If Mei Shuping found out about Han Yi and Mei Shuqingâs relationship, I wonder what expression heâd have.
I also donât know if weâll be able to see each other this New Yearâs.
Because Han Yi had to rush back to school immediately, there wasnât even time for a lunch break. After eating, Liang Qian urged Lin Wan to see off Han Yi, giving the young couple a chance to talk alone.
The young couple, since entering the room, hadnât really had a chance to speak. Just meeting and already having to separate, neither of them could bear it.
Han Yi greeted Lin Yinghui and Liang Qian, then took Lin Wanâs hand and headed out.
On the way, neither of them spoke. Han Yi just held her hand, and when they encountered people in the compound, neither of them recognized them. They didnât feel embarrassed in front of others.
Lin Wan was wearing a gray-blue thick cotton coat today, and a red scarf, with her fair skin making her look lively. Han Yi was dressed in a military uniform, his stern face invoking some awe. Walking through the compound at this time made them particularly noticeable. People in the compound recognized their neighbors, so when suddenly encountering such an attractive couple, they speculated about who they might be. Perhaps new officers moving into the compound or relatives of someone here.
Although the winters in the Capital City arenât as cold as in S City, the biting wind is still quite unbearable. Han Yi tightened his scarf, glanced at her, and raised his hand wanting to hug her but felt it wasnât appropriate in such a setting.
Suddenly, he quickened his pace, taking Lin Wan into a narrow and secluded alley.
Just as they walked in, she quickly pushed him, thinking theyâre outside and could be seen. If others saw, there would be gossip. However, Han Yiâs strength was surprisingly strong, and she couldnât easily break free.
Lin Wan glanced towards the alleyâs entrance and, seeing no one pass by, breathed a sigh of relief.
She quickly pushed him away a bit, creating some distance between them.
Han Yi chuckled softly beside her ear, saying, "Nobody will see us. This place is quite hidden; donât worry."
Lin Wan asked uncertainly, "Really?"
"Mm, your man is not only good at shooting but also excellent at reconnaissance."
"Ai Yi, I miss you so much."
"I miss you too." Han Yi smiled broadly, leaned down, and his warm breath landed on her face. His words carried a bit of dissatisfaction, "Why didnât you come a day earlier?"
Lin Wan also regretted, thinking it would have been better if she had come a day earlier.
"Do you not have time these days?"
"...Not exactly, we have shifts, but Iâm not sure yet. Iâll call you if I get a break."
"Mm... Iâll wait for you."
Lin Wan tightly hugged him, and the two of them poured out their hearts in the alley for a while. "Should I walk you to your school? We havenât even spent an hour together."
With affection, Han Yi stroked her head and sighed, "Iâm afraid youâll be cold. Although the weather here isnât as bad as in S City, the wind and dust are strong."
"Itâs okay, I can handle it. Iâll just walk you to the school gate, okay?"
"Alright. Letâs go." Han Yi let go of her, adjusted her scarf, and holding her hand, they walked out leisurely.
"Howâs Little Star?"
"Mm, quite well-behaved. Can roll over now and even sit up by himself." Han Yi smiled, whenever he missed Lin Wan and the child, heâd take out the photos to look atâespecially during countless nights. Nobody knew that taped to the wooden panels of his bunk were photos of Lin Wan and the child.
Every night, he seemed to fall asleep early, but actually, he turned on his side to secretly look at the photos of his wife and child.
Sometimes Han Yi wondered if he hadnât joined the army, would he be leading a normal life with Lin Wan and Little Star, feeling happy.
Then again, he thought, at that time he might not have met Lin Wan.
Life doesnât often go that ideally. Having a career he loves and marrying a woman he cherishes are already blessings from heaven. From now on, it requires his own efforts.
"After the mission is over, Iâll take you to Tiananmen for a walk, then weâll climb the Great Wall again. Did you bring the camera?"
"I did. Weâll take more pictures this time and let Mom see them when we return."
"Letâs also check out the department store; I heard there are some nice clothes there."
"Are they prettier than the ones I make?"
"No, but wearing othersâ clothes and the ones you make feels different. We can buy several pieces and try on the clothes others make. Besides, there are quite a few women here getting their hair permed."
Lin Wan raised her eyebrows, leaning closer to him. "Does their permed hair look good?" Han Yi honestly shook his head, slightly frowning, "Not good."
"So you mention this, do you want me to try perming like them or donât want me to learn to be coquettish like them?"
"If you perm it, itâll definitely look better than theirs. If you like, I can accompany you when I have time to get it done."
Lin Wan didnât expect Han Yi would agree to her perming her hair, werenât soldiers notorious for disliking such trendy things, thinking they were improper and tarnished their military image?
"No, Iâve seen those getting their hair permed; none look better than their natural hairâmakes them look old."
"Alright, if you donât like it, donât perm it. I also think it makes one look old, not good at all."
Clearly, Han Yi still doesnât like her perming her hair.
Holding hands, they walked on, chatting and laughing, until they reached the school.
National Defense University, itâs quite large inside. Lin Wan didnât enter. Sheâd have Han Yi take her inside for a tour next time heâs on leave.
"Later, take the bus from the front. Itâs just three stops away."
"Mm, if you have time, donât forget to call me."
"Got it, hurry home now. Keep warm, donât worry about me, this mission isnât dangerous." Han Yi felt uneasy about her going back alone, but having reached here and with a mission awaiting, he had to reluctantly leave her.
"Mm." Just meeting and already having to part, naturally Lin Wan wanted to look at him a bit more, unwilling to leave.
Watching Han Yi enter the campus, it seemed to indeed be urgent; he didnât linger like before, walked briskly inside until his figure disappeared. Only then did Lin Wan snap back, feeling envious as she observed the uniform green figures coming and going at the gate. After a while, she quietly boarded the bus and returned to the compound.
Perhaps the gatekeeper recognized her from earlier; this time, there was no questioning.
Liang Qian noticed she took a long time to return and wisely didnât ask many questions.
"Itâs still early, Ah Hui is upstairs working on documents. If youâre not sleepy, we can watch some TV together. A drama called âThirteen Grand Protectorsâ is playing recently, and Iâm quite hooked."
"Okay."
Liang Qian made a cup of tea for her brother, then went downstairs to watch TV with Lin Wan.
Lin Wan accompanied Liang Qian watching TV for a while, then Lin Yinghui came down from upstairs.
Liang Qian, worried he might lose his way, got him a ride straight to the place.
The two of them stayed at home for a while before Liang Qian took Lin Wan out.
"Xiao Liang, is this pretty girl beside you your relative? Is she attached yet?" asked a lady passing by in the compound.
"Granny Qin, sheâs my goddaughter. Your Little Qinzi doesnât stand a chance. My daughter is already married," Liang Qian boasted, using the word âdaughterâ twice.
The nearby lady was indeed surprised, "Xiao Liang, you rearranged your place earlier because of your goddaughter? Where did you find her? Sheâs so beautiful."
"From where Old Mei used to stay; we were neighbors. Now I not only have a daughter but also a son. He had matters today; heâll come by another day and let you meet him."