Chapter 293: Happy Event

Chapter 293 Good News

Jiang Leyin was a smart woman.

Having faced too many rejections from Lu Hanchuan, she had always been determined to one-up Ye Xiaoxiao when confronting her.

But now that she was leaving, she calmed down.

"I'll listen to you."

Jiang Leyin posed at her most flattering angle toward Wu Tao and spoke these words full of affection.

Wu Tao was thrilled.

He'd had a crush on Jiang Leyin not long after arriving at the base.

But back then, her heart was set on someone else—Regiment Commander Lu.

He had thought his feelings would stay hidden forever, but Ye Xiaoxiao's arrival turned things around.

Ye Xiaoxiao was Regiment Commander Lu's fiancée.

Skilled in medicine and stunningly beautiful.

More importantly, even before marriage, Regiment Commander Lu had already become completely smitten.

Their relationship was stable, leaving no chance for anyone else.

Even Yang Juan from the infirmary had worked up the nerve to confess—Wu Tao wasn’t about to let himself be outdone.

So he made his move, and it worked.

Now, at this final step, he couldn’t mess this up.

That morning, Regiment Commander Lu had taken the lead team on a mission.

This wasn’t a task that could be completed quickly, and Wu Tao had his own duties coming up.

By April or May at the latest, he would be leaving this place.

And when the time came, he would definitely bring Jiang Leyin along.

"This is perfect, Leyin. From now on, you’ll be my wife."

Wu Tao pulled Jiang Leyin into a tight hug.

...

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoxiao had some good news of her own.

Song Xiaoguang and the construction experts he led had been surveying the area around Nalan Town for a long time and finally found a possible spot to dig a well.

Whether it would succeed or not still needed more checking.

The current weather was too cold—if the survey was completed, they could start building by May.

Now, Song Xiaoguang and the construction team had set up in Nalan Town.

They took a short break during the New Year but were already back on the job.

Ye Xiaoxiao felt bad that Song Xiaoguang had to come all this way over the holidays.

If not for this, he might have been at home in the family’s courtyard, chatting and dining with the old man.

But as it turned out, Ye Xiaoxiao had worried too much—Song Xiaoguang didn’t want to stay in Beijing right now because the old man missed Xiao Xiao so much.

Almost every meal, he’d bring her up, and no amount of reassurance helped.

Song Xiaoguang thought Mr. Song was getting older and just wanted Xiao Xiao to come back sooner to keep him company.

This time, he even brought goodies from Beijing for Xiao Xiao.

Since food kept well in winter, he’d even packed two roast ducks.

After receiving the telegram, Ye Xiaoxiao decided to drag Li Zhen along to Nalan Town.

With Lu Hanchuan away, the two of them could go on their own.

Li Zhen: "Regiment Commander Lu won’t chew me out when he comes back, will he?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "He’s not your boss—how could he scold you?"

Li Zhen: "You never know. Soldiers don’t play by the rules—if he wants to chew me out, he will."

Ye Xiaoxiao assured her it wouldn’t happen, and only then did Li Zhen get a bike from the Head.

Head: "Just the two of you? Maybe ask if anyone else wants to join?"

Li Zhen: "It’s the middle of the New Year—who’d wanna go out now? Even thieves wouldn’t freeze their butts off. There’s no danger."

The streets in winter were so empty that even beggars were rare.

Bandits ain’t dumb enough to try now.

The best time for robbery was before the New Year—now that everyone’s money was spent, it was hardly worth the effort.

Li Zhen convinced the Head with her flawed reasoning.

Zhao Chunhua told them to be careful and said if they weren’t back by nightfall, he’d have to report it to the base.

Felt like a dorm inspection.

Li Zhen repeatedly promised there’d be no issues and finally got the bike.

Just like last time, but maybe because the wind was stronger, Ye Xiaoxiao felt the ride dragged on forever.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Should’ve just driven."

Li Zhen shouted against the wind: "Wait—you own a car?!"

Ye Xiaoxiao thought to herself—*Yeah, cost over 200 grand—enough to fund a few wells for you.*

But she couldn’t be bothered to talk now, tucking her face into Li Zhen’s back until they reached the town.

It had to be said—Li Zhen had crazy endurance. If it were Ye Xiaoxiao, she’d have fainted before arriving.

Li Zhen was also working up a sweat in dead winter.

Li Zhen: "What’s so urgent here? Who’s worth this trek?"

Ye Xiaoxiao felt not a shred of guilt.

She took Li Zhen to the town's guesthouse.

The environment was average, but the room was decently warm.

After learning which room Song Xiaoguang was staying in, Ye Xiaoxiao led Li Zhen to knock on the door.

Song Xiaoguang knew Ye Xiaoxiao would come to see him after getting word, so he had been waiting.

As soon as they knocked, Song Xiaoguang opened the door.

Li Zhen was taken aback—Xiao Xiao had them ride so far just to meet this young man.

He was not bad-looking, but couldn't hold a candle to Regiment Commander Lu.

Li Zhen shot a look at Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao introduced him generously, "This is Song Xiaoguang, my brother."

Li Zhen: "You've got brothers coming out of your ears."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

"No offense meant."

Li Zhen quickly shook hands with Song Xiaoguang and introduced herself, "I’m Li Zhen, Xiao Xiao’s colleague."

Song Xiaoguang: "Xiao Xiao mentioned you in her letters. Thank you for taking care of her."

If Song Xiaoguang had been a reticent young man before, now, after years as a business owner, he had learned to work a room and handled the situation smoothly.

His sincere gratitude flustered Li Zhen.

"Come on in, it’s warmer inside."

Song Xiaoguang stepped aside to let the two women enter.

Inside, he offered them bottled milk.

There were no cups, but the milk he'd gotten that morning was still there.

Only after sitting down did Ye Xiaoxiao get around to why she'd brought Li Zhen here.

And what had led up to this.

After hearing everything, Li Zhen sat there dumbstruck.

"You mean he’s here to help us repair the wells?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sponsoring it. The actual work will be done by a construction team."

Li Zhen: "Same difference, right? I know what sponsorship means—he's footing the bill."

Couldn't argue with that.

Once Li Zhen realized Song Xiaoguang was the benefactor, her attitude pulled a complete about-face.

"Mr. Song... you're something else! So young and already a major player, and such a philanthropist. The entire Nalan Town will be singing your praises."

Song Xiaoguang: "..."

The sudden change in her attitude threw him off.

He was tempted to say that if Xiao Xiao hadn't suggested repairing the well, their company wouldn't have gotten involved with sponsoring it.

"Li Zhen, sit down first. Let's talk about what's next."

Ye Xiaoxiao said to her, "Although the experts have confirmed that Nalan Town meets the conditions for well repair, the follow-up work is a real hassle and will take a while. It won't be completed anytime soon. After I leave, this project will still need a point person. Are you willing to take on that role?"