Chapter 57 I Want to Be Your Partner (Third Update + ...)
Chapter 57
At 8:50, Qi Donghan, fully armed, almost ran all the way to the family compound.
Commander Chen's home.
Meng Yingying arrived at 8:10. She sat in her chair for a full forty minutes, drank three cups of tea, and ate half a melon seed.
If I keep taking it, I'm afraid I'll run out of energy.
Meng Yingying raised her wrist to check the time. The hands on her watch were about to point to nine, so she said, "Sister-in-law, I'll wait ten more minutes. If Commander Qi hasn't arrived by nine o'clock, I'll go back to the art troupe first."
She knew Xia Huilan was going to try to dissuade her.
Therefore, Meng Yingying spoke very carefully, "Sister-in-law, our art troupe is currently preparing to represent Heilongjiang Province in the joint performance competition in the three northeastern provinces. It would be inappropriate for me, as the team leader, to be absent like this."
"If it really is a blind date, then it's only right that I spend this time, but waiting like this is such a waste of time."
"In that case, I might as well go back to the cultural troupe and get back to work. We can talk about it again when Director Qi has a more suitable time."
Since she had already said so much, Xia Huilan naturally couldn't dissuade her. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Comrade Meng, wait another ten minutes. If Commander Qi really doesn't come, you can leave, and I won't stop you."
All she could do was pray in her heart that Xiao Qi would come quickly.
At this moment, Xia Huilan couldn't sit still any longer. She got up and went to the door to look around.
Meng Yingying sat for a while, watching Xia Huilan pacing back and forth, and she couldn't sit still any longer, so she followed Xia Huilan to the entrance of the courtyard to wait.
Xia Huilan is a person who knows how to enjoy life. She keeps the small courtyard very well, with climbing loofah vines growing in the corner.
The loofahs are in season, and long, green loofahs hang from the branches, one after another.
When Meng Yingying saw the loofah, she remembered the loofah and egg soup, which was fragrant, fresh and tender.
Seeing Meng Yingying staring at the loofah, Xia Huilan said, "This year is a bumper year for loofahs, so I'll make you a loofah and egg soup for lunch."
Then she changed the subject, "Can we cook in your dorm?"
Xia Huilan had never lived in a dormitory before, so she didn't know the situation. Meng Yingying shook her head, "No."
Cooking is not allowed in the dormitories.
They all eat together in the cafeteria.
Xia Huilan felt it was a pity, "I have a lot of loofahs this year. If you can cook in your dorm, I will pick some for you to take back and cook for yourself."
"How about this, if you want to eat it, come to my house, and I'll make it for you."
As she spoke, she pointed to the chicken coop at the base of the courtyard wall, "My family also raises two chickens. They lay an egg every day, so we can at least eat an egg every day, if not every meal."
Unfortunately, raising chickens is now restricted; each household can only raise a maximum of two, which is the absolute limit.
Although Meng Yingying was somewhat interested, she wasn't familiar with the place, so she shook her head and thanked her, "Thank you, sister-in-law."
They were both smart people, and Xia Huilan could see through her refusal. She smiled and said, "If you don't like the idea of coming to my house, that's fine."
She suggested, "You can plant them under the wall of your own yard later. I'll give you some loofah seeds then."
Seeing that Meng Yingying was still confused, Xia Huilan reminded her, "Xiao Qi is a regimental-level cadre, so he can apply for a three-bedroom, one-living-room house with a fairly large yard."
Meng Yingying smiled, pursing her lips, "Sister-in-law, Commander Qi and I are not even close to getting together yet."
Xia Huilan saw through it but didn't say anything.
She looked at the grounds outside the door. The family compound had an uphill slope with rows of houses standing tall. Loofahs and beans climbed up the edge of the yard, with yellow flowers and green fruits hanging from them.
When the wind blows down, it looks quite charming.
Meng Yingying was admiring the scenery here. To be honest, it was very beautiful and had a sense of history.
A detached house with its own yard, where you can plant flowers and vegetables, raise a couple of chickens, and collect an egg every day.
I want to have a cat and a dog.
That seems pretty good.
Once someone starts thinking about waiting for you, you can't stop.
Meng Yingying looked down at her watch; there were still three minutes left.
Xia Huilan, who was standing next to her, waited with her. She noticed that Meng Yingying was still looking at her watch. She thought to herself, "Commander Qi, if you don't come soon, your wife will run away."
Meng Yingying was in a similar situation. Seeing that it was almost nine o'clock, with only one minute left, she said, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry to have troubled you today. I'll go back to the art troupe first. As for the blind date, we can talk about it next time."
She was about to leave.
Xia Huilan wanted to persuade him to stay, but didn't know how to start, so she said, "It's also Old Chen's fault. He didn't know how to choose the right time. He had already given Commander Qi a holiday, but he still insisted on making him busy. I'm really sorry."
"Next time, Comrade Meng, when you have time to come over, your sister-in-law will cook you a meal alone."
They are both good people and considerate of each other.
Meng Yingying nodded, took her leave, and was about to turn and leave.
When I turned around, I saw a figure in the distance, running all the way in full gear.
The summer wind was strong, blowing his shirt up, making a big bulge, and also blowing his hair.
It also revealed a complete face.
With sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose and mouth, and a smooth jawline, he exudes a resolute air.
He seemed to come riding the wind, his speed even faster than the wind itself.
"They're here, Commander Qi is here."
Xia Huilan slapped her thigh beside her, "Oh my, Commander Qi has finally arrived."
She looked at Meng Yingying's expression, while Meng Yingying was also looking at Qi Donghan, who was running wildly. In her impression, Qi Donghan had always been a very calm and composed person.
Such a rapid, frantic run is extremely rare.
“I saw it.”
Meng Yingying murmured.
Xia Huilan said, "I'll go brew another pot of tea and I'll be right there. Making loofah and egg soup for lunch won't be enough. I'll take out the eggs I've been saving and make them all for lunch."
Oh my, seeing Qi Donghan arrive, Xia Huilan was even happier than Meng Yingying.
This time, Meng Yingying didn't say she was leaving. She stood at the door and watched Qi Donghan climb up the slope and run towards her.
He was wearing a pine-green shirt, which was filled with wind, and the wind filled his whole body, making his hair stand up. Only his face looked spirited and handsome.
As he approached, Qi Donghan suddenly slowed his pace, no longer running but walking, step by step, until he stood before Meng Yingying.
He was panting heavily, his wheat-colored skin covered in sweat, and his voice was hoarse, "Meng Yingying."
"I'm sorry I'm late."
He stood in front of Meng Yingying, looking at her wearing a green dress. Her skin was very fair, and the green color suited her perfectly, making her look bright and beautiful.
Especially the waist of this dress, which is cinched up, makes her waist look even narrower than his palm when she wears it.
It truly fits perfectly in one hand.
He apologized, but Meng Yingying didn't say anything. She just looked at him quietly. "Qi Donghan, if you're even a minute late, I'll go back to the cultural troupe."
It was a very calm tone, without anger or accusation, simply stating a fact.
This instantly extinguished Qi Donghan's initial high expectations, and even the starlight in his eyes dimmed.
"Meng Yingying, I'm sorry."
He lowered his head, his eyes fixed on her, looking like a child who had done something wrong, somewhat at a loss.
Seeing him like this, Meng Yingying pursed her lips and chuckled, "However, Commander Qi made it to the last minute, so he's not late."
After saying that, she turned and went into the small courtyard.
Qi Donghan remained where he was. Meng Yingying turned around, her eyes sparkling, and glanced at him. "What are you still doing at the door? Aren't you coming in?"
Qi Donghan was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and immediately followed.
But the upturned corners of his lips seemed to betray his current mood, "Meng Yingying, you're not angry with me anymore?"
He followed closely behind Meng Yingying, step by step. Although he was tall and had long legs, and could have taken two steps of Meng Yingying's stride in one, he never overtook her, but stayed half a step behind her.
Like a little tower, following beside her.
His aura was so intense, accompanied by low breathing, that it was hard for Meng Yingying to ignore, even though the two were still about thirty centimeters apart.
But Meng Yingying could feel the heat emanating from his body.
Meng Yingying quickened her pace to create some distance. She turned back, her features clear and bright, her skin radiant. "Why am I angry with you?"
"Military orders are absolute; we all know that."
Qi Donghan stared at her jade-like face. Upon hearing these words, his cold and stern face softened. He was somewhat surprised by Meng Yingying's understanding.
This made him feel even more guilty, "Something happened at the garrison, and I had no choice but to go."
If he had a choice, he would never have abandoned Meng Yingying, but he didn't; only he could solve the problem.
Meng Yingying stopped. "Stop."
"I don't want to hear your confidential matters. Come inside."
"My sister-in-law has brewed tea for us several times this morning."
She stopped as soon as she said so, and Qi Donghan immediately fell silent. Xia Huilan, who was brewing tea inside, saw this scene and couldn't help but sigh, "It's like brine curdling tofu; one thing subdues another."
You have to understand how fierce and formidable Qi Donghan is normally. He'd even slam his fist on the table in front of his superior, Old Chen, but in front of Meng Yingying...
The word "stop" silenced them instantly.
They were just like mice in the sight of a cat.
Xia Huilan brewed some tea, brought it out, and placed it on the tea table in the main room. "Commander Qi, if you hadn't come soon, Comrade Meng would have been going to work."
Qi Donghan looked apologetic. "It was my fault."
"I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Xia Huilan shook her head, "It's not that troublesome, but the main thing is that Comrade Meng has things to do, like participating in competitions, and you can't afford to waste her time."
Qi Donghan turned to look at Meng Yingying, his gaze dark and deep. "I will apologize to her separately later."
That's too grand a statement.
Meng Yingying felt a little uncomfortable. She pursed her lips and said, "Now that you're all here, please sit down."
Qi Donghan, who was standing, immediately sat down.
They're as obedient as can be.
Meng Yingying, "..."
Xia Huilan, "..."
Xia Huilan put down the tea and immediately followed her out, leaving the two young people alone.
As soon as Xia Huilan came out and closed the door, Commander Chen, who should have been at work, also returned.
Xia Huilan was startled when she saw him. She lowered her voice and pulled him into the yard.
"Old Chen, what brings you back?"
Commander Chen looked up at the room before saying, "I was worried, so I came to ask if Xiao Qi had returned."
"You still dare to talk?"
Xia Huilan was furious. "You were the one who told them to come to our house for a blind date today, but you were also the one who called Commander Qi away first thing this morning."
"Comrade Meng was getting impatient and was about to leave when he finally released Xiao Qi."
"Aren't you just making a fool of yourself?"
Division Commander Chen was surprised, "Xiao Qi is back?"
"That's right, I got back just before nine o'clock."
After listening, Commander Chen counted on his fingers, "It's not a short distance to come back from Xishan, how did he manage to get here?"
He asked Xia Huilan, "How would Xia Huilan know?"
She glared at him, then turned and left.
"He must be incredibly fast to have covered more than ten miles." Commander Chen coughed twice. "Alright, it's good that they've arrived. Prepare a couple more good dishes for lunch to keep them here. Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Xia."
Xia Huilan glared at him, "Do you need to tell me?"
She turned and went to help in the kitchen. Commander Chen wasn't in a hurry to go to his office. He whispered to Xia Huilan, "Comrade Xia, do you think Xiao Qi and Comrade Meng will be able to succeed in their blind date?"
How could Xia Huilan know about this?
She chopped the loofah with a loud thud, "You're asking me? You might as well go inside and ask them!"
If Commander Chen could get in, wouldn't we all be in by now?
Is it really necessary to ask her here?
inside the house.
As soon as Xia Huilan left, the atmosphere at the table seemed to change. Meng Yingying sat at one end of the table, and Qi Donghan sat opposite her.
Mingming and Mingming knew each other and were quite familiar with each other.
But now she was sitting at a blind date table, which made Meng Yingying feel a little strange. She took a sip of water and was thinking about how to start the conversation.
"I was wrong."
Meng Yingying, “???”
Qi Donghan lowered his head, his fingers pinching the web of his thumb, not even daring to look into Meng Yingying's eyes.
“I shouldn’t have called you away alone this morning without telling you, nor should I have broken my promise and not come to pick you up, letting Xu Wenjun take my place. I also shouldn’t have let you come to the family compound alone and wait for me for an hour.”
As he spoke, he looked up. Qi Donghan, with his short, buzz-cut hair, had extremely smooth facial features and was very handsome and extraordinary.
But at this moment, he is just like a child who has made a mistake.
"I was wrong, I admit it, Meng Yingying, you can punish me however you want." There was another sentence he didn't say: "Please don't abandon me."
And please don't refuse to go on blind dates with me.
In the three minutes since she entered the room, without saying a word, Qi Donghan had already been lost in thought.
Meng Yingying, "..."
Meng Yingying was somewhat helpless. She remained silent for a long time. "You've been inside for so long without saying a word. Are you just thinking about how to apologize to me?"
Qi Donghan raised his eyes; his dark pupils were deep and penetrating, and he would not tell any lies.
He nodded. "Yes."
Looking at Qi Donghan, who appeared sincere and apologetic, Meng Yingying had only one thought: this seemingly fierce and ruthless man was actually an honest man.
How can someone be so honest?
Even admitting mistakes can be done in such a detailed and organized manner.
Meng Yingying considered for a moment, "The matter of you being late is over. You apologized to me, and I forgave you. So, shall we move on to the next topic?"
Qi Donghan hummed in agreement and sat up straight. "Then let me explain the situation first?"
Of course, he had wanted to introduce it for a long time, but he just hadn't found the right time.
God knows how envious he was of that scoundrel who could be betrothed to Meng Yingying as a child.
Meng Yingying nodded. A floral wreath was braided in front of her hair, making her small face appear even smaller. With her bright eyes and white teeth, she was incredibly beautiful.
Qi Donghan was happy to sit with her.
He straightened his back, his eyes fixed on her. "I'm twenty-four years old, a graduate of military academy, a regimental-level officer, and my monthly salary is 112.3 yuan."
After hearing this, Meng Yingying thought to herself that his salary was almost three times that of hers.
Is this the salary of a regimental-level officer?
However shocked she was inside, she maintained a well-behaved expression on her face. "What about home?"
"At home—"
Qi Donghan seemed unsure how to begin.
Seeing Meng Yingying looking over curiously, he carefully chose his tone, "My father passed away a long time ago, and my mother remarried, taking my eldest brother with her. I grew up with my uncle."
"You've met my uncle before."
In just a few words, Qi Donghan's early life can be fully described.
Meng Yingying was stunned, not expecting such an outcome. She didn't even bother to ask Qi Donghan's family what they did for a living.
She just felt a little sorry for him.
How were things before?
The question was asked rather cautiously.
Meng Yingying herself grew up with her father, and she knows the hardship of children growing up without their parents.
Qi Donghan's heart softened suddenly. He lowered his eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "It's alright."
“My mother did well after she remarried. She gave my uncle a lot of living expenses every month, so he didn’t suffer much.”
The so-called past was casually brought up by a single sentence.
Meng Yingying wanted to ask something more, but she didn't know where to begin, because she felt that no matter where she asked, it would only reopen old wounds for Qi Donghan.
She then changed the subject, "I'm in a similar situation to you, we both lost our fathers, but I grew up with my father."
At this point, Meng Yingying's expression softened. "My father gave me a lot of love, but I have never met my mother."
“My father wouldn’t let me go see her before he passed away.” She didn’t seem disappointed or saddened at this point; instead, she comforted him, “Looking at it this way, you still know about your mother’s situation, isn’t that lucky?”
Qi Donghan didn't know if this could be considered lucky.
All he knew was that Meng Yingying, who was racking her brains to comfort him, was truly wonderful.
She is really good.
Qi Donghan's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Yes."
Meng Yingying noticed his burning gaze, and her face also became a little hot. "I have something important to tell you."
"Don't look at me like that."
His eyes were fixed, dark, deep, and intensely aggressive.
Qi Donghan lowered his eyes, then raised the corners of his lips slightly. "Okay, whatever you say."
That makes things even more ambiguous.
Meng Yingying couldn't stand it, but Qi Donghan looked at her and smiled sullenly. He had high brow bones, sharp features, and wheat-colored skin that was covered in sweat.
Just leaning against something at an angle, he exudes an overwhelming aura of hormones.
Meng Yingying's face was burning hot, and she couldn't help but say, "Sit up straight."
"good."
Qi Donghan readily agreed, and the room instantly fell silent, with only the ceiling fan on the roof beam humming and the hot air being scattered by the fan blades.
They still couldn't suppress the fiery passion and shyness between them.
Unable to bear the ambiguous atmosphere, Meng Yingying turned her teacup around and muttered softly, "We've finished introducing ourselves. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
Qi Donghan sat there upright, his shoulders leaning against the back of the chair, his palms sweaty.
He suddenly leaned forward, his elbow resting on the edge of the table, and said in a very low voice, as if afraid of startling her, "Meng Yingying, I want to date you, with marriage in mind!"
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Author's Note: I'd like to recommend my friend's novel; it's super good! Check it out if you're interested!
"The Execution of the Entire Family Twenty-One Times" by Ten-Tailed Rabbit
Copywriting:
Ye Xiren was an ordinary young lady from a respectable family, with a peaceful and happy home.
My grandmother was a highly respected noblewoman;
His father was the renowned Minister of Revenue;
My mother was an exceptionally intelligent and capable matriarch.
My elder brother is a virtuous and talented young man from Kyoto...
Of the whole family, she was the only one who was the most favored and was quite ordinary, with no outstanding qualities.
—At least that's what she thought.
Until later:
The Ye family was sentenced to execution for the crime of cheating on an exam when the elder brother, who was both virtuous and talented, was accused of cheating.
The grandmother, who was granted an imperial title, was accused of "concealing evidence of treason," and the entire Ye family was sentenced to be executed.
The Minister's father was accused of "embezzling military funds," and his mother was accused of "knowing about it but failing to report it." The entire Ye family was sentenced to be executed.
This home is anything but peaceful and tranquil.
As for why she knows these things?
—Oh, because this "ordinary" and "unremarkable" woman has already been slashed twenty times in a row while trying to save her family :)
Ye Xiren: This round is over, let's start over!
-
The renowned young general Yan Danqing was imprisoned in a dungeon, awaiting execution in three days.
The man who imprisoned him had a ferocious look on his face and swore confidently, "You will surely die in three days."
later--
He lived through three days, three days, three days, and three days again.
He wasn't dead yet, and he was back to day one.
He looked up and saw his captor pointing a knife at him, his face contorted with rage, vowing, "You will surely die in three days."
Yan Danqing: ?
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