Chapter 33: Confession

The three soldiers who came were Lu Zecheng’s comrades. One was Deputy Battalion Commander Lei Ziqi, one was Platoon Leader Zhang Kai, and the one who was crying was Zhao Dayong. Lu Zecheng was seriously injured while saving Zhao Dayong. After Zhao Dayong woke up from surgery, he insisted on going to see Lu Zecheng. When the doctor announced that Lu Zecheng’s eyes were permanently blind, he applied for a transfer and had the logistics soldiers send him back to his hometown to recuperate. His application was still being held by the regiment commander. After Zhao Dayong was discharged from the hospital, he took leave to see Lu Zecheng. He had already left the army compound but was called back to perform a mission. This time, the mission was related to the information that Lu Zecheng had reported to the regiment commander about Deputy Mayor Su.

In the past month and a half, they had taken down several contact points in the three northern provinces, removed several city-level cadres, and arrested many people below them. Those who were paying attention could now see that many factories had many vacant positions.

“Chenzi, now that you’re healed, what are your plans? Are you going back to the army?”

“I’m not sure yet. I want to wait a few days and go to the provincial hospital for a checkup before making a decision.”

“That’s right. But now that you’re recovered, I’ll go back and report to Regiment Commander Gao. He’s very worried about you. By the way, you’ll be promoted to the next level when you go back after your recovery. I’ll also be promoted to the next level. You need to get better soon. I’ll wait for you back there.”

“We’ll talk about it later. I want to ask An’an’s opinion.”

Zhao Dayong said, “Sister-in-law is so virtuous. She will definitely support Captain.”

The few of them chatted in the hall while Xia Ning’an prepared lunch in the kitchen.

Xia Ninghao was assigned to kill the chicken. They had recently replaced a lot of eggs and old hens.

Xia Ning’an saw that it was still early, so she started steaming two large baskets of steamed buns. Each bun was as big as her two fists. When she first arrived, she was shocked by the size of the steamed buns and big buns here. One steamed bun or bun here was enough for a table of people in her southern hometown. Such a big bun would be shared by a table of people, and the waiter would cut it into several slices. One or two slices would be enough for one person. When she came here, she was always uncomfortable with the portion sizes. She was constantly surprised. The dishes here were usually served in basins. She had gradually gotten used to cooking a large pot of food. For someone who only bought two green onions in the modern world, this was a huge improvement.

She put the pig’s feet and peanut soup in a clay pot to simmer.

For lunch, she made chestnut chicken, a casserole of fish with frozen tofu, vermicelli, dried eggplant, cilantro, and corn white flour pancakes stuck to the sides of the pot, pork ribs stewed with potatoes, shredded pork stir-fried with oyster mushrooms, chives stir-fried with eggs, a plate of garlic-flavored Chinese spinach. All the dishes were large portions. They must have been hungry after their long journey. Soldiers have big appetites, so she prepared plenty of food.

When Li Fang and Xia Changhai came back, Xia Ning’an told Xia Ninghao to start bringing the dishes out.

The young soldier had been smelling the aroma for a long time and kept craning his neck to look.

When all the dishes were brought to the table in the hall and filled it, everyone in the hall looked at each other in disbelief. The food was too good! They wouldn’t eat up all the Captain’s sick food, would they? Lu Zecheng was also shocked to see a table full of dishes. After all, he had just had his bandages removed today. In the past, he had always eaten from his own small bowl. This was the first time he had seen such a sumptuous meal. He was also a little shocked.

Xia Changhai greeted them. “Young comrades, come sit down and eat. You came all this way to see Xiaolu. You must be hungry.”

They all sat down. Zhao Dayong, lacking in social skills, was about to sit in the only seat next to Lu Zecheng, but Lu Zecheng gave him a look that made him sit down on the other side. Everyone was waiting for Xia Ning’an to bring the soup.

She sat down next to Lu Zecheng.

Xia Changhai took out the bottle of Maotai that his daughter had bought for him.

“Come, let’s have a drink together today to celebrate Xiaolu’s recovery and thank you for coming all this way.”

The few of them were about to decline, but Xia Ninghao poured them each a small cup.

Fortunately, the amount was small. It wasn’t much for them, so they just drank for the atmosphere, to celebrate the Captain’s recovery.

After taking a sip of wine, they all buried their heads in their food. No one spoke because the food was too delicious. No one wanted to give up such delicious food to chat.

After dinner, Lu Zecheng sent them to the kang to rest for an hour.

He could tell that they hadn’t rested. They had to rush back to the army. They wouldn’t be able to handle it if they didn’t rest.

Xia Ning’an also learned that Lu Zecheng’s unit was near the provincial capital.

“Zecheng Ge, you’re so close to home. Why don’t you come back often?”

“That kind of home, it’s better not to go back.”

“Yeah, if I had a home like that, I wouldn’t go back either.”

“Zecheng Ge, now that you’re healed, are you still planning to go back to the army?”

Xia Ning’an asked as she wiped the table.

“Does An’an want me to go back?”

“I respect Zecheng Ge. You have your own pursuits and beliefs. No matter what you choose, I will support you.”

Lu Zecheng paused as he moved the stool, his heart feeling a pang of sadness, his eyes slightly red. He looked at Xia Ning’an intently.

“An’an, thank you. If all the hardships I’ve endured in the first half of my life were to lead me to you now, then everything would be worth it. Thank you, fate, for bringing such a wonderful you into my life.”

He reached out and took Xia Ning’an’s hand, which was wiping the table. Her small hand was delicate and boneless, making him want to hold it forever.

Xia Ning’an pretended to be shy on the surface, but in her heart, she was screaming, “Oh my god! Is this my ideal type confessing to me? Why am I so shy? I, a sister with a modern soul, have never been in love. I don’t know how to respond.”

Lu Zecheng looked at the blushing girl, not saying anything. He was also nervous, but now that his eyes were healed, he wouldn’t let go of this girl. After all, he loved everything about her.

“An’an, when you turn eighteen, will you marry me?”

Why are you talking about marriage so soon?

“Zecheng Ge, I want to try for a spot in the Workers’, Peasants’, and Soldiers’ University next year. If I get in, will we get married next year?”

The Workers’, Peasants’, and Soldiers’ University currently required applicants to be unmarried, under 25 years old, and have a junior high school education or above.

“Okay, if you get in, will we get married during the Mid-Autumn Festival?”

“I think I can’t wait that long.”

“Well, okay. Let’s tell Father and Mother tonight.”

“Okay.” He said, squeezing her hand and pulling her into his arms.

Xia Ning’an snuggled into Lu Zecheng’s arms obediently. She realized that this man was so tall. Her 166-centimeter height only reached his shoulders.

They hugged until Xia Ning’an’s legs went numb. She quickly pulled away from Lu Zecheng’s arms.

“Zecheng Ge, you should sit down and rest.”

“Okay.” His eyes were glued to Xia Ning’an.

“I’ll go to the kitchen and make some sugar cakes for your comrades to take on the road.”

“I’ll go with you.”

…………….