Yan Kai didn’t speak, just raised an eyebrow, wasn’t it obvious?
"I’m on a mission just like you! How dare you look down on me?" The female soldier was angry.
Yan Kai said, "I’m not looking down on you, but you can’t go over there. If you want to interview, wait until the flood subsides. Anyway, you’re interviewing others, not fighting the flood yourself, no need to bother."
Actually, Yan Kai meant well, but his words came out wrong, sounding as if he was mocking her for showing off. The female soldier bit her lip, glared at her angrily, and left.
Yan Kai didn’t take it seriously and went back, thinking to himself, what’s a little girl doing in the hustle? What if there’s danger? Really bored.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep. In the early morning, when another dam approached the warning level, Yan Kai and Gu Junming rushed over again. As soon as he got in the car, he saw the female soldier he had seen before sitting there, and Yan Kai’s heart felt a bit tight.
"Why are you here again? We’re going for emergency rescue, not playing!"
The female soldier immediately retorted, "I told you, it’s an order from higher-ups. Stop thinking I’m here to play!"
"Why are you so agitated?" Yan Kai said, "You know you’ll be a burden to us, right? Haven’t you taken photos? Just go back and write, no need to follow along. Driver, stop the car and let her out!"
The female soldier punched him right in the chest, almost knocking Yan Kai to the ground. Everyone was shocked; this female soldier wasn’t weak!
Gu Junming stopped the furious Yan Kai and said to the female soldier, "Please be patient. He’s just hot-tempered."
The female soldier said, "Huh! Why look down on female soldiers? Aren’t my skills good enough to contribute to flood relief? This is the new society, where men and women are equal, don’t you understand?"
She sat down, Yan Kai frowned without speaking, thinking, this little girl is not only temperamental but also quite strong.
Gu Junming said, "Enough arguing, everyone rest for a bit. Later, we’ll proceed as before! Don’t rush ahead regardless of your health."
"Yes!" everyone agreed, sitting there as the tension subsided.
The female soldier stared at the rain outside, her eyes unfocused, lost in thought. When she turned around, she saw Yan Kai staring at her, and immediately puffed out her cheeks in anger, as if ready to fight.
Yan Kai found it amusing and didn’t want to argue anymore, avoiding her gaze. Why fight?
This was just a minor episode. When they arrived at the place, they saw the flood had already submerged many buildings, with yellow-brown water rushing everywhere, villagers organized together frantically moving sandbags.
"You’re finally here! There’s more heavy rain coming! We’re so worried!" an old man shouted.
Gu Junming nodded and ordered everyone to start working immediately.
Everyone hurriedly jumped down from the car, moving sandbags and stones, and didn’t bother about gender differences.
Yet Yan Kai kept an eye on the girl; she was really working hard!
She carried sand like the men, swift in her movements. He silently admired her, she truly proved herself equal to men. His attitude towards that girl changed significantly.
During a break, he became attentive, offering the last salted duck egg from Gu Junming’s share as a treasure to her. Unfortunately, the female soldier brushed it aside, ignoring him completely. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Your name is Qian Xiaoshuang, right?" He looked at the reporter ID on her clothing.
Qian Xiaoshuang gnawed on a dry bun, silent.
"Don’t be mad, it was my mistake." Yan Kai looked at her wet hair, her face devoid of makeup, yet her skin was good, fair. Though splattered with mud, she looked quite pretty.
"Don’t mind me, I’m very tired and don’t want to talk." Qian Xiaoshuang muttered, turning away.
Yan Kai nodded, handing her the salted duck egg, "Here, take it. You’ve worked hard, you really don’t need to exhaust yourself ."
"I just don’t want to be looked down on."
"No way, you’re so amazing, I really admire you now. You’re quite something. I’m Yan Kai, if you need anything, just find me."
Qian Xiaoshuang glared at him, thinking why would I look for you.
Yan Kai chuckled and walked away.
"Yan Kai!" Qian Xiaoshuang suddenly called him.
"What’s up?" Yan Kai turned back hastily.
Qian Xiaoshuang said, "Even if you’re buttering up to me, I can’t write anything favorable about you. Don’t hope for me to boost your reputation in my reports."
Yan Kai slipped a step, "You think I’m approaching you for that?"
"Aren’t you? I see you as someone who craves vanity."
"Alright, I don’t want to talk to you anymore." Yan Kai waved in frustration, went over to Gu Junming, "Do you think this is unbearable? She thinks I’m vain, isn’t that infuriating?"
Gu Junming glanced at him, didn’t speak, just smiled.
"Why aren’t you talking?"
"I don’t have time for useless chatter, now that I have a moment, I’m writing a letter to Sun Chan."
Yan Kai acknowledged and didn’t disturb him. He leaned back, watching Qian Xiaoshuang still eating her bun, not touching the salted duck egg. He was quite annoyed, such a petty person.
Two days later, Sun Chan received the registered letter from the frontline of the flood relief. The handwriting was very messy, and the paper was soaked.
Gu Junming wrote: I’m fine now, not sick, safe. The rain here hasn’t stopped, some farmlands were ruined but the casualty isn’t severe. I miss you so much, wait for my return.
Sun Chan wiped her eyes, unable to reply, not knowing the address, he had already left.
The longing was too strong, she decided to focus on her studies.
She thought, when Gu Junming returns safely, she can’t just tell him she’s missed him without doing any work, unable to create art. She transformed her longing into motivation for work.
Drawing tirelessly, highly focused.
Han Dong looked at Sun Chan’s sketches, satisfied: "Good job, with so much work, next time I’ll take you elsewhere. Without Gu Junming, you’re really efficient. Great!"
Sun Chan felt embarrassed: "I was just bored, that’s all."
"Draw more if you’re free, I’m helping you find a place, by then your brand will directly open physical stores." Han Dong laughed.
Sun Chan was surprised at the speed: "So fast?"
Han Dong said, "You better thank me quickly."
"Really, thank you Han Dong. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be selling fruit. No, even selling fruit was your help." Sun Chan laughed.
"It’s boring, I was joking, and you really thanked me." Han Dong laughed, twirling the pen in his hand.