Chapter 269: Chapter 269

The beekeeper returned home before noon and was very pleased to see that Ye Ling and the others were soldiers. With special care, he prepared the braised pork with honey. Ye Ling thought she might not be accustomed to the sweetness, given she generally disliked sweet food. But the braised pork was indescribably tender and aromatic, without being greasy. The sweetness was just right, with vinegar added to the mix, reminding Ye Ling of the sweet and sour pork ribs ordered by others when she worked at a restaurant in her past life. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nove1Fire.net

There was also white rice and a cold dish. Although there were only two dishes, they were served in generous portions. Ye Ling observed their warm hospitality and secretly tugged Shen Bin’s sleeve, asking, "Is it okay to eat at a civilian’s home?"

"Just leave some food coupons when we’re leaving," Shen Bin replied, enjoying the feeling of being relied upon by Ye Ling.

Ye Ling almost knocked her own head, realizing her unnecessary worry. Hence, when it came time to eat, she didn’t hold back. During her menstrual cycle, much like pregnancy, she had a strong appetite and could sleep well. Despite the presence of Shen Bin, an outsider, she felt no embarrassment and easily finished off two large bowls of rice. For Shen Bin, being male, eating a lot seemed normal. But Ye Ling’s appetite astonished the beekeeper’s family. They found her approachable and delightful, continuously encouraging her not to be shy and eat more, while constantly adding meat to her bowl.

When Ye Ling put down her chopsticks, Shen Bin was slightly slower in doing so, finishing only one bowl, still slower than Ye Ling. Ye Ling glanced at him and noticed Shen Bin wasn’t looking at her. She felt she might be overthinking; previously she thought Shen Bin was decent, now she believed Shen Bin held off to avoid awkwardness for her. Yet, how could someone be so considerate and attentive? Ye Ling thought perhaps she just had this flaw; once she liked someone, she couldn’t think badly of them again.

As they prepared to leave, Shen Bin left behind five pounds of food coupons. The hosts initially declined to accept, but Shen Bin insisted earnestly and solemnly, "Uncle and Aunt, you have kind hearts. If you don’t accept this, we won’t leave either."

Upon hearing this, the old man laughed, "See, it was just a good intention to make you something to eat, not expecting you to be this courteous. Then I’ll accept these food coupons."

When Ye Ling changed back into her pants, she noticed Shen Bin had already handed over the food coupons to the other side. After bidding farewell, Ye Ling followed Shen Bin on their way, wondering when they would finally get out of this seemingly endless place.

"Two thousand meters more, there’s a bus stop ahead," Shen Bin suddenly spoke from the front.

Ye Ling was surprised, thinking to herself that she was just pondering this, and then he immediately mentioned it. She couldn’t help but take a look at Shen Bin’s steady stride. After getting acquainted, Shen Bin continued to surprise her in various ways. Ye Ling felt Shen Bin might not be the person she initially pictured, not cold-hearted or socially clueless.

Ye Ling felt conflicted, so the day ended with little conversation between them. Shen Bin led Ye Ling to the Forbidden City, which at that time required no tickets, then to Tiananmen, and finally to enjoy some roast duck. It was only at the school’s gate when they parted ways, saying goodbye, did they speak more.

Ye Ling hadn’t had any news all day, causing Liu Nan and Yang Hui to worry, but their instructor had not come to inquire, suggesting they knew Ye Ling’s whereabouts. When Ye Ling finally returned, they crowded around her.

"Ye Ling, why did you return only after a day?"

"Where did you go? Did you explain things to the school?"

Ye Ling smiled, saying, "I’ll go to the bathroom first, then tell you all about it."

Grabbing her things, she hurried out. Seeing what she carried, Yang Hui and Liu Nan understood. No wonder Ye Ling had slowed progressively and barely moved; turned out it was that time.

After returning, Ye Ling explained about feeling unwell, so she applied for leave from the school and stayed at a local’s home. This was the explanation Shen Bin had advised her at the school gate, easily finding no faults in it, Yang Hui and Liu Nan had no doubts, quickly shifting the topic to the recent drills. Apparently, Ma Yue found it tiring, hitching a ride with Dong Minghui halfway through, which the school discovered, earning them a reprimand. Ye Ling was puzzled about Ma Yue and Dong Minghui’s unusual silence in the dormitory today, realizing it was due to the reprimand.

The following day was Saturday, a day of rest. Yet, Ye Ling was summoned by the instructor, assigned to sweep a passageway in the campus. Ye Ling didn’t understand why she was chosen but waited for the instructor to speak.

"Yesterday, you fell behind midway through practice and spent a day away from school. If not for Instructor Shen taking the blame for you, you would have been punished. This is mild, considering it’s a day off and many are not here, while Ma Yue and the others are cleaning the dormitory; it’ll be work for all," Guo Min said, confused why Ye Ling always seemed to stir things up.

Ye Ling was quite surprised on hearing Shen Bin got punished, pleading, "Instructor, it’s my fault. Instructor Shen only involved because I was unwell."

Currently in military training, the punishment wasn’t too severe. Besides, a penalty was merely a recorded infraction. Being female, her exploration path might not be extensive, not compared to Shen Bin’s distant prospects, so Ye Ling didn’t want Shen Bin to bear her mistake.

Guo Min furrowed a brow, "This matter’s settled. Higher-ups won’t change it based on your words. Knowing you implicated the instructor, just be more careful. No tools needed for that path, head over now."

Ye Ling bit her lip and turned away, feeling the instructor’s displeased gaze from behind without looking back. Reaching the indicated spot, Ye Ling found a male student already sweeping, hearing someone approach, he raised his head, showing surprise upon seeing it was a female.

"Hello, I’m new student Ye Ling," Ye Ling greeted, going over and taking the broom beside, smiling, saying, "Instructor assigned me here to sweep too."

The guy in front smiled, "I’m Fu Lei."

Despite being a simple smile, Ye Ling felt dazzled momentarily, like sunlight bright and warm, lifting spirits.

Fu Lei smiled again, saying, "Just this one path, I can handle it alone. You can just watch."

"Two people get it done faster," Ye Ling smiled back and joined in.

Fu Lei stayed silent, just grinning widely. Ye Ling paused; he indeed had a charming smile. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)