Chu Liangjun had been staking out outside the main gate of the food factory for half the afternoon.
Finally waiting until the factory's quitting time, he immediately stood up from the ground, folding his hands and hiding them inside the sleeves of his dusty gray padded jacket.
After staring at the female workers coming out of the factory for a long time, he finally saw Qiao Lanshu emerge.
His spirits lifted, and he immediately walked toward Qiao Lanshu.
When Qiao Lanshu saw Chu Liangjun, she felt a mix of panic and surprise.
It was strange. Logically, the current Chu Liangjun shouldn't even know her. They had only met once, so why was he so fixated on her?
Could it be that he just liked her type?
Qiao Lanshu couldn't figure it out, but judging from Chu Liangjun's behavior, he definitely did not have any memories of his past life.
Seeing Xiao Yang standing beside her, Qiao Lanshu instantly felt a bit more at ease.
With a soldier accompanying her, Chu Liangjun surely wouldn't dare to try anything reckless.
Indeed, when Chu Liangjun saw Young Company Commander Yang, his expression froze for a moment, and then his eyes turned somewhat sinister.
He saw a soldier walking beside Qiao Lanshu. They were an arm's length apart, but their expressions as they talked were very natural, clearly indicating they were quite familiar with each other.
Chu Liangjun guessed in his heart what their relationship could be. Were they dating?
It would be normal, after all, the girl was quite pretty, looked young, had a formal job, and her family conditions shouldn't be bad.
In contrast, if Chu Liangjun wanted to date that girl, it really would be a toad lusting after swan meat.
However, Chu Liangjun was simply unwilling to accept this.
The first time he saw that girl, he subconsciously felt that she belonged to him.
Whether she was a swan or even a celestial fairy, she should be his woman. He just had this feeling.
Chu Liangjun followed behind them for a whole block.
At first, because there were many workers getting off work from the food factory, everyone was walking onto the street, so Xiao Yang didn't notice anything unusual.
However, as they were about to reach the supply and marketing cooperative, the workers who had come out of the food factory had mostly dispersed. Xiao Yang sharply noticed that someone seemed to be following them.
He glanced back and saw a rather tall man wearing a gray padded jacket and a cotton hat, walking with his hands tucked into his sleeves about seven or eight meters away.
When the man saw Xiao Yang, he didn't avoid his gaze but instead looked toward the cooperative as if nothing was wrong.
Looking at his demeanor, it seemed as though he was just heading to the cooperative to buy something.
However, Xiao Yang didn't let his guard down, because this man had a knife scar on his face and looked quite fierce; in short, he didn't look like a good person.
Xiao Yang kept a secret watch on him while silently following beside Qiao Lanshu, listening as Wang Xue continued to pitch her younger sister to him: Young Company Commander Yang, Young Company Commander Yang? Are you listening?
Young Company Commander Yang quickly nodded: Comrade, I'm listening, please continue.
Wang Xue then continued: I'm telling the truth, my cousin is really beautiful. She went to middle school and is educated. She works as an accountant in the production team, helping to keep the books, and she calculates very accurately. It's only because her household registration is in the village that she can't get a job in the factory. But whether it's her looks or her abilities, she is top-notch. She's not old either, just 20 years old. Do you want me to have her come over and meet you?
Wang Xue was very enthusiastically recommending her sister.
There was no helping it; in this day and age, who wouldn't want to marry a military officer?
Marrying an officer meant never having to worry for the rest of one's life. Food, clothing, daily necessities, everything would be the absolute best.
Living in the military compound, eating in the military cafeteria, one could even go their whole life without working.
Wang Xue was usually very envious of Qiao Lanshu. After all, she was young but had married a regiment commander. Although Commander Qin was infertile, that wasn't a major problem. As long as she was blessed enough to enjoy the good life, that was enough, right?
Having said so much, Wang Xue noticed Xiao Yang occasionally glancing back without responding, so she asked: Oh, Company Commander Yang, why don't you tell me what type you like? I'll keep an eye out for you.
Company Commander Yang felt a bit embarrassed by her question. He subconsciously glanced at Qiao Lanshu before saying, I... I don't know either.
Wang Xue: ...
Even Qiao Lanshu laughed upon hearing this.
How could anyone not know their own preferred type?
It was obvious that Young Company Commander Yang didn't want to go on a blind date, so he was just using this to brush Wang Xue off.
Wang Xue spoke up again: Company Commander Yang, what do you keep looking back at? Is there something wrong behind us?
As she spoke, Wang Xue looked behind them.
Qiao Lanshu also followed her gaze and looked back.
Xiao Yang then said: There's a person...
His voice paused as he watched Chu Liangjun walk toward the three of them.
Then, Chu Liangjun took a can of mandarin oranges out of his pocket. He handed it to Qiao Lanshu, looked at her, and said: Comrade Warehouse Keeper, this is for you to eat.
Qiao Lanshu's expression changed, and she subconsciously took a half-step back. Young Company Commander Yang instantly stepped in front of her, glaring sternly at Chu Liangjun, and asked him: What are you doing?
Chu Liangjun looked at the young and handsome Comrade Xiao Yang, and said in a mocking tone: Comrade Liberation Army, don't be so bossy. Don't think that just because you're wearing that uniform, you can casually bully us ordinary folks. I just wanted to thank the Comrade Warehouse Keeper, that's all. Why are you being so fierce? If people didn't know better, they'd think she was your wife.
Comrade Xiao Yang's face immediately flushed red. He frowned and said: Stop talking nonsense, how am I bullying you? You...
Alright, alright, you're mighty, you're amazing. I'll just leave, okay?
Seeing that more and more people were gathering, and considering they were at the entrance of the cooperative, Chu Liangjun was afraid his second cousin would see him and scold him again. He decided it was best to head back and stay with the motorcade, as he had been away for quite a while.
Besides, with a soldier accompanying the warehouse keeper, it really wasn't a good time to make a move.
Chu Liangjun took a few more glances at Qiao Lanshu, then turned around and left with the canned fruit.
Young Company Commander Yang was a little angry as he said: What is wrong with this guy, acting crazy in broad daylight.
They were the Liberation Army, protecting the country and defending their homes; how could they possibly bully ordinary citizens?
He hadn't even said a single harsh word, yet the man was already speaking in such a sarcastic, passive-aggressive manner.
Comrade Xiao Yang said to Qiao Lanshu and Wang Xue: That man just now clearly wasn't a good person. You two sisters-in-law, if you see him in the future, remember to stay far away from him.
Wang Xue shook her head and said: Before, Zheng Daliu from our factory was executed by firing squad for committing rape. Ever since that incident, those street thugs have been much more well-behaved. I can't believe we ran into another one today; it seems there are still people who aren't afraid of death.
Hearing Wang Xue say this, Qiao Lanshu also remembered.
Zheng Daliu had brought people to sneak into a friend's house, stealing money and ration coupons. Just as they were about to leave, he saw his friend's wife in the kitchen, and blinded by lust, he got wicked ideas.
As a result, the friend's wife grabbed a kitchen knife, hacked one to death, injured another, and the third one ran away.
In the end, the injured Zheng Daliu was executed by firing squad.
The charges were theft coupled with rape.
In truth, Zheng Daliu had not actually succeeded in the assault. He had barely even started before he was slashed and wounded.
However, this gave Qiao Lanshu an idea.
If a crime like this could result in execution by firing squad, then perhaps she could arrange a little plan of her own...
Right now, the only thing she wanted was for Chu Liangjun to die.
