Chapter 21: A Confession That Came Too Late

Two weeks after Lin Momo arrived at the military district, she received a large package from Beijing.

One package was sent by the Cheng family, containing supplies, and the other four were from Lin Momo’s parents and in-laws, filled with clothes and other necessities.

When the supply truck arrived at the military district, many military families were watching.

“Seems like the Cheng family has a pretty good condition. How could they bear to let their daughter-in-law follow the army?”

“Such a big package, and even one more? Tsk, if my family was this well-off, I wouldn’t follow my husband either.”

“I heard the Cheng family isn’t poor either. I heard his father is a factory director.”

The military families discussed in hushed voices, but without Miao Xiaohua around, the comments had become less acidic.

Lin Momo grumbled as she moved the large packages one by one, muttering and complaining about Cheng Jinghao.

“He knew the supply truck was coming today, yet he didn’t come help me carry anything. If I had known, I wouldn’t have agreed to follow him as a military wife.”

“I’m here.” A low voice suddenly interrupted her complaints.

“…”
As expected, never talk bad about someone when they’re around. “I thought you were still in training?”

Cheng Jinghao smiled, quickly taking the packages from Lin Momo’s hands. “If I hadn’t come, who knows what you would have said about me? Are you regretting following me to the army?”

“I… I was just complaining a bit,” Lin Momo’s face flushed. “Isn’t it okay for you to come over like this? Won’t it be an issue?”

“It’s fine, Old Zhao is keeping an eye on things. I’ll help you carry the packages and then head back to training. I can’t just let my little wife carry all these by herself. How would I even get to sleep on the bed tonight?”

“Cheng Jinghao, who is your little wife? Speak properly!” Lin Momo was about to hit him but hesitated, as there were still some military families watching.

Cheng Jinghao gave her a teasing look and, after placing the packages on the table inside, said, “Didn’t you say you came to be my military wife? In that case, you’re my little wife.”

“You… you… you have no shame!” Lin Momo glared at him, her face redder than before.

“Mm, I have no shame.” Cheng Jinghao smiled, enjoying the sight of her flustered face.

“Wait here, I’ll go get the rest of the packages,” he said before heading out again.

Lin Momo stood still for a moment, still trying to process what had just happened. What did he mean by that? Was he serious? But… no, it couldn’t be, could it?

Cheng Jinghao was quick. He soon returned with the remaining four packages.

“Done,” Cheng Jinghao said, ready to head back to the training ground, only to find Lin Momo still lost in thought.

“Did someone put a spell on you?” He waved his hand in front of her face.

Lin Momo looked up at him seriously, her heart pounding. “Cheng Jinghao, do you…?”

“I like you!” Cheng Jinghao didn’t hesitate. He voiced the feelings that had been hidden in his heart for so long.

Lin Momo blinked, her heart racing even faster.

“When I was 17, I realized I liked you. I had planned to confess after our college entrance exams, but then the army urgently recruited me, and I was assigned to the special forces.”

“Then, why didn’t you tell me? Why did you leave me alone?” Lin Momo looked at him, not wanting to miss any of his words.

“Because I’ve seen too many of my comrades leave this world. I was scared… I was afraid I couldn’t give you a lifetime of happiness.” Cheng Jinghao sighed deeply.

Lin Momo subconsciously tugged at her clothes, her mind racing. Was it really because of that?

“You… go back to training,” Lin Momo began fiddling with the packages, avoiding eye contact with him.

“Mo Mo.”

“Cheng Jinghao, I just want to be alone for a while.”

“Alright, I’ll head to training now.” Cheng Jinghao gave her one last deep look before heading out the door.

Hearing the sound of the courtyard door closing, Lin Momo plopped down into a chair, slapping her flushed cheeks hard.

To say that Cheng Jinghao’s words hadn’t affected her would be a lie.

To say she had never had feelings for Cheng Jinghao during her adolescence would also be a lie.

But after all these years of separation, she didn’t know how to respond to Cheng Jinghao’s gestures.

Not wanting to overthink it, Lin Momo decided not to dwell on it. Time would prove everything.

She began unpacking the parcels. Most of what the Cheng family sent were food items, and there was also a coat, which was likely bought for her by Cheng Ge at the department store.

Lin Momo’s family had sent her winter clothes, along with many jerky, cured meats, snacks, and daily necessities. There were also several jars of snow balm, likely prepared by her two sisters-in-law.

With these parcels as cover, Lin Momo took out a few more dried meats from her space.

She steamed a sausage rice for lunch, something Cheng Jinghao particularly liked to eat when he was young.

Neither of them brought up the topic from earlier, as if it had never happened.

“I want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative this afternoon. The material truck came yesterday, so they should have restocked, right?” Lin Momo casually mentioned during lunch.

“Yeah, they should have restocked. What do you want to buy? I’ll go with you after we finish eating,” Cheng Jinghao asked.

“I need some thread to make clothes. There’s no such thread in my space, and I also want to buy some wool yarn.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you after lunch.”

“Sounds good.” Lin Momo nodded, feeling glad that someone would take her there by bike.

After lunch, Cheng Jinghao washed the dishes and then took Lin Momo to the supply and marketing cooperative.

On the way, it was hard to tell if the road was just bad or if Cheng Jinghao was doing it on purpose.

Lin Momo had to hold onto his jacket to avoid falling off.

“Cheng Jinghao, can you ride a bit more steadily?”

“I’m trying my best. This isn’t the asphalt road of the future.” Cheng Jinghao’s lips curled into a small smile when Lin Momo couldn’t see.

“Why don’t I carry the basket, and you sit on the front?”

“No.” Lin Momo rejected him immediately without thinking.

“Oh.” Cheng Jinghao didn’t say anything else, but Lin Momo noticed that the road was getting bumpier.

“Ah!” Lin Momo screamed when the sudden bump made her instinctively wrap her arms around Cheng Jinghao’s waist.

“Uh…” Cheng Jinghao suddenly felt something soft pressing against his back. He stopped the bike.

“You did that on purpose!” Lin Momo accused with certainty.

“Cough, no, the road is just bad.” Cheng Jinghao’s ears turned a little red.

“Immature.” Lin Momo reached over and pinched the flesh on his waist.

“Hiss, Lin Momo, you’re trying to murder your husband.”

“What are you screaming about!” Lin Momo increased the pressure in her pinch.

“…” You are my wife, so it’s legal.

“Cheng Battalion Commander, you’re taking your wife to the supply and marketing cooperative?” At this moment, a few villagers rode toward them.

Upon hearing their voices, Lin Momo quickly released her grip.

“Uncle Village Chief.” Cheng Jinghao smiled and greeted the village chief.

“This time, I really wasn’t doing it on purpose. Look, there’s such a big rock here.” After the villagers passed by, Cheng Jinghao pointed to the stone on the ground.

“Hurry up, or you’ll be late for training.”

Lin Momo glared at him, not wanting to argue with this sly man.