Quick Wear Dream Qiqi

Chapter 409: Passerby in the Period Literature 5

The moonlight enveloped Linjia Village like a veil. The sound of gongs and drums on the stage gradually died down, but the crowds of people still gathered in groups of three or two at the entrance of the village and refused to disperse.

Wang Yuxia was walking home arm in arm with Lin Jinghui. The red scarf embroidered with lotus flowers made her face look even paler.

Suddenly, a clear laugh was heard. She subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound and saw Meng Qiqi leaning against an old locust tree, looking up and talking to a man in military uniform.

Lu Ye raised his hand and tore off a golden chicken leg and stuffed it into Meng Qiqi's hand: "Eat it quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

There were still snow particles on the brim of his military cap, and when he smiled, the corners of his eyes curved into a beautiful arc. The moonlight flowed down along the copper buckles on the epaulettes, stretching his figure very long.

Wang Yuxia dug her nails deep into Lin Jinghui's forearm: "Who is that?"

She stared at the oil stains at the corners of Meng Qiqi's mouth, and suddenly remembered that she had dressed up carefully all night and didn't even have time to watch the stage, just to maintain a dignified appearance in front of Lin Jinghui.

At this moment, Meng Qiqi, who usually keeps a low profile, was actually being held in the palm of a handsome soldier's hand.

Lin Jinghui followed her gaze and was stunned for a moment, then smiled with satisfaction: "It's Lu Ye! This boy is really quick."

He patted Wang Yuxia's hand and said, "During training, our comrades in the company always talked about finding a good girl who could manage the household."

These words were unintentional, but they made Wang Yuxia feel jealous - it turned out that in Lin Jinghui's eyes, she was just an object that needed to be "found".

Just then, Wang Yuwen came out from around the corner.

She had just had an argument with Lin Jingyang, half of her hair was loose, and there were traces of tears on her face.

From a distance, she saw Lin Jinghui smiling at Meng Qiqi with his eyes curved. She had never seen such a gentle look on his face before, and her heart suddenly felt like it was being stabbed by a knife.

"Brother-in-law seems to be in a good mood." Wang Yuwen walked over on the scattered snow, deliberately pushing aside Wang Yuxia's hand that was holding Lin Jinghui's. "Didn't my sister say that military family members are precious? How can you not even bear the look in your own man's eyes?"

Her words were like a poisoned needle, piercing Wang Yuxia's most sensitive nerve.

Wang Yuxia's face suddenly changed, and she forced a smile and said, "Sister, what are you talking about? Jinghui and Lu Ye are comrades-in-arms, so naturally I'm happy for him."

She turned to look at Lin Jinghui, her voice so sweet that it was sickening, "Right?"

Lin Jinghui noticed that the atmosphere was not right and was about to speak to smooth things over, but he saw Meng Qiqi and Lu Ye walking towards him side by side.

Lu Ye smiled and greeted from a distance: "Jinghui! I finally met you. Let me introduce you..."

He subconsciously wanted to put his arm around Meng Qiqi's shoulders, but then he seemed to remember something and awkwardly withdrew his hand.

"My name is Meng Qiqi. I returned to the village two years ago." Meng Qiqi extended her hand gracefully. She caught a glimpse of Wang Yuxia's clenched fingertips and Wang Yuwen's resentful eyes, and suddenly understood something.

She moved half a step behind Lu Ye without leaving any trace. Lu Ye immediately understood and moved sideways to block the two women's inquiring gazes.

"So she's my sister-in-law's elder sister." Lu Ye spoke with the cheerfulness of a soldier, but he emphasized the word "sister." "I've heard Jinghui say that the Wang sisters are virtuous and kind, and seeing them today, they're truly worthy of their reputation."

This remark, which was a subtle compliment but also a subtle criticism, made Wang Yuwen so angry that he trembled all over.

Lin Jinghui quickly pulled Lu Ye aside and said, "Come on, let's go to my house and have a chat."

Before leaving, he reminded Wang Yuxia: "Send your sister home first, it's cold outside."

Looking at the three people's backs as they walked away, Wang Yuxia suddenly felt a biting chill rising from the soles of her feet.

She touched the letter in her pocket that she had kept for half a month - it was from the deputy director of the county machinery factory, and the letter implicitly expressed his desire to resume contact with her.

At this moment, she looked at Meng Qiqi being carefully protected by Lu Ye, and for the first time she doubted her choice of rebirth.

Wang Yuwen turned around to leave, but Wang Yuxia grabbed his wrist and said, "Sister, tell me... if I hadn't exchanged my marriage..." He was interrupted before he could finish his words.

"What's the point of saying this now?" Wang Yuwen shook her hand off, the silver hairpin in her hair gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "You've taken away not only my husband, but also my hopes for the rest of my life."

She walked away on the moonlit ground, her thin figure casting a long shadow on the snow, like a scar that would never heal.

Meng Qiqi followed Lu Ye to Lin Jinghui's home, but she didn't know that this chance encounter had already caused a storm in the hearts of the three women.

Lu Ye suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

A warm breath brushed past her ears, and her heart skipped a beat.

Lin Jinghui watched Lu Ye lean in close to whisper in Meng Qiqi's ear, his lips curled up uncontrollably, and he internally complained furiously: This guy is usually like a block of wood in the army, and he's so resolute on the training ground, but why does he become so soft and gentle when he meets a girl he likes? It's rare for a stellar tree to bloom!

"Lu Ye," Lin Jinghui deliberately lengthened his voice with a mischievous smile on his face, "It's getting late. How about you send Comrade Meng home first? It's not too late to talk about the things between us brothers another day." As he said that, he winked at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye's ears turned red instantly, but he was really looking forward to it.

He turned to look at Meng Qiqi, with a hint of expectation in his eyes: "Comrade Meng, let me take you back. The road is slippery at night and it's not safe."

Meng Qiqi's cheeks flushed slightly and she nodded gently.

After saying goodbye to Lin Jinghui, the two walked side by side to the other end of the village.

The moonlight overlapped their shadows, and the snow on the ground made a "crunching" sound as they stepped on it.

Along the way, both of them were a little reserved and no one spoke first.

Lu Ye would occasionally glance at Meng Qiqi beside him. Seeing her cheeks flushed by the cold wind, he hesitated for a moment and reached out to unbutton his military coat: "Comrade Meng, put it on and don't get cold."

"No, no!" Meng Qiqi waved her hands quickly, "Just wear it, don't catch a cold."

Lu Ye put his coat on her shoulders without hesitation and carefully tightened the collar: "I'm strong and healthy, I won't be cold. Don't be polite with me, otherwise I will feel bad."

Meng Qiqi's heart beat faster because of his domineering yet gentle behavior, so she could only whisper "thank you".

The military coat had a faint scent of soapberry and Lu Ye's unique scent. Wrapped around his body, it felt warm, and even his heart felt warm.

The two walked quietly like this. When they were about to reach Meng Qiqi's house, Lu Ye finally mustered up the courage to break the silence: "Comrade Meng, I...can I come to see you often in the future?"

He spoke very quickly, and after he finished speaking, he stared at Meng Qiqi's face nervously, afraid of getting a negative answer.

Meng Qiqi lowered her head and twisted the corner of her clothes, her heart beating like a little rabbit.

In fact, during this period, she often thought of Lu Ye, the way he smiled, and the way he handed her the water bottle.

She hummed softly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Lu Ye, however, seemed to have received great news, and a smile instantly blossomed on his face: "Great! Next time I come, I'll bring you some freshly made snacks from the army cafeteria!"

He paused and added, "Also, I'm writing to you, you... please don't complain about my poor handwriting."

Meng Qiqi couldn't help laughing, she looked up at Lu Ye with a smile in her eyes: "I'll wait for you."

Lu Ye felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey. He stood there and watched Meng Qiqi enter the house, reluctant to leave.

It was not until he saw the oil lamp lit in the house and Meng Qiqi's figure reflected on the window that he walked back, looking back every few steps.

On the other side, Lin Jinghui returned home and saw Wang Yuxia sitting on the kang wiping her tears.

Seeing him come back, she immediately asked, "Have you known about Lu Ye and that Meng Qiqi for a long time?"

Lin Jinghui sighed helplessly: "I just found out tonight, don't let your imagination run wild."

"How could I not think about it?" Wang Yuxia became more and more excited as she spoke. "She just came back to the village not long ago, why should she..."

"That's enough!" Lin Jinghui interrupted her, "Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. Just take care of yourself."

After saying that, he turned and went to the outer room, leaving Wang Yuxia alone in the room crying even more sadly.

Meng Qiqi sat in the house, touching her military coat which was still warm, and the corners of her mouth rose unconsciously.

She took out the romance novel from under her pillow, turned to the page with her mother's bookmark, and sighed softly.

The romantic plot that I had only seen in books is now happening to me.

In the days that followed, Lu Ye would go to Linjia Village whenever he had free time.

Sometimes he brought snacks from the army, sometimes a new novel, and once, he secretly picked wintersweets from the army yard, wrapped them in newspaper and gave them to Meng Qiqi.

The two walked on the path in the field and chatted under the old locust tree, and their feelings grew deeper and deeper without them realizing it.

Wang Yuxia watched the two of them going out together, and the fire of jealousy in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

She began to spread rumors about Meng Qiqi in the village, saying that she came from a bad family, behaved frivolously, and must have other purposes for being with Lu Ye.

These words soon reached Meng Qiqi's ears.

That day, Lu Ye came to the village to look for Meng Qiqi again, but saw her sitting in the yard in a daze with red eyes.

After learning the whole story, Lu Ye was so angry that he pulled Meng Qiqi to find Wang Yuxia to argue.

Meng Qiqi stopped him: "Don't go. Arguing with her will only make things worse. The innocent will be innocent. I don't care what others say."

Lu Ye looked at her pretending to be strong, and felt very distressed. He gently hugged her into his arms: "Don't be afraid, I'm here. If anyone dares to say bad things about you again, I will be the first to say no!"

Meng Qiqi leaned in his arms, listening to his strong heartbeat, and the grievance in her heart gradually dissipated.

The soft touch from Lu Ye's palm made his throat tighten, and it felt like a ball of fire was running around in his chest.

Her shallow breathing lingered in my ears, with a faint scent of soapberry, mixed with the aroma of herbs drying in the yard, which was even more intoxicating than the liquor at the army's celebration banquet.

He carefully tilted his head and gently rubbed his chin against the top of her head: "Qiqi, then... then are we considered a couple now?"

Meng Qiqi was originally immersed in this warmth, but when she heard this, she suddenly raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes widening: "Comrade Lu Ye, I let you hug me, but we are still not together? What does it take to be considered a relationship?"

She pursed her lips in anger, tears still stained her eyelashes, sparkling in the moonlight. "Could it be that all those words you just said were just a joke?"

Lu Ye panicked immediately, and hurriedly patted her shoulders with both hands: "Oh my dear, I was wrong! I was just... just too happy and wanted to confirm it again."

He was amused by Meng Qiqi's seriousness and couldn't help but reach out to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "You are so kind, how could I bear to lie to you? Every word you said just now was sincere."

Meng Qiqi turned her face away and muttered softly, "Humph, I shouldn't have agreed to this if I had known. You're going to be so anxious."

Having said that, she unconsciously leaned closer to his arms, grabbing the hem of his military coat with both hands, like a coquettish kitten.

Lu Ye looked down at her red ears, his heart and eyes filled with joy.

He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice so gentle it could drip water: "It's my fault. I shouldn't have let you suffer. From now on, if anyone dares to say a bad word about you again, I will... I will write ten letters of denunciation and report them all to the Revolutionary Committee!"

"Pfft..." Meng Qiqi was amused by his exaggerated statement. When she raised her head, tears were still hanging in the corners of her eyes. "You, you only know how to talk nonsense."

She reached out and poked him in the chest. "But we agreed, you can't change your mind."

"If I change my mind, I will never be able to eat braised pork again!" Lu Ye immediately raised his right hand and swore. His serious expression and childish oath made Meng Qiqi laugh again.

He took the opportunity to hug her tighter and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Qiqi, don't worry. From the first time I saw you in the county town, there has been no room for anyone else in my heart."

The night wind blew through the old locust tree in the yard, and the branches and leaves rustled, as if whispering blessings to the lovers.

Meng Qiqi leaned on Lu Ye's shoulder, listening to his strong heartbeat, and suddenly remembered the rumors she heard during the day.

The original feeling of grievance was now mostly dispelled by the sweetness.

She raised her head and looked at Lu Ye firmly: "No matter what others say, I believe you."

Lu Ye's heart trembled at her clear eyes, and his Adam's apple rolled twice. "I believe you too." He lowered his head and brushed his nose against hers. "When I get promoted, I'll go to the army to get a certificate and marry you openly."

Meng Qiqi's cheeks flushed, she hummed softly, and buried her face in his arms again.

The two of them just snuggled up to each other quietly, neither of them willing to break the tranquility.

There were sporadic sounds of dogs barking in the distance. The village had already fallen asleep. Only the moonlight gently shone on them, engraving their embracing figures into the years.

At this moment, in the Wang family yard, Wang Yuxia was standing in front of the window, looking at the light and shadow in Meng Qiqi's yard in the distance, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

Jealousy gnawed at her heart like a poisonous snake, and the sense of superiority brought by rebirth disappeared at this moment.

She turned around and took out the letter hidden at the bottom of the box. It was a letter from the deputy director of the county machinery factory. The letter paper had been wrinkled by her repeated rubbing.

"If only...if only I hadn't exchanged my marriage..." she murmured to herself, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resentment.

The next morning, before Lu Ye left, he deliberately stuffed an oil-paper bag into Meng Qiqi's hand and said, "These are freshly baked sesame cakes from the army. They smell so good. Eat them while they're hot. They won't taste good when they're cold."

He pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. "Here are the letters I wrote. I wanted to collect several of them and give them to you at once, but I can't wait any longer."

Meng Qiqi took the letter and gently stroked the crooked "Qiqi Dearest" on the cover with her fingers. Her heart was as sweet as honey. "Got it. Be careful on your way."

She watched Lu Ye's receding figure until the green disappeared at the entrance of the village, then she turned around and went back to the house.

Opening the letter, I found that although Lu Ye's handwriting was sloppy, it was written with great care.

The letter rambled on about trivial matters in the army, about falling down during training, about a new chef in the kitchen squad who could make sweet and sour spare ribs, and he also secretly drew a crooked little man with the words "Missing Qiqi" written next to it.

Meng Qiqi read the letter with a smile on her face. She put the letter to her heart and whispered, "I miss you too."

In the days that followed, Lu Ye's letter became Meng Qiqi's greatest hope.

She carefully kept each letter and placed them in the sandalwood box left by her mother.

The rumors about her in the village gradually died down after Lu Ye's repeated open visits.

After all, everyone knows that this soldier's protection of Meng Qiqi has reached a point of near paranoia.

In the blink of an eye, spring came and the willow trees sprouted new buds. Lu Ye brought good news - he was promoted to platoon leader.

"Once I've made another contribution, I can apply for marriage leave." He held Meng Qiqi's hand, his eyes full of longing. "When the time comes, I'll come to marry you with drums and gongs, and let everyone in the village know that I, Lu Ye, have married the best wife."

Meng Qiqi blushed and lowered her head, but her heart felt sweeter than drinking honey.