Unable to endure the hardships of rural life, she returned home to arrange a marriage with a militar

Xiao Ling was getting impatient and was about to close the window when the man's deep voice rang out, "I'll pour it out."

Gu Jun didn't look at Xiao Ling's expression. Instead, he got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her through the window, saying, "It's a little hot."

The woman, fearing Gu Jun's fierce coldness, awkwardly took the water, trying her best not to touch him with her fingers, and whispered her thanks.

After she finished giving the child the water and returned the cup, she thanked him again and was about to leave when Gu Jun called her back and poured her another cup of water.

"Comrade, why don't you have some too?"

The woman had walked all night along mountain paths to reach the city. Her provisions and water bottle were almost gone, and her lips were dry and chapped. She swallowed hard, but finally accepted the gift. "Thank you, you're a kind person."

Gu Jun picked up a few more pieces of braised pork from the bowl and handed them to the woman. The woman was startled and hurriedly shook her head to refuse, "No, no, meat is too precious, we don't eat it."

Gu Jun shoved the bowl into the woman's hands, saying, "For the child."

The woman turned to look at the child clinging to her back. The child's face was emaciated from hunger, making his eyes appear exceptionally large. His dark, bright eyes were fixed on the braised pork, and his little hand was in his mouth, with saliva dripping from it.

Being a mother, she couldn't bear to part with her child, so she shamelessly accepted the food, thanked her profusely again after eating, and then left.

Xiao Ling didn't quite understand. "Giving them water is enough, why are you even giving them meat?"

City dwellers generally look down on rural people. In this environment, even rural people unconsciously feel inferior when facing city dwellers. Therefore, Xiao Ling didn't think there was anything wrong with her attitude at all. Instead, she asked in bewilderment:

"Why are you feeding them? It's so dirty. I just saw that their fingers were covered in black soot. They haven't washed their hands in days. I've lost my appetite after they ate it."

Gu Jun remained expressionless but bluntly stated, "No one is forcing you to eat."

Xiao Ling was furious. "You."

Gu Jun said coldly, "The reason their fingernails are black is because they work in the fields every day. Day after day, dirt gets stuck in their fingernails, and over the years, no matter how much they wash, it can't be cleaned. This is not something to be ridiculed; it is the glorious mark of the working people."

The army often had to go to the countryside to help the villagers with their labor. He himself came from a rural background, so no one understood the hardships of farmers better than him.

Even though she had been repeatedly told to look presentable before the blind date, she couldn't manage it now. Her face was cold, and her voice was like a biting wind, sending chills down Xiao Ling's spine. But she still forced herself to stay composed and argued:

"Their hygiene is much worse. It's not like I haven't been to the countryside before."

Gu Jun: "Do you think wheat, rice, vegetables, and fruits grown with black fingernails are dirty? If they are, then don't eat them."

Xiao Ling's face turned pale with anger, and she stood up angrily, "You vulgar barbarian, you country bumpkin, I really regret coming here today for a blind date with you."

Gu Jun didn't leave. He lit a cigarette and looked out the glass window at Shu Yun, who was standing on the platform waiting for the train. Her back was slender and upright, and a breeze was blowing her skirt. She looked lonely and aloof.

A bus slowly pulled up at the street corner. Gu Jun seemed to wake up and stood up to chase after it, but he only saw Shu Yun's back as she boarded the bus.

The car restarted, the roar of the engine echoing through the streets, leaving behind a trail of exhaust fumes.

A surge of impulse welled up in Gu Jun's chest. He tried to chase after it, but just as he was about to reach the back of the car, it accelerated, turned a corner, and disappeared from his sight.

Shu Yun was unaware that someone was chasing her. She found a seat at the back, opened the window, and the wind outside blew in through the crack, ruffling her hair.

The street scene outside rushed past her. As if sensing something, she leaned out of the car window to look back. Her hair fluttered in the wind, and through the hazy light, she seemed to see a figure rushing towards her. Shu Yun blinked, but there was no one running on the street, only a few bicycles moving about.

The two had a brief encounter today, but quickly parted ways again...

Gu Jun boarded another bus, which took him to the commune office. He then walked back to the military base, which was far from the village.

As Gu Jun passed through a small village, he saw a platoon of soldiers busily working in the fields with the villagers. He recognized several familiar faces, all of whom were beaming with enthusiastic smiles.

Gu Jun's unit was a division-level unit with five regiments under its command. Among the regiments, Gu Jun was the most outstanding, being the youngest junior at the regimental commander level.

He came from the countryside and earned his military medals through his fearless courage and fighting spirit on the battlefield, which brought him to his current position. Those who don't know him can only sigh that he is young and promising, but only those who are truly familiar with him have seen the countless knife scars on Gu Jun's body, some deep and some shallow.

Many people were paying close attention to Gu Jun's blind date. Some of the new recruits were young and impulsive, and when they saw Gu Jun return, they were eager to go up and ask him about it. However, when they met Gu Jun's cold face, they all fell silent and dared not make a move.

Zhao Hui had known the outcome of the blind date for a long time and was waiting for the person to come back and settle accounts. "You've forgotten everything I told you before the blind date, haven't you? I told you to be more polite, but you still drove the young lady away. Your reputation in the blind date market is completely ruined. You'll be a bachelor for life."

Gu Junzhen answered very seriously, "I think it's fine."

Zhao Hui, a usually mild-mannered man, was so angered by Gu Jun that he was about to swear on the spot. He trembled as he said, "Go and apologize."

Gu Jun paused for a moment, then said, "Old Zhao, let's just forget about it. We're not a good match."

Zhao Hui laughed in exasperation, “These days, which couple doesn’t get married after meeting once and finding each other agreeable? How come you’re so picky? You think one isn’t right for you, and the other isn’t right for you? So who do you think is right for you? Tell your brother.”

Gu Jun remained silent, seemingly unmoved by reason, which angered Zhao Hui so much that he kicked him hard. "Jun, tell me honestly, what kind of woman do you like? If you keep not cooperating, the organization will have to talk to you."

"Someone I like?" Gu Jun pondered, and the image of Shu Yun's crescent-shaped eyes involuntarily came to mind; she was very beautiful.

The fierceness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a gentle and relaxed expression. Zhao Hui, being an experienced person, could tell at a glance that something was amiss, and quickly pressed him for details: "Tell me about it quickly."

Gu Jun: "Fair skin, big, bright eyes, and a clear, pleasant voice..."

Zhao Hui clicked his tongue as he listened. This kid was so quiet, yet he was dissatisfied with this and that. Why did he have so many demands? He was such a dreamer. He should stay single for life.

He rubbed his temples, trying to convince himself that this was his job, his job!

Only then could he patiently listen to Gu Jun continue, "Ideally, she should have long, smooth, and shiny hair, tied in two long braids, and her eyes should be as beautiful as crescent moons when she smiles..."

Zhao Hui felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. The description was far too detailed. Was there really no specific person to refer to?

Zhao Hui interrupted Gu Jun, "Just tell me directly, which girl have you taken a fancy to?"

Gu Jun clenched his fist and pretended to cough, "Her, her name is Shu Yun."

He felt inexplicably embarrassed when he said the name.

“Shu Yun,” Zhao Hui teased. “Oh ho, you even know her name.”

Gu Jun told Zhao Hui what he knew, and Zhao Hui immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll talk to your sister-in-law later, and she'll make sure you find the person."

Gu Jun finally smiled. "Then I'll have to trouble you this time, brother. Come to my dorm later, I have a pack of cigarettes for you."

Zhao Hui: "You're so kind. I've never seen you offer me cigarettes when I've helped you with all sorts of things before."

He marveled inwardly; it was as if an iron tree had blossomed!