The military camp on a summer night felt like a giant steamer, so hot that even the cicadas couldn’t be bothered to chirp.
In Pei Zhengnian’s cramped bachelor dormitory—no more than ten square meters—Shen Nanchu sat on a chair, desperately fanning herself with a book.
That afternoon, she had secretly pulled out an air conditioner, so she hadn’t felt the heat while napping.
But now, with a hot-blooded man standing beside her and no way to use the air conditioner openly, Shen Nanchu was truly sweltering.
"Pei Zhengnian, your bed isn’t as soft or as big as the one at home. You’d roll right off if you turned over in your sleep. How can anyone sleep here?"
Pei Zhengnian, busy writing a report at his desk, didn’t even look up. "A revolutionary soldier can sleep under the sky with the earth as his bed. Comrade Shen Nanchu, your ideological awareness needs improvement."
"Will awareness work as a fan?" Shen Nanchu rolled her eyes, then suddenly brightened.
"Wait, didn’t your unit’s guesthouse just get new electric fans? I’m staying there!"
If Pei Zhengnian came with her, she’d use the fan. If he stayed behind, she’d use the air conditioner.
Honestly, she’d prefer it if he stayed here and let her go alone.
(☆▽☆)
The nib of his pen scratched a long line across the paper. Pei Zhengnian lifted his head, his thick brows knotting together.
"Nonsense! You came all this way to visit, and now you want to sleep separately? What kind of impression does that give?"
"The doctor said no sharing a bed for the first three months. Doctor’s orders."
Shen Nanchu’s words left Pei Zhengnian speechless.
Last time he went home, she hadn’t mentioned anything like this.
Pei Zhengnian’s eyes turned slightly aggrieved, as if he were being unfairly rejected.
"Look at your build. Are you sure I wouldn’t get squashed flat if we shared this bed?"
Shen Nanchu gave Pei Zhengnian a once-over, then glanced at the bed, not even bothering to hide her disdain.
"I have night training. You can have the bed to yourself."
Originally, Pei Zhengnian did have night drills scheduled, but Tian Chengyi had arranged for someone else to cover for him because of Shen Nanchu’s visit.
To keep his wife from leaving—ahem—Pei Zhengnian had omitted that detail.
"No thanks. You’ll just wake me up when you come back. I’d rather stay at the guesthouse."
Shen Nanchu had made up her mind.
Pei Zhengnian was about to argue further, but when he saw the sweat beading on Shen Nanchu’s forehead, he changed his mind.
"Fine. The guesthouse it is."
Under the moonlight, the two walked single file along the camp path.
Shen Nanchu strolled behind, hands clasped behind her back, humming a tune. Pei Zhengnian carried the luggage up front, lost in thought about how to get promoted so he could apply for better family housing.
Soon, they reached the military guesthouse.
The soldier on duty snapped to attention and saluted at the sight of Pei Zhengnian.
"Captain Pei!"
His eyes, however, kept darting toward Shen Nanchu.
Pei Zhengnian’s expression hardened. "This is my wife. Arrange a single room for her."
"Hello," Shen Nanchu greeted with a smile.
The young soldier blushed. "Hello, ma’am."
"Captain Pei, the room’s ready—Number 201. Here’s the key."
"Thanks."
Pei Zhengnian took the key and led Shen Nanchu upstairs.
When the door opened, the first thing they saw was a whitewashed lime wall. Against it stood two wooden beds with military-green mattresses, the blankets folded into sharp, rectangular "tofu blocks."
In the corner sat a wooden table holding a bamboo-wrapped thermos, an enamel basin stamped with a red star, and a pale-green electric fan. The cement floor had been swept to a dull sheen.
Simple, but impeccably clean.
Shen Nanchu was satisfied enough.
Pei Zhengnian’s first move was to inspect the bed.
Seeing it was large and sturdy, he relaxed.
He pressed the fan’s switch, and with a soft hum, the blades began spinning, sending cool breezes through the room.
The air quickly became more bearable.
Shen Nanchu took her luggage from Pei Zhengnian, rummaging for clothes so she could shower at the end of the hall.
Turning, she noticed Pei Zhengnian still standing there.
"Aren’t you supposed to be at training tonight?" she asked, puzzled.
"Why haven’t you left yet?"
This was what they called "dropping a rock on your own foot."
Pei Zhengnian regretted his earlier lie.
"Go on back!"
"Focus on your drills."
"I’ll be fine on my own."
"Oh, and happy birthday. I left your present on your desk."
Busy searching through her things, Shen Nanchu missed Pei Zhengnian’s pitiful look.
A flicker of delight crossed Pei Zhengnian’s eyes.
His earlier gloom eased slightly.
"Then get some rest early. I’ll head back."
He dragged his feet reluctantly.
"Mm."
Shen Nanchu didn’t even glance up.
Bang—
The door closed.
Pei Zhengnian’s heart withered.
……
System: "Host, the male lead seems a little unhappy."
Shen Nanchu: "What’s his mood got to do with me? As long as I’m happy, that’s what matters."
System: "……"
Shen Nanchu: "Wait, why is he upset anyway?"
The system had no answer.
Shen Nanchu didn’t bother pressing further.
Clutching her clothes, she went for a refreshing shower.
Bathing was so much better with space.
That afternoon, in Pei Zhengnian’s dorm, she’d felt suffocated.
But what could she do?
The camp’s showers were mostly for men.
The guesthouse was a major upgrade.
Back in her room, Shen Nanchu changed into the red silk pajamas Pei’s grandmother had given her.
Then, she pulled out the air conditioner.
Perfect temperature, perfect pajamas, perfect sleep.
……
Back in his dorm,
Pei Zhengnian hurried to his desk.
Sure enough, a box sat there.
He studied it, frowning.
Why did it look so familiar?
Had he seen it somewhere before?
When he opened it and saw the compressed biscuits inside, he finally understood.
This was the same box he’d once given Shen Nanchu.
Inside, a note rested atop the biscuits.
Pei Zhengnian picked it up and read:
"When you’re hungry, chew one. It’ll keep you full—just like having me by your side!"
The handwriting wasn’t his, but everything else was identical to the gift he’d given her.
Pei Zhengnian: "……"
Shen Nanchu had just… regifted his own present back to him?
What was she trying to say?
That night, after a cold shower, Pei Zhengnian tossed and turned on his hard bed.
The same bed that usually felt just right now seemed unbearably empty.
Staring at the ceiling, his mind circled back to the biscuits on the desk—and Shen Nanchu.
"What’s her game?" Pei Zhengnian suddenly sat up, rubbing his face. "No, I need answers."
With his long limbs, he quickly made his way back to the guesthouse.
The soldier on duty smirked at his return. "Captain Pei, here to see the missus?"
"Mn." Pei Zhengnian kept a straight face. "Just finished work. Thought I’d keep her company."
"Oh, and—mind lending me some paper and a pen?"
……
