Chapter 12: We Are a Relationship That Has Experienced Life and Death Together

“Okay.” Hearing him say that, she didn’t say anything else. She opened the lunch box she brought, and the aroma of meat filled the air.

Seeing the meatball soup in the lunch box and the round meatballs, Song Jingzhi’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Did you go to the black market?”

“Ah?” She was still holding the lid of the lunch box.

“You made large bones and spare ribs in the morning, and now you’re making meatballs. Even if you have tickets, meat is rationed.” Song Jingzhi looked into her eyes.

Little rascal, she’s quite clever.

“The large bones and spare ribs couldn’t be sold by the afternoon. They would go bad in this weather, so I talked to the salesperson. I said that there was someone at home with a leg injury who needed to eat some good food to recover, and he sold them to me.” She put the lid down.

Song Jingzhi’s ears turned red when he heard her say “home.”

“Do you have a black market in Hunan Province?” She picked up a meatball and put it in his bowl, pretending to be curious.

“Don’t go.” Song Jingzhi’s voice suddenly became stern.

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at him, almost dropping the meatball in shock.

He looked away, his ears even redder. “You’re a girl, it’s too dangerous.”

He quickly picked up the meatball, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“I won’t go if I won’t go. Why are you yelling at me?” She blinked at him. “Song Jingzhi, you care about me?”

“Cough.” Song Jingzhi, who had just put the meatball in his mouth, choked on her words.

“I just said one sentence. Why are you like this?” Tang Xiaoxiao was about to get up and pat his back.

He noticed her movement and moved away. “You, men and women should keep their distance.”

She stood by the bed, watching his ears turn red, and smiled. She deliberately leaned closer. “Song Jingzhi, are you from ancient times?”

“I thought we were a relationship that had experienced life and death together. There’s no need to be so distant, don’t you think?” She sat back on the bed and continued to eat with her chopsticks.

He looked at her, and she also looked up at him.

He saw the sincerity and determination in her eyes. At that moment, he felt a light in her eyes that attracted him, as if approaching her was approaching light, while turning away would be darkness.

“Yeah.” He nodded and lowered his head to eat.

“If I were the kind of person who cared about what others said, I wouldn’t have come to Hunan Province. I would have gone to Heilongjiang. My brother is stationed there.” Tang Xiaoxiao decided to be open with him.

If you want others to trust you, you have to trust them first. In her previous life, she did business the same way. If you want others to be sincere, you have to show your sincerity first.

Besides, this person was Song Jingzhi, the person who had saved her life.

“It’s better for you to be in Heilongjiang with your brother.” For some reason, when he heard her say Heilongjiang, his heart skipped a beat, and his hand holding the chopsticks tightened.

I’m doing pretty well here. Uncle Village Head has agreed that I can gather pigweed. I don’t have to do heavy work. Maybe I’m benefiting from your light. She laughed.

Song Jingzhi, maybe in your heart, you are a firefighter, and I am just one of many people you saved. Tang Xiaoxiao looked at him.

But in my heart, you are my only support in that rubble. It was your words that made me persevere when I wanted to give up countless times in my past life.

Let’s eat. The food will get cold. He said softly.

Okay. She gave him a sweet smile, knowing he had heard her.

In the hall, Song’s father and mother began to eat.

This meatball soup was brought by Little Tang educated youth? Song’s father asked.

Yes, she said no, but this girl is really kind.

Song’s father nodded. Let’s make the food a little better. Don’t be stingy with money.

I know. Don’t worry. Hey, do you think our son and Xiaoxiao have any fate? Song’s mother’s voice was very soft.

I don’t know. Little Tang educated youth is from a good family. We’re not worthy of her.

That’s true. Our boy is such a quiet one. Don’t let Xiaoxiao suffer.

After dinner, Tang Xiaoxiao moved a chair and sat by the bed, chatting with Song Jingzhi, pestering him to talk about his time in the fire brigade.

Go back. It’s going to get dark soon. He looked at the sky outside. It was already starting to turn dark.

Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow. She got up and saw the mat on his bed. She suddenly remembered that she still didn’t have a mat.

Are there any people in the village who make this kind of mat?

Doesn’t the educated youth center have mats? He looked at her. Seeing her shake her head, he wondered how she slept last night.

Mother. Song Jingzhi called out to the door.

What’s wrong? Song’s mother stood at the door and replied. They were having a good conversation. Why was he calling?

Do we have any new mats at home? Give one to Tang.

Yes, yes, I’ll get one. Has this boy come to his senses?

How much is it? I’ll pay. Tang Xiaoxiao started to reach for money in her shoulder bag.

You didn’t take my money yesterday. He reminded her.

That’s right. Why would you pay? The bamboo was cut from the back mountain, and the mat was woven by your uncle. Why would you pay? Song’s mother stood at the door, holding the mat.

Put it on the bicycle. Song’s father took the mat and helped tie it to the bicycle.

Thank you, Uncle and Auntie. Tang Xiaoxiao wasn’t a fussy person, so she didn’t refuse.

“I’m going back now.” She greeted Song Jingzhi and left the room.

“Auntie, I won’t eat breakfast here. You don’t need to make it for me.”

“What will you eat for breakfast then? Your grain is all at home.” Song’s mother told Song’s father to get the grain.

“Uncle, no need. I’m not used to eating rice for breakfast. I bought noodles. I’ll eat noodles.”

“Then I’ll get you some eggs.” Song’s mother was about to get eggs.

“Auntie, I bought eggs. I have some. I’m going back now.” With that, Tang Xiaoxiao quickly got on her bicycle.

Song’s mother was too enthusiastic, making her feel embarrassed.

Song Jingzhi sat on the bed, listening to the sounds outside, and unconsciously curled his lips.

He remembered being buried under the rubble with Tang Xiaoxiao. He could sense her fear. She called him “brother,” her voice soft and sweet.

He thought she was a timid girl, but she turned out to be a bright girl like the sun.

“Father.” He called out to the door.

“Okay, I’m coming.” Song’s father thought he needed to use the toilet and hurried into the room.

“Father, can you make me a chair that I can push around?”

“Ah, didn’t you say you didn’t need one?” Song’s father had wanted to make one for him before, but he said he wouldn’t need it for a few months, so there was no need to make one.

“Cough, I’m sitting on the bed all day. I want to go out to the yard and take a walk.”

“Okay, I’ll find two wheels and make one for you.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Do you feel like your leg is better? Does it still hurt?” Song’s father asked.

“It still hurts a little, but I can bear it.”

When the low house collapsed, he protected Tang Xiaoxiao with his body. His leg was trapped underneath. The doctor said the leg was set, but he needed to stay in bed for three months to recover. After recovery, he would need to do rehabilitation.

That’s why he decided to go back to his hometown to recover. The situation in the disaster area was serious. If he stayed there, the team would have to spare someone to take care of him.

Although it would be hard on his parents to have him back home, he usually spent little time with them. This way, he could spend more time with them.