April on Earth, a Hint of Joy (44)

The warm sunlight scattered down through the sparse gaps in the trees, as dazzling as golden beans sprinkled on the ground. Lu Huaizheng leaned against the wall, his T-shirt soaked through. With his hands in his pockets and one foot slightly bent against the wall, he scrutinized her for a moment.

He tossed out, "Go on."

As if she had received his approval.

Yu Hao ignored him and turned to leave.

Once the girl's stubborn figure was in the distance, Zhao Dailin turned and nudged Lu Huaizheng with her shoulder. "Are you really letting her go?"

Lu Huaizheng watched her walk to the gate, his gaze fixed. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked abruptly, "What's the deal between her and that Shen guy?"

Zhao Dailin also leaned against the wall, bracing her foot in the same posture as him, but she had the expression of someone enjoying a good show.

"Not too clear. Anyway, before you showed up, the young women in the compound were all quite optimistic about her and Shen Xiyuan. Yu Hao was also quite happy when she was with him." At this, Zhao Dailin folded her arms, raised her chin slightly, and teased him, "Look at everything she's been through in just over a month with you! How many times has she cried? Why don't you just let her go and let her be with Shen Xiyuan?"

Every word struck a nerve with Lu Huaizheng.

It was the truth. He was a dangerous man.

Yet, it was this very danger that was irresistible. No matter how dangerous the things experienced with him were, she accepted them.

But that kind of thrill was addictive.

Zhao Dailin couldn't agree more.

Lu Huaizheng put on his military cap, pulling the brim down low. His voice carried a hint of mockery:

"Let them be? The person I'm letting go of, does he dare to take her?"

Zhao Dailin froze. The man beside her had already stood up and walked away.

Perhaps from seeing his gentle side with Yu Hao so often, she had nearly forgotten the wildness in his bones. He was, after all, a man seasoned by battle. But the dominance in his words still gave her quite a shock.

Like a slumbering lion, usually gentle, but if truly provoked, he likely wouldn't be an easy one to deal with.

Zhao Dailin silently lit a candle for Yu Hao in her heart.

When Yu Hao reached the gate, she realized she had no ride to town. She asked the sentry, who told her she needed to request a vehicle from one of the two captains or Instructor Tang.

Yu Hao wrung her hands, thinking that Sun Kai was probably back in his dorm by now. She asked the sentry, "Where is Instructor Tang?"

The sentry shook his head.

Disappointed, Yu Hao turned her head and vaguely saw Lu Huaizheng walking toward her, wearing a cap. The brim concealed half of his face, revealing a smooth, clean jawline. He was wearing just a short-sleeved shirt, his chest damp with sweat.

The wind pressed his pant legs against his body, outlining the firm, slender shape of his powerful legs.

Yu Hao turned her head away.

Zhao Dailin used to say that when women look at men, first they look at the face, and second, the lower body.

Lu Huaizheng didn't stop, walking straight past her to the side.

Yu Hao was about to go look for Instructor Tang.

Just then, a car slowly pulled out of the nearby carport and stopped in front of her. The man inside had one arm resting on the open window and the other on the steering wheel. He glanced down, fiddling with the sunglasses in the center console, and said in a low voice, "Get in."

Yu Hao didn't hesitate, straightforwardly pulling open the door and getting in.

Lu Huaizheng put on his sunglasses, and once she had buckled her seatbelt, he lifted his chin, signaling the guard at the gate to let them through.

The weather in late April fluctuated, with a large temperature difference between morning and night. At noon, the sun was strong and scorching. Even the dogs on the roadside were panting, their tongues lolling out as they lay flat on the ground to cool down.

The road was dappled with the shade of mountain trees. They would drive through a patch of green shade, only to emerge onto another stretch of sun-baked mountain road.

Lu Huaizheng grabbed a jacket from the back and tossed it to Yu Hao. It was the black jacket he often wore.

His eyes on the road, he steered and said softly, "Cover up, so you don't get a sunburn."

Yu Hao frowned in distaste. "How long has it been since you washed this jacket? I think you've been wearing it ever since I first met you." But she didn't remove it, letting it remain on her.

He shot her a sideways glance. "Why wash a jacket so often? I hardly wear it in the Military Unit."

"I remember back in school, you used to change your outfit every day."

Holding the steering wheel, he joked, "Well, I had money back then."

"Where did you get money from back in school? You have a job now and you don't have money? Is the country treating you poorly?"

Lu Huaizheng was never one for extravagance, not since he was a child. His grandfather's teachings were still vivid in his mind, so how could he dare? His aunt had doted on him since he was young, always buying him clothes. After she married his current uncle, she became even more willing to spend money on him, sending boxes and boxes of clothes to their home.

He remembered that when he graduated from high school, there was still a pile of clothes at home that hadn't even been opened.

After starting college, Lu Huaizheng stopped letting them buy things for him. This became even more true after he joined the army. His food, clothing, and daily necessities were all provided by the Military Unit, and there wasn't much to be particular about. In the past, he might have skipped a shower, but he would still have to change into a fresh set of clothes the next morning.

Now, he showered every day but still put on that same Military Uniform. He did have money; fighter pilots like him were chosen after a rigorous selection process, so the country wouldn't treat them poorly. His basic salary plus his annual flight allowance came out to an annual income of around 300,000 yuan.

But he hadn't touched a cent of it these past few years.

He had originally planned to give a portion to his aunt to thank her for raising him all those years. As for the rest of the money, he figured he could invest it or buy a house. He hadn't planned on getting married. Now, he did intend to get married, but he had to get through this current situation first.

Lu Huaizheng just smiled and said nothing.

Yu Hao glanced at him quietly. "Have you been taking your medicine on time these past few days?"

The car entered a shady spot. He took off his sunglasses and placed them on the dashboard. "Yes."

"Have you been feeling unwell lately?"

Lu Huaizheng slowed the car, suddenly turning his head to look at her. He sat with his legs apart, steering with one hand, while his other reached out to touch her head, gently stroking the back of it twice. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Actually, he had just been thinking that if he acted pitiful and said he had a headache, Yu Hao might not be angry with him anymore.

He might have done that in the past, but now he didn't want to lie to her again, nor did he want her to live in constant fear for him. Zhao Dailin was right. In the month or so since their reunion, she had already cried for him twice.

He thought.

'It took so much to get to this point; I can't make her sad again.'

They rounded the mountain road.

Halfway there, the car broke down. By the time Lu Huaizheng realized it, the entire vehicle shuddered. He glanced down to see the tachometer needle bouncing wildly. Then, the car began to slow down. No matter how hard Lu Huaizheng stomped on the accelerator, the engine only roared loudly to no effect. It coasted down the slope on its momentum before stalling completely. It wouldn't start again.

Lu Huaizheng pulled the handbrake and said to Yu Hao, "Wait for me in the car. Don't open the doors for any reason."

That was one thing about Yu Hao—she was sensible and wouldn't cause trouble at a critical moment. She nodded obediently.

He patted her head, then got out of the car.

Yu Hao leaned back in her seat, watching through the windshield. Lu Huaizheng had the hood open and was leaning over it, inspecting the engine. After a moment, she saw him take something out and examine it in his hands. Just then, a woman approached from the side. Through the closed window, Yu Hao could hear the muffled sound of her calling Lu Huaizheng's name.

They were still a few kilometers from town, with a few scattered houses nearby, likely belonging to local villagers.

The woman was beautiful, with long, chestnut-colored hair. Her skin was fine and seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her features were sharp and striking, her thick eyelashes like black feathers fluttering over her eyes. She had a well-proportioned figure, and her slender, fair arms were crossed lightly over her chest, accentuating its full, round shape.

Yu Hao couldn't help but look down at herself.

An unobstructed view.

They exchanged a few words, and though she couldn't hear what was said, Yu Hao saw Lu Huaizheng give a casual smile. His hands still braced on the car, he looked down, found something, and then pulled out a coil of wire. The woman leaned in close to his ear again. As Lu Huaizheng listened, he glanced up at Yu Hao inside the car.

Yu Hao rolled the window down a crack.

The wind whistled through the opening, and the woman's voice became clearer. "...It's been quite a while since you last came looking for me..."

Yu Hao snapped the window shut again, blocking out all outside sound.

Ten minutes later, Lu Huaizheng got back in the car. He turned the key, and the engine started.

This man could really fix anything, a true jack-of-all-trades. "Is there anything you can't do?"

As the car pulled back onto the road, the woman stood outside, waving goodbye to Lu Huaizheng.

Lu Huaizheng gave a slight nod. Gripping the steering wheel, he glanced back at her, being quite modest. "Plenty of things."

"Like what?" Yu Hao prompted.

"For example," he paused, steering with one hand while his other arm rested on the windowsill. He rubbed his chin. As the car rounded a bend, he glanced in the rearview mirror and let out a mock sigh. "How to stop you from being angry at me."

"..."

He added, "How to stop you from seeing that Shen guy."

"..."

By the time they reached town, it was already one in the afternoon. Stalls had been set up along both sides of the street, and the air was filled with the endless cries of vendors. The town had returned to its usual bustling state.

Lu Huaizheng parked the car outside the bus station.

Shen Xiyuan had been waiting at the entrance for half an hour. Yu Hao got out of the car and rushed over, apologizing sincerely. "I'm sorry, Senior Brother. I've kept you waiting."

Shen Xiyuan was dressed in a sharp suit and leather shoes. He wore black-framed glasses, and his features were refined. The collar of his shirt was crisp, and a fine, custom-made leather belt cinched his waist. His trousers accentuated his long legs, and his pointed leather shoes gleamed in the sunlight.

His attire seemed out of place in the small town. It was too polished, drawing glances from passersby.

In comparison, there was Lu Huaizheng.

Dressed in a T-shirt and loose camo pants, he leaned casually against the car. It was a good thing he had a handsome face.

One was cultured and courteous; the other was wild and untamed.

A few years ago, he might have bothered to dress up.

Now, he really couldn't be bothered.

Leaning against the car door, Lu Huaizheng was utterly disdainful. 'Dressed up so slickly. How little confidence must this guy have in himself?'

The two spoke for a moment, but he couldn't hear what they said.

Suddenly, Yu Hao turned and walked back.

'Finished talking already?'

Yu Hao walked up to him and looked at him, hesitating to speak.

Leaning against the car door, Lu Huaizheng turned his head away impatiently. "Say it."

Yu Hao thought for a moment before saying, "Senior Brother Shen couldn't get a hotel room. It's a long drive back and forth in one day, which is tiring. And the materials are all from Professor Han for me, so...it counts as official business, right?"

Lu Huaizheng was unmoved, raising an eyebrow. "So?"

"Can he come back to the base with us?"

At that moment, Lu Huaizheng found it hard to understand how Yu Hao dared to make such a suggestion to him.

"Do you think I've been too agreeable lately?" he sneered.