Chapter 51 Marriage...
Because of their location on the border, once Guan Wenyang and his group cross the border, they really won't have much of a way to deal with them.
After much thought, Miya could only come up with the idea that Guan Wenyang had a particular fondness for Western culture and a yearning for Western freedom.
Last year, relations between China and its elder brother suddenly deteriorated, and relations between the two countries stagnated.
The elder brother then turned to the south to befriend other sides. If Guan Wenyang wanted to leave smoothly, his best option was naturally the border with those other sides.
Miya followed Ren Qingsong and the others, braving difficulties, and traveled swiftly along the shortest route to the border with the other side.
Throughout the journey, Miya didn't complain about being tired or overworked. In fact, she was even able to keep up with the team's pace in searching for clues, which surprised many people in the team who thought she was there to hold them back.
At noon, Ren Qingsong shouted, "Each of you has a pancake. Eat as you go. Comrade Cui can't have gone far."
Everyone knew that Ren Qingsong was telling the truth. Cui Baozhu was a pampered girl who probably hadn't traveled much. Even if Guan Wenyang wanted to take her as a hostage and backup plan, she would still be a considerable burden.
But precisely because of this, they had to rescue the person before Guan Wenyang and the others ran out of patience.
Miya chewed the hard biscuit in her mouth in big bites, her cheeks aching and sore, but her hands and eyes didn't stop.
While eating, she used the binoculars she had borrowed from her third brother to observe her surroundings.
She did this whenever she had free time along the way, but it was obvious that she hadn't found a single trace.
Just when she was about to give up and become a burden to the team, a red corner hidden under the fallen leaves caught her attention.
"There it is!"
The sudden sound quickly attracted the team's attention. Miya wasn't a professional, and no one had any hope.
Ren Qingsong knew that Miya was not someone who spoke without reason, so he followed Miya's steps and watched as she picked up a piece of cloth the size of a fingernail from under the fallen leaves.
Given its size and distance of tens of meters, it's unlikely anyone would have been able to spot it without a telescope.
Ren Qingsong hurriedly asked, "Is it from Comrade Cui?"
"Yes!" Miya pointed to a spot slightly off the edge of the cloth strip. "Third Brother, look, there's a little white on the edge. That's Baozhu's usual red and white checkered hair tie, which means we're on the right track."
Upon hearing this, Ren Qingsong felt much better and immediately directed his team to head towards the direction of the cloth strip.
The team members glanced at Miya in surprise, then followed her and continued walking forward.
Miya braced herself on her knees and walked tirelessly ahead, observing her surroundings through binoculars.
As they approached the border, they found more and more strips of cloth, but the size of the strips decreased, and sometimes they could only see a few threads.
"Stop!"
Ren Qingsong, who was walking at the front, suddenly raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
At this moment, they were only ten kilometers away from the border. In his memory, the outposts and border patrol teams were not far away. If someone had broken through, it would not be so peaceful now.
There is only one answer: the enemy is still hiding with Cui Baozhu.
Ren Qingsong quickly made arrangements, with two people forming a team to conduct a thorough search.
Miya naturally stayed with Ren Qingsong, who was the most capable, and the two continued to walk forward, observing all the changes around them.
Miya ignored the discomfort in her feet, stretched out her ears, and found only the omnipresent birdsong and the sound of her heartbeat all around her.
Her breathing unconsciously slowed down as she searched the area inch by inch, following the pre-arranged route.
I don't know how long we walked, but suddenly a gunshot rang out from the side, and all I could hear was the sound of birds flying around in fright.
Without saying a word, Ren Qingsong and Miya immediately chased after the direction from which the gunshots had come.
Immediately following was a burst of intense gunfire, clearly indicating that the two sides had begun a standoff.
Ren Qingsong reached out and stopped Miya in place. "Take this gun for self-defense. I've already loaded it. You just need to pull the trigger to fire the bullet. Just stay here and don't go anywhere else."
Knowing she had no ability to protect herself, Miya followed Ren Qingsong's instructions and immediately climbed a large tree to the side.
As she climbed, she used binoculars to observe the movements in the distance.
Soon, Cui Baozhu's dirty little face came into view.
Her eyes were tightly closed, and someone was choking her with their hands. A gun was pointed at her temple, and her life was unknown.
Guan Wenyang, whom they previously thought had kidnapped Cui Baozhu, was also in the group. Even though he was covered up, Miya could still recognize him at a glance.
In the distance, after a burst of gunfire, there was a deathly silence of confrontation.
This area is still our territory. Miya and her team have the advantage. I guess the other soldiers who heard the gunfire are probably rushing here right now.
The enemy was well aware of this and immediately tried to use the hostage situation to facilitate their actions.
“If you let us cross the border, we will release Commander Cui’s daughter.”
While speaking, he kept his index finger on the trigger, as if he would kill on the spot if the answer he gave did not satisfy them.
As the team leader, Ren Qingsong immediately raised his hand to signal everyone to step back, put down their guns, and not put too much pressure on the enemy.
At this moment, the hostages are the most important thing.
"Okay, we agree to your conditions."
"You can only move after we've gone far away," the enemy said again.
As the enemy gradually disappeared into the distance, the team members were anxious and wanted to catch up immediately, but their discipline required them not to move. They could only watch helplessly as the enemy disappeared from sight with the hostage.
Little did she know, the honey bud on the tree was pounding with nervousness as she watched the enemy and Cui Baozhu getting closer and closer.
She came from the direction that was slightly south, which was also the direction the enemy wanted to escape from.
Just then, Miya noticed other hidden PLA soldiers appearing around her and instinctively gripped her gun tighter.
Time passed second by second, and just as the enemy was about to reach the tree, suddenly the roar of a wild boar rang out.
"Hmph!"
The enemy was now on edge, seeing danger everywhere. At the first sound, they disregarded everything else and fired wildly in the direction of the sound without thinking.
In this way, the gun that was aimed at Cui Baozhu's temple was also removed.
Miya didn't know what she was thinking at that moment. She only knew that if she didn't seize this opportunity, she might have to watch the enemy escape.
If the other party sets foot in other territories, then Baozhu will not survive.
She gritted her teeth and pulled the trigger at close range.
"Bang bang bang bang bang bang!"
Six gunshots rang out, each one hitting its mark, precisely aimed at the six people closest to her below, including the one holding the pearl hostage.
With her hostage gone, Cui Baozhu, who had already lost consciousness, collapsed to the ground.
The sudden gunfire alerted the enemy to an ambush from above, and they opened fire immediately.
But Ren Qingsong realized that it was Miya who was firing, and immediately followed suit. They were not far behind to begin with, and having been trained, they confirmed the hostage's safety before countless gunshots rang out.
Miya felt a buzzing in her ears and her mind went completely blank.
When she regained consciousness, she was held tightly in her third brother's arms and couldn't move.
Seeing the image of Battalion Commander Ren, a tough and stoic man, with tears in his eyes, the others couldn't help but sigh at the deep bond between the siblings.
But Ren Qingsong had never been more aware of his own feelings than he was now, wishing he could embed Miya into his body.
After confirming that she was safe, Miya collapsed peacefully in Ren Qingsong's arms.
Ren Qingsong was in a panic, only then noticing that Miya had just been hit by a stray bullet and had wounds on her thigh and forearm.
*
When she woke up again, the familiar smell of disinfectant made Miya frown, and the yellowed walls also looked very familiar.
Just as she was drowsy and trying to get up, Chen Zhenzhen's voice suddenly rang out.
"Miya, you're awake!"
This was followed by a series of footsteps and inspections.
Finally, Miya was wheeled into Cui Baozhu's ward. The two girls looked at each other, both relieved to have survived the ordeal.
Cui Baozhu was filled with remorse. If it weren't for her, Miya wouldn't have suffered such a terrible injury, which was even more severe than hers.
"It's all my fault, Miya, that I've hurt you so badly."
"No, it was me. If I hadn't kept it from you, this wouldn't have happened..."
Before Miya could finish speaking, Xu Qingyan, who was sitting next to her daughter taking care of her, couldn't bear to listen anymore.
“Miya, you’re a good girl. You were just listening to your friend. It has nothing to do with you.”
As she spoke, Xu Qingyan slapped her daughter on the head, and Cui Baozhu winced in pain.
"It's our Baozhu's fault for not seeing through the beast beneath the human skin. We should be thanking you. I heard from the soldiers who came back that if you hadn't fired the shot, we probably wouldn't be seeing this now..."
Miya was confused by what Aunt Xu and Baozhu said, and it was only when Ren Qingsong heard the news and rushed over that she was rescued.
It was only then that Miya noticed that Ren Qingsong's attitude towards the Cui family was not very good, and she became suspicious.
Ren Qingsong did not explain, but comforted Miya and told her to rest well and that everything would be discussed after she recovered.
Having just been discharged from the hospital, Aunt Xu, who had been taking care of her there, and Baozhu, along with her father, Commander Cui, set off for their home atop Miya Mountain.
Without much small talk, the Cui family delivered some good news.
“Thanks to Miya, our Baozhu is alive. So we want to recognize her as a goddaughter and treat her as our own daughter.”
Cui Baozhu clung tightly to Miya's arm, acting coquettishly, "Please? We've been through thick and thin together, we'll be sisters from now on."
Upon hearing this, Miya instinctively turned her gaze to Ren Qingsong, seeking his help.
Ren Qingsong knew the power of the Cui family, and since he had already paid the price, receiving some benefits was nothing.
But all of this must be based on Mia's own opinion, and no one else can interfere.
He met Miya's pleading gaze and said, "Let's discuss this first, wait a moment."
The two walked into the innermost room.
Miya was a little uneasy, "Third Brother, I didn't know, I never thought of that..."
"I know."
The moment those three words were uttered, Miya was stunned. She stared blankly into Ren Qingsong's eyes, which held something that frightened her.
Ren Qingsong did not back down and began to guide Miya's thinking.
What do you think of Commander Cui's family?
“Very good. Aunt Xu has been very caring towards me when I visited her before. Baozhu is also very kind. She has taught me a lot. I only found out about submitting my work because she reminded me.”
"Do you think that adopting godparents will make their attitude worse?"
"Won't."
Will you still be on good terms with Comrade Cui in the future?
"Yes!" Miya replied crisply and clearly, and even the three people in the living room could hear it clearly.
Ren Qingsong's lips curled up slightly as he gave his answer, "I think you've already made your decision, Miya."
Miya originally thought that the adoption of godparents was a consensus reached by both parties, but she did not expect that the Cui family would be such guests that they would hold a banquet to tell all their relatives and friends.
The grand scale of the event made her feel somewhat restrained, but it also made her realize just how impressive what she had accomplished was.
After the banquet, Miya walked home excitedly, her cheeks flushed after drinking a little wine.
Ren Qingsong's condition was more serious; if he weren't able to move normally, Miya would have wanted to help her third brother home.
What Miya didn't know was that Ren Qingsong's mind was far from calm at the moment; he was thinking about what the other people at the banquet had said.
“Miya is quite something now. She saved Commander Cui’s precious daughter. Marrying her is equivalent to having a relationship with Commander Cui.”
"Even without this relationship, Miya is still very likable. Look how much Battalion Commander Ren has changed since she arrived!"
"Miya is a good cook and can even weave her own cloth. She's a first-rate wife."
...
Under the influence of alcohol, Ren Qingsong's mind became clearer and clearer, and he found it increasingly difficult to suppress his emotions.
Miya skillfully unlocked the door and prepared to boil water for washing.
Suddenly a hand appeared in front of me, snatched the bucket first, and a deep, magnetic voice rang in my ear, "I'll do it."
Miya immediately withdrew her hand, but found that the person next to her did not change his movements. She turned her head in confusion and met Ren Qingsong's gaze, then froze on the spot.
Suddenly, Ren Qingsong spoke up, "Miya, what do you think of me?"
"Third Brother?"
"I regret it. Miya, you're a good girl. We're not related by blood, are we?"
Miya's ears suddenly burned, her mind a jumble of memories of her first conversation with Ren Qingsong and the scene before her.
She stammered nervously, "Third Brother, are you drunk?"
“No, I’m perfectly sober,” Ren Qingsong said, pressing Miya’s hand tightly against his chest.
My rapidly beating heart traveled down my palm and into Miya's heart.
In fact, she was attracted to Ren Qingsong the moment she first saw him. Whether it was the blind obedience of her childhood sweetheart relationship or the feelings she had at first sight, both were driving her to do what was most beneficial to herself.
At this moment, she couldn't help but ask herself: Have you really given up on Ren Qingsong?
Do you really have absolutely no romantic feelings for Ren Qingsong?
No, none at all.
Miya's expression relaxed, and she squeezed Ren Qingsong's hand back, "I'm also very clear-headed."
Under the moonlight, the young man and woman slowly curled the corners of their lips into smiles.
Yangshu Brigade.
Cui Dani received another letter from her son. As soon as she opened it, she was immediately drawn to the first sentence.
"Mom, Miya and I have decided to get married."
A series of complaints immediately followed.
"What a terrible child I raised! Stubborn to the end, I already said so. Humph! Remarried right after leaving, does he think I'm dead?"
The Ren family was stunned, especially the grandchildren, who had never seen their grandmother like this before.
In the end, Old Man Ren couldn't stand it anymore and snatched the letter into his own hands. After seeing that the letter mainly concerned the marriage of the third son and Miya, he couldn't help but smile, but he also felt suspicious.
"Damn it, isn't this a good thing? Why are you cursing? Third Brother and Miya are getting married, and they want us to send some people to the army to help."
He said his last sentence to the rest of his family.
Ren Laoda took the letter and glanced at it. The contents of the letter were the same as what his father had said.
Faced with the strange looks from her family, Cui Dani finally told them what had happened when she lived in the family compound.
When everyone heard that Ren Qingsong refused to marry the child bride, they all frowned.
But when they heard that Ren Qingsong was softening his attitude step by step, and that he was starting to like Miya but was still being stubborn, they all looked at him with disdain.
Finally, remembering that the two were about to get married as stated on the letter, he immediately felt exactly the same way as Cui Dani.
Regardless, it's a good thing that the two children are getting married.
Since the whole family consists of both the husband's and wife's families, they naturally cannot be absent, and of course, the work in the fields cannot be forgotten.
After some discussion, Cui Dani led the team, along with her eldest daughter-in-law and grandchildren, to Mianning.
*
After being recognized as a godparent, Miya got married at Commander Cui's house, moving into the familiar family compound on the mountaintop.
With the company of her family, the love of her husband, and the ability to support herself, Miya felt that her life had truly been a blessing.
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