Cheng Ran smiled but remained silent in response to his superiors' praise, his face radiating righteousness.
"Don't worry, I will stand guard until the very end before the transfer order comes through!"
"Alright! I absolutely trust you! When you go to the capital, just don't forget your brothers who have shared life and death with you!"
"I won't forget."
Cheng Ran quickly suppressed the tears that flashed across his eyes. He knew he carried two responsibilities on his shoulders. Leaving this place was not about abandoning one of them, but about taking on the responsibility in another way and with a different identity.
When Cheng Ran returned to the family compound, the door was half open. He pushed the door open and saw Molly busy with chores, her sleeves rolled up, even chopping vegetables, and the pot on the stove was steaming.
He walked in, puzzled, and asked, "This is...?"
"Commander Cheng, you're finally back. Wanqing sprained her ankle, and I thought you'd be back very late, so I thought I'd cook dinner for you." She wiped her hands and explained.
Cheng Ran looked at Jiang Wanqing, his worried gaze landing on her feet. She swayed slightly, still smiling.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. You just twisted your ankle. There's no swelling, you can walk, and you'll be fine after a couple of days of rest."
"It wasn't an accident, someone clearly tried to harm you..."
Molly was halfway through her sentence when Jiang Wanqing gestured for her to shut up.
"I can handle my own affairs."
These words were spoken by Jiang Wanqing to Cheng Ran, not to Molly.
They are all adults. For someone like Cheng Ran, taking the lead would be inconvenient and a waste of his talents. Jiang Wanqing didn't want him to lose face.
Cheng Ran didn't say anything, just narrowed his eyes, then quickly returned to normal, walked to Jiang Wanqing, squatted down, and picked up her sprained foot.
Does it hurt?
She frowned slightly and nodded gently.
"a little."
"I'll get some medicated oil to help you spread it."
Molly leaned against the door frame, watching enviously, and winked at Jiang Wanqing while Cheng Ran went to get the medicated oil.
"Look at our Battalion Commander Cheng, he's so insightful. I was even planning to give you a massage, but now it's too late. I won't be a third wheel here, bye-bye~"
"Molly..."
She couldn't be called back no matter what she did; Molly hummed a little tune and happily skipped away like a rabbit, leaving Jiang Wanqing to sigh.
Where are they?
After bringing over the medicated oil, Cheng Ran didn't see Molly and couldn't help but ask her.
Jiang Wanqing gestured towards the door with her chin: "Look, they just left."
"Her awareness is also quite good."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanqing's face flushed slightly. It was because he had overheard Molly's teasing remarks earlier.
Like a devout believer, he squatted down again, placed her foot on his thigh and knee, applied medicated oil to the sprain, and slowly massaged it from light to heavy pressure.
At first, she recoiled in pain, but then she felt comfortable. Jiang Wanqing patted the empty seat next to her.
"Please sit here."
He massaged her feet with focused concentration, without even lifting his head, eager to make her feet feel better immediately.
"It's easier to exert force when squatting."
She pursed her lips and watched as he poured some more medicated oil into his palm. It seemed like it wouldn't be done in a few minutes.
As her sprained ankle gradually warmed up, the atmosphere in the room quieted down. Jiang Wanqing pursed her lips and took the initiative to start a conversation to relieve the boredom.
"Do you remember the peddler we met on the train back from Beijing?"
"The one surnamed Zheng?" Cheng Ran asked casually without looking up.
"Yes, he's here at today's celebration dance too."
Cheng Ran, who had been calm and composed just moments before, suddenly looked up and stared at her in disbelief.
Who are you talking about?
"His name is Zheng Yuan, and he is also the donor this time."
She told him the truth about what happened today, omitting the part about dancing in the middle.
Cheng Ran slowed his movements and lightened his grip, frowning and tilting his head back.
"What is he trying to do..."
Jiang Wanqing saw a sharp glint in his eyes and knew he was taking it seriously. Even she found the coincidence strange, and with his keen senses, he would be even more concerned.
She pulled her foot back and helped him sit up.
"I don't see anything wrong with him at the moment. If I have another chance to get in touch with him, I will try my best to figure out his intentions."
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she dared not bend the one leg that was twisted, but could only stretch it out, while the other leg was curled up, with her chin resting on it. Cheng Ran could see every inch of her skin.
The thought that he had seen Zheng Yuan staring at Jiang Wanqing on the train... suddenly ignited a nameless rage within him!
I'll take you to school tomorrow.
"ah?"
Cheng Ran's sudden remark caught Jiang Wanqing off guard.
He helped her pull down her trouser leg: "I'm worried about your foot injury."
"oh."
It turned out he was worried about her foot injury.
"Won't this interfere with your work?"
"No, do you think I'm someone who can't distinguish between important and unimportant things?" Cheng Ran stared at her intently and pinched her cheek.
No, that's not it.
He smiled gently and put the medicated oil back.
"I'm going to wash my hands. You get some rest. I'll call you when it's time to eat."
He was equally at home in the living room and the kitchen… Jiang Wanqing rested her chin on her hand, watching his perfect inverted triangle figure disappear from her sight, and couldn’t help but sigh.
...
The next day, Cheng Ran rode his old-fashioned bicycle to the school gate, parked the bicycle, and carefully half-lifted her off the back of the bicycle.
She patted his back, lowered her head slightly, and looked a little shy.
"Everyone is watching. I'm not at the point where I can't take care of myself. Don't exaggerate."
Cheng Ran chuckled: "Then let them watch."
Hmm... why does he sound so domineering in his words? Jiang Wanqing couldn't help but chuckle.
Having lived two lives, she has finally experienced what it feels like to be protected in a domineering way.
He helped her down and asked considerately, "Are you able to walk? Should I take you to your office?"
"Why didn't you just say you'd send him to the classroom and start class right away?" Jiang Wanqing gave him a coquettish look.
He raised an eyebrow and replied, "That's fine too."
She quickly stood up straight and kicked her foot as if to demonstrate.
"See, it's fine. I can go in by myself."
"Alright, I'll watch you go in safely before I leave."
He hadn't forgotten what Molly had accidentally blurted out yesterday—that someone at school was deliberately trying to harm her…
Jiang Wanqing had a slight limp, but fortunately she made it into the campus safely and even met a kind colleague who walked with her.
Just as she was about to disappear from his sight, she turned around and waved to him to reassure him.
"Are you Comrade Cheng, Teacher Jiang's husband?"
Just as Cheng Ran was about to leave, a high-pitched female voice suddenly reached his ears, and he frowned and looked over.
"Who are you?"
Teacher Tang adjusted the position of her headband, feeling embarrassed to look at Cheng Ran. She had only heard others say how amazing he was and how much he loved his wife, but seeing him in person today, she realized that those compliments were far too mild.
"I am Teacher Jiang's colleague, and my surname is Tang."
He responded calmly, "Yes, Teacher Tang."
He didn't seem to want to talk any longer, and was about to leave with his bicycle when Teacher Tang quickly called him back.
"Comrade Cheng, you still don't know what happened yesterday!"
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