Chapter 6 Changfeng is worth three.
Meanwhile, in the officers' quarters of the air force base, Xing Kaiyu pulled two pilots into Rong Chengzhou's dormitory to play cards, since only Rong Chengzhou's room was a single room with a folding table. Before they even finished one game, their squadron leader picked up his phone to reply to a message.
Not only was there news about Jiang Mingxue, but there was also a phone call from Madam Rong.
"Chengzhou, did Mingxue get the things?"
"Yes, I got it."
Is there anything else you need?
"We don't need it for now."
"That's good. You notified me too hastily, and I didn't have much time to prepare properly."
"My problem."
The thought that her son's first phone call to ask the family to send something was for her yet-to-be-met daughter-in-law made Madam Rong want to laugh:
"Alright, I'm fine. You take good care of Mingxue. She's a girl, so she'll definitely have trouble adjusting to living with you. If she needs anything to eat, wear, or use, just let me know and I'll have it airlifted over. It'll arrive in half a day."
"good."
At the card table, Xing Kaiyu winked at the other two, saying, "I've never seen anything like it before. A tough military officer turned into a chivalrous protector. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought the sun had risen in the west."
Zhou Qi, who was standing with Xing Kaiyu as punishment, chimed in, "That's right. If it weren't for your wife coming, how would we have known that Brother Rong had such a gentle and considerate side?"
Another captain surnamed Liu, unaware of what was going on, said, "What are you two talking about over there? I don't understand any of that 'Iron-blooded officer, protector of flowers' nonsense. Speak plainly."
Xing Kaiyu shuffled the cards deftly and skillfully, then drew three cards and set them aside, waiting for Rong Chengzhou to return.
"You don't know yet? My sister-in-law came to Mengshan County for a medical tour. The other day, Xiao Zhou and I were made to stand outside her clinic by Brother Rong for an entire afternoon. He said it was punishment for us saying the wrong thing, but anyone with eyes could see that Brother Rong was afraid that my sister-in-law would be bullied by the locals, so he wanted us to stand up for her! Also, this afternoon, Madam Rong airlifted a huge amount of stuff, all for her daughter-in-law. Those greenhorns were all sent over to move things!"
"Huh? Really? Did Captain Rong really do this? I only heard that Captain Rong got married before, but I've never heard him mention his wife. I thought they didn't get along." Captain Liu's eyes almost lit up as he listened, looking incredulous.
"Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. You'll know for yourself whether it's true or false. Your sister-in-law is going to stay in Mengshan for a month. You'll see her again sooner or later."
Rong Chengzhou had just hung up the phone and gave Xing Kaiyu a cool glance:
"Why are you talking so much? Didn't you stand enough last time?"
Xing Kaiyu immediately shut up: "I was wrong, I was wrong, brother."
Rong Chengzhou put down his phone, sat back down at the card table, and looked up at Xing Kaiyu: "You just said that she's going to stay in Mengshan for a month?"
"Yes." Xing Kaiyu nodded. He had overheard this from Jiang Mingxue when he was being punished by standing that day. He looked surprised. "Didn't your sister-in-law tell you?"
Rong Chengzhou tapped the table lightly with his long, slender fingers, without saying a word.
He didn't ask about many things, so naturally she wouldn't bring them up on her own initiative.
Fortunately, the supplies his mother prepared for three months should be enough for them.
The remaining three looked at each other in bewilderment.
Captain Liu stared wide-eyed and asked silently: Didn't you say they had a very good relationship? How come you didn't even know that?
Xing Kaiyu: ...How am I supposed to know why these two are sometimes familiar and sometimes not?
Zhou Qi: "Complex, really complex... Oh, I was talking about my hand."
--
The gifts from Rong Chengzhou proved invaluable. Jiang Mingxue's mood and appetite improved after enjoying the hometown pastries. Having been in Mengshan County for over a week, she was gradually adapting to the local lifestyle and pace. Even Xu Yan had fallen in love with the pesticide-free, organic vegetables from the garden. If it weren't for the discomfort caused by the change in environment, Mengshan would be quite a place for seclusion.
Jiang Mingxue spent two days sorting out the ledger. The ledger contained many names of young men who were capable of working but wanted to take advantage of others. She marked and compiled those names and asked Bai Dong and Yan Ze to collect the debts, hoping to get back as much as they could.
Yuanhe Medical Clinic is dedicated to helping the weak and poor, not to being a sheep to be slaughtered at will.
It happened to be Wednesday afternoon, a day off, so Jiang Mingxue went to the pharmacy and bought some medicine for treating wounds and expelling parasites. Considering that it was inconvenient for the military to prepare medicine, she specifically chose pills and ointments that could be taken directly. She also prepared two cans of American ginseng and astragalus tea, packed them in her bag, and went with Xu Yan to the air force base.
Rong Chengzhou has helped her so much; even if they were just ordinary friends, she should give him a gift in return, especially since they are playing the role of a loving couple.
Looking at the bag full of medicinal herbs, Jiang Mingxue couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Having lived for almost thirty years, this was the first time she had discovered that she had a bit of acting talent.
The air force base is located next to a sea area, surrounded by a large area of dense reeds. It takes more than ten minutes to find it by walking along a path. Its location is extremely hidden, and there are many soldiers guarding the area to prevent enemy attacks.
Jiang Mingxue originally thought that Rong Chengzhou's brief description of the location over the phone would be enough; she never expected to get lost in the reeds. If he hadn't arranged for someone to meet them beforehand, she and Xu Yan would have been lost in this reed thicket for three days and three nights.
"Thank you for showing us the way," Jiang Mingxue said to the air force soldier.
"Sister-in-law, don't be so polite. It's all I should do. The roads here are difficult to navigate; you'd never find your way without someone to guide you."
"It is indeed very well hidden."
The two women finally found their destination with difficulty, and the Air Force officer who was leading the way took them directly to a shady spot on the training field to sit down: "Sisters-in-law, you must be tired from walking. Sit here and rest for a while. Captain Rong is leading everyone in physical training assessment, which should be over soon."
Jiang Mingxue was indeed tired. It took her more than 20 minutes to walk from the clinic to the reeds, and then she wandered around in the reeds for another half hour. She finally found the air force base and then walked across a one-kilometer-long runway. She had been carrying the medicinal herbs for a full two hours, and her heels were starting to ache.
Xu Yan plopped down on the stone bench, panting, "Even a journey to find my husband is nothing special."
Jiang Mingxue: "He still has the energy to quote classical texts; he seems to have plenty of energy."
Xu Yan's mouth was so dry that she waved her hand hurriedly, "I can't, I can't take another step."
Jiang Mingxue chuckled and handed her the water bottle she was carrying.
Xu Yan gulped down half a bottle before she recovered. Looking at the hundreds and thousands of air force soldiers on the training field, she was dazzled but also thoroughly entertained.
"This is the first time I've seen so many high-quality men, so handsome and manly! These two hours were definitely worth it!"
Jiang Mingxue was already used to Xu Yan's volatile personality. She actually quite liked listening to her rambling; her lively and cheerful nature complemented her perfectly.
"Will you come again next time?"
"Come on, come on, even if you've run yourself ragged, come on!"
Jiang Mingxue smiled and drank some water herself, then looked around to find Rong Chengzhou and the others.
Actually, it was quite easy to find. The air force guy who led the way took them to the rest area closest to them. Moreover, Rong Chengzhou's height was among the best even in the air force; he was the tallest one in sight.
The training ground was filled with various equipment, and groups of people were competing. Rong Chengzhou, wearing a brown physical training suit, was far ahead. He deftly flipped over a three-meter-high wall with his bare hands, then took a few steps over the balance beam, stood on the spiral staircase and did twenty 360-degree rotations in both directions. After landing steadily, he used one hand to support himself and jumped over a two-meter-wide obstacle wall.
Xu Yan's eyes widened in disbelief: "My goodness, that's incredibly fast! I didn't even see him jump before he was over. It's such a shame that those long legs aren't in the Olympics!"
Jiang Mingxue's gaze involuntarily followed his movements. She had only seen movies about the Air Force before, which showed a few training scenes. She only knew that the Air Force's training was more comprehensive and arduous, including anti-vertigo full-range rotation, arm exercises, field combat drills, and so on. But witnessing it in person was a different kind of shock.
Rong Chengzhou quickly completed the last item of the physical fitness test. The other members of his group followed in fits and starts, and by the end they were all exhausted. But Rong Chengzhou was completely unaffected, with only his chest rising and falling slightly as he walked calmly toward them.
Beneath his broad shoulders and back, his biceps bulged prominently. His training uniform was soaked with sweat and clung to his skin. With each breath, the tendons lurking in his chest and abdomen were faintly visible beneath the fabric.
Xu Yan clicked her tongue and exclaimed, "Brother-in-law's muscles, his stamina...it's absolutely amazing!"
Then, changing the subject, she turned to her and raised an eyebrow meaningfully: "Sister Ming, you're quite lucky. Can you handle it normally?"
Her words were both veiled and explicit, and even Jiang Mingxue, who was unfamiliar with matters between men and women, understood them perfectly.
She smiled calmly: "It's alright, he's not usually home."
Xu Yan's smile stretched almost to the back of her head: "Then when you meet, won't it be even more intense?"
Jiang Mingxue: "..."
She brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, lowered her eyes slightly, and replied, "Yes, one is indeed worth three."
Xu Yan immediately covered her mouth and chuckled, "Oh my, you're so lucky, Sister Ming!"
Jiang Mingxue smiled without saying a word, knowing that her performance was passable.
It was as if an angel had lost its wing; who could have imagined that a man with such exceptional physical abilities, skills, and physique would have a deficiency in that area? Of course, she wouldn't hold any prejudice against Rong Chengzhou because of this; in fact, she was glad that he didn't have that need. But others might not be so forgiving. So, as his wife, she should uphold his reputation in public and, incidentally, conceal the fact that the two had never consummated their marriage.
"What are you talking about?"
As they were talking, Rong Chengzhou approached and stopped a meter away from the two of them.
Jiang Mingxue's gaze flickered for a moment, then returned to normal: "It's nothing, we were just praising how cool your training postures and movements were."
His gaze lingered on her slightly flushed cheeks for two seconds before slowly moving away.
Rong Chengzhou nodded, maintaining a one-meter distance from her throughout: "It's hot outside, let's go to my dorm first."
"good."
The two followed him into the dormitory building, where they ran into Xing Kaiyu, who had just finished his assessment for another group, at the corner of the stairs. After greeting Jiang Mingxue, Xing Kaiyu quickly grabbed Xu Yan and asked, "Hey, hey, where are you going?"
"I'm going to my brother-in-law's dorm with Sister Ming."
Xing Kaiyu just stared at her without saying a word.
After Xu Yan finished speaking, she belatedly realized that she had become a third wheel. The couple had finally managed to meet, why was she joining in?
He quickly slapped his mouth twice and let go of Jiang Mingxue's arm: "Sister Ming, I'm going to wander around somewhere else. We'll meet up again later, bye-bye!"
"Don't......"
Before Jiang Mingxue could finish speaking, Xu Yan had already disappeared in a flash.
Jiang Mingxue: "......"
She specifically invited her along so that she wouldn't have to be alone with Rong Chengzhou.
But now that things have come to this, there's no going back.
Jiang Mingxue closed her eyes resignedly, turned around and said, "Let's go."
"Um."
Rong Chengzhou's dormitory is a single room. When you push open the dormitory door, a refreshing minty scent mixed with the aroma of cedarwood hits you.
Because it was just a temporary dormitory, the furnishings inside were very simple, with only a table, a cabinet, and a single bed. The floor and table were spotless and very clean.
He turned on the air conditioner, raised the temperature to 26 degrees Celsius, and pulled out a chair: "Wait a moment, I'm going to take a shower."
"good."
The public shower room was on the same floor. As the door closed again, Jiang Mingxue's tense shoulders instantly relaxed.
She looked up and saw a table full of model airplanes. Each model was different in color, pattern, type, and size. Although she didn't understand them very well, she recognized the insignia of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and the pair of eagle wings. She had remembered them since the first time she saw them.
She thought that Rong Chengzhou must really love his profession.
Fifteen minutes later, Rong Chengzhou returned to his dormitory after showering. He had changed into a clean, pure white T-shirt, the cotton fabric looking crisp and stylish on him. His hair was still wet from being dried, with water droplets running down the ends and wetting his clothes.
Noticing that Jiang Mingxue's sitting posture was exactly the same as before he left, he said calmly, "You can look at anything in my room."
Jiang Mingxue nodded in agreement, but did not do as instructed.
He took out some medicine he had prepared in advance from his bag and placed it on the table: "You guys are prone to injuries during training, so I brought some ointments for treating wounds and repelling insects. But your unit must have the best military doctors, so you may not need these."
“Yes, I know how to use it,” Rong Chengzhou said.
Jiang Mingxue took it as a polite remark, just like she was being polite, and didn't listen. She continued to take out a tea canister from her bag: "You can brew this American ginseng and astragalus tea. It can replenish qi and nourish yin, and improve immunity."
"Okay, thank you."
"I should be thanking you," Jiang Mingxue said sincerely. "Since I arrived in Mengshan, you have been taking care of me. I don't understand the affairs of your army, and I don't know how I can help you. I can only bring you some medicine. I hope you won't mind."
Rong Chengzhou took a few steps closer and stood beside her. As he approached, a fresh, clean scent wafted over him.
Those deep, dark eyes seemed to be filled with ink, and when they gazed at her, they were unfathomable: "We are a legally married couple. It is only natural for a husband to help his wife. You don't need to think about paying me back."
“But only our marriage certificate is real, isn’t it?” Jiang Mingxue looked back at him, her voice gentle and calm.
Rong Chengzhou lifted his eyelids: "Whatever you say."
"There's a drill today, would you like to watch?" he asked after drying his hair.
Jiang Mingxue was somewhat tempted, but remained tactful: "May I see it?"
Doesn't this involve military secrets?
Rong Chengzhou: "It's just routine drills, there's no need to worry."
Jiang Mingxue relaxed and was somewhat excited: "Okay."
The two finished getting ready and were about to open the door when they headed out.
“Oh, right.” He suddenly turned around, “I forgot to tell you, sometimes when carrying out secret missions, in order to avoid radio exposure, you need to learn lip reading.”
Jiang Mingxue was confused: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Rong Chengzhou looked down at her and said in a serious tone:
"Thank you for protecting my image in public. But what you said hasn't been put into practice yet, so I'm not sure if I can do what you said, 'one is worth three'."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
