A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

"It's time to go, it'll take more than an hour to get back." Ye Wenxi leaned on Lu Weidong's shoulder, reluctant to leave.

"I'll come back next year," Ye Wenxi said softly, as if making a wish.

"Okay, come back next year." Lu Weidong put his arm around her shoulder and agreed earnestly.

On the bus ride back, Ye Wenxi leaned softly against Lu Weidong, suddenly remembering something:

"Are you sure you don't need our help?" she asked, looking up.

"Really, there's no need." Lu Weidong looked down at her. "The people and vehicles at the location have already been arranged."

He paused, then explained to her:

"From boarding the train to disembarking, I was accompanied the entire time. The organization assigned people to accompany me, and there was also a medic on board."

"When we got off the train, the stretcher and wheelchair were ready, and they took us away directly."

"Wang Hao went directly back to his post to recuperate, while Ding Jiahe, after communicating with the organization, will stay in Harbin for a few days."

Ye Wenxi nodded after listening.

It makes sense, considering they are soldiers returning from the front lines wounded; they would have everything taken care of.

"Then let's just go in and pick them up, shall we?" Ye Wenxi asked.

"Okay, I'll go with you." Lu Weidong squeezed her hand.

Outside the window, dusk was falling, and the setting sun painted the entire sky a gentle orange-red.

The railway had originally arranged for the most lavish reception, and they were to be accommodated at the International Hotel.

But Zhang Yunxia refused, saying that they had some private matters to attend to, and that they wanted to choose a place closer to the 39th Military Region's family compound.

So, after some coordination, they arranged for him to stay at the state-run guesthouse opposite Lu Weidong's house.

The environment is quite nice; they specifically reserved the two best standard rooms, which were bright and clean.

When the two arrived, it was nearly five o'clock, and the sky was as dark as night.

The train station has a special passage leading directly to the platform. There are already people stationed at the entrance of the passage, and even a banner has been put up that reads, "Warmly welcome the glorious return of the frontline soldiers."

Lu Weidong showed his identification before the two were allowed inside.

A cold wind was blowing loudly on the platform.

A short while later, the train pulled into the station and slowly came to a stop.

The car door opened, and several people in military uniforms got out first. Then, Wang Hao was pushed out in a wheelchair. He had lost a lot of weight, but he was in good spirits, grinning and looking around.

Ding Jiahe followed behind and walked down on her own. She had put on a normal military uniform and removed the bandages. Judging from her legs and complexion, she had recovered and was no different from an ordinary person.

Zhang Yunxia led Zhang Xiangyang at the back, the little guy looking around with wide, curious eyes.

"Mom, where is this?" he asked softly.

"We're at the train station, we're home."

"Is this Harbin?" Zhang Xiangyang paused for a moment, then smiled. "Mommy, can I play here?"

"Okay! I'll take you out to play these next couple of days." Zhang Yunxia picked up Zhang Xiangyang and kissed his chubby little face.

"But don't play for too long, I miss Daddy Chen," Zhang Xiangyang said with a grin, hugging Zhang Yunxia.

Ye Wenxi spotted them immediately and quickly went to greet them.

"Oh, Comrade Ding Jiahe, I've heard so much about you! Your heroic deeds are truly a model for us women!"

With a serious expression, she grasped Ding Jiahe's left hand with both hands and shook it vigorously:

"On behalf of Wenxi Garment Company and all my colleagues, I would like to express my condolences and respect. Thank you for your hard work!"

As she spoke, she stood at attention and saluted. ∠(°ゝ°)

Ding Jiahe: "..............."

"Ahem." Lu Weidong leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "The palm of the hand when saluting isn't facing outwards."

"Tsk!" Ye Wenxi rolled her eyes at him and quickly turned her hand over.

Lu Weidong scratched his eyebrows. When would she be able to get rid of this habit of "performing on the spot"?

Ding Jiahe stared at Ye Wenxi for three seconds, then spoke expressionlessly:

Are you crazy?

"Tsk!" Ye Wenxi clicked her tongue again, looking displeased. "How come you have absolutely no sense of humor? This is all genuine feeling!"

Zhang Yunxia was laughing so hard she was shaking, and Zhang Xiangyang was also grinning foolishly.

Just then, several people in military uniforms walked over.

The leader was a middle-aged military officer with a solemn expression. He stepped forward and gave Ding Jiahe a standard military salute.

"Comrade Ding Jiahe, you've worked hard! Welcome back!"

Several people behind him also saluted, and the scene suddenly became serious.

Ding Jiahe quickly returned the greeting, her posture standard and serious.

The middle-aged officer lowered his hand, his attitude becoming amiable.

"The organization has arranged a car to take you to the guesthouse to rest. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Weidong stepped forward:

"No need, I'll pick them up."

The officer turned to look at him.

Lu Weidong pointed to the car next to him: "They have some personal matters to attend to. You can make normal arrangements for Wang Hao."

The officer paused for a moment, looked at Lu Weidong, then at Ye Wenxi, and smiled.

"Alright, then I'll trouble Chief of Staff Lu. I'll send someone to pick up the car tomorrow."

Lu Weidong nodded.

"You go back with them first," Ding Jiahe turned her head and said softly to Wang Hao.

"Okay, see you when we get back," Wang Hao replied, pulling Ding Jiahe's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

Ding Jiahe was a little embarrassed, but she didn't shake him off. She smiled with her lips pursed, her face slightly flushed.

"I'll bring you a gift when I get back," Ding Jiahe muttered softly, her face turning even redder.

"No need, I don't need anything, just have fun," Wang Hao said earnestly, but his eyes remained fixed on her.

"Oh dear, I've already thought of what to give you!" Ding Jiahe exclaimed anxiously, her voice rising an octave.

Ye Wenxi stood to the side, arms crossed, looking disgusted.

"So cloying."

Wang Hao was pushed away, turning back every few steps. Ding Jiahe stood there and waved to him until he disappeared at the end of the passage.

Lu Weidong drove them straight to Central Street.

Outside the car window, the sky had completely darkened, and the streetlights were coming on one by one.

Central Avenue is beginning to take on the appearance of a night scene. Under the dim yellow streetlights, the stone pavement gleams faintly, and the outlines of the old European-style buildings on both sides are outlined by the lights, appearing hazy and indistinct.

Although it can't compare to what it will be like decades later, Central Avenue was still quite lively at this time.

Some shops still had their lights on, and people were going in and out of their doors. Compared to the surrounding streets that were pitch black at night, this place could be considered a "city that never sleeps".

"This shop is open until eight o'clock, we can make it." Ye Wenxi said casually, looking out the window.

She had booked the restaurant in advance; it was Songbin Restaurant, a well-known old establishment on Central Street, specializing in Northeastern home-style dishes.

Ding Jiahe certainly didn't get to eat anything decent in Yunnan, so he needs to make sure he gets enough oil and fat for his first meal.

The car stopped in front of the restaurant, and the group went inside together.

The entrance to the Songbin Hotel is small, nestled among a row of old buildings on Central Avenue.

The four characters "Matsuhama Hotel" still exude the grandeur of yesteryear, while the red paint on the door frame is mottled and faded by decades of wind and rain.

Looking across the street, dim yellow light shines through the glass windows, and shadowy figures move about. Occasionally, a waiter carrying a plate walks past the window.

As soon as I opened the door, a wave of heat and the aroma of food wafted out.

A plaque resembling an award certificate hangs on the wall, signed "Harbin Catering Service Company".

The waiters wore white coats with name tags pinned to their chests and carried enamel trays as they moved between the tables.

The table was an old-fashioned round table with a glass plate underneath, and a handwritten menu and prices underneath.

Ye Wenxi and his group sat down at a round table and received two menus from the waiter.

The menu with the kraft paper cover had some oil stains and curled corners. When you opened it, the names of the dishes were printed in ink, followed by handwritten prices, and some parts were corrected in red pen.

Ye Wenxi ordered two menus and handed one to Zhang Yunxia and the other to Ding Jiahe.

"Don't be shy, give it your all!"

Ding Jiahe took the menu, glanced at it, and suddenly her eyes lit up:

"Sweet and sour pork!" she pointed to the menu. "Xiangyang will definitely love it!"

The waiter took notes.

"Another smoked chicken, please! That's enough for me!" Ding Jiahe happily closed the menu and handed it back to Ye Wenxi.

Ye Wenxi smiled and accepted it, then turned to look at Zhang Yunxia:

"Sister Yunxia, ​​what about you?"

Zhang Yunxia held the menu, looked at it for a long time, and her brows furrowed more and more deeply:

"Oh dear...they're all quite expensive..."

"Choose what you want to eat, don't worry about the price," Ye Wenxi urged her.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Yunxia finally spoke:

"Let's have a cold dish," she paused, then added, "and two pounds of fried dough sticks."

Ye Wenxi: "..."

She rolled her eyes at Zhang Yunxia:

"I told you to rip me off, but you wouldn't."

"No, let's order two more dishes!"

Zhang Yunxia flipped through the menu again, carefully:

"Then... radish ball and vermicelli soup."

Ye Wenxi sighed.

Zhang Yunxia is really good at managing her finances; she orders food like it's a piece of meat.

She picked up the menu, ordered two more meat dishes for herself, then closed it with satisfaction and handed it to the waiter.

While waiting for the food, Ye Wenxi suddenly cleared her throat and said seriously:

"By the way, I have something to announce."