Extra seven

After calming Lai Xiang down, Tang Jianye went to the snowdrift and carried the man into the car.

When they went back inside, Lai Xiang had already cleaned up. The purplish-blue color on her face was getting darker and darker. Liu Ting was rolling a boiled egg on Lai Xiang's face.

"Grandma, please close the door properly. I'm going out for a bit." Liu Ting asked anxiously. "Tang boy, where are you going? It's so late. Why don't you leave tomorrow?"

Tang Jianye also thought that he had spent a long time pestering their battalion commander to get this leave, and he wouldn't let it go to waste. However, the matter that had just occurred needed to be dealt with immediately.

Tang Jianye didn't say anything, just nodded to the two of them and left.

Tang Jianye took the man directly to the state-owned farm's police station. The station chief was Tang Jianye's comrade-in-arms. After Tang Jianye told him what had happened, the chief was furious.

Everyone is working hard to develop the country, but there are still these parasites causing trouble.

"Squad leader, don't worry, this kid's got a bullet in his pocket."

Tang Jianye nodded, "Then I'll trouble you. Also, I don't want him to say the girl's name."

The director understood Tang Jianye's meaning. Tang Jianye went to the hospital again that night and bought a lot of medicine for bruises and sprains. Only then did he drive back to the village.

Lai Xiang was already in bed. But she couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, the scene of that man grabbing her neck and trying to rip off her clothes would appear before her eyes.

Lai Xiang curled up in bed, biting her lip tightly and remaining silent. Liu Ting knew that Xiang was not feeling well, but anything she said now would be futile.

When she heard the knock on the door again, Liu Ting was about to get up to open it, but Lai Xiang poked her head out from under the covers. "Grandma Liu, I'll go."

Liu Ting opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. It's good that Xiangxiang has someone to talk to.

Lai Xiang put on her clothes and went out to open the door. Tang Jianye saw her come out, squeezed in as soon as the door opened, closed the door behind him, and asked anxiously, "Why did you get up? Are you in pain?"

As she spoke, she pulled her into the house. Lai Xiang led him into the west room, saying, "Grandma is lying down, you can rest in this room."

As she was about to leave, Tang Jianye stopped her, pulling Lai Xiang into his arms. Despite the coldness emanating from him, Lai Xiang felt incredibly secure.

Tang Jianye took out the ointment and applied it to Lai Xiang's face using the sunlight from the snow. "Don't get it wet. Apply it for a few more days and it should go away."

Lai Xiang let Tang Jianye apply the medicine for her, and she felt particularly at ease. This feeling was similar to when Xiao Yueyue was around, yet also somewhat different.

After applying the medicine, the two sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) in silence. But the night was even colder, and their legs soon became numb with cold. Lai Xiang rolled over and climbed onto the kang; Liu Ting had already laid out bedding. Lai Xiang simply pulled back the covers and covered herself. After waiting for a while, Tang Jianye didn't move, and Lai Xiang stared at his back.

Aren't you cold?

Tang Jianye...

He was cold, but he didn't dare.

Lai Xiang reached out and tugged at Tang Jianye's arm. Tang Jianye gritted his teeth; this girl was testing his patience. Never mind, the woman he loved was right behind him, and she had just been bullied; she definitely needed comforting.

Tang Jianye deftly took off his shoes and stared intently at Lai Xiang before covering her with the blanket. "Xiangxiang, will you be my girlfriend?"

With a "whoosh," Lai Xiang's face flushed red. Despite the darkness in the room, Lai Xiang still felt a bit hot all over.

"Tang Jianye, you'll regret this. And you knew perfectly well what just happened..."

Tang Jianye crawled into bed and pulled her into his arms. "Don't talk nonsense. You're great, just the way I like you."

Lai Xiang smiled silently. Tang Jianye struggled for a long time, but it was already late, and he was afraid that if he didn't speak up now, she would be even angrier later.

"Xiangxiang, I have something to tell you."

Lai Xiang nestled in Tang Jianye's arms, her voice muffled. "Okay, go ahead and say it."

"I'm going to the battlefield tomorrow."

With a "whoosh," Lai Xiang sat up abruptly from under the covers. In the dim light of the snow, she could only make out Tang Jianye's outline. Tang Jianye sat up with her.

Lai Xiang had moved too much, which aggravated her wounds, causing her to cry out softly. Tang Jianye immediately supported her, "Where does it hurt? Huh? Tell me."

Lai Xiang wanted to shake him off, but she was afraid of upsetting him. After a moment, Lai Xiang spoke softly, "So, you came here tonight to say goodbye?"

Tang Jianye remained silent. Lai Xiang knew that this meant he had admitted it.

Unable to hold back any longer, Lai Xiang blurted out, "Tang Jianye, if... if what happened tonight hadn't happened, would you...?"

"I will!" Tang Jianye interrupted Lai Xiang before she could finish speaking. He bowed to Lai Xiang and looked her straight in the eyes. "Xiangxiang, I've actually wanted to say this for a long time, but I was afraid you wouldn't agree, so I kept it to myself."

I came here today to ask you this. I have a selfish reason; I'm afraid that once I go to the battlefield, I'll never come back. I know in my heart that I shouldn't keep you waiting, that I shouldn't tell you, but I can't help myself.

Lai Xiang was very happy; she was pleased that Tang Jianye had said those words.

Holding Tang Jianye's hand, she said, "Tang Jianye, go ahead. I know you're a soldier, and going to the battlefield is your duty. I won't be a burden to you. I'll wait for you to come back."

Tang Jianye's breathing became heavy. He hadn't expected Xiangxiang to agree without crying or making a fuss. He stared at Lai Xiang very seriously.

"Xiangxiang, I will try my best. I said if, if I can't come back..."

Lai Xiang stepped forward and silenced Tang Jianye with her mouth.

Tang Jianye...

With a "boom," he felt as if something had exploded in his head, a dazzling array of colors. But he simply didn't know how to think about it.

Lai Xiang pulled away immediately, then lowered her head shyly, saying, "Don't say such unlucky things. I believe in you, you will definitely come back safely."

If Tang Jianye could control himself, he wouldn't be a man. He gripped Lai Xiang's shoulders with both hands, looked down at her, and said, "Xiangxiang, good Xiangxiang, just now, just now I was completely stunned."

That doesn't count. Xiangxiang, try again.

The voice was so tender and affectionate that Lai Xiang felt her face turn even redder. But really, how could this guy talk like that? However, she liked it very much.

Having experienced her parents being sent to the cowshed and the betrayal of the person she had always liked, Lai Xiang is no longer shy. She mustered up her courage and looked up to kiss Tang Jianye.

Tang Jianye had been waiting for this. This time, Lai Xiang's lips were pursed by Tang Jianye until she felt the air in her chest being sucked away and she couldn't breathe at all. Only then did she forcefully push Tang Jianye away with her hands.

Tang Jianye was also panting heavily. He cursed himself inwardly for being useless. Had all his lung capacity training been for nothing? How could he give up after such a short time?

No, I need to be more diligent when I get back.