A car ride, punctuated by sleep and waking, passed quickly.
By the time they arrived in Yan City, it was early afternoon.
Qi Chengyan, carrying their luggage and holding Cheng You’s hand, descended the steps in an orderly fashion.
The old lady, with her grandson in tow, followed behind, looking around.
Upon exiting the station, the old lady seemed to spot someone she knew and waved enthusiastically.
“Fuqiang, I’m here!”
Cheng You followed her gaze. A man, dressed in a military uniform, alighted from a car and strode towards the old lady.
At the same moment, Zhang Fuqiang also saw her. His gaze swept past her, landing on Qi Chengyan, and he froze.
Cheng You asked in a low voice, “Do you know him?”
Qi Chengyan grunted, “An old comrade.”
Hearing this, the old lady asked, “What? You’re my son’s comrade?”
Zhang Fuqiang’s surprise lasted only a moment. He quickly plastered a smile on his face and walked over.
“Captain Qi, long time no see!” He extended his hand towards Qi Chengyan.
Qi Chengyan’s expression was cool as he lightly touched Zhang Fuqiang’s hand. “Commander Zhang.”
Zhang Fuqiang chuckled at his address.
“Thanks to you, I’m now a Deputy Regiment Commander.”
From his eyes, Cheng You sensed a hint of provocation.
She suddenly understood that even among comrades, there was a competitive relationship in certain aspects.
Such as promotions.
Qi Chengyan replied with his usual impassivity, “Congratulations.”
Zhang Fuqiang smiled, his gaze lingering on Cheng You.
Such a beautiful young woman, he noticed her immediately.
“And who is this…”
Qi Chengyan said, “My wife.”
Zhang Fuqiang seemed a bit surprised. He had heard that Qi Chengyan had married someone from the countryside.
He had expected a rural village girl, not someone so lovely.
“Captain Qi is truly blessed.”
From the moment they exited the station, Qi Chengyan had not let go of Cheng You’s hand.
Hearing Zhang Fuqiang’s words, he nodded without false modesty, “I am indeed blessed.”
It was clear he cherished his wife.
Zhang Fuqiang smiled, “So, are you back for a visit this time?”
Bringing his country wife back, he wondered if his family would be pleased.
A hint of pride flickered across Qi Chengyan’s usually indifferent face. He said, “No, I’ve brought my wife here to attend university. Her grades were just average, barely getting into the Traditional Chinese Medicine University.”
Zhang Fuqiang: “…”
And that was considered average?
Anyone who could get into university was extraordinary.
Let alone a university student from the countryside.
Zhang Fuqiang chuckled, “Alright then, I’ll take my mother home first. Captain Qi, see you later. Come visit the barracks when you have time.”
He then added with a subtle jab, “Oh right, I almost forgot. You’re not part of the military anymore, so you don’t have access to the military zone. Contact me then, and I’ll arrange clearance for you.”
Cheng You didn’t know how Qi Chengyan felt, but she felt stifled, deeply stifled.
“Mom, get in the car.”
The old lady exclaimed, “Is this a car assigned by your unit?”
Zhang Fuqiang replied, “No, I borrowed it.”
A flash of resentment crossed his eyes.
He and Qi Chengyan were both Deputy Regiment Commanders, but their situations were different due to the troops they led.
If it were Qi Chengyan today, the military might have indeed assigned him a car.
At the same time, a voice called out from the other side, “Cheng You, we’re here!”
Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping rushed over.
They had only been apart for a few days, but it felt like ages.
Meeting again in Yan City made them sigh with emotion.
“Have you been waiting long? It’s all Song Jingtang’s fault for taking us the long way.”
Song Jingtang rubbed his nose, daring not to retort to Sun Xiaowan’s complaint.
“I finally managed to borrow my brother’s car, and I got a bit excited. We can talk about it on the way back. Let’s get in the car first!”
Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping, one on each side, linked arms with Cheng You and walked forward, quickly leaving the two men behind.
Song Jingtang had borrowed his older brother’s car to pick them up. Once in the car, the three girls squeezed into the back seat, with endless things to say.
“Ayan, are we going straight back to the courtyard house?”
Qi Chengyan hummed in agreement.
Song Jingtang fastened his seatbelt and started the engine.
This was Cheng You’s first time riding in a jeep. She felt a little nervous yet curious, her eyes darting around.
“Hold on tight, here we go!”
Sun Xiaowan playfully slapped Song Jingtang. “No detours this time, find the quickest route.”
She then turned to Cheng You and said, “He’s like this, it’s not even his car, and he’s showing off.”
Cheng You asked, “Did your brother buy this car?”
She actually wanted to ask how much it cost, but then thought that this car might be unobtainable even with money.
Song Jingtang replied, “No, my brother is also in the military. He’s more than ten years older than me, and the military assigned him this car.”
Cheng You uttered a soft "oh," how wonderful.
Immediately after, she heard Song Jingtang and Qi Chengyan chatting.
“Ayan, why don’t you stay at a hotel first? That courtyard house of yours is huge, it’ll be a hassle to clean.”
Qi Chengyan said, “No need, we’ll just clean a room or two to live in for now.”
The courtyard house left by his grandmother was quite large, with the main house and side rooms, totaling more than ten rooms.
Cleaning them all would take time, so it was better to find someone to do it once they were settled.
Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping were both curious about how big his courtyard house was.
Sun Xiaowan had grown up in a dormitory building, while Duan Liping lived in a communal courtyard.
Her communal courtyard was crowded with many people, all crammed together.
When she returned home this time, she found her room was gone and she was still living in a guesthouse.
This was because her father and stepmother never expected her to return to the city.
Upon arrival, Cheng You truly understood what "large" meant.
Entering the gate, there was a decorative screen wall. To the right, there was a small side courtyard.
To the left, a large courtyard, about a hundred square meters.
Duan Liping looked on with envy; her family’s communal courtyard was not this big.
Song Jingtang, who used to come over for meals as a child, was very familiar with the place. He acted as a tour guide for Qi Chengyan, introducing them.
“This is the main hall and main house, with excellent ventilation and natural light.”
He was about to open the door when he discovered it was locked.
“Ayan, where’s the key?”
Qi Chengyan ignored him, instead scrutinizing the small side courtyard to the north.
That area had been unoccupied, but now something seemed amiss.
He walked straight towards it.
Song Jingtang hurried to follow. The side courtyard was cluttered with many items, none of which seemed like Qi Chengyan’s style.
More importantly, the house looked as if someone was living there.
“Do you have relatives staying here temporarily?” he asked.
Qi Chengyan gave him a faint glance. Did he think it was possible?
Song Jingtang thought about it carefully and realized it was indeed impossible.
This was a house left by Qi Chengyan’s grandmother, which he cherished dearly. It still contained many old artifacts.
Anything he touched could be an antique.
“Then it’s strange. This side courtyard looks like someone is living there.”
Cheng You walked to the other side and looked up at the clothes hanging on the balcony, for men, women, and children of all ages.
She pointed and said, “Someone is indeed living there.”