Chapter 372: Chapter 372
Ye Ling peered outside through the slit of the tent. During military training, it was Shen Bin who trained them. Back then, Ye Ling didn’t pay much attention, but now watching from the side, she felt there was something particularly manly about Shen Bin. His tone was unhurried, his words clear—usually that stern and hard voice, but coming from him, it carried a certain authority.
Ye Ling thought about how Shen Bin usually trained employees, and seeing him this way now, she could imagine how serious he must be in front of them. Ye Ling knew that secretly watching Shen Bin wouldn’t be noticed by him. But who would have thought that Shen Bin, in the middle of a lecture, would suddenly turn his head, glance in Ye Ling’s direction, and then look away again. Even though it was just a fleeting glance, Ye Ling knew he was looking at her.
With this little episode, Ye Ling dared not peek again. However, she was holding a bowl, and after a moment of hesitation, she thought it might be better to step out now when no one was watching, rather than later when everyone might notice as he finished speaking. With that in mind, Ye Ling quietly exited the tent, glanced around, saw some smoke rising, and headed towards it. There, she indeed saw a few men busy at work. Ye Ling handed them her bowl and chopsticks. They took a quick look at her, then shyly smiled and continued with their tasks.
As Ye Ling walked back, she saw Shen Bin approaching. To be honest, she was relieved. Although she came here for training, she didn’t know anyone and didn’t know what to do. She even felt embarrassed to go out and eat with Bai Hehua and the others, since she wasn’t from their class.
"There’s still some time before it gets dark. I’ll take you to hunt wild chickens." Shen Bin said casually, handing the coat he was holding to Ye Ling, "Put it on; it’s chilly up the mountain."
Ye Ling obediently took it and put it on, following Shen Bin. "Are you finished with your work? If there’s more to do, you don’t have to mind me. I’m not a child."
Shen Bin walked ahead casually, "The joint training starts tomorrow. I’m mainly supervising the assistants and communication department, so there’s nothing much to busy myself with. Did you see Ye Qian and Bai Hehua?"
"I only saw Bai Hehua." Ye Ling had nothing to say to Shen Bin, though fortunately Shen Bin spoke first.
The two walked into the woods. The farther they went, the harder the path became to navigate, with snow up to their knees. Ye Ling, not very tall to begin with, found it even more difficult to move, especially wearing a coat. At the start, when her stamina was good, it was still manageable. In the end, every time she lifted her foot, her body wobbled, almost falling into the snow. To avoid falling, she had to brace her hands on the snow, and this left her repeatedly pressing her hands into it. Ye Ling was so tired that sweat formed on her forehead, while Shen Bin showed no sign of stopping, and she had no idea where he was leading her.
She wondered to herself if they were going to wander around the entire forest looking for wild chickens.
As she was about to lose her balance and fall into the snow again, a force steadied her. Ye Ling looked up and her gaze collided with Shen Bin’s deep eyes, like a tranquil pond. Quickly, she stood straight and tried to pull her hand back, but Shen Bin held it tightly and continued to lead her forward.
"I can walk on my own," Ye Ling murmured, her face turning red as she tried to pull her hand back.
Shen Bin, however, held on and did not let go, slowing his pace. "If I don’t take the initiative, you’ll always protect yourself within your shell. I informed my father in advance; he hopes we spend more time together and allowed me to bring you over. In my friends’ eyes, we are a couple. You don’t fit the mold of someone your age; you need someone to take care of you, not the other way around."
"You said you’d give me half a year," Ye Ling took a deep breath. "Last time it was when my father was ill and I encountered Fu Lei. Facing Xiang Weilai’s confession, I agreed to it, feeling he gave me a different kind of warmth. Now, I sometimes think, if I hadn’t agreed back then, maybe nothing afterwards would have happened, which would have been better for everyone."
That’s why now she’s hesitant to agree easily, fearing another unfavorable situation might arise.
Shen Bin didn’t seem upset, "If after half a year you are still like now, although my approach might seem forceful, I believe this is the best choice for you. I can’t guarantee other things, but I can guarantee to give you a home."
"Anyone could give me a home," Ye Ling muttered discontentedly. For more chapters visit NoveI[F]ire.net
"There are many kinds of homes. Your parents’ is one kind. But you need a different kind of home." Shen Bin’s voice was calm, "I know you don’t analogy, but I know you prefer truth over lies."
Ye Ling knew Shen Bin was right, but watching him single-handedly decide on things for the two of them, and so assertively, made her instinctively want to rebel. It was something that emerged from her bones, even though deep down she agreed with what Shen Bin said.
The warmth gradually spread through her hand held by Shen Bin’s. Her gaze settled on the hand holding hers. In her past life, during those lonely and painful times, she thought if someone could hold her hand , would her life have been different?
In this life, she wouldn’t pursue anyone she couldn’t match. Fu Lei was a child from a poor family, yet his smile was so pure, making her feel warmth she couldn’t resist. She believed that being with someone like that would keep her from being hurt, but that wasn’t the case. Xiang Weilai was an unexpected event, one she had never anticipated. His steadiness and how he meticulously arranged everything gave her hope, but ultimately it was shattered.
Shen Bin’s forceful domination came suddenly and felt natural, as if since her rebirth, Shen Bin had gradually walked into her life. Just when she was about to forget he ever existed, he re-entered her life so casually, as if he had never left, as naturally as though he were an old friend.
They walked through the forest, one step deep, one step shallow. Ye Ling followed Shen Bin, treading in his footprints, which made it considerably easier, especially with Shen Bin holding her, saving her a lot of effort. After Shen Bin spoke, he didn’t say anything more, and neither did Ye Ling. When Shen Bin stopped, Ye Ling stepped up to stand beside him and finally saw a trap set not far away, realizing that a trap had been set long before.
A few wild chickens lingered near the trap, pecking at the scattered grain. Ye Ling dared not move or make a sound, fearing to startle the chickens. In her concentration, she forgot to pull her hand from Shen Bin’s and didn’t notice Shen Bin’s gaze fixed on her, completely ignoring the wild chickens.
Ye Ling waited for a long moment. When a few wild chickens were caught in the trap, clucking in alarm and startling the others to flee, she cheered excitedly. But when she looked at Shen Bin, she found him staring at her, and her smile froze on her face. (To be continued. If you work, please go to qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)