Chapter 24

Ruan Nianchu didn’t notice Li Teng’s strangeness, raised her eyebrows slightly, and looked a little surprised. “That simple?”

“Yes.”

She sighed, “Your requirements are really not high.” There are plenty of beautiful women who loves to smile in this world.

He replied calmly, “Not low either.” There are plenty of beautiful women who loves to smile in this world. But the only one he remembers is one.

Ruan Nianchu shrugged at his words, and could only follow along, saying, “Then, not low it is.”

“Tell me about you.”

She was puzzled, “Tell you what?”

“Why you’ve never had a serious relationship.”

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“R byhld’v xlv vbl aktbv rlapsd.” Tla ydpola kdyehlavldvzu lnbsle bkp.

Nk Mldt ypjle bla, “Ebyv’p vbl aktbv rlapsd zkjl?”

Swyd Lkydnbw vbswtbv qsa y xsxldv, vbld pweeldzu qzypble bkx y vlypkdt pxkzl yde alrzkle, “Fsxlsdl R zkjl.”

Tl bye psxlbso zkv ydsvbla nktyalvvl cu dso, yde ypjle bla okvb y qykdv vsdl, “Ebyv jkde sq xyd es usw zkjl?”

“Tydepsxl qynl,” pbl pyke, y nsxxsd rlapsd. G nsxxsd rlapsd’p nakvlaky qsa nbsspkdt y ryavdla yal pbyzzso yde ekalnv, “Myzz, tsse rbupkiwl.”

Gqvla blyakdt obyv pbl pyke, Nk Mldt aykple yd lulcaso yde nbwnjzle swv y pxsjl akdt.

Swyd Lkydnbw pxlzzle y bkdv sq xsnjlau, “Ebyv yal usw zywtbkdt yv?”

Tl vwadle vs pvyal yv bla, piwkdvkdt pzktbvzu, vbl yka sq y astwl pweeldzu clnsxkdt lhkeldv. Rdpvlye sq ydpolakdt, bl ypjle, “Gnnsaekdt vs uswa pvydeyaep, Swyd Lkydnbw, eslpd’v vbyv xlyd usw iwkvl zkjl psxlsdl zkjl xl?”

“… ” With the words dropped, Ruan Nianchu was stunned.

Never in a million years did she expect that this People’s Liberation Army soldier would be so narcissistic.

Her dumbfounded look seemed silly and funny. Li Teng looked at her leisurely for a while, finally averting his gaze, and said lightly, “Just kidding with you.”

Ruan Nianchu’s lips twitched slightly, then she remained silent for a few seconds before saying, “Captain Li is really humorous.” It’s not easy to make jokes so coldly.

Li Teng smoked without replying.

After sitting for a while, the wind grew stronger. The temperature in the outskirts was already low, and Ruan Nianchu was dressed thinly. She rubbed her arms and prepared to get up and return indoors.

“It’s too cold outside, sitting here for too long might catch a cold. Let’s go back.” After saying that, she hopped on her feet and turned to leave.

But just as she took a couple of steps, the person behind her suddenly said, “Ruan Nianchu.”

She was puzzled, turned back suddenly, and then felt warmth on her shoulders as a thin men’s coat draped over them. The coat was still warm, pure black, retaining his body temperature. She stiffened noticeably.

Beside her, Li Teng was only wearing a dark shirt. After glancing at her, he left.

Ruan Nianchu stood still for a moment, touched the coat, and regained her senses, then took a step to catch up.

However, at this moment, the wind suddenly grew stronger.

The broken fallen leaves on the ground were blown up by the wind, swirling and fluttering, with a few pieces landing right on her head. Ruan Nianchu frowned, quickly raising her hand to brush them off. Afraid of not getting them all off, she hopped in place three times.

Li Teng ahead noticed that she didn’t catch up, so he turned back and frowned, asking, “What’s wrong now?”

Ruan Nianchu didn’t answer, both hands frantically scratching at her head. Li Teng watched her scratching expressionlessly.

After a few seconds, she straightened her clothes and pointed to the top of her head, asking him, “Do I still have leaves on my head?”

Surrounded by darkness, the only light was the clear moon hanging in the sky and Ruan Nianchu’s bright eyes.

Li Teng’s gaze at her suddenly turned dark and terrifying.

Tonight was destined to be full of memories.

He didn’t say anything, but after a few moments of silence, he reached out his right hand to her. Ruan Nianchu was stunned, her eyes flickering for a moment. The scene in front of her instantly overlapped with that of many years ago.

The difference was that seven years ago, she dodged away; this time, she stood still.

The fallen leaves in Ruan Nianchu’s hair were brushed away by Li Teng. Then his hand moved downward, touching her cheek skin, smooth and delicate, forming a strong contrast with his calloused fingers.

His hand was warm. She pursed her lips, unconsciously clasping her fingers together, hearing her heartbeat skip a beat.

Then, Li Teng’s hand touched the junction of Ruan Nianchu’s cheek and neck.

He stared at her, grasping the back of her head, and with determination, pressed her towards him. Burying his head towards her.

Ruan Nianchu stared wide-eyed, her heart pounding wildly, her voice trembling at the end: “Li Teng…” At the same time, another voice came from a distance: “Li Teng!”

The voice behind them stopped everything that might have happened.

Li Teng instantly let go of Ruan Nianchu.

“… ” She stepped back two steps, her breathing unsteady, her gaze uncertainly fixed on him, her cheeks still flushed. The latter’s expression was unclear, closing his eyes, turning his head away and forcefully pressing his eyebrows.

Silent as death.

Fortunately, at this moment, Aunt Xia came over from the direction of the hospital with a mobile phone in her hand, shouting, “Tengzi, you forgot your phone just now. Someone called you.”

“… ” Li Teng lifted his eyelids to glance at Ruan Nianchu, his face complex and gloomy. Then he turned and walked towards Aunt Xia without saying a word.

The sound of footsteps faded away.

Ruan Nianchu stood still for a long time before gradually coming to her senses.

A few minutes ago, she seemed to have almost been kissed forcibly, and the inexplicable person who tried to kiss her forcibly, after inexplicably trying to kiss her forcibly, left with a cold face?

Damn, does he have a black hole in his head? She frowned hard.

---

The call was from Yang Zhengfeng, the former captain of the Falcon Special Forces.

Li Teng found a place with no one around to call back, “Hello.”

“What were you doing just now?” In the receiver, Yang Zhengfeng’s rough voice sounded obviously displeased, “I’ve called four times in a row before you answered. Where were you?”

Leaning against the wall, Li Teng smoked and said calmly, “At the hospital.”

Yang Zhengfeng was puzzled, “Why were you at the hospital?”

“Visiting He Lihua. Aunt Xia notified me, saying her condition today is unstable.”

“Now?”

“It’s much better now,” Li Teng paused, “Do you have something for me?”

“… ” Yang Zhengfeng remained silent for a while, seeming hesitant. After a long pause, he lowered his voice and said, “Do you remember a person named Daen?”

“The only son of Khun Sa.”

Yang Zhengfeng said, “Daen has appeared. Last week, someone saw him at the China-Vietnam border.” Sighing, he continued, “Seven years ago, you captured Khun Sa. This time, Daen resurfacing is most likely aimed at you. I called to remind you to be careful. This cunning and unpredictable guy is more sinister and deceitful than his father. He’s not someone to be underestimated.”

Li Teng remained calm, “It’s about time he showed up after seven years.”

“In recent years, Dr. Qi’s son has reconstructed most of the ‘battery’ manufacturing technology based on the partial data left by the doctor,” Yang Zhengfeng’s words were heavy with implication, “Unfortunately, the most crucial part of the content is still in Daen’s hands. The order from above is to retrieve that part of the content.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I…” Yang Zhengfeng hesitated for a moment and said, “You don’t need to personally go on this mission.”

“I started it, so I should be the one to finish it,” he looked into the distance, his eyes calm and serene, “You also know that there’s no one more suitable in the entire Falcon team than me.”

Yang Zhengfeng frowned as he listened, then cursed him through gritted teeth, “You brat. Haven’t you ever thought of retiring, marrying a wife, and having a peaceful life? Are you really planning to become a monk?”

Li Teng extinguished his cigarette without expression, indifferently saying, “Never thought about it.”

Yang Zhengfeng said in a deep voice, “When you were in Cambodia years ago, didn’t you meet a girl you liked?”

“She’s such a good girl,” he suddenly smiled faintly, his voice very low, “I can’t.”

“I know what you’re afraid of. But Li Teng, don’t blame me for being pessimistic. How do you know what might happen to you? In Cambodia years ago, you also came back safely from a life-and-death situation.”

“Before Lao Xia and Lao Gao left, didn’t they also think they could come back safely?”

“… ” Yang Zhengfeng’s eyes turned red, and he fell silent.

“Hanging up,” he said, then hung up the phone.

Above was the night sky, with the moonlight shimmering like water, possessing a kind of untainted beauty.

Li Teng closed his eyes and fiercely pressed his eyebrows.

The bright moon could only hang in the sky. His reason told him that he couldn’t gamble Ruan Nianchu’s entire life on that uncertainty. No one could afford to lose. His self-control had always been impeccable; he could control it.

But only heaven knew that Ruan Nianchu, this woman, he wanted her body and heart so much that he was on the verge of going crazy.

---

After that, Ruan Nianchu and Li Teng never mentioned that night again. He didn’t explain, and she didn’t inquire. In this matter, the two of them had an extremely rare tacit understanding.

She treated it as him acting out.

“Live your life however you want.”

Very fortunately, the team leader informed Ruan Nianchu on Friday that the comrade who had taken sick leave before had returned. This meant she didn’t have to go to the study group to help with work anymore. Ruan Nianchu felt both happy and sad about this.

She was happy because she didn’t have to run errands for others anymore; she was sad because she couldn’t hitch a ride home with Li Teng anymore.

At that time, there were only three days left until the end of the study session at the Air Force Political Department.

On Saturday afternoon, on the way to Xiaoxing’s house, Ruan Nianchu, thinking over it, asked Li Teng with a try-it-out attitude, “Hey, your study session will be over soon, right? You’ll be returning to your unit. Which military district in Yuncheng are you assigned to? Which route do you take to and from work? Is it convenient for my place?”

Li Teng drove and replied, “The General Military District.”

Upon hearing this, a spark lit up in her eyes, “The General Military District is very close to our performing arts troupe.” His unit and her unit were in the same direction, and both their homes were in the same direction as well. This meant she could still hitch a ride.

This logic was flawless.

Li Teng glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, “You want me to give you a ride?”

Ruan Nianchu nodded eagerly.

“Our unit starts work at 8:30.”

She clapped her hands, “So do we.”

“But I have the habit of doing morning exercises. Meet at 7:30 every morning. I’ll wait for you for five minutes at most. If you’re late, I won’t wait.”

“… Isn’t that a bit too early?” Ruan Nianchu frowned. She felt like this leader probably woke up earlier than the roosters.

“If it doesn’t work for you, forget it.”

“… ” Ruan Nianchu rubbed her temples with her hand, seriously thinking. After a moment of hesitation, she proposed a compromise, “Then let’s go home together after work. We’ll go separately to work.”

Li Teng remained expressionless, “Either we go to and from work together, or we don’t go together at all.”

She was stunned, “Why?”

“No reason.”

Now, Ruan Nianchu was completely speechless. She rubbed her forehead and said, “Okay, then every morning at 7:30.” After saying that, she furrowed her brows and muttered softly, “If it weren’t for hearing that there have been perverted maniacs recently, molesting women, I wouldn’t want to go with you, someone who wakes up with the roosters.”

Li Teng turned to look at her, expressionless, “What did you just say?”

“… Heard that there have been perverted maniacs recently, molesting women.”

“The next sentence.”

“I wouldn’t want to go with you… together.”

“Together comes before that.”

Ruan Nianchu chuckled at him, her eyes curved with amusement. “Nothing at all, you misheard.” Then, as if nothing had happened, she casually picked up her phone to play games. Doing tasks, drawing cards, doing tasks again, and drawing cards again.

This Captain not only had a bad temper but also had a keen ear. In the future, when speaking ill of him, she must remember to speak softly.

At that moment, Ruan Nianchu was focused on her game. She didn’t see the faint smile at the corner of the person’s mouth beside her, nor did she see the shallow smile in his eyes.

After finishing Xiaoxing’s class, Ruan Nianchu directly left her electronic keyboard there. Aunt Xia still enthusiastically invited them to have dinner, and Li Teng still declined.

It was already evening when they returned to the city.

They grabbed a bite to eat, and then Li Teng drove Ruan Nianchu home. The supporting facilities in her community were very good, with clusters of trees, lush green grass, and a bouncy cushion specifically for children to play on.

Li Teng parked the car and glanced at the large cushion, pointing with his hand, “You go over there.”

Ruan Nianchu had just unfastened her seatbelt and was taken aback at his words. She twitched her lips apologetically, “Sorry, Captain Li, I’m not interested in bouncing on a trampoline.”

But as she turned her head, Li Teng had already gotten out of the car and was walking towards the cushion.

She was speechless, not knowing what he was up to, so she reluctantly followed him.

It was already late, and there was no one else around.

Ruan Nianchu yawned, looked around, and said, “Do you want to bounce? Go ahead. I’ll watch over you. I’ll call you if someone comes.”

Li Teng’s face showed no expression. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm.

Ruan Nianchu stiffened. “What are you…” Before she could finish her sentence, he pulled her into his arms with force.

Ruan Nianchu instinctively struggled. With only two layers of clothing separating them, her back was pressed tightly against his tense chest muscles, and her hands were crossed in front of her chest, tightly constrained by him. She smelled the tobacco scent on him, along with a strong masculine scent, which made her heart race.

So she frowned and scolded softly, “What are you doing?”

“There have been perverted maniacs recently, molesting women, teaching you self-defense.” Li Teng’s voice was deep, low, and somewhat hoarse. The warm breath from his lips brushed against her ear, “In such situations, you need to stay calm.”

“… ” Ruan Nianchu’s face flushed red, and she bit her lip forcefully. In this way, she couldn’t stay calm at all.

“Take a deep breath, press your palms down, and push your waist and abdomen backward with force. If you act quickly, you can break free.” He held her tightly, closed his eyes, and his lips were only inches away from her earlobe, “You can try it.”

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