chapter 49.2

As the exhibition was about to end, foreigners had already left. When Professor Hu brought his group over, the vendors packing up also joined.

Hearing the high-ranking officials talk, the conversation immediately turned to praising Ruan Mingfu.

The leader listened intently, showing no signs of impatience.

Ruan Mingfu was impressed by how grounded everyone seemed at that moment.

She felt a bit embarrassed, “… It’s the result of everyone’s efforts.”

“Comrade Ruan is being modest,” the leader said with an even warmer smile. “The orders at the tea exhibition are visible to all, and I heard you also helped with orders for porcelain and silk?”

Ruan Mingfu felt a bit awkward.

“They showed interest in these items, so I recommended them more.”

“Excellent!”

The leader was delighted. “The exhibition needs adaptable comrades like you. Regardless of where we’re assigned, we are all one family and can communicate with each other. Comrade Ruan has done very well in this regard.”

The people behind nodded enthusiastically.

“As officials, we must avoid rigid approaches,” the leader said with a smile. “The achievements of Comrade Ruan are evident, so on behalf of the Foreign Publicity Department, I’m awarding this bonus to Comrade Ruan.”

As soon as the leader finished speaking, everyone put on happy expressions.

If one didn’t know better, they might think the award was for them.

Ruan Mingfu was somewhat surprised.

It was one thing for Boss Zhang to give her money, but now even the organizers of the exhibition were giving her money?

She hadn’t even worshiped the God of Wealth.

Professor Hu, excited and flushed, was thrilled. After all, Ruan Mingfu was a talent he had discovered. Her recognition brought him some pride as well.

“Comrade Ruan, come and receive your award.”

It was then that Ruan Mingfu noticed there were even reporters among the crowd.

In the end, Ruan Mingfu held the official certificate in one hand and the large envelope containing the bonus in the other, taking pictures with the leader.

“I heard Comrade Ruan is also a military wife,” the leader said with a note of admiration. “If our country had more young people like Comrade Ruan, how could the country not prosper? Comrade Ruan, would you be interested in joining our department?”

Ruan Mingfu was taken aback.

Was she really about to make a leap?

After thinking it over, Ruan Mingfu declined.

“Wouldn’t this make others think I’m using connections?” she said. “Leader, I’d like to enter through proper channels.”

After saying this, Ruan Mingfu wanted to cover her face.

She felt her own audacity growing.

Such obviously not her style words came out so smoothly.

“You’re ambitious,” the leader said, pleased. “Comrade Ruan, I’ll be waiting for you in the capital.”

The people around looked at Ruan Mingfu with envious eyes.

With the leader’s endorsement, Ruan Mingfu’s future seemed secure.

The leader offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving with everyone. Once they had all departed, the crowd gathered around to congratulate her.

“This is an award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It could be a family heirloom.”

“If I had received this award, the whole village would talk about it for a year…”

“Dream on. Do you have Comrade Ruan’s capabilities?”

“… Who could match Comrade Ruan’s abilities…”

Amidst everyone’s admiration, Ruan Mingfu packed up her things.

The exhibition had officially ended, and she wouldn’t need to return the next day. As she was about to leave, Uncle Liu and a few others approached.

“Comrade Ruan, thank you very much for your help during this period. Here’s some tea from our factory. I hope you won’t mind.”

Ruan Mingfu looked at the tea in his hand.

Although the items were not expensive, the sentiment behind them was rare.

“Not at all, I’m delighted,” she said as she accepted the tea.

“Uncle Liu definitely gave me good tea. I could smell its aroma even before opening it.”

Uncle Liu’s earlier sadness dissipated.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said with a smile.

Other representatives from the tea factories didn’t want to be left out either. “And me, Comrade Ruan, I’ve also prepared something for you…”

“Me too!”

“I have something as well…”

“Step aside, let me through,” said the representative from Yunwu Tea, pushing through the crowd and placing a box in front of Ruan Mingfu. “Comrade Ruan, knowing you understand tea, I specially ordered this tea set for you.”

The other tea factory representatives stared at the Yunwu Tea representative in disbelief.

Damn!

How could they not think of this, only focusing on sending tea.

People looked at the Yunwu Tea representative with disdain.

Pah!

Sending a tea set as if he were so superior. What a scoundrel!

Ruan Mingfu felt a bit touched.

“Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it,” she said with heartfelt gratitude. “I like all the gifts, and I hope we can meet here again next time.”

The tea exhibition is held twice a year, in spring and autumn.

This was the last session of the year, so they wouldn’t meet again until around March or April next year.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Ruan Mingfu left.

*

She successfully met up with Qi Yangyan.

Walking ahead, Ruan Mingfu asked him, “Brother, are you going to see our parents tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Qi Yangyan responded briefly.

She bit her lip, “What if they aren’t our parents?”

“Then we’ll find out when we go,” Qi Yangyan stopped in his tracks. “By the way, have you told Xie Yanzhao about your background?”

Ruan Mingfu shook her head.

She wasn’t foolish enough to disclose such things.

“Remember,” Qi Yangyan said, looking at her seriously, “keep it strictly confidential. This is our biggest family secret right now!”

Ruan Mingfu quickly nodded.

“Oh, by the way,” she remembered, “what exactly did Boss Zhang want with you?”

“It’s nothing.”

Qi Yangyan did not elaborate.

Ruan Mingfu: “……”

He was brushing her off!

Her brother clearly did not want to discuss it.

Ruan Mingfu’s radiant face turned into a pouty frown.

Hmph!

If he won’t say, then so be it.

Anyway, her brother was very shrewd, and no one had ever gotten an advantage over him.

After joining Xie Yanzhao, who had come to pick her up, they sat down to eat together. Even though Qi Yangyan had temporarily acknowledged Xie Yanzhao’s identity, he still didn’t like him and frequently shot him with disapproving glances.

The tension between the two men made it difficult for Ruan Mingfu to mediate, so she quietly ate her soup.

Qi Yangyan, being wealthy, had arranged a sumptuous meal.

Ruan Mingfu enjoyed it greatly.

However…

Xie Yanzhao habitually placed a piece of bamboo shoot in her bowl.

“This kind of bamboo shoot isn’t very tasty,” Qi Yangyan said, handing her a bowl of old duck soup. “Have some soup to cool down.”

Xie Yanzhao redirected his chopsticks with the bamboo shoot to his own bowl.

Ruan Mingfu: “……”

What could she do? She could only bury her head in her meal.

Xie Yanzhao then picked up a piece of tofu and put it into Ruan Mingfu’s bowl.

“Tofu isn’t very nutritious,” Qi Yangyan said, picking up an abalone, “eat this. It’s better.”

Xie Yanzhao narrowed his eyes.

Qi Yangyan wasn’t intimidated and stared back.

Ruan Mingfu: “……”

Help!

“The abalone is very fresh,” Ruan Mingfu quickly ate both dishes, “and the tofu is very tender. Thank you both of you.”

She then took up a spoon and served them both a bowl of soup.

“Drink up, it will help you cool down.”

Qi Yangyan: “……”

Xie Yanzhao: “……”

The two men quieted down, and Ruan Mingfu could finally eat in peace.

*

Meanwhile, Gu Yilin looked at the setting sun and couldn’t help but rub her growling stomach.

The nearby soldier, seeing this, felt a bit sorry.

“Comrade, you’ve been waiting here all day,” the young soldier said, somewhat exasperated, “why don’t you go to the guesthouse and sit for a while?”

Gu Yilin had an introduction letter from the supply and marketing cooperative, so her identity was not in question.

She could have gone to the guesthouse and gotten a room, but Gu Yilin, being stubborn, refused to do so.

The young soldier was at a loss.

Especially as time passed, Gu Yilin’s eyes turned green whenever she saw people coming back from their training. The soldier was genuinely worried she might become desperate and grab anyone she saw.

It was quite frightening.

Moreover, knowing she was here made others reluctant to approach.

Gu Yilin had no idea that the soldier’s warnings were for her own safety.

She waved her hand, looking disgruntled.

“Don’t worry, I just want to see when that nasty woman will come back.”

The soldier: “……”

Throughout the day, Gu Yilin’s descriptions of the person changed.

From good friend to friend… and within an hour, she went from an enemy to a nasty woman.

If it weren’t for his presence, he wouldn’t have known she was talking about the same person.

Gu Yilin was simply unlucky, missing Xie Yanzhao by chance. He drove away from the family compound. Poor Gu Yilin was left alone here, hungry and exhausted.

Gu Yilin took out the canned food she had brought with her.

“Do you want to eat?”

The soldier looked at the can.

It was an iron can, and it was obviously worthless at first glance. He quickly shook his head.

“No, I’ve already eaten.”

Gu Yilin was stubborn, waiting for Ruan Mingfu and still clashing with the soldier even though she wasn’t there. The soldier had suggested she go eat, but she stubbornly refused to leave until she saw Ruan Mingfu.

She was fuming with frustration.

She just wanted to see when that damn woman would come back!

Ignoring his refusal, Gu Yilin pressed two cans into the soldier’s hands.

These were precious items she had managed to collect and intended to give to Ruan Mingfu.

But now…

She wouldn’t even give them to a dog!

The soldier repeatedly declined. “No, I can’t accept such valuable things.”

“Valuable? Take them or I’ll just throw them away,” Gu Yilin said with a domineering attitude. “If you don’t want them, I’ll get rid of them.”

She opened the can, and a tempting aroma immediately wafted out.

The soldier swallowed and felt his stomach growl again after just having eaten.

Gu Yilin didn’t notice.

She pulled out a pair of chopsticks from somewhere and started eating. As she enjoyed her meal, the soldier handed her a golden-colored mixed flour bun.

“Here.”

This was the soldier’s reserved food for dinner.

If not for Gu Yilin giving him two cans, he wouldn’t have been willing to part with it.

“Thank you.”

Gu Yilin didn’t hesitate.

She tore off a piece of the bun and put it in her mouth.

For some reason, Gu Yilin found the bun exceptionally delicious. After finishing one, she still felt like she wanted more.

After eating her fill, her mood improved significantly.

“Oh, you’re eating?”

Xu Zhu, who had just arrived, happened to see Gu Yilin putting away her food. He sniffed the aromatic scent in the air and knew what had happened.

The soldier stood straight and saluted Xu Zhu.

“Hello, Political Commissar!”

Gu Yilin looked him up and down with a disdainful expression.

He was refined and clean-looking… like a plucked chicken, lacking any masculine presence.

No wonder he is a political commissar, he is indeed not as energetic as a regular soldier~

While she scrutinized Xu Zhu, he was also observing her.

Today, everyone from the First, Second, and Third Battalions reported to him about a green-eyed demon. Whenever they approached, this person would be lurking by the window, staring at them with green, hungry eyes as if ready to pounce and devour them.

In the hot summer, these tough men were drenched in cold sweat from fear.

If just one person said so, Xu Zhu wouldn’t believe it. But with so many people saying the same thing, he felt compelled to check it out himself.

“Comrade, are you here to visit someone or to join the military?”

Gu Yilin rubbed her stomach. “Looking for someone!”

“Political Commissar, this comrade has been waiting here all day,” the soldier added, “and she’s been hungry all day. She only just ate a little.”

Xu Zhu: “…”

So, this comrade is the green-eyed demon the others talked about. Of course, after a whole day of hunger, anything would look tempting, causing those green eyes.

Xu Zhu shook his head inwardly.

These stupid kids don’t even know what they’re talking about. They just blabbed nonsense without really understanding the person.

Old Xu needed to practice more.

“Comrade, where is the person you’re looking for?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yilin’s previously softened mood vanished again.

She looked at Xu Zhu with frustration. “Can you help me find her?”

“Of course. There’s no one here I don’t know.”

…

As night fell, when Xie Yanzhao’s car finally stopped, Ruan Mingfu lazily remained in the car and didn’t get out.

“Xie Yanzhao, carry me out.”

His gaze darkened slightly but was filled with indulgence.

Xie Yanzhao moved to the passenger side, picked her up effortlessly, and carried her out. Ruan Mingfu waited for him to put her down, but to her surprise, he didn’t let go.

She patted his chest. “Put me down.”

The bright moon illuminated the ground, and Ruan Mingfu looked at his expression, her brows twitching.

She saw him lean closer, “Have you forgotten what I said before?”

Old memories suddenly attacked her.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Did she just walk into the tiger’s mouth?

She was about to struggle when she heard a resentful voice coming from the bushes beside her: “You still remember to come back.”