Chapter 268: Chapter 268

This training exercise is in the outskirts. The people living in this house are beekeepers. At dawn, the family went busy, leaving Ye Ling and Shen Bin alone. Shen Bin got his shirt dirty while holding Ye Ling. After washing Ye Ling’s pants, Shen Bin started washing his own clothes. After such an awkward incident, how could Ye Ling face Shen Bin as if nothing happened? When Shen Bin was outside, she would hide inside. When Ye Ling saw Shen Bin coming in, she would move to the outside. The weather was warm, and the sun was out. Ye Ling looked at the clothes that had stopped dripping and wondered how long it would take to dry.

Thinking about how all the other students had returned to school, yet she hadn’t, Ye Ling felt worried. However, with Shen Bin there, and since Shen Bin wasn’t in a hurry, Ye Ling decided not to worry about anything. After all, Shen Bin handled everything. Hearing footsteps behind her, Ye Ling pretended to get up.

"Sit down." The cold, firm voice had a tone that allowed no argument.

Ye Ling snorted. Did he really think he could order her around? Ignoring Shen Bin’s words, Ye Ling stood up from the chair, while Shen Bin had already moved to the side, "Ye Ling, let’s have a talk."

Ye Ling turned her head to look at him.

That unchanging look was always on his face, eyes that seemed to see through everything. Ye Ling thought for a moment and sat down.

Shen Bin sat down nearby, "Ye Ling, you have some misunderstandings about me."

It was not a question, but a definitive statement.

Ye Ling retorted, "Instructor Shen, what misunderstandings do I have about you?"

"I’ll be straightforward. Though I don’t know why, I can see you’ve always had issues with me. I’ve explained to you the misunderstanding about me liking Ye Qian, and that cookie tin was indeed a gift from someone else. It was just a coincidence running into you, so I gave it to you. Knowing your stubbornness against accepting things from others, I used Ye Qian as an excuse. At the Bai Hehua situation, it was the leader’s directive. When I got the chance, I explained to Bai Hehua that we weren’t suitable. That day in the park, you saw me telling her this matter." Shen Bin gazed at Ye Ling fixedly, "I also admit that even though you’re young, I admire the strength you exhibit. That’s what caught my attention about you."

Ye Ling didn’t know whether she should overthink those words, but her ears turned red. In her previous life, this man’s speech was few and far between, hardly able to utter a phrase. To think he could say something now was truly surprising.

Thinking back, it was indeed her who wronged Shen Bin in the past life. Shen Bin, being naturally cold and stern, was deserted by her on their wedding day, which left her not fulfilling any wifely duties. She only knew to complain about everyone. Seeing Ye Qian happy, she even went to confess to Liu Zhiyuan, ending up a joke, inadvertently making Shen Bin a laughingstock. Yet, Shen Bin didn’t blame her; he didn’t expose it to family members. Even when she encountered Shen Bin in a pathetic state, he didn’t kick her while she was down. Instead, he showed concern and even offered money, yet she fled in fear.

This life, after her rebirth, Shen Bin did nothing wrong. It was she who first misunderstood him. Shen Bin didn’t mind and kept helping her. Even her family avoided disaster because of his assistance. Today, after this awkward incident, Shen Bin didn’t just ignore her; he carried her all the way, washed her clothes, and was the first to initiate conversation to break the deadlock. Ye Ling thought over it, realizing she had been too melodramatic and unfair to Shen Bin.

If the bloodstains on the clothes weren’t washed quickly, they would be impossible to remove. Ye Ling knew Shen Bin meant well; she just felt embarrassed, which was why she acted fiercely towards Shen Bin.

Under Shen Bin’s gaze, Ye Ling slowly lowered her head. Clearly, he’s been a good person to her throughout both lifetimes, so why did she target him? Ye Ling felt she was too capricious.

"I am a man and straightforward. If I’ve offended you anywhere, please tell me. I don’t wish for any misunderstandings to linger." Shen Bin’s eyes glimmered. Seeing the girl nod her head in acknowledgment, although she remained silent, Shen Bin knew the conversation was successful.

"Instructor Shen, when are we going back to school? How do we explain to them?" When Ye Ling raised her head again, her tone was much gentler than before.

Shen Bin was happy to see the change, "It’s now after eight o’clock. You can take a day off today. We’ll return after dinner, and I’ll explain to the school. You need not say anything."

Ye Ling blinked, "We’ll have dinner outside?"

Sitting down to chat calmly with Shen Bin felt a bit uncomfortable and awkward for Ye Ling. However, noticing Shen Bin seemed indifferent, Ye Ling realized if she continued to act petulantly, Shen Bin would surely see through her. She didn’t want him to look down on her.

To avoid Shen Bin looking down on her, Ye Ling forced herself to meet Shen Bin’s gaze firmly.

Shen Bin nodded and stood up, "You call me Uncle, and now that we’re in the Capital, I should at least treat you to Capital roast duck."

"Uncle Shen, you’re too kind." Ye Ling couldn’t help but twitch her mouth.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but why did she feel like Shen Bin intentionally emphasized "Uncle" to tease her? Given his stern demeanor, Ye Ling thought she must be overthinking. Besides, calling him Uncle in the first place was to deliberately slight him. Shen Bin was only eight years older, so calling him Brother would have worked too. It was just that Ye Ling misunderstood him back then, so she addressed him as Uncle.

"When I came over, your father specifically asked me to look after you. After this military training, courses will officially start. I’ll be furthering my studies at the school for two years. In the meantime, if you encounter any issues, feel free to find me." Shen Bin, who was essentially continuing his education, was different from Ye Ling and the new students, as the classes were separate. Newest update provided by novelꞁire.net

Even though Ye Ling no longer resisted Shen Bin, sitting down suddenly like friends left her feeling inexplicably awkward. The two had just reconciled, and she didn’t want to snub Shen Bin’s kindness, "Alright, then I’ll trouble Uncle Shen."

Every time she uttered the words "Uncle," Ye Ling felt utterly uncomfortable.

Seeing Ye Ling’s awkward demeanor, Shen Bin’s eyes twinkled with amusement. This little girl, usually as stubborn as a little tiger, suddenly turned meek as a kitten. Shen Bin took another look, knowing if he sat longer, the little girl would become even more embarrassed, so he stood up first.

"The clothes will be dry by the morning. We’ll have lunch here, and I’ll take you for a walk around the Capital in the afternoon, then have dinner." Shen Bin finished speaking and turned to the house.

Ye Ling let out a sigh of relief, agreeing with a smile, yet she couldn’t help but murmur to herself. After this encounter, she found Shen Bin wasn’t as hateful as she thought. Quite astute, indeed. (To be continued. If you work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)