Ling Huanwu looked at the small bed where the two of them had once squeezed together in passionate embrace, her eyes filled with disbelief. "The army has dormitories, or there are houses in the educated youth settlements. How could you let her live in this family compound? Is Comrade Su your family member?"

Zhou Jiuzhen stood up, squinted at her, and said, "Those places are full of bachelors and not safe. It's safer to stay here."

As he spoke, he picked up the book "Dedicate Everything to the Country" that Ling Huanwu had been reading every night from the table and shoved it back into her hands. "I don't read books. That must be Ling Zhiqing's book. You should take it back quickly and not offend Comrade Su's eyes."

Ling Huanwu took the book, staring at him with wide eyes. "What kind of attitude is this? Are you going to clear out my things to make room for your savior?"

Zhou Jiuzhen pursed his lips and remained silent, the corners of his lips sometimes curving upwards and sometimes downwards, his thin lips seemingly fighting.

Su Haiting spoke softly and gently first, "Did I upset the village girl? It's all my fault. My family is pressuring me to get married. They said if I don't find a military officer husband to marry before the end of this year, they will cut ties with me. That's why I asked Brother Jiuzhen to help me with a fake marriage."

"Oh, village girl, please don't be angry. I'll return Brother Jiuzhen to you after the New Year..."

You mean a fake marriage?

Ling Huanwu rubbed her ears to make sure they weren't malfunctioning. When she turned to look at Zhou Jiuzhen, her eyes were filled with shock and anger. "You're going to marry another woman?"

Ling Huanwu cursed with all her might, completely absorbed in the act.

To everyone's surprise, the next second, Zhou Jiuzhen, who had been keeping a straight face, burst out laughing, as if he had been stabbed in the back by a knife.