With the disaster relief efforts nearing their end, Jiang Linchuan finally no longer had to work non-stop and could take a break.
Lian Xiao was already quite free, and he was the one who first suggested going to the movies, so he was naturally eager to leave immediately.
Xu Xinghe wanted to go out for some fresh air.
Movie tickets do not have a fixed showtime; you can watch the movie anytime within three days.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated today; the snow stopped, and sunlight shone through the thin clouds, adding a touch of warmth to the -30°C winter in Heilongjiang Province.
Perhaps watching a movie can ease some of the sadness in her heart.
Looking at Xu Xinghe's forced composure, Jiang Linchuan couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
Lian Xiao could also hear the reluctance in her tone.
Their eyes met unexpectedly, and they said in unison, "Okay, let's go now."
After saying that, Lian Xiao puffed out his cheeks and turned his head away with a displeased look.
If it weren't for the fact that Xu Xinghe really needed comforting, he would have squeezed Jiang Linchuan out today no matter what!
But this time... never mind.
Who told her to look so listless, without any of her previous energy and spirit?
Before he passed away, Grandpa repeatedly told him to take good care of her, and as a man of stature, he naturally had to keep his word.
Outside the military headquarters.
Jiang Linchuan personally walked to the other side, opened the passenger door for Xu Xinghe, and then got into the driver's seat.
Lian Xiao had no choice but to reluctantly choose the back seat.
As soon as he sat down, he felt uncomfortable all over, especially when he saw the two people in the front row being affectionate, his brows furrowed even more.
Jiang Linchuan gripped the steering wheel, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Xu Xinghe beside him, and said softly, "Didn't you sleep well last night? You don't look too good."
Before he could finish speaking, Lian Xiao in the back seat snorted and interrupted, "Just drive properly and don't get distracted by these useless things."
As he spoke, he turned to Xu Xinghe, deliberately softening his tone, "I know you're upset because of Li Xingzhou, but don't worry, he'll be gone soon."
Xu Xinghe didn't respond. Her gaze fell on the fleeting shadows of the trees outside the window, and her fingers unconsciously touched the spot on her chest where the photo was.
The image of my parents leaving kept replaying in my mind, and the sounds around me seemed to be veiled by a layer of fog, blurry and indistinct.
Jiang Linchuan ignored the provocation from the back seat. "There's a shop selling sweet cakes near the movie theater in town. Aunt Mei and the others love them. Shall we buy some after the movie?"
"Why eat sugar cakes? They're so sweet and cloying." Lian Xiao immediately interrupted, "I know a shop that makes pretty good wontons. They're light and warm, perfect for eating right now."
Jiang Linchuan gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Wontons aren't very good. Let's go to a state-run restaurant."
...
Throughout the journey, whenever Jiang Linchuan tried to find topics to talk about with Xu Xinghe, Lian Xiao would try to interrupt, either refuting his suggestions or talking to Xu Xinghe about other things on his own.
The two were openly and secretly competing with each other, and there was an undercurrent of tension in the carriage.
Xu Xinghe didn't respond much, occasionally letting out a soft "hmm," which seemed like an unconscious reaction without thinking. She was still immersed in the sad atmosphere and completely unaware of the subtle competition between the two men beside her.
Seeing this, Jiang Linchuan stopped talking, and Lian Xiao also looked out the window, giving her time to process her emotions.
The car sped along and arrived in town without incident.
The snow disaster has eased, and the atmosphere in the town has changed from its previous gloomy state. Shops are open, and pedestrians can be seen everywhere.
Xu Xinghe pushed open the car door and jumped out first. The biting cold wind rushed in and instantly dispelled most of the gloom in her heart.
She looked up at the clear blue sky, her bright black eyes darting around. "It's still early, why don't we take a stroll first?"
It's been a while since she came to Northeast China, and she seems to have really adapted to the cold winters here.
As long as you're bundled up warmly enough and don't stand in the wind for too long, it's not too unbearable.
Lian Xiao got out of the car, put his hands in his pockets, and leaned lazily against the side of the car.
He was already tall and handsome, and now he tilted his head slightly, his eyebrows carrying a hint of nonchalant arrogance, which made several girls passing by turn their heads frequently and secretly glance in his direction.
In contrast, Jiang Linchuan's aura was much more imposing.
His shoulders and back were as straight as a pine tree, and he showed no trace of youthful energy, only a mature composure and dignity.
The girl, who was secretly observing him, accidentally caught his gaze and immediately blushed and lowered her head, not daring to look at him again.
"Where to?" Jiang Linchuan looked at Xu Xinghe, his tone softening unconsciously, and the oppressive aura he had just exuded completely disappeared.
Xu Xinghe pointed to the supply and marketing cooperative not far away, "Let's go over there first. Didn't they say a batch of supplies was sent after the snow disaster? Maybe there will be new goods."
Not far away, two girls were staring intently at them until they heard a rough call from behind, which brought them back to their senses.
"Are you the educated youth who came this time?" An old man wrapped in an old cotton-padded coat walked over, his cloudy eyes looking him up and down. His cuffs were patched upon patched and stained with black mud, and he was pulling an oxcart behind him. You could smell the earthy stench from afar.
The two girls exchanged a glance, a hint of disdain flashing across their eyes.
The girl in the red cotton-padded jacket on the left frowned slightly and moved half a step to the side, as if afraid of getting something on her.
The one on the right gathered her black braids and looked disgusted.
The old man was dressed worse than a country dog, and his rickety oxcart was worse than a city garbage truck.
The old man, having lived a long life, had long seen through their disdain and scoffed, "These pampered city girls are just too precious."
He paused, then tapped the oxcart with his pipe. "Once you're here, don't think you're at home. Nobody will put up with you."
After saying that, he squatted down to rest and ignored them.
Not long after, another group of young people came over, both men and women. They all had fair skin and tender flesh, and their hands were free of calluses, making them look like they had never suffered any hardship.
A cold wind blew by, and several people dressed in thin clothes couldn't help but hunch their necks, their teeth chattering.
The old man pulled his scarf down a bit, casually glanced around while puffing on his pipe, then his gaze suddenly fixed on them, his face lighting up with joy. "Commander Jiang, Comrade Xu, Comrade Lian, you've come to town too?"
Xu Xinghe turned around upon hearing the voice, recognized the person, and nodded with a smile, "Uncle Li, what a coincidence."
This is Old Li from Hongxing Village. He's related to Village Chief Li, and he's honest and kind, but a bit short-tempered.
However, in her presence, he was always a kind and benevolent elder.
He once said that his favorite children are those who are blessed.
Old Li grinned from ear to ear, “What a coincidence! I came to pick up the newly arrived educated youth, they just got here not long ago.”
As he spoke, he pointed behind him, where a group of young people were standing in the same spot, wearing clean and crisp cotton-padded jackets, with fair and tender faces, and a touch of youthful exuberance between their brows.
Hearing the noise, the educated youth turned their heads in unison, and when their eyes fell on the three figures by the roadside, they were all stunned.
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