Chapter Twelve: The Fierce Chen and Liao Engage in a Battle of Wits with Yan Zhou

Joe Luo had originally thought that she wouldn’t be able to sleep from overexcitement, but to her surprise, nestled in Qin Yanzhou’s arms, she fell asleep in no time.

As for Qin Yanzhou, holding the delicate warmth of the girl in his embrace, the scent of her filled his nostrils. Her soft hair brushed against his cheek from time to time, stirring his restless heart.

In short, that night, Joe Luo slept soundly, while Qin Yanzhou endured a torturous rest.

Meanwhile, the system in Joe Luo’s mind grumbled for a long while before reluctantly going into hibernation.

The next morning, Joe Luo naturally woke up in Qin Yanzhou’s arms.

She wasn’t awakened naturally, but by the reveille echoing through the military camp.

Qin Yanzhou was awake earlier and, looking down, saw Joe Luo’s sleepy little face, his heart melting even more.

“Awake?” he asked softly. “Do you want to sleep a little longer, or get up now and have breakfast with me in the mess hall?”

Joe Luo glanced at the faintly brightening sky outside and muttered, “It’s way too early… I still want to sleep…”

She then nestled closer into Qin Yanzhou’s arms again.

Qin Yanzhou gently patted her. “Then sleep a bit more. Remember to eat breakfast when you get up. I have to go to the unit.”

Joe Luo whined softly, unwilling to let go of him.

Qin Yanzhou was reluctant to pull her away as well, caught in a moment of indecision.

Only then did he truly understand the meaning of “From now on, the ruler no longer attends court.”

Nevertheless, Qin Yanzhou still upheld his soldier’s discipline. Seeing Joe Luo fall back asleep, he carefully removed her hand, tucked in the blanket, and quietly got out of bed.

By the time Joe Luo got up, the sun was already high. Yawning, she went to the kitchen and found the kettle filled with hot water. Next to it was a lunchbox containing now lukewarm rice porridge and two meat buns.

Joe Luo guessed Qin Yanzhou must have arranged for someone to deliver it. Her heart warmed as she heated the porridge and buns over the fire and ate contentedly.

Meanwhile, Qin Yanzhou arrived at the unit and took care of the necessary matters. Remembering the most important issue, he immediately summoned Chen Liao.

That morning, Chen Liao had dutifully gone to deliver breakfast to Fang Qing, only to be snapped at again. Now hearing that Qin Yanzhou wanted to see him, he was uneasy, fearing trouble over Joe Luo.

He had no choice but to drag himself to Qin Yanzhou’s office, hesitating for a long moment outside before finally knocking.

“Report!”

“Come in.”

Chen Liao pushed open the door. Despite his preparation, his heart still raced upon seeing Qin Yanzhou. The commanding presence was undeniable.

“Close the door,” Qin Yanzhou said without lifting his eyelids.

Chen Liao turned to close the door, hesitated, then tentatively asked, “Commander Qin, what do you need to see me about?”

Qin Yanzhou finally looked up, meeting Chen Liao’s gaze directly. “Let’s talk—about your engagement to Joe Luo.”

Chen Liao’s expression stiffened instantly.

Recalling Fang Qing’s harsh attitude that morning and the radiant image of Joe Luo he’d seen at the supply cooperative the day before, a faint regret stirred in his heart.

“How would you like to discuss it?” he forced his voice to remain calm.

“Of course, I want to break the engagement,” Qin Yanzhou said evenly. “Joe Luo is going to marry me.”

Chen Liao’s complexion shifted.

Although he himself was about to marry Fang Qing, the thought of Joe Luo marrying Qin Yanzhou unsettled him deeply.

At this point, he no longer cared about Qin Yanzhou’s rank and raised his voice, “Commander Qin, Joe Luo and I are indeed engaged. If she marries you, that’s a betrayal of our promise!”

Qin Yanzhou’s tone grew colder. “Do you want to make this matter public?”

Chen Liao instinctively glanced toward the door and pressed his lips together.

Qin Yanzhou remained cold: “If we’re talking about betrayal, weren’t you the first to betray? Your marriage report with Fang Qing hasn’t even been approved!”

Chen Liao’s face darkened. “Commander Qin, you’re not taking this personally, are you?”

He gritted his teeth: “If you really do this, and Fang Qing and I can’t marry, then I’ll fulfill my engagement with Joe Luo!”

Qin Yanzhou narrowed his eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

Chen Liao trembled under the pressure, but then straightened his neck. “How could I dare threaten you, Commander Qin? But I have to marry someone. If my marriage to Fang Qing isn’t approved, then I have no choice but to marry Joe Luo!”

Qin Yanzhou smiled faintly. “Do you think such a lucky break exists? Joe Luo won’t wait for you to marry her. Who do you think you are, some prized catch?”

His gaze sharpened. “You submitted a marriage report with Fang Qing while still engaged to Joe Luo. The military can arrange for Joe Luo to annul the engagement with you immediately.”

He looked at Chen Liao pointedly. “After all, weren’t you the first to break your promise?”

Chen Liao’s heart sank.

He realized this was entirely possible. Besides, Qin Yanzhou held a much higher rank; as a company commander, how could he resist him?

Higher authority crushes the lower, especially when Qin Yanzhou was several ranks above.

At that moment, Chen Liao felt deeply frustrated.

Seeing Chen Liao at a loss for words, Qin Yanzhou let out a soft snort and tapped his long fingers against the wheelchair’s armrest. “Today, I represent Joe Luo to formally break the engagement with you. Since no one knows about it yet, it’s better for both sides.”

Chen Liao remained silent, grinding his teeth in secret.

Even if the engagement was to be broken, it should have been him going to Joe Luo, rejecting her—not some wild man showing up on her behalf while she stayed hidden!

Qin Yanzhou ignored his silence and calmly continued, “If you refuse, we won’t hesitate to make this public. After all, you’re the one in the wrong. But then, your reputation…”

His voice took on a mocking tone.

Chen Liao could still act tough in front of Qin Yanzhou, but he knew that if the engagement became public, he would be condemned by all. If Fang Qing stopped talking to him because of it, that would be the lesser evil.

If the organization judged his conduct to be flawed and barred him from promotion, then he would have truly lost both the woman and his future.