Chapter 80: Reunion

In the courtyard, the man’s footsteps came to a complete halt, while inside the room, Lin Qiao hadn’t yet noticed the commotion outside. She was letting Lin Wei stay because he didn’t have a household registration or an introduction letter. He couldn’t stay in a regular hotel, and the less formal places weren’t safe enough. It was better for him to stay with her, and it was convenient for him to visit Yan Maoshan at the school. It just so happened that she had a vacant room, which Ji Ling had stayed in during her vacation.

“That works,” Lin Wei, being her brother, didn’t stand on ceremony.

“I’ll find you a bedsheet,” Lin Qiao said, standing up. As she looked up, she noticed a man outside the door.

It wasn’t cold yet, so the door to the inner room was open. In the dim light, the man’s figure was half-hidden in the darkness of the main room, with only a pair of deep, dark eyes visible, startling her.

Lin Qiao instinctively took a half-step back, and even Lin Wei stood up warily, “Who are you?”

The man’s sharp gaze swept over Lin Wei’s face, pausing briefly before stepping forward. His tall figure in military uniform was fully revealed in the light.

Lin Qiao was stunned, “Ji Duo?”

After more than two years and over eight hundred days and nights, seeing this face again, she realized how deeply it was etched in her memory.

So deeply that with just one glance, she noticed he had lost weight, his presence even more imposing, his features not only rugged but also exuding a sharp, lethal aura.

On the other hand, Ji Duo hadn’t taken his eyes off Lin Qiao since the moment he saw her. After two years, she had blossomed from the slightly naive girl he first met into a confident, radiant woman. He couldn’t help but trace her face for a moment, carefully and seriously, just as he had done countless times with her photo during sleepless nights on the battlefield.

The couple stared at each other for a long time before he finally said in a low voice, “It’s me.” Then he fell silent again.

This made Lin Wei feel very out of place, unsure whether to greet him or not, and a bit awkward.

Finally, Lin Qiao broke the silence, “You’re back. Why were you standing at the door without saying anything? You scared me.”

Ji Duo was momentarily taken aback. His psychological resilience was the only thing keeping him from looking at Lin Wei.

But Lin Qiao wasn’t foolish. Even if he hadn’t looked now, he had seen Lin Wei before entering, and she raised an eyebrow.

Ji Duo quickly regained his composure and greeted Lin Wei, “Brother, you’re here.”

“Ah? Yes, I had some business at Qing University and ran into Qiao Qiao.” The last time Lin Wei saw Ji Duo at home, he felt a bit intimidated, thinking it was because he felt guilty about Qiao Qiao. This time, Ji Duo’s presence felt even stronger.

Ji Duo stepped into the room and put down his things, “Since you’re here, stay a few more days.”

“Okay.” Lin Wei suddenly felt a bit reluctant to stay. His sister was great—beautiful and gracious—but his brother-in-law was a bit intimidating.

However, Lin Qiao had already gone to get him a bedsheet and told Ji Duo, “I’ll help my brother make the bed first.”

The man nodded, sitting at the table and pouring himself a glass of water. Lin Wei had no choice but to follow his sister to the next room.

Since the room wasn’t often used, it was quite simple, without even a wardrobe.

Lin Wei looked at his sister and noticed her calm demeanor. Apart from the initial few seconds of eye contact, she didn’t seem overly excited about Ji Duo’s return.

Ji Duo was the same; it was as if he hadn’t been to the front line but just to a regular job.

Lin Wei couldn’t understand how they could be so calm after such a long separation.

However, after Lin Qiao finished making the bed, she suddenly realized, “I forgot to get you a pillowcase.”

She turned and returned to her room, “I’ll find one for you.”

Almost as soon as she entered, the tall, handsome man in the chair looked up, his gaze meeting hers.

Nothing was calm about it—they were very good at controlling their emotions.

Lin Qiao looked away and walked to the door, reaching up to open the wardrobe. Just as she opened it a bit, someone suddenly approached from behind. Before she could react, an arm wrapped around her waist, and the next second, she was turned around and pressed against the wardrobe door. She heard the door close with a soft “bang” and saw that the door to the nearby room was still half open. But her lips were already filled with the man’s cold breath. One hand held her waist, and the other accurately cupped the back of her head, preventing her from hitting the wardrobe but also blocking all her escape routes.

Lin Qiao’s eyes widened. This old-fashioned man, who frowned even at romantic movies, was kissing her with the door open and people in the house!

But Ji Duo kissed her anyway, and the quiet room was filled with the faint sound of their intimate moment.

Lin Wei didn’t need to come in; within two meters of the door, he could hear and see what they were doing…

Lin Qiao couldn’t help but punch the man’s chest, only to be met with an even more intense tingling sensation from his tongue. The large hand on her waist even slipped under her shirt, tracing up her defined spine, instantly draining her strength. A soft moan escaped Lin Qiao’s lips as she tried to find support, accidentally hitting her elbow against the wardrobe door with a loud “thud.”

The noise was loud enough for Lin Wei in the next room to hear, “What happened?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Lin Qiao quickly pushed the man away, realizing her voice sounded off, and added with a slight hiss, “Just bumped my knee.”

She glared at Ji Duo and hurriedly reopened the wardrobe, finding a clean pillowcase. Just as she was about to take it over, Ji Duo took it from her, “I’ll go.” His gaze lingered on her lips.

Feeling something was off, Lin Qiao grabbed a mirror and saw her lips were swollen, red, and bright like ripe cherries. Her eyes were also slightly watery, making it obvious to anyone what had happened.

How could she go out like this?

No wonder Ji Duo offered to help. This usually composed man was unusually eager today.

Lin Qiao put down the mirror and straightened her shirt. From the other room, Ji Duo’s completely calm voice came. “Do you need anything else?”

“No, that’s enough,” Lin Wei replied, sounding like a soldier receiving a leader’s visit. “You just got back today. You should rest early.”

“Okay, you too.”

When Ji Duo returned, he locked the door behind him, his deep gaze fixed on Lin Qiao. She noticed that after his time on the battlefield, his gaze had become more intense, no longer holding back.

If looks could devour, she would have been consumed by now. Lin Qiao glared back, even kicking him lightly.

Ji Duo didn’t move, letting her kick him before stepping forward to embrace her, “How have you been these two years?” He spoke with his chin resting on her head, his voice low and unusually tender.

Lin Qiao leaned her head against his chest, “I’ve been fine. The project I’m working on is going well and is almost complete.”

The man responded with a hum, his chest vibrating, and she could hear his strong, living heartbeat close to her ear.

A powerful, living heartbeat that had returned to her side.

Lin Qiao took a light breath of his familiar scent, “What about you? Did you get hurt this time?”

“No,” he said calmly, then after a pause, his voice lowered, “But a few of my soldiers were killed.”

Even without large-scale wars, even with just small skirmishes, young lives were still lost on that land.

Lin Qiao was silent for a long time, “What about their families…”

“Each family receives five hundred yuan in compensation,” Ji Duo’s voice was even lower, and he fell silent after that.

Lin Qiao looked up and saw his tightened jaw and straightened lips.

Five hundred yuan, the price of half a cow. In this era, a cow was worth a thousand yuan, but a human life was only worth five hundred. But the country lacked the money and ability to properly arrange the affairs of these brave men who sacrificed their lives.

Ji Duo silently let go of Lin Qiao, picked up the item he had placed on the table earlier, and opened it. Inside was a small military medal. Underneath the medal was a long list of names, each a soldier who had sacrificed their life.

He handed the medal to Lin Qiao, “Some of these soldiers’ families are in particularly difficult situations, Qiao Qiao. I want to use part of my salary to help them.” The man’s tone was sincere, his eyes serious, clearly showing he earnestly discussed this with her.

Lin Qiao paused, “I’ll cover it.” She stroked the cold, hard surface of the medal, her voice growing more determined, “I’ll cover the cost. Consider it a way for both of us to accumulate good karma.”

With Muzi Chemical Factory’s forty percent profit share, she now earned tens of thousands of yuan each month. Money was no longer that important to her. She couldn’t care for everyone, but she certainly cared for Ji Duo’s subordinates.

The young woman’s gentle eyes and compassionate expression, combined with her powerful words, struck Ji Duo deeply. He couldn’t help but hold her tighter as if holding onto a rare treasure.

Su Zheng was right; he hadn’t just married a wife. He had married a treasure.

A treasure who understood, supported, and stood by him.

However, when it was time to sleep, the treasure handed him a separate blanket.

Ji Duo looked calmly at the blanket, then at her, without saying a word.

Lin Qiao let him look, “Aren’t you going to show some appreciation now that you’re back?”

She didn’t even have a large blanket prepared. Then she raised an eyebrow, “Why were you looking at my cousin when you came in today?”

Ji Duo was momentarily stumped, silently pondering how to respond. But even if he didn’t say it, Lin Qiao could guess, “You didn’t think I was hiding someone at home, did you?”

“No,” Ji Duo quickly denied. He knew Lin Qiao’s character well—smart, rational, and decisive. She had many things to do and wouldn’t be entangled in romantic affairs, betray their marriage, or break the law.

Destroying a military marriage was illegal and punishable by imprisonment. He trusted Lin Qiao’s integrity. But even though he understood rationally and trusted emotionally, he still subconsciously confirmed it. It seemed that when it came to Lin Qiao, there were times when he wasn’t as rational and calm.

Lin Qiao didn’t know if she believed him, just looked at him with a half-smile, “Should I deduct a point from you?”

Ji Duo didn’t speak, raising his hand to unbutton the first button of his uniform. Seeing her gaze instinctively follow, he turned off the light and kissed her directly.

The following day, Lin Wei got up early, only to find Ji Duo up even earlier, having already bought breakfast.

After a night, the man seemed more approachable, unlike the cold, rigid figure he had been the night before.

After placing the purchased items on the dining table, he asked Lin Wei, “Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Lin Wei thought he was being invited to a meal, “No need, no need. Qiao Qiao already arranged everything yesterday. I’ll just eat whatever.”

“How about shrimp?” Ji Duo asked again while pushing a box of braised food towards Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao took a bite and immediately recognized it, “Bought from the uncle near the old house?”

The braised food there was delicious. Over the past two years of studying, Lin Qiao has tried other places but always feels that something is missing. The first time the man took her to eat there was when they had just decided to get married. The owner, with poor eyesight, almost mistook her for his niece. If it weren’t for the arranged marriage, she would indeed have to call him “uncle” based on their relationship and seniority.

She glanced at the man and saw him nodding, also looking at her, perhaps recalling the same memory.

Lin Wei, however, didn’t notice much and replied awkwardly to Ji Duo, “I’ll eat anything.”

“Then shrimp it is,” Ji Duo decided. After the meal, he took both of them to the school.

Once they left, Lin Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Lin Qiao hesitantly.

“That’s just his nature. He’s the same in front of his parents,” Lin Qiao explained. “He used to be a bit better, but he probably just got back from the battlefield yesterday.”

After dropping them off, Commander Ji, who had just returned from the battlefield, inquired about the nearest market and bought many groceries. As he returned to the courtyard with the groceries, he saw two elderly figures standing at the gate.

“Dad, Mom?” He was a bit surprised.

Seeing the items in his hands, the elderly couple was even more surprised. The old man turned to Xu Li and asked, “Is that the second son? Did I get it wrong?”

He doubted his eyesight, thinking he couldn’t see clearly anymore.

Xu Li laughed teasingly, “If you got it wrong, would he still call you ‘Dad’?”

The old man thought for a moment and agreed, turning his gaze back, “You came back and didn’t go home. We had to come find you.”

“I did call,” Ji Duo said, showing no emotion as he took out the key to open the door.

“Yes, you called, said ‘I’m back,’ and then disappeared.”

The old man snorted, following his son and wife inside.

He had been so happy to hear his son was back that he couldn’t sleep half the night. But this kid, once he got to his wife’s place, there was no news, and he even went to buy groceries himself.

Not only did he buy groceries, but as soon as he entered, Ji Duo rolled up his sleeves and started picking and washing vegetables.

The old man watched his son’s skilled movements and couldn’t help but ask Xu Li, “When did he learn to do this? How come I didn’t know?”

“Does everything have to be known to you?” Xu Li glanced at him, “Let the young couple handle their own affairs.”

“I didn’t mean to interfere,” the old man grumbled, but after more than two years without seeing his son, he couldn’t help but keep looking at him as if he couldn’t get enough. Then he saw his son washing grapes and peaches, placing them on a plate in front of the elderly couple, “Stay for lunch.” He looked at his father again, frowning, “Dad, did you forget your dentures?”

The old man fell silent for a long time before sighing to Xu Li, “You’re right, it’s good he got married.”

Getting married brought more warmth and humanity, unlike before, when he spent all his time in the military as if planning to live with his soldiers forever. He used to think men should focus on their careers and neglecting the family was fine. But as he grew older, he suddenly felt that men should also care for their families. If not for Qiao Qiao’s independent nature and the absence of children, these past two years would have been much harder.

In the end, the elderly couple didn’t stay for lunch. They missed their son too much and came to see him without bringing their dentures. However, hearing Lin Wei was there, they asked Ji Duo to invite Lin Qiao and Lin Wei to their home for a meal.

So when Lin Wei returned at noon, he first saw a table full of dishes and Ji Duo wearing an apron. He suddenly realized that Ji Duo wasn’t inviting him to eat out but cooking for him.

Seeing the man expressionlessly wielding a spatula, Lin Wei stood at the door for two seconds before stepping inside.

After that, seeing Ji Duo, he suddenly felt much closer. No matter how cold or silent, a man willing to cook for his wife was someone who wanted to live a good life.

When visiting the Ji family, Lin Wei bought some pastries and tea before going with Ji Duo and Lin Qiao.

The old man was stunned at the sight of him, “You look so much alike.”

“Do you mean I look like my grandfather?” Lin Wei smiled, “My grandmother also said I look like him.”

“Yes, when I first met Old Lin, he was your age.” The old man was a bit nostalgic.

The older one gets, the worse the memory becomes. Yesterday’s events might be forgotten today, but scenes from youth remain vivid.

Because of this resemblance, people who had never met before quickly became familiar. Lin Wei, being older than Lin Qiao, had more memories of his grandfather. They talked about Lin Chang and old battlefield stories, becoming increasingly engaged.

“Dad hasn’t been this happy in a long time,” Ji Duo said, sitting on the side, squeezing Lin Qiao’s hand when no one was looking.

Lin Qiao turned to find him looking serious, his gaze still on the old man and Lin Wei, showing no sign of what he had just done.

Since that day when he kissed her with the door open, this old cadre seemed to have learned a few things on his own. Sometimes under the table, sometimes behind the door, there were always some secret little actions. His expression remained serious, and if she reacted too much, it would seem like she was the one doing something.

Lin Qiao pinched his hand, but he endured it, not flinching even a bit.

Soon, Ji Ze arrived, dressed flamboyantly, immediately drawing Ji Duo’s attention.

“What are you wearing?” Ji Duo’s gaze traveled from his shiny hair to his high-heeled shoes, and he frowned deeply.

Unable to stand it, Ji Duo stood up, “Come with me.”

Ji Ze instinctively flinched but then straightened his back and followed Ji Duo. With the high-heeled shoes, he was finally the same height as Ji Duo.

As they entered Ji Duo’s room in the old house and stood still, Ji Duo noticed this subtle change.

“Uncle, don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean anything by it. I just have a serious illness, and wearing these shoes for one day means one less day,” Ji Ze said dejectedly before Ji Duo could speak, making Ji Duo frown, “A serious illness? What illness?”

“A brain illness,” Ji Ze replied. “Over two years ago, I started having a dream. At first, I couldn’t remember it well, but it’s become clearer in the past six months, almost like it’s real.”

“The same dream?”

“Yes,” Ji Ze nodded, his eyes weary. “I dreamt that I didn’t refuse and married Aunt. But the Aunt in the dream didn’t quite look like Aunt…”

Before he could finish, he received a hard kick on his butt, “Do you really think I won’t beat you up?”