Around noon.

Xu Xinghe brought a lunchbox to the office again.

Jiang Linchuan saw her, but didn't say anything. Instead, he raised his arm, clearly indicating that she should put the things down.

Xu Xinghe looked at his deep-set eyes and raised her eyebrows slightly.

What's going on?

Why did he suddenly accept it?

In the past, Xu Xinghe had to resort to threats to get Jiang Linchuan to reluctantly agree each time.

But now, he hasn't said anything at all.

Xu Xinghe tentatively put down the lunchbox and took out two pairs of chopsticks. "Let's eat together today."

"Hmm." Jiang Linchuan was a man of few words, but he picked up his chopsticks and started eating first.

Xu Xinghe stood still.

strangeness.

That's really strange.

Why did his attitude inexplicably make me feel a little uneasy?

Given his personality, those hurts will definitely not be forgotten so easily.

Seeing that she was still standing there without moving, Jiang Linchuan frowned even more, his tone still harsh, "What are you standing there for? Eat."

"Oh..." Xu Xinghe then sat down, her gaze quietly falling on him.

He stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the food, not glancing at her once. Yet, the aloofness and coldness he exuded was much gentler than a few days ago; even the knuckles holding the chopsticks weren't as tense.

The two finished their meal in silence.

Xu Xinghe packed up her lunchbox. "Well, I'll head back now."

Jiang Linchuan suddenly looked up, "Where are you going?"

His gaze swept over Xu Xinghe's short, thin black cotton-padded jacket, which reached just to her waist, making her legs, encased in long trousers, appear even longer and straighter.

Dressed like that, she's definitely going out.

"I'm going to town to buy some things."

"I just happened to be going to town on business." Jiang Linchuan picked up the military overcoat draped over the back of the chair, speaking in a calm tone as if he were talking about something completely ordinary.

Xu Xinghe was stunned for two seconds before belatedly realizing what was happening. Her eyes lit up immediately, and she quickly followed.

He actually wanted to give it to me!

It's like the sun has risen in the west!

A military green jeep was parked outside the office building, and Jiang Linchuan got into the driver's seat first.

Xu Xinghe deliberately stood still and waited for a while.

The car showed no signs of starting.

It seems he really is waiting for her!

Could it be that Jiang Linchuan has suddenly had a change of heart?

Or perhaps... he was moved by her?

That doesn't make sense either. She doesn't seem to do anything special, just deliver meals every day and make her presence known.

Xu Xinghe opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.

The car started quickly and drove out of the military headquarters gate.

The road conditions weren't smooth, but they were much better than those of buses, and there was no nauseating smell of gasoline.

Xu Xinghe couldn't help but turn her head, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on the sharply defined profile of his face.

Jiang Linchuan felt the burning gaze, his hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel, the veins on the back of his hands stood out, and against his honey-colored skin, he looked inexplicably alluring.

“Jiang Linchuan, you’ve changed.” Xu Xinghe couldn’t understand, so she simply asked directly, her small mouth opening and closing, “Why are you suddenly being so nice to me? You wouldn’t… want to kick me out, would you? Let me tell you, I’m not leaving. Wherever you are, I’ll be there.”

Xu Xinghe suddenly remembered something. "You're not going to buy me a coat, are you? Actually, it's not that you absolutely have to buy one, you just need to wash it clean for me. By the way, how much is your monthly allowance now?"

Her only intention was to find out Jiang Linchuan's current financial situation; if it was low, she absolutely could not let him buy this coat.

But Jiang Linchuan interpreted these words differently.

She wanted to know her allowance; wasn't that a way of saying she wanted to marry him?

The words of Political Commissar Wang echoed in my ears once again.

He could accept marrying Xu Xinghe.

Jiang Linchuan's jawline tightened, and he pursed his lips. "You..." want to marry me?

The remaining six words were on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't bring himself to say them.

He has been resisting Xu Xinghe's attempts to get close to him these past few days. Could this have hurt her?

Or... should I buy her something?

"Jiang Linchuan, watch out!"

Jiang Linchuan slammed on the gas pedal.

Not far away, a small dog lying on the road let out a howl and ran away.

If it had been a second later, it would have been crushed into mincemeat by a car.

"That scared me to death!" Xu Xinghe patted her chest, still shaken. "What were you thinking?"

"It's nothing." Jiang Linchuan's face was grim. He had indeed been distracted, thinking about things he shouldn't have while driving, which was not his style.

Neither of them spoke again for the rest of the journey.

Finally, the car arrived in town.

Xu Xinghe got out of the car. Jiang Linchuan leaned against the driver's seat, one arm draped over the window sill. The collar of his military overcoat was open, revealing his training uniform underneath. The sunlight softened the hardness of his jawline. "Be back in two hours, right here."

"Understood." Xu Xinghe walked quickly towards the supply and marketing cooperative, her mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened.

Has Jiang Linchuan really changed his ways?

Not only will they take her home, they'll also take her back.

However, she quickly stopped thinking about it and took out some of the candy and other things from her space.

She had originally planned to wait until their relationship improved before giving her the gift she had prepared.

However, judging from Jiang Linchuan's appearance, tonight might be a good time.

She can light a few candles then to make it more romantic, which might even take their relationship to the next level.

...

Two hours later.

Jiang Linchuan was indeed waiting in the same spot.

Xu Xinghe noticed that there were many things placed behind her, but they were all covered with cloth, and she didn't know what they were.

"What did you buy? It looks like a lot, is it all food?"

Jiang Linchuan started the car. "No."

It was a gift for her.

"All right."

The wheels rolled over the gravel road, making a slight creaking sound.

Jiang Linchuan's fingers tightened unconsciously around the steering wheel.

The shadows of the trees outside the car window rushed past, but his peripheral vision couldn't help but linger on the passenger seat.

Xu Xinghe was looking out the window. The collar of her black cotton-padded jacket accentuated her slender neck, and sunlight fell on her profile, making even the fine hairs on her face clearly visible.

Jiang Linchuan swallowed hard and tried to speak again.

Should we just say they're going to find an auspicious day to get married?

Should I ask her if she wants to marry me?

What if she refuses?

With this hesitation, the car was already close to the military headquarters.

Jiang Linchuan pulled over, finally making up his mind to ask directly. He tugged at his collar, "Do you want to be with me...?"

A loud, gruff voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh my, what good fortune has befallen our Heilongjiang province! Another handsome young man has arrived!"

Jiang Linchuan subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound.

The next second, his pupils contracted.

A man and a woman stood at the entrance of the military gate.

The man wore a light gray trench coat, the collar neatly buttoned, and a pair of thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His gaze behind the lenses was gentle, and he exuded a scholarly composure.

It was Li Xingzhou.

Jiang Linchuan's face darkened instantly, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened abruptly, his knuckles aching.

He recognized the man; it was Xingzhou, the man Xu Xinghe used to always talk about, the man she once blushed and said she liked!

Jiang Linchuan stared intently at Li Xingzhou, his chest feeling as if something was blocking it, a heavy, dull feeling accompanied by a pain that almost suffocated him.

Li Xingzhou also noticed the car, and saw Xu Xinghe who had just gotten out of the car. She was pretty and captivating.

She's still so beautiful; you can tell at a glance that she's a pampered young lady.

Li Xingzhou's eyes darkened, and he raised his well-defined fingers to push up his glasses. His voice was gentle, and his smile was light. "Xinghe, it's been a long time."