NFBE Chapter 388 The Beloved Little Sister 23
Chapter 388 The Beloved Little Sister 23
Everything that followed happened naturally.
After a long while, the two, both sweaty, embraced on the bed.
"Are you hungry?" he asked softly. "I went to the mess hall and got some braised pork..."
Ji Xiaosong shook her head and snuggled closer to him: "I just want to lie here like this..."
You Yong laughed and pulled the blanket over the two of them: "Then lie down. You have several days anyway, lie down for as long as you want."
Ji Xiaosong suddenly sat up and looked at him seriously: "These next few days, I'm going to fatten you up a bit. You've lost so much weight..."
"No way!" You Yong pinched his abs. "They're really firm!"
“You’ve just lost weight,” Ji Xiaosong said stubbornly, tracing his collarbone with her fingers. “I’ll make you some soup tomorrow; I’ve brought all the ingredients.”
You Yong felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and he rolled over and pinned her down again: "Let me have one more meal first."
"Oh dear! In broad daylight... um..."
Their "lunch" was delayed until 3 p.m.
When Ji Xiaosong finally put on her clothes and blushed as she laid out the new bed sheet, You Yong wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Red...it's so beautiful..." he whispered in her ear, making Ji Xiaosong blush again.
*
Dinner consisted of braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and rice, which You Yong had brought from the mess hall.
Although it was a little cold, Ji Xiaosong ate it with great relish.
"The food is much better than what we get at the clinic," she said sincerely.
You Yong smiled smugly: "That's right! Our cook, Old Wang, was transferred from the State Guesthouse!"
He then placed another piece of meat in her bowl, saying, "Eat more, so you'll have energy tonight..."
"You Yong!" Ji Xiaosong glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, but was amused by his innocent expression.
After dinner, You Yong took Ji Xiaosong for a walk in the camp area.
As the sun set, the soldiers on the training ground finished their exercises and headed towards the bathhouse in twos and threes.
Upon seeing You Yong, the soldiers all stood at attention and saluted, then curiously stole glances at Ji Xiaosong.
"Is this your sister-in-law?" a bold young soldier asked with a grin.
"No manners!" You Yong scolded sternly, but the smile in the corner of his eye betrayed him. "Call her 'Hello, sister-in-law'!"
"Hello, sister-in-law!" the young soldiers shouted in unison, their loud voices startling Ji Xiaosong.
"Hello...hello everyone..." she replied, blushing, which elicited a burst of good-natured laughter.
Back home, Ji Xiaosong took out the pickled vegetables and candies she had brought and carefully put them into the kitchen cabinet.
You Yong hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder: "It's so good... having a wife makes all the difference."
Ji Xiaosong turned around and gently touched the scar on his face, a mark left from training last year: "Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore." You Yong grabbed her hand and kissed it. "It's just that when I'm sleeping at night, I always want someone to touch me."
Ji Xiaosong hugged him tightly, feeling sorry for him: "Now that I'm here, I'll let you touch me every day."
These words were like a signal, and You Yong's expression immediately changed.
He scooped his wife up in his arms and strode toward the bedroom, the brand-new red sheets gleaming brightly under the light…
*
Over the next two days, Ji Xiaosong quickly adapted to military life.
Every morning, she wakes up to the reveille and prepares breakfast for You Yong;
During the day, You Yong goes to training, while she stays at home cleaning and preparing meals.
In the evening, the two would take a walk together, and occasionally You Yong would take her to the parade ground to watch the soldiers train.
Soon, the whole battalion knew that the company commander's wife was not only beautiful, but also a doctor.
Many soldiers came to her seeking her help to examine the minor injuries and pains they sustained during training.
Ji Xiaosong welcomed everyone who came and treated their wounds with the medicine she brought, quickly earning the reputation of "Miracle Doctor Sister-in-Law".
On the evening of the fifth day, You Yong returned early, his face beaming with undisguised excitement: "Song'er! The political commissar has approved your visit to observe our live-fire exercise tomorrow!"
"Really?" Ji Xiaosong was both surprised and delighted. "I can watch you train?"
“Not only do I watch,” You Yong said proudly, “I also brag to the political commissar that my wife is definitely better at shooting than them!”
Ji Xiaosong's eyes widened: "You...you want me to shoot?"
"What are you afraid of?" You Yong chuckled and pinched her nose. "I'm here. Besides, didn't you study battlefield first aid at nursing school? You must have handled a gun before."
Ji Xiaosong shook her head helplessly: "You..."
Just then, there was a sudden, urgent knocking on the door.
"Report!" It was the voice of communications officer Xiao Zhang. "Company commander, emergency meeting!"
You Yong's expression immediately turned serious, and he quickly went to open the door. Xiao Zhang stood outside the door, his face grave: "The regimental commander is here, saying there's an urgent mission."
You Yong turned around and glanced at Ji Xiaosong, his eyes full of apology.
Ji Xiaosong forced a smile and quickly grabbed his military uniform: "Go on, I'll wait for you to come back for dinner."
You Yong hurriedly put on his military uniform and hugged her tightly at the door: "I'm sorry..."
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Ji Xiaosong straightened his collar, “Go on.”
Watching You Yong's departing figure, Ji Xiaosong's heart suddenly clenched.
Urgent mission...
Will there be any danger?
She slowly walked back to the bedroom, sat on the red bed sheet, and unconsciously stroked the pattern on the sheet with her fingers.
Outside the window, the sound of the jeep starting up gradually faded into the distance, eventually disappearing into the twilight.
She got up and walked to the window, looking towards the camp.
The lights in the training field were still on, and figures could be vaguely seen hurrying by.
This unusual sight made her heart tighten; usually at this time, the soldiers would be washing up and preparing for bed.
The food in the kitchen gradually got cold.
Ji Xiaosong reheated them and covered them with the bowl to keep them warm.
The clock struck nine, but there was still no sound of footsteps outside the door.
She opened the medical book, but couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.
"Sister-in-law!" The sudden knocking startled her so much that she almost dropped her book.
Xiao Zhang stood outside the door, beads of sweat on his forehead: "The company commander sent me to tell you that he won't be coming back tonight, and that you shouldn't wait for him."
Ji Xiaosong's heart sank: "What happened?"
"This..." Xiao Zhang rubbed his hands awkwardly, "It's a military secret, I can't say..."
"I understand." Ji Xiaosong forced a smile. "Have you eaten? Do you want some...?"
"No need, sister-in-law! I have to go back right away!" Xiao Zhang hurriedly saluted, turned around and ran into the night.
That night, Ji Xiaosong tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Every time I close my eyes, I see images of You Yong carrying out dangerous missions.
She drifted off to sleep just as dawn was breaking, only to be jolted awake by the reveille.
The food in the kitchen remained untouched.
The next day at noon, Xiao Zhang came again, bringing a bundle: "The company commander said the weather is getting colder, and asked me to bring his sweater."
Ji Xiaosong took the bundle, her fingers trembling slightly: "When...when will he be back?"
"It's hard to say," Xiao Zhang's eyes darted around uncertainly, "It might... take a few more days..."
Ji Xiaosong suddenly grabbed Xiao Zhang's arm: "Tell me honestly, is it very dangerous?"
Xiao Zhang's Adam's apple bobbed: "Sister-in-law...I..."
"I understand." Ji Xiaosong released his hand, forcing himself to remain calm. "Thank you, Xiao Zhang."
After Xiao Zhang left, Ji Xiaosong opened the bundle.
It wasn't a sweater underneath; it was You Yong's casual clothes.
It's clear that this mission requires disguising one's identity.
On the morning of the third day, Ji Xiaosong was hanging up clothes when she suddenly heard a commotion coming from the direction of the camp.
She stood on tiptoe and looked out, only to see several military trucks speeding away, their canopies tightly closed, obscuring the people inside.
The water droplets on the clothesline dripped onto my hands, feeling icy cold.
In the evening, the political commissar personally visited.
The usually serious middle-aged man looked weary: "Comrade Xiao Ji, Company Commander You and the others... their mission has been postponed."
Ji Xiaosong twisted her fingers together: "Is he... alright?"
"Very good! Very good!" the political commissar said quickly. "It's just that it took too long. He specifically instructed you not to delay your work when you get back."
Ji Xiaosong lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing her emotions: "I understand."
That evening, she began packing her luggage.
She carefully folded You Yong's casual clothes and put them on the top shelf of the wardrobe.
The red sheet was washed, dried, and put back on the bed.
They left the pickled vegetables and candies in the kitchen, only taking the half-empty bamboo basket with them.
On the last morning, Ji Xiaosong got up very early.
She cleaned the room until it was spotless, and even watered the plants on the windowsill.
At her desk, she spread out a sheet of writing paper, her pen hovering in mid-air for a long time before finally making her first stroke:
Yong Ge:
I'm going back. I can't neglect my work at the clinic, and my parents at home need taking care of them too.
Keep your casual clothes on the top shelf of the wardrobe, water the jasmine once a week, and remember to eat the pickled vegetables before they spoil.
I'm fine, don't worry about me. Take care of yourself and come back safely.
颂儿
There were a few slight wrinkles on the letter paper, as if it had been wet and then dried.
She placed the letter under an enamel mug, which You Yong used every morning.
The train station was still bustling with people.
Ji Xiaosong, carrying luggage that was much lighter than when she arrived, stood on the platform and looked back towards the camp.
Just a few days ago, she was excitedly looking forward to watching You Yong practice target shooting; now, however, she has to embark on her journey home alone.
"Passengers going to Pingyang County, please board the train!" The train conductor's shout startled her awake.
Inside the carriage, the older woman opposite was still there. She was clearly taken aback when she saw Ji Xiaosong: "Girl, you're going back so soon?"
Ji Xiaosong forced a smile: "I'm busy with work, so I can't take too long off."
The train whistles and starts moving, the familiar platform slowly receding into the distance.
Ji Xiaosong pressed her face against the cold windowpane until the outline of the camp completely disappeared from view.
The three-day, two-night return journey was much longer than the journey there.
Ji Xiaosong barely ate or drank anything, just staring blankly out the window.
When asked by fellow passengers with concern, she only said that she was feeling a little carsick.
The day I returned to the county town, it was drizzling.
Ji Xiaosong did not go straight home, but went to the clinic first.
"Xiao Song?" Director Chen looked at her in surprise. "You're back?"
“You Yong has a mission,” Ji Xiaosong said calmly. “I thought I might as well come back to work sooner.”
Director Chen nodded thoughtfully: "Perfect timing, there are a lot of flu patients these days, we're too busy to handle them all."
Ji Xiaosong changed into a white coat and immediately got to work.
He was more efficient than usual when giving injections, taking blood pressure, and bandaging wounds.
Only the most observant nurse, Xiao Liu, noticed that Dr. Ji's eyes were red, as if she had been crying.