latelenovela Chapter 281
Chapter 281
Over the remaining half month or so, the four of them completely blended into life at the base.Rong Yu's work here was also gradually drawing to a close.
"Engineer Rong, this is the final task." Cui Xiao took out a file. "I'll have to trouble Engineer Rong to make a trip and deliver this to the military department."
Rong Yu smiled. "Chief Engineer Cui, what is the meaning of this?"
Usually, there were dedicated personnel for delivering documents; she wouldn't normally be asked to do it.
Cui Xiao coughed lightly and said, "There is an awards ceremony at the military department today. That new recruit, Sheng Qingyan, is being awarded a First-Class Merit for taking down two top-tier snipers. You can go and join in the excitement."
A hint of awkwardness appeared on Rong Yu's usually calm face.
Lately, she and Sheng Qingyan had been occasionally taking walks together in the evenings. It wasn't frequent, only once every two or three days, and they would part ways after chatting for half an hour.
She thought they had been very discreet.
How did even someone like Cui Xiao, who usually paid no attention to gossip, know about it?
If she had known, she wouldn't have been so cautious.
Cui Xiao smiled and said, "It's not easy for researchers and soldiers to date. You two don't get many opportunities to see each other every day, so hurry up and go."
Rong Yu cleared her throat. "We aren't dating, at least not yet."
She took the file and drove an off-road vehicle to the military district.
The military district was heavily guarded. After passing through layers of security checks, she arrived at the grand auditorium. A large crowd was gathered there, clapping enthusiastically in a very lively atmosphere.
Rong Yu stepped inside.
Just in time, she saw Sheng Qingyan standing on the stage in a crisp, tailored military uniform.
A colonel was pinning a gleaming gold First-Class Merit medal onto his chest.
"...During the defense of Base Four, Comrade Sheng Qingyan used extraordinary tactical prowess and astonishing marksmanship to eliminate foreign reactionary forces..."
Sheng Qingyan stood there with an indifferent expression.
Despite receiving such a great honor, he didn't even crack a smile.
Suddenly, his gaze swept over the audience, cutting through the crowd, and landed straight on Rong Yu, who was standing at the entrance of the auditorium.
He was the center of attention at that moment.
Because he looked in her direction, everyone else's eyes uniformly followed his gaze.
"Brother Sheng, your family is here!"
"Not family, it's his girlfriend!"
"Look, Brother Sheng is blushing, hahahaha..."
Someone boldly took the lead in teasing him, and soon, a wave of whistling echoed throughout the auditorium.
Sheng Yun, whose injuries had not yet healed, picked up his cane and started tapping people on the head one by one. "Shut up, all of you shut up! Will it kill you to tease him a little less?!"
His eldest nephew had just recovered from a serious illness and had a reserved personality. If this teasing made him back down, his future niece-in-law would be gone for good.
Sheng Qingyan's ears turned from a light pink to tomato red at a visible speed, but he still maintained his aloof demeanor as he strode over to Rong Yu in quick, long steps.
The teasing grew louder.
Sheng Qingyan said, "They are just like that, they like to joke around. Don't take it to heart."
"I won't," Rong Yu said with a smile. "Congratulations on being awarded the First-Class Merit."
Sheng Qingyan's face turned even redder.
Rong Yu shook her head.
How was this guy even more easily embarrassed than she was?
She turned and walked out, and Sheng Qingyan quickly followed, leaving the waves of teasing cheers behind them.
The two walked to a secluded spot where no one else was around.
Rong Yu looked up at him. "They all say I'm your girlfriend, and even the people back at the base think so. Tell me, how am I supposed to find a boyfriend in the future?"
Sheng Qingyan's face was tense. "I will explain it clearly to them one by one, don't worry."
"Explain?" Rong Yu held back her laughter and said in a serious tone, "How do you plan to explain? Are you going to say that admiring the moon together on the sand dunes was purely a work exchange? Say that our daily walks are arranged by the organization? And say that you blushing every time you see me is just an accident?"
Sheng Qingyan's Adam's apple bobbed heavily.
He knew his face was burning hot.
Was it really that red too?
Was it obvious?
Rong Yu took a step forward and suddenly adjusted his medal for him. She curled her lips into a smile. "You asked Tang Mi about my work schedule, which is why it was always such a coincidence that we would run into each other downstairs for a walk every day, right?"
Sheng Qingyan turned his head away.
He hadn't asked Tang Mi; it was Tang Mi and Zhou Shiyu who had blabbered and volunteered the information to him. He just had a good memory and remembered it, that was all.
He didn't dare look into Rong Yu's eyes.
But Rong Yu forcefully turned his face back to face her.
He met her sparkling gaze. In those eyes, his own face was reflected so clearly.
Within his chest, the towering tree that had grown because of her swayed violently. Every leaf rustled, just like his heart, pounding wildly.
Uncontrollable emotions poured out.
He slowly exhaled and said softly, "Rong Yu, I am twenty-four years old this year, and I have just joined the military. I think I need to have the strength and confidence to protect you before I am qualified to stand by your side."
He had lived his twenty-four years in a daze.
Having just recovered from a serious illness, just stepped into the military, and with his career only just beginning, what did he have to promise her a future?
As if making a major decision, he suddenly took a half-step back.
Under Rong Yu's astonished gaze.
He stood at attention and saluted.
"Report!" His voice was loud and clear. "Private Sheng Qingyan requests permission in advance to become Comrade Rong Yu's boyfriend after she graduates from university, which is in four years. Please instruct!"
Rong Yu couldn't help but laugh. "Four years? I don't need four years to finish university."
Sheng Qingyan heard the deafening sound of his own heartbeat in his chest.
Unable to control his surging emotions, he placed his hands on Rong Yu's shoulders, his gaze firm. "One year. Give me one year."
"Hey, what are you doing? Let go immediately!"
Suddenly, a familiar explosive shout pierced their eardrums.
Rong Yu was startled.
She turned her head to look.
In the distance, five elderly men were rushing toward them.
The one leading the charge was her good son Ji Shunying, followed by Hai Dadun, Sima Gang, Tang Youyi, and Old Master Zhou.
The five of them looked travel-worn and exhausted, yet their eyes gleamed with the light of gossip. They surrounded the couple with lightning speed, looking eager to watch the drama unfold.
Only Old Master Ji had his eyes wide open in anger. "You brat from the Sheng family, how dare you take advantage of a young girl! Where is a cane? Tang Youyi, lend me your cane for a second!"
Ignoring how colorful Tang Youyi's expression was, he snatched the cane and swung it at Sheng Qingyan.
Elder Hai and Elder Sima hastily stepped aside to watch the drama from a distance.
However, when Sheng Qingyan shot him a faint, sweeping glance, the raised cane froze in mid-air. For some unknown reason, he simply couldn't bring himself to strike.
"The young folks are just dating, why is an old man like you joining in on the fuss..." Tang Youyi spoke up. "Forget it, forget it. It's not easy for anyone."