Song Jingtang rubbed his nose, "He's a soldier, can't compare."
Sun Xiaowan snorted, "Let's go quickly, don't be late."
She didn't insist on Song Jingtang carrying her. Qi Chengyan had his good points, and her boyfriend had his own.
There was no need to compare.
Finally, they reached the school. Except for Cheng You who seemed relaxed, everyone else was panting.
It was cold, they were wearing many layers, and they had walked so far that their feet were numb.
Sun Xiaowan walked over, "Where is Qi Chengyan?"
Cheng You was about to speak when she saw him.
He was walking over with a thermos in his hand.
"I went to the guesthouse to get some hot water. Have some."
He not only brought hot water but also a bag of steamed buns.
Everyone had eaten breakfast before coming, but they needed energy to stay warm, and after walking such a long distance, their stamina was almost depleted.
He first got Cheng You a bun and poured hot water, then handed the remaining buns to Song Jingtang.
"They're all distributed."
These buns and hot water were like timely rain, dispelling the cold for everyone.
After eating and drinking a cup of hot water, everyone felt alive again.
Cheng You's body warmed up after eating, but her hands were still as stiff as popsicles.
Qi Chengyan grabbed her hand, lifted her sweater, and tucked it against his firm abs.
It was like throwing ice cubes in; even he, strong as he was, couldn't help but...
After the last sip of hot water, Song Jingtang said, "Everyone, cheer up! After these two days, the road ahead will be smooth sailing!"
The college entrance examination was a hope, but also a hurdle, not everyone could cross it.
Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping were confident with their thorough preparation. Song Jingtang was indifferent because he had connections at home that could get him back anytime.
As for the others, they were all a bit nervous.
When someone came to open the door, the students filed in one after another.
Cheng You turned back and said, "You don't have to wait for me here. Go home."
Qi Chengyan didn't reply, only saying, "Study hard, don't get distracted."
Cheng You hummed and walked in with determined eyes.
On this day, countless students rushed to the examination hall with hope, staking everything on this one chance.
The heavy snow in Yongcheng could not extinguish their desire to attend university; instead, it made them even more excited.
For two days, Qi Chengyan waited for her the entire time.
Even though Cheng You told him many times, he remained steadfast, waiting for her to come out.
Looking at the man who seemed to be standing at attention at the entrance, Cheng You's eyes could only see him.
Many people said there was nothing good about marrying Qi Chengyan.
He was disabled, couldn't return to the army, and apart from being strong, he had no other skills.
But in her heart, this man was perfect in every way, better than anyone else.
"Finished?"
Cheng You put her hands in her pockets. Half of her fair little face was hidden in her scarf.
"Finished."
A heavy stone in her heart was lifted.
"Qi Chengyan, let's go back to Yancheng together."
That was his place.
Qi Chengyan was stunned for a moment, his deep eyes fixed on her.
She said "return."
To Cheng You, he didn't belong in Wujing Village.
"Okay."
Cheng You smiled and extended her hand to him.
"Now that the exam is finally over, let's go for a big meal."
He took off his gloves and tucked her hand, which was wearing woolen gloves, into his pocket.
"Not eating at home?"
"No, it's too much trouble."
She was referring to him.
These past few days, while she was inside taking the exam, he was waiting outside, and it wasn't any easier for him.
Even the gatekeeper at the school entrance was familiar with him.
The two of them went directly to the state-run restaurant. Regardless of whether they could finish it, Cheng You ordered five or six dishes.
It felt like a nouveau riche.
"It's okay, if we can't finish it, we'll pack it to take back."
It started snowing outside again, but it was warm inside.
Qi Chengyan calmly poured her a cup of hot tea, his voice deep, "Youyou, why do you have to go to Yancheng?"
Cheng You was well-prepared. Her results, even if not the top in Yongcheng, were definitely not low.
She had many choices; she didn't necessarily have to go to Yancheng.
Cheng You nervously pushed the cup with her fingertip, back and forth.
"I just want to go."
"Why?" He wanted a reason.
Cheng You took the initiative and asked, "What do you think of my medicine?"
"Very good."
Coming from him, this was high praise.
Cheng You narrowed her eyes contentedly. She thought so too.
"In terms of pharmaceutical development, although I had some help, I put in no less effort than others. Think of it as my luck. With this, the quality of the proprietary Chinese medicines produced by Zhen Shan Tang will definitely be top-notch in the country. For such good medicine, don't you think it deserves a bigger stage?"
Qi Chengyan hit the nail on the head, "You want to hand it over to the country."
This would expose Cheng You's secret.
"It's not exactly handing it over. I'm not that generous. I just want to cooperate and make money."
Cheng You held her teacup. Yancheng, the capital, could provide the most convenient conditions for Zhen Shan Tang.
"Aren't you afraid..."
Cheng You knew what he wanted to say and placed her small hand on the back of his.
"Qi Chengyan, I believe in our country because she is worthy. That's why you can risk your life to protect her, isn't it?"
Qi Chengyan's Adam's apple bobbed. Something seemed to be stuck in his throat, making him feel unspeakably sour.
He had heard someone read a poem in military school, written by Xu Zhimo.
"In the vast sea of people, I will search for my one true soulmate. To find her is my good fortune; to lose her is my destiny."
He had found it cheesy back then, dismissing such writings by scholars as sentimental drivel.
It was Cheng You who told him that he was fortunate.
"Of course, besides this, it's also because of you."
Money alone wasn't enough to make her leave the hometown where she had lived for so many years.
It was Qi Chengyan who strengthened her resolve.
"I will use this to have the military reinvestigate Wang Fang's case and clear your name!"
Qi Chengyan suddenly looked up, no longer calm.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't shocked.
He had already accepted a life like this, as long as he had Cheng You.
"Youyou, it's actually fine like this."
Cheng You scoffed, "You think it's fine, but I don't. I just want an explanation, an exoneration. Whether you want to return to the army or not depends on your own decision. Of course, I definitely hope you go back, after all, I won't have anyone to protect me in Yancheng, what if I get bullied."
Qi Chengyan chuckled and looked up at the girl opposite him.
Her lips were red and her teeth were white, and when she smiled, she was like a little sun. When she got angry, she was like a little chili pepper.
With such a temperament, holding Zhen Shan Tang and cooperating with the authorities, few people would dare to mess with her.
"Okay, I'll try my best to be your backing."
After the meal, Qi Chengyan got up to pay.
It was snowing outside. He opened the umbrella and walked forward, his arm around Cheng You.
Occasionally, pedestrians passed by, and they couldn't help but turn their heads.
Talented and beautiful, they looked like a painting.
What was rare was that the umbrella was mostly tilted towards Cheng You's side, and the man's shoulders quickly became covered in white.
The women who saw them mostly cast envious glances at Cheng You.