The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 43

Straight Man?

If she remembered correctly, this term didn’t become popular until many years later. Jiang Manman was momentarily confused by Song Mingyue’s choice of words, but she didn’t dwell on it. Her mind was elsewhere. Hearing Mingyue describe Chen Che that way actually made her feel a glimmer of hope.

From Mingyue’s tone, it seemed like her relationship with Chen Che wasn’t that great after all. Jiang Manman chose to ignore the fact that Mingyue said it with a bright, curving smile and a twinkle in her eyes—or that Chen Che responded with an indulgent, doting look.

Dinner arrived. Song Mingyue, who hadn’t eaten properly in days, found the fresh food delicious. Beside her, Chen Che had essentially become her personal server. Knowing she loved sweet and sour pork ribs, he timed it perfectly, placing a new piece on her plate the moment she finished the last one, taking care of her with meticulous attention.

Jiang Manman’s appetite, which had briefly returned, vanished. Seeing her stop eating after just a few bites, Mingyue asked, “Cousin, why aren’t you eating? Is the food not to your liking?”

“No,” Jiang Manman replied with a weak smile.

After dinner, Chen Che led Jiang Manman straight to the military guest house. His intention was clear: he didn’t want her coming home with them. That house belonged to him and Song Mingyue. Chen Che felt that having a third person around would be incredibly uncomfortable, especially someone he barely knew.

This was classic Chen Che, and while Mingyue didn’t quite understand why he was keeping his own cousin at such a distance, she was secretly pleased. Not bad, she thought, at least he has a sense of boundaries for our home.

Since their relationship hadn’t “leveled up” yet, a third person would indeed be a major inconvenience.

However, Mingyue didn’t have Chen Che’s “low EQ” approach. She was still his cousin, after all. Mingyue intervened. “It’s not safe or convenient for a girl to stay in a guest house alone. We have space at home; she should stay with us for now.”

Jiang Manman, wanting to keep her enemies close, quickly agreed. “Thank you,” she said to Mingyue with a forced smile.

With Mingyue insisting, Chen Che could only give in. But his attitude remained icy; his heart and eyes were reserved for Mingyue alone. He didn’t spare Jiang Manman a single glance.

By the time they reached the compound, most residents were asleep. The sentry at the gate asked, “Commander Chen, who is this?”

“I’m his cousin,” Jiang Manman introduced herself before Chen Che could speak. Her proactive, cheerful introduction made the young soldiers blush, and they nodded in greeting. Mingyue liked her straightforwardness, and her impression of the girl improved slightly.

The house had two bedrooms. Logically, Mingyue and Jiang Manman should have shared a room while Chen Che slept in his own. But when Mingyue suggested this, Chen Che refused immediately. “She can sleep in my room.”

They were husband and wife; sleeping together was only natural. Before Jiang Manman entered his room, Chen Che replaced all the bedding with fresh linens. “Don’t touch the things in this room,” he warned her coldly.

Left alone with him briefly, Jiang Manman watched him intensely as he made the bed. Seeing his blatant impatience with her made her feel miserable. “Brother Chen Che, do you hate me?”

It wasn’t that he hated her; it was that she was a stranger to him. And Chen Che was always like this toward strangers. “I’ll buy you a train ticket tomorrow,” he replied without answering her question. “Go back home early.”

“I’m not going back. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you. I’m just here for work.”

“There is no work for you here. It’s inconvenient for you to stay here long-term.”

Jiang Manman asked sorrowfully, “I heard Aunt Chen say you promised the family you’d never get married. Why do you have a wife now?”

She couldn’t understand it. Chen Che understood her even less. His life was none of her business. “That is my private matter. I don’t need anyone else’s concern.”

“Brother Chen Che, actually I…” Jiang Manman almost blurted it out. Actually, I’m here to save you.

But Chen Che cut her off. “You don’t have to call me ‘Brother.’ Just call me Chen Che.”

While he was being blunt, Mingyue walked in after washing up. She thought Chen Che was being a bit too harsh as a host. She wondered if the girl had run away from home to do something her parents opposed, and Chen Che was just taking the parents’ side.

When they finally retreated to the master bedroom, Chen Che looked a bit aggrieved. “Let’s not talk about others. We finally have some time alone.”

He pulled out the gold necklace he had bought that afternoon. Mingyue hadn’t expected much—she didn’t trust his fashion sense—but when she opened the box and saw the delicate moon pendant shimmering in the lamplight, her heart skipped a beat. It was high-quality gold and clearly chosen with care.

“Do you like it?” Chen Che asked nervously.

“What made you think to buy this for me?”

“Because the moon is you, Mingyue. I hope that whenever you see this necklace, you’ll think of me.”

Mingyue couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “Who taught you to say things like that?”

She didn’t believe this “block of wood” came up with that on his own, but she was thrilled. She realized that the value of a gift depends entirely on the sender. From Chen Che, a simple gift felt like a treasure.

“Help me put it on,” she said, handing it to him.

The gold looked elegant against her fair skin. Under the dim light, she seemed to glow. “Does it look good?”

Chen Che stared at her, mesmerized. “Very good.”

“Thank you. I really love this gift.”

Chen Che leaned down, wanting to kiss her, but an ill-timed knock sounded at the door.

“Brother Chen Che, where is the soap?” Jiang Manman’s voice called out.

Mingyue: “…” Having another person in the house is definitely inconvenient.

Chen Che went out with a cold face, handed over the soap, and repeated: “Don’t disturb me again.”

Jiang Manman’s hands and feet felt like ice. She regretted staying here instead of the guest house. Seeing Chen Che treat another woman with such tenderness—while treating her like a stranger—was more than she could bear.

In her previous life, she had loved him silently for decades. After he passed away, she had married someone else due to family pressure, only to divorce him when he cheated during the business boom of the 90s. She had spent the rest of her life as a scholar, following in Chen Che’s footsteps, her heart remaining a blank page. Now that she had a chance to fill that page, she wasn’t even allowed to hold the pen.

In the other room, Mingyue was still a bit hesitant. “Your cousin is right there. We shouldn’t set a bad example.”

Chen Che, however, was past the point of caring. “Mingyue… I don’t want to hold back anymore,” he whispered hoarsely.

Mingyue decided to go with the flow. She believed in enjoying the moment. However, just as things were reaching a critical point, a pitiful voice sounded from the doorway again.

“Mingyue… I’m scared to sleep alone. Can I sleep with you?”

Mingyue: “…” Chen Che: “…”

Looking down at Chen Che, whose face was flushed with frustration, Mingyue felt a surge of mischief. She decided to “help” him with her hands instead.

As Chen Che’s breath hitched, Mingyue smirked and called out to the door, “Wait a second, let me put some clothes on!”

Turning back to the man beneath her, she whispered playfully, “Does this feel good?”

In that high-pressure environment, with the “cousin” just outside the door, Chen Che’s senses were heightened to an unbelievable degree. It was intense, thrilling, and incredibly satisfying. He pressed her hand down firmly, his breath coming in shallow gasps.