Ying Mingcheng's gaze has always been warm, like the golden sunlight falling on the vast ocean, making people feel gentle and free. Mu Huaixi used to feel warm inside whenever she met his gaze, but this time she wanted to explore the feelings hidden beneath the sea.
"What's wrong?" Ying Mingcheng refilled her tea and suddenly frowned, "Did grandpa call you?"
Mu Huaixi was startled, then smiled and shook her head, "Grandpa and grandma are both very good people, they miss you very much."
Ying Mingcheng fell silent. He joined the army at the age of eighteen and had only taken three vacations in seven years. Except for returning to Shengjing once on the way back from the winter training in Northeast China, he had not been home for a long time.
Mu Huaixi also remembered what her grandmother said on the phone. Ying Mingcheng rarely took vacations, but whether it was Grandpa's funeral three years ago or her matter a few days ago, he came without hesitation.
She sighed softly and looked up at Ying Mingcheng, "Grandpa asked us today when we will go back."
Mu Huaixi felt a little regretful after she finished speaking. She originally wanted to make things clear with Ying Mingcheng tonight, but after receiving a call from Ying's grandmother, she felt that it would be a shame to disappoint the two elders. Why not go back to Shengjing together and sort things out in front of their family.
She was immersed in her own thoughts and did not notice the conflicted expression on Ying Mingcheng's face. The sea in his eyes was no longer calm. The surging tide was filled with complex emotions, which eventually turned into an apology.
"I'm sorry, I have a mission tomorrow and can't send you to Shengjing."
Mu Huaixi raised her head in surprise and looked at the man opposite her, not knowing what to say.
"I've already bought the sleeper ticket, but it's for the day after tomorrow. You'll stay here for the next few days. Xiao Gao will take you to the train. I've also asked the conductor to help you. You can contact him if you need anything along the way."
"......", Mu Huaixi knew that he was very busy, but she didn't expect that he had arranged everything for her so clearly. She should be grateful to this man, but for some reason, a trace of resentment arose in her heart.
Seeing that she didn't answer for a long time, Ying Mingcheng wanted to explain, but after moving his lips, he could only say sorry weakly. He looked at Mu Huaixi with a hint of relief. This was the duty of a soldier. Perhaps separating at this time was a good thing for both of them.
Mu Huaixi raised her head and caught his gaze. The words she wanted to say somehow changed. "Grandpa and grandma said that everything is ready at home. They are just waiting for you to come back and take a family photo together."
"..." Ying Mingcheng pursed his lips and clasped his hands together several times. The dull sound struck both of their hearts at the same time. He glanced at Mu Huaixi, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke, "You don't have to worry about... the marriage."
Mu Huaixi looked up at him and felt that his voice was particularly low for some reason.
Ying Mingcheng looked away, gazing out the window into the deep night. "Xiao Xi, the new year is almost here. Forget all the unhappiness this year. I've written a letter to Grandpa. You'll be able to go to high school next year. When you're admitted to Shengjing, no, Jingcheng Medical College, I'll definitely go back for your wedding."
"Don't worry about Grandpa," Ying Mingcheng laughed. "The new Marriage Law will be implemented on January 1st. You're not old enough, so we can't get the marriage certificate. He won't say anything."
Mu Huaixi was horrified. She stared at the man who had arranged everything and asked in a hoarse voice, "What about you?"
He thought of everything for himself, including reasons to avoid being "blamed" by his grandfather, and his future education and livelihood, but he didn't say a word about himself.
"Me?" Ying Mingcheng didn't understand why she asked that. He anxiously took out a cigarette, but it was almost in his mouth when he realized it, and hurriedly took it out again, "I..."
Mu Huaixi stared at him intently, only to find him slouching, his cigarette in hand, his eyes cast down at the ground, as if pondering how to answer her question. His sitting posture remained perfectly straight, though his left shoulder hunched unnaturally.
Mu Huaixi frowned. She walked straight over and pressed her hand on Ying Mingcheng's shoulder before he could stand up. As expected, she heard a muffled groan.
"What are you doing..." Ying Mingcheng immediately dodged to the side. Seeing that she was about to follow him, he pressed her shoulders helplessly and asked her to sit in his seat. Then he strode towards where she had sat before, but turned around and sat down next to her.
"You," Ying Mingcheng rubbed his brows, thinking that she was still concerned about the question, and had to answer, "I heard that medical school takes longer than other schools. By the time you graduate, I will be over 30. By then..."
"When the time comes," Ying Mingcheng saw that she was staring at him intently, so he smiled and reached out to rub her head, "If you have a like-minded comrade by then, I will personally send you off to marry."
Mu Huaixi slapped his hand away, stood up with a bang, and asked angrily, "You want to break off the engagement?!"
"No..." Ying Mingcheng was stunned, not understanding why she suddenly got angry. He was not a young man who knew nothing. From Xiaoxi's attitude along the way, he knew that she did not want to marry him. Whether she was affected by the previous foolish marriage or had other ideas, he was willing to oblige her.
After all, Xiao Xi was only nineteen years old, and he was already twenty-five. From the very beginning, this marriage was actually not a good match.
Ying Mingcheng saw her chest rising and falling, her cheeks flushed, clearly furious, and felt both helpless and amused. Mu Huaixi had been indifferent to everything along the way, save for the one time she cried because of her parents and grandfather when she left Zhangjiagou. She rarely showed any emotion at other times.
She was like a wounded little squirrel, hiding high up in a tree, holding her tail. She seemed to care nothing about anything, but in fact she was extremely wary of anyone who approached her, fearing that they would be hurt.
Ying Mingcheng couldn't help but find it amusing when he recalled Xiao Gao's comment the first time they met that he felt pressured by her glance. It was clearly the cautious scrutiny of a small animal, but because of her appearance, it could be misinterpreted as scrutiny.
He propped up his head and looked at the little girl, waiting for her to say something shocking, but his eyes gradually lingered on her rosy lips and bright eyes.
Mu Huaixi was very beautiful, not the grand, reunion-inspired beauty favored by the elderly, but rather an aggressive flamboyance. Previously, this beauty had been obscured by poverty and indifference, but now it was beginning to show, like a camellia about to bloom. The camellia, with its dazzling beauty, blossomed amidst the ice and snow, perfectly complementing her cool and aloof temperament.
Seeing the little girl gradually calm down, Ying Mingcheng poured her another cup of tea and advised, "Don't be anxious, talk slowly."
But as soon as Mu Huaixi said a word, Ying Mingcheng's face flushed and he stood up, no longer as calm as before.
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