Out of gratitude, Wei Chengbao exchanged sleeper tickets for them both. They had a particularly comfortable train ride that day and arrived in Jiangcheng, the capital of the neighboring province, in the evening.
Jiangcheng, a thoroughfare connecting seven provinces, boasted exceptionally convenient transportation. Ying Mingcheng planned to send her back to his hometown in Shengjing, and taking a train there was the most convenient option. Furthermore, he had comrades at Jiangcheng Railway Station, and he could ask them to look after her along the way. However, there was a crying child in the sleeper, and he couldn't find the time to talk to her in detail. Unfortunately, plans couldn't keep up with changes, and upon getting off the train, he ran into Xiao Gao, the communicator, who was waiting for him. He was told that the military region had issued an order for him to go.
Xiao Gao came to the military region with the regiment commander to do some work. As soon as he received the order this morning, he contacted Yuanyang. When he learned that Deputy Battalion Commander Ying had already boarded the train, he waited at the station early.
"Hello, sister-in-law." Xiao Gao saluted Mu Huaixi, then turned sideways and quietly explained the whole story to Ying Mingcheng, "There were some problems with the finalization of the last mission. The team leader said it wasn't a big problem, but we still have to go through the process."
Ying Mingcheng glanced at Mu Huaixi, who had consciously stepped back a distance. Before he could figure out how to arrange things, Xiao Gao rushed in and said, "I've already booked a guesthouse for my sister-in-law! Tomorrow I'm going to do some shopping for the sisters-in-law in the family compound. If you don't mind, my sister-in-law, come with me. The conditions there aren't very good..."
Ying Mingcheng kicked Xiao Gao and told him to load the luggage into the car first. He walked over to Mu Huaixi and explained, "There's an urgent matter at the military district. I'll be back soon. Xiao Gao will be with you. If you have any questions, just look for him. I'll be back as soon as possible."
Mu Huaixi was not surprised. Of course, a soldier's duty is to obey orders. It just so happened that she also had to think carefully about how to confront Ying Mingcheng.
"You..." Ying Mingcheng hesitated, took out his ID from his wallet, stuffed the entire wallet into her hand, and spoke before she could refuse, "Xiao Gao is going shopping tomorrow, you should also help me buy some New Year's goods, and buy yourself a few more clothes, don't save money for me."
Mu Huaixi didn't know how to buy clothes for herself, but she wanted to help him buy some New Year's goods. Just now, she heard Xiao Gao say that the conditions there were not very good, and she was afraid that he had lived a simple life in the past. Even if it was just a small help, it would be her small repayment.
The Jianghan Military Region headquarters sat atop Jianghan Mountain outside Jiangcheng. Xiao Gao first drove Ying Mingcheng to the gate, then turned around and took her to the Military Region Guesthouse at the foot of the mountain. The guesthouse was simple and dignified, with the five-star red flag flying in the courtyard. The hall was simple and solemn, and the soldiers hurried to and fro. The atmosphere was completely different from the county guesthouse.
Xiao Gao escorted her to a king-size bed room on the fifth floor. He then swiftly helped her get some hot water and a meal voucher before saying goodbye with a smile, "Comrade Mu, I live downstairs in room 408. If you need anything, just call me on the intercom. Have a good rest. We have a big project tomorrow!"
Mu Huaixi then noticed that there was a black phone by the bed. She noticed that Xiao Gao's way of addressing her had changed. It must be Ying Mingcheng's instructions. She breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Xiao Gao at the door. "Thank you, you should get some rest early too."
The bed in the military district guesthouse was very hard, but the quilt was very warm. Mu Huaixi slept well all night. After breakfast, she came back and opened the door to see Ying Mingcheng lying on the big bed in his military uniform without even taking off his shoes. He was obviously very tired.
Ying Mingcheng removed his arm from covering his eyes. Seeing her standing at the door, he was obviously stunned. He immediately stood up and said through gritted teeth, "Xiao Gao is really making trouble! Sorry, I'll leave now!"
"Did you stay up late?" Mu Huaixi noticed his red eyes, poured some hot water into the washbasin by the door, wrung out a hot towel and handed it to him, "Wipe your face before you leave."
Ying Mingcheng covered his face with the hot towel. He couldn't figure out her intention for a long time and kept thinking about what he had done before.
Seeing that he hadn't taken the towel off for a long time, Mu Huaixi took the initiative to reach out and pull it, "Do you want to try again? The towel shouldn't be hot anymore, right?"
Ying Mingcheng immediately put the towel into the washbasin, lowered his head and didn't look at her, "You...you have eaten, right?"
"Hmm," Mu Huaixi looked at his flushed cheeks, then glanced at the washbasin that was smoking, wondering if she had added too much hot water?
Ying Mingcheng applied the mask to his face again, put down the towel and was about to speak when the phone rang.
When he hung up the phone, his face was solemn. He picked up his hat and rushed out. When he rushed out, he remembered Mu Huaixi and turned back to the door with an apologetic look on his face, "Sorry, I have something else to do..."
Mu Huaixi nodded. "Xiao Gao and I will go out in a while. Don't worry. Can you come back tonight?"
"Probably." Ying Mingcheng was stunned for a moment, then added, "I'm not sure either. I'll tell you in advance. Don't wait for me."
He left after giving his instructions, but after a few steps he turned back and said, "I'll arrange a new room for you tonight. Don't mind what happened just now."
Mu Huaixi didn't say anything. She felt a little emotional as she watched Ying Mingcheng leave. There was doubt and worry in the man's eyes just now, but the moment he turned around, his eyes became decisive and sharp, like a fearless sword ready to be unsheathed.
She had figured it out last night. The two old men had a life-long friendship, and the engagement was more for her. Ying Mingcheng was an upright and loyal man. She only needed to explain it to him to avoid hurting Grandpa Ying's feelings. After all, there were many ways to take care of her, an orphan.
She also reflected on her previous coy behavior. Ying Mingcheng saved her from danger, so she should care more about him instead of making him consider her feelings everywhere.
Mu Huaixi went shopping with Xiao Gao today. Xiao Gao told her that their regimental housing complex had been completed last month, and Ying Mingcheng had been allocated one, but he'd been too busy on missions to take care of it. The wives of the soldiers who had been accompanying the troops had also been arriving, and they needed a lot of things for their daily lives. It just so happened that the regimental commander was coming to the military region, so he was sent to do the shopping.
The young master held a stack of industrial invoices in his hands and expertly inspected the quality of the various thermoses on the counter. He then confirmed the styles and quantities with the salesperson before finally explaining to her, "Actually, many items are purchased and distributed through the group's channels. However, we can't take advantage of the public for the pots, pans, thermoses, and other things that each family needs, right?"
Mu Huaixi nodded, and she also followed Xiao Gao to buy two thermoses. Xiao Gao even asked the salesperson to replace them with two with red shells, saying that it was a festive occasion for a newlywed couple.
She subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then she thought that Ying Mingcheng would eventually get married, and remembered that Wei Chengbao had mentioned that a commander's daughter was interested in him, so she brought it up tactfully.
Xiao Gao misunderstood her meaning and hurriedly stuffed the bill back into his pocket, waving his hands and explaining, "No, no, Comrade Mu, please don't misunderstand me. Deputy Battalion Commander Ying doesn't have an improper relationship with anyone. No, I mean he only has an improper relationship with you. No, oops!"
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