CHAPTER 187: SISTER-IN-LAW IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A FLOWER

"Thank you." A tear as large as a bean rolled down Tian Sangsang’s face. She sincerely thanked Jiang Jinghuai. She apologized for her past prejudice against soldiers, for her previous ignorance. All of that stemmed solely from a lack of firsthand experience. In this world, there is no true empathy; all she could offer was understanding.

Jiang Jinghuai said nothing and simply moved the remaining bowl of food in front of her with one hand.

Tian Sangsang felt somewhat embarrassed. She had actually started crying in front of him—what else could this be if not melodramatic?

"I’m on a diet," she said, shaking her head. "I’m not eating. You eat it." That bowl of food was originally meant for him anyway.

"Oh." Jiang Jinghuai seemed to have deduced why she had become so thin—probably from starving herself.

"Alright, I’ll eat it then," Jiang Jinghuai said bluntly. He really was hungry, having gone a whole day without eating.

"Mmm." Tian Sangsang responded, though her voice was raspy from having just cried. She took the opportunity to hold Meng Shuyan close, the little boy nestled in her arms with shallow breaths, bringing her a sense of peace.

She wiped at her tear-streaked face with her hand while gazing at Meng Shuyan in her arms. Meanwhile, Jiang Jinghuai ate beside her. The faint sound of his eating filled her ears. It was a quiet sound, but with her keen hearing, it was impossible to miss.

She couldn’t help but glance at him. He was indeed eating, focused and methodical, quick yet measured. His movements were graceful, clean, and efficient. In just a few bites, the bowl was empty. Was it really that delicious?

Ugh. Tian Sangsang grumbled inwardly.

At that moment, she suddenly became a little hungry.

She quickly turned her head away, chastising him silently. This man—when you tell him to eat, he really eats. Where’s the charm in that? How is he ever going to find a wife like this? He seems destined to live a solitary life.

She silently lit a white candle for him in her mind.

Still, her eyes involuntarily darted back over. His eyes were long and deep, completely unlike Meng Shuyan’s.

So, her son’s eyes must have come from her, huh? Looks like someone’s genes aren’t as invincible as they seem.

Tian Sangsang finally found a sliver of confidence. She lowered her head to plant a kiss on Meng Shuyan’s forehead before sitting up straighter.

**

For these soldiers, in the midst of the earthquake, the one piece of news that lightened their spirits just a little was learning that their beloved company commander apparently had a son.

"Wow. Really? He’s actually holding a kid."

"When did the company commander have a son? I never heard about him getting married."

"You don’t have to be married to have a son, you know." Fang Tongzhou smacked the back of one soldier’s head with his hand.

"Exactly, what does marriage have to do with having a kid?"

"I mean, I just..."

No one could blame them for being shocked. The idea that their commander, who wasn’t even married, somehow had a child—it was unbelievable. After all, their commander was a highly disciplined man with no rumors of romantic entanglements. In terms of character, he was undoubtedly a role model. So whoever had managed to break through their commander’s discipline, to make him falter, must be someone remarkable, and undoubtedly stunning.

"Which one is our sister-in-law?"

"You idiot. The woman sitting next to the commander holding the child, of course."

"Huh?"

Are they sure she’s the sister-in-law and not the nanny hired by her family?

This woman, who had caused their commander to lose his composure and conceal his relationship—they were utterly speechless, as if rooted in place. Behind the ruins, with the setting sun turning everything golden, their vantage point gave them a good look at the woman sitting beside the commander. Judging by her figure, she seemed a little chubby—definitely heavier than they were. Her skin didn’t appear fair either; in fact, she looked darker than them, the soldiers.

Wasn’t she supposed to be breathtakingly beautiful?

What about the legendary femme fatale?

Why does this feel nothing like what they had imagined?

Fang Tongzhou stubbornly rubbed his eyes in disbelief, while the other soldiers exchanged looks, their shadows shifting on the ground.

"Come out," Jiang Jinghuai’s deep voice suddenly rang out.

Eh? Tian Sangsang was startled and quickly lifted her head.

With a bit of stumbling, the group of soldiers shivered and emerged in a clatter, forming a straight line and saluting, "Commander!"

Noticing the sleeping child in Tian Sangsang’s arms, they deliberately lowered their voices, careful not to disturb him.

"What are you sneaking around for?"

Scratching the back of his head, Fang Tongzhou laughed awkwardly. "We came to see our sister-in-law." Then, he bowed sincerely to Tian Sangsang and said, "Greetings, Sister-in-law!"

"Greetings, Sister-in-law!" echoed the soldiers behind him in unison.

Jiang Jinghuai narrowed his dark eyes, observing Tian Sangsang for her reaction. A person’s attitude often reveals a lot about their thoughts.

Such enthusiasm, even going so far as to perform a grand salute. Tian Sangsang waved her hand dismissively—after all, these were her lifesavers. Seeing them now, she felt an overwhelming sense of warmth. Though she was benefiting from Jiang Jinghuai’s reputation, she could feel the genuine sincerity of these soldiers. Flashing them a radiant smile, she said, "Hello, everyone."

Comrades, hello, comrades! In this moment, her heart overflowed with the universe.

Her smile was so warm and infectious that Fang Tongzhou and the others completely forgot her plain appearance.

When Sister-in-law smiles, it’s just different. Not like Major Lu’s wife, who always wears a stern expression as if she’s above everyone. Compared to that, they much preferred a simple, good-hearted woman like Sister-in-law.

"Sister-in-law, since the child’s asleep, we won’t disturb you and the commander any longer."

Tian Sangsang replied naturally, "Alright, get some rest early. There’s so much work to do tomorrow, and getting enough sleep is key."

After they left, Tian Sangsang turned back to sit down, only to find Jiang Jinghuai staring at her. She was startled. What was he looking at?

Before she could say anything, Guan Kunling approached. Her slender silhouette was drawn out by the twilight.

"I came to see Yanyan," Guan Kunling said. Upon seeing Jiang Jinghuai, she suddenly saluted, "Captain Jiang!"

Jiang Jinghuai’s gaze lingered briefly on her face before he finally nodded.

Though Guan Kunling maintained her usual composed expression, the doubt in her eyes did not escape Tian Sangsang. She explained, "This is Yanyan’s biological father."

The father of the child.

Then she added to Jiang Jinghuai, "Kunling is my girlfriend."

A faint smile graced Guan Kunling’s lips. Girlfriend—that description was quite thoughtful.

"Can I hold Yanyan? I want to check his foot," Guan Kunling asked.

"Of course." Tian Sangsang trusted her and handed Meng Shuyan over, while taking the chance to act as an interpreter. She said to Jiang Jinghuai, "If it hadn’t been for Kunling, Yanyan would have lost his foot long ago. Kunling is an excellent doctor."

Jiang Jinghuai nodded in understanding and said to her, "Let’s talk."

As night descended, Tian Sangsang and Jiang Jinghuai walked one after the other. They moved through the exhausted crowd, past the invisible smoke of the aftermath, and arrived at a riverbank.

Floating on the river were a few fish, their bellies facing upwards.

"I didn’t know you gave me a son," Jiang Jinghuai said after a pause. "All these years, you never sought me out, and I had no idea what you were thinking." He hesitated briefly before adding, "For Yanyan’s sake, I won’t hold a grudge about the past."

Tian Sangsang let out a cold laugh. Oh, how noble of him, saying he won’t hold a grudge. She’d repaid that favor long ago, hadn’t she? If back then, in that mountain cave, she hadn’t saved him, he’d already be a pile of bones. Meeting his son? In his dreams.

"But I do have one question. How did you explain to Yanyan what happened between us back then?"