Chapter 256: Jealousy

Su Ruo wanted to take the ration coupons from Song Jingyu's hand, but she hesitated again: "But you gave all these to me, what about yourself?"

Song Jingyu said with a smile: "Don't worry, I don't have many demands for food, and my allowance will be relatively higher; if you don't want them, I can't use all these coupons, and they'll be swindled away by those greenhorns under me."

Su Ruo then accepted: "Okay, then you calculate later how much money it is, and I'll pay you back."

Song Jingyu knew that if he said he didn't want money, he would certainly not accept it, and he said with a smile: "Okay."

But actually, since he had given these coupons away, he had no intention of taking them back; in his heart he already regarded Su Ruo as his wife, and it's only natural for a man to spend money on his wife, isn't it!

From that day on, the soldiers under Song Jingyu never again managed to scrounge a grain coupon from their usually generous regimental commander; instead, they had to guard any good things they possessed lest the commander confiscate them, causing widespread resentment.

Song Jingyu sent Su Ruo to the dormitory door before leaving; Hao Manru in the room saw this and instantly flew into a rage, smashing the tea cup in her hand.

As for the noise coming from the room, both Su Ruo and Song Jingyu seemed not to have heard it.

Song Jingyu said: "I'll ask tomorrow to see if we can free up another dormitory for you."

Hao Manru made things difficult for you in public, and the idea of switching dormitories was hers to begin with, so arranging a separate dormitory for you means that even if others have objections, they can't blame you.

Only then did Su Ruo understand why Hao Manru's suggestion to change dormitories was met with such ready agreement from Song Jingyu—this was the reason.

12 Su Ruo realized that Su Ruo realized that Song Jingyu wasn't as she had imagined; he was actually quite scheming, but she didn't dislike him.

Su Ruo said with a smile: "Okay, then I'll rely more on Comrade Song."

Song Jingyu's cheeks flushed instantly, but because he trained year-round, exposed to wind and sun daily, his skin was relatively dark, so it wasn't noticeable.

but only Song Jingyu himself knows how fast his heart is beating now; there is an inexplicable urge driving him to pull the girl before him straight into his arms, yet he restrained himself.

Song Jingyu wanted to say that he actually had a method that could permanently solve the housing problem.

Although housing in the military region is currently tight, with his rank, if he were married he could apply for separate quarters.

But he only dares to think this in his heart; he doesn't dare say it out loud, for fear of frightening the young girl before him.

Song Jingyu knows that Su Ruo is slow to warm up, so some things can't be rushed; they must be taken slowly.

Noticing the scrutinizing glances around, Song Jingyu felt reluctant but still said: "I'm heading back now; if you have anything, just look for me anytime."

Although Su Ruo didn't think she would need any help from Song Jingyu, she still smiled and thanked him for his kindness.

After Song Jingyu left, Su Ruo then entered the dormitory, and as soon as she walked in she was met with Hao Manru's cold stare.

Hao Manru had already been holding a grudge over the 'intimate' actions between Song Jingyu and Su Ruo; upon seeing the seafood sauce in Su Ruo's hand, she could no longer suppress her inner emotions.

"Is this seafood sauce that Brother Jingyu gave you, Su Ruo? What right do you have to take Brother Jingyu's things?"

Seeing Hao Manru's fury, Su Ruo thought that if Song Jingyu hadn't told her the seafood sauce was obtained in exchange from an old villager, and if Song Jingyu never lied, she would have suspected the sauce actually belonged to Hao Manru.

"Hao Manru, don't you think your question is extremely impolite and utterly ridiculous?"

"What relationship do you have with Song Jingyu? Song Jingyu giving me things—what does that have to do with you? What standing do you have to question me here?"

Hao Manru was momentarily speechless, but her anger flared even more: "Su Ruo, there are so many men in the world; you clearly know I like Brother Jingyu, why must you insist on snatching him from me?"

Su Ruo merely gave her a look: "You're crazy!"

Then she turned and locked the can in her own cabinet—not because Su Ruo is stingy, but given Hao Manru's nature, if she wanted to harm her she might secretly spit into the can or add something else, which would truly be aggravating.

These past few days Su Ruo hasn't rested well; she is truly exhausted now, so she doesn't want to wrangle with Hao Manru—she just wants to sleep.

But Hao Manru obviously didn't think that way; she yanked open the curtain on Su Ruo's bed and said: "Su Ruo, tell me clearly—are you determined to insist on taking Brother Jingyu from me?"

Su Ruo opened her eyes; her gaze toward Hao Manru was filled with icy chill: "Get lost!"

Just that one word made Hao Manru's body tremble inexplicably; for some reason she felt a powerful chill and pressure from Su Ruo, a sensation she had previously experienced only from her father and from uncles who had been on the battlefield.

"Hao Manru, if you want to fight, I'll accompany you to the end; if you don't want to get beaten, you'd better stay away from me."

Hao Manru certainly didn't want to just give up like that, but having witnessed Su Ruo's terror, she knew that if they really came to blows she would definitely lose; so even though she was unwilling, she ultimately didn't dare provoke Su Ruo again and stormed off angrily.

After Hao Manru left, she immediately called her mother; as soon as the call connected, she could no longer hold back her tears.

Hao's mother had originally opposed Hao Manru going to the sea island; the living conditions there are extremely harsh, her daughter had been pampered since childhood, and now her health isn't fully recovered—how could she endure it?

But since her daughter insisted, there was nothing she could do; upon hearing her daughter's crying, Hao's mother felt heartbroken and immediately asked what had happened.

Upon learning that Su Ruo had actually followed her to the sea island, Hao's mother's expression instantly turned cold.

She had originally thought that as long as she could arrange for Song Jingyu to be transferred to the sea island, over time he and Su Ruo would surely separate.

The conditions on the sea island are so harsh and inconvenient; Hao's mother never imagined that Su Ruo would actually come there for Song Jingyu's sake.

Hao's mother hated Su Ruo and Song Jingyu to the core, believing that if it weren't for them, her daughter wouldn't have ended up like this.

Nevertheless, she earnestly advised: "Xiaoru, the conditions on the island are so harsh they're utterly unsuitable for you—come back quickly! As long as you return, Mother will certainly get justice for the grievances you've suffered; I will absolutely not let them off easy."

But Hao Manru wouldn't listen to a word of it; she angrily declared: "I want Brother Jingyu and no one else; you must find a way to get rid of Su Ruo, or else I'll make you lose me, your daughter, forever."

Hao's mother was startled at once and hurried to soothe Hao Manru's emotions, fearing that a momentary impulse might drive her to do something foolish.