Late at night, when Yuan Qiang took Mao Xiangling home, Wang Yaqin was still awake.

She was sitting under the lamp flipping through the newspaper when she heard the door open, so she got up and went over.

"Where did you go? So late? You didn't go to see that kid surnamed Yuan, did you?"

Wang Yaqin frowned, her tone serious.

Mao Xiangling really didn't want to argue with her mother about relationship issues, so she made up a lie.

"No, I went to Sister Enruo's company. She invited me to stay for a meal, and we talked until late, so she drove me back."

"That's good. You're not allowed to see anyone from the Yuan family again. Take advantage of your studies in Beijing to completely cut off contact with them."

Wang Yaqin took out a glass of milk and placed it in her daughter's hand, then gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead.

"Xiangling, you must remember that the Yuan family are all heartless and ungrateful. I don't want you to suffer my pain anymore."

Your father passed away early, and my daughter and I have been relying on each other ever since. I don't want to lose you too.

"Mom, maybe Yuan Qiang isn't that kind of person. He's a good person!"

"Shut up! You're still thinking about him. People from the same family have the same upbringing, how could they possibly change?"

You're still young and inexperienced. Don't listen to that kid's sweet talk; it'll be too late to regret it later.

"Tell Mom honestly, you and him didn't do 'that,' did you?"

Mao Xiangling held the warm milk and looked at the few fine wrinkles that had appeared at the corners of her mother's eyes under the electric light.

She looked tired with her glasses on, a hint of weariness from working in the factory.

"Mom? What do you mean by 'that'? What are you talking about?"

"It's...it's about having sex, a relationship between a man and a woman."

This was the first time Wang Yaqin had asked these questions to her daughter. She was somewhat embarrassed, and her words were hesitant and evasive.

Although Xiangling is already in her twenties and a grown-up, she will always be a child in front of him.

In this age where people are shy about talking about sex, no one dares to ask directly.

"Mom, what are you thinking? How can you think of him like that, and also think of me like that?"

"Tell me honestly, did you or didn't you?"

"No!"

Mao Xiangling said impatiently.

"That's good! You're not allowed to see him again. Daughter, you're still young. If you make a mistake and get deceived, it will be too late to regret it."

Stay home for a few days, then go back to Beijing. Remember to prioritize your studies.

You are now a graduate student. Study hard under your advisor. Medicine is not to be taken lightly; in the future, you will hold other people's lives in your hands.

Mao Xiangling felt very annoyed and hummed in response.

She knew that her mother was urging her to return to school so that she would have less contact with Yuan Qiang.

She lay on the edge of the bed, unable to fall asleep even after drinking warm milk, her mind still preoccupied with him.

**

After washing up in the morning, Zhao Mingyan dressed up specially for meeting Ding Haotian.

She took out several Divy suits and tried them on, finally choosing one: a dark blue long dress suit.

The blue diamond pattern paired with floral and bird designs, along with the slightly ruffled collar, side shoulder pads, and cinched waist, perfectly showcases her figure.

Zhao Mingyan specially wore jade earrings, the emerald green embellishment making her look more refreshing, dignified and noble.

She drove her car, humming a song all the way to the regimental headquarters.

Upon arriving at the regimental headquarters compound, she was allowed to enter directly because the gatekeeper already recognized her.

Because the military newspaper editors came to gather material for their articles, Lu Zhenhua and the regimental officers had just finished the flag-raising ceremony and taken photos.

The group of people in military uniforms were still chatting in the courtyard and hadn't completely dispersed. The olive green expanse resembled the rows of poplars growing in the wind along the roadside.

Zhao Mingyan got out of the car, and a gentle breeze ruffled her long dress.

The dark blue background swayed like the shimmering waves of a lake.

Her peach-colored cheeks were lightly rouged, and the emerald green hairs by her ears resembled the sour fruit of early spring apricots.

She walked towards Ding Haotian, meeting the gazes of the soldiers.

Zhao Mingyan was already young, and with a little makeup, she looked even more radiant and beautiful.

Ding Haotian was chatting with his comrades with his back to them, completely unaware that Zhao Mingyan had stopped the car and was walking over.

He saw his comrades looking on with delight, their eyes darting away as they glanced behind them.

"Hey, that girl is looking for you again."

His comrade nudged him and gave him a hint.

Ding Haotian turned around; he hadn't expected her to arrive so early.

"Brother Ding? Are you guys organizing an event?"

"Yes, they just had the flag-raising ceremony and were taking photos. You're here early."

"I dare not delay the task assigned by Chairman Xia."

"Brother Ding, have you finished compiling the data?"

Zhao Mingyan, carrying a handbag, had a sweet voice that had long captivated her comrades. Everyone around them watched the two of them in silence.

"Oh, the statistics are done. They're in the office! Come with me upstairs to get them."

Ding Haotian, with his hands in his pockets, stood ramrod straight and turned to lead Zhao Mingyan toward the regimental headquarters building.

"Hey, Old Ding's got a good reputation with women, he's got such a pretty girl by his side."

"That's right. The others I met before were also good-looking, but this girl is exceptionally beautiful."

“If you look closely, she’s even better looking than those in the performing arts troupe.”

"But I doubt it. This girl is probably just a work contact and doesn't really like Lao Ding."

She's so young and beautiful, she'll have no shortage of suitors. Old Ding isn't good enough; he can't compare to those young men.

The comrades watched the two leave and whispered among themselves.

Upon entering the office, Ding Haotian, as usual, made Zhao Mingyan a cup of tea.

Then I handed her the newly compiled statistics table.

"Mingyan, this is new. Take a look and see if it's okay."

Zhao Mingyan glanced at him for a moment, then watched him walk to his desk, light a cigarette, and slowly and methodically begin to smoke.

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