Chapter 316: Chapter 316: Her Taste Is So Much Better Than Her Dad’s!

The door was opened, and Xu Qinghuan poked her head in first, glancing inside. There were three people, two she recognized, one she didn’t. However, this person appeared gentle and kind, giving her an inexplicable sense of familiarity. She smiled sweetly and slipped inside like a little mouse.

“Ah Ye, come in quickly!”

Jiang Xingye saw Jian Jingchuan and froze at the doorway, momentarily losing focus.

Xu Qinghuan pulled him in, and Jian Jingchuan’s gaze suddenly became sharp, like a knife, with a hint of hostility lingering on the hands of the couple.

Li Shouzhi sensed the tension and quickly stood up, “Let me introduce you, Huanhuan, this is Commander Jian. He’s supposed to be the same age as your father. You can decide whether to call him uncle or sir.”

Xu Qinghuan thought for a moment and glanced at Jian Jingchuan, “I’ll call him uncle then. Since he’s the same age as my dad, I don’t want to make him sound old.”

“Then call… uncle!” Jian Jingchuan also stood up, his gaze examining Jiang Xingye up and down like searchlights, with a clear sense of pressure, seemingly very interested in Jiang Xingye. “And who might this be?”

“This is my fiancé, a member of the Shangjiang Team, named Jiang Xingye.”

Xu Qinghuan stood in front of Jiang Xingye, blocking him behind her, and lifted her chin somewhat provocatively towards Jian Jingchuan. She didn’t quite like this person; the first meeting and already showing hostility towards Jiang Xingye for no apparent reason.

Jian Jingchuan held his breath, “Why are you engaged at such a young age? Your Uncle Li said you’re only seventeen.”

Xu Qinghuan unhappily glanced at Li Shouzhi, “Uncle Li, just because I’m not around doesn’t mean you can badmouth me to strangers. What’s the big deal about getting engaged? People still have arranged childhood engagements nowadays, and it’s not the same as getting married. If you meet someone you like, better lock it down early to avoid someone snatching them away. What’s wrong with that?”

Li Shouzhi was amused and lightly rubbed her hair top, “You child, speaking your mind without restraint. In front of strangers, be careful not to talk about liking or disliking too easily, so as not to become a laughingstock.”

When saying “strangers,” Li Shouzhi deliberately emphasized the word.

Xu Jianfeng also shook his head somewhat helplessly, asking Jiang Xingye, “Still not planning to enlist?”

Jiang Xingye sat beside Xu Qinghuan on the sofa, “No.”

Xu Jianfeng was furious, “You rascal, as a man, always indulging in romance all day without ambition. Aren’t you afraid Huanhuan will resent you?”

Jiang Xingye instantly looked at Xu Qinghuan nervously.

Xu Qinghuan gently patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, I don’t resent you. Everyone has their own aspirations, do what you love. If we live each day happily, we’ve done justice to those who fight and protect our borders for us.”

Xu Jianfeng nodded at her, “You silly girl, spouting nonsense all the time. If everyone thought like you, who’d serve in the military?”

“Naturally, it’s uncle and others like you who serve. With you safeguarding our land, we can sleep more peacefully at night.” She smiled sweetly.

Li Shouzhi glanced at Jian Jingchuan, seeing him holding a teacup, sitting idly, seemingly watching nothing yet splitting a portion of his attention persistently on Xu Qinghuan, feeling mixed emotions.

“Huanhuan, you don’t want Xiao Ye to enlist because of your father?” Li Shouzhi asked, and Jian Jingchuan suddenly raised his eyelids.

Xu Qinghuan was somewhat helpless; she didn’t oppose Jiang Xingye enlisting, but it seemed like no one believed her.

“No, what does my father have to do with this? Even if he were alive, he couldn’t force someone to enlist, could he?”

“Do you blame him? He enlisted and sacrificed early, causing you so much hardship over the years. Do you resent him?” Li Shouzhi asked.

Jian Jingchuan seemed a bit rigid, listening and waiting for an answer that didn’t belong to him.

Xu Qinghuan felt confused; since entering this door today, something seemed off. She recalled the news she’d just received from the Huo Family, that Song Wanlin was officially deceased, sent to the Northwest Farm, but the Lu Family had announced her death and even held a funeral.

Is that why these uncles sympathize with her?

She slowly shook her head and smiled, “I don’t blame him. I just said everyone has their own aspirations. My dad was a soldier; although he wasn’t physically with me all these years, he has always watched over me.”

Jian Jingchuan lowered his eyelids, deeply exhaling secretly.

“By the way, uncle, I made a little tea again, just wanted to bring it to you.” She took two cans of tea from her canvas satchel and placed them on the table.

She wasn’t familiar with this Commander Jian and didn’t say much, but bade farewell, leaving together with Jiang Xingye.

Li Shouzhi put his own can in front of Jian Jingchuan, “This… is for you. Meeting is fate, that kid is sensible and kind. Knowing my health isn’t good, she’ll definitely bring me some more in the future.”

Xu Jianfeng put away his tin, “I don’t have such luck. Once recruitment ends, I’ll be returning to the army and won’t see that girl much anymore.”

Jian Jingchuan tightly gripped the can, pulling a smile with difficulty, “Thanks!”

In his mind, he thought, she’s all grown up!

As the three left the office, shouts thundered on the playground; Chen Suikang had brought comrades over for a match with Jiang Xingye.

Previously, after partnering on a train, they grew more fond of each other. This time, Chen Suikang came again, urging his comrades to compete with Jiang Xingye.

The yard was filled with energetic youths, enlisted and awaiting enlistment, with only Xu Qinghuan as the lone girl. She wasn’t intimidated in the slightest, loudly cheering for Jiang Xingye.

She was as lively as a joyous bird, belonging to a sky so vast, able to soar anytime.

Jian Jingchuan’s deep eyes also lit up with a smile, sunlight penetrating, illuminating the depths, nurturing hope.

Jiang Xingye knocked down five men in a row, standing at the center, lovingly smiling at Xu Qinghuan. Seeing no one step up to challenge, he returned to his fiancée, bowing his head to her.

Xu Qinghuan wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, as good-natured cheers emerged from the crowd. Jiang Xingye lightly pressed his lips, took the handkerchief himself, wiped his sweat, and cast a warning glance around. Silence ensued immediately.

“Let’s go!” Xu Jianfeng cheerfully said to Jian Jingchuan, “Commander, do we have any arrangements for your visit this time?”

They had mostly discussed personal matters earlier, neglecting to mention work.

Jian Jingchuan retracted his gaze, “Mainly about the recruitment, seeing if there are any good candidates. The Marine Corps is a newly established special operations unit, temporarily under my command, selecting some talents from various forces, but still lacking in finesse, precision, and strength.

In units, personnel is paramount. If you have good candidates, don’t keep them hidden!”

Xu Jianfeng laughed, pointing at Jiang Xingye, “Look, the best candidate is right there. I want him too; if you have the skill, you can try to recruit him.”

Jiang Xingye had his back to them, a long neck, broad shoulders, slender waist, and narrow hips—typical athletic build with high explosive power. The fights had been impressive, with five military tough guys failing against him.

Jian Jingchuan chuckled, “The little girl does have a good eye!”

Li Shouzhi agreed, speaking with deep meaning, “At least better than her dad’s judgment!”

Jian Jingchuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep