Qin Jian’s heart was thrown into disarray by An Hao’s tears. Seeing her frail shoulders trembling, an impulse surged within him; he opened his arms, wanting to embrace her.
Unexpectedly, An Hao wiped away her tears and suddenly stood up, "I’m going to wash my face."
Watching her silhouette leave the room, Qin Jian clenched his fists.
When An Hao returned, her face bore a different expression, looking much better, "I just went to get water from the kitchen and saw two fish hanging on the door. What’s that all about?"
"Those were caught by some colleagues who went into the water to fish when we came down the mountain today. The fish are very plump early in the spring, so the camp’s kitchen kept a few. They insisted I take these two back for you," Qin Jian explained.
An Hao smiled gently, "Thank you. I’ll go cook the fish now. Don’t leave tonight; stay for dinner."
"No, next time," Qin Jian stood up and glanced at his watch, "It’s getting late. You better hurry and eat; I’ll come to see you when I have time."
"Are you really going...?" An Hao felt a faint sense of loss, "Is it because my cooking isn’t good?"
"No," Qin Jian put on his cap and said, "The family knows I’m coming back; they’re all waiting for me to eat. If you want to cook for me, you’ll have a lifetime to do that."
"Huh?" His last few words were muffled, and An Hao didn’t catch them clearly.
Just as she was about to ask again, Qin Jian was already striding out.
"I’ll walk you out..." Before An Hao could finish her sentence, she suddenly felt darkness sweep over her vision. Before she could react, a cool and gentle kiss landed on her forehead.
An Hao’s breath caught, and by the time she came to, Qin Jian had already left.
She raised her hand to touch her forehead, and her lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
Fortunately, in this lifetime, Qin Jian still liked her!
After leaving An Hao’s home, Qin Jian walked ten miles back to the base, arriving just as his colleagues had finished their dinner, walking in pairs and groups around the parade ground.
Jian Ying approached from a distance and saw Qin Jian’s return, she asked, "Have you had dinner?"
"No." Qin Jian shook his head, "Is there any food left in the kitchen?"
If not, he could grab a couple of buns to fill his stomach.
"What? After training, you didn’t eat and ran off to deliver fish to An Hao. Why didn’t she keep you for dinner?" Jian Ying couldn’t help teasing him.
The two of them had been together for so many years, yet this was the first time she had seen Qin Jian so concerned about a woman.
To deliver a few fish, he had to walk ten miles at night to An Hao’s place.
Though he was in his thirties, his actions resembled those of a young lad experiencing his first love.
"I turned her down." There was already so little at her home, how much would he end up eating?
Moreover, he had to discuss tomorrow’s work plan with colleagues from the municipal office tonight; he had to get back in time.
Therefore, he didn’t even return home.
"I got you some food; it’s on the table inside the room. Hurry up and eat!" Jian Ying shook her head helplessly, "Come on, let’s go in together; I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Alright, follow me."
Qin Jian returned to his dormitory room, saw a metal lunchbox with food on the table, washed his hands, sat down, and started to eat the steamed buns.
Jian Ying lit a cigarette and slowly said, "We received a telegram this afternoon. Section Chief Zhang said that the selection for outstanding individuals at the research institute has started again, and our department has two slots..."