In the small courtyard.
Jiang Linchuan, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove.
A rich aroma wafted from the pot.
Although he knew that he had nothing to do with Ye Wenshu, the thought that Xu Xinghe had been implicated in today's events and that her reputation had almost been affected made him feel that he should do something to make amends.
Otherwise... what if Xu Xinghe gets upset?
Wang Chunmei once said that when it comes to feelings, both men and women are petty.
Xu Xinghe sat in the chair, watching his slightly awkward back, and couldn't help but recount her conversation with Ye Wenshu that afternoon, with a hint of sarcasm, "She even said she wanted to save you from your misery. Do you feel miserable being with me?"
“Of course it’s not painful.” Jiang Linchuan answered immediately without thinking, without the slightest hesitation.
Every second longer is a disrespect to this relationship.
Since Xu Xinghe came to Heilongjiang Province, his previously cold and monotonous days have suddenly become vibrant.
Her traces are everywhere in the house, and even something as simple as eating together has become a source of happiness.
"That's good." Xu Xinghe looked up and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "The most important thing for two people to be together is to communicate well and understand each other. If you think I've done something wrong, you have to tell me directly, so that outsiders don't laugh at us."
Jiang Linchuan immediately put down the spatula in his hand, walked over and gently hugged her, resting his chin on the top of her head, "No one can laugh at us, if anyone is going to laugh, it's only at me. In my heart, you will always be the best."
The person in his arms was warm and fragrant, but he suddenly remembered what Ye Wenshu had said earlier that day.
Perhaps he did miss doing the most important thing.
If they get married, all those messy thoughts and short-sighted people will naturally disappear.
Lian Xiao and Zhang Cishu are nothing but outsiders.
They can't do anything unless they can take responsibility for breaking up military marriages.
He tightened his arms around her, his voice low and tinged with barely perceptible tension, "Xinghe, let's get married."
Xu Xinghe paused, then nestled in his arms and mumbled a reply, "Okay."
Just that one word made Jiang Linchuan's heart race and his heart pound wildly.
He tightened his arms, his voice trembling slightly, "Then it's settled. It's too cold to hold a wedding now. The roads will be muddy when the snow melts in spring. Let's get our marriage certificate first, and then have a grand wedding in May or June when the weather is warmer, okay?"
"Okay." Xu Xinghe looked up, her eyes reflecting his image. "So when do you plan to get the marriage certificate?"
Of course, the faster the better.
Jiang Linchuan stroked her soft hair, his tone filled with barely suppressed anticipation, "March 1st is also the day that Heilongjiang Province recognizes as the true arrival of spring, symbolizing the warmth of spring and the blooming of flowers."
In seven days, once she gets the marriage certificate, she will belong entirely to herself.
She was no longer her fiancée, but her wife.
It was the identity he had always dreamed of.
"Knock knock knock—Xinghe, are you there?" Lian Xiao's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
Xu Xinghe frowned. He hadn't shown up for several days. Why was he here now?
"Don't go." Jiang Linchuan reached out and pressed down on her wrist. "I'll handle this."
"I'll go instead." Xu Xinghe shook her head and pulled her hand away from his. "I had a fight with him before, and some things need to be made clear."
She got up, walked to the door, and unlatched it.
Lian Xiao, standing outside the door, was wearing a well-fitting leather jacket, his hair neatly combed, clearly having taken special care of himself. He had one hand in his pocket, his posture upright, a far cry from his usual carefree attitude.
"What are you doing here?" Xu Xinghe was still a little angry.
Today, instead of her usual thick cotton-padded coat, she wore only a light apricot-colored thin sweater with a delicate white trim around the neckline, which made her neck appear slender and soft. Her hair was loosely draped over her shoulders.
She looked exactly the same as before, but for some reason, Lian Xiao felt that she was exceptionally well-behaved today, making him want to get closer to her.
It must be because he hasn't been here recently. I can only catch a glimpse from afar, which is nothing compared to being face-to-face with him like this.
"I'm here to admit my mistake." Lian Xiao scratched the back of his head, looking unusually flustered. "I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have disrespected Zhang Cishu, and I shouldn't have made decisions for him on my own. I'll never do it again."
These past few days he's been avoiding Xu Xinghe, unsure how to face her, and can only catch a glimpse of her from afar under the pretext of training or going out.
When Ye Wenshu caused trouble at the entrance of the military compound, he was actually in the crowd, even secretly hoping that Jiang Linchuan would not be able to handle it and anger Xu Xinghe.
The trust between the two is not something that outsiders can easily break.
Later, he sent a telegram to his childhood friend from the compound, hoping to find an ally. However, his friend scolded him, saying that he treated such an important matter as matchmaking as a joke and had the intention to tease people, which was really unethical.
After much thought, he decided to come and admit his mistake.
If they continue to be stubborn, they will lose even their reason to see Xu Xinghe, which will only allow that cunning old man Jiang Linchuan to take advantage of the situation.
Seeing that Xu Xinghe didn't speak, Lian Xiao added, "I understand why you're angry. I was being too unreasonable. Please forgive me this time, since I sincerely apologize."
Xu Xinghe's expression softened slightly. "Alright, seeing that you're somewhat sincere, I won't hold it against you this time. But the person you should apologize to the most isn't me, it's Zhang Cishu."
“I already apologized to him before I came!” Lian Xiao immediately replied, afraid that she wouldn’t believe him. “If you’re not sure, I can call him over, and you can ask him.”
"I'm not so bad as to distrust you even with this." Xu Xinghe stepped aside, making way for the doorway. "It's cold outside, come in."
Lian Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and finally stepped into the familiar courtyard again.
Jiang Linchuan had already taken off his apron and was serving food. When he saw Lian Xiao come in, he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he picked up an empty bowl, filled it with rice, and handed it to him. "You've come at the right time. It's lunchtime. Let's eat together. Today is a good day. You're Xinghe's friend, so you should stay and celebrate with her."
"What auspicious day?" Lian Xiao took the bowl, his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
"Xinghe and I have decided to get our marriage certificate on March 1st, and then have the wedding in June when the weather gets warmer."
"Bang--!"
The bowl in Lian Xiao's hand was smashed on the ground, shattering into pieces and staining the rice with gray.
His face turned deathly pale, and his voice trembled. "What did you say? You want to get a marriage certificate with Xinghe?"
“Yes.” Jiang Linchuan bent down, picked up the broom, and repeated as he cleaned up the broken pieces, “March 1st.”
Seeing his pale face, Xu Xinghe couldn't help but worry, "Are you alright?"
Why is he reacting so strongly to my getting married?
"I..." Lian Xiao opened his mouth, but his chest felt like it was blocked by a huge rock, making him feel suffocated.
He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would not be able to help but curse out loud, or even hit Jiang Linchuan.
He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his voice hoarse, "Xinghe, are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious." Xu Xinghe smiled and looked at Jiang Linchuan with gentle eyes. "We were already engaged. We should have done it when I first came to Heilongjiang Province, but it was delayed by Li Xingzhou and the others. Now it's time to make up for it."
The sight of the two exchanging a smile stung Lian Xiao's eyes.
He couldn't stay any longer, so he turned around abruptly and practically fled, saying, "I suddenly remembered I have something to do, so I'm leaving!"
Watching his staggering figure, Xu Xinghe was a little worried, "Is he alright? He still has training this afternoon."
"It's alright." Jiang Linchuan put down the broom, walked over and took her hand. "If he can't hold on, he can ask for leave. The military won't force him. If it really doesn't work, I'll give him a leave slip."
As he spoke, he handed her the freshly served rice, saying, "Never mind him, let's eat."
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