Chapter 29: Changping

Lin Yiqiao held onto him tightly and refused to let go, stumbling as she hugged his waist.

Qi Jun led her into the small building. His gaze lingered on her for a long time—she was wearing the very dress he’d bought for her.

Meeting his eyes, Lin Yiqiao smiled bashfully and twirled in place while lifting the hem slightly. “Do I look nice?”

“Mm. You look good,” he said, eyes fixed on her.

“I want to watch TV.” She pouted, looking at Qi Jun.

“Turn it on yourself.” Qi Jun let her go, sat down on the sofa, and handed her the remote control.

Lin Yiqiao took the remote, fiddled with it for a bit, and managed to turn on the TV.

At that time, a color television was so rare that people hadn’t even heard of it, let alone seen it.

All that played were news segments—looped endlessly. Still, Lin Yiqiao watched with interest.

She turned to see Qi Jun reading the newspaper and scooted closer. “Is the newspaper better than TV?”

As she spoke, she reached out to tug the paper from his hands. Qi Jun usually hated being interrupted while reading, but seeing her curious little hands fumble at the paper, he couldn’t bring himself to get mad.

“Of course it’s better than TV.”

Lin Yiqiao didn’t argue further. She nestled into his arms and whispered, “I’m heading to Changping tomorrow.”

Qi Jun didn’t react much, just gave a faint “Mm.”

She couldn’t help but shift in his arms and looked up at him. “Can I not go? It’s going to be so exhausting, and I don’t want to be apart from you. I want to be with you all the time.”

Looking at her soft gaze and slightly pouty lips, Qi Jun was suddenly tempted—to say yes, to pull some strings and bring her to his side, to give her the best of everything just to see her smile.

When he realized what he was thinking, he was a bit stunned.

Absurd. Orders are like mountains—you don’t change them on a whim.

Especially not a personnel transfer. She had just been promoted to company commander. If she were transferred again so soon, it would definitely raise eyebrows.

His face grew serious. Lin Yiqiao didn’t know what was going through his mind and assumed he was angry.

Her pale arms wrapped around his neck, cheek pressed to his, her thick lashes brushing his face in a soft, ticklish motion.

“Are you mad? Don’t be, please? I was just saying it—I know, it’s a mission, and I have to carry it out no matter what.”

Feeling her gentleness and dependence, Qi Jun’s heart softened. He couldn’t help but kiss her rosy cheek. His warm breath brushed her face, and she giggled, trembling slightly.

Her warm body squirmed in his arms, her soft, full curves pressing down on his legs.

Qi Jun’s hand, which had been on her waist, stiffened slightly.

“What’s poking me?” She glanced down.

Qi Jun quickly let go of her and stood up abruptly. Trying to sound natural, he said, “You should head back.”

But Lin Yiqiao held onto his hand. “I want a kiss.”

Qi Jun calmed himself, leaned down, and kissed her. She parted her lips to meet him, lips and tongues intertwining.

As passion rose, Lin Yiqiao tried to cling closer, but Qi Jun stopped her, hands on her shoulders, breath warm against her ear. “It’s late.”

Lin Yiqiao licked her lips, her cheeks rosy, eyes sparkling with longing.

She stood up and hugged his arm again. “I’ll write you letters.”

Qi Jun looked at her and nodded.

“One every three days.”

“Alright.”

——

The team heading to Changping set off before dawn.

Lin Yiqiao had been asleep the whole train ride. When she finally opened her eyes in a daze, she was greeted by a burst of noise and joyful singing.

Soldiers from several train cars had crowded into the women’s unit’s car, singing revolutionary songs together, joy lighting up every face.

Lin Yiqiao loved this kind of atmosphere. She clapped along with the beat.

It was a bit hot in the train car. Just awake, her cheeks carried a natural flush. Her shiny black braid was slightly damp from sleep, resting against her ear, making her look soft and lovely.

She felt a few gazes on her—young soldiers blushing as they looked her way. She smiled back at them.

After a whole exhausting day on the train, they immediately transferred to transport trucks. The soldiers sat directly in the open truck beds. Lin Yiqiao rode a jeep with a few other company commanders.

She rolled down the window. Compared to the grandeur and antiquity of the capital, Changping carried a quiet, lingering sorrow. The shadow of the massive earthquake two years ago still hadn’t lifted.

The road was full of potholes. Buildings were few and makeshift, mostly rough shacks. There were hardly any pedestrians on the streets, and many who were there looked elderly, disabled, or broken. Their faces bore unspeakable grief and confusion.

The mood inside the car turned somber. Everyone looked out the windows with serious expressions—no one spoke.

The convoy drove to the municipal office, where a few local officials waited at the entrance to welcome them.

Liu Guanshan got out of the car and shook hands with each of them.

“Old Liu, we’ve been waiting for you,” said Commander Chen Qi from the stationed local unit, grasping his hand.

Liu Guanshan nodded solemnly.

“Come on, let’s get some food. The troops must be tired,” a city leader called out.

Lin Yiqiao silently followed the others inside.

The municipal office had also been hastily built. The dining hall was even more basic, looking from a distance like a greenhouse. But the people working there were excited to see them and brought out their best dishes in welcome.

A cafeteria lady smiled and scooped a big bowl of rice for Lin Yiqiao.

Looking at the rice in her bowl, Lin Yiqiao felt a bit complicated. Quietly, she tucked her watch into her sleeve.