Chapter 146 The couple returned to Harbin together...
Chapter 146
Those warbling voices were tender and gentle.
The two fooled around all day until night. Meng Yingying said she was going to rest, but in the end, not only did she not rest, she also ended up with a sore back.
When she woke up again, Qi Donghan patted her awake, saying, "Yingying, get up. Our train is at 11 a.m., or we'll be late."
It turned out that this person had bought Meng Yingying a train ticket while she was asleep.
Meng Yingying opened her eyes, still somewhat dazed. She subconsciously reached out to touch Qi Donghan's face and murmured, "I was dreaming again."
"I don't want to wake up."
Qi Donghan felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. He lowered his head and kissed Meng Yingying's forehead. "Yingying, it's not a dream."
You can tell from what she said that she missed him countless times during her time in Moscow.
For Qi Donghan, this was already the best consolation.
It turns out that during the years Meng Yingying was gone, she had thought of him in the same way he had. That's enough.
All the longing and waiting made Qi Donghan feel it was all worthwhile at this moment.
Meng Yingying became lazy as soon as she returned. For the past four years, she had worked almost non-stop, which is why she didn't see Qi Donghan again.
I don't know why, but I just didn't want to move and let Qi Donghan take care of me.
Qi Donghan also enjoyed it. He liked to help Meng Yingying put on her clothes one by one and prepare her toothbrush, toothpaste cup, and water for washing her face.
She had tidied it up very neatly.
This gave Qi Donghan a great sense of accomplishment. After everything was settled, he took Meng Yingying's hand and said, "Let's go. Let's tell Teacher Yang and then we'll go home."
When Qi Donghan bought his train ticket back home, Yang Jie provided him with a certificate, so Yang Jie naturally knew about their situation.
So much so that when Qi Donghan brought Meng Yingying to say goodbye to Yang Jie, Yang Jie had only one request: "Yingying, you must come back in one week, at most one week."
“We all need you.”
In such a critical moment, Yang Jie was able to withstand the pressure and allow Meng Yingying to return to her hometown, which was truly a great honor.
Meng Yingying nodded, "Teacher, I understand."
"I'll go back and stay for a few days to see my family and old friends, and then I'll come back to compete."
Only after receiving this guarantee did Yang Jie feel completely at ease.
She believed that Meng Yingying was a very trustworthy person.
The train journey from the capital to Harbin, where the team was stationed, took two days and one night. When they arrived back in Harbin, Meng Yingying felt as if she had been in another world.
"Qi Donghan, the Harbin Railway Station has changed quite a bit."
There used to be some dilapidated red brick houses, but now they've all been renovated. It was probably modeled after the Capital Railway Station, although it's not as big, but it presents a completely different scene now.
Qi Donghan led her by the hand, carrying two large rattan suitcases. "The station was renovated last year. They said that Harbin exported a large amount of foreign exchange, and the local government had money. The first thing they did was to build the train station."
He led her off the train and they queued to have their tickets checked. Because it was almost the end of the year, there were a lot of people at the train station.
Every line was very long.
It was very crowded with lots of people and luggage. Qi Donghan stood in front, protecting Meng Yingying to prevent her from being bumped by pedestrians.
He protected Meng Yingying so well that even amidst the surging crowd, she wasn't bumped into at all. When they reached the ticket checkpoint at the exit...
"Show me the ticket so I can check it."
"That's what the ticket inspector said."
The other person's voice sounded somewhat familiar, which made Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan instinctively look over.
"ticket."
Qi Donghan handed over the train ticket.
Qi Changming was holding a ticket-checking clamp. He had just cut a circle off the ticket and handed it over when he looked up and saw Qi Donghan.
They also saw Meng Yingying behind Qi Donghan.
Qi Changming's hand trembled, and the ticket-checking pliers slammed against the edge of the table with a clang, leaving a crooked, round notch that was both comical and embarrassing.
He looked up blankly, his eyes first meeting Qi Donghan's deep gaze—the oppressive aura of a superior had not diminished in four years, and had even become sharper.
The man turned slightly to the side, blocking half of the person behind him—an instinctive gesture of possession.
This made Qi Changming feel bitter. He glanced to the side and saw Meng Yingying.
She was wearing a snow wool coat, cinched at the waist, with a wide hem, and a fox fur collar that made her face look only the size of a palm.
Her hair was only half tied up, with the other half hanging down over her shoulders. The rest of her hair was tied low behind her ears with a hair tie, and stray hairs brushed against her fair and beautiful cheeks, making her look like she had stepped out of a movie poster.
Four years have passed without leaving a mark on her face, but they have brought back her chic and fashionable look.
Qi Changming's Adam's apple bobbed, his throat went dry, "Ying... Comrade Meng, you're back."
Meng Yingying paused for only half a second, then nodded politely and smiled courteously, "Long time no see, Comrade Qi."
A simple "Comrade Qi".
The intimacy between the two of them was suddenly shut out from the door.
Mingming, the two of them were childhood sweethearts who had been engaged for twenty years.
But when they met again, Qi Changming felt that there was an absolute estrangement between them.
Do you check tickets?
"Yes, if you don't check tickets, we'll find someone else. Let's not waste everyone's time."
The complaining words instantly brought Qi Changming to his senses. He looked away, his expression complex and bitter, and said, "Give me the ticket."
Qi Donghan handed Meng Yingying's train ticket forward, his arm naturally encircling her shoulder, his palm pressed against her shoulder, the warmth seeping through the fabric—a silent declaration of possession.
The goal is also very clear.
Seeing Qi Changming take the ticket, Qi Donghan looked up at him and said in a cold voice, "Comrade Qi, please check the ticket. My wife is in a hurry."
When the word "lover" came down, Qi Changming's fingers trembled again, and this time he even tore the ticket stub crooked.
He forced a smile, handed the torn ticket back, but couldn't help glancing at Meng Yingying's face.
She was looking up at Qi Donghan, her eyes crinkling at the corners and her lips curving upwards, looking beautiful, bright, and confident.
She stands out from the crowd.
Five years ago, she also traveled thousands of miles to find him and fulfill their childhood betrothal agreement.
But when they met again five years later, they were so unfamiliar and estranged.
It even made Qi Changming feel somewhat dazed.
That moment of regret washed over me like a tidal wave, instantly engulfing my chest.
Qi Changming lowered his eyes, pretending to tidy up the ticket holders, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, "You guys be careful on the road."
Qi Donghan gave a faint "hmm" and said thank you.
He took the tickets from Qi Changming and led Meng Yingying outside.
The crowd surged through the station, quickly obscuring the two figures from behind.
Qi Changming stood there, watching that white figure appear and disappear in the crowd, finally vanishing into the morning light at the exit.
He gripped the damp, cold ticket tongs, feeling a moment of discomfort.
He didn't understand why he, who clearly had a bright future, could be promoted continuously while stationed in the team.
They could also have a bright future, like Qi Donghan.
But he ultimately failed to seize the opportunity, and watched it slip through his fingers.
Qi Changming tried to turn a winning hand into a losing one; this is no different from what he did.
Outside the station.
Meng Yingying had already walked far away when she turned back to look at him. Qi Donghan, jealous, twisted her neck around and said, "Don't look at him, look at me."
The muffled voice made Meng Yingying both laugh and cry, "Alright, alright, I'll look at you."
"I'm just curious, what happened to Qi Changming? He's ended up like this."
She had met him before, at the Civil Affairs Bureau. At that time, Qi Changming was wearing a white shirt, and you could still see the vigor and clarity of a young man.
But when they met again, the other person seemed to have gained a certain air of weariness that only the elderly possess.
Qi Donghan lowered his head, pulled his coat tighter, and quickly kissed her cheek. "What happens to him is none of our business anymore."
"Yingying, we have our own lives now."
Meng Yingying thought about it and agreed, nodding, "He is indeed an outsider."
"We just need to live our own lives well."
From the moment she broke off her engagement with Qi Changming, she and Qi Changming became strangers.
*
From the train station to the team stationed in Harbin, Meng Yingying felt a sense of trepidation, even though she had already arrived at the entrance of the team station.
"What's wrong?"
Qi Donghan asked her.
Meng Yingying shook her head, then hesitated for a moment, "Do you think Yue Ru, Fan Fan, Ying Tao, and Lin Qiu will still recognize me when I come back this time?"
She's been gone for too long.
It even predates the time she has known Ye Yingtao and Lin Qiu.
It also exceeded the time she had spent with Fanfan; strictly speaking, she had only spent less than a month with Fanfan.
When she left, Fanfan was not even a month old, but when she came back, Fanfan had probably grown up.
Qi Donghan: "I know him."
"After you left, Zhao Yueru often mentioned you in front of Fanfan."
"Old Zhou will also mention it."
As soon as she said that, Meng Yingying's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Okay, then I'll go back and see them now."
When she arrived at the entrance of the family compound, Meng Yingying didn't even go straight home, but went to Zhao Yueru's place first.
The Zhou family's courtyard is almost the same as when she left, except that it is much more lively now.
There was an extra grape trellis, and also two fruit trees that Meng Yingying didn't quite recognize.
Just as Meng Yingying reached the door and was about to knock, Fanfan, who was shoveling dirt at the door with a small shovel, looked up. He had a pair of bright, dark eyes that were particularly beautiful.
The person is fair-skinned.
Her voice, though slightly fierce in a cute way, was already a bit menacing when she opened her mouth: "Who are you looking for?"
"My mother is not home."
Looking at Fanfan, Meng Yingying saw the shadow of Zhao Yueru on his face, especially his facial features, which were remarkably similar.
She decided to tease him, so she squatted down and said, "I'm looking for you."
"You were looking for me?"
Fanfan was very suspicious.
"Yes, your name is Fanfan, right?" Meng Yingying asked him.
Fanfan nodded. "How did you know my name is Fanfan?"
He held the small shovel in front of his chest, looking defensive.
Meng Yingying said, "I not only know your name is Fanfan, but I also know your mother's name is Zhao Yueru and your father's name is Zhou Jingsong. By the way, the reason your nickname is Fanfan is because you had a huge appetite when you were born—"
Fanfan's eyes widened in shock. "A monster!"
He yelled and shouted into the house, "Mom, Mom, there's a monster at our door! She knows everything!"
Zhao Yueru was knitting a sweater in her room. Winters in Harbin are cold, and Fanfan is growing fast, so the sweater would get too short if she wasn't careful.
So Zhao Yueru is either knitting sweaters or on her way to make clothes when she's at home now.
Hearing Fanfan yelling outside, she immediately ran out, about to scold her, "What are you yelling about? You live in the military family compound, where are there monsters? If a monster really came, your dad would shoot it dead, and you might even get a third-class merit award."
Fanfan was used to being scolded. He hid behind Zhao Yueru's legs, grabbed her clothes, and pointed outside, saying, "There really is a monster."
"She's a really, really beautiful female monster. She knows my name is Fanfan, and she also knows my parents' names. Oh, and she even knows why I'm called Fanfan. She said I drank a lot of milk when I was born."
This four-year-old child is already quite eloquent.
It was explained clearly in just a few words.
But Fanfan didn't know that the more detailed his explanation, the more suspicious Zhao Yueru became. She grabbed Fanfan and rushed out, turning back to ask him as they ran, "Where is the monster?"
After saying that, she slapped herself. "Where is the pretty auntie?"
"There—"
As soon as Fanfan stepped out of the bedroom, she pointed to the entrance of the courtyard and said, "Mom, look there! There's a really pretty female monster over there."
Zhao Yueru walked to the door of the main house, peeked out, and saw Meng Yingying wearing a cashmere coat, looking at her with a smile on her face.
She looks exactly the same as when she left.
The sweater Zhao Yueru was holding fell to the ground with a thud, and her lips trembled slightly, "Yingying."
If we were to ask who has missed Meng Yingying the most over the years, Qi Donghan would be number one, and Zhao Yueru would definitely be number two.
Meng Yingying reached out her hand, and the next second, Zhao Yueru let out a howl and ran over.
Fanfan was left standing there dumbfounded. "Oh no, my mom has turned into a female monster."
He had never seen his mother so excited.
"Yingying".
As soon as they reached the door, Zhao Yueru hugged Meng Yingying and burst into tears, her face streaked with snot and tears. "You're back? Why did it take you so long to come back?"
It was truly heartbreaking to hear, bringing tears to the eyes of all who heard it.
Meng Yingying patted her on the back and said softly, "I graduated early and came back to participate in the competition."
“Yueru.” She took a step back and carefully examined her, comparing her pale and haggard appearance to when she was in postpartum confinement.
Zhao Yueru now has a rosy complexion and is full of energy, which shows that she is having a good married life.
"It seems Zhou Jingsong has taken good care of you."
Hearing this teasing remark, Zhao Yueru's face flushed red instantly. Then, she raised her chin and nodded proudly, "My husband Zhou is the best."
It's clear that even though they've been married for many years, their relationship is actually better now than when they first got married.
At that time, when Zhao Yueru encountered difficulties during childbirth, her first thought was of Meng Yingying, not Zhou Jingsong.
Even the transfer of property and the entrustment of the children were entrusted to Meng Yingying.
But now that Meng Yingying has come to ask Zhao Yueru, she knows that Zhao Yueru has finally trusted Zhou Jingsong.
Zhao Yueru noticed the teasing look on Meng Yingying's face, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She stammered, "We've been married for six years, so things must be different now."
At this point, he surprisingly became quite assertive, asking, "And you?"
She didn't finish her sentence, but Meng Yingying understood. She turned to look at Qi Donghan and found that he had gone back to tidy up the house sometime earlier.
Only she and Miss Zhao Yueru remained to reminisce.
Meng Yingying thought for a moment, "Yueru, I'm the same as you."
She said very seriously, "Almost five years is enough time for me to see a person clearly."
If that's the case, and you still make a mistake, then it can only mean that Qi Donghan was too good at pretending.
"Right, right?"
Zhao Yueru put her arm around Meng Yingying's shoulder and led her into the house, saying, "I think so too, Yingying."
"We were quite lucky."
She was able to find Zhou Jingsong.
Meng Yingying was able to find Qi Donghan.
This is already a stroke of luck for both of them.
Meng Yingying hummed in agreement, and the two of them, shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, entered the house.
When Fanfan saw this, her eyes widened immediately. "Mom, you know a woman—" Before she could finish saying the word "monster," she exclaimed.
He was slapped on the head by Zhao Yueru, who said, "What nonsense are you spouting? This is your godmother."
"Come quickly and call her godmother."
Fanfan immediately realized what was going on, her big black eyes darting around, and her expression instantly changed. "I knew this pretty auntie looked familiar! Turns out she's Fanfan's godmother!"
He opened his big eyes and nestled his fluffy little head against Meng Yingying's arm, saying, "Godmother, Fanfan missed you so much."
The beginning was almost entirely fabricated, but the last sentence was the truth.
Throughout Fanfan's childhood, he heard his mother talk about his godmother countless times.
Back when he was still in his mother's womb, his godmother sent him meat coupons, milk powder coupons, and money.
Later, when he was born, it was also from the yarn his godmother bought. And later, the formula he drank was also bought with coupons that his godmother managed to get.
Fanfan loves her dad and mom the most.
Next up was my godmother.
This child's words are as sweet as honey. Meng Yingying squatted down and patted his head, "Your godmother likes you the most too."
During the years she was away from home, she missed the child countless times.
Fanfan grinned and, together with Zhao Yueru, pulled Meng Yingying into the house.
"Godmother, godmother, this is my home."
He led Meng Yingying to the table, where a large piece of glass was placed, and many photos were placed under the glass.
They are all one-inch or two-inch photos.
Most of them are Zhao Yueru, Zhou Jingsong, and Fanfan. It seems that the family of three started taking photos together not long after Fanfan was born.
I take photos almost every year.
Fanfan is almost five years old. We take two photos every year, so there are almost ten photos here.
"Godmother, this is me, these are my mom and dad."
“My mom always says she regrets not taking a picture with you when you left, godmother.”
It seems that Meng Yingying and Zhao Yueru have never taken a photo together.
Zhao Yueru felt a little embarrassed by what she said, and she tapped Fanfan's head, "Alright, alright, go play."
"Wait, don't go."
Meng Yingying called out to Fanfan, opened her luggage, and said, "I brought you a gift. Come and see if you like it."
Fanfan stopped abruptly. He turned to look at Zhao Yueru, feeling a mix of anticipation and fear that his mother wouldn't allow him to have it.
Zhao Yueru nodded, "Your godmother gave it to you, so you can keep it."
Fanfan nodded and looked at Meng Yingying expectantly.
Meng Yingying opened her luggage and first took out a box of purple-wrapped candy and handed it over. Fanfan was puzzled, so she said, "Purple-wrapped candy from Moscow."
Upon hearing that it was candy, Fanfan instinctively jumped up with joy, "Mommy, Mommy, my godmother brought me candy!"
No child dislikes sweets, and Fanfan is no exception.
Zhao Yueru said it was too much trouble, but her eyes were filled with starlight.
"This is a Russian nesting doll."
Meng Yingying took out another toy, "Fanfan, this is a wooden mother who can give birth to babies, take it and play with it."
Fanfan fell in love with the brightly colored wooden doll at first sight. He hugged it to his arms and rubbed his face against it, saying, "I love it so much!"
"Thank you, godmother."
It's clear that although this child is mischievous, he has been well-educated by Zhao Yueru.
Meng Yingying touched her head, and Fanfan couldn't wait to run to the side to eat candy and play with her new toys.
Meng Yingying bent down and took out a small box from a pile of luggage, and handed it to Zhao Yueru.
Zhao Yueru was somewhat surprised, "I have one too?"
Meng Yingying looked up at her, her gaze gentle. "Yes, there's food. You must have some too. Yue Ru, open it and take a look."
His tone was full of anticipation.
Zhao Yueru opened the box, and when she saw the brand-new watch, she was stunned. "Yingying?"
Meng Yingying took out the watch and put it on her wrist herself. "Yueru, do you remember? My first watch was a gift from you."
“Now—” she looked up, her eyes sparkling with a smile, “you see, I’m able to give it to you now.”
Zhao Yueru's tears fell instantly. "Fool, Meng Yingying, are you stupid? The watch I gave you back then was old, and you gave me a new imported one."
Meng Yingying smiled, pursing her lips, "Is that not allowed?"
"Okay, okay, you're the one who's been taken advantage of, you've suffered too much."
This imported watch costs around 500 yuan, while the old watch she gave to Meng Yingying back then only cost around 100 yuan.
"Yueru, that's not how it's calculated."
Meng Yingying blinked and said, "Have you forgotten that you gave me a lot of small yellow croakers back then?"
Compared to watches, those cheap silver dollars are the real hard currency.
Zhou Jingsong returned at this moment, and Meng Yingying immediately stopped the conversation.
To be honest, Zhou Jingsong was a little dazed when he saw Meng Yingying, but then he quickly realized, "Meng Yingying, you're really back?"
He turned around, put on his apron, and went into the kitchen to cook, saying, "Stay at my house for lunch."
"We'll kill a chicken at noon, and Yue Ru bought some frozen mushrooms. Let's catch up properly tonight."
More than four years later, Zhou Jingsong was still as gentle as ever, just like when they first met.
Zhao Yueru has a fiery temper that's easily triggered.
Zhou Jingsong, on the other hand, has a very good temper, but of course, his good temper is only reserved for Zhao Yueru.
Otherwise, during the years he was stationed in the team, his position would have been almost as high as Qi Donghan's.
Meng Yingying glanced at Zhou Jingsong, who remained calm and let her look.
Meng Yingying smiled and said, "Zhou Jingsong, you've taken good care of Yue Ru and Fan Fan. Thank you."
Zhou Jingsong said politely, "Taking care of them is my responsibility; there's no need for thanks."
The two of them fell into an awkward silence.
Meng Yingying and Zhou Jingsong were both quiet people, but Zhao Yueru couldn't stand it anymore and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Yingying, you don't know yet, but after your Qi Donghan was promoted to regimental commander, my Zhou Jingsong was also promoted to deputy regimental commander."
There was a hint of pride in her eyes. "Look, they're just one step away now."
Meng Yingying gave a thumbs up, "He's really amazing."
She was also somewhat surprised, but upon reflection, Zhou Jingsong's abilities were indeed impressive.
Seeing that Meng Yingying hadn't returned yet, Qi Donghan brought over a bottle of wine and two bottles of Arctic Ocean soda from home.
This was a rare reunion for the four of them.
After he came in, he glanced around and saw Meng Yingying and Zhao Yueru chatting and eating melon seeds. He then handed the wine to Zhou Jingsong, who was busy in the kitchen.
"Two more dishes will be ready soon."
It's clear that Zhou Jingsong has honed his culinary skills to take care of Zhao Yueru.
Qi Donghan grunted and started helping out. Meng Yingying and Zhao Yueru, not wanting to keep eating sunflower seeds, came in to chat.
Occasionally, I would lend a hand.
Zhou Jingsong quickly prepared a sumptuous meal of four dishes and a soup, which was served on the table.
Zhao Yueru took the lead, pouring a glass of Arctic Ocean soda, "Let's celebrate Meng Yingying's safe return home and successful reunion!"
Meng Yingying also raised her glass, and all four of them drank it down in one gulp.
After several rounds of drinks...
All four of them were a little drunk, but also quite satisfied.
Holding Meng Yingying's hand, Qi Donghan revealed a bombshell: "The Harbin garrison is going to undergo restructuring and reorganization. I may be transferred to the capital for further training. At that time, there will be a vacancy for a regimental commander in the Harbin garrison."
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