"Ouch, don’t say that! You all came over to serve us, and besides, it was thanks to you that this mountain fire was extinguished! We are the ones who should be grateful; it’s our entire village that owes you thanks!"
"Old Branch Secretary, this is what we should do! As long as the lives of the common people are not at risk, that’s all that matters!"
"No, no! Thank you all, and you’re welcome to come back anytime!"
After the pleasantries, Qin Jian and a few leaders from the city power bureau who were responsible for the work nodded to the village cadres and then led the team to head back.
The main force set out, advancing in the light drizzle.
It was barely dawn at this time, and the village was still quiet, with few people up and about.
Qin Jian, now standing in the rain, watched the team move forward, glancing several times toward the intersection.
Yesterday, An Hao had gone to help him pack, and he only told An Hao that he had to leave very early today and asked her not to come.
She seemed in low spirits; she had returned late last night, and with the rain this morning, she surely hadn’t gotten up yet.
"Qin Gong," the driver got out of the car and said to Qin Jian, "The team has already set off; please get in the car!"
"Mhm." Qin Jian replied, opened the car door, and climbed in.
The car started and slowly followed the advancing team.
Qin Jian closed his eyes, and images of An Hao filled his mind; her voice seemed to echo in his ears.
Her voice was long and filled with urgency, as if coming from the distant horizon, "Qin Jian—"
"Qin Gong!" Liu Jun, who was driving, noticed something in the rear-view mirror and promptly called out to Qin Jian.
Qin Jian opened his eyes, "What’s wrong?"
Following Liu Jun’s words, Qin Jian turned to look back and saw a pale blue figure in the misty gray rain.
She was running after the car in the rain, calling his name.
It was An Hao—she had come!
"Stop the car! Stop the car!"
Before the car had come to a complete stop, Qin Jian opened the door and jumped out.
"An Hao—" as soon as he steadied his feet, An Hao pounced on him like a butterfly.
"So you did come..." Qin Jian looked at her rain-soaked face, clothes, and hair with a touch of heartache and couldn’t help but chide her, "Why didn’t you bring an umbrella..."
Before he could finish his sentence, An Hao wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and pressed her lips to his.
In the slanted rain under the gray skies, he held her, forgetting time, forgetting everything, lost in their kiss.
After a while, An Hao finally released Qin Jian and looked into his eyes, word by word, she said, "Go on! Wait for me in the city! I’ll be there soon!"
Qin Jian nodded, raised his hand to fix her wet hair, and said, "Take care of yourself these days, we’ll meet in the city!"
Qin Jian got back into the car, and the troop continued on, fading into the distance until disappearing from An Hao’s blurred vision.
She then wiped the rain off her face and turned back.
Days dragged by one after another in utter boredom, and finally, the day to start school arrived.
Today was the first day An Hao was going to the Medical University to enroll.
She was the first student from her village to gain admission to the Military Medical University with the top score in the whole province.
She was the pride of her village.
An Shuchao and An Ping took An Hao to town to catch the bus, and as they passed the village entrance, they came across Song Yueqin standing there.