Chapter 2 Why Does He Have a Child?

“Doctor Zhu, you’re here as well. This is Commander Lin’s family member—she just arrived today. Commander Lin went up the mountain, so I brought her over first,” the soldier who had come along quickly replied, setting down the luggage.

“Family member? His niece?” Zhu Yan sized up An Yan curiously.

Liu Yuanchao’s expression turned awkward, unsure how to respond. Who at this station didn’t know Doctor Zhu was interested in Commander Lin? And now, suddenly, a fiancée appears…

An Yan hurriedly shook her head. “I’m not his niece. I’m the fiancée he arranged back home. I was sent here by the family to marry him.”

Zhu Yan was visibly stunned. She hadn’t even considered the possibility of a fiancée. Mostly, it was because An Yan looked so very young—barely of age.

Zhu Yan set down the little girl she was holding, approached An Yan, silently comparing herself to her.

“Fiancée? I’ve never heard he had a fiancée back home.”

Standing under Zhu Yan’s scrutiny, An Yan felt increasingly uncomfortable. Who was this woman, anyway? So annoying! What business was it of hers that she was Lin You’s fiancée? She even had a child and still cared about other men—how shameless could one be?

An Yan frowned. “Doctor Zhu is just Lin You’s comrade. It’s normal you don’t know about everything.”

Zhu Yan’s face changed, surprised by An Yan’s quick retort. “I’ve known Lin You since he enlisted. He’s only been home twice in all these years. I know him better than you, his so-called fiancée!”

An Yan was irritated as well. “And what does Doctor Zhu mean by this? Are you questioning my identity? Fine, wait until Lin You returns and ask him yourself. Ask if he has a fiancée back home. If he says no, I’ll leave immediately—I’m not so desperate for this engagement! Hmph!”

At those words, Zhu Yan’s face turned green.

An Yan didn’t care. She was exhausted from the journey and strode into the house, secretly wishing Lin You wouldn’t acknowledge her. Then it wouldn’t be her breaking off the engagement.

If so, she’d be free to fly—armed with knowledge from the future, how could she possibly fail to thrive in the opportunity-filled year of 1977?

Passing Zhu Yan, An Yan paid no mind to the murderous glare thrown her way.

The house was small, yet well-equipped.

An Yan glanced around. There were three bedrooms, which eased her mind somewhat.

She had just sat down when the little girl Zhu Yan had been holding ran over, grabbing her sleeve, eyes wide with curiosity.

Her adorable face made An Yan reach out to pinch her cheek. Seeing Zhu Yan distracted, she pulled a White Rabbit milk candy from her pocket and handed it to the girl.

“What’s your name?”

“Lin Nuannuan.”

“Nuannuan? Didn’t expect that woman to pick such a cute name. Is the candy good? I have more if you finish it.” Lin Nuannuan’s sweet, childish voice melted An Yan’s heart.

“It’s delicious. Thank you, sister.”

With Lin Nuannuan to keep her company, An Yan wasn’t so bored and simply waited for Lin You’s return.

About an hour passed when An Yan heard the gate open and a deep, magnetic voice followed.

“Thank you for your hard work today. Where’s Nuannuan?”

“She’s inside.”

The moment the door swung open, An Yan instinctively looked up—and was stunned.

This was nothing like what she’d imagined on the train. The word ‘ugly’ had nothing to do with the man before her.

Sword-like brows, starry eyes, features so finely chiseled he seemed sculpted, like someone stepped out from a painting.

Handsome!

That was the only word An Yan could think of.

She’d seen plenty of handsome men in her previous life, but compared to this one, all those so-called national heartthrobs and Korean idols seemed utterly lacking.

As for poor health, that was nowhere in sight. He was nearly six foot three, with long legs that could outrun her fate, and a muscular frame displayed perfectly despite the heavy army coat he wore.

Sensing her gaze, the man looked up, meeting her eyes.

Was this Lin You?

“Who are you?”

“Papa.”

Before An Yan could speak, Lin Nuannuan ran over to him. The man’s formerly reserved face broke into a smile. “Nuannuan, were you good today?”

Papa?

So this was Zhu Yan’s man?

Realizing his identity, An Yan quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. He was a married man! She nearly mistook him for Lin You—how embarrassing.

“Hello, comrade, I’m An Yan, Commander Lin You’s fiancée.” Regaining her composure, An Yan felt awkward about her earlier reaction.

That made the man’s expression turn strange. “An Yan?”

His tone seemed to be pondering something.

Outside, Zhu Yan followed them in, catching An Yan’s words and sneering. “You really know how to lie with your eyes wide open. How long are you going to keep deceiving people?”

“Deceiving? Who did I deceive?” An Yan shot back immediately. This woman had been opposing her since they met, and now, even with her man here, she was still picking a fight.

Zhu Yan shook her head. “You claim to be Lin You’s fiancée from home, but you didn’t even recognize him standing right in front of you. If that’s not deception, what is?”

Lin You?

He really was Lin You. Then why did Lin Nuannuan call him papa? He was clearly married—why did her biological parents insist that Xia Cuicui marry out here in the northwest?