Chapter 84 An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 84

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yueru was stunned. She had been disappointed so many times that it felt somewhat unreal.

Zhao Yueru tentatively reached out and waved her hand in front of him, "Zhou Jingsong, can you see what number this is?"

Zhou Jingsong raised his eyes and stared at Zhao Yueru. "Five."

"Yueru, you slapped me."

It was as if he wanted to remember every detail on Zhao Yueru's face; it was a mark he had painstakingly traced with his fingers over countless nights.

Four months after their marriage, he finally saw what his wife looked like.

Just as he remembered, he had thick eyebrows and big eyes, a dashing appearance, and a rare air of heroism between his brows.

Just like her personality.

"Yueru, so this is what you look like."

There is unspeakable bitterness in these words.

They had been married for several months and had consummated their marriage.

Even though Zhao Yueru was pregnant, he had never seen his wife because he was blind.

Zhao Yueru, unusually shy, asked, "Is it what you think?"

Speaking with wide eyes also reveals a touch of quirky cleverness.

"Yes, exactly as I imagined." Zhou Jingsong's voice was gentle, with a hint of low huskiness and tenderness. "Yueru, you are so beautiful."

Zhao Yueru smiled, a hint of smugness on her chin. "How about it? Your wife didn't disappoint you, did she?"

Although she wasn't as beautiful as Yingying, she was at least half a beauty.

Zhou Jingsong reached out and hugged her. "I'm not disappointed," he whispered, with a hint of relief. "No matter what you look like, I will never be disappointed."

"Yueru, you are a treasure to me."

When he was blind and could not see the world, Zhao Yueru chose to marry him, to be his eyes and his crutch.

He pounded on the table in this house, fighting for his interests bit by bit.

For Zhou Jingsong, going blind was the lowest and most desperate time of his life, but it was during this time that he met Zhao Yueru.

Isn't this a form of redemption?

Zhao Yueru and Zhou Jingsong had been married for so long, but she had never said such sweet words to each other before. She was a little embarrassed and said, "Zhou Jingsong, we've been married for so long, aren't you ashamed to say such things?"

"Aren't you ashamed?"

Zhou Jingsong held her tightly, and he could smell her unique fragrance. "Now that you can see, let's go to Xiangyi Hospital. I'll ask Dr. Qiu about your eyes. It's also been a month since you had your stomach checked, so I'll have Dr. Ning examine you as well."

Zhao Yueru nodded; she was four months pregnant, and the curve of her belly was visible. Zhou Jingsong couldn't see before, so Zhao Yueru was always the one to pack their things when they went out.

Now that Zhou Jingsong can see, he naturally won't let Zhao Yueru do these trivial tasks anymore.

The package included a medical record book, a small notebook used for prenatal checkups, some toilet paper and candy, as well as some money, food coupons, pastry coupons, and meat coupons.

When Zhou Jingsong led Zhao Yueru out, Zhou's eldest sister-in-law was sewing shoe soles under the eaves. When she looked up and saw that it was Zhou Jingsong supporting Zhao Yueru, she immediately scolded, "Sister-in-law? How are you taking care of your fourth brother? He's blind and can't see, yet you still let him lead you. Aren't you afraid he'll fall?"

He immediately starts making accusations.

If it were the old Zhao Yueru, she would have started arguing back, but she was in a good mood right now and couldn't be bothered with her.

Zhou Jingsong didn't want his wife to suffer such injustice. "Sister-in-law, you're overthinking it. I can see it now."

"As a husband, it is only natural for me to hold my pregnant wife's hand."

"And—it's none of your business to criticize my wife."

After saying that, without even looking at Zhou Dasao's expression, he turned around and pulled Zhao Yueru away.

Sister-in-law Zhou looked a little uncomfortable after being scolded. It wasn't until Zhou Jingsong had walked away that she realized, "Could the fourth brother have seen it?"

She yelled at the roof, "Mommy, Mommy, the fourth child can see!"

"The fourth brother isn't blind anymore."

His shout was so loud that he wanted everyone in the entire Mengjiatun village to hear it.

Even after Zhao Yueru had walked far away, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "You know your sister-in-law's personality. She's just a bit sharp-tongued, but she's a decent person and not completely rotten."

“Last time I had an upset stomach, she scolded me for being fussy while frantically making me brown sugar water, as if she was afraid something would happen to me. She was the one who ran out to find Dr. He after losing her shoes.”

It can only be said that Sister-in-law Zhou is a bit scheming and has a sharp tongue, but she is not entirely without merit.

Zhou Jingsong said, "You spoil her too much. She's the kind of person who bullies the weak and fears the strong. She talks badly about you behind your back while trying to take advantage of you."

“If you confront her once, she’ll learn her lesson—” Zhou Jingsong had just said this when he realized, “Forget it, even if you confront her a hundred times, she won’t learn her lesson.”

Sister-in-law Zhou is someone who never learns from her mistakes.

"Yueru, after this inspection is over, I will write an application and report to return to my post. Would you like to come with me?"

Zhao Yueru hesitated. If she left, Yingying would not be able to see her when she came back.

“If you want to wait for Meng Yingying, you can have her come to the station to find you later, or you can come back earlier to meet her.”

“Yueru, if I go to the garrison to retire, and leave you and the child in our hometown, I really won’t feel at ease.”

Zhao Yueru didn't agree immediately. She said vaguely, "Let me go to the hospital for a check-up first."

Whether or not to go with the army, you should at least tell Yingying in advance. It's unreasonable for her to make the decision on her own.

*

After sending the money out, Meng Yingying returned to her dormitory from the post office. Ye Yingtao was dividing the money into several portions: one for clothes, one for food, and the last portion to save.

Hearing the noise, she looked towards the door and saw that Meng Yingying's hands were empty, so she asked, "Did you send all your salary again?"

Meng Yingying walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed. She nodded and said, "Half for Yue Ru, and half for my third uncle."

If her father were still alive, she would have half of him. Unfortunately, her father is gone, and her only relatives in the world are Yue Ru and her third uncle.

Ye Yingtao didn't know what to say, but before she could finish, she subtly suggested, "You can't give it all away; you need to find a way to keep some money for yourself."

A girl can't do without money.

Meng Yingying nodded and said, "Just these last few months." She smiled, her eyes gentle, "Yueru is pregnant and there are places that need money everywhere. In addition, my third uncle offended a lot of people in the village because of me, so I sent him some money to buy wine."

It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for her third uncle to live a comfortable life in Mengjiatun.

As for Zhao Yueru, whether she's pregnant or giving birth, she can't do without money and ration coupons. The more money and coupons she has, the more options she'll have when she gives birth and goes through postpartum recovery.

Even if it's money that suffers, at least don't let her suffer herself.

Ye Yingtao felt only resentment upon hearing this, saying, "If only I had been there for you when you needed someone back then."

Then you'll meet Meng Yingying, who's there to repay a debt of gratitude.

This is an incredibly good deal.

Meng Yingying ignored her. She packed her things, tidied her hair, and then got up to urge, "Hurry back to the practice room, the teacher is still waiting for us."

When she arrived at the practice room, Yang Jie was negotiating with Director Fang, saying, "The students from our art troupe have already experienced the data collection task yesterday, so I think they should all stay in the practice room to practice today."

Commander Fang was somewhat embarrassed. "Everyone is on a mission. This is an order from our superiors. Our cultural troupe can't make exceptions."

Yang Jie frowned. "I can ignore others, but Meng Yingying must stay."

"Today is already the 11th, and she will be going to the Soviet Union to participate in an exchange and study conference in a week at most. There is so much for me to teach her, such as dance and Russian, and she needs to start learning all of these from scratch."

"Otherwise, even if she goes to the Soviet Union, there will be many things she won't be able to keep up with."

Commander Fang was aware of Meng Yingying's special circumstances at this moment. She pondered and said, "In this way, I can leave Meng Yingying with you at most. The others will still have to go on the gathering mission."

If Meng Yingying could stay, that would be fine too, so Yang Jie reluctantly agreed.

When Meng Yingying returned, she was told that she had to stay in the art troupe's practice room, while Ye Yingtao and the others were to go on a mission.

This was an order from above, and neither Meng Yingying nor Ye Yingtao could refuse it.

Although Ye Yingtao was reluctant, she could only leave quickly to gather at the entrance of the garrison. "Wait for me to come back. If I pick any more wild grapes, I'll bring some back for you."

Meng Yingying nodded and watched Ye Yingtao and the others leave.

Yang Jie knew that Yingying wanted to go with the group, so she explained the reasons in detail, "Yingying, you can't go anymore. I'll give you a crash course in Russian and dance these next few days, otherwise you'll be completely clueless when you go there."

Meng Yingying nodded, "I understand, teacher. I'll just follow your plan from now on."

Looking at her like this, Yang Jie couldn't help but pat her head, "So good, you're such a good child."

It would be an injustice if a student who is talented, obedient, and hardworking didn't shine in the future.

Meng Yingying has a strong ability to learn and absorb information, and then for several days...

She followed Yang Jie to learn ballet Russian and everyday Russian. Every day, she would practice pronunciation as soon as she opened her eyes and speak Russian as soon as she closed them.

It was at this moment that Meng Yingying realized that her teacher really knew a lot of things.

As long as Meng Yingying asked a question, Yang Jie could answer it. In the end, Meng Yingying even began to suspect that there seemed to be no professional skill that Yang Jie couldn't master.

Faced with her young apprentice's admiration, Yang Jie remained calm, saying, "Our class of students back then all had to learn Russian."

"Moreover, I was responsible for translating many of the books on ballet that have been translated."

“So it’s not surprising that I know these things.” As she said this, she raised her hand and tapped Meng Yingying’s forehead. “The important thing is that you have to learn ballet Russian within this week, otherwise you won’t be able to study it at all when you go outside.”

Meng Yingying nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "I will definitely study hard."

While Meng Yingying was busy learning Russian.

Qi Donghan would travel back and forth, going to the Lingbei mountain area every day to collect goods and then bringing them back for Political Commissar Xiao to sell.

He never came back empty-handed. Sometimes it was two wild eggs, sometimes black bear fruit, sometimes raspberries, and if he was lucky, it could even be jujubes.

Anyway, most of the fruits he brought back were sweet and sour. Whenever Meng Yingying was tired from practicing, she would take one out and eat it, and she would feel much more energetic.

Qi Donghan's thoughtfulness eventually led Yang Jie, who initially disapproved of Meng Yingying dating, to think that Commander Qi was indeed a good person. So she subtly reminded her, "Since Commander Qi is a good person, then hurry up and make the most of him, lest the duck that's almost in your mouth flies away."

Meng Yingying paused, then lowered her eyes, her fine eyelashes obscuring her eyelids. "Master, I know."

Seeing that she knew what she was doing, Yang Jie felt relieved. In the last two days, Meng Yingying not only studied dance and memorized Russian, but she also went with Yang Jie to run around to get documents.

Since this trip involved going abroad, a lot of documents were required. The team stationed there provided the necessary certificates, and she and Yang Jie went to the Cultural Bureau to successfully obtain the red dispatch certificates.

She needs this document to go abroad; otherwise, she can't go anywhere.

Before they knew it, it was the evening of the 16th. With their departure scheduled for the next day, Meng Yingying thought she would be able to wait for Qi Donghan to return, at least so they could say goodbye.

She waited from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m., but no one came.

Qi Donghan wasn't absent; he was simply in a meeting.

After receiving the notification, Commander Chen went directly to Qi Donghan. When Qi Donghan came in, Commander Chen handed him the notification and said, "Take a look at this."

Qi Donghan had just returned from the Lingbei mountainous area, covered in sweat. He wiped his sweat with a towel before receiving the notification. After reading it, his heart skipped a beat: "Our team is to send someone to accompany us to the study and exchange meeting in Jiangsu?"

Commander Chen nodded, "Yes, at least two people should accompany the group to protect the safety of the travelers. In addition, the accompanying personnel should also be able to speak Russian."

Qi Donghan clutched the notification slip, his lips pursed, a resolute look on his face. "Sir, I speak Russian, I can come along."

Commander Chen said, "I called you here because I wanted you to come along. That way, you can also consider the overall situation. As for the other person, you should think about who to choose. At least being able to speak Russian is the most basic requirement."

Qi Donghan racked his brains and had already made a choice. Although he didn't like Gao Chunyang, he had to admit that among them, Gao Chunyang was the best at Russian.

After thinking for a moment, he put aside the unpleasantness between the two of them and said directly to Commander Chen, "Sir, Gao Chunyang's Russian is quite good. If there are two of us, I'll add him."

Commander Chen nodded, "For the personnel accompanying the team, please take some time to go to the Cultural Bureau and get your dispatch certificates processed."

Qi Donghan looked down at his watch. "It's already past six o'clock."

“I’ll make an exception for this matter. I’ll call them and ask them to take this document over. It’s necessary for someone to accompany you. It was their unit that proposed this.”

"Go over there now, and call Gao Chunyang along too, and get the dispatch certificate done as soon as possible."

"Come with me tomorrow morning."

Qi Donghan nodded and saluted, "Understood, sir."

Qi Donghan was about to turn and leave when Commander Chen called him back to stop. "Give your work to the quartermaster and Xu Wenjun. Also—" He paused, "You can also take this opportunity to investigate the market over there."

He didn't explain himself very clearly.

Qi Donghan's eyebrows twitched. "Received, sir."

However, he was puzzled after he went out. After they sold the agricultural products they collected directly to the supply and marketing cooperative, the cooperative gave them cash and grain coupons. As for foreign exchange, it was directly taken away by the higher authorities.

Even if he went to investigate the acquisition prices outside, it didn't seem to be of much use.

Does the leader have other ideas?

Qi Donghan pondered for a moment without finding a clue, so he simply put it aside. Instead of rushing to the Cultural Bureau, he went to call Gao Chunyang back first.

When Gao Chunyang learned that he was to accompany him to Suzhou, he was genuinely stunned for a long time. "Me?"

He pointed to his own nose and asked.

Qi Donghan nodded. "It's you."

Gao Chunyang remained silent for a long time. "Is there anything I can do?"

This means they agreed.

"Go to the Cultural Bureau now to apply for the red-covered dispatch certificate."

Qi Donghan was very businesslike, which made Gao Chunyang feel increasingly uneasy. When he came out of the Cultural Bureau and held the dispatch certificate in his hand, he hesitated for a long time before asking what was on his mind, "Commander Qi, why did you come to me this time?"

He knew perfectly well that he also had feelings for Meng Yingying, but she still allowed him to come along.

In any case, Gao Chunyang himself knew he couldn't do that.

Qi Donghan stood at the door. The moon was bright and the stars were few, so only his exceptionally handsome silhouette could be vaguely seen. "Because collective interests are above personal grudges."

“Gao Chunyang.” He looked at him calmly. “Meng Yingying is a good person. It’s normal for other people to like her.”

"But Meng Yingying can only be mine."

From the very first time he saw Meng Yingying, he was determined to have her.

His thoughts never changed from beginning to end. If Meng Yingying could be taken away by Gao Chunyang, it would be his incompetence.

After hearing this, Gao Chunyang felt a bitter taste in his mouth. "Commander Qi."

"I am not as good as you."

Although he was reluctant to admit it, Qi Donghan was indeed the first to act after Meng Yingying and Qi Changming broke off their engagement.

Gao Chunyang had feelings for Meng Yingying, but he was a timid person and felt hesitant to admit it because Meng Yingying had previously been his roommate Qi Changming's girlfriend.

However, Qi Donghan did not have this concern; once he had made his decision, he acted immediately.

Qi Donghan twitched his lips. He was unusually silent. After a while, he brought up the important matter, "After we get back, pack your things. Tomorrow morning, we'll set off with Teacher Yang Jie and Meng Yingying."

Gao Chunyang nodded, and he left decisively.

Qi Donghan didn't rush back. He went to the dormitory building of the performing arts troupe. He noticed that the lights in Meng Yingying's dormitory were already off.

He stood downstairs and smoked a cigarette. He didn't call out to Meng Yingying, but stayed for a while before leaving.

Meng Yingying was completely unaware of this. She got up at 5:30 the next morning, having already packed her luggage the day before.

She carried her luggage and left the dormitory. Yang Jie was waiting for her downstairs. After they met up, they were about to leave when Meng Yingying looked back one last time.

She didn't see Qi Donghan, which puzzled her. For the past week, Qi Donghan had brought her fruit and pretty flowers every time he returned from a gathering mission, no matter how late it was.

But she didn't get to see it last night, and today she's leaving the performing arts troupe to go to the Soviet Union for exchange and study, which will take at least half a month.

With her leaving, it's likely that neither of them will ever see each other again.

"Waiting for Commander Qi?"

When Yang Jie saw her turn around, she asked in a low voice, "It's only a little past five o'clock, the sky is just beginning to lighten, and there is still a thin layer of fog outside."

It gets cold in the north as early as late September.

Meng Yingying was a little embarrassed. She nodded, crossed her arms, and pulled her coat tighter around herself. "I was just checking to see why he hadn't come."

Yang Jie smiled and said, "You said you didn't care about her, but now you do."

"Go check at the entrance; I might be waiting for you there."

Of course, this was a joke, and Meng Yingying didn't believe it. She was more inclined to think that he was too busy with the data collection mission in the Lingbei Mountains yesterday and probably set up camp in the mountains last night and didn't come back at all.

However, when Meng Yingying and Yang Jie arrived at the entrance of the garrison and were about to wait for the bus to the train station, they did not expect that Qi Donghan was standing under the jeep.

Under the white mist, he wore a black coat with a crisp shoulder line that made his shoulders and back appear very broad. Underneath, he wore a white polyester shirt with the collar slightly open, revealing a bit of his tanned skin below his collarbone. He wore navy blue khaki trousers with straight creases, the cuffs tucked into worn black knee-high leather boots, the boot surfaces polished to a shine, reflecting the morning light.

Just standing there quietly, he exudes an undeniable ruggedness and handsomeness.

Meng Yingying was then surprised to realize that Qi Donghan looked quite handsome when he wasn't in his uniform. He looked less sharp and more casual and spirited.

However, Meng Yingying was more shocked. She carried her bag and ran over, "Qi Donghan, what are you doing here?"

Seeing her approach, Qi Donghan naturally took the bag from her hand, a smile on his lips, "I'm part of the entourage."

"ah?"

Meng Yingying was truly stunned.

She was so cute, her eyes wide open, the shock on her face was palpable.

Qi Donghan paused for a moment, then restrainedly raised his hand and gently stroked her nose. His voice was low and husky. "I'm part of the entourage, accompanying you on your exchange and study trip to Suzhou. Of course, my main task is to protect you from harm while you're away."

"So, Comrade Meng." He stretched out his hands, which were dry and strong. "Comrade Meng, please give me your guidance for the next two weeks."

Meng Yingying was unusually flustered. She cried out and grabbed Qi Donghan's hand, laughing and crying at the same time, "Qi Donghan, you are such a bad person. Since you were going to come to Suzhou with me, why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"I waited for you until midnight yesterday and there was no sign of you."

"This morning too, after I left the dorm I was still looking to see why you hadn't come back to find me yet."

She thought Qi Donghan was going on a mission and wouldn't be coming back, but she never expected such a pleasant surprise.

Qi Donghan actually went to Suzhou with her.

Qi Donghan looked at Meng Yingying, who rarely showed her emotions, and his eyes also shone with a smile. "I received the notice last night. By the time I finished processing my dispatch certificate and came back, it was already past ten o'clock."

"So, it's my fault."

He concealed the fact that he had gone to Meng Yingying's dormitory building.

Meng Yingying glared at him and said angrily, "If you don't tell me about such important things in advance next time, Qi Donghan, I'm telling you, I'll get angry."

This is what conversations between young couples should be like; even their arguments have a touch of sweetness.

Even Meng Yingying herself didn't realize that she was becoming increasingly close to and dependent on Qi Donghan.

Yang Jie, standing nearby, was both amused and exasperated. "Alright, alright, Commander Qi was just trying to surprise you, why are you getting angry?"

After saying this, she looked at Qi Donghan and said, "Commander Qi, I'll be troubling you for the rest of the journey."

She hadn't expected that the garrison would send Commander Qi to accompany them to Suzhou. To be honest, Yang Jie felt a little more at ease after seeing Qi Donghan.

Qi Donghan replied, "It's no trouble at all, it's the least I can do."

"But you'll have to wait a while, there's another comrade of mine here, he'll be here soon."

Qi Donghan arrived half an hour early specifically to wait for Meng Yingying here.

As for Gao Chunyang, it was during the normal time period.

No sooner had Qi Dong finished speaking than Gao Chunyang arrived with his luggage. When Meng Yingying saw it was him, she was a little surprised, "Are there two people accompanying you this time?"

Qi Donghan nodded, "Yes, Gao Chunyang speaks Russian very well. He can be a translator for everyone after he goes there."

Meng Yingying thanked Gao Chunyang, "Thank you for your help this time, Comrade Gao."

Gao Chunyang's expression was complicated. He lowered his eyes and didn't dare to look Meng Yingying in the eye. "Comrade Meng, it's no trouble. This is my task."

Meng Yingying found Gao Chunyang strange, but didn't think much of it. After getting into the jeep, the driver took over the driving, and Qi Donghan arranged for Gao Chunyang to sit in the passenger seat.

He was sitting on the far left at the back, with Meng Yingying in the middle and Yang Jie on the far right.

The car was cramped, and Qi Donghan was tall and imposing. When he sat down, Meng Yingying's legs were pressed against his, and she could feel his heat even through the fabric.

Like a burning ember, it scorched Meng Yingying, making her want to hide, but there was nowhere to hide. The back seat of the three people was almost completely crammed with everyone.

Qi Donghan consciously pulled his legs closer together, trying not to touch Meng Yingying, which relieved Meng Yingying. Qi Donghan noticed this and his eyes darkened.

He then took out a map from his pocket. "My orders are for everyone to assemble at Harbin Railway Station, then arrive in Manzhouli, then take a train from Manzhouli to Chita, and after arriving in Chita, take the international train No. 19 to Moscow."

It was clear that Qi Donghan had already prepared a route map, so he began explaining it to them as soon as they got on the bus.

Meng Yingying had never been there before and knew nothing about the area. She just stared at the colorful map and felt a headache coming on. To be honest, in her previous life, she was used to using her phone to check maps.

Now, when she looks at a paper map, she has a feeling that she can't distinguish the dimensions.

Yang Jie could understand it. After looking at it for a moment, she said, "There are still three trainees at Harbin Railway Station."

"Let's go and meet up with them first."

In fact, Meng Yingying had always been puzzled, "Teacher, besides me, Tong Jialan, and Shen Meilan, who is the fourth person?"

Yang Jie didn't say, keeping it a secret, "You'll know when you meet her."

When Meng Yingying arrived at the train station, she saw Tong Jialan and Shen Meilan standing inside.

She looked around but didn't see a fourth person. Just as she was wondering about it, someone walked up behind her and suddenly patted her on the shoulder. "Meng Yingying, were you looking for me?"

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Author's Note: Hahaha, I finally got to be on time today! *smug face*