Chapter 71 They finally became a real couple!
Regarding the claim that Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue are a real couple, and that Qiao Xingyue is actually Pang Ya, Xiao Songhua and Chen Jiahui believe that is a complete fantasy.
Sitting in the back seat of the jeep, Chen Jiahui said understandingly, "Bei Song, I truly wish Commander Xie and Xingyue all the best, and I hope they get together soon. You don't need to joke with me like that. Whatever their relationship is, I will be careful to maintain appropriate boundaries in the future."
Chen Jiahui is an expert at striking the right balance.
After Commander Xie and Fatty got married, didn't she stay far away and voluntarily apply for a transfer to the Kuncheng Military Region?
A military green jeep drove on the asphalt road.
The tall, sturdy paulownia trees on both sides cast their shade, which reflected on Chen Jiahui's beautiful and refined face, making her relieved smile even brighter. However, this brightness concealed the bitterness of her entire youth.
She looked out the car window at the cornfield, where the villagers were harvesting the golden corn, but her heart felt empty.
"Everything I said is true, but you two just don't believe me?" Jiang Beisong, who was driving, didn't know how to convince the two of them.
But when he said something, neither Xiao Songhua nor Chen Jiahui responded.
Chen Jiahui gazed at the golden cornfield where the villagers were harvesting corn, while Xiao Songhua gazed at her.
Jiang Beisong, who was driving, glanced at the two of them in the rearview mirror. "Jiahui, I think Songhua is pretty good, and he's never had a girlfriend. Why don't you consider Songhua?"
Chen Jiahui heard these words.
She looked away from the car window and inadvertently met Xiao Songhua's gaze. For a moment, she felt that Xiao Songhua's gaze on her was too hot.
But when she looked closely, she didn't find anything unusual. Xiao Songhua leaned forward on the driver's seat and shoved Jiang Beisong, saying, "Jia Hui is shy, so don't joke around with her. Even if you're going to date, it has to be serious."
"Huh?" Jiang Beisong made a left turn, driving to the left side of the intersection, and teased, "Songhua, are you planning to seriously date Jia Hui?"
Jiang Beisong said: I've helped you this much, buddy, just say the word.
Snap!
Xiao Songhua slapped Jiang Beisong on the back of the head and gritted his teeth, saying, "Just focus on driving!"
Chen Jiahui, who was sitting next to him, stopped talking. Perhaps Jiang Bei had let go of the joke, because she seemed a little reserved and unconsciously clutched the canvas bag in her hand tightly.
Jiang Beisong got back to the main topic, "Zhongming and Beiyang told him not to tell anyone that Comrade Qiao Xingyue is Fatty. Beiyang only told me, and I only told you two. You two mustn't tell anyone else."
As Jiang Beisong drove, he added, "Comrade Qiao hasn't been back to Chadian Village for over five years because Zhongming hasn't been there. After being kicked out of her home by her mother, she gave birth alone outside and struggled on her own for five years. She still harbors resentment and is currently going through a divorce with Zhongming. She doesn't want this to reach Aunt Lan and Uncle Xie's ears, so you two better keep your mouths shut."
Chen Jiahui and Jiang Beisong are at ease.
He was afraid that Xiao Songhua would tell others, and if it reached Aunt Lan and Uncle Xie's ears, he and Bei Yang would be in trouble.
Sitting next to Xiao Songhua was Chen Jiahui, the person he had secretly admired since childhood. He sat upright in the car seat, his back tense, feeling that his heartbeat was a little abnormal. He didn't dare to speak in his usual rough voice, "Who would believe what you're saying? Fatty weighs over 200 pounds, while Comrade Qiao is as thin as a bamboo pole."
Jiang Beisong gripped the steering wheel and said, "That's because Comrade Qiao has suffered a lot raising two kids on his own over the years, which is why he lost weight."
Thinking about it that way, it seems to make sense.
Chen Jiahui pondered the question seriously, her brows furrowing slightly. "Bei Song, it can't be true, can it?"
Jiang Beisong saw a muddy puddle filled with water ahead, so he braked and swerved around it. "It's absolutely true. Just you wait and see. This time, Zhongming took a bullet for Comrade Qiao on the Kunming-Jinzhou railway line. Maybe Comrade Qiao's attitude towards Zhongming will change. Who knows, they might not get a divorce then. Anyway, you two mustn't tell anyone about this, otherwise Zhongming will blame me and my brother for letting the cat out of the bag."
Xiao Songhua responded, "If you and your brother were to reveal any secret missions the regiment has, Zhongming would kill you."
Jiang Beisong: "I am very meticulous about my work."
The car arrived at Jincheng Railway Station.
Chen Jiahui got off the car first.
Inside the car, Jiang Beisong lowered his voice and said to Xiao Songhua, "Songhua, I've already set things up for you, why didn't you confess to Jia Hui?"
Xiao Songhua had already opened the car door to get out, but quickly pulled the door back and closed it, afraid that Jia Hui outside would hear. "How can you be so hasty about confessing your feelings? Don't worry about it."
As he spoke, Xiao Songhua opened the car door and got out.
Jiang Beisong was left alone in the driver's seat, muttering, "You haven't been reckless for over a decade, and you haven't produced a single word."
A dozen minutes later, Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue walked out of the train station.
Xie Zhongming didn't appear to have any injuries. When he came out, he was carrying a red plastic bucket. Inside the bucket were their enamel cups, kettle, clothes, and several of Qiao Xingyue's books, which weighed several kilograms.
Despite his injuries, he refused to let Qiao Xingyue carry him.
The group got into the car together. Chen Jiahui specifically asked Xiao Songhua to sit in the passenger seat, while she sat in the back by the window next to Qiao Xingyue.
In this way, Xie Zhongming could sit by another window, next to Qiao Xingyue.
At this moment, Chen Jiahui carefully examined Qiao Xingyue and couldn't imagine her as a fat woman weighing over 200 pounds. However, what Beisong said made sense. If Xingyue was kicked out of her family home and gave birth to a child alone outside without anyone to take care of her, she would definitely suffer a lot and it was possible that she would lose weight.
She really wanted to find out whether Xingyue was actually Fatty.
But Beisong said that this matter could not be discussed with outsiders, and all doubts could only be swallowed down.
Chen Jiahui kept praising Xie Zhongming to Qiao Xingyue, "Xingyue, Commander Xie is truly a very responsible person. You can tell just by looking at how he rushed out without hesitation to shield you from bullets this time."
Qiao Xingyue knew Chen Jiahui's purpose.
This girl wanted to set her up with Xie Zhongming. It's rare to find such a good girl; she's had a crush on Xie Zhongming since childhood, and even after learning that Xie Zhongming likes her, she didn't resort to any malicious tactics like Deng Yingying.
The group returned to the military compound together.
The military green jeep drove directly to the gate of the Xie family's courtyard.
Upon hearing the car, An'an and Ningning were the first to run out, followed by Huang Guilan.
As soon as An An and Ning Ning ran out, they hugged Qiao Xingyue's legs on either side.
He was indeed closest to Qiao Xingyue.
Qiao Xingyue also squatted down, holding the two children in her arms, and they shared their heartfelt feelings.
Xie Zhongming, watching from the side, felt a pang of sadness. Didn't these two children miss him? He was their father. But then he thought, the two children didn't know he was their father, and he just hoped Xingyue would tell them the truth soon.
After a while, An An and Ning Ning finally came out of Qiao Xingyue's arms and stood in front of Xie Zhongming. They both raised their heads and looked at his tall and upright figure, calling out "Uncle Zhongming" in unison.
Xie Zhongming patted the heads of the two children.
I really wish these two kids would call him "Dad"!
"Uncle Zhongming, Grandpa Chen said you took a bullet for Mom. Where were you hurt? Does it still hurt? An'an will blow on it for you."
Xie Zhongming squatted down. "It's on my shoulder, but it's okay now, it doesn't hurt anymore. Uncle isn't afraid of pain."
Seeing that Xie Zhongming seemed unharmed and not at all injured, Huang Guilan muttered to herself, "Why wasn't he more seriously injured? If he were more seriously injured, Xingyue would be even more moved."
After Xingyue led the two children across the threshold of the courtyard, Huang Guilan lowered her voice and asked, "Zhongming, how was it? Did you develop any feelings for Xingyue this time? Did your heroic rescue change Xingyue's attitude towards you?"
Xie Zhongming felt a surge of joy when he thought about how Xingyue had told the aunt that he was her man, how she had taken such good care of him, how she had even helped him fasten his belt, and how she had shared a hospital bed with him.
His joy was written all over his face, and the corners of his mouth turned up; he couldn't hide it no matter how hard he tried.
This smile caught Huang Guilan's eye, and she felt joyful as well. "It seems there's been progress."
"Mom, Xingyue and I are going out for a bit, we won't be back for lunch." Xie Zhongming was preoccupied with getting his marriage certificate reissued with Qiao Xingyue.
Now that Xingyue has obtained the identity certificate issued by Chadian Village, the matter of reissuing the marriage certificate can no longer be delayed.
He stepped across the threshold, walked through the small courtyard and vegetable garden in front of the house, and entered the main room. He first asked the old lady, Chen Suying, a few words of concern, and then went into the kitchen, pushed the latch off the kitchen door, and locked it.
"Xingyue, let's go to the subdistrict office first and get a letter of introduction, then go to the civil affairs department to reissue our marriage certificate."
To get Xingyue to go with him sooner, he quickly added, "What I mean is, An'an and Ningning's schooling can't be delayed any longer. We need to get our marriage certificate done as soon as possible so that An'an and Ningning can start school sooner."
Qiao Xingyue knew perfectly well that the man's main purpose was to get a replacement marriage certificate.
She didn't expose him, nor was she opposed to it. She nodded and agreed, "Okay, let's go this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhongming's tense back finally relaxed.
Qiao Xingyue, standing in front of her, lowered her voice and said, "Why did you lock the kitchen door? Open it quickly, don't let Aunt Lan misunderstand."
Huang Guilan, standing outside the door, pressed her ear against the kitchen door, wanting to hear what the two people were doing and saying inside.
But the two voices were kept very low, and there were sounds of people outside riding bicycles and shouting to buy soy sauce, so she couldn't hear what the two people were doing or saying in the kitchen at all.
Xie Zhongming pushed the lock open.
The door creaked open.
Huang Guilan quickly straightened up, and the two children beside her almost fell in because their tiny figures were pressed against the door panel.
Xie Zhongming helped the two children up, then looked at Huang Guilan, who had an embarrassed expression, and asked, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Huang Guilan had been a university professor her entire life, and as a cultured woman, this was the first time she had ever eavesdropped. She felt a pang of guilt, like someone who had made a mistake as a child. "No, nothing..."
Qiao Xingyue came out from inside. "Aunt Lan, Comrade Xie said he got An'an and Ningning a place to go to school, and he wants me to go with him to complete the formalities. We were just discussing this matter."
Huang Guilan thought to herself that Xingyue was definitely not telling the truth, but she didn't expose her. She nodded and said, "Okay, you two go and do it. I'll stay home with An'an and Ningning, so you two can go without worry."
Qiao Xingyue glanced at Xie Zhongming. "Comrade Xie, I've been on the train all night and I'm covered in sweat. Let me take a shower and change my clothes before I go."
Xie Zhongming stood tall and straight like a pine tree in front of Qiao Xingyue.
Upon hearing this, his jawline slightly twitched, and his steady nod revealed the composure and steadiness of a soldier. "Alright, I'll wait for you."
Qiao Xingyue didn't really have any other thoughts. She was just feeling stuffy on the train for a whole day and night and her body was really covered in sweat, so she quickly took a shower.
Thinking about taking wedding photos with Xie Zhongming again, she went back to her room and changed her clothes.
That outfit was a new summer dress that Huang Guilan made for her.
The white polyester short-sleeved shirt was buttoned up neatly at the collar but didn't look stiff.
She paired it with a beige floral skirt, the delicate floral pattern exuding a gentle and lively feel in the sunlight.
Her clothes were tucked into a floral skirt, and her slender figure resembled a bamboo shoot in spring. As she walked down the stairs, the skirt swayed lightly, making her steps even more graceful.
Qiao Xingyue has naturally fair skin. Wearing the new clothes Huang Guilan made for her, her skin is clear and clean, without a single blemish on her face. Her long, black hair is loosely draped over her shoulders, with a simple hair clip to hold back stray hairs at her forehead, leaving a few wispy bangs. This makes her look neat and adds a touch of gentleness. Her eyebrows are as thin as willow leaves, her eyes are bright and clear, and her lips are pink and moist. She is very pretty and eye-catching.
Huang Guilan and Xie Zhongming's eyes were almost fixed on Qiao Xingyue's eye-catching appearance.
Huang Guilan thought to herself that when Xingyue went upstairs to change her clothes, her fourth son also took a shower and changed his clothes.
These two didn't seem to be going out on business; they looked more like they were dressed smartly and were going to take wedding photos. Look at their fourth son, he was wearing a brand new white shirt and new army green pants that he had been reluctant to wear.
They looked like a couple deeply in love, dressed up to take wedding photos and get their marriage certificate.
Huang Guilan wondered if the two of them were secretly planning to get their marriage certificate first and then give her, her husband Lao Xie, and her mother a big surprise.
But Xingyue wasn't the type to hide things from her. She and Xingyue were like sisters, and Xingyue would tell her her innermost thoughts right away. Huang Guilan thought that if Xingyue agreed to marry her fourth son, she would tell her immediately.
At this moment, Xie Zhongming's gaze was fixed on Qiao Xingyue, and he could hardly look away.
But his gaze was burned away again, and he didn't dare to linger on her for too long. His whole back tensed up. "Xingyue, let's go. It's getting late, and they'll be off work soon."
Qiao Xingyue nodded, greeted Huang Guilan, and told An'an and Ningning to behave well at home before sitting behind Xie Zhongming on his old bicycle and leaving together.
Half an hour later, staff from the civil affairs department checked Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue's various letters of introduction and documents, preparing to reissue their marriage certificate.
The other person was a woman wearing glasses. She smiled and said, "Comrade, your wife has changed a lot before and after. She looks so energetic and beautiful after losing weight. You are really lucky."
With a click, the marriage certificate was stamped with an official seal.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com