Chapter 313 - 299 Sangbao, do you need to be tidied up?
"Jinghuai, come here!" Lu Lixing nodded in his direction.
"Commander!" Jiang Jinghuai stood at attention, saluted, and halted before him.
Dressed impeccably in his uniform, Lu Lixing said lightly, "Today’s incident caused too much commotion."
"I was careless in judging people, almost leaving a potential risk for the youngsters in the military district," Jiang Jinghuai said expressionlessly. "Please punish me, Commander."
"Punish you for what? You caught it in time; it’s not too late." Lu Lixing shook his head with a smile. "But your wife, Tian Sangsang, she’s quite fiery. Full of energy—it reminds me of someone."
A fleeting shadow passed through Jiang Jinghuai’s dark eyes as he quietly listened.
Lu Lixing sighed. "She reminds me of your sister, Jiang Jiaqi. Such a pity. Quietness is better for people. Being lively has its risks, don’t you agree?"
Jiang Jinghuai pressed his lips together, silent.
Lu Lixing glanced at him, then continued speaking as if to himself, "Time waits for no one. I remember back then, you, Jiaqi, and Lu Chi, you were all so young. In the blink of an eye, you and Lu Chi have both settled down. If Jiaqi were still here, the two families would’ve been in-laws. It was precisely her sacrifice that reminded us the future lies with your younger generation."
"We await the Commander’s leadership."
"I’m getting old."
"’Old soldiers never die, their hearts remain valiant.’ Your words are too modest, Commander."
"Indeed, I must be muddled. Even when old, ambition cannot fade." Lu Lixing chuckled softly. "Thanks for reminding me."
"..."
"I heard your mother was ill. Is she better now? Since you’re married, it might be time to take some leave and bring her home for a visit. You’re always too focused on work," he said, his tone sounding more like a familiar elder than a superior, forgetting the occasion.
Jiang Jinghuai replied faintly, "Does the Commander have other instructions? If not, may I be dismissed?"
"Go." Lu Lixing nodded.
Once the crowd dispersed, Tian Sangsang stood there in a daze, still confused.
Jiang Jinghuai led Meng Shuyan ahead.
Tian Sangsang jogged to his other side and grabbed one of his hands.
Jiang Jinghuai instinctively held her hand back. His hand was cold, without any warmth.
"I didn’t mean for you to hold my hand," Tian Sangsang grumbled, pulling her hand back. She asked, "What did Shui Lian mean by what she said earlier?"
Jiang Jinghuai gave her a sidelong glance. "Think for yourself. Use your brain."
"Did she save you? Or I saved you? Is it referring to that time in the cave?" Tian Sangsang racked her brains, glancing at him expectantly.
"Finally remembered?" His tone carried no particular emotion.
"You, you knew it was me?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn’t you tell me?"
"I was waiting for you to bring it up."
"If not for today’s incident, did you plan to never bring it up for the rest of your life?" Tian Sangsang suddenly shivered, pulling her jacket close, and glanced at him warily. "Jiang Jinghuai, I just realized—you’re a real schemer." So deep. Scary, really scary.
In truth, after she saved him back then, meeting him again later, she had thought about whether to ask if he remembered. But if she had brought it up, she worried he’d think too much. Naturally, right? Without a suitable moment, broaching it seemed inappropriate. People might think she wanted to take credit, especially since the matter was long past.
"But what does this have to do with Shui Lian?" Tian Sangsang squinted her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.
"After you left, she came."
"So, I got cut off by her? So you helped her because she got you to the hospital? How come I never noticed before—you’re such a pushover!"
Jiang Jinghuai pressed his lips together. "Wasn’t it because you left too quickly!"
"You didn’t stay put yourself, and now it’s my fault?" Tian Sangsang stared him down without backing down: "But seriously, you really didn’t help her because she’s sweet, pretty, and oh-so-pitiful, right?"
The moment she finished speaking, Tian Sangsang regretted it. She had forgotten their son was trailing alongside them.
Sure enough, Meng Shuyan, who had been playing the role of a third wheel without knowing it, and without catching the subtleties in their tone, frowned and declared righteously, "Mom, you’re wrong. That woman is fierce, not gentle at all. Dad would never like her!"
"Yes, yes, yes." Tian Sangsang squatted down intending to hug him, but he suddenly darted forward two steps and asked, "Mom, can I go find Nini?"
"Go ahead. Just remember to come back for dinner~"
"Okay, Mom."
After sending her son off, Tian Sangsang realized she was now far behind Jiang Jinghuai.
"Ah, Brother Jiang, wait for me."
Why walk so fast?
"What nonsense are you spouting again?" Jiang Jinghuai suddenly stopped in his tracks, his gaze darkening.
"Brother Jiang." Tian Sangsang corrected herself, taking the chance to wrap her arms around his waist and rubbing her head against his chest.
This woman! His eyes instantly flared up like fire as he grabbed her and quickly led her upstairs. "Say ’Uncle Jiang’—let me hear it. Hmm?"
"Uncle Jiang~" she sweetly called out, her dark eyes glistening like water, capable of melting a person’s heart. "I didn’t expect you to have such a peculiar taste."
"Are you itching for trouble, Sangbao?" His voice was hoarse. "Tell me—itching for trouble?"
Given that he had bolstered her reputation in front of everyone today, indirectly smacking Shui Lian in the face, Tian Sangsang was in a particularly good mood.
Biting her lip, her face turned red. "To be honest... I don’t mind being ’troubled’ by you."
Damn! This little demon! Jiang Jinghuai pulled her close by her slim waist, leaning down to seal her lips.
The kiss was aggressive and fierce. Tian Sangsang stretched out her hand to touch his face, halting his next move. "What did the Commander say to you earlier?"
"He said you’re like a wild horse off its reins." His deep gaze flickered, and his tone suddenly turned wicked.
"I’m asking seriously," Tian Sangsang said, staring at his face. To tell the truth, when she saw him talking to the Commander earlier, his profile had been cold, stern, and unapproachable. For a moment, he felt like a stranger. In that short moment, she felt as though she hadn’t reached his heart.
"Just some casual talk." His eyes narrowed slightly, his drooping gaze concealing his emotions. "I’ll tell you slowly, later." His touch lingered, warm against her velvety smooth skin.
Tian Sangsang’s heart felt a twinge of chill and bitterness. The phrase "casual talk" shook her. But she dared not ask, nor could she let herself wonder. In families like theirs, lineage and status might be of greater importance.
"Not paying attention?" He looked down, asking, "What’s on your mind?"
"The little stars." Her eyes bore into his, and she softly recited, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, shining bright up in the sky. Hanging up there, lighting the way, like our little sparkling gaze."