the Colonel’s wife, Shen Yulan.

It was a trivial matter to him, but Wang Bing had warned him that Shen Yulan was quite unhappy about him choosing another woman over her niece. She might make things difficult for Mingyue. Chen Che pedaled silently, vowing to himself that he wouldn’t let Mingyue suffer because of this.

At home, Mingyue hurried to pack the cured meat into a red plastic bag to make it look presentable, added some Pingcheng pastries, and followed Chen Che to Colonel Zhao Hongwei’s house.

The family compound was quieter at night. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as Chen Che cycled them from the east side to the northwest.

Since they were at her doorstep, Shen Yulan couldn’t very well show her displeasure immediately. Her family was making dumplings tonight. Seeing Chen Che’s silhouette in the dim courtyard light, she called out from the door, “Chen Che, you’ve finally graced us with your presence! Come in and eat dumplings. Hongwei was worried you wouldn’t show up.”

Chen Che walked ahead and handed her the red bag Mingyue had prepared. This caught Shen Yulan off guard; she hadn’t expected a gift. “Oh, you shouldn’t have brought anything,” she said politely.

Mingyue followed closely behind, smiling warmly. “These are just some specialties from Pingcheng. Please, have a taste.”

Under the bright indoor lights, Shen Yulan finally got a clear look at Mingyue. Having heard conflicting rumors that she was either an “ugly hag” or a “vixen,” Shen Yulan had been dying to see her.

She had to admit: Mingyue was stunning. Even without makeup, her beauty was breathtaking. Her floral dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her graceful movements. No wonder even someone as discerning as Chen Che had been “captured.”

Shen Yulan put on a polite smile. “Thank you so much. Chen Che, this must be your new bride?”

Chen Che gave a curt nod. “This is the Colonel’s wife, Auntie Yulan.”

Mingyue’s eyes sparkled. “Can I call you Sister Yulan? You look so young.”

Shen Yulan spent a lot of effort on her appearance, even asking people to bring cosmetics back from Hong Kong to stay youthful. Hearing Mingyue’s sincere-sounding praise, she felt a flicker of genuine liking for the girl. A smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. “I’m at an age where I should be called Auntie, but call me whatever you like.”

“Alright then, Sister Yulan.”

Zhao Hongwei came out to join them. He was a blunt man, and his relationship with Shen Yulan was a mix of mutual affection and constant bickering. She loved romance and fashion; he thought she was wasteful. He lived for his work; she thought he was a bore. But after years and children together, they made it work.

Zhao Hongwei was happy to see his protégé. “Chen Che, I’m so glad you’re here tonight. Let’s have a few drinks!” He called for his wife to bring out the liquor.

Shen Yulan handed over the bottle reluctantly. “Just a little. If you get drunk, you can just sleep, but Chen Che has to get his wife home.”

“I know, I know. You talk too much.”

Chen Che pushed his glass back. “Colonel, I have work tomorrow. I shouldn’t drink.”

“Look at you! You’ve got a wife now and you still don’t smile. Careful, you’ll scare her away! Just one glass to go with these cabbage and pork dumplings.”

If Shen Yulan had wanted to stop it, she could have. But she was still a bit bitter about her niece, so she sat by silently. Mingyue, not knowing that Chen Che couldn’t handle his liquor, didn’t intervene either. She actually felt like joining them, but since it was her first visit, she stayed “proper.”

Under pressure from his superior, Chen Che finished a small cup of liquor. Zhao Hongwei, delighted, finished his and started getting sentimental.

“Finally, you’re married,” the Colonel slurred. “I was worried you’d spend your whole life with the Research Institute. That’s a noble life, but a lonely one. Live well with your wife. When your home life is good, your career will follow.”

Chen Che listened calmly, showing no reaction. Then, the drunken Colonel turned to Mingyue. “Little sister, my student here is great, but he’s stubborn and doesn’t talk much. You’ll need to be patient with him. He married you because he actually likes you. My wife tried to set him up with her niece, Qianqian, but he wouldn’t even meet her. That shows how special you are to him.”

Shen Yulan’s face darkened. “Why bring that up? Qianqian found someone at the Grain Bureau; she’s doing just fine.”

“Right, right. Let’s not talk about it. Let’s drink!”

Shen Yulan stole a glance at Mingyue, expecting anger, but the girl was still smiling. She started to feel a bit guilty for her earlier coldness. Honestly, if it weren’t for the niece situation, she wouldn’t dislike Mingyue at all. She even wanted to ask where she got that dress.

“Mingyue,” Shen Yulan asked tentatively, “you aren’t angry about the Qianqian thing, are you?”

Angry? Mingyue knew Shen Yulan was trying to provoke her. But the more Shen Yulan talked about it, the more it showed she was the one who couldn’t let it go. “Not at all,” Mingyue said graciously. “A failed match happens all the time. It just means there was no fate between them.”

Shen Yulan felt a weight lift. If fate wasn’t there, there was nothing she could have done. She smiled more sincerely. “By the way, Mingyue, where did you buy that dress? The color and style suit you perfectly.”

“I had it made by a tailor.”

“You chose the color and style yourself?” Shen Yulan was impressed.

“Yes. It’s a bit dirty from wearing it all day, but otherwise, I’d let you try it on, Sister Yulan.”

Shen Yulan didn’t stand on ceremony. “I don’t mind! Come to my room and let me try!”

Despite her age, Shen Yulan had a good figure. The dress looked great on her. Mingyue offered a few more polite compliments but had no intention of becoming best friends with someone who had just tried to slight her.

“Mingyue, I want one in a different color,” Shen Yulan said as they came back out. “Could you go with me to the tailor sometime and help with the design?”

“Sure, when I have time,” Mingyue replied perfunctorily.

After dinner, it was time to go. Chen Che grabbed the bicycle and walked out without a word. Mingyue said a quick goodbye to the Colonel and ran after him. “Chen Che, what’s wrong?”

He looked up at the moon and said suddenly, “The moon is beautiful tonight.”

That’s not normal. Chen Che was never this talkative.

Before she could ask more, he hopped on the bike. “Mingyue, get on! I’ll take you home!”

As soon as she sat down, Chen Che pedaled furiously. And then, he started singing.

“We grew up here, every inch of land is our own! Whoever tries to take it, we’ll fight them to the end!”

He sang louder and louder, roaring at the stars. Mingyue realized with a start: He’s drunk.

She was sitting on the back of a bicycle being steered by a drunk man! She didn’t dare tell him to stop for fear he’d lose his balance and they’d both crash. Fortunately, Chen Che’s subconscious was strong enough to navigate the way home.

Near their door, the bike hit a small stone. Mingyue used the wobble to jump off and grabbed the back of the seat. “Chen Che, get down. We’re home.”

He turned around, looking pained. “Why won’t you let me go?”

Help, Mingyue thought. I’ve never seen this side of him.

To prevent him from singing more, she dragged the bike aside and guided him like a child. By the time they were inside, she was drenched in sweat. “Sit here a moment. I need to bring the bike in,” she told him.

The moment she stepped outside, she heard a piercing, soul-shattering shout from inside: “SONG MINGYUE!”

She bolted back in and covered his mouth. “Shh! The walls are thin! Do you want the neighbors to hear?”

She was genuinely annoyed. She hated drunks, especially the noisy kind. She removed her hand to scold him, but found those clear eyes looking at her like a lost puppy. “Mingyue,” he whispered. “Where are you going? Do you not want me anymore?”

My god, she thought. Am I being flirted with by a drunkard?

“Chen Che, behave! Don’t think I’ll be patient just because you’re drunk. Go to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Chen Che tugged at her clothes, his hand resting on hers. “You’re so beautiful today.”

“You look so good in that dress.”

It wouldn’t stop! Don’t forget our relationship is just a fake marriage for our parents, she reminded herself. But her heart was racing anyway.

Then, Chen Che asked with pure innocence, “Can I hug you? I want to hug you.”

“If I let you, will you go to sleep?”

He nodded vigorously. Mingyue just wanted the chaos to end. She opened her arms. “Fine. Come here.”

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. For two long minutes, they just held each other. He was burning hot, his warmth radiating through her. But his embrace felt… safe. Solid.

I’m only human, Mingyue thought. It’s normal to feel something when a handsome guy hugs you.

She realized Chen Che was quite “cunning.” He had acted perfectly normal at the Colonel’s house, only letting his true state show once they were alone. Who knew some people could time their drunkenness?

But it wasn’t over. After the hug, he wasn’t sleepy at all. “Let’s watch the stars together,” he suggested seriously.

And so, Mingyue sat with him under the moonlight for half the night, watching him sigh at the constellations, afraid that if she left him, he’d start singing to the neighbors again.