Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 37

A stout older woman was sweeping the floor. Seeing someone enter, she asked politely but without much enthusiasm, “Looking to stay here? How many of you?”

Ye Fangfei waved her hand politely. “No, I’m not staying. I just wanted to ask you something—would that be all right?”

The woman, noticing Fangfei’s courtesy, paused mid-sweep. “Sure, what’s it about?”

Fangfei explained, “I’m planning to start a small business and wanted to ask if there are any houses for rent nearby.”

“Hmm… I don’t think so,” the woman replied.

Curious, she leaned closer. “What kind of business are you planning, little miss?”

“I want to open a restaurant,” Fangfei answered simply.

The woman pointed to a small courtyard nearby. “If you’d come a few days earlier, it would have been perfect. Mr. Xu’s place next door was just rented by a young couple—they’re opening a restaurant too.”

“Oh, that’s really unfortunate,” Fangfei said, feigning regret. “If I’d known, I would have asked you sooner.”

“Even if you had, they might not have rented it to you,” the woman said, smiling.

Fangfei noticed her good-natured tone, but inside she was fuming at Shen Zhanping and Liu Wenjing.

She hadn’t even spent a penny of Shen Zhanxun’s money, yet that shameless couple had the audacity to exploit his name. Truly brazen.

Shen Cuiluan, noticing her sister-in-law’s dark expression, hurried over. “Sis-in-law, what happened?”

Fangfei recounted the incident, anger lacing her words. “Those two are shameless! Using your brother’s name to make trouble. Go home and tell Dad to write Zhanxun a letter, so he knows. He shouldn’t be unknowingly indebted to someone because of them.”

Shen Cuiluan’s temper flared. She wanted to storm off and confront Shen Zhanping and Liu Wenjing immediately.

Fangfei stopped her gently. “What would that achieve? Isn’t he Zhanping’s elder cousin? If all you do is overreact to him mentioning your brother, people will say you’re petty and ungrateful for family ties.”

Cuiluan’s anger subsided a little, though she muttered under her breath, “How can people be so shameless? They just argued with our family a while ago, and now they use my brother’s reputation for their gain. So annoying!”

“Don’t worry. Once your brother achieves success, things like this will happen more often—unavoidable,” Fangfei comforted her, patting her shoulder. “Go home first. Let Dad write a letter to your brother so he’s aware of what’s going on.”

“You could write to my brother too, Sis-in-law. Dad doesn’t write well, so Cuiluan and I usually do it. You’re educated—you can explain things clearly,” Cuiluan suggested.

Fangfei shook her head. “I don’t like writing letters.”

She couldn’t exactly say, I don’t know him well, so I don’t know what to write. That would sound odd—but it was true.

Northwest Military District

Shen Zhanxun had just returned from military school when his commanding officer summoned him.

“Report!”

“Come in,” the officer said.

Zhanxun entered and saluted. “Sir.”

Commander Wang Qingfeng smiled warmly at his capable subordinate. “Zhanxun, how are you? Adjusted to military school yet?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you for your guidance. The training has been invaluable.”

Wang gestured to a chair opposite him. “Sit. Let’s talk.”

“You haven’t been home in two or three years, right? I wanted to give you a long break. But there’s a mission that needs your assistance. Your visit home will have to wait a little longer.”

“Understood, sir. I’ll follow all orders,” Zhanxun replied respectfully.

Wang Qingfeng nodded approvingly. “Zhanxun, your performance over the years has been outstanding. After discussion among the military district leaders, we’ve appointed you as the commander of the 2nd Battalion and the chief instructor of the special operations unit. The appointment orders are ready. Once this mission is complete, you’ll assume your post immediately.”

“Thank you, sir. I will ensure the mission’s success,” Zhanxun responded.

Wang placed a leather envelope in front of him. “This contains your new identity for the mission.”

Zhanxun’s expression remained neutral, but internally he was surprised. It was his first time receiving a mission requiring a new identity. He quickly opened the envelope, scanning the documents.

“Sir, is this mission in Country R?”

“Yes. You’ll first go to Port City, where someone will meet you. Your cover identity is the illegitimate son of a wealthy businessman from Nanyang, currently traveling abroad. This mission is an investment reconnaissance in Country R.”

Wang handed him a photograph. “This is your target. The person is now under the protection of the R government, making it difficult for our agents to approach. You must use your investor identity to get close to his wife and eliminate him as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir,” Zhanxun replied.

He studied the photograph for a full minute before returning it. “When do I depart?”

“Tonight. First to Flower City, then by water to Port City. Once in Country R, our operatives there will assist you.”

Wang patted him on the shoulder. “Zhanxun, return victorious.”

“I will not fail your trust, sir,” Zhanxun said firmly.

Back in his dorm, he followed his usual pre-mission routine—writing a brief will, leaving instructions for the distribution of his savings and death benefits: half to his parents, half to Ye Fangfei.

To his parents, only one line: Your son has failed to repay your kindness.

To Ye Fangfei: Find another man and marry again.

As soon as he finished, there was a knock at the door.

It was his company commander, Zhou Guangrong. “Boss, you’re finally back! The brothers have been missing you. They said we should have a welcome back tonight. I wanted to tell you first.”

“You really missed me?” Zhanxun smirked. “Good. Tell them to assemble at the training ground immediately. I want to see if anyone has been slacking in my absence.”

Zhou groaned. “Boss, can’t we take it easy just for today? You just returned. Shouldn’t you rest or report to the commander first?”

Fearing Zhanxun would insist, he handed him some letters. “Here are your letters—one from last month, one today.”

Zhanxun took them but didn’t open them immediately. Instead, he handed Zhou a package of pastries from the capital. “Share these with the brothers.”

“Thanks, boss!” Zhou said excitedly, nibbling on one.

Zhanxun opened the letters. The one from his father was routine: updates on home and a brief note of concern.

The one from his grandfather, however, was unusually sentimental—written in delicate handwriting, expressing his longing and concern.

His grandfather mentioned his declining health and medical expenses, subtly criticizing Ye Fangfei for using the ten yuan he sent every month and allegedly threatening to divorce if she didn’t receive it.

Zhanxun read silently, realizing some family tensions had arisen over the small allowance. His parents hadn’t mentioned it, likely agreeing with Ye Fangfei’s handling.

He went to the military finance office, stopping the ten-yuan monthly remittance to his parents and redirecting all military-issued payments to Ye Fangfei’s family.

He also sent 100 yuan and some supplies to his uncle, asking him to pass it to his parents.

Before the mission, he wrote two safety letters: one to Ye Fangfei, one to Shen Jianhua. No instructions were left for his grandfather—he wasn’t his child.

At 1 a.m., Zhanxun boarded the military plane to Flower City. The mission was dangerous, life and death uncertain.

Yet he remained calm. Since choosing this path, he had never regretted it, nor had he feared it. Some things simply needed doing—and someone had to do them.