Chapter 102: I Don’t Like the Way Other Men Look at You
Seeing Xu Jiaming like this, Xu Jiaxin knew he was having one of his fits.
"Don’t be crazy, Xu Jiaming. She has a fiancé; she won’t like you," Xu Jiaxin warned him. "You’re not from the same world, either. Mom said you’re supposed to marry Miss Jiang. This is for our families’ alliance, so stop eyeing other women."
"What Miss Jiang? What Miss Li?" Xu Jiaming frowned.
’An arranged marriage?’
He was never the good boy his appearance suggested.
’So what if Su Zhaozhao has a fiancé? She’s exactly his type.’
He had come here to West State to have some fun and, incidentally, to take Xu Jiaxin home.
The journey was long and arduous, and their family didn’t feel safe letting Xu Jiaxin take the train back alone.
’Take a plane?’
They were also worried it would crash.
Xu Jiaxin’s break wouldn’t start for another two days, giving him plenty of time to get to know Su Zhaozhao.
Only after Su Zhaozhao left West State University did she feel the intense stare on her back disappear.
’I’m never coming to West State University again,’ she thought.
Although Xu Jiaxin was a nice person, her brother always made her skin crawl.
’Best to just avoid them. It would be better not to see the siblings at all.’
She trusted her intuition.
On the way back, Su Zhaozhao took out her cosmetics and applied some light makeup. She dusted on a thin layer of powder, filled in her eyebrows, and put on some light blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick.
She chose the most natural and sheer products for everything.
After finishing her makeup, Su Zhaozhao stared at the girl in the mirror for a long time.
With an already beautiful face, she looked good no matter how she did her makeup.
Although she was beautiful even without makeup, modern etiquette still made Su Zhaozhao feel that makeup was necessary for important occasions.
She’d had a good haul today. Including the money from selling the rice, she made a total of fifteen yuan.
With this money, Su Zhaozhao felt that she could get a lot more done.
What she really wanted was to go to a big city and buy property. She wanted to buy like crazy before housing prices were driven up. In the future, she could become a wealthy woman in her own right.
However, a few dozen yuan wouldn’t be enough to buy a property.
She had a long way to go.
Su Zhaozhao closed her eyes and rested for a while. By the time the bus reached the station, it was already past five o’clock.
As Su Zhaozhao got off the bus, she saw Xie Huaizheng.
The man was wearing a simple training uniform: a black short-sleeved shirt, dark green camouflage pants, and a pair of combat boots.
He just stood there, and even without speaking, he exuded a sharp, intimidating aura.
However, the moment he saw Su Zhaozhao, a smile instantly appeared on his face.
His gaze, once cold and sharp, softened.
The change in his expression made Su Zhaozhao smile in return.
She walked up and took Xie Huaizheng’s hand. "I’m back."
"Out having fun for so long?"
"Mhm, I bought some things to eat. There’s nothing out here, and I can’t stand living without snacks."
Su Zhaozhao always just made up an excuse to go into the city, worried that Xie Huaizheng would see through her.
She had also bought a small gift for Li Jian Country and his wife.
Even though Xie Huaizheng had said it wasn’t necessary, after much thought, she decided she should get them something anyway.
She got tea for Li Jian Country and a floral silk scarf for his wife.
The tea was bought locally, but the scarf was something she took out from her space.
Both were packaged in nice gift boxes, making them look quite high-end and classy.
Xie Huaizheng took the items from her and said, "You don’t have to be so polite. Do you have enough money?"
"It’s enough. I haven’t even finished spending the ten yuan you gave me last time," Su Zhaozhao said.
To her surprise, the next moment, Xie Huaizheng pulled another ten-yuan bill from his pants pocket and handed it to her.
"No need to be polite with me. Just spend it."
’A girl should be doted on.’ Thinking of Su Zhaozhao’s past, Xie Huaizheng felt he needed to give her more money to spend.
Her father and stepmother had starved her so thin. Her past life must have been too difficult. Now, he would make it all up to her.
Under his protection, Su Zhaozhao could live as she pleased.
Su Zhaozhao looked at the money Xie Huaizheng was handing her, her eyes widening. "Where did you get so much money?"
"I saved it," Xie Huaizheng said. "My clothing, housing, and transportation don’t cost me anything, so of course I can save."
"You should spend this money on your parents instead. You don’t have to give it to me."
’Weren’t his parents deeply in debt? Hadn’t all of Xie Huaizheng’s savings over the years gone to plugging the financial hole at home?’
’This tight financial situation was supposed to last for several more years.’
’So why did he suddenly have money?’
Su Zhaozhao was completely baffled.
Xie Huaizheng, however, found Su Zhaozhao’s words baffling. "Why would I give it to my parents?"
’His parents were richer than he was. When he’d first arrived at the camp, he hadn’t had much money. He didn’t want to eat the mess hall food, but he didn’t cook for himself, either.’
’He had ended up losing a lot of weight just from being hungry.’
’It was only later that he got used to the mess hall food.’
’And yet, Su Zhaozhao now thought he should give his money to his parents?’
"Huh?" Su Zhaozhao was even more confused.
Before she had a chance to ask, a voice rang out from nearby. "Brother Zheng! Sister-in-law! What are you two up to? Sister-in-law, you look so beautiful!"
Su Zhaozhao turned her head and saw a group of people, led by Xiao Yuanming, along with several other soldiers.
She didn’t recognize the others, though.
She nodded to Xiao Yuanming. "Long time no see."
It actually hadn’t been that many days, but Su Zhaozhao still felt a particular warmth toward him.
"Hi, Sister-in-law!" Xiao Yuanming’s smile grew even brighter.
’He had to admit, Sister-in-law was gorgeous. Brother Zheng’s wife really was something else.’
Today, Su Zhaozhao was wearing a pink dress, a rare choice for her. The soft color made her look as bright and lovely as a delicate blossom.
Her hair was also styled beautifully, half-tied up, with her dark locks cascading over her shoulders. She looked just like a little princess.
Xie Huaizheng stepped in front of Su Zhaozhao and said to Xiao Yuanming, "You seem to have a lot of free time. Not enough training, perhaps?"
Xiao Yuanming looked aggrieved. "I was just saying hello to Sister-in-law."
He was quickly pulled away by the others.
"Are you an idiot, Xiao Yuanming? Didn’t you see Camp Commander Xie was unhappy with the way you were looking at his wife?"
"Camp Commander Xie is very possessive. We have to be more careful from now on."
The realization dawned on Xiao Yuanming a moment later. It was true; he was a man, and he couldn’t help being captivated by Su Zhaozhao’s beauty.
’How terrible of me.’
’But really, his gaze was purely one of aesthetic appreciation; there were no ill intentions behind it.’
’Besides, he wouldn’t dare!’
Su Zhaozhao watched Xiao Yuanming leave, then turned to Xie Huaizheng. "Why were you so harsh? I think he’s quite nice."
"I don’t like the way other men stare at you."
Xie Huaizheng admitted honestly.
His thin lips were pressed into a tight line, his gaze falling on the dress Su Zhaozhao was wearing. "I really wish you wouldn’t wear dresses like this."
’But he had no right to stop her.’