Chapter 617: I've given up

"Sister-in-law, my cousin is here. I'm going upstairs now."

Bai Zhi parked her car and went upstairs.

Wang Yumei was still chatting with Ye Qingbai when Bai Zhi arrived, and Ye Qingbai no longer had time to pay attention to her.

But I still greeted her, "Sister-in-law, let's go in first."

Zhou Lianchang's wife, Ye Qingbai, naturally addressed her as "sister-in-law" with great respect.

Although that day the woman used her status to pressure him and force him to kill a chicken, almost making him look bad.

But after all, she was the company commander's wife. No matter how much he resented her, he still addressed her politely and respectfully as "sister-in-law" when she spoke to him warmly.

Once inside, Bai Zhi closed the door and asked Ye Qingbai, "Why are you here?"

Ye Qingbai replied, "I came to see you on my way out of the hospital."

"Do you know where Lu Ye went?" Bai Zhi asked him as soon as she saw him.

"I also came to tell you about your brother-in-law," Ye Qingbai explained. "They've gone on a mission. Don't worry about them at home; they'll be back in a few days."

"oh."

Even though Bai Zhi was mentally prepared, she still felt heavy-hearted when she actually confirmed the information.

As expected, there was a mission.

She poured two glasses of water, sat on the sofa, and sighed, "Why is it always so sudden?"

Ye Qingbai said, "That's just how our work is. Apart from routine training and exercises that are announced in advance, how can we predict missions in advance? They all come suddenly."

Bai Zhi was genuinely puzzled. "Lu Ye is already a deputy battalion commander, why does he still need to personally take to the field?"

Ye Qingbai explained, "Because he is very capable. When faced with difficult tasks, his battalion commander and company commanders are usually the first to rush to the front."

Of course, he is also very capable in his own work, and this injury was simply an unexpected mishap.

"well."

Those who are capable should do more work.

But it has also been tough on their families.

"Don't worry, I'll be back in a few days."

Ye Qingbai said this, but he didn't know how to comfort her.

Being a military wife is so tough.

Staying at home in fear and anxiety is heartbreaking to see.

Especially his cousin, a young military wife who had just joined the army, hadn't yet adapted to this kind of life.

Ye Qingbai changed the subject, asking her, "Did you go to the county town today? Has the flooring been laid yet?"

Bai Zhi replied, "They're laying it out. Judging by the speed, it should be finished in a week."

"Tell me if you need anything, and we'll take care of it. Tell me if you're short of money too."

At this moment, Ye Qingbai wanted to help Bai Zhi as much as possible so that she wouldn't feel so helpless.

Although he knew his cousin was strong and independent, she was, after all, just a girl in her early twenties.

"Okay, I'll let you know if I need anything." Bai Zhi didn't want to talk about heavy topics anymore, so she smiled and tried to lighten things up with him.

"Cousin, where did you eat today? Did you eat at the cafeteria with Chen Qian again?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingbai's eyes flickered with a hint of awkwardness. "How did you know?"

Bai Zhi was overjoyed when she saw his posture.

"Looks like you and Shen Qian have a chance..."

Ye Qingbai shook his head without much confidence, "I don't know."

Bai Zhi looked at him and asked, "To be honest, you don't have anyone in your heart anymore, right? The place is vacant now, isn't it?"

This is the most crucial point.

Only when your heart is empty can you accommodate others.

"Xiao Zhi, I've given up."

Ye Qingbai lowered his eyes, his expression dimmed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and looked at Bai Zhi with a serious expression. "I used to be too obsessed. I always thought that as long as I worked hard and was sincere, I could move Dr. Lu and she would see my good qualities. But after you told me about her and her boyfriend, I suddenly felt that my persistence was meaningless. I felt like I was interfering and causing trouble, and I felt that this was very immoral."

Especially when he learned that the person Lu Shan liked was also a soldier, his colleague.

The two are currently not together due to special circumstances.

Ye Qingbai became even more determined to give up.

He can be without love, but he cannot be without morality.

Moreover, even if he forcefully intervenes, he may not necessarily win Lu Shan's favor.

So why bother?

Why make things difficult for others and demean yourself?

"So, do you have feelings for Shen Qian? Do you have any feelings for her when you're together?" Bai Zhi asked tentatively.

"Let's just... let nature take its course."

Ye Qingbai interrupted her, looked around the room, and then looked towards the kitchen. "What are you having for dinner tonight? Are you cooking?"

"What? You want to freeload again?" Bai Zhi glanced at him sideways.

Although she was complaining like that, she actually really wanted Ye Qingbai to stay for dinner.

At least if my cousin were here, his chatter would keep the room from feeling too quiet.

"I was just asking casually. If you don't want to cook, let's eat out. It's on me."

Bai Zhi had just returned from outside and was too lazy to go out again. She said, "Never mind, I'll just make something at home."

Although Lu Ye is not here, life must go on, and we still need to eat.

"By the way, what's your relationship with Company Commander Zhou's wife?" Ye Qingbai asked. "She was quite friendly when she ran into me today, and kept subtly asking about you, and even about your second grandfather."

"What?"

This surprised Bai Zhi.

Have you even found out about her maternal grandfather?

The reason is obvious: this requires medical treatment.

It is unclear who exactly needs it.

But Bai Zhi guessed that Zhou Jianmin had probably been diagnosed with some kind of illness.

Wang Yumei had previously visited the city hospital and heard from Liu Guifang that she had found a specialist who was quite reliable.

Given Wang Yumei's personality, it's impossible for her to abandon the experts in the city and seek treatment from a neighbor with whom she has a strained relationship.

Therefore, she guessed that Zhou Jianmin had discovered the problem.

Perhaps it's a rare or difficult-to-diagnose disease?

So you're inquiring about her maternal grandfather?

After all, my maternal grandfather was highly respected and had a reputation as a miracle doctor.

"You didn't tell her anything, did you?" Bai Zhi asked, looking intently at Ye Qingbai.

Ye Qingbai quickly denied it, "Of course not, I'm not stupid."

Bai Zhi steamed rice and stir-fried two dishes. After Ye Qingbai finished eating, Bai Zhi offered to take him back to his unit on her motorcycle.

Ye Qingbai repeatedly reassured her, "Xiao Zhi, please don't worry about your brother-in-law. He'll be back as soon as he's done with his work."

"I see."

For three consecutive days, there was no news from Lu Ye.

Company Commander Zhou from next door hasn't come back either.

Wang Yumei was now in a bad mood.

I can't sleep well at night, I feel extremely anxious.

Seeing that Bai Zhi was still coming and going as if nothing had happened, she finally couldn't resist and knocked on Bai Zhi's door after Bai Zhi returned from the county town.

"Bai Zhi, do you have any news about Lu Ye and the others? It's been so many days, why haven't they come back yet?"

Bai Zhi shook her head. "I have no news of them."

"Then why are you still so calm?" Wang Yumei was starting to lose her composure, her voice trembling with tears. "Do you think something might have happened to them?"

She had previously boasted that Zhou Jianmin had never been injured during all the missions he had been on over the years.

Liu Guifang wouldn't let her say it.

She lay in bed at night, her mind racing. Had she said something wrong that caused him to disappear without a trace?

Bai Zhi originally disliked Wang Yumei, but seeing her worried and anxious expression, she felt a little sorry for her.

She felt the same way as Wang Yumei.

She was just pretending to be calm.

"Don't worry, it should be fine. Let's just wait patiently."

Seeing that Bai Zhi's tone had softened a bit, Wang Yumei pressed her advantage, "Then may I come in and sit for a while?"

Bai Zhi met her expectant gaze and could only nod, "Come in."