Chapter 132 Finding the Answer

Meng Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, as if he had been struck by the light and the words at the same time.

She stared at him for a few seconds, then she smiled.

In that instant, she felt as if she were seeing two completely different worlds.

On one side was Qiao Wanyin's resoluteness and calmness, like frost covering branches, firm yet distant.

On the other side is Fang Xiaolin's elegance and sincerity, like a gentle spring breeze, warm yet stubborn.

The two are in stark contrast, yet both truly exist.

Her hands were in her pockets, her fingertips gently pinching the gold-embossed business card.

A strange emotion was swirling in my mind, mixed with a hint of inexplicable anticipation.

In the following days, Fang Xiaolin seemed to have vanished into thin air and never appeared at the mutual aid center again.

As Meng Zhiyuan walked down the familiar corridor, his gaze lingered for a moment as he passed the corner where they had once talked.

She thought that was the end of it.

It wasn't until Friday afternoon that she ran into Fang Xiaolin, who was flipping through a military magazine at the military library.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and immediately saw Meng Zhiyuan standing next to the bookshelf.

"Miss Meng, what a coincidence!"

He immediately closed the magazine in his hand, stood up, and smiled as gently as a spring breeze. "You also like military-related content?"

Meng Zhiyuan hadn't expected to run into him here, and his steps involuntarily faltered.

"I...I came to borrow some books for my dad."

Her voice softened, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the library.

Fang Xiaolin smiled upon hearing this, her eyes gentle: "Your father is truly diligent in his studies, just as admirable as the rumors suggest."

"I've also happened to have studied some modern military theory."

His tone was calm and somewhat humble.

"I wonder if we'll have a chance to talk? Maybe I can help you pick out a few suitable books."

Meng Zhiyuan frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"Aren't you in business? How do you know about these things?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaolin simply pushed up her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, I've been interested since I was a child, but in the past, due to limited resources, I could only look at some materials sporadically."

He paused, his voice unconsciously lowering.

"Actually, I came back this time because I wanted to do something for our country's national defense."

These words were like a drop of water falling into a calm lake, creating ripples in Meng Zhiyuan's heart.

A sense of curiosity, mixed with a touch of respect, quietly arose in her heart.

She hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded gently, "Then... what kind of content do you want to see? I can help you find it."

So the two walked side by side among the rows of tall bookshelves.

Fang Xiaolin spoke clearly and logically, yet without appearing pretentious.

Instead, they always manage to add a witty comment at the right time, making people laugh.

“Did you know that once when I was doing research in Europe, I saw a retired general simulating battlefield deployment with sandwiches and fries in a coffee shop?”

He said with a smile, a sly glint in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhiyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You're really good at making things up."

“It’s true,” he shrugged, looking serious. “The sandwich is ham and cheese.”

The two hit it off more and more as they talked, and time seemed to stretch out quietly.

Before we knew it, two hours had quietly passed.

Suddenly, the library's closing bell rang out.

Meng Zhiyuan snapped out of his daze and glanced down at his watch: "It's already this late?"

"I have to go, Dad is waiting for me!"

Fang Xiaolin remained calm, but immediately said, "I'll take you. There are fewer buses running outside the military area at this time."

"No need, no need!"

She quickly waved her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed, "My home is just two streets ahead, it's really not far."

Fang Xiaolin smiled slightly, her tone firm but not forceful: "Don't refuse, it's what I should do. Since we've run into each other, how can I let you walk alone at night? Being a gentleman to escort you is my duty."

His tone was natural and considerate, which made people feel at ease.

Meng Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded gently, his voice as soft as a falling leaf, "...Then...thank you."

She walked half a step to Fang Xiaolin's side, but would occasionally glance at him secretly.

She couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"What's wrong?"

Fang Xiaolin suddenly noticed her gaze, a smile playing on her lips. "Is there some dust from the book on my face?"

Meng Zhiyuan was startled, and the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

"It's nothing, it's just..."

She paused, as if considering her words, "What you and Wanyin said... is a little different."

Fang Xiaolin frowned slightly, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

"Aqing misunderstood me, I don't blame her."

"When people are young, they will always make some mistakes."

He paused, as if recalling something, "When you're young and impetuous, who hasn't made mistakes? The key is to be able to turn back and correct them."

Hearing this, Meng Zhiyuan's heart softened.

His initial, subtle wariness of Fang Xiaolin had unknowingly loosened somewhat.

"Just leave it here."

Fang Xiaolin stopped at the entrance of the military compound, her tone gentle and considerate.

"So that others won't see it and misunderstand."

His voice was deep, with just the right amount of distance.

Meng Zhiyuan felt a warmth in his heart, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and he finally spoke: "Thank you for your help. I had a very pleasant chat today."

Fang Xiaolin's eyes flashed, as if they had been illuminated.

He looked at her and gave her a gentle and sincere smile: "If Miss Meng isn't busy, there's a Hong Kong business exchange event this weekend. It's quite lively, with performances and some novelties. Would you like to come and check it out?"

Meng Zhiyuan originally wanted to decline, but after opening his mouth, he swallowed the words back.

She paused, glanced at him, then quickly looked away: "I...I'll think about it some more."

No rush.

Fang Xiaolin smiled slightly and took out an elegantly designed invitation card from the inside pocket of his suit.

"The time and place are clearly written down. You are welcome to come anytime."

After returning home, Meng Zhiyuan stuffed the card into the bottom of the drawer, as if he wanted to hide it in a corner of his memory.

But after a short while, she secretly took it out and looked through it again.

The next day at noon, Qiao Wanyin invited her to lunch at the army canteen.

As soon as the two sat down, Meng Zhiyuan noticed that the other person was staring at him.

"What? Is there rice stuck to my face?"

She subconsciously touched her cheek, trying to use a joke to cover up her inner panic.

Qiao Wanyin shook her head, gently placing her chopsticks on the rim of her bowl: "You've been absent-minded these past two days, walking like you're walking on cotton, and you've been spacing out twice as often as usual. Is something wrong?"

"No."

Meng Zhiyuan lowered his head to eat, picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks, and deliberately avoided her gaze. "I'm just a little tired from reading too much lately."

Qiao Wanyin narrowed her eyes and stared at her for a full three seconds.

"You wouldn't... be in a relationship, would you?"

Her tone carried a hint of excitement, as if a detective had finally discovered a clue.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Meng Zhiyuan's face flushed red, and his voice involuntarily rose.

She quickly lowered her head and took a sip of soup to cover up her actions, but Fang Xiaolin's image kept flashing through her mind uncontrollably.

This reaction immediately alerted Qiao Wanyin, who leaned forward slightly: "Wait, could it be Fang Xiaolin?"