The military camp was full of wolves; he couldn't rest assured leaving Lin Yan out alone.
After finishing the meal, Xu Haoran took the lunchboxes out to wash. Lin Yan wanted to help him, but he refused. The water was too cold now, and he couldn't bear to let Lin Yan freeze.
As Xu Haoran was heading upstairs with the washed lunchboxes, he was blocked by Tao Ya, who had just come out.
"Company Commander Xu, I heard you have a girlfriend, is that right?"
"Who are you?" Xu Haoran was very confused, looking at the cultural soldier who had stopped him. He had no impression of the person in front of him.
"I... I am Tao Ya, don't you remember me?" Tao Ya couldn't believe that the person in front of her didn't remember her at all.
"Oh, Comrade Tao, are you blocking me for something?"
"I heard that Company Commander Xu has a girlfriend, so..."
"Yes, I have a girlfriend. But this has nothing to do with Comrade Tao. My girlfriend is waiting for me in the room. Can Comrade Tao please move aside?" Xu Haoran interrupted her.
"Company Commander Xu, do you really not remember me? I previously..." Tao Ya said anxiously.
"I do not know Comrade Tao. Please do not waste my time." Xu Haoran showed no mercy, bypassed Tao Ya, and went upstairs.
Tao Ya stared blankly at Xu Haoran's retreating figure, her teeth clenched tightly on her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
She had been pampered and well-behaved since childhood because of her beauty, the darling of her family. After joining the cultural troupe, she was also sought after because of her beauty.
She simply couldn't imagine anyone treating her this way. She had already lowered herself to approach him, but how could Xu Haoran be so heartless!
She absolutely had to see what his girlfriend looked like. She didn't believe that woman could be more outstanding than her! Xu Haoran, you will definitely regret this!
In the afternoon, Lin Yan stayed in the room reading. Xu Haoran found a hot water bottle, filled it with hot water, and let Lin Yan hold it.
While Lin Yan was reading, Xu Haoran sat beside her, pretending to read a book, but his attention was all on Lin Yan.
He really liked this feeling, being by the side of the person he loved, it was incredibly warm and reassuring.
He didn't understand why he couldn't take his eyes off this girl the first moment he saw her. Perhaps this was love at first sight as described in books, but it wasn't the most beautiful part.
The most beautiful part was when the person you loved also loved you back. He thought of his disbelief and joy when Lin Yan agreed to be with him, and the thought of spending his life with her made him feel like the happiest person!
In the evening, Xu Haoran and Lin Yan went to the mess hall together for dinner, planning to go to the auditorium afterward.
On the way to dinner, Lin Yan saw many couples walking together; these must have been the results of the matchmaking event today.
When the two of them arrived at the auditorium, a wave of warmth hit them as soon as they entered.
Looking at the brightly lit auditorium and the lively crowd inside, Lin Yan felt warm, even though she wasn't participating.
In this rather large auditorium, the dance had not yet begun, and everyone was chatting in small groups.
Lin Yan and Xu Haoran attracted everyone's attention the moment they entered. It was Xu Haoran's first time attending such an event; he had always found excuses to avoid it in previous years.
So, his presence this time surprised everyone. What's more, he brought his girlfriend with him.
Those who knew his girlfriend knew that she was a researcher from the research institute and that they didn't have many opportunities to see each other throughout the year, as they were both busy.
They also knew that he had put in a lot of effort to win her over! Now that his researcher girlfriend was here to spend the New Year with him, it seemed like it wouldn't be long before Company Commander Xu applied for housing in the family compound.
They had heard that his girlfriend had also taken the college entrance examination and was aiming for a military academy, but none of them had expected his girlfriend to be so beautiful. She looked even more attractive than those cultural soldiers.
Tao Ya and Liu Lu had also arrived at the auditorium early. They had not participated in the afternoon matchmaking event. Tao Ya because she had always wanted to marry Xu Haoran, and Liu Lu because she already had a boyfriend.
However, they did not miss the evening dance. So, as soon as Lin Yan and Xu Haoran entered, Tao Ya saw them.
Although she didn't want to admit it, the woman beside Xu Haoran was not inferior to her in terms of appearance. Tao Ya also heard others discussing that Xu Haoran's girlfriend was a researcher.
She looked good and had a good job, not what she had imagined to be insignificant. It was just that she didn't want to admit defeat so easily.
Xu Haoran introduced Lin Yan to his colleagues, comrades-in-arms, and their wives. Lin Yan met many people that evening.
She knew that she might interact with these people a lot in the future, as they would become her neighbors once she moved into the family compound.
Therefore, Lin Yan interacted with them very kindly and generously. From these brief conversations, she gained an initial understanding of the personalities of these wives.
They all seemed approachable, which made Lin Yan quite satisfied. Although she might not live in the family compound for too long, having good neighbors was still nice.
After the pleasantries, Lin Yan was led to a side by Xu Haoran. He didn't plan to dance, nor did he want Lin Yan to. He noticed many eyes on Lin Yan, and if he weren't by her side, people would have surely approached her for a chat.
Lin Yan also had no interest in dancing. She just followed Xu Haoran to a corner and ate the snacks he had brought out.
As she was eating sunflower seeds from Xu Haoran's pocket, Lin Yan distinctly felt a gaze fixed on her.
Unlike the playful or curious glances from others, this gaze was mixed with resentment and bitterness.
Lin Yan followed the gaze and saw a woman with braided hair. She had delicate features and was wearing makeup, a very striking woman.
Judging by her attire, she should be one of the cultural soldiers present. Her appearance was outstanding among the cultural soldiers, but looking at her eyes, it seemed this woman was likely her love rival.
Lin Yan gave her a polite smile. Seeing her visibly stunned, Lin Yan turned her gaze back and continued chatting with Xu Haoran. They were discussing when they would go to meet her parents together.
Although she wasn't in a hurry, the person in front of her was. Of course, after her relationship report was submitted, her superior had also inquired a few times.
However, because she still had to attend school, she hadn't considered it yet.
Although early marriage was common in this era, she still didn't want to get married that early. But if it were with the person in front of her, she was willing to get married sooner.
She ignored the woman who was looking at her with envy and resentment. Xu Haoran was an excellent soldier and an excellent boyfriend; it was normal for someone to like him.
However, she trusted Xu Haoran's character and believed that he had no relationship with that woman. Moreover, only a foolish woman would target another woman; a smart woman would target the man.
Xu Haoran's eyes were full of her, and he kept her so close. She naturally trusted Xu Haoran. Besides, from what the wives had said earlier, it could be inferred that he had no romantic entanglements before.
Lin Yan didn't take the cultural female soldier seriously, but she didn't expect that this female soldier would proactively approach her when she was alone after her performance!