Chapter 372: Indulgence

The young couple lingered in bed for over an hour before finally getting up reluctantly.

They planned to first find Ye Qingbai, invite him to have breakfast together, then go home to say goodbye to their elders before heading to the station.

After washing up, Lu Ye drove to Ye Rufeng's courtyard.

Bai Zhi wanted to go there as soon as possible so that she could help Ye Qingbai pack his luggage if it wasn't ready.

Sometimes she felt sorry for her cousin, Ye Qingbai.

He may seem carefree and easygoing, but deep down he probably has his own troubles.

Bai Zhi knew that Wang Lan was still Ye Qingbai's stepmother, no matter how good she seemed to be to him. She had been unwilling to stay in Bincheng for so long and had always followed Lu Ye.

Besides, Ye Qingbai was already in elementary school when she married into the family.

So the two of them just dealt with each other politely; it's hard to say they had any deep feelings for each other.

It's not even close to being true.

Even though his biological mother always sends him money, she lives abroad and he can't see her.

Given his recent emotional setbacks, he must be in a terrible mood.

I only put on a forced smile when I'm with them.

With mixed feelings, Bai Zhi suddenly said to Lu Ye as they approached their destination, "After we get to the army, please take good care of my cousin."

Lu Ye glanced at his wife after hearing her words.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her fair face was drooping, as if she was in a very bad mood.

He replied, "Okay, I will try my best to take care of him in daily life."

Even before he and Ye Qingbai were related by marriage, they had a good relationship in private.

Although he was his superior, it didn't stop those guys from joking around with him outside of work.

Spying on his privacy.

There were even rumors that he had an affair with Shen Qian.

A bunch of young men, they're even more gossipy than the aunties at the market.

Now that Ye Qingbai is considered his brother-in-law, he naturally takes extra care of him.

But this only applies to everyday life.

"Thanks, dear."

Bai Zhi grabbed his right hand, which was idle beside her, and kissed the back of his hand.

Lu Ye, "!!!"

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice was hoarse. "Stop fooling around, I'm driving."

"oh."

Bai Zhi realized something, pursed her lips speechlessly, and quickly let go of his hand.

It's really hot; it'll catch fire at the slightest touch.

When they arrived at the door, it was tightly closed, but Bai Zhi managed to push it open.

"My cousin is already up."

She continued talking to herself as she entered the courtyard with Lu Ye.

As a result, the courtyard was quiet.

Lu Ye walked to the door of the north room, lifted the curtain, and pushed open the door.

Almost instantly, Bai Zhi heard him swear.

She asked hurriedly, "What's wrong?"

She stood there asking the question, without coming forward.

They were afraid it would be inconvenient to go inside.

Lu Ye rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "Ye Qingbai and Xie Zheng are sleeping together again."

Bai Zhi, "???"

Curious, she stepped forward, and Lu Ye didn't stop her. She stood at the doorway, peering inside...

On the bed, the two men lay together, Ye Qingbai's legs draped over Xie Zheng's body, his sleeping posture quite unrestrained.

Fortunately, they were all wearing clothes.

It doesn't look that bad.

Bai Zhi then noticed a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) on the table in the room.

There's also a bag of sunflower seeds.

They must have been drinking last night and went straight to bed.

Lu Ye was quite dissatisfied with Ye Qingbai's keen sense of ability.

They've all been inside for a while now, but he still hasn't woken up.

Such keenness would be fatal on the battlefield.

He stepped forward unhappily, picked up the half-full glass of water from the bedside table, and splashed it on Ye Qingbai's face.

Bai Zhi, "???"

Ye Qingbai was startled and immediately opened his eyes.

He looked around blankly, and when he saw Lu Ye and Bai Zhi standing in front of him, his mind went blank for several seconds before he belatedly realized what was happening.

He looked at Lu Ye and Bai Zhi and asked in surprise, "Brother Ye, Xiao Zhi, what brings you here?"

After he finished speaking, he moved his body and saw Xie Zheng on the bed.

He frowned slightly, quickly sat up, and explained, "Xie Zheng came to see me last night, we had a few drinks and I went to sleep. I told him to go home early, but he ended up lying down."

He fell asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed, completely unaware that Xie Zheng hadn't left.

He clearly remembered telling Xie Zheng to go back.

Lu Ye's expression was very unpleasant, but in the end he didn't say anything, only signaling Ye Qingbai to wake Xie Zheng.

Ye Qingbai kicked Xie Zheng, and Xie Zheng slowly woke up.

Upon seeing Lu Ye, he awkwardly sat up and scratched his messy hair.

"Sorry, I drank too much last night and went to sleep."

Xie Zheng was getting dressed when Lu Ye couldn't resist calling Ye Qingbai out.

"Given your current condition, will you be able to quickly get back to work?"

He sized him up and began to criticize him, "What are we here for? You don't even have the awareness of an ordinary person. How are you going to work when you get back?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Ye Qingbai dared not refute.

When he drinks, he falls asleep as if he's dead.

Therefore, he never drank alcohol while in the army.

He took the initiative to admit his mistake, "Company commander, no, deputy battalion commander, I was wrong. It's just that I drank a little last night. I don't drink when I get back to the unit, so I got back into my old ways right away."

Lu Ye looked at him seriously and said, "Our work is special, and we need to be vigilant at all times, otherwise we might lose our lives without even knowing it."

"We bear the responsibility not only for our own lives and those of our comrades, but also for the lives and property of millions of people behind us. Therefore, we absolutely cannot let our guard down or become complacent, understand?"

"Boss, I'll adjust well once I get back to the unit."

Ye Qingbai lowered his head, not daring to meet Lu Ye's gaze.

He did indulge himself too much during his vacation.

He was completely absorbed in his own thoughts, and he drank alcohol from time to time, sometimes even forgetting his daily morning training routine.

But he also thought that since he was on vacation, he should relax and then go back to work hard.

Perhaps Lu Ye, as a leader, had more foresight than him and was worried that he wouldn't be able to get back into the swing of things, wouldn't be able to find his work rhythm, and wouldn't be able to handle unexpected situations.

He understands everything.

He should indeed refocus his mind and prepare to rejoin the team.

Ye Qingbai was very positive. "Boss, I will put all my energy into my work and my mind will not wander anymore. Don't worry, I will definitely not hold our battalion back."

Since he hadn't returned to his unit yet, Lu Ye only offered a brief reminder and then said nothing more.

They then turned their attention to Xie Zheng.

He questioned, "Why are you bothering Ye Qingbai in the middle of the night instead of making your own music?"

Xie Zheng had just finished dressing and was about to fetch water to wash his face when he heard Lu Ye's words. He glanced at Ye Qingbai and said irritably, "He's the one who bothered me first, okay?"

He had already gone to sleep, but Ye Qingbai kept calling him, urging him to get out of bed and come here in the dark.

Then I listened to Ye Qingbai pour out his grievances for half the night.

In the end, both of them drank too much.

Before Ye Qingbai collapsed onto the bed in the middle of the night, he told him to go back.

They have absolutely no conscience.

He's drunk, how is he going to get home?