Chapter 58 Qingyun owes her a wedding.
Each word seemed to have been ground down by the Adam's apple, spoken with such reverence and solemnity, carrying a heavy and painful apology.
Jiang Mingxue's eyelashes trembled slightly. She leaned against his chest, slowly raising both hands to gently stroke his back, just as he had done to her before. She asked softly, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Rong Chengzhou held her in his arms, his voice booming from his chest, tinged with an indescribable hardness: "The troops have issued an urgent mission, and I must go back ahead of schedule."
Jiang Mingxue took a few seconds to realize what was going on: "Oh, the wedding is going to be postponed?"
Rong Chengzhou said in a deep voice, "Hmm."
When ordered to fight, I will return.
He was destined to have to choose between the two.
He tightened his grip even more and solemnly apologized again:
"Peipei, I'm sorry."
I just sent out the invitations today, and I was still immersed in the anticipation of the upcoming wedding during the day. Now that the plans have been changed at the last minute, my mood has naturally plummeted.
But she knew it wasn't Rong Chengzhou's fault.
He took this wedding more seriously than anyone else, and he must be even more heartbroken than she is if the wedding cannot be held on schedule.
Jiang Mingxue picked herself up and gently stroked his back.
He used to comfort her like that; now it's her turn.
She pressed her cheek against his chest, her voice gentle and soft: "It's alright, the military mission is important, we can hold the wedding next time you come back."
Rong Chengzhou didn't say anything, he just kept holding her and didn't want to let go for a long time.
Pedestrians came and went, their clothes covered in fallen sycamore leaves.
Jiang Mingxue did not say anything to remind him.
It wasn't until the shops along the street turned off their lights one by one, and her legs were numb from standing, that Rong Chengzhou slowly let go of her and accompanied her into the clinic to change her clothes.
The atmosphere inside the SUV was somber. Jiang Mingxue, sitting in the passenger seat, asked softly:
When are you leaving?
Rong Chengzhou said in a deep voice, "Tomorrow morning."
"So soon?" Jiang Mingxue lowered her eyelashes. "Then I won't see you off tomorrow."
Tomorrow is Thursday, and she still has many patients to see.
Rong Chengzhou hummed in agreement: "No need to see me off."
He always left home alone.
The car started slowly, and the interior remained quiet for a full minute.
Jiang Mingxue wanted to ask something, but she didn't know whether she should.
What mission are you on this time? Is it dangerous?
The man tightened his grip, his voice hoarse: "I'm sorry, I can't say."
When will you be coming back next time?
Rong Chengzhou was silent for two seconds before replying, "Not sure."
Jiang Mingxue didn't ask any more questions and turned to look out the window.
As night deepens, the lights of thousands of homes outside the window flicker, and neon lights shimmer among the buildings, as dazzling as stars scattered across the sky.
Pedestrians thronged the streets, making the city vibrant.
It was very lively.
That night, Jiang Mingxue didn't pick up the stinky bear; she simply lay quietly in Rong Chengzhou's arms.
They embraced tightly, neither of them speaking, simply listening to each other's breathing, calmly awaiting their separation the next day.
The next day, Rong Chengzhou took Jiang Mingxue to the clinic as usual.
She parked the car in front of the clinic, but didn't get out immediately.
Sitting in the passenger seat, I turned to look at him and said, "Remember not to forget your things, and be careful on the road."
Rong Chengzhou: "Okay."
Back at Songyunting, Rong Chengzhou opened his suitcase and began packing.
He didn't have many things, and even less of them could be taken to the army.
The 28-inch suitcase contained a military uniform, several sets of clothes for changing, two military books, and nothing else.
He closed his suitcase and looked around the house.
On the balcony of the study, the herbs they planted together a month ago have taken root and sprouted, growing a few small leaves.
Jiang Mingxue was busy during the day, so he was the one who watered and tended to these plants. Fortunately, they did not disappoint her and are growing quite well.
I picked up the watering can from the shelf and watered each of the herbs and flowers again.
Back in the study, he tidied up Jiang Mingxue's desk and bookshelves before closing the door and leaving.
Aunt Lian came over with a medicine box: "Sir, would you like to take these commonly used medicines with you?"
Rong Chengzhou said calmly, "No need, leave it to Madam."
Aunt Lian replied, "Okay."
“Aunt Lian, while I’m away from home, you can spend more time with your wife if you’re not busy. I’ll pay you double your salary.”
"Sir, what are you saying? I should be taking care of you from morning till night. It's because you and your wife are so kind that you only let me come during mealtimes. How could I possibly take extra pay? Please go ahead and do your work. I'll stay home with my wife for the time being."
Rong Chengzhou lowered his eyes: "Thank you."
Finally, as they entered the bedroom, the faint scent of Jiang Mingxue still lingered in the air—a bitter, herbal fragrance outside, but a clean, fresh bath aroma inside.
There were still a few strands of her hair on the pillow. He bent down and picked them up one by one, rubbing them in his hands for a long time.
The huge plush bear was still lying on the white carpet. He stared at it for two seconds before finally walking over.
He personally picked up the smelly bear that he had thrown away several times and put it back in its original spot.
He stood by the bed, looking at the plush bear that he had disliked for a long time.
Fortunately, we managed to take it down back then.
On the way, Rong Chengzhou made another phone call to Madam Rong.
Madam Rong only learned this morning that her son had to return to the army at the last minute, which disrupted all the wedding plans. She was busy dealing with the trivial matters of postponing the wedding when she received her son's call, having just canceled her appointment with the makeup artist.
"Hey, Chengzhou, are you on your way yet?"
"Yes, I'm on my way to the high-speed rail station."
"Okay, be careful on missions. Know when to back down and don't push yourself too hard, understand?"
Rong Chengzhou did not respond; he would not readily agree to something he could not do.
Get straight to the point: "Mom, Songyunting has a big house, you can come and stay for a few days if you have time."
Madam Rong paused for a moment, then scolded playfully, "Why didn't you just tell me to stay with Mingxue for a few days?"
Rong Chengzhou lowered his eyes: "Yes, I'm worried about her living alone."
He knew that many families had strained mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, but based on his observation, Jiang Mingxue and his mother got along quite well in the military compound last time. They were compatible and had common topics about him, so she probably didn't find it annoying.
Madam Rong smiled and said, "Don't worry, it was you who told me not to bother Mingxue before, so I endured it for a year. Now that you two have been living together for so long, I will definitely take good care of my daughter-in-law."
Rong Chengzhou hummed in agreement: "Thank you, Mom."
"Don't thank me. You don't need to worry about things at home. Just take good care of yourself over there. Next time you come back, let me know in advance so we can get your wedding done as soon as possible."
Rong Chengzhou: "Okay."
This son was always silent when he was with her. Madam Rong couldn't help but complain: "You rascal, you never say a word when you leave. It's only now that you have a wife that you remember to call us."
Rong Chengzhou lowered his eyes: "At least you still have your father."
He didn't say the last half of the sentence.
Madam Rong knew what he was going to say, and couldn't help but sigh:
"If Mingxue follows you, she'll suffer for the rest of her life."
The postponement of the wedding is just the beginning.
Ren Rushuang has been through it all and knows how difficult her path has been.
During the decades that Major General Rong served in the military, she received very few letters from home, but she did see his will several times.
Back then, fighter jet development was lagging behind, and the times weren't so peaceful. News of who had sacrificed their lives during missions frequently circulated within the military compound.
Her husband spent his whole life flying in the sky, while she spent her whole life on the ground living in constant fear.
Now that her son has taken over her husband's career, she still has to live in constant fear.
Their ambition to serve their country depends on the support of their family.
Everyone says that soldiers have it tough, but the lives of military spouses are no less so.
Soldiers are rewarded with medals of honor, but these women have nothing to keep. They don't even know where their husbands are right now, what direction they're in, or which city they're in.
She tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, and during the day she had to be on high alert to manage household chores, fearing that any unrest at home would affect her husband's performance on the front lines.
No one understands this kind of suffering better than she does.
Therefore, she felt more affection for this daughter-in-law than for her own son.
At least she has retired Major General Rong with her now, but Mingxue is truly all alone in her 800-square-meter empty house.
These words left Rong Chengzhou on the other end of the phone in silence for a long time, his fingertips gripping the phone so tightly they turned white.
After a long silence, he finally moved his lips, his voice hoarse:
"mom."
"Be nice to her for me."
--
At Yuanhe Medical Clinic, Xu Yan brought over the weighed and packaged medicine for the patient. Jiang Mingxue checked it over and handed it to the patient only after confirming that there were no problems.
"Sister Ming, I suddenly realized, are we going to close the museum for the whole day of your wedding?"
After the patient left, Xu Yan stood in front of the examination table and asked a question.
Jiang Mingxue paused in her work of recording medical records.
She has been busy seeing and treating patients all day and hasn't had a chance to tell them that the wedding has been postponed.
She put down her pen: "Ayan, Chengzhou has been temporarily recalled to the army, so the wedding will have to be postponed."
Xu Yan was shocked: "Huh?"
Why so suddenly?
The invitations were sent out yesterday, but they've been postponed today.
Jiang Mingxue lowered her eyelashes: "It is indeed a bit sudden, but if the country needs me, Chengzhou must go back."
Xu Yan didn't want to know about so many national affairs; she only felt sorry for her teacher: "But you two are getting married soon..."
Jiang Mingxue smiled and said, "It's alright, it's just a wedding, it doesn't matter when it's held."
Xu Yan pouted, secretly competing with herself, feeling dissatisfied on Jiang Mingxue's behalf.
How can they be the same?
The wedding, which had been anticipated for a year, was postponed again, and the date was even uncertain.
If it's like last time, wouldn't her sister Ming have to wait another year?
Jiang Mingxue reached out and patted her head, gently coaxing her:
"Okay, Ah Yan, I'm really fine. The next patient is coming soon, you go ahead and get busy. I'll talk to everyone when I have time."
"All right."
Xu Yan had no choice but to swallow her dissatisfaction and obediently return to the pharmacy.
Xu Yan had just left when the next patient came in.
The consultation room is located on the first floor, next to the window.
Jiang Mingxue lowered her eyes to take the patient's pulse. When she looked up, she caught a glimpse of a black shadow flashing past the window.
His movements involuntarily paused.
She withdrew her hand and said to the patient, "Excuse me, I have some personal business to attend to and need to go out for a few minutes. Please wait for me for a few minutes."
The patient was very understanding: "Okay, Dr. Jiang, you go ahead and do your work, I'm not in a hurry."
Jiang Mingxue thanked her and quickly walked out of the clinic.
I stepped over the threshold of the wooden door and looked around.
A tall, slender figure suddenly came into her view.
The man had sharp, angular eyebrows and a superior bone structure. Dressed in simple black clothes, he stood quietly under the eaves of the gray-walled, black-tiled house, gazing at her.
Jiang Mingxue looked over, her heart skipping a beat.
She walked towards him and asked softly, "Why haven't you left yet?"
Rong Chengzhou looked at her with deep, unfathomable eyes: "Halfway there, I remembered there were some things I hadn't told you."
Jiang Mingxue nodded: "Go ahead."
He looked at her and said slowly, "I'll leave the car with you. If you don't want to drive it, have the housekeeper bring it to you."
Jiang Mingxue: "Okay."
"If you don't want to live alone, you can go back to live with your parents, either way is fine."
Jiang Mingxue: "Okay."
"A person should remember to eat on time and not always leave work so late."
Jiang Mingxue: "Okay."
"As the weather gets cooler with the changing seasons, remember to cover yourself well with a blanket and eat less ice."
Jiang Mingxue: "Okay."
"Message me if you need anything, and I'll reply when I see it."
Jiang Mingxue: "Okay."
This was the first time Rong Chengzhou had spoken so much to her.
The sycamore leaves lining both sides of the road rustled in the wind and slowly drifted down to my feet.
After waiting a few seconds, there was no further news.
She looked up: "Is that all?"
Rong Chengzhou nodded slightly: "Mm."
Jiang Mingxue nodded: "I've written it all down. Don't worry, I'm used to living alone and I can take care of myself."
Rong Chengzhou lowered his eyes; of course he knew.
Even without him, she would be fine, just like when he first left, she couldn't even remember what he looked like.
But I still can't let it go; I always feel that some things should be said in person.
She couldn't see him off, so it was fine for him to come see her.
So he changed his ticket and had the driver turn back to the clinic so he could see her one last time.
Now that we've finished talking and met, we've finished speaking.
He had no reason to stay any longer.
His fingers, hanging by his side, twitched. He wanted to hug her, but was afraid he wouldn't be able to let go.
In the end, he did nothing, his gaze lingering on his wife's beautiful face, and he said in a deep voice:
"I'm leaving."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Jiang Mingxue watched his retreating figure as he walked away into the distance.
After he had taken several steps, someone suddenly called out to him:
"Rong Chengzhou—"
The man turned to look at her, a few stray hairs on his forehead were ruffled by the wind.
Jiang Mingxue walked up to him, lowered her eyes, took the jade pendant from the brooch at her waist, and placed it in his palm while holding his hand:
"I was planning to get you a new one after the wedding, but it's a bit too late now, so I'll give you mine first."
The man froze, staring at the white jade pendant in his palm, his knuckles trembling slightly.
Hetian jade is pure white and flawless, and its warmth spreads from the fingertips to the heart.
This is the jade pendant she has worn for over twenty years.
It was a jade pendant that protected her safety.
Now, however, it has been given to him.
He lowered his eyes slightly, his throat seemed blocked, and he couldn't speak for a moment.
Jiang Mingxue smiled casually, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist:
"Rong Chengzhou, you still owe me a wedding."
"You must come back safely."
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