Chapter 28

She didn’t know if this was what young girls would later refer to as a “filter” decades later, but to her, it just looked good!

By this time, it was already late. After taking her medicine, she heard a knock on the door. She thought it was Gu Juncheng returning, and her heart lifted with joy. She quickly went to open the door, but it was Xiao Tian standing outside. 

Xiao Tian had come to tell her where the Family Residential Compound canteen was located and to invite her to have a meal there. In other words, it was already time for lunch.

She had slept through it all, missing breakfast, and Xiao Tian had come to check on her several times but hadn’t received any response.

Xiao Tian had been hesitant to disturb her, but as it was now midday, Xiao Tian had knocked on the door, worried something might have happened to her. Coincidentally, Lin Qingping also wanted to find the canteen. 

Xiao Tian was holding a bundle in his hand and handed it to her. “The Commander said this is for you.” She opened it and saw a floral cotton jacket inside. 

“The Commander said it’s new.” Xiao Tian added.

“Thank you, Xiao Tian.” She didn’t know where Gu Juncheng had gotten it from, but she really needed a warm piece of clothing.

Without a second thought, she put it on and followed Xiao Tian to the canteen. On the way, she learned that Gu Juncheng would not be returning for lunch and might not come back at all in the evening. 

Lin Qingping wasn’t sure if she could ask, but today was Gu Juncheng’s birthday… She hesitated for a while before finally saying to Xiao Tian: “Xiao Tian, there’s something I’d like to ask. If it’s something you can’t answer, then you don’t have to, but I still want to ask.”

“Mm, go ahead.” Xiao Tian’s innocent gaze looked at her seriously.

“Will Commander Gu come back for dinner tonight?” Lin Qingping asked cautiously. The truth was, in her previous life, she had cared too little about Gu Juncheng, and even less about his work. She didn’t understand what she could ask, what she shouldn’t ask, or what she should or shouldn’t do.

Xiao Tian had thought she was going to ask something serious and had become quite solemn. But when he heard the question, he immediately responded: “He should be back tonight, but I’m not sure what time.” 

Lin Qingping nodded and saw that they had arrived at the canteen.

“This is the place. You can come here for every meal from now on, you don’t have to wait for Commander Gu.” This was also something Gu Juncheng had told him, to let Lin Qingping eat on her own without waiting for him.

“Alright, thank you, Xiao Tian.” Lin Qingping said with a smile.

Xiao Tian felt a bit shy after hearing her thank him so many times and said: “Goodbye, Sister-in-law.” before leaving.

Lin Qingping’s purpose for coming to the canteen wasn’t for anything else; she just wanted to make a birthday cake. In fact, the reason she had rushed to visit was this.

In her previous life, she had never made a birthday cake for Gu Juncheng. What had been missing in her past life, she wanted to make up for in this one.

At that time, there was no oven, but there was a steamer, and steamed cakes could be delicious too. She spoke to the cook in the canteen and asked to use the kitchen that afternoon.

The cook readily agreed. Lin Qingping also borrowed some ingredients from the kitchen, paying for them at market prices. Initially, she had only planned to steam a cake base, but by luck, she found some powder for making cold noodles in the canteen.

The locals had the habit of eating cold noodles in summer, made from wild cold noodle fruits. Now that the weather had cooled, they no longer made them, but the cold noodle fruit had been dried and turned into powder, which they had stored.

With this ingredient, she could substitute it for gelatin, and that would allow her to make cream with milk. After spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen, she made two cakes, leaving one for the cook to enjoy. She took the other one back to the dormitory.

She was quite skilled at baking, but due to the limitations of the time, she couldn’t fully unleash her potential, so she only did simple cream decorations on the cake.

Even the icing was only in red, but it still looked very beautiful. The cook almost applauded her. However, Gu Juncheng didn’t come back for dinner. Lin Qingping had already mentally prepared herself for this. After eating, she waited in the dormitory.

As the night darkened, there was still no sign of him. She leaned on the desk. Her body, still recovering from illness, was weak, and though the fever had subsided, she was exhausted. Before long, she fell asleep. 

She woke up again to the sound of rustling outside. She thought it was raining.

She lifted the curtain to look outside, only to see that it was snowing… It was still only the end of October…

She leaned on the window, watching as the ground outside gradually became covered with a light dusting of snow. And yet, he still hadn’t returned.

She didn’t know how long it had been, but finally, in the distance, the headlights of a car appeared, coming closer. Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately opened the window.

The cold wind rushed in, and the car’s headlights grew brighter, heading toward the Family Residential Compound. She kept her eyes fixed on the car, watching it pull into the parking lot. A tall and upright figure got out of the car. It was him! It was Gu Juncheng!

“Gu Juncheng!” She shouted from the window, then dashed outside.

The cold wind howled, and the snowflakes swirled around her, some playfully landing on her eyelashes, only to melt away immediately. 

“Gu Juncheng!” She kept shouting his name as she ran toward him. 

In fact, he had heard her the moment she called out. Then, he saw a slender figure rushing out from the house.

His expression immediately darkened, and he quickened his pace. The two finally met on the steps. He stood in front of her, with snowflakes settling on his shoulders.

The weather was truly cold, with the wind howling, but when Lin Qingping looked at the person in front of her, her heart felt warm. However, he seemed like he was about to lose his temper.

“Gu…”

“Lin Qingping!” Before she could finish saying “Gu.” she was interrupted by his angry shout.

It seemed like he was really upset…

She felt a bit at a loss and glanced at the soldiers behind him. One immediately jumped into the car and drove away. He seemed like he was about to say something, but then he held back, grabbing her hand and quickly heading toward the dormitory.

Once they entered the dormitory and closed the door, he immediately noticed the open window. His anger flared up again. “You’re something, Lin Qingping. It’s snowing outside, and you dared to run out while having a fever! You leave the window open? You even shout? Are you itching for a beating?”

After scolding her, he went to close the window. Lin Qingping quietly followed behind him, and when he turned to close the window, he almost bumped into her.

“You…”

“Then go ahead and hit me!” As he was about to reprimand her again, she interrupted him, lifting her small face and stepping closer to him. “Didn’t you say I was itching for a beating? Then go ahead and hit me!”

“You…” 

Gu Juncheng could never bring himself to hit her. He was stunned for a moment, then pointed at her. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

Lin Qingping smiled and suddenly hugged his waist. “I’m wearing the cotton jacket you gave me, so I’m not cold. Also, I’m feeling much better today. I just wanted to see you as soon as possible…”

Gu Juncheng froze. After a long while, he began pulling at her hand, trying to pry her off him. She twisted her body, unwilling to let go. 

Gu Juncheng gave up, helplessly saying: “I’m cold!”